Daytime Dare — Hair Apparent

Listen up, Loose-wavesLinda! Hey there, SallyStraight-hair! You too, CurlyCathy! The time has come for you to accessorize your daily ‘do with more than shampoo and conditioner. Now, I’m not talking about going to Lady Gaga proportions. (I’m definitely not P-p-p-poker Faced about that dreadful purple beehive) I am just suggesting you consider a floral barrette, a sequined pin, a bow-bedecked handband—anything for a little head rush. Here are some gorgeous and grown-up styles that will have you looking more funky-fresh fashionista.

Her HatHighness Eugenia Kim has designed a diffusion line EEK! exclusively for Urban Outfitters. But in addition to toppers, Kim is also offering some quirky hair accessories. Though it’s not exactly suited for a big meeting with the boss, this orchid and chain hair clip is a fun mix of hipster and chicster. I love how the purple pops, but the black version is equally elegant. How perfect for a lunch with the girls!

For hair jewelry that is understated but still über-adorable, no one does it like American prep mecca J.Crew. Their headbands may have classic details like bows and rosettes, but they come in fun colors like acid yellow and haute pink for a look that is classic, but eye-catching. I am completely smitten with the “golden cluster” elastic. With its bold gold balls, it’s like a cocktail ring for your ponytail! And for the recessionista in all of us, J.Crew’s kiddie line Crewcuts has plenty of cute styles that could easily pass for adult accessories. Shhh…I won’t tell if you won’t!

I didn’t know a thing about Cara Accessories until my big sis brought home a ToDieFor white studded headband from the line. It was girly, but edgy—declaring to the world that its wearer was a lady…but one who could kick your butt! Well, after meeting the Nicole Richie of headgear, I had to know more. I got to Googling and found more funky stylings, like the beautifully blingy “Diamante” headband. With its rows of tiny rhinestones, its less Lil Kim’s “Lady Marmalade” and more Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”

Even if you’re not an avid GossipGirler like moi, you probably still know that Queen B’s (played by the chic and gorgeous Leighton Meester) signature style item is the headband. Well, the designer that keeps Ms. Waldorf diving head-first into fab is Jennifer Ouellette. Ouellette, a celeb fave, has been at the top of the hair accessories class for a decade now, and her attention to detail shows in every piece. Barneys is the place for Ouellette’s playful, but ultra chic designs. How NYC chic!

For those chicsters who are already piling on the ponytail pizzazz, Forever21 is the perfect place for the latest and cheapest trends. Don’t be fazed by their half-dozen pages of hair hotness. Just start clicking! They have a mind-boggingly good selection of headbands, pins and barrettes all for under six bucks. I can’t wait to snatch up this $5 “zipper flower” headband with its cute gold details and rocker-chic red hue. Casual Fridays just got amped up a few notches!

All right, tartelettes! Don’t leave your locks waiting- get to hair-cessorizing!

XO,
Amelia

The Weekender!

Breaking News, Tartelettes! Mimi_Style has come down with a very serious illness—the travel bug! Stop the giggling, this is a grave matter. All I can think about is packing up and flying off to some exotic locale. Last week ATL, next month Martha’s Vineyard! Okay, so maybe Atlanta, GA is not all that exotic, but you get my point. I have an insatiable need to get on the go.

But, jet-setting doesn’t come without a few road bumps. I mean, there is nothing worse than hopping off the plane, uber-excited to greet (insert chic city), and catching a glimpse of a grease-ball complexion. Hold the fries, please.

Well, thankfully for us, tarte has just the right palette to keep our eager little faces shining, not shiny! Tartelettes, I give you the t-zone travel palette, which gives “shine control on the go!” Like many tarte products, it is not only full of “skinvigorating™ ingredients,” but it also offers double-duty with its mini blotting sheets for quickjobs and a colorless powder that makes you matte for hours to come. And with its adorable passport-esque cover, it is the perfect travel pal! Bon voyage, chicsters!

 XO,

Amelia

Fly in July Lust List

My Darling Summer,
Why must you always speed by so quickly? I was just getting into the groove of bare skin and bright sun when BAM! Hello, July! So please slow motion for me so that I can enjoy the sweet kiss of your lazy lull for just a few moments more. And to show just how appreciative I am of your new more leisurely pace, I am compiling a Lust List so sartorially sinful that the other seasons will be envious all year long.

1. Mesi Jilly rings
As a little girl, I was team Belle all the way, never Ariel. I mean, I respected the mermaid’s dedication to the super-studly Prince Eric, but I just felt a connection with Belle that continues on today—the raven locks, the love of reading, and most of all being a magnet for the bad boy. But after discovering the ridiculously gorgeous rings by Mesi Jilly at Amira in Miami’s Gansevoort Hotel, I was singing “Under the Sea” at the top of my lungs. These jewels are real-life buried treasure, combining the natural beauty of shell and coral with the glitzy addition of semi-precious stones and gold. And after seeing my style icon, the Ravishing Rachel Roy rocking Mesi Jilly, there was no turning back. Sebastian, can ya hear me?

2. Smoky Eye&Nude Lip
Nothing says naughty and nice quite like the combination of a devilishly dark smoky eye and a basically bare nude pout. Though you may be scared to tackle such conflicting sides of the cosmetics continuum, have no fear, tarte is here! indelible wink is a two-for-one product with liquid liner on one end and the matching shadow, which sets the liner so it won’t budge or smudge all day long, on the other. I suggest black for all-out smoky seduction or the more subtle charcoal for a friendlier fire. As for your nude smacker, you must get the double-ended lipgloss in fred & ginger (how cute!). Fred is a rich caramel that gives your pout a natural gloss, while the golden Ginger brings the glitz and glamour.

