Adrien: Paisley Friday (on Monday)

I wore this to work last Friday, the end of a long week of database training. Jeans, but dressy so as to deflect attention away from the jeans. This top is one I bought years ago at Banana Republic and even though I'm not sure it's quite me, I still think it's really pretty. I've worn it on the blog before (here and here) but it's been a while!

top: Banana Republic (similar here, spendy here)
jeans: Paige Denim (similar here and here)
cardigan: Gap (similar)
shoes: Miz Mooz Hype
bracelet: Marc by Marc Jacobs (similar)
bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (similar)

Marianne: The After After.

 

To recap, I tried the Ion Keratin Smoothing Treatment and was left with stick straight, shiny hair, and no mojo.

Don't get me wrong, it looks really nice. I just think I need more volume or something. It's tied to my personality. As an aside, here is a crappy picture of some new (to me) Chie's I snagged on eBay! They are very subtly gold and pretty and were really cheap.

dress: Diane Von Furstenberg (similar here and here)

shoes: Chie Mihara (similar here and here)

sunglasses: Coach (similar here and here)

hair: via Ion Smoothing Keratin Treatment

So, you're dying to see how dramatically different it is after I washed my hair, right? RIGHT? Well, I hate to disappoint you...

Yup. Looks pretty much the same. Whomp whomp. It's softer and shinier and maybe less frizzy, though it hasn't been super humid yet. It does seem to dry faster and would probably straighten a lot easier, but I don't like to straighten my hair.

 

Overall, I can't say I'd do this again. However, if you straighten your curly hair regularly, it might be worth a try for you? Me, I'm going to stick with the Ouidad products I've fallen in love with and leave my hair curly.

blazer: Vintage (similar here and here)

top: anthropologie (similar here and here)

note: I have not been compensated in any way for these reviews.

Adrien: Sale Rack

Sometimes my favorite little things come from the Old Navy sale rack and cost $4.00 (thanks, Nina!) This top, which I talked about here, is going to be a great summer option. By the end of the summer I'm sure it'll be a tattered, sad mess, but for now it's a fun, lightweight top that I'm looking forward to wearing until you're all sick of it.

top: Old Navy Tab-Sleeve Patterned Top

pants: Banana Republic (similar)

cardigan: Gap (similar)

shoes: Miz Mooz Hype

bracelets: Giles & Brothers skinny railroad spike cuff

necklace: Ann Taylor (similar)

bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (similar)

Confession Time.

M: I am watching a new show. And...it's pretty much only because of this:

A: Oh, hello! I do not care what his character is or what it is this show is about. I'm a fan.

M: He has a dreamy accent and dresses so well. I think he's the sheriff or a hunter or a knight or GOD WHO CARES?

A: OH HOLY SHIT. THE ARMOR. AND THE GLOWERING. I do love a glower.

M: I KNOW. I knoooooooow.

A: Does he take his armor off? I'm asking for a friend.

M: God bless the Internet.

A: Well! That is just. I. WELL.

M: I am out of words.

A: *happy sigh*

Adrien: Over and Over.

When I buy something I really like I tend to wear it a lot as you have all probably noticed. I have tried to restrain myself from wearing my round locket in every single outfit but I can't help it! It's my favorite. Also, my new Chies are going to be getting a lot of play this summer, so apologies in advance.They're just that awesome. Finally, this dress has been on the blog so many times that you probably think it's a favorite, but mostly it's just comfortable. Ha. 

dress: random Ross brand (similar here and here)

shoes: Chie Mihara (vaguely similar)

cardigan: Ann Taylor (similar)

watch: La Mer (similar)

locket: J Crew (similar)

bracelet: Giles & Brothers skinny railroad spike cuff

bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo

Marianne: Stylemint deal!

No, I'm sorry, these aren't the After After pictures from my keratin treatment. Don't yell! I just wanted to pop in to review my latest Stylemint shirt, because they have a wicked weekend deal going on.

This time around, I selected the Ashland T. The drapeyness (shut up, it's a word) appealed to me, as well as the burnout print and the deep v-neck. I went with the recommended size 3 (Medium), but it's pretty generously sized. You tiny things out there might find yourselves sized out of this one.

It's like, ridiculously soft and cozy, and feels a step above your average t-shirt. So far I have to say these shirts feel worth the $29 they cost.

