Spotlight: Concrete Polish Jewels

For the past several months I've had the pleasure of interning at jewelry shop and showroom Concrete Polish in Northern Liberties. If you live in the Philadelphia area and still haven't visited the shop, I'll forgive you--for now. But if you read this post and STILL don't check it out? We're gonna have some issues. It's a hidden gem with edgy but feminine statement rings, necklaces, bangles, and earrings that any jewelry junkie needs to own at least one piece of. Although, if you buy one, you're likely to start building your collection up as the owner and designer Angela Monaco continues to add more and more to her impressive inventory.

(The Celestial Eyes Ring in Rose Gold with Oynx, from the Carbon Future collection)

Her designs feel modern and futuristic but rooted in something totally classic and timeless too. There is real weight and substance to her work, and a refreshing originality that's hard to find in jewelry these days. Yes, Angela is technically my boss, and yes I've earned a special place in her iPhone with emoticons surrounding my name, but I wouldn't follow her to Las Vegas and several Philadelphia events selling her jewels if I didn't genuinely believe in her talent. Well, okay, who can say no to a Vegas trip? But regardless, she's an incredible artist and business lady!

(Tourmaline Necklace in Gold from the Crystal Crush collection)

(Leaf Wrap ring in Rose Gold from the Classics collection)

And this is jewelry you can feel good about buying! In case you need any more reason to buy pretty, shiny things, you can feel good knowing that each piece is designed and made locally in Philadelphia. Angela is inspired by crystals and their structures, and a lot of her pieces are also cast from them. And so there are some crazy good vibes and energy going on in her shop and jewels. Unlike a lot of other junk jewelry you can find for real cheap, everything in her collections are made with quality materials, so you're getting exactly what you pay for.

(The Stones and Bones ring in Rose Gold with Onyx, from the Classics collection)

For any Pretty Little Liars fans, three of her pieces will be featured in future episodes! So, if you want to own Hanna & Emily worthy fashion BEFORE the episodes air, get yourself to her website at http://concretepolishjewels.com/. Oh, and totally follow her Instagram @concretepolishjewels. It's a must for any jewelry, crystal, or adorable dog fan.

And because I can't write a post about Concrete Polish without bragging about my awesome custom Celestial Eyes ring...

(Custom Celestial Eyes Ring in Rose Gold with Peruvian Opal)

So, what are your favorite pieces from her collection? Comment and let me know!

Lusting After: Tribal Cardigans

(Photo Source: http://www.ablackpanda.blogspot.com)

We're just about there! Pumpkin is taking over coffee and ice cream everywhere and bars are filling with the shouts of animated football fans. This can only mean one thing: Fall is back! Anyone else as excited as I am? I think one of the trendiest thing a girl can do is layer, layer, layer, and that's so hard to do in the summer unless you're living in an air-conditioned bubble. Of course as I'm writing this there are some fierce winds going on outside—tornado warnings, anybody?—but this girl's not missing the humidity right now. I've already broken out my jeans and long-sleeved shirts, so bring it on.

A new season means a very good excuse to shop. You can't very well be wearing those cute sandals and tank tops into the fall weather! I myself am in major need of a shopping spree, and so on a daily basis I think of new things I NEED (no really, I NEED them). But what have I found myself pining over the most these days? An oversized, tribal pattern cardigan!! I'm obsessed with anything tribal-inspired. I'm serious, you throw a colorful, geometric print on a trash bag and I'd find a way to explain its style-worthy qualities. It's the perfect print for summer music festivals, but don't shy away from it just because it's getting cooler out!

(Source: http://www.shewearsfashion.com/ & http://bit.ly/QlLlvc)

(Rachel_Emma & Camillae of http://www.chictopia.com)

Despite how comfortable these cardigans are, there is absolutely no reason you can't dress them up like Camillae above does with a great statement necklace and a form-fitting skirt. A vintage t-shirt and rugged boots are totally perfect for this piece too. No matter how you wear it, I feel like some chunky necklaces and rings are a necessity with this bold look.

Need some ideas for accessories to pair with this look? Try any of these accessories that I've also been lusting for. Pick up on one of the colors in the crazy pattern and really emphasize it--like with these boots--or maybe keep the focus on the cardigan by sticking to a color-blocked, nude clutch. Or just play up all the colors in this fantastic necklace I've seen described as a space ice cream cone.

Right, now all that's left to do is find the perfect one! You guys have any favorites? Let me know how you would wear a tribal cardigan!

