-So Fresh and So Hydrated, Hydrated-

I'm fair skinned and I live in South Florida. This, my friends, can be a recipe for disaster. I'm only 26, but I don't want to walk around looking like my skin is made of a walnut shell like I see some people sporting down here. So skin care is one of the few grooming things I truly get fussy about.

I lucked out where skin was concerned as a teen, at least when you compare my occasional stress pimple to my brother who all but took a jack hammer to his face in an effort to tame acne. He grew out of it and looks awesome now, but all that low maintenance as an adolescent has left me a paranoid twenty-something afraid that I won't be able to keep all that up.



For as long as I can remember, my mother has always sworn by two products: Oil of Olay and Noxzema. According to her, this is all you'll ever need. While these two products might not work for everyone, she has a point, you don't want to go too ape shit with product which can over stimulate and aggravate your skin. It's best to pare down to as few as possible.

(On a side note, Olay dropped the "Oil of" part of their name a few years back, but I'll probably always call it by the original. Also, Noxzema makes for fantastic sunburn relief, as many a fair dame has figured out over the years.)

That said, even though I get a little OCD about how I do my beauty routine, I really only use a few products. The most important being daily moisturizer with sunblock and a face wash with a very light exfoliating scrub that I use no more than twice a week, both are Olay products.



1.Olay Total Effects Refreshing Citrus Scrub $9

2.Olay Complete All Day UV Moisturizer $7

I've always been really satisfied with the results Olay's given me and I'm kind of curious to try out some of their other products the closer I get to my 30s.Their website also has a little custom questionnaire that will give you suggestions from their product line.

One other thing that makes me feel a little more secure in the battle against skin damage is wearing sunglasses whenever I'm in the sun. The skin around the eyes is notoriously delicate and one of the first places aging becomes evident. Personally, I favor the giant Jackie O style sunnies, but really, any kind of UV protection is going to be good for both your skin and eyes themselves.

On a side note, I freaking love Halloween. So I pretty much blew a gasket when I finally found some spooky inspired nail art at Walgreens the other night:



They're from Kiss and run about $2. I paired them with glitter gold nail polish in All About You from Sinful Colors, which is also about $2. They're tacky and amazing and I love them dearly.

-Pucci Me This-

The march of the thigh highs continues with Emilio Pucci. Would it really shock anyone that I jumped all over this collection the moment I saw it? A fan-fucking-tastic blend of 70s trash and floaty lady ruffles, my favorite part of all of this is that it reminds me of the stuff my Gran used to show up to weddings wearing before she decided to go religious.

(This little fact has inspired an up coming spread on said progenitor. Believe me, some of her get ups were amazing.)



While my Burberry mock up from last night is my current winter inspiration and remains so, I wouldn't mind a little Indian summer à la Pucci. The flowy burnt oranges and hyper tailored pants with large Southwest baubles and oversized crucifixes is a relaxed look I'm completely on board for.

This also isn't helping me decide not to invest in a pair of thigh highs.

-Falling into Fall and Stuffs-

The facts are these: I'm a Southerner and I was raised in the tropics. Ergo, I love quiche and any thing under 70 is considered full blown winter to me and my kind. While my thin blood will probably never truly be comfortable in the snow, somewhere in my family's distant past we must have been a pack of Nords because I love me some winter clothes.

Amongst the swarms of autumn/winter looks that stomped around the runways, my favorite, hands down, was Burberry Prorsum. The classic London house offered up a beautiful line of soft, chic aggression in a muted color palette with aviator and military accents:



1. The one element that carries over to every one of these looks is those killer thigh high boots. The rifle brown lace and super structured military jacket is unexpected pairing and the color schemes is a mellow mood cleanser from the previous season's light neutrals and graphic prints.

2. The first thing I though with this piece is "omg, Rogue from the X-men!" Not 00's Rogue with her wimple and green and white. Awesome 90's Rogue with her ubiquitous aviator bomber jacket. The texture on the muted olive dress is wonderful and helps to blunt the edge of the shearing jacket and boots.

3. I love black and navy together. And I especially love that blazers look to be making a come back. The cute little slate grey oxford? I've got a clone already in my shopping cart. Of the five I yanked off the runway shots, I think this is the most translatable.

4. Oh lace, our love hate relationship might have actually found a happy ending. Another shearing jacket, slightly over sized, this time matched with a sweet little pea green lace dress. The pairing is lovely.

5. Of the five, there's already a piece in my closet that could lend itself to having an outfit built around it as a nod to London Town chic. The chartreuse sheath dress is also one of the more graphic of the bunch, with its bold structure lines and zipper details.

Now, the reality is that if I could afford to own these actual pieces, I'd die happy. And then be buried in my fabulous fashion splendor. But that boat ain't pulling into port anytime soon. So, I'm left with scavenging for cheaper alternatives:





1. Now, as I said before, the thigh highs are the mark that ties all the looks together. This pair from TopShop is a bit out of my reach at $250, but for as much use as they'd get through a/w and into the forever of my life, they might be worth it.

