Top 5 AHOLICS [11]

Instagram
Jeffrey Campbell shoes
American Apparel disco pants
Curly fros
Manicured/Sculpted eyebrows

It's been a while since I posted a top 5 aholics. But there's my list. I had to do some very strategic downsizing ("eeney meeney miney mo") to settle on just 5.

In no particular order the aforementioned items have been things that I've been addicted to. I'd be hard pressed to say that I've gone a day without thinking about/using one of them at least once.

Instagram: I joined many moons ago but never really used it. But early this school year I started posting semi-daily outfit of the day pictures. I've since stopped in favor of posting it to my blog. But I do still use the app as a way to see other peoples fashion, food and randomness. LOVE it. If you have an Instagram account leave ur user name below and I'll follow you. Mine is @f3mb0t. (Same on Twitter) We're social creatures and Instagram is just another medium for us to stay connected.


Jeffrey Campbell shoes: If you don't know this designer you may just live under a rock, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. I love his shoes. LOVE LOVE! As in I'd be willing to give up cupcakes for one TWO months for another pair and I LOVE cupcakes! His shoes are ultra comfortable and absolutely fabulous. They can really spice up an outfit. Check here for my recent haul.


American Apparel disco pants: I bought my first pair last year around the same time I bought my first pair of Litas (Campbells). It was love at first sight. I put them on and basically never took them off. Like my Lita's I took any and every opportunity to wear them out. they are AMAZING and a great investment piece. Heavier than leggings and way more fashionable they were a great addition to my collection of bottom. I've since bought a red pair and will be getting navy soon. Here are some outfits I styled with them here, here and here.


Curly Fros: Since ending my 4 month Hide Your Hair Challenge I've been loving wearing my hair curly. Obviously being natural myself I'm biased towards this look because it's so easily achieved, but aside from that it's really cute and chic look. My favorite method is a flat twist out with the ends bantu knoted. Here's a tutorial on how to achieve the look. I recently did this to my hair as well, here.

Last year

Twist and Curl

TWA

Manicured eyebrows: I don't wax my eyebrows anymore and rarely pluck them so this method helps keep them looking crisp. I don't wear (eye) makeup on a daily basis because I'm in school and just don't have that kind of time. But I've found that just by having nice looking eyebrows my whole face looks put together. It really makes a difference. If you don't do anything do your eyebrows, and it doesn't mean you have to fill them in or line them with concealer. Just brushing them or gelling them down is enough effort.

Simple brows

Perfect Eyebrow Tutorial

Honorable Mentions and Repeat Offender
Law and Order SVU
YouTube
Mint (Financial site/app)



What are some of your latest addictions? How do you feel about mine? I definitely recommend them.

-Addicted Fembot

   

Lust List

Current Lusts

1. leather/faux leather/pleather pants
2. leather/suede protector
3. new digital camera (with flip screen)
4. camo jacket
5. virgin Mongolian kinky-curly hair (to make a wig with)

It was surprisingly difficult to come up with this list. Which is good and means that I have everything I want. OR a really bad memory.

Anyway wants on your lust list?

-AF

Summer Favorites

"Fashion is nothing but an induced epidemic." -George Bernard Shaw

This past summer has been filled with many "induced epidemics" but my top 5 have been;

5- color blocking
4- maxi dresses/skirts
3- neon
2- recycled fashion
1-prints

Most of these are repeats from past seasons (and posts) but fashion is also cyclical. But mostly it's whatever you make it, so if you like prints or color blocking (or whatever) then that will ALWAYS be "in" for YOU. And that's all that really matter because YOU are the one that is wearing the clothes and feelings good, sexy, confident and any number of things in them. 

All five of my fav summer trends allow you to stand out and be bold and even better you can do them all at the same time!! Nothing like killing ten birds with one stone you didnt even throw, lol does that even make sense?

Focus! 

Color blocking is a great way to to play with colors and put together things you might not have thought of before. It adds versatility to your wardrobe, getting more wear out of  clothes is definetly a bonus. See ... For more on color blocking.

Despite my meager stature (5' 1.75" ...I'm totally claiming all 3/4ths of an inch) maxis help elongate my frame. This is all dependent on proportions and fit of course. Nothing kills (slaughters, massacres) a look more than ill fitting clothes. But assuming all is well in that department maxis are great, whether loose and billowy, grecian in style or figure hugging, the possibility are endless. You can rock them ultra relaxed in flip flops or sandals or go the extra mile and wear wedges or heels (strappy).

