Outfit of the Day: Thanksgiving

So this Thanksgiving I had a very nice reunion with my family. It was something very low key, but I still felt the urge to look my best. It was an outdoor event so I chose a flowy top, leggings and boots(you can never go wrong with those). My make-up was pretty simple: some nude eyeshadow, mascara, and blush.

I got this amazing bracelet from my mom's stash.

 

I'm wearing: 

• Sheer top from a local boutique 
• Leggings from Marshalls
• Black boots from TJ Maxx 
• Bracelet from Urban Outfitters 

My make-up essentials

Finding the make-up that works right for you takes a lot of trial and error, and even more when you live in a tropical island. With the constant humidity and sunshine it is crucial to find products that won't melt on you and clog your pores. I've decided to put together a list of the products that have worked for me.

Face:

 To prep my face, I use 3 products: e.l.f's Tinted Moisturizer, Almay's Clear Complexion Concealer and Powder. This tinted moisturizer has SPF 20 which protects skin from sun damage. It also contains aloe, cucumber, and vitamins. I really like this moisturizer because it provides a good amount of coverage, but it still feels very light on skin. I wear it everyday and it doesn't seem to clog up my pores. After I apply the moisturizer, I use the concealer to cover up any trouble spots like pimples, etc. This concealer also provides a great amount of coverage. The advantage of this concealer is that it also contains salicylic acid which helps dry out pimples. Finally, I apply the powder which also contains salicylic acid. Usually, after wearing these products during the day I see considerable improvements and within a week my face is cleared up.

Cheeks:

For my cheeks I use 2 different products: NYX's Rouge Cream Blush in Natural and Hard Candy's Hide & Glow duo cheek tint in Hot Date. I chose these products over powder blushes because they last through the whole day. I don't like having to worry about retouching my make-up so durability is very important for me. NYX's cream blush is an excellent product, but it's not for those who are looking for a quick application. Since it's a cream blush, you need to take some time in order to blend it well. I usually save this one for more special occasions. I prefer to use the Hard Candy cheek tint for daily make-up. What I really like about this product is its versatility, you can wear each shade on its own or combine the two. The application is extremely easy and the shades look great. Since I really like the red shade, I use it as a lip stain also. Normally, I apply a small amount using my fingers and then I use a clear lip balm over it. 

Eyes:

My go-to mascara will always be Benefit's Bad Gal lash. It makes my lashes look really long and full without clumping them up. For daily use I only wear one coat, but for more dramatic looks I tend to wear two coats. For an extremely long lasting eyeliner, you can try Maybelline's EyeStudio gel liner. You apply it with a small angle brush and it will stay on during the whole day. 

Go gold or go home!

Things have changed and metallics are not exclusive for nighttime, but some they may still be too bold for daytime. I tend to shy away from bold statements during the day, so I try to look for ways to add or modify them little by little. This time, I've chosen to wear gold nail polish. It makes a bold statement but it's still appropriate for work and school. I'm wearing a white base coat to make sure the color pops and to help it last longer. I painted 2 coats with Sinful Colors shade # 832 "This is It" and 2 coats with shade # 921 "All About You".

White base coat, shade #832, and shade #921

Everything that shines is gold

The spring season will be one filled with gold. It's everywhere on the runways: accessories, clothes, even makeup and hair.
Accesories:
Alexander McQueen always has absolutely amazing shoes and this season it was no different. Check out this season's golden stunners.

via style.com

 The season's must have hair accessory is YSL's golden hair cage. On the runway the models wore these with a slicked back bun.

 

Apparel:
Designers such as Balmain, Gucci, and Robert Cavalli also embraced the gold trend.The designers at Topshop Unique reinterpreted the egyptian theme creating a modern day Cleopatra. Most of the pieces were covered with graphic gold accents. Even the model's hair was slicked back and covered with gold leaf. Topshop's take on the trend is the bolder the better.

Balmain via style.com

Balmain via style.com

Roberto Cavalli via style.com

Prada via style.com

Prada via style.com

Prada via style.com

Topshop Unique

Topshop Unique

Topshop Unique

 Makeup:
The makeup at Fendi was an interesting new take. The model's eyes were covered with gold and silver leaf even covering their eyebrows. Black liner was also added to the inner lids. The creator of this look, Peter Phillips, says he was inspired by the collection's sunglasses.

If you're interested in re-creating this look, you should check out the tutorial by Desi from "The Fashion Skitch" here. Trust me, she's amazing with makeup.

Patterns and Textiles

Since I discovered Lagerfeld's inspiration for the spring 2012 collection was architecture I've been looking for ways to apply what I'm learning towards fashion. I thought it would be a good idea to look at my past projects for inspiration. Recently I had to create a tile design inspired the main library building in campus. After I created the tile I needed to come up with different pattern options and I was very content with the results. I kept looking at the pattern and decided that I wanted to try transforming it into a textile pattern. Since spring will be here soon I thought it would be nice to create a bold pattern. I haven't figured out the exact process I will use to paint the fabric or what I plan to do with the fabric. My first idea was to create a small clutch but I haven't decided yet. After I figure out what to do, I plan to make a d.i.y. about the painting process and sewing the bag. Here are the patterns

There is a reason for my madness

It's been an exhausting couple of weeks and I've been away for too long. All of my projects piled up and I missed about a week's worth of sleep(ohh the life of an architecture student). My poor sleep deprived brain kept looking for an explanation of why I chose architecture and not something else. I found the answer while looking at Chanel's spring 2012 collection. For this collection Karl Lagerfeld was inspired by the work of Zaha Hadid. Hadid is the first woman architect to win the Pritzker prize. Her work is largely inspired by the forms under the ocean. Lagerfeld created an amazing underwater ambiance for this runway including corals and such. The clothes were created with very light fabrics that had sheen very alike to mother of pearl. Also keeping up with the aquatic theme were the accessories. Some of the belts were created with pearls and some of the models had pearls studded in their hair. Overall the collection had a very light and modern feel that still had the classical essence of Chanel. So considering all this, I thought I would share some of my favorite looks from the runway along with Hadid's work. (I really tried to narrow it down to my favorites but if it were for me I would pick anything off that runway)

JS Bach Chamber Music Hall

Burnham Pavillion

Heyday Aliyev Centre