Abby Talks Accessories: 5 Summer Must Haves

If you're a regular GJU reader, you know that my friend Abby knows her accessories. She's a connoisseur of all things fabulous, and this month, she shares her top five accessories to spice up your summer.
<3 GJU

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Memorial Day weekend is the official start to summer. Warmer weather means less clothing, and less clothing means more room for accessorizing. Here are my top five summer accessory must-haves:

Much like the weather, the nightlife heats up during the summer months too. For a night out, every girl needs a good costume ring. For a little extra sparkle, I love my Michael Kors barrel ring.

You all know how I feel about my wrist candy. Summer is perfect time to add funky colors to the mix. I got these coral whisper bracelets as a gift from a girlfriend in Louisville and they’re a perfect addition to my gold watch and bangle.

Bright colors come out in the warmer months and an easy way to add color to any outfit is with the perfect summer handbag. My bright blue tote is my favorite summer bag. (My parents gave me this bag as a get-well gift after surgery. Pic is of my mom when she gave it to me)

A trend introducing itself to the warmer months this year is the printed scarf. I love a good scarf for the fall, but I’m excited to be able rock a printed scarf with a fitted tank and colored bottoms. I’ve had my eye on this animal printed Zara scarf for a while now.

Chunky necklaces are a great way to dress up a simple shirt, tank, sundress or swimsuit. I’m big into statement necklaces, and have found many ways to incorporate this Francesca’s find into my summer wardrobe.

My plus one? You can’t enjoy the sunshine without the perfect pair of shades.

Make it your own:

-Michael Kors Barrel Ring, $95.00 (This pair is no longer online, but you can find it in most stores)

-Whisper Bracelets, prices vary. Find similar bracelets here

-Michael Kors Large Ring Shoulder Tote, $328.00

-Zara animal print scarf, $19.90

-Francesca’s Like A Rolling Stone Necklace, $24.00 (They didn’t have the same colors online, but I love this orange option, too!)

What are your summer must-have accessories? Tweet me @AbbyDraper

Abby Talks Accessories: Sunglasses

If you're a regular GJU reader, you know that my friend Abby knows her accessories. She's a connoisseur of all things fabulous, and I'm so lucky that she will be sharing her expertise with us every month!

If her missed her last post on wrist candy- no worries. You can find it right here.

Enjoy!

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As summer quickly approaches, spending time in the sunshine is top of mind. One of the most important accessories that accompanies the season of outdoor loving are your shades. I am a huge fan of protecting my eyes in a stylish manner, so I own several pairs of sunglasses. Per my latest blog, Harper’s Bazaar noted that “Funnie Sunnies” were a 2012 accessory trend, and while I don’t tend to venture too far out, I do have some fab glasses to choose from.

First and foremost, it’s no secret how much I love Michael Kors. I bought this pair of aviators on my first visit to Los Angeles and have rocked them on most days since. (Sorry for the bad iPhone photo… I didn’t have a lot of options)

As much as I love my Michael Kors aviators, you can’t pass up on the originals. My titanium Ray Ban aviators are easily my most comfortable pair of sunnies.

While I prefer the real thing, during a recent trip to Mexico, my girlfriends and I purchased these fake Ray Bans for $10, and I love my Kentucky blue’s.

Like any accessory, you always have to have your back ups. Thanks to Target, I have a couple of other options to choose from that are affordable and adorable.

Michael Kors updated aviator sunglasses: $195

Ray Ban Aviator Titanium: $215

Fake Colored Ray Bans: $10 Beach Vendor in Mexico

Target Options: $12 at your local Target

How do you keep your eyes safe and stylish during the summer? Let me know @AbbyDraper.

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Guest Post: Abby Talks Accessories

Hi GJU readers! I'm really excited about this post because my good friend (and accessory expert) Abby is sharing her thoughts on Accessories for Spring. This girl knows what she's talking about. Happy Tuesday :)

You guys know I love a good arm party. Enjoy her guest post...

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This morning, I came across the Spring 2012 Accessories Report from Harper’s Bazaar. Like all women, I swoon over all things fashion, however, my fashion heart skips a beat when it comes to accessories. Accessories are important enough that they can make or break an entire outfit.

