Top Five Faves: Spring/Summer Trends 2012

Hello, dear readers,

Since beginning my internship with CHAOS Magazine, I've been getting more into keeping up with seasonal trends. [Note: I no longer write beauty posts for CHAOS, since they got rid of that section. I write about female models and nightlife in big cities] I've never been one to intentionally follow trends, and that hasn't changed. I just don't have the energy for it, nor do I enjoy clothes shopping.

I love to know what's going on in the beauty and fashion world, so this year I'm much more likely to come up with an adequate answer if someone asks, "What's trendy this year?" In the past, despite being an avid magazine reader, I would have answered with a blank stare.

In honor of this new knowledge, I'm sharing with you my five favorite spring/summer trends, whether I'll be rocking them or not.

1. Bright lipstick. 

         This one's a given. A clean face with brighter lips is one of my most flattering looks, in my opinion. I don't feel the need to bother with eye makeup, blush or bronzer, especially because I'm so fair and already have redness in my cheeks, so bright lipstick gives just the right dose of color to my face. 

     2.  Bright nails

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        These are just so fun, and they always look great this time of year.

     3.  Pastel nails

        I never used to like pastel nails on me, because the very light ones tend to wash me out. However, pastels with more color to them suit my skin tone better. Besides, there's no denying that they are very pretty and feminine. They're so perfect for spring.

    4.  Mint Green

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       I'm having a bit of a mint green moment. I'm getting my room painted a truly pale mint green this week, actually. To be honest, my mint green moment started last summer, so I guess I'm a bit ahead of the trend for once! Ever since I bought China Glaze "For Audrey," I have been craving light blue-greens and minty colors. I have three or four nail polishes in that shade range, and I keep wanting more! It's gorgeous, and there's a shade of mint to flatter everyone. It's so summery,  fresh, and breezy. I would love to get a mint top or dress.

    5.  Lace

      

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        What could possibly be more delicate and sweet than lace? It can make an outfit look totally innocent or a bit more demure and mysterious. I absolutely adore lace dresses and tops with lace overlay, and I hope to incorporate some lace into my wardrobe this season. 

Those are my top picks. Tell me: What spring/summer trends are your favorites? What about your least favorites?

I hope you're weekend is going well.

xEsther

This was Made for Me: Harry Potter Tag

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Hello, dear readers,

If you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, you'll know I love a good tag. This one seems to be made for me, so I just can't resist. Without further ado, here is the "Harry Potter Tag":

Favorite book: Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows is probably my absolute favorite, with the Half-Blood Prince coming in a close second.

• Favorite movie: I want to say Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, simply because I loved it the instant it started playing. The scenery was so close to what I had imagined while reading the book, and the story was kept nearly identical to the novel's plot. There were a couple of movies that I had to warm up to after my first viewing. This was not because they were bad movies, but because of the material that was cut and/or added to the films. I also immediately fell in love with The Prisoner of Azkaban upon seeing it for the first time. I don't know why so many people disliked it. 

• Least favorite book: This is the worst question ever. I can't say the first book, because it established the whole magical world, though it was the least complex storyline. I would probably have to say The Chamber of Secrets, because its plot was pretty much directly parallel to the first novel, and the other books just added so much more to the story. I'm using the term "least favorite" loosely, you understand. I genuinely loved them all. The Order of the Phoenix was, and still is, the hardest to get through, simply because Harry is angry the entire time.

• Parts of the books/movies that made you cry: The resurrection stone scene in the final film. Need I say more? Also, the scene with Fred and George, in which they ask each other if they're ok. Let's just say that's the last time the twins ever spoke. I don't remember ever actually crying whilst reading the books. I think I was just hyperventilating the entire time I read the last book, as I literally didn't move for a day and a half out of excitement. I just couldn't stop reading.

• If you could hook up with any HP character who would it be? Really? I suppose this question is inevitable. Based on character alone, not actors...I'm sorry I can't come up with an answer. Hooking up with a fictional character? I really can't think of anyone.

• Favorite character: SO MANY! Of the professors, favorites include Lupin, McGonagall, and Snape. Snape is included because he's one of the most complicated characters in the series. Mrs. Weasley and Sirius Black are my favorites of the adults who aren't professors. Fred, George, Neville, and Luna are my favorites of the students outside the main trio. This is me restricting my answer.

• What would your Patronus be? Maybe a dolphin or an owl.

• If you could have the Resurrection Stone, Invisibility Cloak or the Elder Wand which one would you choose? Invisibility Cloak

• What House would you be in? Pottermore put me in Ravenclaw, and I have to agree.

• IF you could meet any member of the cast who would it be? That's hard. Maybe Matthew Lewis.

• Have you played any of the video games? Yes. 

• IF you were on the Quiddich team which position would you play? I would play spectator. I don't do sports. If I had to, I'd be a Seeker. I'd just have to fly around looking for something and not worry about anything else.

• Were you happy with the ending? Despite the fact that half of the characters were killed off, yes. I was very happy.

• How much does Harry Potter mean to you? It kind of consumed half my life, not in a "Harry Potter made me who I am today" sort of way. I just happened to start reading the series and watching the movies at age 9, and it all came to a close when I was 19. Now I'm 20, so I consider that a significant portion of my life. I don't think I'll ever be this excited about any other series again, hyped up or not.

That's the tag! I managed to keep a few answers short. You should do this tag, or at least think about the answers, if you're a huge Harry Potter fan.

I hope your weekend went well!

xEsther

Bye, Bye, Betsey!

Hello, dear readers,

I know I don't usually blog about beauty or fashion news on here, but my photos for my foundation routine came out horribly, and I wanted to give you a post! This is for all you Betsey Johnson fans out there.

