Confession: I have never been able to properly pull off a red lip. Pink, purple, burgundy, even orange, I’ve managed to (mostly) master. But red? I look like a naughty toddler playing in mommy’s makeup. It just never seems to look rose-blossom right.

Until…Amy of Cincy Chic invited me and a few other lady-bloggers to The Bridal Studio to have our makeup–including the Perfect Red Lip–done by pros Mollie and Nancy of FACEing.

Reds, reds everywhere…

Gettin’ my makeup did

Marsha and Brock of Style Edit

Photographer April Smith was there to record the transformation, and Brock and Marsha, Kate, Amy, Julie and I posed and preened for the camera like pros.

 This is how you give good glam, bitches

You can show off by posting a picture of yourself wearing your Perfect Red Lip on Cincy Chic’s Facebook page! When you do, you’ll be entered to win two tickets to the sold-out Go Red event on February 3rd, a $50 gift certificate to Stone Creek, and a personalized FACEing makeup class gift certificate. Bonus entry if you make your Red Lip Pic your profile picture!

I made Mollie and Nancy of FACEing and photographer April Smith take a turn in front of the camera

Mollie used a combination of Revlon Crimson and Laura Mercier’s Neutral Brown liner on me (plus false eyelashes–my first time wearing them!). What shade(s) do you use for a red lip?

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I just realized how weird it is that I never pay attention to the menswear collections, when it’s well documented just how much I love menswear. That’s gotta change, no?

The tailoring makes for an easy crossover, and most of the styling can be applied to women’s RTW–blazers, vests, trousers, and sweaters are all things most women wear anyway. Trade flat shoes for a platform heel or high-heeled brogue, add a sparkly piece of jewelry and bright lipstick, and you’re all set!

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I don’t remember the first time I saw an episode of Golden Girls, but I clearly remember sitting on my parents’ bed, trying not to laugh at a raunchy joke the sharp-tongued Dorothy Zbornak made at the expense of one Ms. Blanche Devereaux. I stifled the laugh because I knew I wasn’t supposed to “get” the joke, but I did. I always got Dorothy’s jokes, ’cause she was a smart-ass like me.

Since Golden Girls was an ’80s show about a group of retirement-aged women, the wardrobe was always…interesting. Lots of sequins and chiffon, of course. And while I appreciated Blanche’s predilection for form-fitting spangles, Dorothy’s oversized cowlneck tunics and slouchy Hammer pants seemed like the senior citizen version of downtown cool. Count me in:

Plastic Island dress; ASOS trousers; Allen B. top; DKNY heels, earrings from High Street

I’m definitely a Dorothy, cheesecake cravings and all. You?

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I’m sick, my nose won’t stop running, and I have a lot of work to do, so I’m feeling extra grouchy. I’m also a little woozy from the meds and in the mood to talk about UFOs–no, not the kind with little green people–UFOs as in Unpopular Fashion Opinions.

There are several things that are deemed “classics” in the fashion universe–untouchable icons of style, so to speak. Things everyone else seems to love that I have no use for. Screw that! In no particular order:

I know they’re comfy, but I had my fill of round-toe Sam and Libby flats back in elementary school. Give me a pointy- or almond-toe skimmer anyday.

She’s supposed to be this bastion of cool, but between utterly clueless comments about homeless people and blatantly ripping off an indie designer‘s creations, she comes across as vapid and wholly unlikable. And I swear, if I see one more skinny chick in a feather headband, just…no. No.

One of my favorite pairs of shoes are JCs, but sometimes I feel like they’re having a laugh and a half at the expense of fashion bloggers worldwide. I mean really, look at those things. Really, y’all? RILLY?!

I’m sure it’s officially Fashion Blasphemy to say this, but the 2.55 just seems kind of “meh” to me, perhaps due to oversaturation. I mean, I wouldn’t turn one down, but give me an Hermes Kelly (in green croc, pleaseandthankyou) instead any day!

What do you dislike that everyone else in the wide world of fashion seems to love?

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On Saturday evening, Ashlee, Marsha and I hit the road and headed to Indianapolis for the Midwest Fashion Week finale.

Outfit pics! I have no idea why I look so surprised.

I took a picture of Ashlee taking pictures of Marsha. How meta is that?

Photographers in the pit

Designs by Marlene Thomas, Melissa Tabor, and Cincinnati’s own Amy Kirchen

Of course, being fashion bloggers, we took outfit pictures, enjoyed cocktails and wine, and stuffed ourselves with Mickey D’s on the way home. All I did was mention ice cream and everyone was all in!

How was your weekend?

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Time for me to dole out semi-unsolicited style advice again! Yay?

My homies at A-Line passed along this tweet from @kellydobos :

Hey @ALineMagCincy I have to speak in front of major magazine beauty editors in NYC this month, what should i wear? Any tips on styling?

Ooh, that sounds like a fun combination of awesome cosmopolitan adventure (magazine beauty editors! NYC!) + nerve-racking responsibility (public speaking, outfit stress). Let’s see what we can do:

Left: Anthropologie Graublau blazer, $148 | Michael Antonio Musa boot, $59 | Vintage cuff bracelet, $60 | Modcloth B. Jones Style skirt, $89.99 | Gorjana Cleopatra earrings, $30
Right: Farfetch Barbara Bui Blouse, $848 | Endless Dolce Vita Rosetta pump, $170 | Gold chain link necklace, $30 | Blue Topshop trousers $85 | Amrita Singh Georgica ring, $100

This is the sort of occasion where you need to look like you know what you’re talking about and like you just stepped out of the pages of a magazine. No pressure!

Mixing different styles is the best way to achieve both: On the left, a structured blazer (professional), full skirt (feminine), platform ankle boots (fashion-y), and geometric accessories looks polished and pretty; on the right, a softly draped blouse (feminine), tailored trousers (professional), green suede pumps (fashion-y), and bold gold jewelry looks smart and approachable.

This sounds like an exciting opportunity–good luck!

~T

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Now that it’s RealFall again, I took the opportunity to pull out my favorite boots (Century 21 score!) and vintage Monchichi fur vest.

Vintage vest and bag; thrifted dress; Rupert Sanderson boots

I’ve been waiting to wear this dress ever since I picked it up during that unexpectedly fruitful thrifting adventure. I’m pretty sure I’ve been this way since elementary school, when I couldn’t wait to wear my new stonewashed jeans and fresh L.A. Gears purchased during back-to-school shopping trips. Some things never change!

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Never underestimate the effect of a simple pop of color; Imagine how heavy this so-gaudy-it’s-fabulous knuckle ring must be; Love the cooly luxurious decadence of this image; These two…no words; A hair dryer for people who are serious about fighting frizz–and bandits; How wonderful would it be to stumble upon a lamp-lit fairy path in the woods?

Find more creative inspiration at stylesample.tumblr.com!

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Since Madre Naturaleza decided a little Summer-in-the-Fall weather was in order (not complaining!), I figured it was a good time to test drive another look from Spring 2012.

Thrifted shirt and pants; Moda Int’l top; vintage heels

A simple cropped sweater, men’s military shirt, and striped rayon pants I “altered” made it simple to replicate– I just added a stack of bangle bracelets and switched the strappy sandals (it is Fall, after all) for a slightly more substantial platform heel. Easy!

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Despite an uncharacteristic disinterest in the recent Fashion Weeks, I managed to browse a few shows at style.com. I quickly noticed a trend: the color orange was EVERYWHERE, from the runways to the streets.

Sources: Style.com, Fashionologie

Unfortunately, the color orange makes me look like a sallow, bloated, er…ORANGE, so I won’t be partaking in this particular trend. Will you?

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