Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas - Beyonce & Sasha Fierce

BEYONCE SINGLE LADIES VIDEO
This video has already become one of the most iconic videos of our time. Just ask Kanye. The costume is pretty easy (especially if you have long hair). If Justin Timberlake can do it so can you.



What you need:
Black Leotard (you can cut off one sleeve if you'd like to make it more authentic to the video, but you don't have to).
Nude tights/ pantyhose/ or leggings
Heels
Black Gloves

For Beyonce's arm piece you can be creative. I went to the dollar store and found a kids toy armor that goes around your hand and up your forearm. You can take something similar and spray paint it black, apply some studs and metal accents and tah dah...you have the arm piece.


For hair and makeup check out Sasha Fierce below.

SASHA FIERCE

Beyonce's alter ego is pretty easy to do. Chances are you already have many of her fierce looks in your closet. Beyonce seems to enjoy the not wearing pants for this album, which may make some modest folk blush. You don't have to go with the leotard look, although it will make it more authentic. Use your creativity and you can play around with the look.

What you need:
Leotard or shiny leggings like these from American Apparel.
Tall boots
Any tops that are black, shiny, and form fitting
An asymmetrical black jacket or leather jacket.
Go to a dollar or craft store and find whatever studs and metal accents you can. Be creative. Affix the studs to your leotard. Create harsh angles. Use shoulder pads to create a severe shoulder.

You may remember the fringed glasses in Beyonce's Diva video. You can make these glasses yourself. At a craft store find some fringe and glue it to the top of a pair of cheap glasses (dollar store find). Afterward cut the fringe into the shape of frames.


Hair:
Beyonce's Single Ladies look has a lot of volume at the top of her head. You will need to section pieces of your hair and tease the top portion. Johnny Lavoy explains how to get the Beyonce look.


Makeup:
The defining look of Sasha Fierce makeup is essentially a really smoky eye. Johnny Lavoy explains how to get this look.

Back To School Wishlist

September is here and soon enough the barbecues will end, kids will reluctantly return to school, employees will stop slacking off, and there will be plenty of crunchy leaves to step on. Is there a more satisfying feeling than veering off course to step on the fallen leaves? Nope I didn't think so.

There is something about September that resonates with seriousness. The astrological month of Virgo is associated with the last harvest, the image of gathering and preparing for the dreary months ahead, and in my case that will hopefully consist of a jumper like this one by Love Milly and this beautiful coat by Argentine designer Jazmin Chebar.

Even though my school girl days are long behind me, I can't help but daydream of a back to school wardrobe. As I often prefer my 'pretendland' to reality, I put together a fall wardrobe wish list for myself.

Zara puff sleeve cotton shirt, Custo Barcelona printed shirt dress, and Paola Hernandez white botton down coat.

Typically I do not enjoy multiple straps tightening around my ankles, however for these Givenchy crocodile print sandals I would gladly make the sacrifice.

Recently I have been drooling over Balmain boots and now I want these Balmain zipper suede pumps. I love love love the zipper embellishments. I've been searching the world wide web for a similar shoe with a more humble price tag, but to no avail.

Polka Dot Tights

I've been seeing these tights everywhere, most recently on Garance Doré and the Stylish Wanderer. They make me excited for Fall, which by the way is creeping closer and closer. This morning I had to wear a sweater when I went for a walk with my puppy Nico.

My Obsession With Fashion Illustrators

One of the reasons I am completely obsessed with fashion illustrators is because of their ability to display their creative vision on paper, not to mention my absolute jealousy of their artistic talents. I wish I could create the way some of my favorites do, such as Garance Doré and Ruben Toledo. Now fashion illustrator and painter Danny Roberts has completely won me over as well.

Una de las razones por qué estoy tan obsesionada con ilustradores es por la capacidad lo cual ellos demuestran su visión, y por ser honesta, estoy completamente celosa de sus talentos artísticos. Me gustaría crear ilustraciones como lo hacen mis favoritos como Garance Doré y Rubén Toledo. Ahora el ilustrador de moda Danny Roberts, también me ha seducido.


Danny Roberts' blog Igor + André is quickly becoming one of my favorite reads. He features and sells his artistic designs, artwork, and clothing on his blog. He collaborated with Harajuku Lovers (Miss Gwen's fashion line) to make these adorable t-shirts. I have never wanted as many t-shirts as I do right now.

El blog de Danny Roberts, Igor + André, es una de mis blog favoritas. El publica y vende sus diseños, pinturas, y ropa sobre su blog. El colaboró con la línea de Gwen Stefani, Harajuku Lovers, e hizo estas camisetas muy padres. Nunca quise tantas camisetas en mi vida.

