Dare to Wear: Acceptance

Well Happy (good) Friday all....what a gorgeous day it is today (in New Jersey)...today's high is supposed to reach a whopping

7 6    D E G R E E S

woot woot, shout it out

Today's Dare to Wear is Acceptance. 

Huh? 

I know what you're thinking - wtf does that mean? Let me give you a bit of preface - I've spent the last 4 or more years of my life trying so hard to be something I wasn't and it always had to do with vanity.  I think the issue of vanity has gotten so far out of hand in our country that it's just impossible to ever accept who and what you really are.  The pressures to be thin and beautiful, perfect and fashion forward, great hair, great makeup, etc. it is just so overwhelming and I know, obviously, as a woman the pressure even in the 'normalcy' of non-celebrity life is hard enough. I don't think that we accept ourselves enough.  I don't think that we ever sit back and say 'wow, I am great the way I am' or just accept that the way we look is the way we look and stop trying so hard to change it.  I know girls, have friends, co-workers, etc. who scrutinize things about themselves that are clearly so beautiful or fabulous, just because it isn't "up to par" to what's "socially accepted". 

Maybe this isn't you...maybe you are 100% satisfied from head to toe with your appearance and the way you look.  If so, then KUDOS to you - bravo for sure.  I honestly cannot remember a time in my adult life that I felt that way.  There has always been something I felt needed to be better or different or like this person's or that person's...whether its weight, hair, style, height, size, etc.  it's always been something.  So today's Dare to Wear is Acceptance. Accept who you are as an individual and what makes you unique.  Accept your frizzy curls or jiggly underarms, accept your voluminous hair or perfectly structured eyebrows.  Accept your muffin top or tight buns. Whether it's too big or too small, too thin or too thick, curly or straight, short or tall --- accept, accept, accept 

For me, I am accepting that

I weigh 143 lbs. and I have 22" thighs and that's who I am

I have thin, less than voluminous hair...oh and grey's

I have very fair skin and will always carry that 'pale' look even when tanned

My hips...are huge, enough said

That little pregnancy belly is here to stay no matter how many sit ups I do

lol - this picture is clearly the BEST I've ever taken!! Poolside antics on my honeymoon

And for me, this is how I accept those things in stride

I gave birth to a nearly 9 lb. child and gained 94 lbs. in the process, I lost more than 100 lbs. so I should be damn proud of that weight and those "huge" thighs (btw huge thighs are the new black) hahahaa

I have a 'daring' hair cut that most people cannot pull off and well, the grey's - it is what it is

Fair skin is better than the leather look of over tanned skin

My huge hips beared a beautiful little boy with ease

That little pregnancy belly, although not cute at all, is the aftermath of pregnancy and now I know better not to eat so many Oreo's because a fetus does not share those calories!

I think if you take even 1/10 of the amount of time you spend trying to perfect or change your so-called imperfections and spend that time embracing them for what they really are, it would make you so much happier and prouder of what ya got!

Own it.

Dare to wear...acceptance.

Want to share what your accepting? Comments, Questions, Suggestions Always Welcome!

Dare to Wear: Shoulders

I must say I am very saddened at the Splitsville news of the Bush and Tush...wtf is Reggie's problem? Why on Earth won't you marry Kim? She's without a doubt one of the hottest biatches out there and she's ridiculously successful? Reggie Bush...you are officially a turd in my book.  :::but you're still really cute:::

That being said, today's Dare to Wear is structured shoulders! And no one does structured better than Kimmy K
She's photographed wearing the strong shouldered blazer time and time and time again and she does it so effortlessly it looks ah-mazing on her.  I am officially daring to wear this item:

Here's my (budget) version:

Kimmin It by justinsmami featuring TFNC dresses

Items in this set:
ArynKJet Set to Paris Dress, $78
TFNC Sequin Shoulder Pad Cut-Out Back Dress, $69
TFNC Cross Front Shoulder Pad Dress, $68
Warehouse Bright Feather Stripe Shift Dress, $59
ASOS Shoulder Detail V Neck Ponte Dress, $27

Asos does a fantabulous job with the shoulder looks ;)

Happy Weekend everyone! Hubbs got paid today so I'm hopin for some shopping this weekend!!!!

