Marina & The Diamonds Makeup Tutorial

Good afternoon lovely followers! In honor of the last Electra Heart video (for all of my Marina fans out there) I made a Marina & The Diamonds makeup tutorial. Even if you're not a Marina fan, this makeup look is fun and easy to do. This can be done with basic supplies in your own makeup drawer. Feel free to email me or comment on the video with suggestions for future videos!

Pantone Colors Fall 2013

I'm usually one to post about clothing for the upcoming season the moment Vogue's fall edition (all glorious 400-something pages of it) hit my doorstep. Back in February, Pantone announced fall 2013's trendy colors, and now all of the major designers have taken the hint and have begun to work the colors into their collections. I'm going to put some outfits together using Pantone's colors from their official website. 

EMERALD

A deep, jewel-tone green hit the runways from dozens of designers for this upcoming fall. The best way to transition this rich hue is to wear simple shapes and to keep accessories minimal and neutral. Gold looks best when paired with emerald.

MYKONOS BLUE

Mykonos blue is light and airy, and is basically a neutral when it comes to pairings. Mix it up as a main article or accessory: either way this color is sure to catch people's eyes.

LINDEN GREEN

Remember that crayon you had but never really used in your Crayola 24-pack? That strange mix between yellow and green is popping up on runways everywhere. It's a difficult color to pair with other brights, so keep other items in the black/navy area.

ACAI

Every fashionista knows that purple is so in this year. Specifically, "Acai", a deep yet bright jewel tone that is either pass or fail when it comes to an outfit. When pairing it with other colors, think turquoise and gray--they complement the bright purple quite nicely.

SAMBA

This fall is hot, hot, hot! Well, at least the color Samba is. This fiery hue is best used in moderation, but can be very hip when used correctly. Channel your inner RED Valentino designer, and pair this color with black, gray, white, and leopard print. Staying with these guidelines still gives you plenty of freedom to play around with different textures. Be daring!

KOI

The name gives it away--this color is literally the same shade as a koi fish. Thankfully, Japanese artists have been using koi fish in their art for thousands of years. This can be an inspiration when it comes to making an outfit. Keep in mind the colors that artists use in their koi paintings: deep blues, sea-foam greens, white, and occasionally red.

DEEP LICHEN GREEN

Almost a Hunter Green (but less brown), Deep Lichen Green is basically a new neutral. Pair it with gold and brown accessories. Also, this color is far from dainty. Toughen it up with textures fabrics and unexpected leather details.

VIVACIOUS

Who says autumn is all about jewel tones and neutrals? Be bold and add a splash of this magenta hue to a party outfit for a little extra oomph.

TURBULENCE

Not quite gray, not quite blue. However, it can be used as either. Orange and gold both go nicely with this color, because it balances out the neutral side of Turbulence. Pastel pinks and nudes also make this heavy color very dainty and delicate.

CARAFE

Brown with undertones of green mixed in, Carafe is another edgy neutral to try this year. It looks great in jackets, boots, and purses. Be careful not to go overboard with this color--too much will make your outfit seem drab and monotonous.

~~For any additional information on individual items, visit my Polyvore!~~

Champagne Taste On A Coca-Cola Budget

My mother always told me, "In your wardrobe, it's better to have a few high quality items than a lot of junk". I always keep this in mind, especially when it comes to my every day style. I'll have to admit, a lot of my clothes (usually basics, like jeans and solid t-shirts) are from lower-end stores (like Forever 21 and Old Navy, even), but the rest are higher-quality statement pieces, usually having a name brand of some sort. The trick is knowing how to mix your lower-end basics with higher-end pieces so your entire outfit looks put together and fashionable. Most of the time, you can find popular styles for less if you keep your eye out for brands that like to borrow style ideas from other companies. (In no way do I encourage buying fake designer items such as handbags--to me, it's stealing. It's better to go without the item than to steal a designer's original idea that someone ripped off). I'm going to show you some designer articles of clothing that are similar in style with the less-expensive versions that are easier on your wallet.