Neon, fun!!! Yes neons, like the highlighter colors not the element (random: The element neon, number 10 on the periodic table is actually rare on earth and ironically under standard conditions is colorLESS.). Think 80s (another thing I love). Neons are hot this summer. From Christian Louboutin's pigalles to nail polish, they were everywhere adding a touch of pizaz. I mentioned earlier that you're able to do more than one of the favs at a time and this can be seen with neons when color blocking.

Check out my previous post on maxis and bright colors.

Reduce, reuse and recycle (I think that's trademarked or copy written. Whatever.) But were gonna apply that to clothing. Lately thrifting has become the hot new thing (see Top 5 [7]). Hollister's reign over the youth of today is slipping and GoodWill and other Secondhand, consignment and thrift stores are on the rise. (NOOOOO correlation to the increasing number of "hipsters" lol) For some nothing can really compete with brand new. But for the brave, frugal and visionary this alternative is life changing really. Seriously, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Though this is a very fine line because some trash should stay in the garbage. 

I digress, shopping at thrift stores is a great way to save money and expand your creativity! Not all clothing found are from the 80s and beyond there are some new pieces that may be found in stores currently you just have to take the time to look. Aside from thrifting you can use items in your own closet and re-purpose them. I've cut up many jeans and made them into shorts this summer and shredded a couple shirts and made into crop tops and muscle tees. YouTube has a plethora of D.I.Y. videos (links below).  

Prints are hot and can be more fun than solid colors (neon or otherwise). I've gone into details on prints in Top 5 [10] and Flower Power. Guess what's in this fall and was all the rage this past summer. Tribal prints, African prints and animal prints. 

DIY shorts and top

-DIY Rainbow Cut-Off Shorts

-How to: Fringe your top

Check these out too

-D.I.Y Custom Doc Martens

-DIY NETTED BIKINI COVER-UP!

-DIY: Dip-Dye ACCESSORIES!

catch you later...Law and Order SVU is on!

Top 5 AHOLICS [10]

~This entry was started the 17th of May~

1. iPads [1st and 2nd Gen]
2. business casual
-button down shirts
-chinos
-blazers
3. prints
4. sewing/designing
5. cake

I'm not much of a techie, but I do love shopping and having new things! I had the first generation iPad and really liked it, but in true Apple fashion the 2nd generation came out not too long after I bought mine. UGH! Which commandment was it to not covet thy neighbor's wife. Well lets just say I was more than a little envious of all the new features. As a PC girl I didn't initially see the point in yet another Apple product littering the technological market.

This hot little number was, in my opinion a large iPod at first. So what was all the buzz? Boy was I wrong. I Can 't speak for everyone but I love mine for the convenience that it brings. I used to have to lug my heavy laptop everywhere, now I can whip out my iPad if I need to check my emails or anything else. To be honest though the one downside, in terms of academic use was the lack of word processing software. [Yes there's an app for that but...eh]. Despite this my "whole life" is on there, my calendar with all my activities, easy Facebook and Twitter access, emails, everything.

If I was to rate it it would get a solid 4 out of 5 [because of price :/ ].

*****RIP S.J.*****

As a recent grad going on interviews and entering the "real world" will become common place. Along with my foray into the professional world my wardrobe must follow too. I've started buying more work appropriate attire from slacks to blazers to button down shirts. To keep with the color blocking trend I bought bright colored items (had to keep things fabulous) from chinos to different colored blazers.

I love PRINTS. They can function as the accessory to any look. Breaking up the boring solids with a print is always a great way to spice up an outfit. I'm not picky when it comes to print, be it animal (can you say CHEETAH) or floral they all are fun and fabulous. In previous posts I spoke about prints matching you stature and that definitely still holds true, especially for all over prints like in a dress. The 70's vibe from earlier in the year is holding strong this fall (but more boho: flared pants, fringe and what not). This trend utilizes print in great ways that will work for many shapes and tastes (blouses, skirts, maxi dresses and skirts, flow-y dresses...) Be sure to choose colors that are more in the jewel tones (the seasons IN colors).

These outfits from Fall 11 have that 70's vibe with some prints in jewel tones.

I'll try not bore you with this one, but I've really taken a liking to sewing and making things for myself (and now others...BABY STEPS). I especially like designing clothes, now that I have more free time I can do more and be more creative. All I need now is a dress form...SO if anyone has an extra one that they're not using I'd be happy to take it off your hands :).

Myself and a model in a swimsuit I made.