HB shares eight trends to look for this spring:

·      Tribal Touches

·      Saturated Sorbets

·      Ladylike and white

·      Futurism

·      Floral Fetishes

·      Return of the earring

·      Wrist Candy

·      Funny Sunnies

I am excited to see all of these trends this spring, however, if you know me, you know that I rock the “wrist candy” at all times. Michael Kors is my go-to, although I currently have my eye on this Kate Spade bangle.

Kate Spade, $58

Today’s wrist candy is minimal, but it’s three of my favorite pieces.

Watch: Michael Kors $250 (it’s old school, but you can find similar here)

Gold Bangle: Michael Kors: $95

Turquoise Bracelet: Polkadots and Moonbeams, $36

Which trend are you most excited about? Wanna talk accessories? Tweet me @AbbyDraper 
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Seriously.. Tweet her.


See ya tomorrow <3

Make Up Tutorial: Sassy Kitten!

I'm so excited for today's post! It's written by my friend Caitlin who is my go-to make up and nail aficionado. She knows what she's talking about, so I thought she should share some of her skill on GJU. Here's your make-up tutorial post. Tomorrow, we'll delve into sassy kitten nails!

Rawr....

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Sassy Kitten Makeup Tutorial

As a Get Jessed Up fanatic and a huge supporter of this blog, I was ecstatic when Jess asked me to put together some sort of hair and/or makeup tutorial for all of you. I feel the same way about makeup as Jess does about clothing – your makeup style is just as much an expression of who you are as the outfit you wear out the door in the morning.

Most days, I plan my outfit around the way I want my makeup to look, whether it’s deep purple, bright cobalt, or a sassy, smoky cat eye… which is what I’ll be teaching you today. I welcome any opportunity to inject a little “crazy cat lady” into everything that I do, so we’ll also take this one step further and show you a simple three-step cheetah print nail tutorial. Overkill? Well, at least I didn’t wear my cat shirt for the (awkward) pictures.

Let’s get started – face first. My recommended “best face forward” products:

1.     Purpose Gentle Cleansing Bar - $3.99 (CVS)

2.     Olay Complete Moisturizer - $8.99 (CVS)

3.     Olay Total Effects 7 Blemish Control Cleanser - $7.99 (CVS)

4.     Crest Complete Extra Whitening - $3.99 (CVS)

5.     Crest 3D White Strips - $55.99/20-pack (CVS)

Friends are always asking me what products I use for my face and it’s pretty simple: I use the cleansing bar in the shower, I moisturize every day, and – when I remember – I use a blemish control cleanser to wash my face before bed. If the last two products surprise you, please know that a bright white smile is the best thing you can do for face. 

Now, for my "best face forward" makeup products:

Almost all the products shown above are also from CVS and are available for less than $10. Take my advice and join their beauty club - $5 for every $50 you spend on beauty products. Aside from CVS, I am a loyal bareMinerals gal:

1.     bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation - $26 (Sephora)

2.     bareMinerals Liner Shadow in Hallucinate - $13 (Sephora)

3.     Prime Time Eyelid Primer – Brightening in Gold - $18 (Sephora)

Start by applying your foundation and makeup as you normally would. I use a loose powder foundation and apply using a kabuki brush: 

Apply an eye shadow primer to your whole lid:

Using a contour brush, begin applying black shadow at the outer corner of your lid, working the brush into your crease and toward the middle of your eyelid. Tip: black eye shadow and a smoky eye can sometimes make you look tired. Blend in a little navy shadow near the lash line to brighten the look and avoid looking sleepy: 

Line your lower lid with a black pencil:

Using black liquid eyeliner and using your lash line as a guide, line your upper lid out near the end of your shadow. Draw another line from the corner of your eye up to the end of the top line. 

Fill in the outlined area:

Add some more brightening primer to the inside corner of your eye and blend, add mascara and some clear gloss and you’re done: 

Tip: pair with a bold, red lip for extra sassiness and throwback class. When I wear a bold lip, I’ll typically tone down the shadow and opt for a more simple look… unless, of course, it’s Halloween! 

Before and after:

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So, what do you think? Would you try out this look?

Check back tomorrow to see a Sassy Kitten Nail Tutorial to match this bombshell makeup lesson from Caitlin!