New Shoe Love

I'm definitely a girl that likes to splurge. It's not something I do all the time but when I do, I love letting you guys in on the fun.

These are actually the shoes from the latest episode of Glee. The girls from New Directions wore these during their Regionals performance. After Fashion of Glee ID'ed them I couldn't get over how cute they were and after some searching on the internet I found them on sale and scooped them right up.  They are so cute and the bow is such an adorable detail. The contrasting suede is really cool too!

 

Please excuse the photo overload, I am seriously obsessed with these Tory Burch pumps. As I was strolling through Nordstrom, I spotted these and fell in love. They were the only pair left, and luckily enough they were my size! These are actually quite expensive and normally I wouldn't have splurged on them, but they were on sale and with them being my size and the last ones left, I went for it.

I had seen them a while ago on Glee (Rachel wore them during Without You) but I had convinced myself they were way out of my budget. Once I found out they weren't so out of my price range, I was so giddy and happy. These pumps are so fun, I really love the stacked bow. Even though the heel is really high because it's actually a stacked heel the shoe is comfortable and very wearable.

I wasn't even searching for these, when I just happened upon them, which makes this splurge even better. I absolutely love stumbling upon something I saw on Glee and these shoes are just so fabulous that I feel like I hit the shoe jackpot with these.

xoxo,
Amanda

DIY Metallic cap toe pumps

Supplies-
Non-fabric pumps
Gold metallic spray paint
Sand paper
Masking tape
Plastic bags
Paint on varnish-optional

First decide how much of the toe you want painted and tape off the rest of the shoe. I used a plastic bag around the shoe to protect it from getting spray painted. I secured the bag with the masking tape I used to section off the toe area.

Once the toe area was taped off I went ahead and lighted sanded the area to be painted.

After that go ahead and apply a few light coats of the metallic paint, following the directions on your specific can. I did about 4-5 coats of paint total.

After the paint is fully dried, go ahead and very carefully remove the tape.

You can also apply a coat of paint on varnish if you like for added security from scuffs or chips.

Voila! Go rock your gorgeous metallic toe pumps now!

xoxo,
Amanda

Academy Award 2012 favs

If actors are going to pull out all the stops, then the Academy Awards are the night to do it.

That is exactly what they did last night. Celebrities went for it and people were just looking all sorts of fabulous.

Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen- I am in some serious love with this dress. The intricate gold details are amazing and quite mesmerizing as well. It has this antique quality which I also really love.

Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli- I think I love this gown so much mainly because of the color.  It's so rich and pretty. The neckline is really amazing as well, the exaggerated bow is the perfect detail to this classic gown.

Penelope Cruz in Giorgio Armani-Every year there is one princess gown that I go crazy for. This Armani gown is it for this year. I think the dress is a bit more aqua than the picture shows and I love this whole look. The hair, jewels, and gown just work so well together and it creates this gorgeous princess moment.

Berenice Bejo in Elie Saab- This mint shade looks amazing on Berenice with her auburn hair and golden skin. They both accentuate each other so well.  I'm also really loving the sheer sleeves and neckline, it's this interesting optical illusion of sorts.

Image Credit-Getty images, Wireimage

Natalie Portman in Dior Haute Couture- I love this gown if only for the polka dots. The gown is really elegant and classic but the polka dots just give it this fun whimsy that is so refreshing on the red carpet.  Her choice of jewelry and hair are paired so well, that this whole look is great.

Until next awards season!

xoxo,
Amanda

Weekend Inspiration

xoxo,
Amanda

Glee-wind: On My Way

Glee hit us with a huge episode Tuesday. Emotional storylines, cliffhangers and huge changes to come.

I can't even explain how happy I am that we are getting to see Finn and Rachel have a normal relationship. We get to see them have normal disagreements like every couple has. Their honest with each other about their feelings and they find ways to work it out. We are seeing a relationship that's honest and strong, with the ability to move forward instead of letting it tear them apart.

Pairing Karofsky's bedroom scene with Cough Syrup was just genius and easily one of the most poignant scenes Glee has ever done. The song is this kind of strong powerful anthem while the scene that pairs with it is strong and powerful but for a completely different reason. It was really just amazing. While I think Quinn's opinion of the situation was really short-sighted, I sadly think it's pretty well within the character. It seems like Quinn is always short on compassion for others and this situation just goes along with her previous actions.

What I love even more than seeing Finn and Rachel fight like a normal couple is when the make up. Glee loves to have people make a mistake and then learn their lesson by the end of the hour. Finn and Rachel both got to realize what was important and choose to be selfless for their loved one. A great  lesson to see them learn. For all the possible hesitation people were claiming to see from Finn and Rachel about getting married it was amazing to them both so crazy excited to do it sooner than planned. While I kinda think waiting until after graduation is best, seeing them just so over-the-moon about each other and being married was adorable.

