SUMMER LOVIN' MAKEUP

Achieve ocean-hued eyes for summer with these four amazing products (all available at Sephora!):

Urban Decay eyeshadow Primer Potion, LORAC Multi-Platinum Palette, Dior DiorShow Mascara and Sephora Brand Face & Eye Travel Tool Kit.







Follow these easy steps:
1. Apply a thin layer of Urban Decay Primer to entire lid (lash line to brow). Let dry. The primer will be invisible under eyeshadow and will prevent the shadow from creasing.

2. Use eyeshadow brush from Sephora Brand Travel Tool Kit to apply pearl white eyeshadow from LORAC's Palette on entire lid (lash line to brow).

3. Using same brush apply golden eyeshadow from Palette to lower lid only.

4. Use crease brush from Tool Kit to apply aqua blue eyeshadow from Palette, starting with a small amount of shadow and working it into the outside crease of the eye using small circular motions. Blend the color in a "C" shape pattern, concentrating on the outside corner of the eye, from crease to lash line. Add more blue shadow for a more intense look.

5. Use eyeshadow brush to blend entire lid for a polished look.

6. Wet the angled liner brush from the Tool Kit so the bristles are damp. Dip the brush into the charcoal eyeshadow from Palette. Line the upper lash line of the eye, keeping the brush as close to the lashes as possible. Wet brush and apply more liner if needed. Liner should look clean and thin.

7. Apply two coats of Dior Mascara to upper lashes.

8. Make plans for dinner and have fun!

SCRAF IT UP!

The easiest (and most wallet-friendly) way to update your look for spring/summer 2009 is with a scarf. Not only can this versatile accessory be worn around the neck, but a scarf can add a pop of color to the handle of a neutral handbag, double as a head wrap or kimono-style belt.

TEN inexpensive and chic scarves for the season:

1. Purple Peacock Scarf (shown) Wet Seal

2. Birds in Paris Scarf Urban Outfitters

3. Tie Dye Scarf HSN

4. Linen Wrap JCPenny

5. Ikat Fringe Scarf Charlotte Russe

6. Paisley Scarf Bakers

7. Off the Coast Scarf Lulus

8. Fab Braid Corner Scarf Forever 21

9. Multi Stripe Scarf Arden B.

10. Zebra Scarf dELiAs
The Queen of Scarves, Nicole Richie.

AHOY MATEY!

Nautical Chic by treschicstaci featuring Bullhead shorts

Nautical influences are hot for spring. Check out this collage I created using my new favorite site Polyvore.com

KARDASHIANS ON AISLE 4

Inside I always chuckled at the sight of a woman in head-to-toe comfy clothes (i.e. sweats) sporting a designer handbag at the grocery store. But it wasn't until I rented my third and most expensive handbag from Avelle that I realized just how odd it could feel.

My first two Avelle rentals were of the "I just got my tax return and I think I’ll spend it" variety, with bags from labels like Coach and Dooney and Bourke. Don't get me wrong, I love the arm candy these lines create, but they are definitely more widely affordable for mainstream America.

For my third bag rental however I felt the need to amp it up a bit on the ol' fashionista scale. I mean, what's the point in renting if a girl can't carry a bag she could never afford to purchase?

So while surfing the Avelle site I happen upon a gorgeous gold bag that was screaming, "pick me, rent me, love me!" And I did!

A few days later a familiar box arrived on my doorstep. I felt a little like Julia Roberts a la Pretty Woman (minus the hooker part) as I opened the box and unwrapped the large Gucci "D Gold" Hobo. That's right G-U-C-C-I. Glamour all the way!


Now when it comes to the Big 5 (in fashion, not football) Gucci is right up there in my book, along with Fendi, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and the Godmother of them all, Chanel. So I am utterly excited to spend the next week alongside my new Gucci BFF.

Which brings me to my initial predicament, how does one leave the house not looking fabulous when carrying a Big 5 bag? Is my college sweatshirt and Uggs to Shaws a slap in the Gucci face?

So I find myself coordinating just the right outfit and accessories to play up my 24K arm candy. But keeping up this charade is about as exhausting as keeping up with those Kardashian sisters – too high maintenance!

So by the end of my week with the Gucci bag, I become one of those women at the grocery store on a Sunday afternoon: hair tucked into a hat, workout pants on, sporting my boyfriend's sweatshirt with, you guessed it, a Big 5 bag on my arm.

What can I say? I love the designer label. But keeping up appearances 24/7? Kim, Kourtney and Khloe can keep it.

(This blog can also been seen at http://skirt.com/node/32114)

SISTERHOOD of the TRAVELING PURSE

Just as I was mourning the loss of the metallic Coach Carly, my first handbag rental from Avelle (the new Bag, Borrow or Steal), a new box arrived at my doorstep.

My heart did that little dance as I picked up the package and rushed inside to open it.

Just as before I unwrapped the tissue paper and removed the note from Avelle to find this time, a navy dust bag bearing the moniker "Dooney and Bourke."

They say the pupils dilate at the sign of attraction. Mine must have been the size of saucers!

