The How To: Two-Tone Nail Trend Alert

I love nail polish. It makes me feel pretty and cool and it lets me wear colors I never would be able to otherwise. Neon yellow? Bring it on!

Lately the two-tone nails are all the rage. There is a crescent moon shape at the bottom of the nail in one color, and then another color on top. Check it out! 

Of course, being a total trendoid, I had no choice but to try it out for myself. This is what I came up with: 

What do you think? Cute, no? I think it's perfect for an evening look - law prom, here I come! It's actually really, really easy to create yourself. Here are my tools: 

The bottom color: "Gold Mine" by Revlon

The top color: "The One that Got Away" by Katy Perry for OPI 

And, of course, my trusty top coat!

I used the gold first and let it dry completely. Then I used these little dot sticker label things and put them on the bottom of my nail to serve as a stencil. Topped it off with just one coat of "The One that Got Away." Can't forget the top coat and then - voila!! - you're done. 

Readers: Do you like it? Do you think it's weird? What do you think about the whole nail art trend? 

'do the shag

If you've opened up any fashion magazine in the past 6 months or so, you'll know that the 70's are back in a big way. Skinny jeans are being replaced with flares, stilettos with wedges, and big chunky necklaces with long sleek ones. Ladies are foregoing straightening irons in favor of their natural texture. I, for one, could not be more thrilled. I'm currently wearing super flares jean with clogs, a loose striped sweater, a long gold and red necklace and... I'm 'doing the shag.

My routine: 

1. I towel dry my hair then put it in one of those hair towel-turban things (I love those!) while I do my makeup

2. Take it out of the turban then comb it with a wide tooth comb (your hair is weakest when it's wet - use a comb, not a brush)

3. (this step is a very recent addition, but I LOVE it) Put a dime sized amount of Organix Moroccan Hair Oil through the lower half of my hair

4. Blow dry my bangs. Let the rest air dry.

Couldn't be easier. Thank you 1973! 

Lessons from The Little Engine That Could

When I get to the gym, I immediately set my Pandora radio station to “Lady Gaga” and prepare to rock out to the likes of Katy Perry, Fergie, and of course Madame Gaga for the next 45 minutes. Sound familiar?

Here’s a semi-funny piece of information about me, though: If I’ve really turned up the resistance on my machine, am running and my lungs feel like they’re about to explode, or just need a little extra workout pick me up, I immediately turn on “Eye of the Tiger.” I picture myself with big 80's bangs and perfect blue eyeshadow, training alongside Rocky himself, and together we run up the Capitol steps. In that vision, I am awesome. I am a fitness guru, clad in neon bicycle shorts and a leotard. I run circles around Olivia Newton John. I make Jane Fonda look bad. (random tidbit: in that vision I can also sing, but that's because I like to imagine my life as a cheesy 80's music video) 

Back to reality: I am out of breath, the music is only playing in my ears, and I should NOT be wearing neon bicycle shorts. I listen to the song. I dig deep. I channel the energy of The Little Engine That Could: “I think I can, I think I can.” There are times when it takes every little piece of strength, mental and physical, to finish the rep, to lift the weight, to keep moving my legs even though I feel they’re about to collapse beneath me. I tell myself I can do it. I tell myself that I am strong and powerful and woman and awesome and that yes, like the infamous little engine, I CAN do it.

Use this little guy as inspiration!

A little reminder to myself and my 7 readers: nobody ever did anything by starting with the belief that they couldn’t. Stacey Allison didn’t look at Mount Everest and said, “Eh, probably can’t.” Jack LaLanne never said, “I’ll likely drown.” And from today forward, I will only speak in positives. I most definitely can.

So dig deep, push through, channel your own energy, and think that you can do it. You may just surprise yourself. 

4 Ways to Rock a Faux Fur Vest

Rachel Zoe's skinny, Starbucks-fueled fabulousness just makes me completely green! If only because this lady knows how to rock fur like it's nobody's business. Exhibits A, B, & C (I'm practicing my lawyer speak, y'all!)

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

Rachel has been a stylist to the stars forever, and is now a celeb in her own right. The fashion world can definitely credit her (at least give her partial credit!) to the ever-increasing popularity of faux fur. I know I'm late to jump on this bandwagon - but when I found one for $19.99 + an extra 15% off at Macy's, I Could. Not. Resist. It is fabulous and yeti and awesome. But, upon bringing the INC awesomeness home, I realized I had a major challenge on my hands - how the heck am I supposed to wear this? I live in Salem. I am on a budget. I am a law student. I did what any real-girl fashionaholic would do - I shopped my closet. Keep in mind, ladies, this look is NOT for the faint of heart. Afraid to stand out? Don't wear this. Ready to portray your fierce, "I-am-most-definitely-awesome-enough-to-rock-this-look" attitude? Then try it yourself! Here are the looks I came up with (apologies in advance for the names - I couldn't help myself!): 

Look #1: Fur-ban Chic

Vest, INC; shirt, INC; skinny cargos, Old Navy; Oxfords, Steve Madden; Bag, Balenciaga; Earrings, Forever 21

I don't know what to call this look, but I think it's pretty darn cool. The skinny cargo pants and the oxfords give this look an cool, masculine vibe, while the fitted shirt and vest make it fun! I added an edgy bag with tons of cool hardware and some oversized earrings to keep it glamorous and feminine.

Look #2: Cali-fur-nia Casual

Vest, INC; shirt, INC; black necklace, Kate Spade; white necklace, Banana Republic; jeans, American Eagle; shoes, Nine West; bag, BCBG

This look is totally fun! I paired the same fitted black tee underneath the vest. I swapped out the cargo pants for some destroyed, slouchy, cuffed jeans and cool gladiator wedges. To keep the look from getting too voluminous between the vest and the jeans, I paired it with a super sleek tan bag. Long necklaces keep the look from getting too serious, and give it a casual, cool-girl style.

Look #3: Un-fur-gettable

Vest, INC; dress, Banana Republic; shoes, Steve Madden; earrings, Forever 21; bag, Nine West

 I am not a diva. With that being said, this look is pure diva, and I kinda love it. My sleek, mini silk black dress gets an instant makeover with this ridiculous vest. I added some caged sandals to keep this look in total diva territory. A hot pink bag and an oversized yellow cuff give this look the slightest hint of whimsy. Big dangly earrings are the only other accessory you need. If you're up to it, I'd add a hot pink lip and lots of big, fake lashes!! 

Look #4: A Spring Af-Fur! 

Vest, INC; pants, GAP; shoes, Kelsey Daggart; earrings, Urban Outfitters; sunglasses, Ray-Ban; bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs

This last look is actually my favorite. It says, "I'm cool without trying too hard" (side note: it doesn't matter how hard you actually try, it just matters what it looks like). I love wearing white, and I don't abide by any silly no-white-after-Labor-Day rule. The ultra-flared pants and the fur vest give this look a distinct 70's vibe, but the crisp white basics, fuchsia bag and super fun sandals keep it in the 21st century. You can't go wrong with a pair of classic Ray-Bans and long dangly earrings, which echoes the 70's vibe. 

Readers: What do you think of these looks? Do you think it's too weird or fun? Would you ever wear this? Feel free to comment and give me suggestions!