The Graphic Floral Bag

 The Funky Clutch

The Silky Scarf

The Colorful Heel

The Chunky Heel

The Metallic Floral Skirt

The Side Detail Sunglasses

The Tweed Decorative Jacket

How to Make Two-Tone Nails

Nail art is a big thing now, and I've recently been looking at some tutorials to get my own ideas about nail art. Today, I'm going to show you a very easy design for the inner artist in everyone.

1. Get your supplies. I am using 2 Sonia Kashuk polishes/brushes, and a Sally Hanson professional nail file.

2. File your nails into a squared-oval shape. This means the sides are round, but the top is flat.

3. Choose your base color. I am using Navy Blue as my base.

4. Paint two layers of the polish on all of your nails. 

5. Using the other color you have chosen, paint a diagonal stripe on your nails, all going in the same direction. 

6. Fill in half of your nail with the other color, using the line as your diving point. You may need to do a few layers of the second color so it is completely opaque.

7. Let your nails dry, and... ta-da! A simple nail design that can be done with any color, very quickly, for any occasion.

Ask Ali #1

You asked... I delivered! My inbox was full with your beauty inquiries, so I've chosen a few to answer in this video. Feel free to ask me things on my email (there's a link to it on the side), I'll be sure to answer!

The Wait Is Over!

Wow, this has been a longer hiatus than I anticipated! I miss blogging, and since summer is now here, I will be posting on here (along with my Polyvore, Pinterest, and Youtube channel) very frequently.

To kick off the start of my new blogging spree, I made an awesome video. It consists of three tutorials, each with three components (hair, makeup, and an outfit). Although it may look lengthy, it's really not. Check it out, and please feel free to email me or comment any suggestions for future videos or feedback on current ones.

THREE STYLES, THREE TUTORIALS

Trend Report: Florals

I absolutely love waking up in the morning to the sound of birds chirping; in my area, both birds and trees line the streets. The only thing I love a little more than the birds is the tree that resides directly outside of my bedroom: every spring it blossoms with tiny pink and white flowers, and sometimes the rain makes the flowers stick onto my window. This past weekend, stuck in bed with illness, I was desperate for entertainment. Some of the flowers were attached to the glass of the window, creating kaleidoscope-like patterns on the glass.  I immediately grabbed my computer and began to put together outfits inspired by the abstract floral print. Today, I'm going to show you how any plant, not just flowers, can be turned into a beautiful addition to any wardrobe.

Although Easter is behind us, this floral dress is perfect for anything from a wedding to a fancy dinner. Keeping the shoes plain and simple (and keeping accessories to a minimum) makes the dress really stand out. Pastels are always in style, and with the recent trend of landscapes as statement pieces, this dress is sure to snag a few complements.

Why hello, DEER. Yes, deer. This beyond-adorable shirt features flowers and deer, and makes any time feel like spring time. Paired with crisp hunter-green pants and funky golden sandals, an outfit like this is perfect for a day out with the girls, a tour of the city, or even for a family get-together.

Who says flowers have to be all pastel and girly? Toughen up your petals with bold prints, such as this dress. Paired with über-mod black flatforms and a chunky plastic bangle in an equally bold print, all eyes will be on your abstract garden of an outfit.

Florals can be in places other than shirts and dresses. Turn your feet into eye-candy with ultra sweet, ladylike flats such as these. The pointed toe actually makes your feet look very dainty, and the watercolor flower print is perfect for the spring and summer. Metallic shorts in blush plus a solid white tee make for the perfect outfit for a concert, picnic, school, or time with your friends.

If you're new to the whole "mixing patterns" thing, I suggest starting with the never-failing combination of a floral print and bold black and white stripes. My inspiration for this outfit was Balenciaga's newest perfume, Florabotanica. The bottle is composed of bold stripes and splashes of bright colorful florals. Banana-colored heels bring out the yellow in the dress, as well as the blue clutch does. 

