Flat Brooke

Hairy Situation

I’m sorry I haven’t posted in so long!  It’s almost exam week at school, and I’ve been stressing out like nobody’s business, (especially since it’s my senior year).  

Speaking of stress, did you know being under a lot of pressure (pushing down on me! pushing down on you!) can mess with your looks?  I noticed last week that my hair dye was fading even faster than usual.  Not cool, especially when your natural hair color is significantly different from your color of choice.  Even less cool if you don’t have the money to dash to the salon to fix your usually maintained mane.

Thankfully, home hair colors are available that are both easy to apply and easy to buy.  My secret weapon? Revlon Colorsilk, amazingly available for around $3.00 at my local Walmart.

(My preferred color!  Image from luux.com).

Be advised, however, that there are a few disadvantages to it being so cheap:  the gloves are pretty big and clumsy, and the conditioner included does not work as well as the ones included in more expensive hair dyes, (in my experience).  Just work some of your usual conditioner in if little packet included just doesn’t cut it!  

All in all, this brand does an amazing job of transforming my blah mousy brown locks into exotic ebony tresses.  For three dollars, I can afford to get a little stressed out!

To dyeing without dying when you see the receipt,

Brooke

Velvety Vixen

No longer just for horny robed men with pipes, velvet is back and better than ever! Modern cuts mean that velvet dresses are wonderfully wearable, (and just in time for the upcoming wintry weather)!

Infallible Forever21 has some great affordable apparel, as usual:

(I love how the floral pattern of the first and the sheer sections of the last two prevent the frocks from appearing too youthful!  ”Velvet Flowers” dress and “Textured Velvet” dress  priced at $27.80; the second option, dubbed the “Fitted Velvet” dress is available for $24.80.  Prices and images from forever21.com.)

Lulu’s has a stunning, (and stunningly affordable), option in gorgeous golden shade:

( Want to smolder at your next holiday party?  Look no farther than this molten masterpiece, aptly-named “Hot of Gold!”  DO. WANT.  And for forty dollars?  CAN. HAVE. Image and price from lulus.com.)

For those who may not want to commit to being fully-clad in the majestic material, consider accenting your wardrobe with these items from Modcloth:

(Modcloth never fails to present stylish and sophisticated options to its buyers!  In order:  ”I’m Pumped Heel” available for $34.99; “Glamorous Gait,” also known as Brooke’s next purchase, available for $34.99;”Tranquil Nights” available for $39.99.  Images and prices from modcloth.com.)

To feel good fabrics and prices,

Brooke

Bustier Your Spirits

Feeling like a walk, (or saunter), on the sexy side of life?  Slip into one of fall’s hottest pieces:  the beautifully bold bustier.  

It was difficult to locate items that didn’t look like they belonged to one of tomorrow night’s festive frolickers, but a few stores managed to exude the essence of chic, not cheap.

Forever21 brings the rocker edge:

(Sequins and leather and sex appeal, oh my!  First item available for $19.80; second piece available for $24.80.  Images and prices from Forever21.com.)

From JCPenny’s Olsenboye collection, a clearance item with a more girly take on the trend:

(Down from $50.00 dollars to $24.00!  Pair with a cozy sweater to bring this sweet and summery item into fall.  Image and price from JCPenny.com.)

Lulus has the last budget option with a little basic black bustier:

(Flirty for $30.00!  Sweeten with a full skirt and jacket or spice up with skinny jeans and heels.  Photo and price from lulus.com.)

For a bit more you can channel your inner Sophia Loren with this Modcloth morsel:

(Inspire amore in this little number for $64.99!  Price and photo from modcloth.com.)

To channeling your inner siren without splurging,

Brooke

Sheer Joy

Fall’s latest trend can only be described as demurely daring; rather than completely bare a sinuous stretch of skin, designers have opted to wrap it in sheer fabric, offering only tantalizing glimpses of what lies beneath.

(Olivia Wilde looking gorgeous in floor-length gown with some seriously sexy sheer sides.  Image from streetglamourtoday.com.)

We’ll start with the more casual options, offered by our ol’ reliable (Forever21):

(Forever21 has got a ton of great casual options under its “GLAM IN BLACK” portion of the website…these three immediately caught my eye for their interpretations of the sheer trend!  First item available for $19.80, second for $17.80, and third for $19.80. Images and prices from Forever21.com.)

Charlotte Russe has a few items that read more sexy siren than casual chic:

(Two trends in one:  lace and sheer paneling!  First dress also available in black and blue for $34.99, second also available in white for $29.99, and third also available in black for $29.99. Images and prices from charlotterusse.com.)

