PFM Obsession: E. L. James' 50 Shades of Grey

have you heard of this book (actually it's a trilogy)?  are you reading or finished reading it?  i am 3/4 of the way through the first book and i can't put it down.  let's discuss!

Daily Outfit: Kooky Floral

 Oh happy day! That was my thought on the way to work in this bright outfit. Not because I was especially excited for the work day, but because that's just the kind of effect that $15 floral trousers can have on me. So happy with this purchase (talked about here). I love the tropical vibe of these pants, and I can definitely see them being a staple all the way through summer. They will be on weekend rotation with a drapey tee and wedge sandals. During the week I'm thinking peachy button-down and black blazer for starters. Anyway, for this particular look I went a little kooky with color...a burst of chinese red on top and a pop of lime green at the ears. Had to treat the trousers right! Did any of you ladies purchase these pants too...how are you styling them? 

Hope you enjoy the weekend!

(Floral Pants- H&M, Oversize Sweater & Lace-Up Booties- Zara, Beaded Bracelet- Anthropologie, Cowrie Shell Bracelet & Lime Lightcatchers- MavenFresh of course ;-)

PFM Obsession: Winning the Lotto

...so if you have been living under a rock, you may not know that the NY Mega Millions lottery is up to $540 million.  it is making everyone who has never thought about playing lotto, head straight for their local bodega.  i am not a lotto player myself but i have joined my office pool and my hubby is playing on our behalf.  despite the unbelievable odds against one person winning, it hasn't stopped New Yorkers from buzzing about the possibility of being that winner.  i have definitely found myself fantasizing about what it would be like to win all that money - from all the things i would buy (the materialistic side), to the bills i would pay (the responsible side) , to the causes i would support (the philanthropist side).  the goal would be to find the perfect blend of all three.  the office water cooler convos are all the same; the first question most people ask is  - lump sum or lifetime payments? lol.  either way you get paid, it would no doubt be absolutely life changing to have that kind of dough, cash, paper, scrilla, chedder, money,   i'm still planning what i would do that first instant after i realized i won.  what would you do??

PFM Obsession: Clarisonic Mia

It's been a month since I've stopped using my hands to wash my face. And I'm never turning back. Ever. 

The Clarisonic Mia has been in countless magazines, endlessly reviewed on websites, and stocked in many stores (helloooo Sephora.) But surprisingly there are still some beauty pros who are totally in the dark about this fantastic tool! It made me realize there must be plenty of beauty novices like myself who also need to be told about the Mia. Thus, a post dedicated to the new star of my cleansing routine. To prove my point...

I give you exhibit A: my sis Suzie who has taught me everything I know about makeup (besides Sesheta!) Since we were in our teens I've considered her my beauty guru; if I'm unsure about buying a new product I always run it by her to get an opinion. Nine times out of ten, she's already tried it! When I asked her about the Mia- she had never even heard of it. Now for the first time ever, Suzie wants to buy a beauty product that I told her about...whoaaaaa.

And exhibit B: my amazing hair stylist Tara who is also a professional makeup artist. She's up to date on the latest beauty trends and always has a hot product to tell me about when I see her. She constantly has me tempted to run out to try said new product(s). But strangely, I was the one telling her all about the Mia!

So ladies, here's what I did. I saved up some cash and took the plunge. The verdict? Let me just sum it all up for you: by day two, my face was noticeably softer. After a week, the dry patches I had (for months) around my nose and cheeks disappeared. The annoying pimples that I couldn't get rid of around my jawline are now totally gone. Before buying the Mia, I had even gone to a dermatologist who wanted to put me on antibiotics- ummm that was definitely not happening for this girl. Now I'm getting complements on my skin. The key was to upgrade my cleansing routine!

I could go on and on...but you get the idea. The winter is officially over and there's no better time to get rid of any dull flaky skin and start fresh. After all, it's your skin and it deserves special treatment!

And to my best girlie Dara, you will not regret this purchase. 

Daily Outfit: Hippie Legs

i must say that one of the major benefits of crocheting is making your own legwarmers!  this blast from the past accessory is the perfect highlight to my everyday outfit.  it doesn't take much to put these on display, especially when worn with these cute retro pumps (a b-day gift from my Mommy).  i picked up one of the bright colors from the yarn with my violet shirt and the rest just fell into place.  in order to keep the eye drawn to the right places, my basic black skinny jeans and color block blazer were the right compliment.  if this outfit wasn't retro enough, my fave headband pushed it over the edge.   though i call this outfit hippie legs, it really does draw from styling from the 60's, 70's, 80's and now.  just another example of how certain styles are timeless!

