Saturday, November 10, 2012

Fancy Fingers

If you've been keeping up with the latest nail art trends, you're probably familiar with the fabulous caviar manicure! For those of us who are new to the nail art scene, you are probably imagining some fancy fish eggs resting on top of a perfectly polished nail. Gross right? Thankfully, the caviar manicure consists of just some really pretty microbeads that look like the fishy treats. A new take on 3D nail art, the caviar manicure has made a comeback for the holiday season. This trend first gained popularity in the spring, and dwindled out during the summer months. Perfect for a holiday party, this nail trend can act as a great accessory! The only downfall is that it doesn't seem to have much staying power. Holding strong for only about a day or two, the caviar manicure is definitely not meant for everyday use. I picked up the Ciaté Caviar Mini Bar kit from Sephora, so if you are looking for a fun gift for the beauty obsessed friend on your holiday list, you might want to stop in and snatch up a kit before they run out! For the crafty fashionista, you can just head to your neighborhood craft store and pick up microbeads in different colors for a fraction of the cost. I recommend Martha Stewart microbeads because you get lots of bright colors while also getting a great value. A great DIY project, this is one trend that doesn't have to cost you a fortune! If you haven't already given this trend a try, I would definitely recommend it!

 Caviar Manicure Trend


Ciaté Caviar Mini Bar Kit $29.00 (Sephora)


It comes in a cute little box! Perfect for gifting!


You get four base nail colors!


The kit also comes with four different varieties of colored glass microbeads that correspond with the base coats

Caviar Manicure Instructions:

1.) First apply a base coat of nail polish (any color) and let it dry completely
2.) Doing one nail at a time, apply a second coat and sprinkle on some beads over the wet nail 
3.) The beads are attracted to the polish, so they stick really well
4.) Gently pat the beads into the polish for extra staying power
5.) Let your nails dry for fifteen to twenty minutes
6.) Using a topcoat of your choice, apply one coat only on the tips (like a french manicure) 
7.) Enjoy!



Sprinkling on some beads


The kit even comes with a mini funnel to put the unused beads back into the pots

Inspired? Look for these items here:
www.sephora.com
www.target.com
Posted by at 5:33 PM 0 comments

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Wicked Beauty

We are officially less than a week away from the spookiest day of the year! Hopefully you've found your perfect costumes by now, but if you're running a little behind, I've come up with a few more options! I previously posted some Disney princess inspired costume ideas, which you can find here if you haven't had a chance to check them out yet. If you are looking to stay away from the sweet and sparkly this Halloween, today's post is perfect for you. Inspired by some of my favorite Disney villains, I've put together some outfits that will be sure to get you a few screams! Again, I tried to put together looks that can work for the other days of the year as well. With a quick switch of accessories, you can take these outfits from downright scary to polished princess perfection! Good luck with the costume search, and have a Happy Halloween!

Disney Villains Themed Costumes/Outfits

Untitled #142

Top: Velvet Bustier $30.00 (General Pants)
Skirt: Innocence Black Pleated Maxi Skirt $24.00 (New Look)
Cardigan: Cream Fluffy Cardigan $48.00 (River Island)
Shoes: Lipstick Red Pointed Toe Pump $16.99 (My Hot Shoes)
Bag: Leopard Print Cross Body Bag $35.00 (Wallis)
Earrings: Turquoise Stud Earrings $12.00 (Etsy)

Untitled #143

Captain Hook
Top: Silky Tie Neck Blouse $50.00 (French Connection)
Jacket: Basic Blazer $48.00 (H&M)
Shorts: Karen Millen Colorful Denim Shorts $19.95 (Karen Millen)
Shoes: Larissa Peep Toe Platform Heels $24.00 (Style Me TV)
Ring: Dagger Knife Double Ring $9.90 (Amazon)
Headband: Felt Feather Headband $8.99 (Gap)

 Mr. Smee
Top: Striped Lace Racerback Tank $2.00 (Wet Seal)
Skirt: St. Stephen's Green Textured Skirt $35.99 (Ruche)
Shoes: Larhonda Wedges $55.99 (Aldo)
Necklace: Miso Bling Glasses Pendant $6.40 (Republic)
Bow: Red Hair Bow $5.00 (Etsy)

Untitled #144

Top: Peplum Fishtail Top $50.00 (Miss Selfridge)
Jacket: Ichi Blazer Soga $65.00 (We Like Fashion)
Leggings: Gunmetal Zip Leggings $31.00 (Witchery)
Shoes: Off White Slingback Wedge Sandals $40.00 (Debenhams)
Necklace: New Predator Necklace $12.00 (Threadsence)
Ring: Beatrice Top Hat Skull Ring $20.00 (Boohoo)

