Cherry Picking: Peter Pilotto at Target

Pump the breaks; another Target/designer collaboration is hitting the stores.  This time featuring designers Christopher DeVos and Peter Pilotto.  What started off as a swimwear collection quickly developed into something much greater.  Along with swimwear, this collection includes: beach bags, dresses, sunglasses, towels—all the essentials.

The signature look? Patterns but of course!  Gobs and gobs of fabulous patterns—mixed and matched to perfection, each piece as striking as the next.  Equal parts feminine, equal parts off the wall—the collection hits the mark.  When can you get your hands on it?  The collection will be available in stores and online at Target.com February 9^th (aka, tomorrow).

Favorite picks are pictured above.  Better yet?  Nothing in the collection exceeds $80/item.  As if it hasn't been said a million times before, thank you Target!

Dress, sunnies, beach towel, ... romper (OMG!)

Now, if only the beach bag came with a cabana boy. Sigh. 

Quintessentially Plaid

Here's a few of my favorite plaid pieces at the moment:

1. Target Merona Plaid Blazer; $35

2. Burberry Brit Perfume; $64

3. Old Navy Plaid Scarf; $17

4. JCrew Factory Classic Button Down Shirt; $45

Plaid is hot on the scene right now and I loving every second of it.  Plaid is equal parts prep and punk and I am blown away by its versatility.

Months ago, this pattern could have been coined “dowdy or stuffy” or “something found only in your grandma’s closet”... not the current banter of… “this is so chic, gotta have it!”  

Plaid is easy enough to wear as an accessory (think: scarf, iPhone case, etc.) or you can go all out with a bold jacket or pant. 

I would start with a scarf and build out from there.  A scarf is a low-cost option for testing the trend without having to spend an arm and a leg.  My advice when picking out plaid: think Burberry, think London, think uber-classic and uber-chic.  Perhaps try to stay away from colors other than the originals: red, navy, hunter green, beige, black.. etc. (you get the picture!)--the point is to keep this look classic.

What are your thoughts?  Are you amped for plaid this season or do you think the pattern should remain in granny's closet?

DIY Mock Gel Manicure

Visit me on Pinterest

You are just 1-2-3 steps away from a mock gel manicure at home.  All you need is three nail polishes (pictured above) and whatever other grooming tools you use when performing at-home nail care (I typically don't use anything more than nail clippers and a nail file).  Note: you do NOT need a UV light for this "mock" gel manicure.  I think you'll be blown away by the look and longevity of this nail trio.

Here's the secret sauce:
STEP 1 - Do whatever you do to prime your nails normally (take off existing nail polish, cut nails, file nails, etc.)
STEP 2 - Apply 1 coat of Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Hard As Wraps
STEP 3 - Apply 2 coats of any nail polish of your choosing (my fav is OPI)
STEP 4 - Apply 2 coats of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat (seriously, this stuff is no joke)
STEP 5 - Avoid messing up your nails during drying time; but, the top coat seems to dry unusually fast, so consider yourself lucky!

Voila!  Your polish will turn out shiny, flawless, thick and gorgeous--I promise you.

Pictured: this is actually a "touch up" job I did from 2 weeks prior.  It still looks pretty good, huh?