Product Review-Liquid Palisade

Dec 3, 2010 by Clueless Fashionista

Several months ago, I embarked on a mission. I was looking for a product that would make it easier for me to polish my nails and ensure that they turned out as good as they do when I go to the nail salon. Although I’m pretty good at it, I still end up doing touch ups and clean ups after I’m done, especially when I go with the darker polish. In the moment, my mission was unsuccessful but a few months later, I learned about a new product called liquid palisade.

I immediately contacted the creator of the product, Kisque, and requested a sample so I could try it out. I was cautiously excited but optimistic. I gave it a go on two different occasions. First, I tried it out with a deep red polish and I was extremely pleased. It is very easy to use and I did not have to go back over my newly polished nails with a cotton swab and nail polish remover to clean up the edges. Then I tried it again with a clear polish (which I typically wear) and was still very pleased.

My mission to find a product that makes it easier for me to paint my nails is now officially a success! I’m excited to have had an opportunity to try liquid palisade and I suggest you do the same. Currently, the price is set at $22, which is a steal when you consider how much you spend at the nail salon to get a mani/pedi. Plus, you can use the liquid palisade multiple times for many different manicures. While I used it largely for my basic manicure with a darker polish, you can use it for any kind of polish and even for those fabulous french manicures. I am excited at the opportunity to actually do my own french manicure. I never attempted it because I knew I didn’t have the steady hands it would take to make it look even. And for you more artistic types, this product is great when you want to get fancy with your nail art.

Give liquid palisade a try for yourself or give it as a gift to your do-it-yourself beauty loving family and friends. Visit their website www.liquidpalisade.com.

When you give it a try, let me know how you like it. I would love to hear your thoughts!

*I received free product to conduct this review but that did not affect the nature of the review in any way.

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How do I wear that trend…electric blue

Dec 1, 2010 by Clueless Fashionista

After a spring and summer of bright colors, one has managed to break through and hold on into the colder months. Electric blue was a hot color on the runways for fall/winter and I think it’s a wonderful and easy trend to get involved with. Since we’re full involved in the colder months, our level of accessories has increased giving us even more opportunities to experiment with color, patterns and texture. Here are some ways you can incorporate electric blue into your wardrobe.

1. Cold weather accessories. Nothing can lift your spirits like throwing on an electric blue scarf, gloves or ear muffs. This is a great way to add that pop of color to your outfit.

2. Other accessories. You can incorporate electric blue in your hair accessories, earrings and shoes. If you typically wear neutral colors, a piece of electric blue would be very lovely. Since I am a fan of shoes, I will be on the look out for a great pair of electric blue pumps. I’ll keep you posted if I find a pair.

3. Pants/Skirt/Tights. If you’re a bit more daring and want to dive right into the electric blue trend, I would suggest putting it on your lower half rather than your upper half to start. Electric blue is a vibrant color that may or may not go with everyone’s skin tone and if you wear it really close to your face, it could wash you out. If you wear it on your lower half first, that can give you an idea of how it will go with your skin tone and decide whether you want to get an electric blue top.

I hope these tips are helpful. If you decide to dive into this trend or any of the trends I cover, please share your outfit pictures with me. I would love to showcase how some of you are experimenting with trends and broadening your wardrobes.

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Designer Spotlight-Calico Juno Designs

Nov 26, 2010 by Clueless Fashionista

I’m always talking about color. One thing that can really take your look to the next level is by injecting some color. Well for those of you ladies who aren’t comfortable wearing a lot of color, jewelry is a great way to ease your way into things. Calico Juno Designs is a great boutique that has some wonderfully bright colored jewelry. Designed and owned by Bonnie Riconda, the jewelry at Calico Juno Designs is made with different colored crystals and gemstones. Plus, everything is made by hand so each piece is going to be different from the rest. If you enjoy wearing uniquely beautiful items, this is definitely the place to visit. Bonnie took some time out to answer the Clueless Glam Libs and share what inspires her to create.

What is one tip you would give to an up and coming designer?
-be original and fresh. be dedicated to what you do, put 110% into your work, and do the very best job in what you do…the details and craftsmanship will show and people will appreciate it.

Finish this sentence

Fashion is making it your style and what makes you happy.

Share a favorite quote that you use as a creative inspiration.
“Fashion fades, only style remains the same” Coco Chanel

You should definitely take a moment to visit Calico Juno Designs and add some of the pieces to your collection. Plus, if you are so lucky to live in the New York area, you can visit their offline boutique at 310 City Island Ave., City Island (Bronx) NY 10464. If you don’t live in New York or won’t be in the area any time soon, visit them at www.calicojunodesigns.com.

Happy Shopping!

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Designer Spotlight-La Alicia

Nov 19, 2010 by Clueless Fashionista

While I’m not a big fan of buzz words that people like to throw around in business and sometimes in fashion, but eco-friendly is a cool one because it means that people are being environmentally conscious. I am a big fan all things that help preserve the earth so I’ve been keeping an eye on the eco-fashion trend. It started off kind of shaky with poorly designed things made from hemp and other earthy items. But in recent years, eco-friendly lines from high end designers like Stella McCartney has encouraged everyone to step their game up. Unfortunately, Stella McCartney’s pieces, while wonderful, can be a bit on the pricey side of you’re on a budget. La Alicia is a great online boutique where you can get very cute eco-friendly accessories that fit nicely within any budget. The wonderfully eclectic boutique has everything from clutches to ornaments. The creator of La Alicia, Alicia Colina-Ashby took some time to answer the Clueless Glam Libs and share what inspires her.