Untitled #145

Dress: Strapless Color Block Stretch Taffeta Tube Dress $69.99 (Pacific Plex)
Shoes: Sparkle an Interest Heels $39.99 (Modcloth)
Clutch: I Heart Mesh Clutch $41.00 (The Iconic)
Necklace: Carriera Necklace $20.00 (Aubin & Wills)
Bracelet: Candie's Gold Toned Bracelet $16.00 (Kohl's)

Untitled #146

Body Suit: The Perfect Body Suit $37.50 (Isabella Oliver)
Skirt: Ribbed Peplum Mini Skirt $45.00 (Topshop)
Shoes: Michael Antonio's Pink Love Me Suede $49.99 (Heels)
Earrings: Gold Look Fat Cat Studs $5.20 (Dorothy Perkins)
Ring: DJ by Dominic Jones Gold Plated Enamel Claw Ring $89.38 (My Wardrobe)

Inspired? Look for these items here:
Posted by at 11:41 PM 2 comments

Monday, October 22, 2012

A Pop of 'Collar'

Embrace the sparkle in this fun fall trend! This season, it's all about embellished collars. From spiky studs to glittery gems, pretty accents are injecting some much needed glam appeal into your boring old button ups. If you tend to have trouble picking out just the right accessories to complement your outfits, this trend is perfect for you. The statement collar acts as an accessory which helps to do the hard work for you. Great for highlighting your face, having so much sparkle up top will definitely help you make a statement.

These versatile collars can be dressed up or down with the right accessories. Paired with some dark wash skinny jeans, this trend works perfectly for a sophisticated yet casual look for class. Combined with a banded skirt and some heels, you have yourself a festive outfit for an upcoming holiday party. So the next time your getting ready to head out the door, skip the jewelry and slip on an embellished collared shirt instead!

Celebrities Wearing Embellished Collars


Alexa Chung


Hailee Steinfeld

Outfit Ideas

Untitled #139

Top: Neutral Embellished Collar Top $40.00 (Warehouse)
Skirt: Crinkle Textured Skater Skirt $50.00 (Miss Selfridge)
Shoes: Fergalicious Bratty Oxford Bootie $49.95 (DSW)
Bag: Beige Pyramid Studded Satchel $35.90 (Windsor)
Bracelet: Gold Wave Bangle $24.00 (Bauble Bar)




Untitled #141

Top: Sonia Rykiel Jewel Collar Blouse $348.54 (Farfetch)
Leggings: Jersey Leggings $22.00 (Oasis)
Shoes: Sole Society Chandra Pump $49.95 (Nordstrom)
Bag: Twist Lock Satchel Bag $37.00 (Debenhams)
Earrings: Rose Gold Heart Studs $35.00 (Bauble Bar)




Untitled #140

Top: Shirt with Embellished Collar $24.99 (Ally Fashion)
Shorts: Miso Plain Skort $16.00 (Republic)
Shoes: Lulu Townsend Ilene Glitter Pump $49.95 (DSW)
Bag: Urban Expressions Manhattan Clutch $29.95 (DSW)
Ring: Miso Deco Cocktail Ring $10.00 (Republic)

Inspired? Look for these items here:

Image Credits:
Posted by at 5:49 PM 0 comments

Saturday, October 20, 2012

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

It's that perfectly spooky time of year once again! Leaves are losing their summer luster as they scatter tempting piles across the ground, waiting to be crunched under your favorite pair of worn in boots. The perfect weather for cozy scarves, scrumptious lattes, and darker shades of nail polish, fall has made its grand entrance and we've definitely taken notice!

October has sneaked up behind us like spine-tingling ghosts in the graveyard, as stores have embraced the Halloween spirit! Oddly shaped pumpkins with that absolutely perfect shade of orange have settled comfortably outside of neighborhood grocery stores, waiting to be de-gooped and sawed into frightening jack-o-lanterns. Shelves are stacked to the max with yummy candy bars, and my personal favorite, caramel apple pops! Less than two weeks separate us from the fall fiesta we call Halloween. Soon the streets will be filled with ghouls, miniature political candidates, and adorable princesses as they clutch their trusty flashlights, on the prowl for some delectable treats.

