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27 August 2011

lazy line painter tracy

This is my first (of two, granted) apartment that allows me to paint my walls. I was really excited when I was first told this, but several factors hindered me from pulling out the brushes and rollers the day of move-in. To explain, we face north and a wooded area, which is nice for the dog but not so nice for allowing light in. I'm also terrified that we will ruin the new carpet, a luxury I have never been given access to since owning a pet.

My boyfriend has talked me into painting a wall in my room, however. Chalkboard paint, if you can believe it.

25 August 2011

the times are a-changin

I feel it. Every time I consider my nails, my three - three - nail polish colors (Pink, Peach-pink, Pink-ish nude). Every time I consider my makeup bag and its empty space.

Nail polish. I'm absolutely convinced, what with my lack of funds for fashions finds - like, say, shoes or blazers - that the cheaper nail polish market will inevitably fill that black hole in my soul that feeds upon narcissism.

It started with the nude trend that is detailing itself in shoes, dresses, lipstick and now nail polish. It continued with my absolute love for Bleachblack's Dickweed and its unapologetically edgy, duochromatic beauty, and my search for a conscientious dupe as the color stays consistently sold out. Now, I've gone off into the deep end of the pool: Chanel.

Payless Shoesource

There are many things I love about Payless. They have affordable shoes, many of them absolutely darling; an abundance of my size, which is harder than one might imagine; and, living in north-east Ohio, there always seems to be a convenient location for guiltless shopping, where I may be.

It's also BOGO (1/2 off) time, which only adds fuel to the metaphorical fire that is my obsession with shoes.


photos from Payless.com
(top left: Tenley Lace-up Wedge Boot in Mushroom, Bobby Jazz Oxford in Grey,
 Katy Bow Wedge in Blue, Devin Wedge Oxford in Tan)

Skinnies Season List

It's that time of year again. Where summer has begun to fade in lieu of moody temperatures and crispy, olive green leaves. For many of us, school is starting if not already in session, and while we look forward to Fall colors and a new season of fashion, some of us consider a necessary back-to-school item with dread.

Denim.

I'm a part of that (small? large?) group of people who loathes shopping for new jeans. And, without fail, as the new semester rolls around I find myself needing a new pair -- seeing as I've worn my previous favorite pair to tatters. I've spent more than a hundred dollars on a pair of jeans (because they are THAT important to me), but now I find myself in a perplexing, and now noticeably consistent, situation: I have little money to spend as a college student, but I have maintained my picky taste.

Perhaps I should have explained exactly how I'm picky. First and foremost, I limit myself exclusively to bootcut or skinnies. I also prefer dark washes (slimming) with little to no hi lighting/fading in the thigh area (to maintain a monochromatic consistency that for me is, again, slimming) and I prefer the rise to be medium or high. Hip-digging jeans are not what I would call comfortable.

Denim can be hard for a curvy girl. Really hard. I'm about as average in terms of body style as average can get -- five foot four, one-hundred and twenty-five pounds, hourglass figure. Legs shorter (always, always shorter) than I want them to be. Alas. So, despite my average tendencies, I have a devil of a time trying to find an affordable, wearable pair of jeans.

So, in honor of school starting for me next week, I introduce a list of skinnies that are both affordable and wearable. Curvy girl edition.

23 August 2011

Shampoo Revoo

I should start by mentioning my recent obsession with Nouveau Cheap. Having a major hair crisis while attempting to grow out my bangs has forced me to turn towards other forms of beauty to keep myself from going mad (or, the more likely surrender with the metaphorical white flag of a pair of scissors). It's worth it's own separate post, let me tell you. Regardless, makeup and nail polish have taken over the lengthy routine that my hair once held, and I have turned towards Gianna and her drugstore reviews to find the best at the best price.

This is not about makeup, however. This is about hair. And shampoo. Specifically, Suave Professionals.


21 August 2011

Cool Never Fades



I just got super excited for Target's Fall 2011 collection.

AND THOSE SHOES (!!!).

i heart nail polish

Thank goodness for the nude trend that is popular right now. That, more than anything, has helped pique my interest in nail polish.

I should probably explain myself: I am a notorious nail-biter.


photo from Walgreens

20 August 2011

Nail Polish Dupe (?!)

I am, for the sake of generalities, a very conventional girl when it comes to fashion.

I feel I almost have to be, having been raised in a traditional setting (no tattoos, multiple piercings or dyed hair for me!), and possessing that ‘traditional’ hourglass figure that screams to be put into waist-emphasizing dresses and a-line skirts. Safe, neutral, classic. That’s my motto.

Every once in a while, though, a small part of me screams for the edgy fashion trends that define a generation.

This is exactly why I look to blogs like BleachBlack: it lets that piece of me explore fashion terrain I dare not expose myself to publicly. And with my recent obsession with nail polish , it was a match made in heaven when BleachBlack came out with their lovely duo-chromed polish, Dickweed.

Now, of course, with Maybelline’s newest nail polish LE collection for Fall 2011 Fashion Week (detailed by Nouveau Cheap), I am hoping against hope that there is a similarity between Dickweed and Maybelline’s Be Scene in Green.

photo fromNeedsupply.com

19 August 2011

5 things.


1. My name is Tracy. I've 'published' in blogs before.
INDEPTH: It was a delightfully awkward time for me, but my roommate and I had loads of fun all the same. I’m not the type who is comfortable in front of the camera, you see, and by the time I began to remember to pose, finals got the best of us and we stopped the blog. She had the camera, of course. I have a cracked iPhone.

2. ‘Au rabais’ means ‘On the cheap’ in French.
INDEPTH: I don’t speak a word of French (two years of college Spanish, instead). Title names began with ‘Nouveau Pauvre’, a juxtaposition to the commonly heard ‘nouveau riche’. I then realized I was blatantly referring to myself as ‘poor’, and self-righteously went another route. But still in French.

3. In this blog, I will focus on... well, whatever fills my heart with glee.
INDEPTH: Fashion; high brand knockoffs; current fashion trends; vintage; comfortable, sensible --but cute-- shoes; makeup brands; current makeup trends; makeup dupes (that’s right, MAC, you heard me); the iPhone 5, whenever it comes out (September, Mr. Jobs, please and thank you)
edit: Steve, how dare you resign! Ah well, as long as it doesn't halt the production of my future phone. Carry on, Mr. Cook.

4. I live for blogs.
INDEPTH: I’m entering my final year at University as an English major, and unlike many individuals, believe that the combination of literacy and technology should be embraced. I love blogs. Currently, I cannot stop reading Liebemarlene, Always With ButterHanneli Mustaparta and Nouveau Cheap. I have virtually no money to spend, and so rely on creativity to fill my closet.

5. I thrive on communication.
INDEPTH: I realize this is a new blog, and I realize I am just another 20-something who is spilling to the virtual world in terms of fashion, cosmetics, and diy projects. But I honest-to-gosh enjoy hearing back from people. So, if you have something to say, even if its ‘Um, Tracy, do yourself a favor and stay away from pointed-toe heels’ (I’m pigeon-toed!), please do. :D