FBFF: Fashion Beauty Friend Friday

I finally did it! I have been reading about this group for a while now, seeing the posts on many of the blogs that I follow, but I finally joined Fashion Beauty Friend Friday.

If you are not aware of this group, there is a fantastic introduction as well as “How To” on Grit & Glamour that explains everything you need to know (see the post here). This group was created so that bloggers could share their thoughts on a topic given by Katy of ModlyChic. As a result, we have instant interesting content and we get to know other fellow bloggers in the process.

Well, it looks like I arrived just in time because this week’s FBFF post launches the “Blog Awards” (hence the pictured tiara). Participants will nominate one blogger for each of the categories below and explain why they were nominated. All the responses will be collected and a list of the top five bloggers will be named in each category. Those finalists will then be opened up to a public vote. I am unsure of the timeline as this is being posted, but I will definitely make sure to post updates as I find out. Being a newbie, I apologize if I put the same blog in more than one category. Happy Friday!

  • Creative Juices – The Citizen Rosebud: Her outfits are always fantastically creative.
  • The Real Deal – The Citizen Rosebud: In addition to the great outfits, she has great content.
  • Spark Notes – Grit & Glamour: My guide-book to smart & responsible blogging.
  • Newbie – Beautifully Invisible: It looks like we started blogging right around the same time.
  • Can You Hear Me Now – Grit & Glamour: (see my previous reason)
  • If I had a Hammer – Better in Sepia: Love her recipes and her Etsy store.
  • Tribe Leader – ModlyChic: FBFF!
  • Practically Perfect – Style Underdog: She is my style icon for the gal over 40.
  • Paint by Numbers – Those Graces: Lots of great make up tips.
  • Renaissance Woman – Statements in Fashion: Collette’s got it all!
  • (Update) Honorable Mention – Full Time Fabulous/Vogue Gone Rogue: I can’t believe that I forgot to mention Kristy and all of her community building during the time she was in the contest with Sunglass Hut. A big shout out to Kristy…she could fit into every category here!
  • (Update) All Time Favorite Blog – The Glamourai: I know this category isn’t a part of the “FBFF Blog Awards”, but just wanted to mention that I adore Kelly Framel’s style, DYI and jewelry line. Just fantastic.

Grit & Glamour Gets Gucci!

One of my favorite “daily read” blogs had a major event happen yesterday. Vahni of Grit & Glamour was included in a list of 7 bloggers who were invited to present the live stream of the Gucci Fall/Winter 2011 womenswear show from Milan! If you missed the live stream, you can still view it on her blog here.

Congratulations V on such an incredible opportunity!

(Image courtesy of Style.com. Click the link to view the entire Gucci Fall 2011 Ready-to-Wear collection.)

Nifty Make-Up Find: Brow Fix

I found this cool little kit while grabbing some quick items at my local CVS. It’s the Milani Brow Fix Eye Brow Powder Kit. I originally bought it in the medium prior to checking out their online store, but I definitely will be purchasing the dark instead. I love it because it’s everything you need to groom your brows in one kit: straight-edged tweezers, slanted brow filler brush, brow bone sponge applicator, 3X magnifying mirror, brow bone highlighter and two tone-on-tone powders (light & dark). For the price of $6.49, it’s worth adding to your daily beauty routine!

Quick Dash


I ran some quick errands and managed to snap a picture of my outfit between going to the drugstore from the bank last week. It was our first week back to business casual, and this little dress from Mod Cloth was perfect. I love the ease of the fabric and the print for the price (believe it or not, it was $26!). I kept it very simple by pairing it with a long dark cardigan, tights and booties.

Outfit: Spicy Girl dress; Mixx booties; Target tights; H&M cardigan; Burberry sunglasses; Tiffany & Co necklace; Juicy Couture & Forever 21 rings

Rodarte Fall 2011: Coat Lust

When I received the email from Fashionista.com with their fall reviews, I was immediately drawn to Rodarte’s fall 2011 line. I. Love. The. Coats. I think they are more “Pride & Prejudice” than “Little House on the Prairie”. If you recall the costumes from the BBC mini-series, they wore wonderful mid-length and long coats over their dresses. Everytime I see those coats I swoon (and I watch the series at least twice a year because I have the deluxe set). With these coats from Rodarte, I may have to invest in one just to satisfy this deep want.

