Look Lit: Iconic Fashion

From the minute I could read “chapter books”, I fell in love with Nancy Drew. Her clever antics and sleuthing ways keep me on my toes even today. In fact, it was my love for Miss Drew that inspired me to create a new series of posts entitled Look Lit.  Each week we’ll do our best uncover the style of a children’s literature hero. 

 What character’s look would you like to see?

Magnifying Glass, The Weather Workshop ; Vintage Dress and Jacket, Modcloth; Skirt, Anthropologie; Smith & Corona Typewriter, Finding Fabulous Christian Louboutin Heels, Barneys

Fact About Nancy

The first three Nancy Drew® stories were published on April 28, 1930.

Nancy’s hair color has changed over the years. It was blonde at first. Then in 1957, a printing error on the cover of The Haunted Showboat caused her hair to be titian. Soon after, the books referred to her as titian-haired. It has been described as strawberry blonde too over the years. It has never been brunette in the books.

Nancy was 16 in the original books. It wasn’t until the late 1950s that her age changed to 18 to accommodate driving laws in all states. Nancy has never been in school in the books.

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I Heart: Skirts

Unless you’re just in love with the jeans and a t-shirt look, I’ve decided that the awkward period between summer and fall can be an absolute fashion nightmare. Particularly when the humid summer heat seems to drag on endlessly. My solution for the perfect transition piece: the skirt. You can layer it up with a cardi or jacket and cool it down with a simple tank or tee. Plus, it pairs brilliantly with tights and leggings, boots or a simple ballet flat. Here’s to the skirt!

 

 

Eugenia Mini, Anthropologie; Free People Ribbon Mini, Free People; Vintage Print Mini, Renouveau Clothing; SoCa St. John Pleated Black Skirt, Nordstrom; Leifsdottir Gray a-line Skirt, Nordstrom

Dewey Makeup 101

 

Why is it that when fall and winter roll around, we find ourselves piling on the concealer, pancake makeup and layer upon layer of loose powder? Could it be Halloween that inspires us to conjure up the spirit of Mary Kay, circa 1994? All spring and summer we have been fresh faced, sun kissed, dewy, and natural, but as Labor Day approaches, women feel the need to break out the ivory foundation and matte lipstick. As we inch closer to Thanksgiving, the chalkier we become. We resemble department store mannequins until about Easter, when we finally scrape our faces clean once again. Well, ladies, the cakey look will not be making an appearance this season.  Fall 2009 is taking a luminous turn.

Since the dewy look is apparently here to stay (for now), it’s probably a good time to talk about how to achieve this look without appearing greasy or too barefaced.

The two most vital products needed in order to achieve that glow are a sheer foundation and either a cream blush or a cheek stain.

One of my favorite “cheapy” foundations is Cover Girl’s TruBlend. It gives enough coverage to even out skin tone, but does not settle on top of the skin and in pores and lines like most foundations do. If you don’t need much coverage at all, a tinted moisturizer is also a good option. Smashbox Shear Focus is an awesome tinted moisturizer that also offers SPF 15 protection. If you’re on a real budget, simply mix your own liquid foundation with your moisturizer for a similar result.

The best cheek stain that I have come across is Benefit Posietint. Apply it to the apples of your cheeks for a sheer pink glow. (Tip: Posietint can also be used as a lip stain, just apply a little bit of gloss on top to add some sheen.) If you aren’t in the market for a $28 cheek stain, try applying your own blush and then dabbing a tiny (I do mean tiny) amount of hair serum, clear lip gloss or Vaseline on the apples of your cheeks. This will allow you to control how much glow you want, although remember that the goal is to have a subtle glow, not to look like a fry cook at KFC.

Lastly, if you have oily skin and cannot part with your pressed powder compact, try using rice sheets or Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets instead. These sheets are very inexpensive and absorb oil without removing makeup or leaving you with a dull, powdered look.

Well, ladies, that concludes Dewy Makeup 101. Have fun experimenting with your fall makeup looks and remember less is more!

~ Courtney

Fall 2009 Preview

This fall, Qe has some fantastic plans. From beauty reviews to runway design to indie fashion, there are plenty of things to get excited about. Today, we’re debuting one of my favorite ideas for the season, She Says. These posts will be an opinionated review of all things beauty. And best of all, they will be written by my best childhood friend and fellow fashionista, Courtney.  Courtney has been on top of every beauty gadget and trend for as long as I can remember, so it’s a great honor to have her agree to contribute. I know you’ll love her witty reviews and opinionated rants as much as I do! Feel free to leave her loads of comments and questions!

Sunny and Sweet

Here are a few promised pics from the show this weekend!

Samantha Lamb on percussion

QUiD goodness