What inspires you to create?
I love to create the unexpected by using colors, textures and found objects. I want to create things that make people happy — things that provide an unexpected reason to giggle.

Paper inspires me to create. I love the texture, smell and potential that every already-used sheet holds. Using magazine pages is really fun too because you’re never exactly sure what sections will show when you’re done folding it. Discovering those little spots peeking out is part of the fun of watching a creation take shape.

What is one tip you would give to an up and coming designer?
Share your work with others for feedback and stay true to yourself.

Finish this sentence
Fashion is fun and can be sustainable at the same time.

Share a favorite quote that you use as a creative inspiration.
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” – Albert Einstein

If you’re stuck on gift ideas, you should definitely stop by La Alicia and browse around. I think you will definitely find something cute and with her wonderful prices, you will be able to get something for yourself as well.

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How do I wear that trend…camel

Nov 17, 2010 by Clueless Fashionista

Now ladies, camel is a super easy trend. I mean, it’s the ultimate neutral. So this is definitely a trend you should get involved with especially because it’s a trend that’s also a classic. Camel is always in style so if you buy any great camel pieces, you will definitely be able to wear them for years to come. If you’re stumped about how to begin to incorporate camel into your wardrobe, here are some tips:

1. Shoes: Camel shoes are a wonderful alternative to black shoes. It’s a great neutral that also offers a pop of color. Plus, shoes are a great way to experiment with color.

2. Accessories: A camel purse or scarf are also great wardrobe staples. A camel bag can be a good wardrobe addition year round and if you want to jazz up your scarf collection, a great camel one will definitely do that.

These are some easy ways to participate in the camel trend. Now, you can go further and go for camel head to toe with a red shoe if you’re feeling more daring. Camel and black offer a great contrast while camel and dark brown look great together as well. Plus, since we are rapidly approaching winter, a great camel coat is a wonderful addition to any wardrobe.

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Boutique Spotlight-Bella Dawn

Nov 13, 2010 by Clueless Fashionista

I just love it when stylists take their fashion savvy and share it with the rest of the world in the form of a boutique. I know most people don’t use a stylist regularly and it’s very cool to have access to their talent even if you can’t afford to have them style you personally. Dawn Del Russo is one such stylist who had a dream of owning her very own place to shop. Thankfully Dawn’s dream is one that can benefit us all!

Bella Dawn is a wonderful boutique that features pretty much every piece of the puzzle when it comes to getting dressed in the morning. When you visit, you can choose a wonderful outfit, accessories to compliment as well as the makeup you’ll need to add that final touch. It’s one stop shopping at it’s most fabulous. Dawn took a moment to answer the Clueless Glam Libs and share her thoughts about fashion and what inspires her to choose the pieces that she features in Bella Dawn.

What inspires you to create? I am inspired by traveling, and other cultures. I love to see styles from Europe and bring them together with U.S. fashion. I am driven by mixing unique pieces to create stunning new looks.

What is one tip you would give to an up and coming designer? Stay true to yourself and designs. You have to have a strong drive in this industry and truly believe in yourself.

Finish this sentence
Fashion is my passion.

Share a favorite quote that you use as a creative inspiration. Live your life, dream your dream and look glamorous doing it.

Take a moment (or three) to browse around Bella Dawn for a seamless shopping experience. If you have the good fortune of living in the New Jersey area, make an appointment to visit the offline version of Bella Dawn and treat yourself to a personal styling session. If you’re interested in learning more about the lady behind Bella Dawn, visit www.dawndelrusso.com.

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Eco-friendly Fashion-Take old pieces and make them new!

Nov 7, 2010 by Clueless Fashionista

I know I’m always talking about stores like Target, Walmart and Dots when it comes to finding great clothes at reasonable prices. Well there is another way you can update your wardrobe without spending much or any money at all; closet shopping. I know that all of us have clothes and shoes in our closets that we haven’t worn in years (or ever with the tags still on). Now is the time to take those pieces out and reconsider them. Before you give them to charity, consider tweaking them some. Eco-Fashion and Clothing Reconstruction is a wonderful way to take those pieces that you don’t wear any more and turn them into something that you would wear.

I’ve done something similar with t-shirts where I may cut a slit down the front and shorten the sleeves to make it more chic and sexy. However, I am no seamstress (yet. I’m determined to get better at sewing) so here is a link to a post from the blog, Beauty Made Fresh, where Chelsea Hoffman goes into more detail and even shows a piece that she reconstructed.

www.beautymadefresh.net/2010/10/tshirt-reconstruction.html

I hope this post inspires some of you to go closet shopping and reconstruct some of your own pieces. If you do, please share!! Send me a picture of the piece you reconstructed (preferably with you wearing it) to info at cluelessfashionista dot com.

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