All Things Pretty: Arm Candy

Arm Candy, Arm Party, Arm Soiree, whatever you call it- stacked bracelets have been a huge trend for the past several months. Here are a few tips and essentials to hosting your own party!

Essentials

-Watches

-Skulls

-Wraps

-Chains

-Studs

Quick Tips

-Choose one statement piece- it can be your watch, huge studs, or something sparkly

-Mix your metals (gold, silver, rose gold) or stay in one metal family

-Pick one pop of color that matches something else you're wearing

-Pair chunky bracelets with thick wraps and skinny beaded bracelets to create a dimensional look

{images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 clockwise}

Get the Look: Nautical Edition

ModCloth Sailing School Soiree Dress // Emma J Shipley Gorilla Silk Scarf // Tiffany & Co. Twist Bow Earrings // BCBG Skinny Metal-Plate Waist Belt // Steve Madden Realize Heels

Leighton Meester plays ice-queen Blair Waldorf on the hit show Gossip Girl. She often sports nautical ensembles, which happen to be my favorite. Nautical outfits typically consist of simple lines, and the colors red, navy, and white. Another fun option as seen here is tying a bright silky scarf in a fun color.

Beauty Sales: Week of August 26th

Gilt:

• TRIA Beauty: Laser Hair Removal & Acne Devices (Sale begins Noon ET 8/27)
• Weekend Beauty Bag: Advanced Solutions (Sale begins Noon ET 9/1)

Hautelook:

• Iso Beauty (Sale begins 8am PT 8/26)
• Nia 24 (Sale begins 8am PT 8/27)
• TEI Spa, Violent Lips (Sale begins 8am PT 8/28)
• Christie Brinkley Skincare (Sale begins 8am PT 8/29)
• Bellezza Hair Tools, Dr. Brandt, Le Edge USA (Sale begins 8am PT 8/30)
• Sibu Beauty (Sale begins 8am PT 8/31)
• TanTowel (Sale begins 8am PT 9/1)

MYHABIT:

• Dayna Decker (Sale begins 9am PT 8/27)
• Labor Day Sale: Must Have Makeup: Under $15 (Sale begins 9am PT 8/29)
• Heavy Metal-Hair Styling Event (Sale begins 9am PT 8/30)
• Age-Defying Skincare (Sale begins 9am PT 8/31)

Recipe: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love cookies that are chewy and a little crunchy and these cookies really hit the spot. The cookies combine the chewiness of oatmeal cookies, and sweetness of chocolate chip cookies, making them a delicious treat that will be a sure crowd-pleaser. *I used a tablespoon and it created 24 perfectly sized cookies, if you use a teaspoon to scoop like the recipe recommends, you'll most likely end up with 48 mini cookies.*

Tips for the Hostess with the Mostess

Freeze small fruit pieces (blueberries, strawberry bits, raspberries) onto cute skewers for a fun addition to any drink.

For a cute addition to a hot drink, freeze your favorite kind of chocolate with decorative sprinkles on top into a spoon and use as a hot chocolate stirrer, or maybe even for coffee for a really decadent treat.

Label cheeses with chalk on a slate board and add various garnishes (honey, sprigs of mint, assorted nuts) for an update to the typical plate of cheese and crackers.

For a chic and easy centerpiece, throw seasonal pieces into jars for a decorative accent. In the spring+summer, place citrus into clear vases, in the fall opt for seasonal candy (candy corn is my favorite!), and in the winter, go for silver and blue ornaments.

images via 1, 2, 3, 4+4

All Things Pretty: Bathing Beauties

one+one // two // three // four // five // six

Summer break may be coming to an end, but these beautiful bathing suits are too pretty to pass up. What is your favorite type of bathing suit to wear, something pretty+patterned or simple+sweet?

Beauty Sales: Week of August 19th

Fab:

• KOR Hair Tools, Rinse Bath & Body (Sale begins 11am ET 8/19)
• Beekman 1802 (Sale begins 11am ET 8/25)

Gilt:

• Skincare Tools from Tei Spa (Sale begins Noon ET 8/21)
• French Skincare Shop (Sale begins Noon ET 8/22)

Hautelook:

• Eva NYC (Sale begins 8am PT 8/19)
• Bleeding Heart Cosmetics (Sale begins 8am PT 8/20)
• M Lab, Stila (Sale begins 8am PT 8/21)
• Brillance New York (Sale begins 8am PT 8/22)
• Facefront Cosmetics, ISO Beauty, nailuv (Sale begins 8am PT 8/24)
• Goldfaden Skincare (Sale begins 8am PT 8/25)