Style Inspiration: Nora of True Blood

You might not expect a show as bloody as True Blood to be sexy and fashionable, but the show has collaborated with both Tarte and the Home Shopping Network, so clearly they know what's up in the world of style and beauty. I mean, have you seen the show? It is full of GORGEOUS people. And when isn't the female lead Sookie wearing an adorable sundress that we all want to throw ourselves in front of to protect when it inevitably gets splattered with blood? 

Redhead baby vampire Jessica has been my favorite character since the very first scene she appeared on the show, and I had the same exact feeling about newcomer Nora (played by the very beautiful Brit Lucy Griffiths) when she first stepped on the screen looking stunning and badass. In the most recent episode "Somebody That I Used To Know", she stole the show in a floor-sweeping black dress with gorgeous metal detailing. And did anybody else notice that messy braid worked flawlessly into her hair? I did!

I know it's the summer and we're all in love with brights, neons, and pastels, but black is always in, especially when it looks this casually glamorous. Nora donned it barefoot, but she very well could have thrown on some killer stilettos and worn it out. Everybody loves a classic LBD, but who says the 'L' can't stand for "Long"? With the revealing slit in the chest of the dress, and the silver studs, it is still totally feminine and elegant.

And we mustn't forget a gorgeous amulet to decorate our necks with! You don't have to be a crazy Sanguinista to wear a daring emblem like this. The whole look feels a little Gothic and Wiccan, but with soft rosy hues on your lips, eyes, and cheeks, it is totally NOT a Halloween costume. So if you're feeling inspired by Bon Temps' newest bad girl like I am, here are some awesome finds to help you get the look.

(Nightcap Plunging V Maxi Dress by Free People, $348, Get It)

(Stylestalker Deneuve Peephole Skater Dress by ASOS, $157.42, Get It)

A long, sweeping dress can still be as sexy as any short dress with the right details. The plunging neckline on the Free People dress and the sheer shoulder panels does the job just perfectly! Prefer something shorter though? (or maybe you're a short one like me and can't quite work a maxi-dress without looking like you're mellllting, you're melting!) Then ASOS's dress is great. It still leaves something to the imagination with the high neckline and long sleeves, but adds a touch of something more provocative with the peephole cut.

(Swallowed Pendant-Vermeil by Made Her Think, $170, Get It)

Now let's not forget about that neck-candy!! My favorite thing about Nora is how vulnerable and innocent she somehow seems while maintaining her daring prowess, and this winged bird pendant has a feeling of both a little good and bad.

Loving these ideas, but on a budget like myself? No worries, check out my cheaper options below.

(Whatchama-Column Black Maxi Dress by LuLu*s, $49, Get It)

(Gold Garnet & Citrine Eternal Love Necklace by Overstock, $42.99, Get It)

An unexpected reveal of the back and the combination of gold and red are perfect for attending your next meeting on how to destroy mainstreaming and worship Lilith...or, you know, go out to dinner! Whatever your plans, you'll feel feminine and just a little bad (in a totally good way).

How would you make this look your own? Comment and let me know!

Nailed It! in Mod About You

I know I'm a little behind on the whole nail-strips trend, but as a design major there was never any point in spending a lot of time on my nails, I was just going to chip them the next time I had to comp a project (better that than losing a finger with an x-acto blade, though). Now that I've graduated, I'm still not the most dainty person in the world--my brother claimed me and my sister walked around like an elephant stampede every morning we got ready for school--but on a daily basis I'm not doing anything with my hands that is going to threaten a manicure.

 

So, to be honest, when I first opened the package I couldn't help thinking: what the hell had I just gotten myself into? Then I turned the directions over from the Spanish to English side, and things started getting easier from there. I struggled a bit with choosing the strips that fit my nails best--I'm indecisive over the most minute details in my life--but with a little experimentation I managed. Although the directions suggested using the tiny vampire stake to smooth over the nails, I found it was most effective to use the pad of my finger to smooth everything down first, and then curve it over the edge of my nail with the stick.

I was a bit reluctant to drag the nail filer over anything I had paid close to 9 bucks for, but as long as you have securely adhered the nail strip to the ends of your nails, you're all set to saw away the excess. I ended up just snipping off most of the extra before filing down the rest.

 

Sally Hansen Salon Effects in "Mod About You"

 

Now, it probably took me a good two hours to do both my hands (by the time it reached 1:30 AM I considered leaving my other hand undone and claiming it was trendy not lazy) but after the first hand I started to get the hang of it and things went more smoothly. I was pretty pleased with the results though. The very edges of my nails are most sensitive to a little bit of chipping, but otherwise it's been a few days and the manicure's still holding up pretty well. And if you consider that there is no drying time or base/top coats involved in the whole process, the time pretty much evens out between a conventional manicure.

What do you think? What have your experiences been with similar products?