 

Now for the deal: I just got an email that Stylemint is running a hell of a deal for new customers. Enter in Stylemint coupon code SMLNEW and get two items for $29! I'm not affiliated with Stylemint at all (but I totally would be--call me, Mary Kate and Ashley!), but that's a killer deal. HOWEVER, it ends at midnight Sunday, hence the random Friday night post. Go take your style quiz, it's fun! Stylemint! Do it!

Adrien: Messing around.

I got an iPhone recently (Love! Adore!) and I thought I'd try using it's camera for an outfit shoot. Yeah, not so much. Fine in a pinch, but not nearly as good as my regular digital camera. The outfit is...unsuccessful? I don't know, I just can't seem to work the slouchy khaki pants thing. Red shoes almost fix it, but not quite. Can't win 'em all. Happy Friday!

shirt: Target (similar here and here)

pants: Gap (similar)

cardigan: no idea

shoes: Chie Mihara (similar)

jacket: J Crew Downtown Field Jacket

bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo

Marianne: The Hair Saga, part One.

My hair has been looking pretty decent lately.

Good Hair.

But I know summer is looming, and summer means wearing my hair up in braids for three solid months. Because summer means humidity and humidity means frizz. OH, THE FRIZZ.

So naturally I was intrigued by the Ion Keratin Smoothing Treatment. I picked it up at my local Sally Beauty Supply for $30, which was a much more appealing price than the $200 salon quote I'd heard. But then, I read the directions. Y'all, this is a PROCESS. To start, you wash your hair SIX TIMES with the special shampoo. Six. Times. That is a lot of times, David. Then, after stripping your hair completely, you blow dry it thoroughly. And then...you are left with this.

Do not adjust your monitor.

 I'M JUST GOING TO LET YOU RECOVER FOR A MINUTE.

Still with me? Because I feel a little faint. At this point, I put my hair in a bun and tied a scarf turban style, and went about my Saturday. Because I did not have a 5+ hour block of time to do all of this crap at once, I had to split it up.

My husband was working that night, so after I got Lu down to bed, I dove back in. In painstakingly tiny 1/4 inch sections, I brushed the keratin solution through my hair, root to tips, taking care not to over-saturate. This took...a while. I started drinking wine and watching episodes of Once Upon a Time. Then I had to blow dry it AGAIN.

One side dried, one side to go.

Still not even close to being done, y'all. Now, in even tinier 1/8 inch sections, I began to flat iron my hair. You have to go over each miniscule section 5-6 times with the iron. Took. FOREVER. Here I am at the halfway point at just before 11:00pm. This was when I Facetime'd Adrien for a pep talk.

Don't give up!

But finally, I finished. And my hair was really, really straight. And long. And Cher-like. I wish I could tell you that I loved it, but I didn't. My hair felt completely foreign, moreso than it ever has after a salon blowout.

I've got you, babe.

The real question for me is, what is my hair going to look like after I wash it (in three days)? I'm dreaming of loose, frizz free curls and waves. Of hair that I can wash and not think about beyond "dang, my hair looks good". So, what happened next? Stay tuned for part two. INTRIGUE!

Onomatopoeia.

P. S. The outfit was my uniform all weekend, a look I lovingly refer to as "kooky part time poetry teacher".

oversized t-shirt dress: James Perse (similar here and here)
footless tights: Assets
bag: Kooba "Lola" (similar- and on sale!-here and here)
sandals: Ann Taylor (similar here and super cheap here)
scarf: eBay (similar here, I like this one even more than mine!)

SHobbit does Hong Kong.

Tell me where to go.

A: Oh, dude! The SHobbit is going to Hong Kong and wants our recommendations. I've never actually been there, but I'm sure I can think of a few places he can go.

M: I've never been, either! But come on, there are some obvious places he should check out. First on his list? This place.

A: Well, duh. Pretty sure that's his first stop. But he wants cultural events too, as in the "equivalent of a square dancer or rugby game."

So, I think he wants to learn how to square dance or be a rugby ball? I'm confused.

M: Translation: I want to take pictures of Chinese acrobats so I seem really deep and stuff.

A: He wants to roll with the common folk and then make a lot of money off their images? Totally cool.

M: You speak his language!

A: You take that back!

M: Sorry, I think it's like parseltongue.

(and yes, I'm firing myself, etc.)

A: Please don't forget your laptop belongs to the company.

M: I'm keeping my bags, though.

