A Not-So-Sweet Sugar Coat

In this picture, Sally Hansen Bubble Plum from the "Sugar Coat" collection.

      As the nail art craze continues, I've kind of been behind the curve. I like experimenting with new techniques and polishes but I never got into textured nails. This week I tried it out for something different. I've acquired two Sally Hansen "Sugar Coat" polishes in Bubble Plum (100) and Cotton Candies (700). Both are sweet pastels, typical of a candy shop, with a grainy texture finish. 

     This polish was a good way to ease into textured nails. It goes on fairly easy -- my one suggestion is to put it on quickly or it gets clumpy. A couple coats works best for optimum coverage (some areas of the nail may not get completely covered in the texture otherwise). It dries pretty quickly, so that was a plus! Once I'd finished my nails it was a cool effect, unlike anything else I've tried before. The biggest downside is that I soon realized this texture wasn't all too pleasant for everyday wear. For the past few days, I kept accidentally scratching myself, or I'd be surprised when I felt something rough and then remember it was just my sandpaper nails. 

      Overall, this isn't the most practical polish. It's cool for a day or two, but it gets old very quickly. It also isn't easy to take off and requires much scrubbing with plenty of cotton balls and nail polish remover. I would suggest this for a special occasion that will last no longer than 48 hours. It's great for making a statement, but not for when you're shaking someone's hand or going on a hot date. This polish could also work for an accent nail. That way you get the trendy texture, but it won't make your nails overwhelmingly rough. 

My Beauty Rating:

Summer Inspiration Board

      Summer is officially here! Although I've been out of school for almost two months and it's felt like summer for quite some time now, I feel a new sense of excitement for the season! I'm visiting my boyfriend in Los Angeles in less than a week and there isn't another place in the country that gets more "summer" than LA! I've never left the East Coast so this is going to be a fun adventure for me! I love California's beach/boho style and I'm really looking forward to experiencing a culture much different from that of New England. Of course, I'm most excited to see my boyfriend, but that kind of goes without saying!

      I always make a new inspiration board for my room at the beginning of every season and this is the one I created for summer. Victoria's Secret clothing and swimwear is always a big part of my summer wardrobe. I also really like the tunics and dresses Boden carries, however I have yet to obtain one outside of catalog pictures.

      Here's a breakdown of my summer must-haves:

• VS swimsuits
• Coverups and tunics
• Maxi dresses and skirts
• Pastel pants
• Strappy sandals
• Cropped sweats
• High-waisted shorts
• Billowy tops
• Fedora hat
• Tank top dresses
• Tropical patterns

     Lastly, here are some pictures I love that only add to my grand excitement to get to LA.

To see more of what inspires me, make sure you check out my boards on Pinterest here!

Moving on to Asymmetrical Ruffles

      In the past couple years, hi-low skirts (often nicknamed "mullet" skirts) were all the rage. They dominated the streets, particularly among 18-21 year old college students. But this trend is fading and is quickly being replaced by asymmetrical ruffles. Working in a clothing store helps a lot when it comes to spotting trends. This spring, I worked at Club Monaco and ruffles were a major adornment among all the minimalistic styles. I then began to see them more and more as I looked through S/S 2013 runway pictures.

      What I really like about this trend is how feminine it is, without going overboard. Too many ruffles is never a good thing, but one clean line of ruffles becomes even more flattering when it's tilted at an angle. Asymmetrical ruffles are like the younger sisters of the ultra cool peplums -- they look the best when they're structured, stiff, and come in a thick fabric.

Gucci SS13

     This style can be worn a multitude of ways. Tops with a slanted, ruffle neckline are super chic right now. A pencil skirt with a ruffle right above the knee is a great way to incorporate it into office wear. The key to pulling it off is to have one large ruffle taking center stage. Any more and you will look like a bird! Also, don't wimp out with tiny ruffles. Small ones look dowdy and outdated. Here are some styles to pull inspiration from...

Balenciaga SS13

Givenchy SS13

Chloe SS13

Here are some runway inspired pieces for the real world. To see the products I used, see my Polyvore set here.

Current Obsession: Repossi Ear Cuffs

      One of my favorite outfits from the Met Gala Ball was Sienna Miller's studded Burberry look. Of course, I always love her style, but my favorite part of her ensemble was on her ear. She wore a diamond studded ear cuff by Repossi that completed her punk inspired look. And she isn't the only celeb who's been wearing Repossi lately. Cara Delevingne, Brooklyn Decker, Rihanna, Michelle Williams, Alicia Keys, and Diane Kruger are just a few others.

       While ear cuffs have been around for a while, they haven't escaped the realm of high school punk until recently. What makes Repossi's cuffs so enticing is a simple design with a little bit of edgy glamour. Each cuff is made up of three to four rings in gold, silver, or black gold that are connected to make one ear piece. They come in plain metal or embellished with diamonds. They currently have a limited edition cuff adorned with turquoise.

Berbère 18-karat rose gold multi-hoop ear cuff

Berbère 18-karat black gold multi-hoop ear cuff

      Repossi also has a great collection of other unique pieces. Their rings are just as spectacular as their cuffs and they have several collections to satisfy any style. Their "Serpent" collection includes a blinged-out snake ring, while their collaboration with Alexander Wang features necklaces, bracelets, and rings made out of metal chain link that looks almost melted.  

Berbère 18-karat rose gold link ring

Alexander Wang for Repossi