Wardrobe Must-Haves?

Hello beautiful people!

Claire called me today and declared that it was high time for a thrift shopping excursion! The main goal in this upcoming adventure is to find awesome wardrobe staples that can easily be found for cheap.

What is a wardrobe must-have in your book? Share your thoughts!

-Berit

p.s. a thrift store review post coming up for the seattle thrifters! :)

WATCH

My little sister told me,

"I hate when you blog and you tell people what to do."

But you know what?

Thats cool, I'm a big sister, I'm bossy, whatever.

stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

Watch THIS

and then go HERE

My little sister also told me,

"Why do you feature your FRIENDS but never ME on your blog?"

kissies galore!

<3

Claire

Alterations Are A Girl's Best Friend

I cannot stress how useful alterations can be. Whether it be a pair of jeans that are just a little too long or an old dress that can be updated via a quick slash of a hem, having your clothes professionally altered can make a neglected piece in your wardrobe your most loved one.

Some of you magical ladies out there are rockstars with a sewing machine, but let's be honest... some of us (including myself) can hardly sew a straight seam!

Prices are often extremely reasonable and worth the money. I found a pair of Seven for All Mankind jeans at Value Village in perfect condition but never wore them because they were too long. After I had them hemmed for $15 using the original hemline, they are one of my favorite pairs!

Here's a cool pair of trousers (LOL, trousers!) that again were too long and thus thrown to the back of my closet. I had them hemmed into a skinny fit ankle pant a la Audrey Hepburn and LOVE them!


I also just had an old prom dress that belonged to my cousin hacked apart for prom (round 2, lolz) this weekend, pictures to come! Get out there and get a-hemming!

-Berit

SATC2 Premieres in London with Hair Extensions, Hats and an Homage

It's baaaaaccck.

Staying true to her SATC London premiere look from 2008, Sarah Jessica Parker wowed the Brits with yet another Alexander McQueen frock topped with a stunner of a Philip Treacy, ummm, hat I suppose you would call it.

While the look she sported in 2008 fell on the wrong side of 'ridiculous' in my opinion, this choice I have to admit is wonderfully whimsical. Perhaps because it's paired with her diamond-studded arm-band homage to the deceased Alexander McQueen, whose untimely death will surely cause a vacuum of envelope pushing in the fashion world (he is the designer responsible for everything Lady Gaga wears to wow these days).



The other leading ladies - probably used to being upstaged at this juncture - didn't disappoint with a stunning Kristin Davis in vintage Norman Norell from Decades and simple diamond studs:


Kim Katrall in vintage Thierry Mugler accessorized with a great Fred Leighton brooch at the waist and that classic Hollywood hair she seems to love of late.


And Cynthia Nixon in teal Narciso Rodriguez with gorgeous vintage diamond teardrop earrings that are hidden by those unfortunate hair extensions (ladies, you're not fooling anyone).



So I'm dying to know if you agree with me. Do you love or hate the SJP hat choice? What do you think of the other looks? Again, Kristin Davis does not disappoint, but I have to give this one to the scene stealer. Thoughts?

Darth Vader: Fashionista

Say what?

Yeah, thats right!

Anakin aka the interstellar Sex God

has taken a turn for the better!

How you ask?

In the form of the Vader Project:

Beginning in 2007, the Vader Project is an internationally renowned exhibition

featuring 4 installments of 100 iconic Vader helmets

re-imagined by notable artists such as

Dalek, Paul Frank, Tokidoki, Suckadelic, Mister Cartoon, and Ecko.

And this summer will be the last installment

!!!!!!!

I'm thinking this is a TOTEMO entertaining and innovative way of celebrating art culture.

Here are some of my favorites!

black velvet and an exposed brain? AWE-GASM

terrifying.

actually, fun fact:

My AP English 12 teacher Andre Berkbigler (HUGE sav.)

pointed out that the Vader helmet shape combines two elements of design that made it especially menacing to the American public at the time the movie was released-

the back mimics the samurai helmet of Japan

and the top looks just like a Nazi combat helmet.