PS. many of our sales are made once someone sees an item in action and styled for everyday.  another one of our best clients quickly placed an order for a pair of legwarmers similar to these after she saw me wearing them.  (Yay, Jaz!) today is actually her b-day, maybe she had one last chance to rock her new pair of legwarmers before the warm weather comes to stay!  :)

(Color Block Blazer - Rachel Rachel Roy, Violet Burn-out tee - Loehmann's, Black Skinny Jeans - J Brand, Grey Suede Pumps - BCBGeneration, Crystal Ball Headband, Pearl Pendant Necklace, Crochet Legwarmers - MavenFresh)

PFMs Do It Better: Spring Fever for the Exterior!

Do you have it yet...that feeling of Spring Fever? Well if you have it and it's making you want to tackle some outdoor home projects that have been put off for months, I'm saying it's now the prime season for house painting. Choosing paint color can be intimidating; it may take you weeks to decide on the look that you want for your exterior redo. So let's start planning now!

We purchased our house a little over a year ago. It was originally built in 1920 as a small raised bungalow. This is what the house looked like after priming it for the new paint job.

Primed and ready for fresh paint!

I thought if nothing else, I wanted to paint over the black trim and the dark red door, but after a few months of living there I wanted to do much more than just that. The stucco was painted white, once, a loooooong time ago, and visibly repaired in a few places. It was in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint as you can see. 

Painting prep: repair stucco cracks

*It helps if you have a focus, or at least one color that you love and must have. Personalize the look, make it your own. In my case, it was the door. I just knew we had to have a bright yellow door. Narrowing it down to the specific shade of yellow came later!

*Think about the neighborhood. One option is to coordinate with your neighbors a bit since they are part of your curb appeal. Also, think about location. If you're near water, maybe you are inspired to create a palette based on cool blues of the sea or the beige colors of the sand. Maybe you're in a wooded area with lots of green and landscaping...then you would want to pick contrasting colors so that your house doesn't blend in too much and get lost in your surroundings. Living in a beachside community with close proximity to our neighbors, we decided to embrace the sand with our main color and contrast with crisp white trim that screams beach! We saved the bright colors for accents like the door, furniture, and (coming soon) accessories. Doing this made our house look bigger (yay!) and not stick out among the other neutrals on the block.

 

*Consider any special characteristics that you want to highlight...like ornate trim, or the ceiling of your porch. We brought in the surf with a light blue porch ceiling color. It's so relaxing sitting under there. Maybe you want to play up the colors of your roof? After taking a good look in daylight I realized our slate roof tiles weren't just blue-grey; they have lots of rich beige-brown in them. This totally helped with the paint decision. The main sand-beige paint color I chose for the stucco really brings out the color variations in our roof tiles. We've been getting plenty of compliments from people walking by who say they didn't realize we had a slate roof until the house was re-painted!  

*When it came time to make color decisions we just painted samples directly on the house since it was white(ish). But painting samples on white foam core board will really help you decide where to put the color, and what colors to choose. Have fun with it!

 *Relax...there's lots of other details that you can update easily if you're not ready to tackle a paint job: replace your house numbers/mailbox/doorknocker/hardware. These minor changes will create an overall makeover without breaking your budget or costing you lots of time.

 

We used Sherwin Williams Duration Exterior Paint (HIGHLY RECOMMEND) which was colormatched to these Benjamin Moore colors: Body- Alexandria Beige HC-77, Door- Bright Yellow 2022-30, Ceiling- Jamestown Blue HC-148, Floor- Tamarind AF-120, Trim-Frostine AF-5.

 

I loved every second of the planning, shopping, and paint swatching. I'm all smiles each time I come home and see our bright yellow front door. Trust me, this type of a makeover will have you feeling unbelievably fresh and happy...after all, the exterior of your house is something that you look at every day. My next project for Spring will be the porch. On my to-do list: redo the landscaping below, add planters on the railing filled with fresh flowers, buy bright new pillows on the sofa to pull the paint colors together, paint a rug on the floor, and accent with some candles or mirrored mobiles.

What's going to be your Spring Fever project? Let us know if we can help you with anything.

PS- I have a fantastic painter you can contact...!

PFM Confessional: sesheta speaks....inspiration- the sun

the warm weather of the past week has truly inspired me.  i literally feel like it is warming my creative energy.  i am in the midst of designing a piece for my spiritual sister and the sun has played a major role in where my i draw my inspiration.  it makes sense that today, Sunday, would be the day for this post.  as i wait for the clear message of what to create to come through, i am just appreciating the energy of the sun.  i feel like i am a young(er) girl who has been struck by spring fever.  the last thing i want to do is be stuck indoors or behind a computer.  alas, i am not always able to escape the former or the latter, but it does make me feel good either way to know that there is a warm sun shining.  the early appearance of spring has made me excited for the new season and for all the gifts that spring brings.

photo courtesy of Pictures of the Sun

Daily Outfit: I Saw Red

Are we sick of hearing about "pops of color" yet? I tried to think of another phrase, but nothing really covers it like that one...let's go with "color burst" for today. After lots of searching, I found the perfect go-to top for a color burst this Spring. Besides looking at the classically chic Equipment blouses (but yes- they are pricey) it wasn't easy for me to find an affordable loose-fit silk blouse that met my criteria; I'm curvy and I love button-down blousy tops, but they don't always flatter my shape. There can be issues with pulling or gaping to consider, and I want to achieve that drapey shape without the blouse overwhelming me. The Blythe Blouse is perfection in bright red, and now I want one in every color...especially the neon versions!

