Month: April 2014

Talk Derby to Me: The Outfit

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Talk Derby to Me: The Outfit

With the “Run for the Roses” less than two weeks away, I realized it was time to seriously start thinking about my Derby Day outfit. After all, the first Saturday in May is undoubtedly an opportunity to get all dolled up and display your flashiest spring finery from floral dresses to feathery hats and sparkly accessories. It seems as though the question of, “which comes first, the hat or the dress?” is truly a matter of the chicken or the egg. In my experience, it’s been a matter of which I find first, whether it’s a dress I truly love or a hat that’s one of a kind. Though I’m not going to the actual Derby, I am going to a local Derby themed event, Bowties & Belles, to benefit a local charity. What did I decide to wear? Check back to find out!

1. Vera Wang via Rent the Runway
2.Coast London Lilia dress
3. Halston Heritage
4.Erin Fetherston Clara Bow dress
5.Tadashi Shoji Lace Sheath

*All hats found on Etsy*

Rainy Day Hair Styles (that work for work)

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Supposedly, April showers bring May flowers, but for now they are only bringing seemingly never ending bad hair days. I have to admit that although my normal hot roller curls fall more quickly on a rainy day, I am (thankfully) also pretty free from frizz thanks to my naturally fairly straight locks. The one thing I refuse to do on a rainy day though, is shampoo (unless really necessary). A rainy day is typically my excuse to skip the shampoo (and blow dry) and opt for revitalizing my ‘do with dry shampoo, a good brush out, and a few hot rollers. Turns out, skipping the shampoo helps banish frizz and lock in style when it’s drizzling outside.

Since there have been so many rainy days lately, with only more to come, I started looking for a few alternatives to the rainy day flat hair blues that could go to the office without looking like I was ready for a red carpet affair, or just rolled off of my beach towel. I needed look no further than my favorite “it girl” Olivia Palermo. She is a great example of how a low, sleek bun always makes you look professional and polished for any meeting, or that embracing the curl killing weather can end up being a study in sleek, straight chic!

What are your “do’s” for a rainy day hairdo?

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Bits of my weekend…

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Celebrated five years of married life! Thank you to our family & friends that helped us get here, and to those that helped us celebrate!

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Step Into Spring

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Top: J. Crew / 1. J Crew/ 2. Kate Spade / 3. Nicholas Kirkwood / 4. Ivanka Trump / 5. Alice & Olivia /6. Jeremy Ho

Essie Nail Polish vs. OPI Nail Lacquer

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Image                               vs. Image

I have to admit that I consider myself an Essie girl, but started to wonder if there are actually any real reasons why? Most obviously, Essie has been known for a tremendous assortment of conservative office friendly shades, which is my cup of tea, but are there other differences as well? (Don’t get me wrong, I do love a good deep bordeaux or even dark plum.)

Polish vs. Lacquer

First off, Essie is a “nail polish” verses OPI, which is a “nail lacquer”. Although I could not find an ingredient list for OPI to compare to that of Essie, both are “3-free” (free of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene and formaldehyde). According to http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-nail-polish-and-vs-lacquer/, “Nail lacquer… is a quick drying liquid formation containing pigments to leave a coating on the nail that is not only protective in nature but also provides a sheen and the shade that makes nails look extremely beautiful. The main ingredient that acts like a thin film on the nails after drying is nitrocellulose. Resins and plasticizers are added to this nitrocellulose to make it resistant to water and soap. Color or pigments are added to this mixture to come up with the nail lacquer.” What I’ve found this to mean is that it often takes more coats of Essie for the color to develop, and each coat seems to dry faster, but that it actually takes longer to chip. I have very flakey nails so if the polish is heavier than a layer of my nail, it chips very easily.

The Brush:

OPI has a thick, wide brush that covers more of the nail with one stroke. Appealing for those seeking efficiency, but can make it more difficult to paint within the lines, particularly if you have small nails. Small nails require smaller brushes for easier application. Essie has a smaller brush, which I find easier to maneuver, and to control the amount of polish on the brush.

The Colors:

There is no doubt that OPI color collections are full of celebrity endorsements or even movie themes (James Bond, The Muppets), or even catchy names. They also seem to be easy to find whether at the front of the nail salon, or in a special display at your local drugstore or Target, though you can often find better prices online. If looking for a dark, moody shade, something with sparkle, or the latest trend, OPI is usually sure to have something to suit your fancy, and often more readily available in stores. Essie, on the other hand, tends to release more season related collections with a more classic appeal. Perhaps this, addition to the more elegant packaging, is why I gravitate toward Essie, but they have also ventured into brighter territory lately with my favorite from last summer, “Sure Shot”, which is a bright, bold, highly pigmented fuchsia.

Which do you prefer? Are you and Essie girl or an OPI loyalist?