Favorite Fashion Designer of The Moment - Kristian Aadnevik

If I was rich and famous, I would surely be running to my stylist screaming to dress me in this man's pieces! London-based Norwegian fashion designer Kristian Aadnevik has recently come out with his Autumn/Winter 2013 collection, and Lord knows I couldn't wipe the drool fast enough from my mouth when I saw it! I am dying over the black see through short lace dress...ugh swoon... 

Although I am in love with this most recent assortment of sultry and dark pieces, my favorite so far has been his Spring/Summer 2013 collection. Whimsical, feminine, flowy but yet sexy dresses that I just can't stop staring at. I wish they were all hanging in my closet! 

Mr. Aadnevik really does know how to accentuate every perfect curve on a woman's body. Amazing! Anyone else out there love his work as much as me?

Xoxo, 

Monica

Met Gala 2013 - Punk: Chaos to Couture

This year's theme of "Punk: Chaos to Couture" at the Met Gala was most literally taken by some of its attendees. This event seems to be one of the few where art meets fashion at its finest and where celebrities dress to impress. The annual opening of the Metropolitan Museum's fashion exhibit is considered one the world's biggest and best red carpet events. I've listed a few of my favorite's for the night, and of course some disasters.

Blake Lively, by far, wore my favorite look of the evening. Her Gucci gown epitomized the theme. The top being a very feminine baby blue, with extraordinary detail in the hips. The lower half of the dress brings in the "chaos" that is unexpected with such a harsh contrast in color and design. Her slicked back hair, and nude lip color does not distract from the dress which makes a statement on its own. The natural smoky eye and those killer earrings pull this look together perfectly! 

Hallelujah! Taylor Swift finally dressed her age! I love, love, love this look! She looks stunning and fresh in this J. Mendel sleeveless dress which was encrusted with diamonds on the shoulders! ::swoon:: I could stare at this dress all day. Her makeup artist nailed the look with a bold smokey eye and muted lip. The punk style messy half-up half-down hair only added to this gorgeous look. Fierce is an understatement here.

Sarah Jessica Parker's mohawk headpiece designed by Philip Treacy just screams Met Gala! It was gorgeous and appropriate for this event and definitely made her stand out, in a good way. That detailing is magnificent. Unfortunately, her plaid Christian Louboutin boots ruined the look altogether for me.

And now for the looks that made me shudder...

What on earth was Katie Perry thinking? I get the whole costume air about her dress and the accessories, but the execution was just terrible. Maybe if her hair was in low bun instead, or that hemline swept the floor, or those sleeves weren't an awkward length then it would have done more for me but it just didn't. Thumbs way down for this look Katie!

Someone needs to step in and take over Kim Kardashian's stylist's job and soon. I normally really enjoy her fashion sense and often think she does a great job at addressing her curves fashionably, but ever since she has been sporting that baby bump, every fashion decision she's made has been horrendous. What on earth was she thinking when she picked this flowery getup by Ricardo Tisci? It's way too covered up; she looks like she is being suffocated by a flower garden. And the attached gloves? Please, just no. 

Madonna, took the "punk" look to the extreme. I just can't take her seriously when she looks like she chose her outfit from her daughter's closet. Tartan, fishnets, and a crucifix hanging from her "behind". Everything about this look is wrong (and inappropriate for her age). Bondage is just not that sexy anymore when you're 54 and not wearing any pants. Thanks, Material Girl for surprising us with a ::cue sarcasm:: look we've never seen before from you. 

And last, but not least, I couldn't leave you guys without mentioning Miley Cyrus. It is now clear to me why Liam Hemsworth has decided to look elsewhere for love. Poor thing must have borrowed  Rod Stewart's hair dryer to recreate this look. Somewhere out there a hedgehog has fallen in love.

Thanks for stopping by! Xoxo,

Monica

Helpful tips I've picked up...

There are somethings that I've learned that looking back I think, "How could I have ever lived without this?"

