WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAMMING

Happy Memorial Day readers! We'll be back to our normal schedule tomorrow :) Enjoy your holiday!

Love,

Elisa and Jackie

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ALICE IN WONDERLAND

I caught a few pictures of my friend Terri yesterday outside work. She works as a makeup artist for Benefit cosmetics. Her style is adorable and not alot of people can pull it off, she's known for her cute lolita styled babydoll dresses all handmade and ordered from Japan. Everything from the umbrella, lace gloves and the bows is the perfect girly touch!

xoxo,
Jackie

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TODAY'S ADVENTURE

On break between classes today my friend Annie and I went wandering the city.  I was craving an icy good treat so bad!  So when we found this great coffee and smoothie bar Simpatico Espresso inside the Regional Enterprise Tower on Sixth Avenue it was like it was meant to be.  I ordered a strawberry banana smoothie and the barista, Monica, gave me a sample of an Italian soda, any flavor of my choice....AWESOMENESS!  I will definitely be stopping back!!!  You should give it a try too.  The prices are comparable to Starbucks.  BUT!  As we strolled down Sixth Ave guess who we passed....Evgeni Malkin, Penguins hockey center, and his parents!  After we proceeded to follow then for two blocks...shh... we found this adorable little building tucked away, made of red brick, Juliet balconies and complete with its own fountain adorned courtyard...needless to say, I was in Heaven!  I found my own little piece of Europe right in Pittsburgh.  Hopefully I'll be taking some photos there soon.  I know its random, but I thought I'd just leave you with a picture of these absolutely adorable tea time acessories:

[lushlee.com, edited by me]

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BEST OF THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2010

Emilio Pucci

CANNES, FRANCE - May 15: Actress Evangeline Lilly waring Emilio Pucci attending the premiere of ' You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger'.

CANNES, FRANCE - May 17: Model Eva Herzigova wearing an Emilio Pucci dress attends the Chopard 150th Anniversary Party at the VIP Room.

CANNES, FRANCE - May 14: Designer Alessia Plovan wearing Emilio Pucci dress attending the Premiere of 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps'.

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 12: Eva Longoria, wearing an Emilio Pucci dress one of my favorites from the night.

Givenchy
 

CANNES, FRANCE - May 14: Vladislav Doronin and Naomi Campbell wearing a Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci dress.

CANNES, FRANCE - May 18: Actress Juliette Binoche wearing Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci.

Gucci

Salma Hayek attending the closing ceremonies for the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, wearing a Gucci Premiere strapless dress. The gown was accessorized with gold beading which matched her necklace. I love the entire look!

Actress Naomi Watts wearing a strapless Gucci dress.

xoxo,

Jackie

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LISTEN TO "the FEAD" BACK

[photo cred to my awesome bro]

So my brother Lucas, whose about to be a freshman in highschool [can't believe it], is in a band called the Fead.  They chose the name because they wanted to learn "Yesterday" by the Beatles, and F-E-A-D are the first four notes.  I've also heard that its partly because of the noise [feedback] you hear on the speakers.  Anyway, they were in a Beatles tribute concert on Saturday and they rocked the house.  When Lucas had his guitar solo, people were clapping and cheering...I was so excited!

Anyway, here's what I wore to the concert.  That's their band tee shirt! My brother designed the logo...pretty sweet huh?  I paired it with my grungiest boots and my new jean jacket [I got thrifting for $4!].  I added the poofy black skirt for some femininity and sexiness [it was a bit short].  And voila you have what I call "concert groupie chic"!
Visit the FEAD's fbook page here.

Let the music take you places,

Elisa

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BEAUTY ADDICT: MAY '10 FAVORITES

Heres a few of my monthly beauty favorites:

- The nine neutrals that make up the Two Faced Eye Soft & Sexy Eye Shadow Collection includes some finishes in shimmer, and others in matte. Perfect for getting the smokey eye look!

- Fekkai Au Naturel' my favorite dry shampoo that I've tried in a while, it has the best scent too. Perfect for those days where your on the go!

- Dior Show Mascara, one of my favorite mascaras but if you're not looking to splurge the next best one that I've found for volumnizing is LashStilleto by Maybelline!

I'm leaving you with a great tutorial from one of my favorite beauty bloggers Fafinettex3; you can find her tutorials on youtube, here's one on getting the perfect silver smokey eye!

xoxo,
Jackie

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CASUAL DECADENCE

 

Something very important to me when planning my future, which I do often, is the focus on living not working.  I treasure the idea of spending my mornings sipping tea on my balcony, catching up on the latest fashion news and current events, before I start my day.  I feel gitty anticipating the nights surrounded by friends and family sipping wine and indulging in delicious foods, whether at home or the local bistro.  I can't wait to escape home to the man I love and the house I cherish, wrapped in layers of sweaters and throws, relaxing and just enjoying each other's company.