Fashion blogger, t-shirt designs have become very popular recently, and favorites like Susie Bubble and Rumi have been selling their designs through Borders & Frontiers. Danny Roberts also collaborated with Borders & Frontiers to make his girls in glasses shirt.

Los diseños de camisetas hecho por bloggers está popularizando, y favoritos como Susie Bubble y Rumi están vendiendo sus diseños por Borders & Frontiers. Danny Roberts también ha colaborado con Borders & Frontiers para hacer su camiseta de mozas con gafas.

Image via: WWD.

Color Color Color

I guess because summer is slowly coming to an end that I have recently become obsessed with color, (ok well more so than usual). Wearing bright colors can make a sallow complexion glow and an otherwise boring outfit interesting. If you're outfit is neutral you can spice it up with colorful accessories like these vintage glass rings from Free People.

Marais USA has tons of colorful sandals to choose from! Marais USA was started by two Parson School of Design students who strove to fill a 'terrible abyss in the market: Simple, Versatile, Essential styles that don't break the bank.'

Images via: Vogue.

Garance Doré

Garance Doré is one of my favorite fashion and style bloggers. She is an illustrator who longed to have more contact with her readers, hence she started her blog Garance Doré. Her talent as an illustrator as well as her keen eye for spotting interesting style has made her blog one of the best (in my humble opinion).

Garance also contributes to Vogue Paris with her "Une fille, un style" column. Also Gap is creating a concept store that will display Garance's illustrations, and the Gap will also sell t-shirts of her illustrations. I for one cannot wait to get my hands on one!

Garance Doré es una de mis bloggers de moda y estilo favoritos. Ella es una ilustradora que quiso tener mas contacto con sus clientes entonces creyó su blog Garance Doré. Su talento de ilustración, y también su talento de encontrar estilo interesante ha hecho su blog uno de los mejores (en mi opinión).

Garance también ha contribuido a Vogue Paris con su columna "Une fille, un style." El Gap va crear una tienda donde van a exponer sus dibujos. El Gap también va vender camisas de sus ilustraciones. Tengo muchas ganas de comprarme una!


Garance takes amazing street fashion photographs that come out natural and seem effortless.

Garance toma fotos increíbles del estilo de la gente que salen muy naturales y sin esfuerzo.

Via: Vogue Paris, View On Fashion, Garace Doré.

Love Affair With Zara

I fell in love with this military style Zara Coat.
Me enamoré con este abrigo militar de Zara.

Can I tell you how much I love this outfit? The boots, the jacket, the headband... Everything, everything, everything!
No te puedo decir cuanto me encanta este traje. Las botas, la chaqueta, la cinta del pelo... todo, todo, todo!

Leather biker jackets are a must have piece, especially for fall. I absolutely love the blue leather, biker jacket that I have had for ages. I especially love the styling on the shoulders of this Zara jacket.
Chaquetas biker de cuero son necesario en tu conjunta de ropa, especialmente para otoño. Me encanta mi azul chaqueta biker que he tenido por anos y anos. Lo que me gusta de esta chaqueta de Zara es el estilo de los hombros.
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More from Zara trends.
Más de las tendencias de Zara.

Images via: Zara.

500 Days of Summer

This weekend I saw the movie 500 Days of Summer, and just like a cool summer day, it revitalized me and made me nostalgic, all the while keeping my feet firmly planted on the ground. The movie is realistic in such a way that most romantic comedies could never be. The obvious way that character Tom Hansen idealizes his past hits so close to home because like so many of us, he colors his memories with his illusions. After all isn't that how most people remember past loves, with a completely unfair favoring of all the good times; the way the other person made us feel, the way we always seemed so happy, except for when, well we weren't happy.

Este fin de semana vi la película 500 Days of Summer y como un día de verano refrescante, la película me reanimo y me hizo nostálgica, sin embargo con mis pies firmemente plantados en el piso. La película explicaba situaciones muy realistas, más que la mayoría de otras comedias románticas. La manera como el personaje Tom Hansen idealiza su pasado es tan parecido a muchos de nosotros que pintamos nuestros recuerdos con nuestras ilusiones falsas. Es injusto que la mayoría de nosotros acordamos nuestros amores del pasado a favor de todos los buenos tiempos. Acordamos como la otra persona nos hizo sentir, la manera que siempre estábamos tan contentos, a menos cuando estábamos infeliz.

As the tagline says: Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love. Girl doesn't. Not your typical romantic comedy, but it is so refreshingly honest. The above fan artwork is from the blog The Future Embrace, another fan of 500 Days of Summer.

Las noticias dicen: Hombre conoce mujer. El hombre se enamora. La Mujer no. No es la típica comedia romántica, pero es sorprendentemente sincero. Encontré esta ilustración hecho por un fan en el blog The Future Embrace, otro fan de 500 Days of Summer.