This season Glee has been producing some amazing competition performances. New Directions was so awesome, and the dancing was unbelievable. I really loved them all but Here's To Us was just this roaring anthem and then seeing those glances between Finn and Rachel just put me over the edge. Everything around them just slowed down and we got this beautiful moment between two people who are so excited to take this huge step in their lives together. So much was said in their glances and sadly my words really can't do it justice. New Directions winning Regionals was totally over shadowed by the rest of the episode but-yay!

Then we go straight into Finn and Rachel getting married and oh my goodness, a moment Finchel fans have been dreaming of. Again, despite all the perceived hesitation we see two people who just want to get married, and it's amazing. I absolutely loved when Finn and Rachel had their little moment and he was just stunned by her and wanted a moment alone with her before they met with everyone else. I thought Finn wanting a private moment with her was just so perfect for them because it's always been just Finn and Rachel as their relationship was never conventional and well understood by others. Being from two different worlds, their connection was so much deeper than anyone else could conceive that having this private moment was just so them. When Finn called Rachel Ms. Hudson Berry I about died, it was just too cute.

Although we didn't actually see them get married I thought it was amazingly wonderful to see them fully ready and excited to get married. All those doubts others saw before were completely gone and what was left was two people in love ready to be married.

Then we got that gut-punch of a cliffhanger and I just couldn't believe it.  I still kind of can't.  We have a pretty big hiatus to get through but I am super excited to see what happens when Glee comes back. I want to know what happens to the wedding and then also Quinn. Seeing how everyone reacts when something so terrible happens to one of their own is going to be the most interesting thing.

Here's to hoping this hiatus goes by fast!

xoxo,
Amanda

What I'm Loving-Erdem Fall 2012

All images via Fashionista.com

xoxo,
Amanda

Kate Spade Splurges

Kate Spade has this esthetic that I just love. It's girly and whimsical, all the while being effortlessly stylish. After spending a few days window-shopping their website I finally took the plunge and splurged on a few items that I just couldn't stop thinking about.

The inside is more of a deep navy than black.

This kelly green color is so rich and pretty, it's really my favorite shade of green. The polka dot interior is such a fun detail and it's really one of the reasons I love Kate Spade so much.

I also splurged on this super pretty shopper tote. The city print immediately sucked me in, I couldn't resist it. Although you can't tell in the photo, the print extends around the whole tote which I just love. It's one of Kate Spade's signature nylon totes so it's really durable and so roomy that I can already tell it's gonna be my go-to tote. The gorgeous city print and the useability of the tote are a perfect combination.

The little quote above is on the inside pocket and just like the polka dots, it's one of those small Kate Spade details that makes me love this designer even more.

I'm developing a serious Kate Spade obsession.

xoxo,
Amanda

What I'm Loving-Temperly London Fall 2012

xoxo,
Amanda

DIY Feather Mardi Gras Mask

Supplies-
White mask
White feathers
Rhinestones
Tacky glue
Glitter
Hairspray

First go through your bag of feathers and find the longest and nicest ones, I used about 5 for mine. Use those ones for the flourish on the side. I used a hot glue gun to attach these because only the stem is attached to the mask and a good hold is necessary.

Once the side feathers are secure, you can start covering the whole mask with smaller feathers. Starting at the base of the already glued feathers begin using feathers to cover the core of the other ones. Do this by overlapping them as you go, moving from right to left.

To attach the main feathers, spread a layer of tacky glue on the mask and gently place the feather over top. Don't push the feather down into the glue though, it will make them too stiff and they won't look nice.

Sorry for the fuzzy picture!

Don't worry about not covering the eye holes, because at the end you can snip the eye holes open. Once the entire mask is covered with feathers go ahead and carefully snip the eye holes open. Clean up the outer edges of the mask the same way.

This is what your mask should look like once all the excess feathers are trimmed. If you find that the feathers are a little too puffy for your liking go ahead and lightly give it a coating of hairspray. I found that hairspray gave it the best hold without making it overly stiff like sealer spray would.

Once the feathering was all done I decided to add some embellishments.

I chose to add some opaque glitter to my mask and to do so I lightly hairsprayed the mask then sprinkled glitter over top. To seal the glitter on I used the hairspray again. It held the glitter nicely but didn't make the mask too stiff at all.

After the glitter I added a few rhinestones for some extra sparkle.

Now that the mask is done, you have two choices on how to hold it for Mardi Gras. You can either glue a painted dowel rod to the back of the mask and hold it throughout the night, or you can put some ribbon through the original mask holes (as seen in the above picture) and tie it around your head to free up your hands. It really depends on how your feeling.

Voila- your fabulous feather mask is done! Go have a fabulous night!

xoxo,
Amanda