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.