Summer's aloof demeanor is a mystery to Tom. She is carefree and independent, qualities that frustrate him and attract him at the same time. I love the style and fashion choices made for the movie. Summer is effortlessly feminine and quirky, wearing full skirts, cardigans, flats, vests and an endless selection of the color blue, invoking the 1940s, a time when most women tended to concentrate on falling in love, getting married, and raising kids. Summer states from the very beginning that she does not want these options for herself, for the moment anyhow. I won't lie, after watching the film I am a little inspired to take out a full skirt out of my closet and pair it with a white cotton blouse, and maybe find a park where I can gallivant around.

La comportamiento de Summer es muy distante y un misterio para Tom. Ella es muy despreocupada y independiente, calidades que frustran y atraen a Tom a la misma vez. Me encanta el estilo que eligieron para la película. Summer es muy femenina y un poco rara. Se viste con faldas globo, sacos clásicos, zapatos bajos, chalecos, y mucho azul, ropa que invoca la época de los 40, cuando la mayoría de mujeres se preocupaban de enamorarse, casarse, y criar sus hijos. Desde el principio Summer dice que ella no quiere estas cosas, por ahora por lo menos. No puedo mentir, después de ver esta película me da ganas de sacar una falda globo de mi armario con una blusa blanca, y quizá caminar por un parque aquí cerca de mi casa.

Fashion Under $50

Recently a very good friend of mine started a fashion blog where she uncovers fashion finds at low prices. Fashion Under $50, if you will. She tells you exactly where to buy the products and she provides links to make online purchases. I was really looking forward to her blog since she truly has a great sense of style and love of fashion. Make sure to check out her blog!

Recientemente una buena amiga mía empezó un blog de fashion donde puedas encontrar la mejor ropa por precios bajos. Fashion Under $50, es el blog. Ella te dice que tiendas tienen los productos y también te da los enlaces para poder hacer las compras por Internet. Era inevitable que empezara el blog porque ella tiene mucho estilo y ama la moda. Visita su blog aquí!

Feeling Classic

With all these Coco Chanel biopics coming out, I've been feeling a bit classic lately.

Con todas estas peliculas sobre Coco Chanel, mi estilo ha sido un poco mas clásica.

Etsy Find: Santokivintage

I love the idea of Etsy.com, the website that 'enables people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers.' The idea that people can make a living off of handmade clothing is somewhat unfeasible, especially considering the mass market society we live in, but it seems to work for Etsy. That being said there are also many people who sell vintage on the site.

Santokivintage is a seller on Etsy that has many amazing dresses and shoes available, most under $100. I noticed this vintage Mexican mini dress because it is a dress that is made by artisans in Puebla Mexico. They are most often used as blouses. The teal dress and florals make an interesting contrast. The dress is pretty cheap for only $33. If you were to find this in a Mexican market it would most likely cost less than $10.

Amo el concepto de Etsy.com, la página web que permite que gente gane la vida haciendo cosas hecho a mano y logra reunir los fabricantes con los compradores. Como vivimos en una sociedad consumista, este idea es un poco increíble, igual la pagina es muy própero. También hay gente que vende vintage, no solo cosas que ellos han hecho ellos mismos.

Santokivintage es un vendedor por Etsy, que vende vestidos y zapatos, muchos por menos de $100. Noté este vestido vintage Mexicano porque es un vestido hecho por los artesanos de Puebla México. Más de nada usan este estilo como blusas. El color cerceta y el estampado de flores hace un contraste interesante. El vestido es barato por solo $33. Si encuentras este clase de vestido en México sería menos de $10.


I would wear the dress paired with leggings and the black woven ankle boots (also sold by Santokivintage).

Pondria este vestido con leggings y estos botas al tobillo (también vendido por Santokivintage).

Ritu Kumar

Inspired by the Indian wedding I went to this weekend, I began to peruse through a few Indian fashion magazines, most notably Vogue India. Ritu Kumar stood out because of the way she incorporates traditional Indian clothing and designs with Western, Japanese, and Islamic influences. She has boutiques all over India and, funny enough, a boutique in Edison, New Jersey. One of these days I am going to check it out and see what it is like. I'll update when I do.

Estaba inspirada por la boda que asistí este fin de semana, entonces empecé a leer revistas de la moda de la India, particularmente Vogue India. Los diseños de Ritu Kumar salen de lo común porque combina los tradiciones de su país natal con influencias del Oeste, Japoneses, y Islamicas. Kumar tiene tiendas por todo la India, y también en Edison, New Jersey. Pronto iré a la tienda a ver como es. Escribiré cuando voy.




Image via: Vogue India.