With Love and Lashes

...a statement 'coined' by my favorite makeup artist Lauren. (and website here)

Yes, today is Dare to Wear and I will be featuring this but first I want to talk about mascara.  I have tried my (beyond) fair share of mascaras from very very high end $30 per tube to very low end of $2 per tube and everything in between. I've tried waterproof, regular, lengthening, thickening, separating, colored, black, blackest black, etc. You name it, I probably have used it.

There are a select few mascaras that I feel that for me, hit the nail on the head when it comes to performance.  Those mascaras (in no particular order) are:

Cover Girl - Lash blast waterproof formula

L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen

Maybelline Full 'n Soft

Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara

And of course, the famous Dior Show

While all these mascaras work fabulously...I find that after about a month of usage, their quality seriously lacks.  Is this because it's not 'fresh' enough...is it because I'm just losing interest in the product and need something new? I've read on many beauty blogs and sites that you should not keep your mascara for longer than 3 months...so why, after a month do I feel like I'm not getting the same results?

Having very long, separated and feathery lashes is the result I crave from any mascara and if I have to replace mine every 3 weeks to achieve same...well, that's a little ridiculous.  Please tell me someone else has this issue? If so, how do you deal? If you don't...do you have advice for me?

Moving on...today's dare to wear will feature (bold) florals.  Not that floral is 'daring' by any means, because its really not. But for me, bold florarls are one of those trends that I just haven't figured out yet how to pull off.  While certain prints look soo effin cute on the rack they translate to a very grandma-ish look on me.  I will, again, try florals this year. And thanks to 2 of my favorite lovelies - Coley's Closet and the Obsessionista I have much inspiration to do so.

Here's my take on florals - casual, flirty, night-time, summer wedding

Untitled by justinsmami featuring Jimmy Choo shoes

Items in this set:
Stacie Floral Strappy Dress, $50
Tall Floral Tie Dobby Blouse, $50
Floral Print Ruffle Blouse - Women's Clothing and Apparel - Chic..., $49
Women: Women's Long Perfect Tanks - Lemon Pucker, $8.50
Womens AE Skinny Denim Bermuda Short - Studded Vintage Wash, $40

Hope everyone has a sunny weekend!!!

xoxo

Friday Dare to Wear -- What a stud!

 few weeks ago I declared Fridays as my 'dare to wear' day...showcasing fashionable items that I love but just feel I'm just not ballsy enough to.  Today's edition is studs and although they were a Fall '09 trend  it appears they are still in and I'm ready to embrace. I think what 'scares' me the most about studs are that they seem harsh and not very feminine (which is a major factor in my style).  You have to really pull together the right balance to get studded items right and don't go overboard, your wardrobe should not double as your weapon.  I'll admit I'm not ready to dare into major studding and will (right now) work the most flirty/feminine studded pieces, but hey we gotta start somewhere

So, here we are polyvorin it studded style (all items under $50, too - well the blue dress is $68, but close enough)

What a stud! by justinsmami featuring Oasis dresses

WHERE you WEAR these items will be a major factor in being able to pull them off.  I would never wear studs to work or even to an upscale restaurant.  I think studs are better left for bars, nightclubs and any night on the town, hence why my picks are for 'out' outfits

Happy Friday followers! Thanks for reading, have a fabulous weekend

Fashion Icon

With the smoldering looks of DB below, it made me think of fashion...What it is to me and why it is so important to some. For me, its just an outward expression of who I am. Polished and sophisticated with an unexpected twist of dare.  It's funny, because although that may seem a bit conceited to say, I truly feel that those few words kinda sum up who I am in my entirety.  At work, at home and at play.  I try to represent this description in my fashion, in my beauty (hair and makeup) and even with what I drink when I'm out  ...seriously, I think everyone can truly sum up who they are in their entirety with just a few short words, it just depends on whether or not you're confident enough to say them out loud.  And for those who know me, I'm not afraid to say just about anything. 