Coral Cobalt Crush

 

(Tank Top by Forever 21, Cami by Target, Capris by Target, Sandals by Target, and Purse by Aldo)

Last weekend I had a great visit home (ahem, my loving parents spoiled me.) However, I've always been a big believer in getting several pieces of new clothing at cheaper stores than getting ONE really expensive piece at a huge brand-name store. That's not me passing judgment on high-fashion brands, there are several pieces I'm pining over from the likes of Prabal Gurung, Emilio Pucci, and Missoni. But until I've risen from the ranks of semi-broke college graduate, I've got to keep my finances in check. How do I do that? Honestly, Target is one of my favorite places to find clothes. They've been partnering with amazing designers for quite a bit now, and so they know what's up in the world of fashion. Forever 21 is also great for some gems, and my newest obsession for jewelry and purses? Aldo!

Two of my favorite colors this summer have been coral and cobalt blue, and so I decided to mix and match the two in this outfit. I normally dress down when traveling, but for my five hour train ride back to my apartment I decided to go for something a little more fashionable--and it was totally comfortable at the same time! None of the clothing was over $20, and so it totally matched my wallet's capacity.

My FAVORITE purchase was the purse from Aldo. If any of you follow me on Twitter or Socialbliss, you know I've been wanting a structured orange purse. So what do I see when I walk over to the sale shelf in Aldo? That's right, it had my name all over it. The saleswoman was so so sweet too, and totally patient as I tried to limit myself to just two choices. The best part? The purse was originally $50, but was marked down to a sale price of $40...BUT WAIT, all purses on sale had an extra 50% off, so I got the purse for $20!! That's a total steal. And it's the perfect size to hold all my stuff on the days I go into my internship. Although I haven't been using it, it also comes with an attachable strap so that I can wear it over my shoulder. I find it's a little too big to rest against my hip comfortably, but it's nice to have. The backpack I was using before I bought this beauty is feeling ignored, but I think she understands.

Aldo also had some great deals on their jewelry (the silver ring in the above picture was part of a 2 for 1 deal). Another cheap way to add to your jewelry collection? Check out what your mom's packing! I found the adorable silver/red stone ring on her dresser and the second I tried it on claimed it as my own. She's not sure where she got it from--any ideas? I also cleaned out my jewelry boxes while home (there was too much old Claire's and Icing jewelry to be allowed) and found the beaded Marc Jacobs necklace I'm wearing in this look. Oh how wonderful cleaning can be sometimes.

Last thing, I've got to apologize for the less than attractive backdrops in some of these pictures. The apartment is at bachelor-pad status right now, but until I get a boyfriend or hire myself a photographer ;) you'll be getting these lovely Myspace-esque photos from me!

So tell me, what are your favorite colors to combine this summer?

Double Take: Ashley Greene

Ashley Greene is the face of both Mark makeup and DKNY clothing, and so it's no real surprise that the Twilight break-out star is starting to move up the ranks in the fashion industry. Both Cosmopolitan and Nylon magazine featured her as their August 2012 cover-stars. She looks feminine and flirty in pale pink and florals on the cover of Cosmo's “Hot Issue”, while she sports a more casual look on Nylon's denim issue in a blazer with fringe, an old t-shirt, and ripped denim shorts.

Both are totally suitable looks for the last month of summer, and considering the trendy actress explains her personal style to be very adaptable (but always comfortable!), who can really mind seeing double of her on the newsstand this month?

Which look would you rather rock?

Makeup Monday: Daily Routine

So, I'm not much of a beauty guru (my twin sister got that gene, you can check out her awesome blog right here!) but I've slowly been picking up tips from her along the way, and now I've got myself a daily makeup routine! Well, for the days I leave the house anyway. I'm still pretty low-maintenance, so I stick to tinted moisturizer, an under-eye concealer, mascara, and then a lip-color. Lately I've been obsessed with Revlon's new lip balm stains.

(From left to right: Garnier's Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller, Nivea Visage Daily Essentials Tinted Moisturising Day Cream in Natural, Maybelline's The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara in Glam Back, and Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart.)

I like a look that's clean but natural, and so the light-weight formula of both the face products is perfect for me. The moisturizer was actually a gift from my sister who's living in London, and so unfortunately I can't buy this product in America. It's a shame because it's a staple for me now, but the one thing it is missing is SPF, and so the next one I pick up will definitely include that. My sister recommended Laura Mercier's, and there's an oil-free option which is great since my skin tends to run on the greasy side.

Since I don't use eye-makeup, going with a bolder, brighter lip color can be a great way to add a pop of color. Revlon's balm stains last well past my iced coffee, and never dries my lips out. I also own it in Honey and it's the perfect natural pink lip color. I just picked up a Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Buff, and so I'm hoping to start working that into my look soon too.