MYHABIT:

• Skincare Gifts for New Moms (Sale begins 9am PT 8/19)
• Nature's Shea Butter (Sale begins 9am PT 8/20)
• Beaute Basics, Pharma Skincare (Sale begins 9am PT 8/21)
• NuME Hair Tools (Sale begins 9am PT 8/22)
• M.A.D Skincare (Sale begins 9am PT 8/23)

Rue La La:

• Caroline Chu (Sale begins 11am ET 8/21)
• June Jacobs (Sale begins 11am ET 8/23)

Link Love: August 12-18

Back to School Fashion: Outfits for the First Week [sarahbelle93x]

20,000 Counterfeit Christian Louboutin Shoes Confiscated [Yahoo News]

As Seen On TV Beauty: What Really Works [Refinery 29]

DIY Disco Ball Necklace [For Chic Sake]

Foods That Zap Your Energy [fitSugar]

Helen Gurley Brown: 10 Best Tips From 'Sex and the Single Girl' [The Daily Beast]

Review: August 2012 Birchbox

This month's box includes:

Caldrea Lavender Pine Hand Soap- A delicious-smelling soap loaded with aloe vera and olive oil to soften hands.

DDF Brightening Cleanser- This foaming gel uses an all-star team of skin brighteners to fade discoloration and even out skintone.

Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy La Fleur- This modern scent is a feminine blend of wild berries, mandarin, and waterlily.

Per-fekt Beauty Lash Perfection Gel- Amp up your lashes with this multitasking primer, conditioner, and mascara.

Birchbox Finds: Schick Hydro Silk Razor- We scour the high-end beauty world for products you need to try. Like right now. But we also keep an eye out for affordable finds that will improve your day to day, like this new razor by Schick. The water-activated serum moisturizes skin while you shave, and the innovative oval-shaped design hugs tricky areas like knees and ankles. We're adding this trial to your usual sample haul because we think you'll love it.

Check out Birchbox:

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Yay or Nay? Miley Cyrus' Rocker Hair Style

On August 12th, Miley shocked her twitter followers by tweeting a photo of herself with hairstylist Chris McMillan with scissors to her much loved sock bun. Miley has tweeted numerous photos of herself since then, telling her followers how confident she feels since having her hair cut and partially shaved. I think it was a bold move, but if she feels confident, who are we to stop her? After seeing the recent photos of Miley rocking her new hairstyle, it seems as if her overall style has gone from sweet+natural to more edgy and rocker.

What do you think about her new 'do and style? Yay or Nay?

image credit: twitter, just jared

All Things Pretty: Neutrals + Neon

images via 1, 2, 3

images via 4, 5, 6

Neon has been a huge trend since Spring, but sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. Pairing a neon top or skirt with a neutral counterpart can balance out the color. Neutrals such as browns, navy, white, gray, or black can balance out a bright and fun piece to prevent looking like a cartoon character.

Beauty Sales: Week of August 12th

Fab:

• Bdellium Tools (Sale begins 11am ET 8/17)

Gilt:

• NuFACE (Sale begins Noon ET 8/14)
• h2pro Hair Tools (Sale begins Noon ET 8/17)

Hautelook:

• BeFine, TEI Spa (Sale begins 8am PT 8/12)
• skyn ICELAND (Sale begins 8am PT 8/13)
• Laura Geller, Lea Journo Cosmetique (Sale begins 8am PT 8/14)
• Sprayology (Sale begins 8am PT 8/15)
• Pixi and Pop Beauty (Sale begins 8am PT 8/16)
• Proliss (Sale begins 8am PT 8/17)
• ybf beauty (Sale begins 8am PT 8/18)

MYHABIT:

• Belvada, Lampe Berger (Sale begins 9am PT 8/13)
• The Lab Room (Sale begins 9am PT 8/14)
• Ecoya (Sale begins 9am PT 8/15)
• Jonathan Product (Sale begins 9am PT 8/17)
• Votre Vu: Skincare from France (Sale begins 9am PT 8/18)

Sweet Sale: Inglot Birthday Sale

Enjoy 20% off your orders from Inglot Cosmetics now through August 20th with the code 'BIRTHDAY' + Orders of $50 or more will receive free shipping.

Crave or Save: Nano Luggage Tote

Whether we like it or not, summer is quickly fading and fall is fast approaching. The Celine bag is iconic and stylish, but comes with a steep price tag that is not affordable by all, it is also extremely difficult to get your hands on as it is not sold online and online available in select stores. Luckily, Just Fabulous the discount monthly subscription service that offers a variety of bags and shoes has come out with a much more affordable option, their Portofino bag at only $39.95, this bag looks almost identical to the Celine.