(All of the articles of clothing, along with their prices, can be found here. Thanks for reading!)

What's Old is New Again

It seems like that groundhog was right: spring is coming upon us very quickly, and is ressurecting some old styles. This spring, stores like American Apparel and Urban Outfitters have brought back some styles that haven't been with us for a long, long time. High waisted shorts, ruffled socks, Spandex cropped tee shirts, onesies, and even scrunchies are finding their way back into trendy girls' closets (some things, like the cornrows, butterfly clips, and overalls, should stay in the 90's, though). I'm going to show you some ways to channel your inner "Saved By the Bell"--it's 2013, but we're bringing the 90's back.

The Colorblock Jacket

Will Smith really knew what he was doing when he rocked a colorblocked ski jacket on multiple occasions. Well, maybe he didn't know what he was doing, but he influenced modern style on recent runways. Nowadays, the colorblocked jacket is worn with anything from glamorous pants to flatforms.

Patterned Flowy Pants

I'm in the costume crew for my school's musical, and I have seen some horrendous yet fabulous articles of clothing. One of these was a pair of gold and black patterned pants, which were open and flowing at the bottom, but tight up top. I spent hours debating with myself if I liked them or not, and I came to the conclusion that they were so 90's. Paired with the right shirt and shoes, a pair of these pants is flattering on everyone, and come is every color and pattern imaginable (and I'm not joking, either). Since the pants are flowy, they look their best when paired with a fitted tee shirt.

High Waisted Shorts

Not only do they flatter anyone's figure, they're super cute. Nowadays, we see them in every style, from acid-washed to studded. Pair them with a crop top or shirt tucked in--if you let something go over the front, it'll look like you're wearing just wearing underwear.

Keds

Keds are probably the simplest of all the sneakers that exist today, but that isn't always a bad thing. Scrunch down your socks or buy ruffled ones (like these from American Apparel, or these from TopShop). The best part about Keds is that they're made of canvas: easy to clean, easy on your feet, and easy... to paint? Indeed, some people bring out their inner Van Gogh and paint your sneakers with a modern Starry Night, or dip-dye white keys into colored dye. So artsy.

Scrunchies

When I was little, my grandmother used to let me pick out a scrunchie to wear whenever I went to her house (needless to say, I wanted to go over there quite often... she must have had 400+ scrunchies). They look best when slid over a sleek, high ponytail, and worn with something somewhat casual. My personal favorite from my tiny collection is one that my mom got me last year, during lacrosse season (it is my school's colors with little lacrosse sticks/bows on it). For an idea on how to wear one, click here.

The Crop Top

Oh, how scandalous! Showing a little midriff is no biggie when a crop top is worn correctly. Since it is a simple article of clothing, it is easy to pair with other things. A tip to keep in mind: the higher the  bottom of the shirt, the higher your bottoms are.

Blunt Bangs

Bangs have literally taken over the style world in the past two years or so. Danielle Fishel rocked them in the 90's, and now stars like Nicole Richie and Taylor Swift have lashed their locks for blunt bangs. Heart-shaped faces generally look the best with this hairstyle.

Rings!

WONDERFUL NEWS EVERYONE! My lovely friends at Deconstructed Living in Wayne made a beautiful display for my ring company, Blooms & Buttons. I've been making these rings for about three years, and everyone has been super supportive. If you want to order one, feel free to contact me via email (inthemodeblog@gmail.com) to order one. 

Neiman Marcus's Spring Trends: Do it Yourself

In Neiman Marcus's latest catalog, there was only one thing that I was looking for: the spring edition of their "it" list. Every year, for fall/winter and spring/summer, they release their trend predictions for that upcoming season. This year, the list ranges from orange as a new neutral, to face-framing jewelry. Today, I'm going to explain multiple ways to rock each of these trends for the spring/summer of 2013.




Orange: the New Neutral

In the past, this citrus-y bright has been reserved for small details. This spring, style experts say to pair it with any color you can imagine: neon pink, navy blue, other shades of orange, and tan. Since orange is bright, it looks nice in more sporty outfits--think pencil skirts and eyelet shirts.