The picture above shows you print with that 70's vibe. The pants (customized) and bandeaux top are from F21 . 

I love cake! What more is there to say? I wish it was my birthday everyday just so I could have cake, not that I REALLY need a reason to have cake. But it's nice when someone else buys it lol.

Not a fan of frosting.

...bye bye birdie

Hey ya'll. I've been super busy and it will only get worse. I have a couple Top 5 Aholics coming but till then to keep you engaged I've added a feature blogger. I'll let her introduce herself in this next post.

-fembot

shop-a-HAUL-ic [3]

[Mostly May...] I went thrifting awhile ago and I had done some other shopping [at the usual places] while looking for a graduation dress a few days ago. Here's the swag...

Part 1: Thrift and Target

Part 2: Charlotte Russe, Forever 21 & H&M

-Aholic

Top 5 AHOLICS [8]

Wigs
Turbans
Dark wash jeans
Curly hair
Jumpsuits [NO not the orange kind]

Wigs! I'm slowly building my collection of wigs, currently I have 4 very different ones. Curly, straight, long and short I want it all! I really want to get a lace front wig, curly and synthetic. Need to really, but in the mean time I've made a quick weave wig. It was on a whim actually, the day before I made it I had been watching Youtube videos [no surprise there] and was inspired to make one. I'm fairly creative, modest aren't I, but I'm not really good with "doing hair"-weaves, extension etc. So I was definitely apprehensive about making this one. But to my surprise it was easy and turned out FANTASTICALLY.

Before

After

Part of my new found obsession with wigs is due to the fact that my friend and I are on a hide you hair challenge. It started January 1st and is ending on the 14th of this month [our graduation]. When we made the agreement I wasn't so sure I could do it, but wigs have been a godsend. My hair has retained so much length from the reduced manipulation, I love it! I definitely will be continuing the low manipulation, wig wearing habit after the challenge is done.

Try challenging yourself to something like this, using braids, weaves, wigs, etc. Do whatever keeps your hands out of your hair and keeps hair on your head!

If you saw my first outfit of the day post/video [here] you'll know I'm loving the turban trend. I feel so, I don't know, cool in it, plus it's a great alternative to a wig or hat! Turbans just make a look that much more fabulous. I especially like using African cloths [Ankara] to tie mine, but anything will work really.

Fashion Turban

My take

Dark wash jeans, what don't they go with??? Honestly I think this particular wash compliments all body types in all cuts. Personal favorite is the straight leg/skinny jean. The best part of this wash is that it really dresses of an outfit but you still get the comfort and versatility of it being a jean.

This next one I don't have much to say, and perhaps in on the list due to my personal bias. But my blog, my list :) . Curly hair, I LOVE it. I cant rave to much about this, but I will say I wish I'd never gotten a relaxer. Honestly until I had to go natural I never really thought of an alternative to getting a perm and having straight hair. Now that I think about it, it's almost unbelievable, not that everyone should be natural, blah blah blah. Just sharing my thoughts.

It could be the 80's baby in me, but jumpsuits will always be in for me. Not that I'm really an avid follower of trends. But regardless I love them. There are so many styles of jumpsuits, and I'm going to include rompers, that everyone should be able to find one that works for them. I love black ones, brightly colored ones and especially ones with fun/bold prints. I picked up one from H & M on sale that's a leopard print so hot!

~A

shop-a-HAUL-ic [2]

New name for my haul posts...

So I know said I would do a haul a couple posts back, and clearly that didn't happen but I've finally gotten free time to get around to it.

I've decided that the whole process was kind of time consuming so I'm gonna change the format. I'll turn it into a vlog [video blog]. That way I don't have to worry about taking pictures and all that other stuff.

Here's a shot of the dress I mentioned, the "sparkly" one, it's from Express and actually sequenced.

Hope you enjoyed the post and haul

~A

I'M SUPER PUMPED

I know I never explained things, and I don't really have time to now [cuz I'm in a rush]. But I'm in a "hide your hair challenge with one of my  friends. Anyway I've been using wigs as my way of protection, and I just got a new one in the mail today. I'm in LOVE!

EverDream Instant Wig 1019

Stay FAB

-F

Flower Power

I love when people rave about a "new" trend, when all it really is a a revival of an old one. Not that I'm hating, I love trends as much as the next person [unless the next person is someone that doesn't love trends :P ].

Anyway one of the many new trends that I'm really loving is floral prints. I'm actually wearing a floral print top right now, I'll post a picture later.