Funny part is, I am a college student, busy and practically poor, but I find ways to bring these ideals into my life now...grabbing tea and reading my blogs during my class breaks, having family dinners and cookouts, sipping wine with the lovely Linda, watching movies and cuddling with my handsome man.  It's all quite beautiful you know.  I think when it comes down to it, I'll measure my life in laughter, in good meals, in nights spent in conversation, in bottles of aged wine and in the numbers of lives I've touched.

So while I lay back to relax tonight, indulging in the casual decadence of life [sipping tea and polishing my nails], I hope you feel just as content as I do and the world still seems just as wondrous for you, as it does for me.

[Thank you to my kick ass brother, Lucas Llera, for helping with these pictures]

The world is your oyster,

Elisa

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REMEMBER NOW BY KARL LAGERFELD

Heres the short movie by Karl featuring the debut of Chanels cruise show enjoy! Theres part 1 and 2!

Part 1

Part 2

xoxo,
Jackie

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BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

I'm not ashamed to say this, particularly because I know most of you do it too, but I am an avid mirror singer.  Yes, I dance around my mess of a bedroom singing tunes into the nearest hair brush or water bottle.  That's why I fell in love with this clip.  Not only does Emma Stone, of the upcoming Easy A film, win my heart with her bedroom singing, but also her depiction of the-awful-song-gone-favorite-tune scenario.  How many times have you detested a song, flip the radio at the first lyric, nearly cried at the sound of it...and then found yourself humming it while you did homework, errands or chores?  Exactly!  So here's a clip for all you bedroom pop stars:

 Easy A Clip: Pocket Full of Sunshine
Click here to view the Easy A trailer 

And if that wasn't enough fun for you, here are some of my favorite picks for my on-stage-jumping-on-my-bed-singing-into-my-hairbrush-concert-extravaganzas:

1. Charlotte Russe Ruffle Terry Cloth Robe $22.99
2. Charlotte Russe Ruffle Rumba Bra $7
3. American Apparel RSASKL Unisex Stripe Knee-High Sock $10
4. Charlotte Russe Embroidered Neck Knit Romper $15.50
5. Forever21 H81 Solid Sleep Cami $12.90
6. Forever21 Sequin Glitz Fedora $10.80
7. Forever21 Side Bow Fedora Fedora $8.80
8. Forever21 Posh Multi Band Headband $4.80

[Sing &] Dance like no one's watching,

Elisa 

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PRETTY IN FLORAL

Recently I came across this amazing website called yesstyle, the website features fashions and lifestyle products from designers across Asia. The dresses that are available on the site are some of the cutest chiffon floral dresses I've seen in a while! And the best part is that all of the merchandise is high quality and affordable, ranging from $20 to $90 with shipping to the US only $10. Above are a few examples of the styles of dresses availabe on the site!

xoxo,
Jackie

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A BIT OF '60s FLAIR

I got these awesome glasses on Canal St in NYC on my last visit with Jackie.  They only cost me $8 dollars! I love that they have this organic purple-y pattern and are lined with gold, for some flash. They remind me of the Bond Girls from the 60's, like something you'd find them wearing as they frolicked on the beach or buzzed around a chic nightclub.  Either way, they make me feel fun and funky :)

What do your glasses say about you?

Elisa

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FABULOUS IN FUR

The one thing that I love about NYC is no matter where you are, even if it's a cold dreary rainy day you can find fashion everywhere. For instance, the other weekend Elisa and I were in NYC we spotted these two lovely ladies on the subway in Manhattan (and of course had to stop to get their picture). I love the furs especially with the vintage chanel belt, very put together! This looks very easy to get and simple to do, just pair your favorite faux fur vest or jacket with a cute vintage belt. If you're in need of one theres always cute vintage inspired belts, head over to Modcloth! Here's a few of my favorites that I've spotted on the site:

Vintage Glittering in the Streets Belt
Vintage Crystal Belt
Sparrow Belt
Vintage Overboard Belt

xoxo,
Jackie

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FASHION FOR A CAUSE

I came across this awesome website yesterday!  Entitled The Uniform Project, the gist of the story is that a woman by the name of Sheena wore the same black dress, made especially for her, for one full year...EVERYDAY!  She did have 7 replicas of that dress, so she didn't offend anyone's senses...namely their sense of smell ;)

She used mostly vintage, reused or recycled accessories to jazz up her LBD all year round, some were even donated.  She wanted to showcase sustainable fashion, but that wasn't even the best part.  Sheena and The Uniform Project team took upon themselves to raise over 80k dollars to help the Akanksha Foundation in India! The foundation funds education programs, uniforms and any other school related cost for children. Did you know that over 80% of kids don't make it past tenth grade in that part of the world?  That's a sad fact, isn't it?

Unfortunately, I found The Project just days after they achieved their 365 day goal.  They made it from May '09 to May '10; I must express how bummed I am to have missed the thrill of watching it unfold. Here's a little video to showcase their amazing journey.

Uniform Project Picture Book from The Uniform Project on Vimeo.