"Hello lover," I said in a hushed tone (a la Carrie Bradshaw) as I gazed at the oversized zebra tote in my hands.

Now when I say this bag is oversized, it's an understatement! I could fit the new Brangelina twins inside no problem. (Note to self: read dimensions of bag before renting).

Nevertheless, this Bourke is stunning! Black and tan animal print accented beautifully with red details and gold hardware. This was one hot tote!

The next week of carrying my new stunner flew by. The more other women sneaked peeks, the more I knew this bag was a showstopper!

But enjoying my latest Avelle rental made me wonder, "Who else had carried this very same purse?"

Maybe a documentary filmmaker from Chicago renting a loft with tons of light but no closet space? A high-powered attorney in Manhattan who likes to let loose on the town after hours (this zebra tote would surely tap into her wild side)? Or a struggling actress pursuing her dream to make it big in Hollywood?

Whoever she was, I can't help but feeling a little "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" vibe from this bag and its history. Oh the places this zebra tote has seen!

This account exec at skirt! Magazine is a lot like the other woman who may have called this Bourke her own for a time. She too has little closet space, enjoys a "5 o'clock somewhere" cocktail and is in constant pursuit of fulfilling a dream.

And just like a character in the Sisterhood movies, when my week with the bag is up, I pack it away and ship it off for the next lucky girl to enjoy.

Bon voyage!

(My blog can also be found at http://www.boston.skirt.com/)

NETFLIX FOR PURSES

In this economy (I hate uttering those words), “how can a girl stay fashionable on a budget?”

Why, by renting, of course!

Let me explain...

I have always browsed websites, making a mental wish list of which Chanel or Louis Vuitton I would like to carry. All the "couture" handbags caught my eye but I loved checking out the Coach, Dooney & Bourke and Tory Burch bags as well.

See, my online viewing obsession with Avelle (the new Bag, Borrow or Steal) began long before Jennifer Hudson's character in "Sex and the City The Movie" explained that her denim patchwork Louis Vuitton was "rented." Because honestly, how could an unemployed girl like Louise with three roommates afford a $2500 bag? Avelle really is "the Netflix for purses!"

I loved that Louise turned Carrie Bradshaw on to Avelle. I myself had mentioned the site to numerous friends over the years. But it wasn't until my birthday was inching closer last week that I decided to indulge my curiosity and finally rent my first handbag.

Like a girl in, well, a handbag store, I sat giddy at my computer and scrolled through page after page of purple Pradas and beautiful Balenciagas, each one more stunning than the next. But which one to choose? Did I want to be more Cameron Diaz and carry a leather Kooba, or more Blair Waldorf with a classic Burberry?

So why pick just one?

I decided the best way to indulge in my constant changing handbag mood would be to opt for one bag per week, that way I could mix it up!

Now as fair warning, I did show some restraint in my bag renting. I gave myself a price range for weekly spending and have stuck to it (thus far). But that is the joy of Avelle, no matter how well a girl is doing in this economy there is a handbag out there that won't break the bank!

P.S.-My boyfriend loves that I am not dropping hundreds on a bag that will only see the light of day several times a year. Could Avelle be a relationship saver for us shopaholics? I digress.

Opting for the weekly rental, I feel less commitment-phobic when it comes to choosing just one bag. With a simple click I pick a stunning silver Coach Carly in metallic leather. Had I purchased this bag at Saks my credit card would have felt the $500 dent. But the price to rent you ask? Why, less than four Starbucks lattes!

To make sure the Coach arrived by Saturday night (i.e. birthday festivities with friends) I sought two-day shipping and, voila! —it arrived on my doorstep!

Now I have to say, opening an Avelle box is better than Christmas! My handbag arrived tucked neatly in a brown Coach dust bag and enclosed with the purse was a note from Avelle, "We're delighted to deliver this gorgeous accessory and hope it makes you feel fabulous!"

I do, I do! The bag is fabulous! Happy birthday to me!

After seven days and numerous "ooohhh" and "nice bag" from friends and complete strangers, I ship the Coach Carly back to Avelle and go shopping for the next rental.

I admit it was hard to part with the pretty metallic tote. I was growing sort of attached to it. There is the option to "steal" any rented Avelle bag by purchasing the it at a discounted rate. Tempting, very tempting. But I pass (this time), return the Coach and rent on...

(My blog can also be found at http://www.boston.skirt.com/)

STYLISTAS LOVE TORY!

Wednesday night fab designer Tory Burch guest judged on the CW's Stylista. Tory's Fall 2008 collection (pictured) is a fun mix of psychedelic 60's threads (think The Beatles in '67) and classic American chic (she also drew inspiration from Hitchcock films). Tory wore her own yellow Casey Dress (pictured, $198) on Stylista to review the gang's editorial spread featuring a dress from her collection. Although the series' head judge and scary boss (a la The Devil Wears Prada) Ann Slowey of Elle Magazine kept Kate and got rid of Devin (boo), Kate's team played up the 60's feel in their photo shoot and won the challenge.

Slowey, Ann Slowey.

The Stylista crew before eliminations on Wednesday. Bye Devin and William! Did Kate not get the "black dress code" memo?

Miss Burch!