3. July Jaunting
Whether you’re hitting the beaches of the South of France or the cultural cities of the Southeastern coast, get somewhere before summer comes to a screeching halt. With the endless number of “getyourcheapestflightwithus” websites, there is no excuse for being on self-imposed house arrest. I am beyond ecstatic to be jetsetting to Martha’s Vineyard at the end of August. I can’t wait to break out my seersucker and pastels for one last preppy party. Salty Dog Café, I’m coming for you! So get like me and make your vacation vows before school is no longer out for summer.

4. Peplum Skirts
This flouncy style harkens back to the days when I would put on my twirly skirt and bop to “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” till my 5-year-old body gave out. Well, fast-forward sixteen years and I still have a thing for the flirtiness of the twirl. But peplum is a more mature style that incorporates that adorable ruffle with the sleek sophistication of a slim skirt. Celeb stylistas like HP’s Emma Watson, the uber-chic Nicole Richie and her fierceness Fergie have been rocking this trend all summer long. FemmeFab designers Betsey Johnson and Tracey Reese have some totally ToDieFor looks. For the recessionally reasonable, Brit hotspot Topshop has a wide range of fabulous dress and skirt styles. Talk about a plethora of peplum!

5. Torn by Ronny Kobo
If you don’t know about the sexy stylings of Israeli-born, Hong-Kong raised Ronny Kobo, get to Shopbopping, NatlJeanCo’in or something! I discovered Kobo’s line back in March and loved it so much, I not only blogged, but also bought. There was something about the simple silhouettes, form-fitting fabrics and decadent designs that I just found irresistible. Well, the latest looks from Torn are just as tantalizing as Spring’s. I am obsessing over the One-shoulder Minidress in light heather grey because it is so subtly sexy. I’m thinking embellished flats for day and my haute pink pumps for night. I also L-O-V-E the Maryanne tank in leopard-print. The single-shoulder ruffle is such a funky take on the current trend. This top would work just as chicly paired with your slimmest jeans or under a structured blazer. Whichever style you gravitate towards, get Torn-up, Kobo-style!

XO,
Amelia

Celebrity makeup artist Maria Maio gave actress Susie Essman the perfect look using her favorite tarte goodies for hidden camera TV show Make My Day. Since we’re huge fans of her hilarious, out-spoken character ‘Sussie’ in HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, we’ll definitely be tuning in to her latest project! Get this glowing day look with the vanity available at QVC today. Kudos to Maria—we love it!

xo,
Kristin

Fall 09 Trend Alert: Heavy Metal

Nodding our heads to Kiss, Van Halen & Metallica might not exactly be our thing, but channeling their heavy metal wardrobe this fall does seem about right! With fall 09 fashion beginning to hit the stores, keep your eyes peeled for some chic and fierce trends that mimic the style of these hard rock legends. Look out for deep rich hues, lots of leather & STUDDED EMBELLISHMENTS! This peak-shoulder Balmain number is amaaaazing— I only wish I could rock such a hot get-up! But translating haute runway to reality is definitely doable. I love these geometrical prints from Louis Vuitton, tarte and Cesare Paciotti. So this fall, are YOU ready to rock?

xo,

Kristin

Daytime Dare: Rise and Shine

Step aside, Rob Pattinson! Move back, Stephen Moyer! There is a new Vampy Vixen in town and she goes by the name of Sequins! Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Where exactly is Miss Mimi_Style going with this?” But just let me introduce a little evidence.

1. Like the uber-undead, sequins appeal to the bold and daring. Sookie Stackhouse? Bella Swan? All shrinking violets should stick with the lowly mortals.

2. Sequins and vamps alike show sartorial sophistication in the inkiest of black. Talk about a fashion-forward fanger.

3. Most importantly, society has designated both the glitzy fabric and the aforementioned blood-suckers as creatures of the night.

Numbers 1 and 2, I can live with.

But numero tres? Beyond out-dated. Why must we continue to sequester our sequins during daylight hours? Like “True Blood’s” Bill Compton, sequins long for the warmth of human companionship.

That glittery tank that only gets seen “In Da Club” is begging to slip under a blazer and hit up the office. Tame down a sequined skirt with a classic cardi. I L-O-V-E J.Crew’s wide variety of oversized boyfriend styles. And those shine-sexy short-shorts I mentioned in “Get Shorty” just need a basic tee to take them from naughty nighttime to daring for day.

So Tartelettes, take a chance and break out those sequins before dusk.

XO,
Amelia

One Fine Fragrance

I’ve never been a one-fragrance kind of gal. I often find myself skipping from scent-to-scent daily, weekly, even seasonally. Reaching for warmer/heavier notes in the winter and lighter/fresher summer scents—but always on the hunt for something new. That being said on my latest venture to Sephora I stopped dead in my tracks to sample TOCCA’s new eau de parfum—Giuletta. Their timeless scents have always been appealing, but this latest one had a nostalgia about it— something special that took me back in time. The scent is inspired by the love story of Italian director Federico Fellini and his wife, Giulietta Masina swooning over each other in the island of Corsica. I don’t know if it was the hint of vanilla orchid, love & romance, or the French Mediterranean but on all of those notes, I was sold!

xo,

Kristin