A: Please take this with you:

M: WHEEZING WITH LAUGHTER.

A: WTF WITH HIS PANTS.

M: I didn't know pants even came in a 24 inch inseam!

A: I think the colloquial term is "shorts."

M: Lookit you with your big words.

A: CULTURE.

Adrien: The Shoes.

The outfit is fine, it's whatever. But my SANDALS. This was an eBay miracle - a pair of Chies with a BIN so low I bought them before I'd even read the full description (don't do this.) Luckily they're really great!  So, for those of you who think Chie Mihara is out of your range, check eBay. 

I promise to get a pedicure this weekend.

dress: Target (similar style and similar color )
cardigan: Martin + Osa (similar )
sandals: Chie Mihara (similar)
necklace: J Crew (similar )
bracelet: gift/unknown (similar)
bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (similar)

Marianne: Boots!

Okay, it's been a really, really warm spring. Following an unusually warm winter. And so, I gave up the boots a while ago. But...

I don't know, it was rainy and cool and they were calling to me longingly from the closet. And it felt right.

All of these lovely saturated colors felt right, too. And note my lipcolor--that's the Josie Maran Lip Marker I was raving about a couple of weeks back. It's perfect.

And stay tuned...I did something very complicated to my hair this weekend and you're going to want to see the results later this week. ARE YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT?

sweater: unknown (similar color here)

dress: Old Navy (similar here and here)

belt: French Connection (similar here and here)

bag: Kooba (similar here and here)

boots: Frye Melissa Button 

bracelet: Jessica Kagan Cushman (similar here)

Adrien: So fresh! So green!

Hey, it's springtime! You can tell because my front yard looks ridiculous. Also ridiculous that my shirt seems to be morphing into the background. Outfit! Springtime! Friday! Hooray:

shirt: Le Minor (similar also here)
pants: Banana Republic (similar)
shoes: Miz Mooz Hilary
necklace: J Crew (similar)
bag: vintage LV (similar)

Wanty. Stuff. To. Want.

A: Every single Stylemint thing I want is out of stock. Booo. But, I do like this dress from BR:

Stripe Weekend dress

A: It's the first Banana Republic thing I've liked in a million years! They didn't even slip in 2% wool to foil me!

M: Godammit Adrien, that is so cute I want to scream.

A: I KNOW. IT'S SO STRIPEY. I also want these, but ha:



Coclico Lorena in blue and in tan

A: *bitter sob*

M: Oh my heck, they are the blue cousins to my yellow wedges! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS.

A: I HATE MY STUPID FACE. I don't know, it's spring?

M: I have a sickness. It's called only wanting things neither my bank account nor figure can support:



Numa Print Dress

A: Oh that is ridiculously pretty. GOD.

M: Kelly freaking Wearstler.

A: Hateful.

M: And don't get me started with this dress, which is ridiculous and I WANT IT.

DVF Glennis maxi dress

A: I can't pull off maxi-anything but you can and that is beautiful and I think you should just punch Diane von Furstenberg in the face. Some nerve.

M: Right? Right. Right???

A: It's INFURIATING. IT MAKES ME WANT TO TRY STUFF ON. STUFF LIKE THIS:

Theory cowlneck dress

M: That dress is just a DUMB JERK AND WOULD LOOK SO GOOD ON YOU!

A: I KNOW RIGHT IT'S THE PERFECT STUPID SUMMER EASY DRESS. HATEFUL.

M: WAIT I MIGHT BE A LITTLE MAD AT YOU NOW.

A: WHAT DID I DO.

M: YOUR STUPID AWESOME WATCH AND NOW I WANT THIS WATCH AND I DON'T EVEN WEAR A WATCH, ADRIEN.

La Mer Neon Wrap Watch

A: OH SHIT YOU NEED THAT. GET ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

M: STOPITSTOPITSTOP.

A: IT IS JEWELRY THAT TELLS TIME. LIKE JEWLERY WITH AN APP.

M: APP JEWELRY I LIKE THE WAY YOU THINK.

A: WHY ARE WE STILL YELLING.

M: I don't know.

A: You need this too:

Lotusgrace Colorblock Faille Dress

A: Heh.

M: I do not need that shiny Judy Jetson business.

A: I was trying to distract you. How about a drink? I could use a drink.

M: God, yes PLEASE. Gin? Ditch?

A: I will see you there.