Allow me to explain. My cousin brought back earrings from Ireland because she thought that either my sister or I had my ears pierced. Neither of us do. My mom plans to make the earrings into pendants, so she got a couple of Betsey Johnson necklaces from a friend who sells them on eBay, thinking I could use one of the chains. I happened to really like the necklace, so I decided to keep it intact and find another chain.

Really exciting story.

Here it is, just the right balance of girly and tacky:

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The blue is more vibrant in real life.

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On to the irony: The very same night in which I received the pendant necklace, I happened upon an article online announcing Betsey Johnson's bankruptcy! I was so upset, because I loved visiting her stores in New York City and downtown Chicago. They're so over-the-top, a little too pink, and incredibly fun, that it's impossible not to like them. I would never actually wear 99 percent of what she sells, but I can't walk into one of her stores without a smile on my face.

Unfortunately, she's closing almost all of her shops. The good news is that she still has her accessories line at Macy's, as well as her activewear collection in department stores. Apparently she still plans a runway show for September, and there's a rumor that she may have a reality show in the works. I guess everyone needs to expose their lives on TV these days. Ok, ok; the title of this blog is a little overdramatic. 

I just find it funny [in a non-"ha ha" sort of way] that she filed bankruptcy the same day I received my first Betsey Johnson item.

For your entertainment, here are a couple of my photos of her design for the 2010 recycled fashion project in NYC. A number of designers were each asked to come up with one sustainable clothing item that could withstand the elements. The results were put on display in Times Square, turning the iconic location into a veritable runway. Her design completely represents her and her brand: wacky [and a bit tacky!], girly, and very, very pink! These were taken on my trip to NYC in 2010.

                                             

Fingers crossed that all goes well for Johnson and her delightfully bubbly designs.

Have you been reading any beauty or fashion news lately? Feel free to share below!

xEsther

Dug Up from the Drafts: "There's More to Me than Makeup" Tag

Totally random and unrelated photo. View from my bedroom window, taken in January. The window has a screen, 

hence the blurriness. I played with editing, but eventually decided on the original. I hate making posts without pictures!

Hello, dear readers,

I know this is another tag, and an old one at that, but I actually have a fairly decent reason for it. This is the second of the drafts that I promised to post. At last, my "Posts" box will be empty of anything but published blogs. I'm not changing the font on this one, because I rewrote the answers to suit my current situation. 


1. Do you go to school? If yes...what is your favourite subject/ what is your major?
Yes, I go to school. My major is Communications, with a minor in Spanish. Within Communications, I love film classes. However, I'm not going into the film industry; I just find those courses extremely interesting and fun. 

2. Do you work? If yes...what is your job?
I don't work at the moment, but I am looking for a summer job. I hope to find one, but, if not, I may end up taking a class instead. I do have an unpaid blogging internship online for CHAOS Magazine, and I'm applying for a copy editor internship at another website. It's also unpaid, and I'll tell you what it is if I get the position.


3. Do you read? If yes...name a few of your favourite books and/or magazines.
Yes.  Some of my favorite books are the Harry Potter series [in English and Spanish]; Good Omens, by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett; American Gods and Anansi Boys, by Neil Gaiman;  The Princess Bride, by William Goldman; The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory; Bookends by Jane Green; The Looking Glass Wars trilogy, by Frank Beddor....Honestly the list could go on and on and on.
As for magazines, my favorite is probably Marie Claire. 


4. Can you cook?
I can't properly answer that, because it's not that I can't cook; I just don't cook. I'd like to learn, but I lack motivation.


5. Do you have any siblings?
Yes. I have a sister, aged 24, and a brother, 27.


6. Do you speak any other languages?
If I were to be immersed in a Spanish-speaking environment, I think I would be able to quickly improve my spoken Spanish. I am fairly fluent as far as reading, writing, and understanding, but I could use more practice speaking. I've studied for a little over eight years, so I should hope I would pick it up! 


7. If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I'd love to travel all over Europe and the UK, just to experience the culture and the sights [The shopping wouldn't hurt either!]. Specifically, I'd like to visit Spain or another Spanish-speaking country for the reasons mentioned above. 


8. What is your idea of the perfect date?
I don't have anything specific in mind. Honestly, I think the most important thing is that it goes well!


9. What is your dream career?
I'm not 100 percent sure, but I would like to explore the world of publishing/publications. I'm also fascinated by the idea of translating books for a career.


10. Are you athletic...do you play sports/work out..or are you a couch bunny?
I'm athletic in the sense that I love working out and keeping fit. I absolutely do not play sports. My hand-eye coordination doesn't exist, and I don't have the patience for team sports.


11. What are your three favourite things (that have nothing to do with makeup/beauty)?
I'm going to skip friends and family, because they're people, not things. As far as tangible "things," I would say film, books, and music. How much more generic can I get here? More intangible things would be singing, traveling, and working out. 


12. What is the BEST thing about you? 
I love the fact that I'm easily amused by pretty much everything, which makes other people laugh as well. That probably isn't the BEST thing about me, but it's one of my personal favorite qualities.


Ahhhh, the sound of complete silence from the "Drafts" area of my profile. How I adore it. I'm not entirely sure when I initially wrote this, but it was probably before or during last fall. Like I said, the answers are up-to-date, having rewritten them yesterday. I didn't think it would be necessary to show you the old one because things have changed, and it no longer contained inaccurate information.


Have you done this tag? I think it's fun to read about the lives, loves, and dreams of other fashion/beauty/lifestyle bloggers. We all have a certain amount of "girliness" in common, but it's nice to see what else is going on with everyone. Maybe we have more in common than we thought [or even less]! 


In any case, enjoy your day, whatever you happen to be doing!


xEsther