Cool Blues

Blue is timeless, ladylike, and can range anywhere from electric blue to soft, muted gray. This year, take every shade of blue you can think of, and pair them together. Designers like Lela Rose turn classic shift dresses into modernized oceans with color blocked designs. In early spring, chambray blue is the perfect transition from winter to warmer weather.

Amazing Lace

Lace is all grown up this spring, popping up on runways in neon lace shift dresses, Valentino espadrilles, and even biker jackets. The trick for wearing a lot of lace: classic shaped dresses keep it fresh, and try to keep it to one color all over. Also, plunging necklines and lace usually aren't a good match, so play it safe by keeping necklines simple.

Relaxed Chic

Looking cool doesn't always mean dressing up. This year, tweed jackets meet jeans, work pants meet flowy, boho shirts. Ballet flats are optional.

Print Mania

I've always loved designers like Roberto Cavalli and Alexander McQueen--their prints always intrigued and excited me. This year, prints go head-to-toe. All-over prints are such a fun thing: it's almost like wearing a piece of art on your body. If you want to be really safe, bold stripes and floral never fail--it's a good place to start.

Bold Eyes and Nude Lips

Starting on runways back in December, this trend has really skyrocketed. This past fall was all about the red, bold lips, but this season is all about the dramatic, over-the-top eyes and plain lips. An easy way to achieve the "nude" lips look: prep your lips with BB Cream the same color as your skin, apply nude lipstick, then swipe clear gloss on top of that. The BB Cream prevents any color from your lips to show through, making them blend in with your skin, but the gloss defines your lips just enough without going over the top.

Warm-Weather Leather

With leather growing in popularity for this past winter, I had no doubt in my mind that it wasn't going away any time soon. Designers like Alice + Olivia and Philip Lam incorporate this hip material into unexpected pieces, like shirtdresses and tank tops.

Face Framing Jewels

Statement earrings have been in for a while, and now stylists are saying to pair those over-the-top earrings with over-the-top necklaces! Always make sure the metals are the same, but feel free to experiment with different shapes and textures.

Gladiators

Strappy shoes have always been cool, but this year, they're hot. Sorry, bad pun. Anyway, sandals and heels are seeing straps, whether they're animal skin, adorned with sparkles, or sky-high.

High-Voltage Handbags

Springtime always covers everything with color, and this season, handbags get a jolt of electric fun. Spice up your purses with neons, pastels, mod designs, and funky straps.

Neiman's 2013 Trend List

Book Smart, Style Smart: Alice in Wonderland

I'm pretty sure we all know the story of Alice in Wonderland: a girl named Alice is lured into a mysterious town underground, where she meets numerous quirky characters, has a tea party, and manages to play some cards along the way. Today, I've put together a few fun outfits based on this greatly loved childhood story.

Into the Rabbit Hole

Alice's style depicted in the Disney adaptation is the one I'm sure everyone knows: blue dress, white apron, black Mary Janes. So, why not make that outfit wearable? This version makes Alice's outfit come to life--and in a very cute way.

Shirt: Jil Sander, $420

Skirt: newlook.com, $32

Shoes: Forever 21, $30

Necklace: oliverbonas.com, $19

We're Late, We're Late, For a Very Important Date

Not everything in books has to be goofy and over the top. For instance, a rabbit with a pocketwatch was the inspiration for this pretty, stylish outfit.

Blazer: A. F. VANDERFORST Blazer, $720

Pants: youshehe.com, $220

Necklace: etsy.com, $20

Shoes: L.A.M.B., $195

No Need to Get Catty

The Cheshire cat was always a mystery to me. How could he be in a tree one second, and be gone the next? Bring out your inner cattiness with a pink striped sweater, purple pants, and killer kicks. 

Sweater: Christopher Kane, $855

Pants: Prada, $395

Shoes: YSL, $600