The fusion of these two represented a subconscious fear our society had of these two cultures.

yeah

...

anyways, here's another one:

can you say haute couture?

i can't help but think of weed when i look at this one...

AREN'T THEY WONDERFUL??!!

To see more pictures go here

If you like the pictures enough, order the catalog here

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love the world-

and that includes

ALL OF YOU!!!!

<3

Claire

p.s.

driving fast

makeup wipes

flower pots

espresso machines

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

chicken yakisoba

homemade cookie dough

Birthday Money!!!

Cupcakes: Fashionable Food

Okay, so in all honesty I created that title just so I could have an excuse to blog about cupcakes. I PROMISE I'll keep it to a minimum... ;)

For those of you that love to bake, here's my new favorite cupcakes to date:

Banana Walnut Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting!

The recipe for the cupcakes can be found here and the frosting here! I changed the recipe by not making the "nut topping" for the torte- instead I just added about a cup of chopped walnuts and it was perfect!

The cupcakes are light enough and taste just enough like banana bread to allow for tons of delicious, light-as-a-cloud frosting. YESSSSSSSSS. Heaven.

-Berit xoxo

P.S. Claire just had a demo with MAC today everybody, KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED!! If anyone is perfect for such a job, it's her!

Fun in the Sun!

Best Sun Safety Products,

in honor of my favorite ginger:

Gingie Pegasus

This goes out to you my wonderful!

MD Skincare:

Powerful Sun Protection SPF 20 Lipbalm: protects against UVA and UVB rays,

and removes excess iron from your lips

cruelty and paraben free.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL:

Contains Mexoryl and, even though it is a little pricey,

offers possibly the best protection in the world.

Bull Frog Superblock:

My father grew up in Hawaii, and this is still his go-to sunscreen.

But don't just trust my daddy, trust me!

This stuff is amazing, you can surf all day and never get a little pink.

Dr. Hauschka Skincare Sunscreen:

I love Dr. Hauschka,

her organic sunscreen is amazing for your skin and offers great sun protection

*****UPDATE****

this product has been discontinued

California Baby Sunblock No Fragrance:

This is the best product for sensitive skin, and was rated as best sunscreen by the Environmental Working Groups Cosmetic Safety Reviews.

Little known to most people, Coppertone and Banana Boat are among the worst sunscreens in terms of both protection and harshness on skin.

*Tip: mix a tablespoon of sunscreen with a cup of water, mix well in a spray bottle and spritz all over your hair. It protects your hair from sun damage and also gives a great beachy texture!

I send you forth into the sunshine!

<3

Claire

'Sex And The City 2' Premieres in Style

High fashion, diamond jewelry, Liza Minnelli - three of my favorite things lit up Radio City Music Hall last night to celebrate the debut of Sex And The City 2. And while rumor has it the fashion in the film is a bit disappointing (don't quote me - haven't seen it yet), the fab four of the female franchise all rocked the red carpet in style.


Let's start with SJP - a vision in bright yellow Valentino, newly blonde locks and a sun-kissed look that screams, "I'm a big star".


She is a fan of the layered diamond bracelet (see her 2010 Oscar ensemble for more), and used the look here since the dress's neckline didn't support a statement piece.


I kindof love the yellow flow here - it's a surprise without being annoying (like that controversial flower hat contraption she wore to the London premiere of the first movie. No, SJ. We haven't forgotten.)


Kim Catrall channeled old Hollywood glam in a metallic Naeem Khan gown with elegant diamond drop earrings and a diamond bracelet to match.


Cynthia Nixon kept things simple in a strapless black Carolina Herrera frock with a bejeweled leaf embellishment and black and white diamond drop earrings.


And my personal favorite - this Audrey Hepburn-esque vision in pink - Kristin Davis in a vintage Jean Desses dress from the 1950s made current by some diamond Fred Leighton drop earrings. Yay.




Who was your favorite of the foursome? Are you a 'Carrie'? A 'Miranda'? A 'Charlotte'? Or a 'Samantha'? Weigh in!

GREAT IDEA

A while ago I was cleaning out my dorm room,

and I realized how many magazines I had just piling up.

And I started thinking about what a waste of paper magazines are,

and how most people don't recycle them.

