Thursday, December 30, 2010

Trail Blazering

 Mr. Satorialist does it again.

The great Barney Stinson once said, "Nothing suits me like a suit," and it got me thinking: what would the world look like without suits? Can you even fathom? What would weddings look like? What would the Baptists wear to church? And prom, for heaven's sake, what about that? If cotton is the fabric of our lives, than certainly the suit is the outfit of our lives. Perhpas this is a tad overreaching, but I wouldn't be shocked to find out that Adam's first leafy garment was actually a suit. After all, God made it and He doesn't just throw things together all willy-nilly.

Speaking of blazers, I found one at goodwill in recent events and I was delighted to find that it fit perfectly and was in excellent condition. I then scrambled to the tag expecting to see something along the lines of Banana Republic or JCrew... but alas, I did not. Instead, much to my surprise, I found that it said FUBU (For Us By Us, and I'm not sure that includes me). Needless to say, I was way off. And actually, I think it is a boy's blazer, which would explain the seemingly three-quarter length sleeves. Nevertheless, it works, and it was only $3.50.

Furthermore, wearing blazers can be tricky, especially in the winter. Questions arise, such as: How many layers is too many? and, Do I wear a coat over this? and, is this FuBu or Jcrew? So, here are a few examples of good blazer-wearing that I found while perusing Tumblr and The Vogue Diaries.  But first, a picture of our very own Shanna in her favorite JCrew blazer:



Victoria Beckham

LeAnn Rhimes

No idea who this is.

 Me...

Tornado Legs?
 
This could be a FuBu blazer. You never know...
Love anyways,
Mandi



Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Crisis After Christmas!

I had every intention of being really hip and trendy in these new moto boots I requested for Christmas (see above). Cute right? I know. So then I put them on and felt all weird about it. I'm used to wearing big, chunky boots like Uggs that make my legs look like toothpicks, or so I'd like to believe. These, however, create more of a drumstick affect, or at least that's how I feel in them- like I'm clomping around on upside-down triangles. Tornado Legs. That is what they will call me!

So, to remedy this situation I tried cramming some leg warmers all up in there- and after many trials and tribulations of situating the big-old-things inside of my boots and then breaking a sweat while attempting to zip them up, I said, "to heck with this!" tossing the leg warmers aside and throwing a mild conniption in the meantime. 

I then went to the best fashion expert I know, Shanna (she will love that I just said that) and I said, "Shanna, how the heck do I wear these boots?" To which she responded that she wears hers with just about anything. She also sent me this blog post which is so 2010 but still applicable to my current fashion crisis!

So anyway, today I took the proverbial plunge and wore my motos with some black jeggings and I have to admit. I feel like tornado legs. Tornado Warning is in effect! "You'll just have to get over that," is what Shanna said, and after all is said and done, I would tend to agree.



Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Lighten Up, Friends.

I find that I have to stifle the urge to start every post with "ok, so..." I suppose that is because I write how I talk, and unfortunately, that is how I talk. I am just now, at this very moment, realizing that I start every story with "ok, so.. the other day." It's hard accepting the truth, isn't it?

Ok so, I have to tell you about this tragic thing that just occurred. I have some minor acne scars and decided recently that I would use some skin lightening lotion to fix that little problem. I turned to my friends at proactiv and they happily sent 30 dollars worth of skin lightening lotion.

 Well, I've been using it for a week and I don't know what made me do it- but something told me to do a little research on the situation. Come to find out, I'm going to die. Just kidding, but really, this lotion has a chemical in it that is linked to leukemia and skin cancer! Awesome! It's called Hydroquinone... or something like that. It's banned in Europe, but we Americans are still selling it like hot cakes. (But I wonder, do hot cakes really sell that well? Also, what are hot cakes?)

Anyway, my word to the wise and uneven colored is: do not use proactiv skin lightening lotion. Instead use something that is Hydroquinone-free, like Meladerm or Lucederm. Both products have good reviews and are said to be a lot safer. Also, using a topical form of Vitamin E will help to lighten scars over time. The truth of the matter is that bleaching the skin is so entirely unnatural, there is no entirely safe way to do it. Personally, I'd rather have scars than skin cancer. I think for now I'll continue to take my vitamins and use my excellent foundation and pray. Amen.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Shanna Shiny Hair

In response to Shanna's post below, I have to admit that I have been jealous for quite some time of her freakishly shiny hair. That's why I wrote a song once called Shanna Shiny Hair. I got about as far as the chorus, which goes a little something like this:

Shanna Shiny Hair
All the people stop and stare
They can't believe just how great
Her hair looks when it's curly or straight
Because she's Shanna Shiny Hair

And then I said something about how my frizz might decrease if I used Garnier Fructis... at which point I accepted that I am not a song writer and gave up on that whole thing.