 
I've done some sustainable fashion myself!  I must say its no where near as creative as Sheena.  Here's me  revamping the same wardrobe piece, a scarf:

What piece do you like to reinvent?

Elisa

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SEX AND THE CITY: THE ULTIMATE FASHION BOOK

This is the perfect book for all of you fashionistas; it's the ultimate guide to all of the fashions that will be on Sex and the City 2. On May 18th the 500 page book will be released that dishes on the new Sex and the City sequel. The book will feature a garment by garment breakdown on every single look that Sarah Jessica Parker wears in the movie!

Be sure to check back later this week, we will be covering the new french boutique that just recently opened in downtown Pittsburgh!

xoxo,
Jackie

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SNEAK PEAK AT KARL LAGERFELDS SHORT FILM

Over the weekend a trailer was released for Karl Lagerfelds short film titled " Remember Now", which debuts tonite at 7:30! Along with the debut of Chanels Cruise show in St. Tropez on Tuesday!

xoxo,
Jackie

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GET YOUR HEAD AROUND IT

Head pieces are huge this summer!  There are sooo many options for any style, whether it be romantic, grunge punk, international or hippie chic.  Here are a few of my favorite (and most notable) bloggers, and how they wear the trend:

Cupcakes and Cashmere

Fashion Toast

This Time Tomorrow

The Cherry Blossom Girl

I think I may have to try it,

Elisa

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BOOK CLUB ENTRY #4

Lisa sees the life of her gorgeous best friend Celeste as just about perfect: she has a gigantic house, two older sisters to coach her through the hazards of high school, and loving, lively parents. As Lisa's own home has long been a place devoid of joyful noise—her mother has shut herself off in her bedroom for years—Lisa joins the Diamond household, slipping into their routine of sit-down suppers and soaking in the delicious normalcy of Diamond family life. But what begins as the story of two young women living a charmed adolescence, one of mastering dance moves and the protocols of male-female interaction, soon swirls into an intoxicating novel of art, music, and self-destructive impulses as Lisa and Celeste dare each other ever onward.

Here what the author has to say about the novel:
(If you enjoy what you hear, you can purchase the book on this site) 

xoxo,
Jackie

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PRETTY IN PEARLS

So, here I am to admit my obsession to the world...I LOVE PEARLS!  I think they are not only beautiful, elegantly feminine, but also that they connect me to history, or to the earth.  When you wear a pair of vintage pearls you're connected to the beautiful woman who wore them before you; it's like you both share that gitty feeling of being a princess when you put them on, like she's passing on her most intimate beauty tips {just between you and her}.  On the other hand, if you're the first lovely lady getting to wear them, you get to carry around a little piece of your world everyday, like you get to have a relationship with all the little oysters that slaved over their most precious baby pearls just so they could share them with you.

My boyfriend's awesome mom and I had our first gal pal date yesterday, just her and I...after nearly five years!  We went to a jewelry show.  The designers name is Sue Fry, long time friend of Linda's {bf's mom}.  Sue lives in China with her husband and after a long history of manipulating aesthetics, whether home or beauty, she was in the right place to start her own jewelry business.  You walk into the show room and all you see is GLITTER! Like Linda said, "It's like Disneyland for girls."  "But with pearls instead of princesses!" I interjected.  But now that I think about it, I'd take that back.  There were princesses...WE were the princesses!  So after being totally spoiled by Linda {I got to pick out my birthday AND Christmas presents}, we made our way home.  Soo...first thing I did this morning was pick out an outfit around my new beautiful pink pearl necklace! And to be honest that was quite out of the usual, Wednesdays are usually my bum days {I have a 12hr school day}.

P.S  The jewelry I always wear, the pearl earrings and necklaces, are all Sue Fry!
{I'll add her contact info below later}

You've gotta get yourself a piece of this world!

Elisa

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LOOK GOOD, DO GOOD

So I'm super excited for H&M's newest collection that will be launching in stores May 20th! This will be H&M's third Fashion Against Aids collection, 25% of the proceeds goes towards supporting youth HIV/AIDS awareness and education.

The collection features a boho vibe for the ladies, and a Euro hipster style for the men. The collection is inspired for summer concerts complete with paisley sleeping bags and lawn chairs! I cant wait for this to hit stores, considering its not officially summer yet and I have quite a few concerts already lined up, such as: 311, pepper, and Tom Petty! The salmon crochet top on the far left corner is my favorite! All of the merchandise retails for around $12.50 to $40.00! So make sure you keep an eye out for the new collection!

xoxo,
Jackie

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CHARLIE

I just thought I'd share with you the new addition to our family...meet Charlie!  I've decided I'm going to nickname him Pip Pip Charles :)  A saying I was fond of as a kid, I'd sit in the back seat feeling refined, repeating the saying as mom chauffeured me; dorky, I know!  Charlie is an Italian Greyhound, all but 4 weeks old.  He'll be joining us June 4th!  What is the best kind of dog for you? Visit this site to find out.

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