Have you found that perfectly creative costume that is 'oh-so-you' yet? If you happen to be one of those rare gems that find costumes under pressure nights before the thirty-first, lucky you. But for those of us who actually need time to make such an important decision, I decided to help you out with some costume ideas! Being on a bit of a Disney kick lately, I decided to surround my costume ideas on some of our favorite Disney princesses! Be the 'Belle' of the ball with one of these easy ideas! Not wanting to spend moolah on a costume you'll only wear once? No problem! Incorporating some classic accessories into the looks, I've attempted to create outfits that can work double duty as costumes for Halloween, and looks for non-holiday themed occasions. Who wouldn't want to look like a princess everyday of the year?

Disney Princess Themed Costumes/Outfits


Snow White

Top: Cropped Button-Down Blouse $11.00 (Charlotte Russe)
Skirt: Rhymes Mini Bubble Skirt $178.20 (Alice & Olivia)
Shoes: Bamboo Sami-22 Flat $26.95 (DSW)
Bag: Poppie Jones Velvet Bow Wristlet $19.95 (DSW)
Necklace: Kenneth Jay Lane Perspex Apple Pendant $38.70 (Asos)

Untitled #135

Top: Aqua Side Strap Bra Top $12.00 (Miss Selfridge)
Skirt: Cleo Rib Jersey Body Con $49.99 (Forever New)
Shoes: Gold Square Cut Pumps $44.00 (Wallis)
Necklace: Gold Hammered Effect Torq Necklace $21.00 (Wallis)
Earrings: INC Gold Tone Wide Hoop Earrings $19.50 (Macy's)

Untitled #136

Top: Ralph Lauren Pale Seafoam Georgette Daphne Top $798.00 (Stylebop)
Vest: Vintage Go Vest Young Woman $24.99 (Modcloth)
Skirt: Apricot Woolen Pleated Skirt $42.00 (Indressme)
Shoes: Bow Jersey Ballet Flat $7.25 (Wet Seal)
Bracelet: Sterling Silver Catch Bangle Bracelet $39.00 (Amazon)

Untitled #137

Top: Studded Ponte Knit Bustier $17.80 (Forever 21)
Skirt: Candy Color Maxi Skirt $42.00 (Style By Marina)
Shoes: Michael Kors Palm Beach Espadrille $49.99 (Piperlime)
Bag: Stone Studded Fold Over Clutch $26.00 (New Look)
Necklace: Sterling Silver Fish Pendant $38.00 (Kohl's)

Untitled #138

Top: Calypso St. Barth Amata Cotton Tunic $99.00 (Calypso St. Barth)
Bustier: Floral Flock Bustier Corset $64.00 (Topshop)
Skirt: Mocha Mini Skate with Belt $16.00 (Fashion Union)
Shoes: Blowfish Central Ballet Flat Pewter Patent $25.00 (Jildor)
Headband: Twinkle for Yourself Headband $14.99 (Modcloth)
Necklace: Spinning Wheel Necklace $9.86 (Etsy)

Inspired? Look for these items here:
Posted by at 11:03 PM 0 comments

Monday, September 10, 2012

Triple Threat

Back to readily available internet access, I am happy to announce the lucky winners of the "Double the Fun" and "Trendy Tory" giveaways! With classes back in session, I would like to wish my student readers a fun and successful school year! For those out of the classroom and exploring the realities of adulthood, happy fall! Stay warm out there!

Double the Fun Giveaway Winners


Scarf: Aisha W.


Necklace: Regina V.

Trendy Tory Giveaway Winner


Lauren C.

Thanks again to all of my faithful readers and I promise we will have another giveaway soon for more chances to win some neat stuff!!

Posted by at 3:06 PM 0 comments

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Trendy Tory

Unless you're one of the lucky ones who happen to live in parts of the world which seem to never have shortages of sun rays, it will soon be time to replace your favorite shades with a scarf and warm coat ! It may still be officially summer here, but I can definitely feel the winds getting cooler as several of my friends have left town to head back to school. For those less fortunate, you'll have to enjoy wearing your sunglasses while you still can.