Anyway, all that to say, it's true about Shanna's hair and you should probably take her advice. She also mentioned to me recently that I should try Mane n' Tail shampoo. And, as fate would have it, I found some at Ross for only 2$! I know, right? So I took the plunge and my hair is getting shinier every minute. Watch out Shanna Shiny Hair, Mandi Marvelous Mane is on the rise!

Seriously, folks. Give it a try. Put your hair before the horse.
Love always,
Mandi

Shiny Hair for All

A true story is that Mandi is insanely jealous of my hair because it is so shiny and beautiful. Today I will reveal to everyone the secret of my success (also a great Michael J. Fox movie).




1. I am a huge devotee to Redken products. Their all soft shampoo and conditioner is wonderful. It smells so good you could eat it and makes your hair incredibly soft.
2. Redken Satinwear Blow Dry Lotion is great! I use a couple pumps and distribute it into my damp hair before I blow dry. It helps protect your locks from the harsh heat of your blow dryer and straightener.
3. Moroccan Oil. I cannot say enough good things about this stuff. It smells awesome, it cuts your blow dry time by 25% and is a miracle for hair. This stuff ain't cheap, but you only need to use a teeny tiny amount so a bottle will last you a really long time. Put a little on the ends of your hair before drying.
4. Aveda Volumizing Tonic. I used to sacrifice volume in my hair for the sake of shiny hair. No more! I flip my head upside down and apply this stuff to my roots before blow drying.
5. Psssst! Dry Shampoos is the shiz. I have tried a ton of other dry shampoos and for the price I say this is the best deal. it is only like $3 at CVS and works like a charm. Use between washing your hair. You will thank me later.
Normally I let my hair air dry for about 15-20 minutes then finish off using a blow dryer and a paddle brush. Then I use a straightener and finish it off. Then I look and the mirror and admire.
This is what I recommend. Go forth and buy some products.
xoxo, Shanna

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

It's Christmas Miracle!

Ok, so. First things first. A Christmas miracle has happened, and suffice it to say, the world should know. For those of you out there who suffer from adult acne, and have tried everything on this ever-loving earth to clear it up- boy do I have a treasure for you. It's called Clinique Acne Solutions Foundation. Friends, I am not kidding you. I would never kid about a matter as devastating and serious as adult acne. I bought a bottle of this on Saturday, and by Monday my face was 80% better. That's not even two whole days! Essentially, your skin is probably mad at you for wearing crappy makeup, and so it creates barricades to keep it out.. So, listen to your skin. Who knows, maybe it will stop being so defensive and the two of you can live acne-freeily ever after.
 Moving on, it is also important to note that big chunky socks, and/or leg warmers may or may not change your life. I found some this weekend at Payless for only $6, and they have revolutionized my boot-wearing!

This outfit, for example. I mean seriously, could she be any cuter? It's all in the socks! I wore something eerily similar this weekend. So basically, I looked exactly like this girl, except skinnier.
 

  Alright, I'm lying about that last thing. 
Love always,
Mandi

Friday, December 17, 2010

Look & Listen

Wear this dress from Anthropologie .....

Listen to this song from Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros....

I think they go together

xoxo, Shanna

You Nailed It!

I am loving this picture on Everything Fabulous today. Black Cherry is probably my favorite nail color of all time- of all time, I tell you! I can't seem to bring myself to try anything else, or at least anything else out of the maroon-ish colorfamily. What's your all time favorite nail color?





Write back soon.
Love always,
Mandi

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

'Tis The Season To Be Fancy!

...or at least dream of being fancy. What is your dream New Year's Outfit? Shanna and I had entirely too much fun putting these outfits together on Polyvore.com. Check it out! But be warned: this site may dramatically decrease work ethic, as Shanna and I found out the hard way today. Woops. But the good news is that we have the lovely outfits for you to see!

Mandi's New Year's Collection:


Shanna's New Year's Collection:



Now that we have that out of our systems, we can go buy gifts for others. Right?