This look is more "business" than what I usually go for, but I made it my own with a couple of  unexpected accents- my leopard booties, a full top-knot, and an oversized bloom. 

 I have a couple of tips when styling a this type of blouse...if you are petite and curvy like me, the structured blazer is a key piece. It will tame the drapey fit, ensuring that it doesn't engulf your frame and make you look bigger than you are. Also try tucking a loose blouse into fitted high-rise jeans or a pencil skirt. Totally flattering!

(Blythe Blouse- J.Crew, Cartonnier Blazer- Anthropologie, Silence & Noise High-Rise Jeans- Urban Outfitters, Lips-Urban Decay Super-Saturated Lip Color in Punch Drunk, Thai Rose Headband in Nude- MavenFresh, Leopard Booties- Nordstrom)

Mani Pedi: Bumble Bee?

i am totally into the trend of two (or more) different shades of polish in one mani.  i have been playing with two color combos for a while now and when i got the inspiration for bright yellow nails courtesy of China Glaze Happy Go Lucky, i thought that combining it with my new Essie Devil's Advocate would be perfect.  if you didn't know, Devil's Advocate is a really deep, deep purple.  i thought that it was a vamp-y dark red but it is even more  vamp-y than that! it is so dark that it looked black!  hence, the name bumble bee...though the combo was unintentional, it totally worked.  hey, it may have even been a sign that spring temps were right around the corner! :) yay!!

Mani Pedi: With Sprinkles On Top

 Look- no Sally Hansen Salon Effects! Haha you know by now that we're devoted to them, but even a dedicated fan has to switch it up once in a while. 

I was immediately loving Essie's Go Overboard  so it was only a matter of time before I bought a bottle for a bit of at-home experimentation. It really is what they say..."a limitless sea blue" with a hint of deep peacock; perfect to satisfy my color craving as we enter into Spring. After waiting for my nails to dry completely with two coats of Go Overboard, I wanted to add some nail jewelry. Sally Hansen Snappy Sprinkles did the trick. It has a clear base with tiny flakes of pink, green, gold, and blue iridescent glitter. Applied only to my ring fingers, it was super easy to get a nonchalant helping of glitter. The polish can be moved around if needed although one coat dries pretty quickly. The lovely blue base color brought out the variations in the glitter more attractively than I imagined. Add a clear topcoat, and you're good to go. Cheers to a simple twist on a basic mani!

PFM Obsession: Spring has Sprung with DVF!

this fun "jumpsuit" is actually a two-piece!

DVF is known for her wrap dresses and maxi too?!! LOVE it!!

this really is a jumpsuit - that wraps in the front...

and criss crosses in the back! tre chic!

flirty skirts are uber-feminine!

there's something in the air that let's us know that spring is here.  despite my doubt and trepidation, the vernal equinox has arrived and, technically, it really is spring. i keep feeling like it's too good to be true... especially because the weather has not only just switched over (seemingly overnight) but it has also jumped to such high temperatures.  i hope it doesn't sound like i'm complaining because that totally isn't the case.  i guess i'm just in disbelief that winter went off without really leaving it's mark.  i told Becca today that maybe my desire to have weather like this all the time has really come true!!

well, nothing says spring more that drapey, loose, fabulous clothing.  when i received an email today from Shopbop showcasing items from Diane von Furstenberg's spring line, it made me yearn for my spring/summer wardrobe.  though i'm still doubtful that it's really time to switch out those winter clothes, i definitely enjoy DVF's super feminine take on spring's trends.  i will rarely choose prints but when i do gravitate to a pattern it usually isn't floral.  i am definitely a girly girl but something about floral has always meant prissy to me.  well, Diane has totally proven otherwise with her fun floral prints.  from pants to dresses to skirts, i am ready to make more than a few pieces mine!! 

photo credits - www.Shopbop.com

Daily Outfit: She Dreams in Paint Color

Sesheta & I recently had a chat about a little-known thought process I use every once in a while to pick out an outfit... I think in paint color. It's the designer in me. I have a total obsession with Benjamin Moore paint; sometimes I can look at a paint color on the wall and identify it by swatch name. And my favorite part of designing a room is picking out the color scheme.