Soooo...before I go off on a complete and separate tangent, my focus in this post is about fashion icons.  Who do you look to for fashion or beauty inspiration? Who do you look at and say, wow that is just the eptiome of what I look to do (not be, because you should just be gravy with the person you are) but there's nothing wrong with a little admiration and inspiration. For me, my fashion icon is Victoria Beckham.  And my beauty icon is Kim Kardashian. 

Ms. Beckham, yes I covet your other half...but besides that I must uphold my love for your fashion sense and ability. The woman has said that she just doens't wear flats, she loves her heels and that's what she wears (this is so me) and I can bet you there are less than a handful of pictures out there of her wearing anything BUT killer stilettos. This is my first admiration.  Second, her look is so very polished and sophisticated (eh hem).  She doesn't take huge risks, which I wouldn't either but she pushes the envelope a bit here and bit there - she knows what works for her and she rolls with it...I just adore her style

Hello fierceness:

CHECK OUT THOSE LOUBOUTINS!!!!

These are all items I would wear, any day.  Well if I had boat loads of cash, but I surely try to pull off the celebrity looks for less (all the time)...

Although I said I look to Kim K for beauty inspiration, her fashion sense as well is not too shabby at all.  She does a very good job of wearing what I feel is very normal.  You will never catch her in any haute couture pieces or anything 'right off the runway' she plays it simple yet very sexy.  But her hair, makeup and physique is what really gets my vote.  Here are some of her best looks

What or who is your inspiration? A celebrity, your best friend or maybe an actual designer like the late and very great McQueen? I'd love to know.

Off to my real estate class...very exciting.  Happy Manday night to all of you lovelies

xoxo

*Dare to Wear *

Woot Woot, It's Friday





And Friday's, my lovely followers, will now be home to a little special I'm calling "Dare to Wear" ...You ever see someone rockin something that is so stylish or appealing and think to youself "I want that" but really you're not that ballsy to wear it? Maybe not, but that happens to moi, all the time.  So each and every Friday I'm going to showcase a piece or two or ten that I 'dare to wear'

And first up for grabs is Rompers!! They are ridiculously cute and I know many gals who wear them, I just feel like every time I try one on I look retarted, maybe its because I'm pear shaped or because the ones I've tried just don't fit right...who knows? I feel like petite chicks can pull this look off fabulously (eh hem, check out Chloe @ Chloe's Conspircy)...I also think that if you're going to wear a romper that is shorts rather than pants, you need to stick with a heel or wedge of some sort to avoid a stubby leg look? Unless of course you have gams like C. Diaz then that wouldn't be an issue

Either way, I will dare to wear a Romper in the very, very near future! Here are my throwdowns, one for casual (equipped with basic, neutral makeup and simple shoes) and another for a night out with the ladies (equipped with a nude lip but very daring lashes and killer heels)

Dare to Wear by justinsmami featuring Forever21

Items in this set:
dress, Forever21.com - Boutique Resort, $20
Stud Belt Tube Romper, $26
Pierre Dumas Flowers-1, $49
Cross Strap Bootie, $27
Anna Expandable Shoulder Bag, $35

And I came across this little lovely from Anthropologie...but what made it stand out to me was the fact that they say "its on sale" and scratch out the old price $100.00 but uh, the sale price $99.95 - so way to go Anthro you knocked off 5 cents? Hunny, that's not a sale :( 

What do YOU dare to wear? Let me know, I'd love to feature it - Do you rock rompers or want to? Got any tips for foolproofing the look?