:(

And THEN I found out about The Power Player Magazine.

Check it out!

Its absolutely exceptional, with articles about designers, artists, products, etc.

that contribute to an even MORE wonderful fashion industry.

AND THAT IS ONLY IN THE STYLE SECTION!

There is also entertainment, news, health, food, and sports sections,

all with the same goal in mind!

The official statement of the magazine is:

Our visionary, innovative E-magazine focuses on powerful individuals who continue to make a positive and significant impact in the world today.

So, my lovely readers,

clickity click on the link and browse the site,

its positively revolutionary

<3

Claire

p.s. COMING UP: a list of the best sunscreen products for this summer!

p.p.s.

i mentioned pertrilude before

(who has a great miniseries about being a drag queen),

but i love joshsource too!

look here!

p.p.p.s.

Haute or Not: Results

The Haute or Not post was absolutely intended as a fun way to spark conversation about the fashion industry and design plagiarism. I hope that no one took it as a personal opinion of Claire or myself regarding the conduct of Forever 21!

And so, the results...

1) Haute: Alexander McQueen's Silk Jersey Harem Trouser

2) Not: Forever 21 Wild Harem Pants

3) Haute: Dolce & Gabbana Leopard-Print Bustier Dress

4) Haute: Mara Hoffman Romper (post on her in the near future!)

5) Not: Forever 21 Multi-Color Crochet Vest

Claire has been working on some humanitarian/fair trade/awesome posts that might relate to this topic, so keep your eyes peeled!

Off to enjoy the sunshine!

-Berit xox

P.S. The birthday girl at her birthday breakfast (made by Brooke and I)! It felt weird making a post without any photos...

Jewelry Statements Close Cannes

The jewelry jaw-droppers continued to shine on La Croisette as the 2010 Cannes Film Festival closed this weekend in grand fashion.

To those jewelry trackers who've lamented the loss of the statement necklace (yours truly included), the look was alive and well in the south of France on the fab-tastic Grace Jones and many others.


I'm in love with this Boucheron gold fringe wrap-around necklace on Salma Hayek worn to the closing ceremony.


And this Cartier platinum, diamond and onyx piece from the Panthere collection made an otherwise dull ensemble pop on Juliette Binoche, who walked away with the Palm D'or for Best Actress.


The always star-studded amFar Cinema Against AIDS gala during the festival brought out statement earring styles and this great diamond palm frond hair piece on one of my favorite style stars, Diane Kruger.


And icy jewels sparkled on a stunning Jennifer Lopez in a Roberto Cavali blush gown with Chopard diamond jewelry.


Do you have a favorite from this round-up? I'm going with Salma Hayek this time - it's just a stunning overall look and a unique gold jewelry statement you don't see often.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAIRE!

ATTENTION EVERYONE:

On this day, nineteen years ago, my best friend was born!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAIRE!!!

Via Ace of Cakes

Thank you for gracing us with your pretty face, kind heart, wonderful laugh, unconditional love, and mad makeup skillz! We raise our glasses to you, girlfran :)

(Soon she'll open her present from me and hopefully like it and post a review of it!)

-Berit

p.s. 'Twill post the results of our haute or not game in the next 24 hours!

Jewelry Sizzles at Maxim Hot 110 Soiree

The beautiful people were out in full force last night as Maxim Magazine celebrated its annual Hot 100 list (actually it's 110 this year) at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.

Jewelry looks ranged from classy:

Gold medal winner, Lindsay Vonn, sparkling in a David Meister metallic gold cocktail dress with earrings from the Open Hearts by Jane Seymour™ collection, available exclusively at Kay Jewelers.


To the trashy:

Tila Tequila. 'Nuff Said.



Dancing With The Stars sensation, Nicole Sherzinger, put away her Pussycat Doll garb and worked a stunning navy number with gemstone chandeliers that sparkled as bright as the disco ball trophy she's sure to bring home next week.


And here are few more of my favorite looks from the Harley-Davidson, ABSOLUT VODKA, Ed Hardy Fragrances, And ROGAINE-sponsored event. (Wonder what demographic they're after?)

Do you have any favs?