DD's Style File - Classic Sophisticate

Hey divas! I've been off the radar for a minute, the lack of posts was due to a combination of a short vacation and pure-dee exhaustion, but I'm here now and trying to get back into the swing of things...

Today I paired my cream and navy asymmetric striped blouse with a chic taupe pencil skirt and red and white sandals. I can't even tell you how much love I've got for this skirt! I also bought it in pink and blue (you can get it here and it's currently on sale). The shape is feminine and, dare I say - sexy. It is a true "wiggle" skirt, because it's tighter around the knees, but the ponte material holds it's shape very well and doesn't get baggy around the knee area from sitting and walking (like skirts I've purchased from other retailers...*cough*....TopShop).

Cream & navy striped top - The Limited
Taupe pencil skirt - Express
Red & white sandals - ALDO
Handbag - Coach
Gold & taupe woven bracelet - The Limited
Red patent belt - Unknown
Sunnies - Nine West

The blouse has a really boxy shape, which doesn't work on me, so tucking in is a must. I've had the sandals for several seasons and find reasons to pull them out every now and again. And yes, I have this Coach bag in pale coral too. I know, I know....not a necessity, but I love the shape and size of this bag. 


If you haven't caught on yet, I tend to have a bit of a problem when I like stuff....I buy it in multiples. But I swear, I'm not a hoarder!


I can't be the only one who buys multiples, any of you want to own up to your addiction?? I don't judge!

DD's Style File - Tickled Pink

This blazer came from The Limited's new Forenza collection. I eyeballed it for a while, because it was pink of course, not Pepto Bismol, but more bright pink with a bit of a peachy undertone. But I also liked the shorter cut with it's modern crossover styling. However, the original price tag of $119, was not the least bit enticing, so I passed and passed on it until I one day I stopped in the store and it was forty percent off. And I just happened to have a coupon and a rewards ticket. Gotta love that!


I paired it with a wider leg denim dress pant and and ruffled top, for a classed-up casual look. I kept things low key on my feet and stuck with my go to nude peep toes.

Pink blazer - Forenza for The Limited
Flared denim pant - The Limited
White ruffle blouse - Target
Purple skinny belt - Target
Silver hoops - The Limited
Sunnies - Charlotte Russe

Diva's Desires - Kelsi Dagger

I'm having a little lust affair with Kelsi Dagger shoes lately...especially the wedges! However, I'm trying to be a good girl and not buy another pair of shoes (at least until I go on vacation).

But the Gemini's are seriously calling my name! That kelly green color is a shade that's lacking in my current shoe collection, but being the budget diva that I am, I can't see myself paying full price for a shoe that I won't wear all year round or at least more than a handful in the warmer seasons. The PPW just doesn't balance out quite enough. Especially when I just missed them on MYHABIT when they were offered for half the price (curse those noon time work meetings!)...and since a girl can't seem to get her hands on a good coupon for twenty percent off or more, I'm keeping myself in check.

 

tarte Precious Gems Review

When QVC advertised a set of eyeshadows in little shimmery pots of color along with a brush, I was giddy with interest. I had only been using pressed and loose powder shadows up until that point, which worked, but left me wanting a bit more as far as color payoff and longevity. The tarte Precious Gems Waterproof Cream Shadow Collection is infused with Amazonian clay and came in four wearable, neutral toned shades. It cost me about $40 with shipping. The colors are:

shimmering moss, a golden green

plum smoke, a rich plum

pink champagne, a shimmer pink

shimmering golden beige, a shimmer nude

First off, as nonessential information as this might seem, it's crucial - those cute little pots were SUPER difficult to open. It literally took me 10 minutes to get into one. However, after you're finally in, you're good. There is definitely a lot of product in the containers, it has a smooth and creamy feel. I tried applying the shades with and without a primer, and have better results with. Of the four colors my favorites are the pink champagne and golden beige. Next I'd pick the plum smoke. The jury's still out on the shimmering moss. Maybe it's my caramel coloring, but it just doesn't look so hot...

Being a lover of brushes, I first tried to apply the color with the brush on my eyelid, the results were kind of sad. I had to dab the brush into the color repeatedly, but it didn't seem to apply smoothly. It almost seemed like the brush bristles were too waxy for the color to properly adhere, so I tried using one of my e.l.f. Studio brushes instead. The brush pretty much sucked the color right up. I opted instead to use my finger, but the color didn't seem to apply seamlessly, so I used more of a "dab, dot, blend" method which worked fairly well.

Alternately, I will say that the brush worked extremely well when applying the color to as highlight to my brow brown and inner corner of my eye, which I use my two favorites for - but none of that was worth what I paid for it. I personally just don't feel that there's anything spectacular about this collection and I should have just sent it back, but I was determined to make it work. I had never used any of tarte's products before, but given their often rave reviews I am still interested in trying other products in the future.