April Showers Bring May Flowers

After last weeks beautiful spring weather I became so hopeful that it would finally begin to get warmer out. But the gloom and rain so far this week makes that seem like a distant memory. Instyle.com featured and April Showers: Cute Rain Gear hot finds list. I thought that this was a creative and endearing way to brighten up the gloomy weather blues. I included the items that they featured as ways to stay dry while still looking fashion forward.

Rubber Rain Shoes
THE FIND Kate Spade “Kelly Leopard” rain shoe

THE PRICE $125

BUY ONLINE footcandyshoes.com

WHY YOU WANT IT Kate Spade is famous for creating stylish yet practical pieces. In these fun rain shoes, you'll be as cute as your feet are dry.

Reversible Cape
THE FIND Echo Reversible Cheetah-lined cape

THE PRICE $125

BUY ONLINE echodesign.com

WHY YOU WANT IT This cape is not only reversible (with a trendy animal-print interior), it also has a sweet bow that cinches at the waist, avoiding the dreaded but universal tent-like poncho paunch.

Rain Hat
THE FIND The Tara hat from coach

THE PRICE $128

BUY ONLINE coach.com

WHY YOU WANT IT With this chic all-weather hat, you'll keep your pretty little head from worrying about bad hair days.

Stylish Rain Boots
THE FIND Chooka Women’s Koi Tattoo Rain Boots

THE PRICE $60

BUY ONLINE dllrainwear.com

WHY YOU WANT IT Punch up your rainy-day wardrobe with sassy boots from Chooka. This Washington-based brand offers a wide range of styles with bold graphics and counts stars like Vanessa Hudgens and Christina Milian as fans.

Windproof Umbrella
THE FIND Senz Original Windproof Stick Umbrella

THE PRICE $55

BUY ONLINE totes-isotoner.com

WHY YOU WANT IT Even in 70 mile-an-hour winds, this phenomenal invention won't bend, break or flip inside out. Sure, it's a bit pricier than your average $10 model, but one look at the trail of broken umbrellas and soaking wet people around you, and you'll be glad you made the investment.

Celebrity Style for a Steal

An excellent look for going out during the spring is a rich yellow satin top with a pair of tailored dark washed trouser jeans. When put together with simple and sophisticated accessories this look can be both comfortable and effortlessly elegant. Now I know that people may think that to look like a million dollars and create the same look the Angie Harmon is seen wearing above you would have to spend a significant amount of money. In reality this outfit can be put together for about seventy dollars. A very similar top is available at Charlotte Russe this season in a stunning yellow color with a flattering fit for just eighteen dollars. Guess jeans always has many different denim cuts and washes available. Their trouser jeans in a dark wash look amazing on all figures and body types, and can be worn causally or dressed up for an evening out. At a reasonable forty five dollars these jeans look surprisingly similar to the ones shown in the outfit above that had a much steeper price tag. To give this outfit a causally pulled together vibe, try a simple set of bangle bracelets that can be purchased at Forever 21 for six dollars. This is just one example of how anyone with some searching at the mall and a clear inspiration in mind, can pull off looks similar to those worn by their favorite celebrities on a much tighter budget.

Extreme Style

While looking around on style list I came across a link to the list of the twenty strangest runway looks from this springs fashion shows. From things such as garbage lid hats and dirt smeared faces, or bird feathers glued onto the models faces it seems there is no limit to what designers are willing to try in the name of fashion. Some runway gimmicks that I found to be particularly amusing were John Galliano’s use of rhinestones and crystals attached to the models lips, and brightly colored musical instruments, violins for example incorporated into Viktor and Rolf’s garments. This creative and inspirational demonstration of fashion brings energy and life into the industry, but when do designers take this too far. It can be a challenge for everyday women to take their cues from the runway when the trends are shown in such dramatic and extreme ways. At the same time those who are fashion conscious and try to incorporate and recreate runway looks into their own wardrobes, should leave behind the feathers, violins, and Willy Wonka like dress details out of their closets. While these trends are certainly outrageous they act as a comic relief, bringing back the much needed sense of humor into the at times serious and dramatic fashion world.