Here's how it translates into my wardrobe: I constantly get inspired by color combos I've seen all around me. It could be the colors from a decorative box that a candle came in, a magazine article with a fantastic photo of a newly designed living room...and an idea for an outfit is born. Sometimes (like this time) I don't even know exactly where the vision comes from. A combination of color swatches came to mind organically...and I went into my closet to see if this vision could be turned into an outfit.  

Did you ever go shopping and think to yourself, oooh I totally needed a dress in that color. But then you arrive home with it and you can't remember why you thought it was a must-have. Luckily, not the case with my newly purchased H&M tie-neck tunic dress. Navy is such a classic color, there are many ways to mix it up (I love that it can also be worn as a top.) If I had to break this look down into paint swatches, I'd go with Admiral Blue, Blue Spa, and Citron, with neutral brown accents. This would make for a really lovely color combo in a bedroom. Hmmmmmm.

(Cardigan- Arden B, Tie-Neck Dress- H&M, Tights- Urban Outfitters, Boots- Zara, Silver Bracelet- Vintage, Cowrie Bracelet- MavenFresh, Stud Watch- Marc Jacobs)

Daily Outfit: Camo Blues

though i reside in Long Island, i am a New York City Girl at heart.  i grew up all over New York and was totally inspired by the fashion.  when i think back to the early 90's, fashion could be connected to certain items: baggy jeans, Cross Colour clothing, doc martens, Girbauds, sneakers, Polo, North Face jackets, door knocker earrings and camouflage.  it really all depended on where in the city you were at that time.  though i left most of the the 90's fashion behind (like Becca said- only cause my fashion tastes changed not cause age dictated that i do so), some things will never go away.  

camouflage is definitely one of them.  though i won't be seen in baggy camouflage pants anymore, these Vanilla Star skinnys work to keep me edgy and still girly.  the ruffles on my shirt also help to tone down the edge as well as keep the look "me" - the perfect balance of both.  you know i had to have some AKBs on (my ass kicking boots - an elder once told me to be sure you always have some of these), cause you just never know lol.  afterall, i still am in New York and you gotta let everyone know that you can't be messed with - especially when it comes to style!

(Denim jacket - Hollister Co., Army Ruffle tunic top - Eyeshadow, Camo Skinny Cargo leggings - Vanilla Star Jeans, Brown AKBs - Lucky Brand, Blue mobius - unknown, Elliptical Earrings - MavenFresh) 

PFM Confessional: Becca Says, Style Has No Number!

The latest issue of Lucky Magazine arrived, and I couldn't wait to curl up on the sofa and dive on in. When I got to the "Readers Ask" segment, there was a question that had me pausing to question myself. It read "I'm about to turn 30. Are there any clothing styles in your opinion that I need to say a long goodbye to?" 

Ok- take your time to reflect and then let's have a little fun. Are you in your 30s? Almost there? Already been there, done that? How would you respond...feel free to share with us! 

Well I immediately got defensive and thought to myself, hmmm do I remember consciously saying adieu to any of my style choices when I turned the big 3-0? Ummm definitely no- why would I have to do that? It shouldn't be about "having" to do anything. For me it was really more about my personal style developing and changing...and that's something that I will always love! That birthday 3 years ago had nothing to do with it. The trends always change, your taste will change, your budget can change, your shape might change. And I never once thought "uh-oh, now that I'm 30 I have to give up____." If you like it, wear it. Enjoy and stop paying so much attention to what other people think and what society deems appropriate. Plus, your confidence level is so much higher after leaving your 20s that (dare I say this) you should be looking forward to turning 30 instead of dreading it. Just now speaking from experience, being that I'm at a point where I can look back. In a world that is super-saturated with 20-something style bloggers, I'm proud that Sesheta and I are breaking that mold. We're going to continue sharing inspiration and our enthusiasm for style with you!

I love that Shopgirl posted about Advanced Style- a unique blog that totally drives the point home; style really has no number! 

PS-So what did Lucky have to say? I'm very happy to report that the awesome Ms. Jean Godfrey-June answered with a point-blank "no." And then she went on to tell a tale with the moral of the story being that the hottest age is from 32-35. Love this magazine now even more than ever. Ha!

(photo credit: Advanced Style- Ari Seth Cohen)

Mani Pedi: Sally Hansen Animal Instinct

i am loving my latest mani!  it's another fun pattern from Sally Hansen Salon Effects - Animal Instinct.  it is reminiscent of one of my fave patterns Wild Child but a bit more punk. it is right in line with the animal print trend.  the glittery deep pink background of the zebra pattern is totally fun!

have you noticed??  since Becca and i started our love affair with Sally Hansen Salon Effects, they can now be seen on the hands of tons of fashionistas!  there are also tons of other brands that are venturing into the nail sticker market, like Sephora, for example.  Becca and i have to venture out and try some!!