What do you think- crave or save?

Quote du Jour: Kristin Davis as Charlotte York

Kristin Davis as Charlotte York on the tv show Sex and the City.

I've been dating since I was fifteen. I'm exhausted. Where is he?

Carrie, I love you. But it is not my job to fix your finances. You are a thirty-five-year-old woman. You have to learn how to stand on your own.

After careful consideration, I have decided that this is the year I am getting married.

Style Icons: Twiggy

Twiggy aka Lesley Lawson was arguably the world's first supermodel, her mod clothing, and captivating androgynous look attracted designers and photographers alike.

Style

Twiggy was known for rocking all of the trends of the 60s before anyone else and popularized them. Twiggy was known for wearing colorful shift dresses, chunky plastic and enamel accessories in funky colors and geometric prints.

Makeup and Hair

Twiggy's heavy eyeliner, pale lips, eerily separated lashes, and a sharply-defined crease make Twiggy's look unique and signature to her persona.

image credits: google images

Beauty Sales: Week of August 5th

Fab:

• Villainess (Sale begins 11am ET 8/5)
• Hey Honey (Sale begins 11am ET 8/7)
• Sprout Skincare (Sale begins 11am ET 8/10)

Gilt:

• Charlotte Ronson Beauty & More (Sale begins Noon ET 8/7)

Hautelook:

• Verseo (Sale begins 8am PT 8/5)
• Joey New York, Mirabella Beauty (Sale begins 8am PT 8/6)
• FHI Heat, Orly (Sale begins 8am PT 8/7)
• e.l.f. Cosmetics (Sale begins 8am PT 8/8)
• Brocato Hair Care (Sale begins 8am PT 8/9)
• Urban Decay (Sale begins 8am PT 8/10)
• Neo Hair Tools (Sale begins 8am PT 8/11)

MYHABIT:

• Lotus: All Natural Makeup (Sale begins 9am PT 8/5)
• Pangea Organics (Sale begins 9am PT 8/7)
• Inner Beauty, Outer Shine: Skincare (Sale begins 9am PT 8/8)
• Bremenn Research Labs (Sale begins 9am PT 8/9)
• I Coloniali (Sale begins 9am PT 8/10)
• Villimey: Organic Skincare (Sale begins 9am PT 8/11)

Rue La La:

• Corioliss (Sale begins 11am ET 8/7)

Link Love: July 29-August 4

Mixing on the Job: The Mrs. Julius [Mrs. Lilien Styling House]

Blogging as a career [A Cup of Jo]

DIY Glitter Heels & Other Glittery Goodness [L.A. in the Bay]

More Women are Wearing Makeup to Workout, A Survey Says [Beauty High]

Olympic Nails: Missy Franklin, Serena Williams and More Athletes' Patriotic Manicures [Style List]

The Business of Blogging: The Man Repeller [The Business of Fashion]

Get the Look: Socialite Edition

J. Crew Whisper Linen V-Neck Tee // We Like Fashion Cardigan MYP // Topshop Co-ord Blue Boucle Shorts //ASOS Chunky Link Chain Bracelet // Tory Burch Robinson Mini Satchel // Jessica Simpson Calie Pump

Olivia Palermo, the stylish New York socialite keeps her outfits simple with neutral colors, a black pump, and structured bag as seen above. She keeps her poise at all times which is visible through the way she both carries and dresses herself. This chic style can be transitioned from day to night without adding or removing many pieces.

Tip du Jour: Color Blocking

Color blocking has been one of the top trends to wear for nearly a year, but I often see people incorrectly color blocking, here are a few tips on how to rock this trend.

Tip Number One: Similar Shades

Wear similar colors in varying shades if you're afraid of going all out with color blocking. Pair multiple shades of colors in the same color family or shade, pink, purple, whatever you like! Pair the outfit with at least one neutral piece such as a bag or shoe so it's not completely overwhelming.

Tip Number Two: Pre- Color Blocked Items

Go with pre-color blocked items for an easy look without having to put much effort into your look besides accessories. Dresses will typically be the easiest pre- color blocked items to find, but skirts and tops are also available in a variety of color combinations.

Tip Number Three: Work the Color Wheel

We all learned the color wheel in elementary school art class to create the perfect painting with complementary shades right? Well, in a nutshell you were learning to color block at a young age. Pair combinations such as blue and orange, yellow and violet, or red and green for a bold yet seamless look.