Oh, and I've got a really exciting position as a fashion marketer for Socialbliss. It's like Pinterest for fashion and style. Get on there and make a profile, it's so much fun! You can check out my collections and follow me here.

Hair Fashion Obsession: Messy Side Braid

I have the type of hair that is super straight no matter what I do to it. I literally shampoo it in the shower, brush it, and let it air-dry. I don't use any product in it and it just behaves itself. It probably sounds like I'm bragging, but I'm really not. The most exciting thing to happen to my hair recently has been side bangs and red dye. I envy girls with hair that just naturally has more texture and volume to it.

So the look I'm really obsessing over right now? The messy side braid. It's a really easy look to wear, and if your hair starts to fall out of it—well, even better! The whole point is for it to look effortless, sexy, and a little messy. It's a less innocent take on the conventional braid, and is a perfect combination of feminine and grungy. The one thing I would recommend for this look is bobby pins. I don't bother with hair spray, but my hair has shorter layers that makes it hard to keep it all together in one elastic. It's also easier if you braid it when your hair is wet, and let strands fall out naturally as it dries over the day.

Aliet Buttelman in July 2012 Cosmopolitan by Diego Uchitel

Cosmopolitan recommends dry shampoo and loose weaving for this look.

Backstage Lela Rose's Spring 2011 Show

The hair stylist at Lela Rose's Spring 2011 show parted the hair to one side, added volume to the crown of the hair, and created a tighter braid at the tips for a slightly more punk edge.

Blake Lively

The Gossip Girl star takes the messy side braid from casual to glamorous with little details. Recently while filming she sported the look with no hair tie, which makes this look that much easier. At the Green Hornet premiere she added a gorgeous piece of dazzling jewelry to dress up the look while still retaining that youthful fun of the side braid.

What's your favorite way to rock a braid? If anyone out there is reading yet, leave me a comment! I'm also looking for some blogs to follow, so let me know what's good!

Celeb Fashion Crush: Alexz Johnson

(Photo Credit: Stephen Scott)

I've been a fan of Alexz Johnson's music for years now (new listeners should check out her un-released Weight album and her newest EP Skipping Stone), and so it was just a happy coincidence that her style was so damn cool too! The beautiful songbird explained in an interview with Fashionism.ca that “I don’t feel like I’m super trendy, I just go with classic styles.” The laid-back artist stresses comfort and fit in her clothing, and whether she's donning an untucked white blouse and black skinny jeans, or a blazer and high-waisted trousers, everything fits like it was made for her.

(Photo Credit: Jessica Earnshaw)

Her style is a blend of feminine grace and masculine structure that radiates effortless chic. She combines basic pieces in neutral colors that lets her huge, soulful voice take center stage when she's performing. I'll have the honor of seeing her perform at the World Cafe Live in Philadelphia at the end of July, and am sure she will look as perfectly put-together as always.

(Photo Credit: Melanie Swerdan)

But what am I obsessing about most recently? Her shoes! She's known for staying in touch with her fans through social media like Twitter, and has uploaded several photos featuring her fantastic foot fashion. And who can blame her? Whether it's her “lobster sandals” or bejeweled booties, her kicks are rocking—and as always, look totally and completely comfortable.

(Photo Credit: Alexz Johnson)

Wanna see more? Follow Alexz on Twitter or check out her Official Website to check out her style for yourself and see if she'll be stopping by you on her Skipping Stone 2012 tour!

(Photo Credit: Gabrielle Revere)

No Sudden Revelations

First post! Hopefully not my last considering my track record with past blogs. The blog title is inspired by a shop I stopped in when I was visiting my twin sister in London. I just love how simply they put a message that huge. I know Philadelphia isn't New York City exactly, but that's what I like about it best. I'm a graphic designer with this big dream to end up designing for a fashion magazine someday, but for now I'm happy to start off where everything's a little bit smaller, a little less scary, and a lot less lonely.

I'm currently interning at a jewelry shop in Northern Liberties called Concrete Polish. I'm sure I'll end up doing a post about the place soon because it is seriously awesome. I've been designing there for a few weeks now, and it's made it much clearer for me how badly I want to design for the world of fashion. It's a hard world to break into, especially for a broke, size 14-16 girl, and so this blog is my first hearty knock at the door (because everyone in the fashion world loves a blog, right?)

It's weird writing the first post when you're pretty sure no one's going to be reading it except for close friends and those who finally give in after I spam the link enough, but I'm going to continue to act like I'm writing to a huge audience anyway.

Oh, and you should check me on out Social Bliss. I've been spotting photos on there like crazy.