I love shoes. Yes, some are plain Jane, but others are works of art - it's like wearing a Picasso on your feet.
Minna Parikka is a modern-day shoe Picasso. I first heard about her when her Edith ballerina flats went viral in the A-list community, and I instantly fell in love with her designs.
Don't these remind you of the Greek messenger, Hermes? As if I didn't love her already, the fact that she paid homage to mythology was the cherry on top.
I am a HUGE fan of vintage/antique goods. You can find me visiting my local antique mall at least once a week, scoping the shelves for my next great find - last week, I snagged a scarf for $20 and later discovered that it was, in fact, Hermés!
When I tweeted about a beautiful vintage Chanel necklace that I had found, I expected it to go relatively unnoticed. However, thanks to my hash-tagging "#vintage" I gained one very special follower: Rewind Vintage.
Based in London, Rewind Vintage is an online paradise for vintage lovers like myself. They carry everything designer: Chanel, Celine, Hermés and other rare luxury items. As you can guess, the price tags are steep, but each and every item is in pristine condition and is 100% authentic. My favorite thing about Rewind is that they carefully curate their stock, ensuring that your purchase is unique, unusual and bound to catch a few eyes.
These are some of my favorites that I've found on the site today.
I apologize for going MIA.. I went through one of those mini moments where I doubted myself and if I could ever succeed greatly with RaiseYourGloss.
Don't worry, however. I'm back, and more motivated than EVER!
To ease y'all back into my craziness, here's a look at my latest CVS/Target haul.
CVS
These cream shadows have been raved about since the day they premiered. The appeal? They are said to last all day without fading or creasing.
Here's what I've discovered:
1. They last about 12 hours without crease or fade, depending on the wear environment.
2. They can also act as excellent shadow bases!
The first color I chose was Bold Gold. In the jar, it looks similar to Urban Decay's Chase, but a shade lighter.
You can tell by my swatch that, in fact, Bold Gold is not that bold. It's a very sheer gold shimmer - lighter than it appears in the photo. Personally, I was slightly bummed - I was hoping that this would be a good dupe for Chase - but it does work well as an eyeshadow base. I don't plan on buying this again, but I don't think it's a waste of money.
Painted Purple caught my eye from the minute I saw it on the rack. I first heard about it from MacBarbie07, who used it in her Drugstore Waterproof Makeup video.
I am in love with Painted Purple. It looks gorgeous on the eye, and the pigment is absolutely divine. If you want to add a pop of color to your look without going overboard, this is the perfect choice for you. Try lining your bottom lash line with it, like Bethany did in her video!
I'm a sucker for any hair product that claims to erase damage, so it's no surprise that I pounced when I saw the commercial for L'Oreal's Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm. The claim? "Repairs up to 1 year of damage in 1 use"
I've used it twice now (once a week), and my hair definitely looks and feels healthier. I can't determine how much damage it repaired, but it was worth the money!
MissGlamorazzi mentioned this in one of her videos - I can't find which one, I'm sorry! I've been on the hunt for a good drugstore bronzer to use as a dupe for NARS' Laguna bronzer.
This bronzer gets an 8/10. The color is a true terra-cotta, and a little goes a long way on your face (one swipe of my brush is enough for me). However, it looks slightly orange on my skin tone and doesn't last all day like I'd hoped. Laguna is still a staple for me.
I've been obsessed with this color for months. It's a gorgeous, shimmery Barbie pink - an obvious must-have for a ex-Barbie fiend like myself.
I knew it was meant to be when CVS put it on sale.. for 50% OFF!
I wear it all the time. It is the perfect summer color, shimmering when I lay out in the sun. This is truly a one-of-a-kind polish; Major props to Orly!
I knew they made BB cream for your face, but for your hair?
I had my doubts. Clearly, someone needed to test this out, and I decided to assign myself to that job.
I'm in the process of reviewing this product, but so far, it has my approval. I mainly use it on wet hair - that's when it works its full magic on your locks - but I've also applied it in dime-sized amounts to style my dry hair.
I will have a complete review in two weeks.
Target
Okay, so I got two basic objects that don't even need a description paragraph.. Kleenex (the designs did me in) and a Thanks stamp from the dollar section.
I snagged these beautiful Target earrings the minute I saw them. They are a gorgeous pink with gold framing/wiring.
I wear these as often as possible. They are totally trendy because of the geometric gem shape, and they add a nice pop of color to any outfit.
I needed some cute, colorful summer wedges, and these red Merona wedges fit the bill.
They are decently comfortable and were a steal at $25!
I'm so excited to have found these, because they are perfect for the Fourth of July.
Another Target-brand jewelry item has made its way into my closet..
I'm starting to think that this is going to become a habit of mine.
I love the sunset colors of this chunky beaded necklace. It gives a slight ombre effect - a hot trend - and the small rhinestones add a pop of glamour.
Finally, I got this blue and white ikat scarf.
Don't judge me, but I catch myself petting this scarf on a frequent basis when I wear it. It's justso incredibly soft!
I've never been a scarf person, but this one caused a fashion transformation for me. I usually pair it with a fitted white tee, as pictured.
So, that's it for my CVS/Target haul.
If you've tried any of these beauty products or have comments/opinions, don't hesitate to leave a comment in the down bar!
Hope everyone's summer is going great, RaiseYourGloss
Here's the look I put together for the TSwift concert about two weeks ago! It took forever to download them from my camera, for some odd reason.
First of all, my outfit. I wanted to draw focus to my ah-mazing top from Hope's 319, an online store that I am completely in love with! It miraculously came in the mail two days beforehand. Isn't the bow precious?