(All images via Fashionista.com. Click on each picture for a larger image.)

Fabulous Over 40

Bella Q of The Citizen Rosebud has a great post about fashionably fabulous women over 40.   In a time when I thought I was kidding myself with starting a fashion blog (see my post here), I have come to find out that I’m in fantastic company.  Please visit her blog and check out this wonderful list of snazzy women over 40 who remind us all that style is ageless.  I am honored and ecstatic to be included in such esteemed company!

Never Too Old:  Fashion Bloggers Over 40

(Image from Zazzle.com)

Recoil Events in April & May 2011


Oh you lucky Brits! As if I didn’t want to live in England more than I already do, Recoil will be presenting shows on two dates: one in April and one in May of this year. Maybe this will inspire Alan Wilder to take another jaunt around the world, hopefully returning back to Southern California? One can only hope.

I think this first one is pretty self-explanatory by the flier pictured here. Recoil will be playing the first date of the Back to the Phuture festival at Academy 1 in Manchester on Friday April 1st, 2011. The second half of the festival will be in London.

Here is the full line up for Manchester: Gary Numan, Recoil, Motor, Richard H Kirk DJ set, Mark Jones DJ set

The second show is the Short Circuit festival by Roundhouse with a weekend hosted by Mute Records, Depeche Mode’s UK record label. Recoil will perform live on Friday May 1st 2011, along with artists like Nitzer Ebb and a live DJ set by Daniel Miller. On Saturday May 2nd, Erasure will be performing and there will be a special appearance by Alison Moyet (not necessarily with Erasure, but who knows?).

Those of you lucky enough to be in the area, have fun at the shows and know that there will be a very jealous gal in San Diego, wishing she were there, too. Cheers!

(All information was from the Shunt, Roundhouse and Back to the Phuture websites)

Head Over Heels


I absolutely love these “Make Your Mark” heels by Quipid Luxe from Mod Cloth (seen here and here). As with a lot of things I buy, I live in them for a few weeks, then they go right into my regular wardrobe rotation. I’m finding that they are incredibly versatile, so I’ve been wearing them with everything from jeans to trousers to skirts. I think they’re just ducky, don’t you?


Oufit 1: Old Navy shirt, jacket and scarf; H&M jeans; Qupid Luxe shoes; Louis Vuitton purse; Juicy Couture sunglasses; Foreve 21 ring


Outfit 2: Nordstrom cardigan; Topshop t-shirt; Anthropologie trousers; Forever 21 purse and ring; Juicy Couture sunglasses & ring; Quipid Luxe shoes

Target’s Go International Designer Collective: March to April 2011

Sorry for being a bit late on this news, but I was perusing my latest “People Style Watch” and saw a bit about Target’s “Go International” line (see online article here). Target announced last year that they will be presenting 34 dresses from 17 previous designers of their “Go International” line. This includes designers such as Erin Fetherston, Rodarte, Thakoon, Tucker and Zac Posen. Expected re-release will be March 13 through April 10, 2011.

I am a big fan of the Go International designers Target has chosen so far. The actual 34 dresses that are a part of this collection have not been released as of yet, so check back and I will be sure to include the latest on this exciting upcoming launch!

(Photo courtesy of People Style Watch)

Update: FabSugar.com has a sneak peek of all 34 dresses (click here)!  Looks like I have a few of the dresses already, but so many that I don’t.  Thanks Jessica (her blog is Year of the Labbit) for the link!

Have a Little Heart

I don’t know about you, but I’ve got that lovin’ feeling. Since we all know it’s going to be pretty hectic to try to go out tonight, my husband and I will be spending today with our son at home. But later this week, we’ll be leaving the little one with my mom to go out on a belated Valentine’s Day date. In the meantime, I found a few romantic themed items on Mod Cloth that could inspire me to write a few lines of pretty prose to my handsome hubby. Happy Valentine’s Day!

(PS: Check out this fantastic Valentine dedication from Bella at The Citizen Rosebud to the “agelessness” of fashion.  Thanks Bella!)

Have a Little Heart
Have a Little Heart by sighgee featuring a shoulder sling bag