My Taupe 5 Best Dressed from the 2015 Oscars!

Last night's Oscars was the first award show that I have seen in a long time that almost everyone there could make the best dressed list! It featured hues of red, mesh inserts, and TONS of neutrals (I was in heaven).That being said, it was extremely hard to only pick a taupe 5 so I added 2 under the category of "Honorable Mention" because I felt my list would be incomplete without them!So without further ado here is my list of leading ladies:

Honorable Mention: 

Rosamund Pike (wearing Givenchy) and Emma Stone (wearing Elie Saab)

#5: Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon NEVER disappoints with her timeless and flattering ensembles. Last night was no exception, as she exuded confidence in this Tom Ford gown. She also brought much attention to the #askhermore campaign which promotes more in depth interview questions for women than simply covering what/who they are wearing(it doesn't preach getting rid of these fashion questions, but rather asking other questions, along with the fashion questions, pertaining to these ladies work as well). I believe this is a wonderful concept as these women have worked hard to establish themselves in the industry and have become very accomplished.

#4: Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyeneth Paltrow stunned in this Ralph & Russo Couture gown featuring a shoulder rosette. The pastel color complimented her hair and skin tone perfectly, while the actual fit of the dress drew attention to the smallest part of her waist. It was a very understated color choice but if you were watching last night, you couldn't miss her!

#3: Jennifer Lopez

If I ever had to blindly guess which celebrity would steal the show, I'd put my money on Jennifer Lopez. She consistently dazzles and seems to only get more beautiful with age. Last night she proved all of the above to be true when she stepped out in this Elie Saab silhouette. The beading on this dress was exquisite and the color only enhanced her flawless skin. Paired with the perfect shade of pink lipstick JLo was the ultimate knockout!

#2: Jennifer Aniston

Known for loving neutral shades and wearing them like they were made for her, it's no wonder Jennifer Aniston is #2 on my taupe 5 list. She was drop-dead-gorgeous in this beaded Versace gown last night that accentuated her sculpted body. It's sheer bottom added a touch of glamour that was unmatched on the carpet. Much like JLo, Jennifer only gets more beautiful with age and therefore it's no shocker that she constantly places on Best Dressed lists. (On a serious note, how do I get this dress in my closet?!)

And the best dressed of the 2015 Oscars goes to...

#1: Lupita Nyong'o

This was a given, and I question the credibility of any article that doesn't have her listed! Lupita Nyong'o took every girl's dream and made it come true last night by stepping out in a Calvin Klein dress made of 6000 pearls (Fun Fact: Websites are speculating the minimum cost per pearl was $25, making the total cost at least $150,000...and that's without designer fees and other materials). Lupita is known for only wearing the most fashionable and elegant ensembles, but last night's dress stole the show, and possibly all award shows this season.  

Sources: 

Pearl Facts: http://fortune.com/2015/02/23/lupita-nyongo-oscar-dress/

Images: http://www.eonline.com/photos/15283/best-dressed-stars-at-the-2015-oscars

Can't Taupe a Snow Day!

What's the best thing to hear as a college student besides "your test is canceled" or "your project due date has been moved back"? "HAPPY SNOWDAY!" Of course the majority of students use this as a day to sleep in and have a relaxing day in doors, but for those of you who dare to venture out of the house, I've put together a blog just for you! I'm letting you know the boots you'll need to not only endure the cold but also stay firmly planted on taupe of the ice and snow.

Option #1:

I chose these pair of Hunter Boots because their a classic and a closet staple! They're my taupe pick for low temperature, icy days because they have a layer of insulation to keep your toes warm. They also go up to the knee (so feel free to stomp) and are non-glossy, resembling a typical riding boot. The cherry on taupe? They're black and go with everything!

Option #2:

I chose these pair of Polo Ralph Lauren boots because of their casual and laid back demeanor. They resemble the current rage of "Bean Boots" with the touch of a timeless brand. I prefer to wear these on what I call "aftermath" days, meaning the snow is melting, the sun is shining, and the overall temperature is warmer. These are also a great year round pick since you can wear them in the summer on rainy days without getting toasty from added insulation. 

Option #3:

I threw in these Sperry boots (distributed through J. Crew) as a wildcard! These are perfect for keeping your feet warm from the cold as they feature a furry inside. They also have a rubber outside to block out any snow/ice/water you may come across on your venture. Last but not least their bold color makes a statement that few winter boots do and will definitely leave a lasting impression.

So wherever your snowy day may take you, any of these three choices will definitely help get you there!

Taupe Coat: Nail Colors for Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of my followers!

Whether your plans include a 50 Shades of Grey movie date with your gal pals, dinner reservations with your boyfriend, or a date with your chaise lounge and some quality take-out food, there’s one decision all of us girls have in common this Valentine’s Day: “What color nail polish should I chose to celebrate the holiday?” Look no further! This week on the blog I’m giving you 5 different color options that suit every kind of gal. 