Sophisticated elegance is what Lulu’s brings to the table with its interpretations:

(I’ve gotta say, even though these are about ten dollars more than Charlotte Russe’s dresses, they’re  actually my three favorite options.  It might be that they would flatter my curvy body type; someone with a taller, slimmer frame might be better suited to Forever21’s rocker cool aesthetic.  I think Charlotte Russe’s could flatter the gamut of figures.  First dress also available in red for $39.00, second also available in burgundy for $41.00, and the third also available in red for $42.00.  Images and prices from lulus.com.)

To sheer will in bargain-hunting for trendy pieces,

Brooke

Red Hot

Want jeans as spicy as you are?  Look no farther than jeans in red, fall’s favored fashion hue.

(Hayden Panettiere rockin’ some jeans with attitude in the Big Apple. Sadly for us, her J Brand jeans are rockin’ a price tag of over two hundred dollars.  Image from denimology.com/price from polyvore.com.)

Wet Seal has some fantastic flares in “biking red” for sale for $19.50 online:

(Perfect for those who prefer a little looser cut! Image and price from wetseal.com.)

Forever21 has a similar pair of darker red flare jeans as well as a brighter skinny pair for a just a few more dollars:

(I’ve gotta say, I’m really loving the bright ones!  There’s something about that fire-engine red that really captures a spirit of youthful boldness.  Flare leg jeans available for $24.80; skinny jeans available for $22.80.  Images and prices from forever21.com.)

I fully approve of Hayden’s pairing of her jeans with a tough leather jacket; these bottoms are truly ideal for a night when you want a vibe more punk rock than cute and casual.  And where better to find items that embody young punk rock than Hot Topic?  

(What’s great about these is that we finally have the option of finding both blindingly bright skinny jeans and the more elusive darker red skinny jeans all in one place!  First pair available for $29.00/second for $34.50.  Images and prices from hottopic.com.)

To awesomely-priced punk instead of budget blues,

Brooke

Crossing Over

Fashion has taken a cue from beleaguered students everywhere and fallen for cross body bags this fall.  What I love about these purses is their versatility; they can be used to carry fairly large loads easily or simply serve as just an academically-inspired accent to your outfit.

(Kirsten Dunst looking fly even in casual wear thanks to her Ralph Lauren Covered Lock Cartridge bag….did I mention it costs $2895 dollars?!  Image and item name from coolspotters.com/price from ralphlauren.com.)

For those of us not up to spending a couple thou on…anything, really, other options are available. Forever21 has this bag for only $22.80:

(Cutout Floral bag from Forever21. The cutouts add a girly touch that livens up the handbag, IMHO.  Price and image from forever21.com.)

Modcloth, however, earns the title of captain of cross body bags; the prices are almost triple those of Forever21’s bags, but so are the options.  Two of my favorites are:

(The Persimmon Poise Satchel, available for $64.99.  I hate actual persimmons, but love this color more than is healthy.  It’s roomy, cute, and makes a statement appropriate for work or play. Image and price from modcloth.com.)

(First Internship Satchel available for $59.99.  Isn’t this very Rory Gilmore? I feel more competent/caffeinated already just looking at it! The item is out of stock at the moment, but Modcloth is usually great about restocking requested items.  So request, people! Image and price from modcloth.com.)

To crossing the line with budget cross body bags,

Brooke

Bright, Bright Neony Day

Sorry for the week-long hiatus, everybody!  It was my birthday Thursday:)  

But I’m back now, with a new color trend report; neon yellow, in fashion terms, means the opposite of caution now!

I find bright colors like this easier to pull off as accessories rather than full pieces.  A little bit of neon will go a long way in adding  a pop to any outfit!

Etsy was the best source for affordable neon yellow jewelry; I found three great options for under $20.00.

In a bit of a punk mood?  Try these cool zipper earrings from “DPADClothing:”

(Only $12.00!  Image and price from etsy.com.)

Eager to find a piece that’s two trends in one?  Look no farther than these neon yellow feather earrings from “StyLynn.”

($13.00 for these funky feathers…Image and price from etsy.com.)

My last piece from Etsy is a statement necklace that errs on the side of the avant-garde.  Made of metal and yarn, this piece is perfect for a fashionista with a taste for the unique:

($17.00 from the shop “adoodle.”  Image and price from etsy.com.)

But Etsy’s jewelry isn’t the only way to incorporate neon yellow into your wardrobe; celebrities like Katy Perry have been “nailing” this color trend, as shown below:

(Purrfect interpretation from the pop diva.  Image from polyvore.com.)