2. Personally, I think aviator jackets are like a strand of pearls. Every girl should have one. Aside from the look I'm going for with any of these, a great jacket like this would be a great way to carry me through the two and a half chilly days I'll receive in Sunny Bunny F-L-A. $117 from Next.

3. I've never been a fan of the skinny jeans, but if it means I can get those thigh highs up and on, I'm willing to make a heartfelt concession. I found these non-drastic pair at Republic for about $40.

4. With the Western look vying with the military look for dominance this season a Chambray shirt should be a staple in everyone's closets. The great thing about the western trend is that these shirts are mega easy to find right now on the cheap. Old Navy has them right now for $20.

5. Another fixture to most girls' closets should be the pencil skirt. They come in all manners of quality and can squeeze to meet the budget constraints of any fashion-y lady. Target. Another $20 find. God bless Target.

6. Blazers are always a great place to showcase new hardware. Like brooches or buttons. But mostly brooches because I love the shit out of them. They're also a tailored garment that can instantly sleek up a outfit. $70 from John Lewis.

7. Love, love, love the tailoring and monochrome contrasting on this corset top from Jane Norman. It's also on sale right now for $40.

8. I had this gorge green dress from Madaboochoo tucked away in my girl porn folder. Sadly, the Australian shop has gone out of business, and apparently under bad circumstances, judging by the gabbing in the forums. Still, I love it, and if I could have bought it, it would have been a perfect addition to the little fashion fantasy I've got going on here.

9. Another John Lewis discovery. Pricey at $220 but I've found much cheaper alternatives at Target recently closer to the $35 mark. Nice, simple, effective.

10. I've featured these pretty little studs before that I got off Amazon for a ridiculous 3 bucks.

11. Another investment piece would be this satchel from J. Crew. At about $200 it would have to be a permanent part of my daily ensemble, but I can almost just talk myself into it. But the thigh highs are still winning.

-Scent of a Gen Y-er-

My mother used to dismiss it as "taking a French bath", but when it came to perfume, the truth was more that she just has a fickle nose and most scents irritate her. As for me, it took years to be comfortable with the idea of using a scent as part of my basic wardrobe.

In fact, it wasn't until college, during an extended stay with a friend, that I learned that changing your scent can change the way you feel. Years later, I'm still experimenting while still holding on to some beloved favorites.

The first thing to understand about perfume and fragrance in general is that it is divided into four major families, with Fougère encompassing elements of the others:



Traditionally, I've always been in love with the soft Orientals, which include amber and other spiced aromas. But lately, I've been venturing into the ladylike world of florals. The good thing about perfumes, though, is that even if you have a particular favorite, you can still experiment without abandoning what you know works for you.

This is because all perfumes hold three notes- top, middle and base. The definition of those is pretty straight forward. The top note is the first scent you are greeted with, the middle being the heart of the perfume and the base being the longest lasting of the three with a higher molecular weight.



I've never been a fan of Chanel No. 5, the quintessential badge of ladyness. But I'm fair smitten with Chanel's new Chance. Perfumes are just like taste. They react different to differing people depending on that person's body chemistry. Just as I could eat a Scotch bonnet and say "yum" the girl next to me is going to want to hurl.

This is why it's important to try on a new scent in person, rather than just ordering it offline. Also, not just going by the initial result when it's fresh and concentrated is important. Air it out, wear it around a few minutes and then give a whiff. That's when you'll know for sure how the notes will react to your skin.

Most people are going to want to go for an Eau De Toilette, especially someone just starting to venture into perfumes. This is a 4-10% concentration, so you're in a lot less danger of going overboard and seeming like you took that infamous French bath. People don't appreciate having to smell you for an hour after you've left a room and some people have allergies. It's an easy thing to muck up that will take you from class to trash in about two spritzes.

The only other thing to remember is to store your fragrance collection in the dark. Medicine cabinets are honestly a bad idea because of all the excess moisture that can contaminate and degrade your perfume. I've found the best place for mine is a little stand I have set up in my closet. Dry, dark and out of the way works best.

-Review-

"What language does Oscar de la Renta speak?"
"...Foreign."

Honey, please, he speaks fashion. And he's kinda killing me with the spring/summer 09 collection. Dead in a happy way. Not a putrefied flesh kind of way. It's a mix of smooth pants, feminine silhouettes and flattering colors that's had me making up mock ups of cheap alternatives since I first saw it this week.



1. If there's one thing I love, it's a wide leg, ladies. I was never able to jump aboard the skinny leg train with the rest of my lovely friends. I've never once found a pair that didn't leave me feeling awkward. The best I've ever managed is a cute little pair of cropped cigarette pants. But only when cropped. And only when in heels. Wide leg pants have just always felt sleek and comfortable for me so I riot with glee a little every time they come back into vogue and are easy to find. And just look at those button details!

