Festive fall fare

Fall's colors beat the gaudy holiday colors we will see in a few months (ahem, green and red). However, you don't want to look like a Halloween costume. Cute accessories liven up those grays, plums and browns we all love bringing out. This necklace, by cardinalhouse (on etsy.com), is just want my wardrobe needs! The orange is a muted shade that won't make you look like a tacky old woman- or a pumpkin. The brass finish on the hardware is refreshing and gives us a much needed break from plain old gold. Pair this necklace with a plum blouse and a pair of skinny jeans tucked into some boots.

Or where it will all black- like a witch.

-ani

In the Nude

Fall's award season is bringing my favorite look back- nude lips. I looooooove this look and I think it is very wearable for the everyday gal. I prefer a non- matte look but not a sticky lacquer look either. Avon makes a great lipstick that does the trick. It contains SPF 15, lip conditioners, and is has the ability to match your true lip color by bringing it down to a more neutral tone. This helps you skip the “Do I want a pink nude or a beige nude?” questions you might have. I bought this 5 years ago and have not found another lipstick that can outshine it. (it's called Beyond Color Plumping Lip Conditioner)

Try this look instead of a red lip- you might get addicted.

-ani

Clean up that make up

I have the perfect blush brush from MAC that I use for ALLLL my bronzers, blushes and powders. Problem: the pigment stays in the brush unless you “’brush” it off on a paper towel or hand towel. I don’t want to stain my Tiffany blue towels and paper towels leave lint behind. Well, low and behold in the car cleaning aisle they sell these Scott Shop Towels that are washable (or throw ‘em away). They are the best for wiping off excess blush, lipstick, eye shadow, or any other kind of make up you can think of. (And you don’t even get any lint on your brushed, holla!) They come in a large role so they are easy to replace and it’s only a few bucks.

This might be the best non-beauty product out there.

-ani

Burn some smell off...with steam

I HATE it when I go to a restaurant and leave smelling like it or worse- like smoke. What makes this even more depressing is when your silk blouse smells like it too. A quick way to get rid of that smell is to steam it. Yep, just good ol’ fashioned hot water.

What to do:

• Hang the smell-offending item on a hanger in the bathroom.
• Run a hot shower or bath water. If using a bathtub, pour a bit of cider vinegar in the water- this will really get the smell out. Let it sit for a bit and then remove from the sauna.
• You can also use a humidifier to do the same thing.

OR

• Fork out some cash for a nice steamer. I prefer anything that SHARK makes- they have the most powerful steamers out there.

Extra: Did you know that steamers can also take out wrinkles, remove deodorant marks AND sanitize?

-ani

Unpolished abolished

I am not a Type A personality at all. However, when it comes to the care for my shoes- you better believe I have some serious obsessive tendencies (thanks to my father). Shoes that are broken, scuffed, and plain worn out are simply unattractive and wrong. Take the extra time to take care of your shoes and they will look new every time you step out. Here are a few tips:

• Buy yourself a shoe polish kit- Kiwi is the only brand I use (get black, brown and a clear polish).
• Nordstrom carries a great can of protective spray for leather/suede shoes. It’s only $10 and you are an idiot* if you don’t have this.
• Storage- When changing your shoes out for the season, put your shoes in a air tight container. First clean top to bottom (the INSIDE of your shoes get a bit gross too), store them neatly, and lastly do not store them where they might be exposed to high temperatures. Leather shrinks when it is near heat. Also, keep lavender pouches in their to absorb any unwanted odors.
  
• Get a good shoe repair man- they can fix heals that are broken, repair ratty soles and just help out with general maintenance. Worth the money!

*bigger idiot if you don’t have this and you live somewhere where it rains or snows.

Get to cleaning!

-ani