 Mixing patterns is in as well, so try it with floral. Just make sure the prints are in a similar color family.

Check out these examples, when doing any kind of print make sure that the size of the print matches your body size [tall or curvy body types can carry a larger print than petite girls].

From the runway to your way, how are you gonna show your flower power?

-fembot

a-HAUL-ic [1]

First ever HAUL post, hope you like my play on words lol.
So this past weekend while home for Spring Break I did a little shopping [VERY little] and picked up some things from one of my FAV stores and a thrift store.
I'm a bargain hunter, so I'm always looking for things on sale. I'm also a shopAHOLIC, so even if i don't need it I'll most likely buy it [sad but true].

Heres what I picked up from the thrift store

Over-sized gray sweater- $1.89

 

Over-sized gray and black sweater- $3.10

Quilted bag- $4.50

For my knitting supplies or traveling

I also stopped at Target and got mostly beauty supplies and other miscellaneous stuff:

I need some more brushes, the ones I have been uses are falling apart. But that's what I get for ordering them off of Ebay. I got two sets:

EcoTools brush set

Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition Gold Mine Brush set

Already started using them :)

Maybelline Dream Liquid mousse and SuperStay Makeup [both in Caramel]

I bought two of each, they were on sale!

SinfulColors in 920 [a HOT pink color]

Revlon Top Speed in Lily [currently on my nails]

The camera doesn't do the colors justice, they are much more vibrant than this :(

It's a pretty lilac-y color

Rimmel London Eyebrow pencil in Dark Brown

CoverGirl Line Exact in Very Black

Elf lashes

Never put on falsies before, so I got a cheap pair to try out, wish me luck!

On to apparel, I picked up a few other things from Target. One of the things I LOVE about the one in my home town is that I can always find great deals and sales. 

Black Jeggings

Tan faux suede boots

Tights

Black patterned tights- Heart

Black patterned tights- Polka dots

I think it's some sort of animal print. I like the color gradient.

That's all of it, lol. I try not to buy the whole store when I go. Eveything was under $10 excluding the brush sets, but those were needed so I "splurged".

-acholic

Top 5 AHOLICs [7]

My first set of "-aholics" this year, and they are

1. Netflix
2. Say Yes to the Dress
3. Natural Hair Blogs
4. Thrift Stores
5. Carmex

The first was a no brainer, I went from 1 Month Free Trial to subscriber. I've always loved Netflix, because my family has been members since forever ago, when the packages were better and cheaper. But my boyfriend and I a couple months ago decided to sign-up for our own account.
I have watched countless movies and TV shows, discovered new faves and reconnected with old ones. All in all a GREAT investment, esp since I can watch it on my TV and on whatever mobile [Wi-fi enabled] device I'm on. I'd definitely recommend it, at least the free trial.
Two thumbs WAAAAAAAAY up.

Say Yes to the Dress, for those who don't know, is a TLC show about a high-end Bridal boutique in NY [Kleinfelds, where I've officially decided I will buy my wedding dress from]. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this show, I've come to the conclusion that I love everything wedding related.
This show is so addicting, I used to watch it on TV and get mad when I missed an episode or if a re-run came on. But now that I have Netflix I can watch all the seasons instantly AMAZING!

Natural Hair Blogs, well I'm natural so obviously reading them is a benefit to me. I can refer to these blogger for info on products, hair styles etc. all without have to inconvenience myself with the whole "trial and error" thing. It's fantastic, plus I meet a lot of new people on the blogs and interacting and learning about other peoples hair journeys is great.
Some that I read and follow faithfully

• Mane and Chic
• College Curlies
• Moptop Maven
• Curly Nikki
• KinkyKurlyQueen

Number four, what more can I say. I love bargains, and some of the best places to find bargains are at Thrift stores. You can find great things from 80's jewelry, over-sized men's sweaters, vintage wedding dresses and REAL fur coats [sorry PETA] just to name a few. Check out my next haul post for some stuff I picked up recently. You can try:

• GoodWill
• Salvation Army
• St Vincent de Paul [my personal fav]
• Garage sales
• and others

Seeing as it's winter, well sort of, dry lips are a problem for me. I hate having dry lips, I can never focus if my lips are chapped and Carmex has been my savior these past couple of weeks [I lost my Cherry Chapstick].
My lab partner told me that the reason Carmex was so addicting was because they put glass fibers into the chapstick preventing other lip balms from working. I'm a little skeptical but you never know these days.

What are some of your latest addictions? What do you think of mine?

-Aholic