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Beauty Buy: Amarté Natural Finish BB Cream

Published on December 12, 2013March 17, 2016 by Wild PieceLeave a comment

Raise your hand if you don’t like wearing foundation (me!). It’s heavy and gloppy and sometimes just too obvious. But wait—I just tried Amarté Natural Finish BB Cream. It gives you the same coverage as a foundation, but it’s so, so light. It’s like it was whipped, which gives you a super smooth application. It just glides right on, AND I haven’t even told you the best part.

So, you already know that I’m a huge, huge advocate of wearing sunscreen on a daily basis. And I do—it’s just that most lotions or makeup products that incorporate sun protection only go up to SPF 15. And that’s not enough: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you wear at least SPF 30 daily. And if you’re going to run around doing outdoor activities, then wear SPF 50. Well, Amarte has SPF 36, which is definitely enough for daily use and it doesn’t smell like sunscreen or feel thick like other high-enough SPF foundations. Just try it, I promise, you’ll be hooked.

{Bottom image courtesy of Amarté}

Celebrate the Season in Silver & Gold

Published on December 11, 2013February 14, 2014 by Wild PieceLeave a comment

Christmas parties! New Year’s parties! And a few birthdays! Don’t you love this time of year? Not just because you get to snuggle in with your friends and family for holiday cheer and yummy eggnog (well, some of us love it), but also because that means shopping. Yes, shopping for your loved ones—but it doesn’t hurt to snag yourself a new dress for the new year, now does it? For details on the items below, visit Polyvore.

8 Confessions of a Fashion Lover

Published on December 8, 2013March 17, 2016 by Wild PieceLeave a comment

I love fashion, that’s pretty obvious. But…

1. I love love love designer clothes, but I don’t wear them.

I actually dress in basics every day: flats, skinny jeans, a cute-ish but plain top and whatever style I can wrangle my frizzy hair into. I always manage makeup, but that’s about as far as I go into fashion on a daily basis. Sometimes there’s cute jewelry involved. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have the interest—my floor is littered with fashion magazines, and I certainly have my industry idols (Sarah Burton, Joe Zee, Frida Giannini…on and on). I love the creativity and imagination that goes into designing clothes, and think it’s a courageous endeavor, to put your ideas out there for other people to critique. Fashion is art, and those who create it reveal their thoughts and emotions as any other artist would with a canvas or a pen.

2. I’m extremely camera shy.

Seriously, any photos you see of me that aren’t my hands—that took hours. And they are a result of playing with angles and light and trying to do some photo-editing magic. Instagram helps a lot.

3. No one says “fashionista.”

Ugh, people hate that. All people—not just fashion-industry types, but just, all people.

4. Runway shows go really fast.

You’ll wait and wait for one to start (all editors side-eye Marc Jacobs), but when they finally get the show on the road (or, runway, ha), it lasts like 10-15 minutes. And sometimes, I’ll see a look on the runway that I think looks kind of meh, maybe just OK, and then in photos later, it is stunning.

5. I kind of think Carrie Bradshaw is the worst.

I know all fashion lovers should worship at the feet of Sex and the City and Ms. Bradshaw, but I just can’t handle her ridiculous quotes: “I couldn’t help but wonder, can you make a mistake and miss your fate?” F-ing, no. If you missed it, then it wasn’t really your fate, now was it? But I guess you’d have to believe in fate to begin with. Vomit.

6. I have made some amazing fashion mistakes.

Just because you love fashion doesn’t mean you won’t fall victim to it (especially when you’re a teenager). Example: Did I own Uggs at some point? Yep. And early-2000’s tie-worn-as-belt? CHECK. However, I’m proud to say my closet has never seen a trucker hat or any juicy couture.

7. I flippin’ hate tiny hats.

Because…why? Why do you need to wear a hat that could fit a doll? I never understood why this became a thing for some people. Agh.

8. The people with the best style are not following trends.

What makes you and your style unique are the quirks—the weird stuff that maybe others wouldn’t try, but you jump right on in. Just go with it!

Beauty Buy: Repêchage Algo Mist

Published on December 5, 2013March 17, 2016 by Wild PieceLeave a comment

I’m in love with hot yoga. Seriously: I’m in LOVE with hot yoga. There’s something about sweating out all the toxins and stress that have built up during the day. Plus, stretching in 100 degree-plus heat makes your muscles so pliable and bendy. You just feel refreshed and delicious afterward.

But even better? Getting into my car after stepping out of a humid, almost-dripping room and spraying my face and skin with this mist. The Repêchage Algo Mist Hydrating Seaweed Facial Spray has amino acids, Vitamin C and Ginko Biloba extract—it feels like a summer breeze, especially after a tough, super-sweaty workout. Of course, you can use it anytime, it doesn’t have to be just for your post-workout routine (but I highly recommend it).

Simply Stylist Sessions with Kitson’s Courtney Saavedra, Pursuit of Shoes, WWD’s Khanh Tran and Mena Suvari

Published on December 4, 2013March 17, 2016 by Wild PieceLeave a comment

Simply Stylist hosted yet another fabulous event, this time at Kitson on Melrose. Speaking on the panel were actress Mena Suvari in an amazing leather bustier and Chanel necklace; Pursuit of Shoes blogger Ashley Torres, who dispensed advice about following a career path you want instead of one you feel like you must travel (she left the world of accounting to pursue fashion); WWD writer Khanh Tran, who pointed out that what journalists do in today’s digital world isn’t different from what we’ve always done—it’s the execution that has changed (e.g. finding sources through Twitter); and Kitson’s Director of Operations Courtney Saavedra, who emphasized the importance of networking for your career. It was an engaging and entertaining discussion that ended with champagne and yummy snacks.

Holiday Shopping Made Easy (And Fast—And Affordable!)

Published on December 3, 2013February 14, 2014 by Wild PieceLeave a comment

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over—we have to accept it (unless, like me, you’re rejoicing. Fighting at Wal-Mart at 5 a.m. over a blender? No thanks.) But the holiday deals aren’t over. I’ve rounded up the best online shopping deal sites. They’ve done all the hard work in narrowing down just the right gifts and haggling for a better price—all you have to do is add to cart. Happy shopping!

Gilt.com

RueLaLa.com

Fab.com

HauteLook.com

Ideeli.com

OneKingsLane.com

Bringing Back the Brooch

Published on December 2, 2013February 14, 2014 by Wild Piece1 Comment

This hadn’t occurred to me until I did my daily rounds of my favorite fashion blogs, and Wendy (of Wendy’s Lookbook) popped up in this gorgeous outfit, complete with a stunning brooch. And when I say complete, I mean, it was a fine outfit before the brooch, but the addition of a small tiger accessory made it unique and powerful. Seriously, it’s gorgeous.

{Photo courtesy of Wendy’s Lookbook}

Which makes me think—what about brooches for fall? If they’re this fabulous on a simple knit sweater, think how stunning they’ll be everywhere else! I included a few faves below, but next time you hit the flea market, keep an eye out for these gems! To purchase any of these gorgeous brooches, visit polyvore.com.

Beauty Buy: Big Girl Cosmetics Lipstick in Yum

Published on November 15, 2013March 17, 2016 by Wild Piece2 Comments

Love, you guys. L-O-V-E. I always have the hardest time finding the right shade of lipstick that looks good and feels natural, but still gives me a pop of color. I mean, Big Girl Cosmetics might as well write on the lipstick, “Courtney, we made this shade (Yum) just for you.”

Product image courtesy of Big Girl Cosmetics