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7 Worst Fashion Mistakes of 2013

Published on December 30, 2013February 14, 2014 by Wild PieceLeave a comment

There were a lot of fashion highlights in 2013 (Jennifer Lawrence in Dior, Kerry Washington in anything…) and we’ve already done a roundup of our top posts of 2013, but let’s be honest: It’s way more fun to look back on the worst fashion mistakes made this year. So, in the spirit of the new year and hopefully in the spirit of not making the same mistakes again (though, give it 10 years. If the 90s made a comeback (eesh), then so will peplum), here are the seven worst fashion mishaps of the year.

7. Rihanna for River Island

The pop singer debuted her second collection for River Island this year, and it was hideous. She may be quite beautiful, but her “designs” were more of the “Just put some leather or camo on it and call it a day” kind of effort.

6. Denim…EVERYWHERE

Sleeveless denim jackets to denim headbands to denim purses—all places where denim should never, ever go. Or visit again.

5. Flatforms

They’re platforms…that are flat. Say that out loud and decide if it sounds as dumb as it looks.

4. Peplum

Peplum, you tricky minx. I started 2013 absolutely loving peplum, and my closet shows it. I have a peplum dress and at least two peplum tops. The problem is that everytime I put them on, suddenly I’ve gained 10 pounds and lost my sanity. Seriously, it throws me for a loop at how bad peplum looks and how it manages to cut you off in the worst spot possible. In conclusion, peplum on models and super skinny celebs=yes. Peplum on everyone else=no.

3. Sheer Panels

Blurg, I’m bored just looking at this. Next.

2. “Designer” T-Shirts

Oh, you changed Hermés to Homiés? Céline to Féline? And then you charged a buttload for it on a t-shirt? How inspired.

1. Lady Gaga

I go back and forth about all this Lady Gaga business. On the one hand, she’s extremely talented. And she certainly isn’t afraid to take fashion risks. But at a certain point, Lady G is just dressing weird for the sake of dressing weird. It’s no longer fresh and cool; it’s reaching. You know what Gaga could do to be shocking? Sweatpants and a ponytail. And Birkenstocks. (Oh, holy goodness, I’d flippin’ love to see Gaga in some hip 90s sandals.)

Because, eh. Enough already. I think her whole out-there image thing was less grating when she was making decent music. But Artpop? Techno throwaway junk. Which is a shame, because she can play the piano like a monster. Can we rally for a Gaga acoustic show? Sweatpants mandatory.

Ring in the New Year with Healthy Habits

Published on December 27, 2013March 17, 2016 by Wild Piece2 Comments

I’m a big believer in New Year’s resolutions. Most people wait until January 1 to start on their new goals, but I like to jump in head first—two weeks early (though, I realize right now we’re less than a week from NYE). I’ve been doing this for a few years now, and it’s always much more effective when you can step into the new year with a strong start on your resolutions.

It’s easier to exercise daily/lose 10 pounds/eat healthier/volunteer more if you’ve not only been doing so for two weeks, but you managed to fit those things in around the holidays. Plus, when you’ve planned ahead and started your resolutions early, you won’t wake up on New Year’s Day hungover and thinking, “I’ll just start eating healthy tomorrow…”—that’s the end of the beginning.

One more tip? Tell bunches of people your resolutions so you’ll feel accountable to your words. (Mine are below! And if your resolutions include charity work, start now! Find details on donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital here!)

So what are your resolutions? Do you guys have any special tips on sticking to those goals for 2014?

Marathon Training vs. a Nasty Cold

Published on December 19, 2013March 17, 2016 by Wild Piece4 Comments

Marathon training is going so well, to the point where I look forward to 12-mile runs on a Saturday morning. And right smack dab in the middle of all that goodness—a cold hits. Like, I woke up this morning and it was all stuffy nose, sore throat and cough, cough, cough. So now I’m trying to speed heal in order to be ready for our 14-mile training run this weekend. This weekend! So soon!

My go-to cold remedy is always a vegan diet, and the lack of dairy contributes to a lack of mucus, so, hopefully I’ll be feeling better tomorrow morning. We’ll see. (I’m not much for over-the-counter cold meds, they make me spacey and a little nauseated.) For now, it’s lots of healthy foods and maybe—just maybe—some super helpful advice from my favorite bloggers? Any suggestions for feeling better soon are welcome!

Side note: Because we’re in Los Angeles, we have the chance to try Amazon Fresh grocery delivery. We had bunches of fresh produce delivered today at Trader Joe’s prices. Worth. Every (though not many). Penny.

Great Gifting: S’Adonner Candles

Published on December 17, 2013February 14, 2014 by Wild PieceLeave a comment

Most people light candles during a bath or before bed at night, but I like to wake up to a fresh, invigorating scent that instantly perks up my morning. Since I don’t drink coffee (for now…we’ll see what happens. I’m trying!), the next best thing are these scented candles by S’Adonner.

Bamboo for Breakfast has notes of mandarin, grapefruit, lemon, jasmine and eucalyptus. They have three other scents (Brise de Mer, Middle Eastern Delight and Vintage) that I highly recommend, and at $27, they make the perfect gift for a party hostess, your bestie, your sister—pretty much anyone!

The Happy: My Weight Loss Journey on EverydayHealth.com!

Published on December 16, 2013March 17, 2016 by Wild Piece2 Comments

Hi friends! I’m so excited to announce that I’ve written up my weight-loss journey and success story on EverydayHealth.com. Thank you so much to the wonderful team at Everyday Health—I’m thrilled to share this with all of you! Please check it out!

{Click through to read the rest of the article.}

Great Gifting: Hannah Max Baking Crunch Cookie Chips

Published on December 16, 2013February 14, 2014 by Wild PieceLeave a comment

Happy holidays, lovely readers! I’m so excited for the week before Christmas, and not just for the holiday cheer—all this week, we’ll be bringing you great gift ideas for your family and friends.

The first up is a sweet stocking stuffer that pairs perfectly with milk—or even better, a treat for your little ones to set out for Santa’s arrival: Hannah Max Baking Crunchy Cookie Chips. They’re scrumptious! And about as healthy as a yummy cookie can be: They have no trans fats, no artificial flavors, no additives and no GMOs.

These crispy cookies come in five gobble-’em-up flavors: chocolate chip, cinnamon sugar, sea salted peanut butter, dark chocolate chip and original. I suggest snuggling by the fire and trying them all!

Daily Treats: Fresh Basil

Published on December 12, 2013March 17, 2016 by Wild Piece2 Comments

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!