Next, the hair. Oh, the hair. I am not the best at braiding and styling my crazy mane - I usually just let it air dry. My sweet mother assisted me with this elegant waterfall braid, inspired by the braid trend this summer. I swept my hair over my right shoulder so that it wouldn't be covering my bow up.
Shorts: American Eagle
Cowboy Boots: Cavender's
Accessory-wise, I'm wearing my signature ring combo and a gorgeous silver bangle set from James Avery. Both of my earrings were gifts, and I'm not quite sure where they came from. If I were to guess, I'd say that the silver hoops are from Claire's.
I had so much fun creating this purple smokey eye. Stay tuned for a tutorial!
It only made sense to paint my nails red for the RED tour. Using my skinny nail art brush, I drew a white 13 on each of my thumbnails (just in case you didn't already know, Taylor's favorite number is 13).
I'm not an advocate for smoking, but I am an advocate for the latest spring/summer trend: smoking slippers.
Finally, a shoe that is trendy AND comfortable! They first caught my eye on Emma Roberts' Instagram - Emma is a true fashion icon - and I immediately fell in love with their chic, eclectic look. They're like penny loafers for the 21st century.
Granted, Emma's are Alexander McQueen, so they are way out of my budget.
Don't worry - as with any trend, smoking slippers are being produced everywhere and are available in styles to suit any budget. To get you started, here are a few of my latest finds:
It came as no surprise to me that Kate Upton was mentioned on the news this morning. She's at the top of her game as a supermodel, famous for her - erm, well-endowed - figure, flaunting it on the latest cover of Vogue.
What surprises me is the criticism she is getting. It's not the kind of feedback one expects about a magazine cover - usually, people display opinions about the appeal of the cover itself (the outfit, the pose, the photoshopping, etc.). This time, Vogue is taking fierce blows from the model community for featuring Upton on the cover.
"She looks like a squishy brick," complains online blogger Skinny Gurl.
This disappoints me beyond compare. I thought we were past this as a beauty community, building a support system for women of all sizes. Clearly the old catch phrase "thin is in" has yet to leave the size-zero model industry. I, for one, support Kate Upton and commend her for the dignified way in which she is handling the situation.
"I really just live my life," she shared. "I love my body. It’s what God gave me! I feel confident with myself, and if that inspires other women to feel confident with their bodies, great. It’s kind of funny to think, 'Oh, wow, the news is talking about whether I’m fat or not.'”
News flash: Kate Upton is NOT FAT. Just because you're not a size zero doesn't mean that you're unhealthy. Everyone's body is unique. She loves to exercise and is a huge advocate for healthy eating, so clearly she is not the "lazy couch potato" that miss Skinny Gurl claims she is. If anything, she is healthier than the majority of the women in her industry.
I'm going to take the high road here and try to understand this from the haters' point of view. Perhaps, they are so accustomed to living under the "thin" norm that anything else comes as a shock to them. I imagine that scene in Zoolander where a brainwashed Derek Zoolander is trained to respond violently upon hearing a specific song; These poor critics, brainwashed by the industry, see a curvy woman and are innately triggered to attack her!
I give props to Kate for staying true to herself. She has become a role model in her own right, setting a new standard for the model industry as a woman who embraces her natural figure.
Comment with your reaction/opinion in the downbar.
Emerald is HUGE this season, and boy, am I obsessed!
Today, I'm emerald all over..
Nails, bag, shoes, eyes.. I feel like a fashionable version of Kermit.
Yes, even my drink is green. Love me some Peace Tea. <3
My schedule is so hectic that it's almost impossible to squeeze in the occasional shopping trip. Thanks to this beautiful creation known as the Internet, however, I can virtually access my favorite stores and purchase everything I need (added bonus: lots of stores have special Online Only items).
No surprise here - Topshop has taken the fashion world by storm, combining high-end clothing with online access. I love that they don't skimp on quality; The mid-to-high price range is definitely worth it.
Karmaloop is reminiscent of an edgy Urban Outfitters, but with four times the inventory. I can always count on them for killer deals, especially on Jeffrey Campbells.
Whoever created Etsy is a GENIUS. This is the ultimate resource for handmade and vintage goods. They sell everything you can imagine and more - and if you can't find what you want, I guarantee that a shop owner will take up your challenge. You'll get hooked instantly.
I was recently introduced to SaboSkirt, an Australia-based online boutique featuring unique designer items. The merchandise is so amazing that I am willing to pay the $15 international shipping cost.
As I was flipping through the pages of the most recent InStyle, something caught my eye. While investigating ads - which, by the way, are an excellent resource for upcoming trends (to the majority of InStyle readers who quickly flip past these pages, take note) - I had a moment of déjà vu. Stuart Weitzmans covergirl Kate Moss, was effortlessly rocking the "just got out of bed" look....
wearing gladiators.
Yes, gladiators! The holy grail of 2008, these babies are making a comeback this coming spring/summer. I have always been a huge fan of this style, and I can't wait to see what new twists designers will put on them this season.
If you are a girl on a budget like me, don't worry about the price tag above. Since this is a rising trend, there are bound to be plenty of steals and deals by the time spring comes around. In the meantime, here are the shoes that I have my eye on.
You are beautiful, inside and out.
No trend can change that.
I went on a shoe hunt yesterday and discovered what styles are in for Summer 2012...
This season's all about the wedges and heels. While you're perfecting your statement strut in your new kicks, here's a sneak peek at what you should expect to see on the feet of a fashionista:
Hi, I'm Paige. I go by the username RaiseYourGloss. My goal is to inspire others to feel beautiful both inside and out. Cosmetics are fun to play with, and I definitely take advantage of that on a daily basis, but I also want my followers to realize that these products were made to enhance your already-existing beauty. You were born unique and outstanding. Being your best self doesn't mean fitting the status quo; Being your best self means being the best YOU that YOU can be.
