Makeup and Fashion

Hello Everyone,
I recently went to a test fashion shoot and I got the opportunity to meet the makeup artist Johnny Gonzalez and his assistant Veronika from Czech Republic. Although Johnny was super busy making the model look more beautiful than she already is, I did get to speak with his wonderful assistant Veronika. I asked about makeup tips and what she thinks everyone woman should do before she leaves the house. Guess what she said? Eyebrows! She said that not enough women pay attention to grooming their eyebrows which is so essential to open up the face and accentuate your features. She mentioned that it was a major pet-peeve of hers.  I could not agree with her more.

I also think it is important for woman to really pay attention to taking care of their skin. (The model had amazing skin!) Drinking lots of water, eating lots of vegetables like carrots and spinach, developing a cleaning and moisturizing regimen, wearing SPF protection, and investing in a good foundation are important to make skin look radiant. No matter how good your makeup is, if your skin is not taken care of from the inside out, it will show.

Tis the Season for Hats

I have to be honest, it has only been recently where I have learned to like love hats! I always was annoyed about how I would look with short hair and a hat on; I was afraid of that looking like a boy or even looking like I didn't know what I was doing.  Now that my hair is longer, I am apt to the idea of wearing them with a side bun or a braid and big hoop earrings.
Over the last 2 years I have developed an excitement for hats, especially fedoras! So I found these two hats at J.Crew, and I had to grab them. They are so cool for the summer and I am so excited to wear them.

Spring Cleaning and Re-Fashioning NYC

As much as I am a lover of fashion, I am an avid supporter of recycling clothing and shopping at thrift and consignment stores (please see earlier post: Thift Store Shopping). For this reason I want to share with you a new partnership between Housing Works and the City of New York.  These two entities have teamed up to create Re-Fashion NYC.  Re-Fashion NYC is a new effort to encourage recycling, help the homeless, and reduce city waste. Therefore, Re-fashion NYC has placed donation bins in several apartment buildings throughout the city. It is a free and convenient service that allows city-dwellers the opportunity to donate unwanted clothing, shoes, toys, furniture, books, or electronics. 100%  of donations will be given to charitable causes so that those who are willing to participate will receive tax receipts. This is right in time for spring cleaning and clearing out cramped NYC closets.

Because the program is relatively new, the initial bin placement will only be in a few locations. As it grows, bins will placed in more apartment buildings as well as commercial and institutional sites. This is an important effort to reduce waste in city landfills.

   
If you are eager to participate in the program and your building has yet to place these bins in the hallway, please visit nyc.gov/stuff exchange to find locations near to you were you can always donate your unwanted items. To learn more about the program and its effort please visit nyc.gov/refashion.

Building your Wardrobe

Ladies, as cosmopolitan modern women, it is of the utmost importance that we are dressed appropriately for every occasion. This means that we invest in certain wardrobe items. This does not mean that you have to spend significant amounts of money, but it does mean that you spend more time to look for quality pieces so that you have a full wardrobe. This may mean that you will have to resist that purchase of that stiletto shoe or that tank dress( not as essential) but in the long run, you will feel prepared when you have an impromptu engagement.

This is especially important for women who are new to the workforce and are unsure of what to have in their closet. For this reason, I am going to provide you with some basic staples that I believe that every women should own. Investing in these items helps you save money because when that particular occasion arises, whether it be a job interview or a gala, you already know that you have something in your closet which eliminates the rush to "find something" at the last moment. Also, if you buy ahead of time, you are more likely to catch sales and find something you really like rather than something that will have "to do for now."
Also, if you need a little bit more direction, Nina Garcia from Project Runway wrote a book a few years ago titled, "The One Hundred." It is a simple read that shows women how to build a sound wardrobe. I recommend you check it out!

Featured below are some items to consider which include and LBD, pencil skirt, black blazer, boyfriend watch, trench coat, cocktail dress, cardigan, a hat and galoshes.

Wardrobe Essentials

Wardrobe Essentials by marianasoulandchic featuring a long pencil skirt

Splendid sheer dress, $57
J Crew party dress, $80
J crew cardigan, $30
Red Herring peter pan collar blouse, 15 GBP
Trench coat, $61
J Crew long pencil skirt, $98
J crew, $188
KORS Michael Kors rubber ring, $125
Betsey johnson watch, $65
Epice scarve, $179
Madewell straw hat, $58

Turbans Make A Comeback in Fashion

A few months ago, I was reading the style section of the New York Times where I came across an article that paid homage to the turban. The turban has traditionally been worn in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East for centuries. During the 16th century, imperialism and trade between Europe and other cultures in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East increased the influence of this accessory in European attire. Since this time, the turban has been a permanent feature for stylish women throughout the decades in American fashion.  Specifically, turbans emerged as a fashion staple in the Western world during the 1920s and continued to live throughout the 20th century; this accent has adorned several Hollywood actresses such as Gloria Swanson, Joan Crawford, Sophia Loren, Iman, and even Sara Jessica Parker wore one in Sex and the City II.

I wore a turban this past winter. It caused quite a spectacle among colleagues who commented that I looked like those grannies that one sees on the train. I was not fazed, I replied that those are fashionable mature women who knew about fashion, just like their predecessors. I will continue to wear them for the summer months as well. In fact, my mother is notorious for her turban-wearing and head wraps. As long as I can remember she has routinely worn colorful and vibrant head pieces to add attitude to her attire. I will be digging in her scarf collection this summer!

Lana Turner: The Postman Always Rings Twice

June Ambrose

This is a fun but fabulous look to try. This look does not require fancy or expensive fabrics, silks or cotton fabrics that are about 1.5 to 2 yards long can do the trick. I highly recommend a silk taffeta because they are pliable and easy to twist and turn and they hold knots well. Because it is the summer, opt for bright fuchsias, azeleas, magenta, yellows or tie dyes. The turban can be worn with a tank top and a pair of white jeans and flat sandals. The only thing required to wear this head piece is CONFIDENCE! You have to commit to the look if you dare to wear it. Enjoy this fashion forward look this summer! Below are some pictures to help inspire your look. Also, fashion stylist, June Ambrose provides a tutorials that was featured in Ebony magazine that gives some different ways to tie the turban.   

Ebony Magazine: June Ambrose Turban Tutorial