2. It's not really a piece I ever think would work on me, but the damned thing is darling. The intricate detailing, the peek-a-boo pink and the shoulder bow? Precious. I'd love to find a way to mimic this look, and I'm not ready to give up on it yet, but it seems every time I go for the truly feminine, I never quite succeed. But this dress is a true gem and I absolutely love looking at it.

3. Another pant set. Wide legged. Subtle top. Graphic cover. This is a piece I've already managed to find direct inspiration for in my current wardrobe. Which is a total thrill. The great thing about this little number is it's casual and still polished as hell.

4. Coral. Coral. Coral. I wear this shade everyday if only on my lips. It's one of those colors that works so well for so many skin types. I feel confident in it in my extremely pallid complexion and obviously it looks lovely against the model's darker skin tone. Corals, along with yellows, just seem to be one of those power colors for me. They make me feel present without feeling obnoxious like certain shades of reds can, so I'm thrilled to see it making major appearances on the runway.

5. This is so basic I can't not love it. A neutral pink coupled with a subtle print and a skirt at a flattering length. It's a natural color palette that would work in so many situations. And I think that's what I love about what de la Renta has to offer this go around. So much of what was presented is workable and translatable. He doesn't forget that the women that will be buying his pieces or, more likely, imitating them, will have to actually find uses for them and they work.

-These Clogs Were Made for Stomping-

My mother hates that I love flip flops. Positively loathes the fact. She'd rather I was born an octopus than own a single pair of flip flops.

Thusly, when I know I am to be in her presence I try very hard to beat the bejesus out of the Florida girl I so thoroughly am and strive to wear something that will not insult her oh-so-refined tastes.

You can imagine the brick I shit when clogs exploded back on the scene and finally trickled down off the runways and into Retail Knock-Off Land, which is where my broke ass currently resides.

I picked this pair of camel colored clogs up at Target recently for $20, loved them so much I went back a week later and picked up the same pair in black:





They're ridiculously versatile, affordable, and shockingly comfortable. Jeans, dresses, walking around the house in gamer shirts and skivies? It all works. Plus, I love a high heel that'll let me tower. Of course, there's always the Clueless references they allow me to make.

-Prep Pep-

I haven't talked too much about makeup here on Magnolia, but I'm normally a berry stain girl. Absolutely love the look of a bold lip. But lately, with the preppy cropping back up (and for once, not looking entirely obnoxious) and my on going obsession with Mad Men, I find myself pursuing a more subtle look, especially Joan Holloway's signature coral lips:





While stained lips and teal nails have come back into vogue, I find myself stuck on the Retro Choo Choo, but the same lipstick rules apply- sheer in the day, matte come night.

To get that I've been rolling with Palladio's sheer balm in Rosey ($3) and Maybelline's Park Ave. Peach ($6). Neither clashes with the prep look I seem to have adopted this week and both lend a little subtle polish to my otherwise frenzied appearance.

Speaking of colors outside the box, the last two weeks I've been completely smitten with Steel Grey from Rimmel ($4):



Growing up, my mother only ever let me use ballet pink, clear and Lip Smackers as far as makeup was concerned. As an adult, I've pretty much gone crazy with being spoilt for choice and not having an angry Southerner yelling down the roof that I look like a harlot. This shade's got a subtle lavender undertone to it and coupled with some cheapy nail decals, my current mani has my middle school heart all aflutter.

-The Bone Box-

It's been forever, kiddies, and for that I apologize. My personal life has been something of a swirling vortex of What the Fuck Just Happened? of late, but I intend to correct this neglect.

I have a background in anthropology and as such have more than a passing love for all things body parts. I was once given a genuine human skeleton by a former beau. If that doesn't make me gother-than-thou, I don't know what will.

I've featured anatomical items before on Magnolia, but I want to spotlight the baubles for a minute.

Those that know me well have seen me with my new favorite piece of corporal chic, my crystal studded skull pendent from Swarovski:


Despite having this little creeper of a charm, I haven't stopped lusting over filling my jewelry box with even more goodies like it. Particularly, I have my eye on the gorgeous heart necklace from Heron Adornment



The piece is in my preferred metal, sterling, and looks as if it have some weight to it, without being one of those drag you down pieces. The fact that it's also a locket makes me want one even more.

While it'll take me a minute to be able to afford one of the above, I can definitely see one of The Gilded Lily's lovely pieces in my near future:



One piece that has me absolutely fascinated is this antique false teeth set in wax and porcelain from Aminyitray, whose shop is full of amazing finds:


Now that Halloween is on its way, I'm thinking I'll go as Karin Dreijer Andersson from Fever Ray this year. After all, I'll have the jewels for it.