Spring Cleaning

It seems that in one way or another everyone is getting into the spirit of spring cleaning. One of the simplest and most productive things to clean out is a make up bag. For starters keep staples that you use year round, and replace seasonal products, that will go bad or out of style sitting at the bottom of a draw or make up bag. It is only necessary to keep the make up that you are using on a regular basis. One of the biggest mistakes that women make is not replacing mascara regularly, every three months. When it comes to lip gloss it is always good to have a nude shade on hand. It can be worn alone or used over another deeper color. But it is important to get rid of glosses after one year, because the color pigments will begin to separate. Also when you come across opened and used lips balms keep in mind that they are beauty product that is the most exposed to bacteria, and the easiest and least expensive to replace at any drug store. It is a good idea to always have a pack of oil blotting papers in any make up kit to keep your skin looking fresh and not oily even in humid or sticky weather. Once you have cleaned out the old products consider picking up an “eyebrow grooming kit”. They are available at all different price points and typically contain a small slanted brush, and tweezers, and two shades of brow powder, and a wax to set the powder and shape the eye brows. Just like the make up that they contain make up bags themselves can get old and worn. To reward yourself for cleaning and parting with some of your favorite products pick up new bag at sephora.

Fun Fearless Fashion

It has seemed recently that there is no limits on just how short designers and celebrities are willing raise the hemlines on shorts, skirts, and mini dresses. This month Cosmopolitan featured an article on how to incorporate this look into your everyday wardrobe, and “maximize your mini”. One way to wear this trend is in a tailored skirt. A high waist skirt with a sharp dress shirt looks sophisticated and pulled together. When accessorizing this look less is more. A basic bag and a simple waist defining belt is more then enough to pull of this outfit. Another chic way to wear these sky high hemlines is in carefree and breezy summer dress. When shopping for the perfect mini dress for summer, look for an“A-line sheath” that will float away from the body and make legs look long and slim. To offset the shocking length of this style try putting it with a delicate pair of flats or sandals in a metallic finish. While these two ways to try this trend may seem simple enough, be wary of reviling tops or high boots with a short skirt or dress.

Bright Beauty for Spring

These are three fresh spring makeup ideas to give a try featured in this month’s Seventeen Magazine. While if worn all at once you would end up looking less chic and more like a clown, on their own these trends are sure to lead to head turning makeup perfect for warmer weather.

Bright Orange Lips:
This season poppy lip color is all the rage. A hint of citrus in a shade of lip gloss will bring out the peach tones in anyone’s skin and give them a sunny glow. To go all out in trying this trend follow these three simple steps. First fill in your lips lightly with a shade of coral lip liner, this will make your lipstick stay longer. Next use a lip brush to apply the color and give you more control in the application, because these striking shades will show every little slip or mistake. To really pull this look together and make your lips appear fuller put a dab of clear orange gloss just on the center of your lips. Be cautious when trying this look to find the right shade for your skin tone and not go over board.

Striking Green Eyes:
A refreshing shade of a lime or electric green eye shadow can work for any skin tone and make any color eyes sparkle. While this look can be stunning it can easily go wrong, but again this trend can be completed in three simple steps. First apply a shimmering white eyeliner to the inside corners of your eyes to open them up and make them appear wider. Next use a tapered shadow brush along both the top and bottom of the eye along the lash line. Keep in mind that less can sometimes be more, and if will be easy to add more shadow on then remove too much. For extra glitz and glamour use a shimery green liquid liner on your top eyelids.

Rosy Pink Cheeks:
When correctly applied a pink cheek for spring will make you look like you are glowing from the inside out. To make this look last all day first smooth on a thin layer of pink cream blush right onto the apples of your cheeks to act as a base. Then use a large powder blush to add an even streak free layer of color from your cheek bones all the way up to the temples. To set in this sunny look take a small amount of a sheer and light petal colored highlighter to the top of the cheekbones to give your skin a fresh and dewy finish.