The first color I chose was Essie "Soul Mate". This color has a hue similar to that of a glass of succulent Cabernet Sauvignon. It exudes sophistication and a sense of mystery making it a perfect color for date night. 

Color: Essie Soul Mate

My next color of choice is an all time favorite of mine regardless of season or holiday! It is by OPI and is called "Big Apple Red". It has a classy feel with a "you never know what's going to happen" kind of finish. So whatever your plans may be, you're sure to make a bold statement with this color choice!

 

Color: OPI Big Apple Red

OPI's polish, Santiago Sangria, is their way of saying "let's dance the night away"! This is definitely a color any gal can appreciate and therefore is most flawless when paired with a night with the girls. When wearing this polish, you'll radiate confidence without saying a word!

Color: OPI Santiago Sangria

Of course, I couldn't post a blog without throwing in some neutrals! This one goes out to the girls who are just as head over heels for the lighter side of the color wheel as I am. Got plans to kick back a watch a classic movie instead of fighting the lines to watch a premier? Then this Essie Muchi, Muchi polish is your color! It has a timeless, and always classy tint that is appropriate for any occasion. While some say it is a safe choice, I think it's a real class act!

Color: Essie Muchi, Muchi

Last, but certainly not least, is another one of my all time favorites and I know several gals who agree. Whether you're trying to use it as a winter white or during the summer to showcase that tan, this Essie Marshmallow polish is always a win. Much like Essie Muchi, Muchi, it's appropriate for any occasion and matches even your wildest of outfits.

Color: Essie Marshmallow

Tip Taupe Shape: Sweating never looked so good!

Lattice backs, mesh panels, and cutouts, OH MY! 

Fashion and active wear are the “it” couple of the year and have been spotted on even the most lavish runways.  Expert brands Nike and Under Armour are running to the drawing boards to try to take their legendary active wear from drab to fab. On the contrary, brands like LuluLemon, Adidas, and Athleta saw this trend coming and arrived to the scene with statement pieces that consumers couldn’t get enough of.  This trend is expected to continue to grow immensely, and has even been given the stigma by Yahoo writer, Jamie McKillop, of being the “new celebrity perfume”!  We’re all familiar with celebrities selecting a fragrance and stamping their name on the bottle. Well this concept is now believed to be happening to the active wear portion of the fashion industry. For example, Heidi Klum, who has previously launched several versions of her original perfume, "Shine", is now launching a collection with New Balance. McKillop also brings up other examples including Kate Hudson’s partnership with Fabletica, and Beyoncé’s soon to come with TopShop (so excited about this one).

Photo 1: http://www.theperfumegirl.com/perfumes/fragrances/heidi-klum/heidi-klum-summer-shine/
Photo 2: http://movie-stars.us/fashion/heidi-klum-aims-to-make-workout-gear-stylish-with-new-balance.aspx
Yahoo Article Source: https://www.yahoo.com/beauty/is-activewear-the-new-celebrity-perfume-107323329010.html

Personally I believe this comparison is spot on! Any brand that can, should be getting in on this trend as the emphasis on health and wellness is soaring. If there’s money to spare while doing so, throwing in a celebrity endorser never hurts. Reflecting on this growing industry and updated active wear, I've put together 2 solid looks that upgrade your workout attire from boring to fashion industry and school schedule approved!

Look 1: Headed to the gym after class!

This look is 100% class and fashion approved since peplum tops have taken over fashion in the past year. The fit of a peplum top is one that leaves you exuding confidence due to the fact that it cinches at the most flattering point of the waist and flares out from there. Therefore any trouble areas are easily camouflaged. The fact that American Eagle Outfitter's Performance line mixed this everyday peplum fit with dry fit, gym-ready material made it an instant buy for me. Next, these MPG Capri pants are not only slimming but also have a pink touch of glam to set them apart from the generic black staple leggings. Lastly, these Nike Free Run Running Shoes are the ultimate cherry on top that make this workout combo a home run!

Top: AOE Performance Peplum Top

Bottom: MPG Capri Black/Pink Leggings 

Shoes: Nike Free Run Running Shoes

Bag: Longchamp Le Pliage Large Shoulder Tote Black

Look 2: Attending a relaxing weekend yoga session!

Want to find your center in style? Check out this look that incorporates all of the hottest trends in fashion! To start, this top from LuluLemon is one of my personal favorites. Not only is it my favorite color (remember my love of all things neutral), but it also has an intricate back featuring forever-glamorous cut outs. If you think this top is a win, check out the LuluLemon Gray/Mesh Capris! They're made in such a neutral color that they can be matched with anything, but also feature such stunning mesh designs setting them apart from any other. Mesh has been an uber-trend recently, and having such a breathable material makes it a perfect fit for gym styles. Lastly, these lightweight Mizuno sneakers make you feel like you're walking on pillows (making them the PERFECT weekend and relaxation shoe). 

Top: LuluLemon Light Pink Tank
Bottom: LuluLemon Gray/Mesh Capris

Shoes: Mizuno Lightweight Sneaker
Yoga Mat: TJ Maxx