Go International

What is the best way to get designer clothing at an affordable price?  The answer is simple, with Target's Go International brand.  Created in December 2005, Go International is a brand that features high-end  designers creating affordable fashion for women.  Each season features a different designer and the clothes are sold for a limited time frame of 90 days.

For the most recent season, instead of having a new designer, they brought back several popular pieces from favorite designers instead of a whole new collection.  The clothes featured were from Alice Temperely, Behnaz Sarafpour, Erin Fetherston, Jonathan Saunders, Jovovich-Hawk, Libertine, Luella Bartley, Paul & Joe, Proenza Schouler, Richard Chai, Rodarte, Rogan, Tara Jarmon, Thakoon, Tracy Feith, Tucker and Zac Posen.  Unfortunately, my Target didn't have all of them -- which was probably good for my wallet!

The sizing was a little weird on some of the pieces so the only one I could find that fit me was this Proenza Schouler one.  Today was the first nice day we've had in Kent so I was extremely excited to be able to wear my new dress.  I got tons of complements on it and after a long winter of barely exposing any skin, I felt so girly and happy wearing it, which is a great accessory!

Foundation

I have had a terrible time with finding the perfect foundation.  I'd have it applied in the store and buy it, then a few hours later or when I applied it the next day, it turned orange on me.  I've tried countless brands ranging all over the spectrum from department stores to specialty stores and even drugstores.  I've tried Clinique, Prescriptives, Smashbox, Tarte, Almay, MAC, and many more.  My mom used to blame me and say I was applying it too heavily or I didn't blend it well enough, part of which might have been true.  It wasn't until two years ago that we found out what was actually causing the problem.  I learned that my skin has a reaction with ingredients in foundation which causes it to turn orange, to oxidize.

Oxidation has to do with body chemistry.  While the exact cause is unknown, it's speculated it has to do with the PH, or acidity, of skin.  This reaction with the titanium dioxide, iron oxide and zinc oxide is more than likely what causes the foundation to turn orange.  While it is nearly impossible to find foundations without those ingredients in it, I have finally found one that works fairly well with my skin and smells good, too.  I've recently started using Cover Girl NatureLuxe and so far, it has been working.  When I looked at the ingredients it only says that it may contain iron oxide and titanium dioxide so I figured I would try it -- plus, I love their spokesperson, Taylor Swift!

Just remember, while this may work for me, everyone's body chemistry is different so what works for one person may not work for another.  Hopefully, you don't even have the problem of foundation oxidizing; but, if you do, I feel your pain and good luck in your search for the perfect foundation!

Top 8 Items in my Closet

Growing up in dance classes and musical theatre, I joke that I can only count to eight since almost everything is done in an eight count.  In honor of that, I have decided to do "Top 8".  For my first one, I'm doing the top eight things in my closet at the moment.  Keep in mind, this is only my school closet.

8. Hoodies/Columbia Fleeces
     I know it doesn't sound fashionable, but living in northeast Ohio, it's a must.  There's nothing like coming home after a long day of classes and putting on a hoodie or fleece with a pair of aerie yoga pants and heading to the gym.

7. Michael by Michael Kors
     I recently got this shirt and loved it so much I wanted one in every color.  Unfortunately, there was only one in my size.  I love the asymmetrical neckline and the silver hoop.  The shirt is so soft and made of 95% Supima Cotton and 5% Spandex.

6. Jeans
     I absolutely love my jeans.  I have several pairs, but I do have my top three favorite.  Out of my capris, my favorite pair is a pair by Seven.  They are a darker wash and fit my curves perfectly!  When it comes to skinny jeans, my Levi's are the best.  They have a great fit and look cute when cuffed as well.  And last, but not least, my favorite regular boot cut jeans are my Seven For All Mankind jeans.  They are extremely comfortable, very durable and have a wonderful fit.

5. Romeo & Juliet
     Another thing you don't think of as fashionable is flannel; however, Romeo & Juliet Couture has shown that it can be.  They use pearl colored buttons trimmed in gold that are gorgeous.  What really sets this apart from regular flannel are the two buttons on the back that cinch the shirt in giving it more of a tailored look.  I love to pair this with skinny jeans, especially when traveling because not only is it super comfy, it's cute, too!

4. Cowboy Boots
     Being from West Virginia, I love cowboy boots!  I've been wearing them for a long time.  Far before this country craze; since before people even knew who Taylor Swift was.  This pair is my favorite and it's so old, I can't even tell the brand or remember it.  Twice I've somehow forgotten them at home and called my mom, frantic for her to mail them to me!

3. Kira Plastinina
     I love pink and I love black so when I saw the two of them together, I fell in love with this cropped top.  I usually pair it with a sparkly black tank top and people constantly stop and ask me if it's one piece or separates.  This knit piece is something that can be worn from fall through early spring because it's not extremely heavy.