Perhaps I was just looking in all the wrong sections, but I recently discovered that several discount stores such as Marshalls and TJ Maxx not only sell designer clothes for less, but also designer sunglasses as well! Usually hidden in small bins right near the jewelry counter, you can often times find high-end brands such as Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, and Balenciaga sunglasses selling for less than half their original prices. Now if you tend to be pretty skeptical about buying designer items in locations other than their official licensed websites and stores, you may initially wonder why the prices are so low. Most of the sunglasses selling are there for three main reasons:

  • They are usually sold without their cases/cleaning clothes (might have gotten lost on their way to the department stores)
  • They are the leftover models and styles from previous seasons
  • Their tags are usually replaced with the store logo (for example Marshalls)

Still not convinced? If you look on the side of the sunglasses, they have a product code (if they are authentic) that you can type in on google. If they are the real deal, the same model will show up in the search. Also for brands such as Prada, the location of creation is usually a dead giveaway in figuring out whether the pair in your hands is real or not. So the next time you're on the hunt for some designer sunglasses, it might be a good idea to stop into one of these discount stores to browse through their selection first. You may be presently surprised at all the trendy styles they have to offer!

Doing some back-to-school shopping, I figured I'd do some browsing in TJ Maxx. I came across a rather cute pair of Tory Burch sunglasses and thought I'd share them with you! A massive fan of Ms. Burch, I love the simple yet trendy feel of her apparel and accessories. I'm particularly a fan of her shoes because for one thing, they actually fit my abnormally small feet! Having a nice mix of tomboyish elements and feminine details, it's pretty easy to love her collection. So I'll share this fun Tory Burch piece with you in hopes that they will come in handy during these last few weeks of summer!



The trademark Tory Burch logo





Tory Burch TY7032 Sunglasses (Dark purple/grey color)

Want to win these? Here's how to enter!
  1. Head to The Retail Therapy Diaries Facebook page and become a fan. Only those who have liked the page will be able to enter (Click here to be linked to the page).
  2. Leave a comment on the wall describing your summer this year in three words or less (example: Super fun, boring, friend-filled, ruled by work)
  3. If you can link this post on your Facebook wall to get the word out, that would be great! But again will have no impact on your chances of winning whether you do so or not. 
  4. That's it! 
If you don't have a Facebook but interested in entering the giveaway, just send me an email (theretailtherapydiaries@gmail.com)leaving me a little message describing your summer!

Drawing ends on September 8th 2012. This one is shorter than the 'Double the Fun' giveaway, so enter before it's too late!

Have a Tumblr? Follow me by clicking here!
Posted by at 7:53 PM 0 comments

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Baroque Beauty

Fresh off the runway, Dolce and Gabbana's Fall 2012 Collection presents their take on the grandiose Baroque period. Spreading throughout most of Europe during the 17th and 18th century, these ladylike silhouettes, exaggerated patterns, and regal colors are making a comeback this fall in full force. Infused with a more modern twist, the giant poofy skirts of the past are replaced with more fitted styles to show off one's femininity in a slightly more futuristic way. Look for pieces adorned with Baroque filigree for a great statement piece. Go a step further by adding a hint of glam with metallic touches in regal gold! Embrace this trendy blast from the past by incorporating this fun trend into your back-to-school wardrobe. Think how perfect it would be to pay homage to the Baroque period in your trendy ensemble while sitting in your history class!

Untitled #133

How to Incorporate Baroque Inspired Pieces into Your Wardrobe

Untitled #132

Dress: Baroque Print Skater Dress $36.00 (AX Paris)

Evening Look
Shoes: Dark Nude Faux Suede Platform Shoe $47.00 (AX Paris)
Bag: Lulu Townsend Quilted Frame Clutch $34.95 (DSW)
Bracelet: Kenneth Cole New York Gold Cuff Bracelet $38.00 (Piperlime)

Daytime Look
Vest: Denim Western Gilet $47.00 (Jane Norman)
Bag: Sueded Fringe Cross-Body $23.00 (Charlotte Russe)
Shoes: Journee Collection Guess Ballet Flats $31.49 (Kohl's)

Untitled #131

Skirt: Baroque Ripple Skirt $39.00 (Lipsy London)

Night Out Look
Bodysuit: Black V Mesh Bodysuit $32.00 (Miss Selfridge)
Shoes: Bamboo Dash Velvet Heels $19.99 (Tilly's)
Bag: Lulu Townsend Flower Snap Box Clutch $29.95 (DSW)
Earrings: Juliet and Company Oversized Pearl Studs $21.00 (Shopbop)

The Office Look
Top: Pleat Neck Crop Top $20.00 (Pilot)
Shoes: No Need to Spree Heel $34.99 (Modcloth)
Bag: Classic Satchel $50.00 (Monsoon)
Bracelet: Mango Cuff Bracelet $18.00 (Place des Tendances)

Don't forget to enter the Double the Fun giveaway! Click here to enter now!

Inspired? Look for these items here:
Posted by at 11:25 PM 0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)