A great option for the polish comes from trusty old Forever21:

(Available for only $2.80 from forever21.com)

To neon yellow in your wardrobe being “elementary”, my dear readers,

Brooke

Right on Target

Target’s been in the news lately for the Missoni collection fiasco, but I’m less interested in infamy than tried-and-true; I went into the store yesterday and made a beeline for a section that never disappoints:  the shoe aisle.  

I found a great pair of suede platform pumps that came in red, black, taupe, and gray for only $29.99:

(Mossimo’s paisley suede pumps are my new “Goldilocks” heels…not so high as to be unmanageable, and not so low as to read “dowdy.” Image and price from target.com.)  

My second find was in line with fashion’s fascination with all things fair and feminine:

(Xhilaration’s Shannon pump is available in silver, black, and red for only $19.99!  This heel is a dealImage and price from target.com.)

I’ve been looking for some footwear in the wine color that is all the rage now that also won’t require a bottle of Pinot Noir to forget the fact that walking around all day in them has caused your feet to turn into blistered meat slabs.  I found what I was looking for in these Merona wedges:

(Merona Milena Suede Wedges available in black, gray, and red for $29.99.  I love items like this that can be adorably appropriate whether you’re stuck behind a desk all day or constantly on your feet!  Warning:  head into the store for the black and gray options, as they appear to be sold out online.  Image and price from target.com.)

To shoe cravings that end with savings,

Brooke

Foxy Faux Real

Plush fur vests are draped across every fashion magazine on the stands right now; just as with the rebirth of the leather coat, this trend is harmful to animals and your credit score.  My budget solution:  let the (faux) fur fly!  

(This Piazza Sempione Fur vest that was featured in Vogue…I believe the price was an incredible $7,000.00! Image from piazzasempionekop.com.)

Thank goodness you can get this look without having to unclothe the animals who were rockin’ these furs originally.  I found similar items from Forever21, JCPenny, and Kohl’s for a fraction of the original price.

From Forever21, we have this bright contender for the budget faux fur crown:

(Forever21 Faux Fur Vest for $37.80.  Price and mage from Forever21.com.)

Buyer beware:  this is the definition of “statement piece.”  Put on your best rocker attitude and leave your inner wallflower gaping in the corner.

The second option, from JCPenny, is actually a few dollars less than the Forever21 option and is available in two colors.

(Faux fur vest available in black and white from JCPenny’s Olsenboye collection for only $29.99!  Price and Image from jcpenny.com.)

Leave it to the fashionable Olsen dopplegangers to come up with a cute, cheap, and surprisingly wearable piece; the more laidback ladies definitely have an option here that will easily pair with anything in their closets!

My last finds, from Kohl’s, were designed by famous fashionistas; both Jennifer Lopez and Vera Wang have created beautiful, affordable apparel for the store.    

(The white vest is courtesy of J.Lo’s line and is available for $63.00, while the darker option, from the venerable Vera Wang, is yours for $68.60.  Images and prices from kohls.com.)

The last options are a bit more expensive than the first two; however, they are each still enormous bargains compared to less animal-friendly pieces like the Piazza Sempione vest. For the quality and pedigree, these prices make sense.

To keeping warm without doing harm,

Brooke

Feel the Burn

Now that I’ve posted about how to clean your makeup brushes, it’s about time I wrote one on how to clean your face…after all, no one wants to go to bed with squeaky clean brushes but a face full of product!

(Reportedly the stunning Mila Kunis spent $7,000 on a facial…thankfully, I have a solution that gives you the glow without making you po’. Image and info from fashionista.com.)

The reduced price resolution of my skin care dilemma is available for only $3.79 from Walmart:  

I was introduced to Noxzema by my college roommate, who had the type of smooth, seemingly pore-less skin that acne-ridden teenagers, (including myself), dreamed of.  I took her word for it, which resulted in both clearer skin within a few applications and a rock solid dedication to the Noxzema brand.  This stuff is perfect for those of you who prefer a makeup remover and acne fighter all in one product; (I for one am way too lazy to use different things on my face at 2 a.m.  Chances are I’ll convince myself that everyone will go spontaneously blind the next day rather than drag my butt outta bed for anything less than an emergency!)

A word of caution:  This stuff is strong.  Maybe that was the problem with my old skin care line…it just didn’t have the mettle to take my acne down.  These pretty little pads will attack your acne with Chuck Norris-esque power.  It stings a bit the first time, but after you see the results, I think you’ll consider this product one of your go-to beauty basics. 

To being acne and debt free,

Brooke