2. MM Couture by Miss Me
     This is probably one of my favorite purchases.  I was shopping for an Easter dress when the sales associate pulled this for me and I tried it on.  I love everything about this dress from the colors to the waist line and from the one shoulder to the tiers and strips of material on the skirt.

1. Candies Combat Boots
     Over the summer I lived in NYC doing two internships plus school.  For one of my internships I did Celebrity Must Have items.  Combat boots were one of the things I saw numerous celebrities and Broadway actresses wearing and I knew I had to have a pair.  I wear these all the time!  I love them so much.  I pair them with almost everything.  I love them with skinny jeans, jean shorts or even to give a tougher feel to skirts and dresses.

Eau So Fresh

I've used the Juicy Couture perfume pretty much since it was released in late 2006.  I loved the fragrance from the first whiff I got of it.  This was the first fragrance released by the company and was met with rave reviews.  It featured base tones of caramel creme brulee and vanilla with elegant precious wood and patchouli.  It was wonderful and my favorite out of all the Juicy fragrances.  I always got complements on it; however, after almost five years and spring rolling around, I wanted something a little lighter smelling.  That's when I discovered Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh.

I wasn't really even looking for a perfume when I found it; I was actually at Macy's looking for shoes!  A bag with purchase was sitting on the perfume counter and that's what drew me over.  The sales lady told me they had just restocked the new Marc Jacobs perfume and I had to smell it.  Boy, was she right!  As soon as I smelled raspberry, grapefruit and peach mixed with wild rose, apple blossom and plum I knew I had found my spring and summer perfume.  It's no wonder it sold out almost as soon as it was released.  Plus, the bottle is just adorable and so is the free bag I got with purchase!

Until we meet again in the fall, Juicy Couture!

The Reverse French Manicure

Lately, in all my magazines they've been saying the reverse manicure is going to be hot this season.  Now, I love nail polish.  I could sit and look at polishes and their names all day long.  When it comes to painting my nails, no color is too out there for me to try.  So during a study break from microeconomics, I decided to try my hand at the reverse manicure.  It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be.

What I did was I painted my entire nail the color I wanted as my "tip".  Then, after the first coat was dry, I placed tape on the bottom of my nail to protect the part I wanted left the first color and also to give me a straight line.  Once that coat dried, I topped with a clear coat and viola!  I'm sure I'll get better at it with practice, but for the first time and during a study break, I was pretty pleased with it.

Bottom coat is Poppy from aerie and top coat is Skin Tight Denim Creme from NYC.

Ring is from Premier Jewelery

Little Reminders of Summer

While I was browsing through Target today, I stumbled across Whitney Port's book "True Whit".  I began flipping through the pages, not knowing what to expect.  There were all kinds of different chapters from some of her favorite recipes to beauty and exercise tips.

As I leafed through the pages, one in particular caught my eye and I went back to it.  It was a page talking about her favorite underwear.  From the second I glanced at the picture, I knew it was Hanky Panky which was one of the brands I sold this summer during my internship with The Liric Group showroom.  Seeing this reminded me of summer and my first time living in NYC; I had to snap a picture of the page!

LC Lauren Conrad

We fell in love with her on "Laguna Beach", grew up with her on "The Hills", watched her turn into a New York Times best selling author and we wear her designs from Kohl's.  Why it's Lauren Conrad, of course!

LC Lauren Conrad launched in Fall 2009 after announcing in March of that same year that she was taking a break from her first line, The Lauren Conrad Collection.

LC Lauren Conrad is sold exclusively at Kohl's and is broken down into tops, bottoms, dresses, sweaters, shoes and accessories.  The collection features a lot of boyfriend blazers, kimono inspired shirts and lots of pastel and floral prints.

The collection is adorable and affordable with a price range of $20-$60 and that's without the coupons Kohl's always sends in the mail.  I own a couple pieces and love them.  The fit is great with the tops being a little blousy and usually having a fitted band around the bottom.  The fabric is 100% Rayon and so soft!

I was recently in Kohl's trying on some of her newest collection.  It's really cute, but I felt like I was trying the same thing on over and over.  Almost all the tops have the same make, with the same florals and the same fabric.  I don't see much of a change in the items from season to season.  I found a shirt this season that reminds me of one that I bought when the collection first launched.

Don't get me wrong, I love the collection.  I think it's so cute and comfortable beyond belief.  I also love Lauren and her style, I just wish there was a little more variety in the clothes.  Maybe that's what her new upper-scale line Paper Crown is for.  I can't wait to try those on and report back!

For now, here are some pictures from Spring 2011 LC Lauren Conrad.