Angel Secret Review

So, I was looking for a season-less blazer. If this year's Spring cleaning taught me anything it's that there is almost no point to having so many clothes that can only be worn for a few months out of the year. I was looking for something out of the ordinary and slightly punk-y when I spotted this plaid power-shoulder blazer at a store called Angel Secret on eBay:


Don't worry - I had no intention of wearing it the same way as the model. That would be a bit much, even for me. No, I saw myself toning it down with a plain white shirt underneath, a well-worn denim skirt, and my strappy Aldo wedge thingees. I saw that the seller Angel Secret was locatedin Hong Kong, which meant the jacket could take a long time to arrive, but I took a chance and bought it anyway. A couple of weeks later it arrived in good condition. Here's my experience: The jacket is made in several sizes, but I was surprised that it fit as well as it did. I thought the sleeves might have been a tad too long. I'm not sure that's actually the case or if it has to do with my personal preference, but I rolled them up. This turned out to be just fine since the entire jacket is lined with a satiny dotted material. It has cute brass-y buttons down the front but they don't actually button; instead a super-strong hook-and-eye mechanism holds the blazer closed in the front. I thought this was a well thought-out detail because it's the same way that my favorite military blazer works. Anyway, here's the final result. (Forgive the blogger-at-work pics and the flat hair and the leggings- it's very cool in my office.)



I could definitely see myself buying again from Angel Secret. For $49 and free shipping I received a lightweight blazer that could be dressed up or down. In fact, I recently ordered this jacket from there...



...and I'll have a review of it very soon. As you can probably tell I'm a hard core fan of blazers because they help me to get out of the door in a hurry. There are lots of mornings when I'll just throw on a pair of jeans, a random top and a blazer. Regardless of the season, the blazer pulls it all together. Do you have your own secrets for looking "pulled together" in a hurry? If so, please share! Also, where do you get your blazers? I'm always on the lookout.

at 1:23 PM 5 comments  

Canvas & Fabric Handbags



Maybe it's a sign of the economic times, but canvas and fabric handbags are apparently making a comeback. I've been seeing them everywhere. Dolce & Gabbana wants over 300 bucks for that little number in the corner up there, but you can find similar ones for a better price! I'm definitely thinking about picking one up but... read more on our review blog


I haven't narrowed down my choices just yet. When I do, I'll be sure to come here and share. So, what about you? Any interest in canvas handbags or are you partial to another material? Tell me all about it in comments!

at 4:17 PM 0 comments  

Links A La Mode



Your Blogs Perfect Accessory: Brilliant Pictures


Edited by Denimology



As I was selecting my posts for this weeks Links A La Mode, I realized how important it is to have attractive and original images in your posts. I noticed that I would open a post and close it promptly if the images looked rather..... what's the word... meh.



Here is how to have your blog posts chosen by me [Denimology] for LALM:



  • Images Are The Main Course -- A great image will draw in your reader. The image might be beautiful, odd, heartwarming, instructive or just curiosity-provoking, so long as it keeps the reader wanting to read your post.

  • Don't Forget To Use an Image -- It’s better to use a generic image than no image at all but ultimately your image should represent what the subject of your post is about.

  • High Quality Images Are Best -- We've all heard the saying "Pictures speak a thousand words", but in the blogging world they speak even more. Adding HQ pictures to a blog post will visually stimulate your readers and help them identify with you, the writer.

  • Resize Your Images -- While images can make your blog looked polished and professional, having images that hang over into the margins or that are cut off is sloppy blogging.



Links à la Mode: May 19th




SPONSOR:


Sexy Tops at Shopbop: Vena Cava, Blue Life, Monrow, Vince, Wildfox,


LnA, Equipment blouses, LAMB, Zac Posen, Rachel Roy & Jill Stuart





at 5:51 PM 0 comments  

DIY Almond Rosewater Facial Scrub

I've been playing around with this for a few weeks, but I think I now have the perfect all-natural facial scrub. My skin is pretty clear right now and I think I owe it all to my new creation. I've been using it every night and I made it with four really simple ingredients. Here's what I used:

1/2 cup of almond meal (I got mine from Trader Joe's but there are lots of sources online, too.)
A generous amount of rosewater
2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil or almond oil
1 teaspoon of natural witch hazel (different from the kind at the corner drugstore)
Optional: capful of gin or vodka



I added the almond meal to a bowl and mixed in enough rosewater to make a very thick paste. (Feel free to experiment with the consistency, though, and make it the way you want!) Then, I whisked in the oil and followed with the natural witch hazel. I used a whisk or fork each time I've made it, though I supposed you gourmet-types could get a smoother concoction using a hand-mixer or blender. Any way you mix it, it's a great little scrub that isn't too rough and won't leave your skin all red and angry. In fact, it's pretty soothing. As with all natural products you'll need to think about how to keep it fresh. I've been either refrigerating mine or adding a capful of gin. With the gin it will last 3 or 4 days in a cool/dry place, but it'll keep for more than a week if you shove it in the refrigerator when you're done.

I'm really pleased with the results (obviously, right?) so I just had to share. But I'm still fiddling with other creations, so I'm pretty sure I'll have more of these projects to share down the road. Do you make any of your own skin care products? If so, which ones?

at 12:11 PM 3 comments  

Short Rompers & Jumpers


Maybe you were hoping rompers would just go away? They certainly didn't seem convenient or even entirely flattering the last time we talked about them. (We can only imagine what Tim Gunn would say!) But here we are taking a look at the updated "one-piece jumper thingees" coming out in time for the warm weather, and we have to say - some of them are pretty darned hot! What do you think??? Way to go? Or... oh honey, no? See more of what we're talking about here.

at 5:53 PM 4 comments  

Links A La Mode: This Week


As the World Turns


Edited by Fajr of StylishThought.com



With so much going on in the world, the Japan earthquake, the upheaval in Libya, the aftermath of John Galliano’s actions and the social phenomenon that is Charlie Sheen, it’s great to see the fashion blogging community talking about the issues and bringing a little light with the fancy of fashion! Included in this week’s amazing links: Shopping to Aid Japan Relief, an outfit post for Charlie Sheen, exploring the new neon trend and behind the scenes of how Hermes scarves are made!



Links à la Mode: March 24th




SPONSOR:


Shopbop Sale: Jen Kao, Maison Scotch, Free People, Tibi, Jil Sander, Herve Leger, Tory Burch, & Alexander Wang

at 4:35 PM 1 comments  

Sick!

This time of year it seems everyone is either sick or taking care of sick people. Guess which one I am? The latter, or course! So far, I'm the last (wo)man standing so I've been busy looking after two fellas who seem to be taking turns with various manifestations of cold and/or flu. They're getting better, but for the last couple of weeks I've had absolutely no time to blog. I'll be getting back into the swing of things with new reviews and posts before the end of the week. Hang in there - Spring is almost here!

at 11:02 AM 0 comments  

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