Flower Power: Florals from Head to Toe

Spring is just around the corner; it's time to enjoy the sun, the warmer weather, and the cute outfits!

I actually flew back to Paris for a few days to visit the family. Even though it was a very short amount of time (4 days), I was able to pick up some pieces at the mall next to my house. I found an amazing blue summer dress with floral prints, and a pair of shoes that resemble those from Converse, but with a cute feminine twist. Now I am not exactly a short dress/skirt person, I like length: maxi dresses/skirts, jeans, etc., you know...them African thighs!! But for once, the weather was extra nice in SF, so I thought I'd make an exception and show a little bit of leg! I fell in love in the flower details and thought they gave a bit of a 90's feel to the dress, without making it too cheesy. What do you guys think?

Dress: New Look Paris

Shoes: New Look Paris

I am thrilled I spotted those. I always wanted simple white shoes like white Converse shoes. But the floral details on this pair prove that one can be simple yet unique. The only thing I am a bit concerned about is getting them stained. Other then that, I think white shoes are gorgeous for the spring and the summer.

Sunglasses: ASOS

Necklace: Souvenir of Panama (Gift)

Photo credit: Spencer Goble

I do hope this little OOTD post will inspire you. Florals are not going anywhere this season. Enjoy!

Bisous, Brigitte

London / Milan Fashion Week Beauty Trends: Mascara-free Makeup Look

What am I hearing? Are we ditching mascara next spring?

I am a big dreamer, and among other dreams of mine, sitting front (or second, or any) row at New York, London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks is probably the biggest. But until then, I closely follow the shows online (you can watch Paris Fashion Week here, how cool is that) from the coziness of my bed.

If you do watch the shows, you already know that a few exciting trends were making their debut on and off the catwalks at the different fashion weeks: fur, patchwork-like details, biker jackets, but also mid-length skirts and shorter heels (yay for our feet).

I am not one to follow trends to the letter; I believe in unique style and wearing whatever makes you feel great and comfortable. But one major trend actually caught my eye and made me want to try it out. It wasn’t related to clothing, but to beauty.

Have you noticed too? Mascara, the one element that we all thought was irreplaceable, was not  part of the beauty looks during most shows, especially in London and Milan.

My first thought when I read about this new beauty trick was: but how do you make it work? But after going through a lot  of Instagram backstage photos and actually seeing the models faces, I was – pleasantly – surprised to see that going mascara-free wasn’t that cray-cray. It actually gave a very fresh touch to the faces, on every skin tone (yay for us chocolate gals).

Many looks were almost completely neutral, with a splash of colored eye-shadow for some, lots of highlighting and contouring, thick eyebrows and bold lippies in Milan. There the trend was the same for most fashion maisons, except for Prada who went for, well, the opposite. Interesting.

I had to try, so I went mascara-free with several colors and a neutral face as you can see down below, and I must say I kind of love it! What do you guys think? Yay or nay? Which look do you like best?
And would YOU rock the look?

Neutral face: "No Makeup" makeup look

Sephora Concealer*

MAC Matchmaster SPF 15 foundation

Sephora Cream blush*

Mac Studio Fix NC46 powder

Sephora light brown eye shadow

Transparent lip balm

Blue Touch:

Same base

Sephora light blue matte eye shadow*

Sephora glittery blue eye shadow*

Sephora brown lipstick

Pop Art:

Same base

Sephora bright yellow eye shadow*

Claire's Liquid eyeliner

Upper lip: Sephora red lip-gloss*

Bottom lip: Sephora orange lip-gloss*

Glossy Glossy:

Is it weird that I used transparent lip-gloss on my lids? You tell me!

I hope you liked this post!

Bisous, Brigitte

*All the makeup from Sephora comes from the SEPHORA Makeup Academy Palette from my Christmas gift guide! It's really convenient to have all your makeup in the same box, plus there is choice for every skin tone. =)

In a Perfect Life: Dreams of Fashion

"...We are beginning our descent to Paris , please go back to your seats and fasten your seatbelts."

I twitch with excitement as I put my seat back up.

I know a car is waiting for me at the airport, ready to take me to my hotel, where I will spend most of my first night preparing notes - and an outfit - for the shows tomorrow. Paris Fashion Week is kicking off, and I was sent by the U.S. Vogue in the City of Lights to report the best shows and trends this week.

Louis Vuitton , Christian Dior Couture, Chanel... great designers will once again make us dream through fabulous staging, and pretty much dictate what we will wear next Fall.

This is my first series of fashion weeks. New York, London and Milan have passed, leaving stars in my eyes. Shimmering and colorful furs defied traditions, bringing texture and boldness to otherwise simple designs. Horizontal stripes, historically banished from the wardrobes of anyone who wanted to look skinnier, have been very successful on all fabrics. Organza was king at Fendi , floating and vibrant, combining shades of Coral which reminded me of the sunset on a Senegalese beach. I felt the same excitement all along, but Paris is by far the city that exceeds the most my expectations. The most famous and successful fashion giants compete for the attention of those who make and unmake fashion.

Give me a Chanel show and a box Ladurée macaroons, and my week is perfect.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived in Paris Charles de Gaulle..."

I wake up right when we land, and look around and realize reality is knocking at my door. I am in Paris. But I'm not going to Fashion Week. I'm taking a cab home, to work on paperwork for school. It's only me, my backpack, and my VOGUE. I only read it, I don't write what's in it. But hey, a girl can dream right?

Valentine's Day Fever

First of all, I would like to apologize to my readers for going MIA for so long. After the exams and the holidays, I was just not up for anything besides laying around, eating and walking around Paris with my boyfriend (it was his first time there, so it was my duty to guide him - I don't know if I should disclose the fact that after 3 years living there, I had never actually gone on top of the Eiffel Tower, or inside the Catacombes...but anyway, I was just as much of a tourist as he was).

I also have to say that the famous syndrome of the Blank Page kind of got me. I cannot count the number of times that I sat down and starred at my computer for a good 10 minutes before accepting that I couldn't write anything. I guess registering for classes and applying for internships stressed me out a bit more that it should have. But is it only stress?

I feel like a lot of my friends are going through the same thing, so some of you must be as well...this Less-than-one-quarter-of-a-life-crisis? Or in other words, this uncertainty about what is next, what we will be doing and where, in five years? Friend, you're not alone.

Now that New Years is behind us, a new chapter has started and needless to say, I am back, more excited than ever to share Fashion ideas, OOTDs and other bits with you all.

Valentine's Day Fever

It was actually my first real celebration of the "V" Day ever. I have to admit I used to think it was pretty obsolete. I still do, but it is honestly a good excuse to get more hugs and kisses! And to be honest, I've had the time of my life.

My boyfriend and I decided to go on a "Romantic Getaway" outside of San Francisco, the uni, our houses. We chose the amazing city of Monterrey to spend our Friday night, and I must say I fell in L-O-V-E. The Cannery Row area was so beautiful and intimate - despite the trillions of tourists, it still felt like it. I wish I had snapped photos, but to be totally honest with you, my phone died at the worst time. I tried and find photos of the places we went on the Internet.

The Cannery Row area:

Photo cred: Pinterest

Our Hotel:

The Spaaaa!

Photo cred: hotels.about.com

I am so happy we did this, this was a much needed break. Hope you all had a great week end and are ready to go back to business!

A few more pics (I finally retrieved my phone):

Bisous,

Brigitte