1. The BEST thing to soothe and cure a sore, cut up nose from constant blowing when you have a cold: medicated chapstick. Make sure you buy two however, as you shouldn't share the one for your lips with the one for your nose. I usually take the chapstick and rub it all over my clean, dry nose before bed, making sure to get every little cut, dry crevice, and sore spots. The medicated smell and feel initially has a burning feeling, but feels very soothing after a while. I leave this on all night and wake up to a much happier nose ready for another day of sneezing and blowing. Try this next time people mistake you for Rudolph.

2. Static Guard - Does your hair suffer from chronic static cling during the winter months? This product will save you from a ton of frustration. You might initially be wondering if this can damage hair since its most typical use is to solve static cling in clothing, but if you look on the back of the can, it actually says that this can be used to prevent flyaways in hair. I tend to get the most static after blow drying my hair or brushing it and usually only in the winter. I solve the problem by lightly spray it all over (much like a hairspray but with a lighter hand) or spray it directly on my brush before brushing. Another great item to help prevent this issue is a fabric softener dryer sheet. Rub the sheet all over your hair to help tame hair that is full of static. I usually carry one in my purse for on the go problem solving. One sheet lasts about 2 times. Be gone electrocuted looking hair!

3. Brush your lips while you brush your teeth. This will exfoliate them which helps rid them of peeling and dead skin cells. After, apply a moisturizing lip balm (my current favorite is Nivea's A Kiss of Milk and Honey Soothing Lip Care) before you apply your makeup. Leave your lips for last. By the time you are ready to apply lipstick or gloss, the balm has prepped your lips for a smooth application and has also left them feeling hydrated, moisturized, soft and supple for lots of smooching later!

4. Johnson and Johnson's Shea and Cocoa Butter Baby Oil Gel - This is the best kept secret for shiny healthy looking legs. If you are thinking of wearing a mini skirt or shorts this summer, don't leave the house without applying this . This gives a sheen like no other without the sticky oily feeling contrary to its name. I love smoothing this all over my skin right after I get out of the shower for touchably soft skin. I sound like a corny commercial, but its true!

5. In need of a dotting tool to keep up with the latest nail art trend? Simply push a pin that has a round head into the eraser end of a pencil and wallah! The perfect dot every single time!

6. This next helpful tip (which is not beauty related, but will change your life forever) came directly from my boyfriend who after suggesting it left me shocked and honestly feeling a little dumb for not thinking of it myself. How many of you struggle with the extremely short charger cord for the iPhone, iPad, iAnything? Like c'mon, who was the genius that decided they were going to save the company a few extra dollars by making that thing ridiculously short? After about a year into having my iPad and having to sit on the floor near the outlet every time it threatened 10% battery life, I almost gave in and was about to shell out the $30 for the longer charger at the Apple store. Of course my boyfriend, being apparently way more MacGyver savvy simply said, "Why don't you just attach a white extension cord to your charger?" I looked at him like someone had stolen a whole year from my life.

I hope these little helpful hints help you a little too!

Xoxo,

Monica

I've got the blues!

I've always wanted to rock blue nails. Yet every time I bought a blue polish, I hated the way the way it looked on my nails. I've bought navies, royals, and even neon blues, and none are flattering. Although it seemed that everyone else could look beautiful in blue, I always felt as if I looked like a 7th grader, if that makes any sense. Alas, it seemed the perfect blue was non-existent for me. And then Sally Hansen must have heard my nightly prayers, because Pacific Blue was created, and it seemed like it was created just for me, and those who also struggled with the same blue nail polish dilemma (because you know these are the problems that keep us up at night).

It is a gorgeous color that gets compliments every time I wear it. Non-streaky and very opaque; two coats is more than enough. I top it off with my all-time favorite top coat Seche Vite, and it's perfect. This color hardly leaves my toes in the summer and is definitely my go to color for any season. If your a die hard Essie fan, Butler Please is almost an exact dupe. Go and pick this bad boy up!