Going Gaga

Recently, my best friend and I attended the Lady Gaga concert in our area. Some people choose to dress up for the "Monster Ball" and some just grab a concert T-shirt and call it good. Needless to say, each of us spent many days and hours in preparation for the concert. When we got there we couldn't even figure out where the entrance was before we had people asking to have their picture taken with us. We got such a reaction I just wouldn't be a user-friendly fashion blogger if I didn't share the story of my costume with my lovely readers.  So here you are my dears:

The Inspiration:
I chose an ensemble from the Telephone video featuring Beyonce. I decided on this outfit because it was one of the only Gaga looks I could do without being naked entirely, or knowing an awful lot about couture. Plus it looked like fun to make :)

Hello Hello?

If only I had the Chanel glasses

The Process

I got a faux leather jacket for $20 from Ross, and a black bustier for $15 from Forever 21. Then I got about 200 spikes online. I would recommend getting them from Amazon if you have time to wait, they're cheaper but they ship from China. I think I spent about $50 on all the spikes, mostly because I was worried about time so I bought some from studsandspikes.com which is based in Seattle. Then I went to work. 

Before: Front 

Before: Back

Bustier Before

The best way to add spikes is to stab a hole where the screw goes through, and then shove the screw through. I had an awl that I used, but a nail could work too. I would recommend wearing tight fitting gloves if you have them because this process can be pretty tough on your fingertips. Scissors are useful as a helper too, but I wouldn't use them alone because it's too easy to make the hole too big, and then the spike has nothing to hold on to (no fabric between the spike and the screw) and it slips through. 

The smaller the spike, the smaller the screw

With the awl stabbed through the faux leather

Stabbing a screw through 

Be sure to screw the spikes on very tight

I was worried about symmetry and placement of each and every spike but realistically no one was looking as close as me. The more spikes I added, the more obvious it was that they didn't have to be perfect. 

To complete my outfit I wore black bunhugger panties (not a thong like Gaga) and some fishnets. 

Hair and Makeup

To emulate Lady Gaga's hair was definitely difficult. Putting pop cans in my hair didn't sound that hard, but it took me about an hour. I teased each section of hair and curled it the same direction as the can I was going to put it around, this way it wasn't being held in place by the can, but instead was holding the can in place. I used a lot of bobby pins and a lot of hairspray. This hairstyle was proof that anything is possible with enough pins and product. I wasn't worried about the clips or pins showing, since she has some showing, and I just wanted it to work.

For my makeup I used a wax on my eyebrows and then filled them in with dark brown shadow. I used a nude base for my eyeshadow with only a slight dark brown in the crease. I used cream eyeliner and put it on with an angled brush in a wide line that covered most of my eyelid. With the dark lip color it is important to use lip liner so that the color doesn't bleed away from the lip. The finishing touch was false lashes. I am not very good at putting these on, but I always use clear glue so I can make mistakes. Always put lashes on last. 

7 Diet Coke Cans, one determined little monster.

The Completed Look

With Paparazzi Gaga in the shoes I was too scared to wear all night

Remember she made her outfit too!
True little monsters.

Paparazzi Gaga and I on our way to the show

The full ensemble.

The Aftermath

After nearly freezing to death outside in 30 degree weather for more than half an hour with no pants, we finally got to see the amazing Gaga. The show was thoroughly entertaining. When we got home it was time for sweats, concert tees, and a hot cup of tea. But I still had this to deal with: 

After I took out the cans

Once again, anything is possible with pins and hairspray.

After I took out all the pins. A better view of the eyeliner too.

Hope you found it interesting. Thanks for reading! 

Fast Simple Hairstyles (featuring Wanderlust Gems)

If there's one thing I hate in life it's routine. A lot of us don't have enough variety in our lives, mostly because of time constraints. Often, when we find something that works we stick with it. Makes sense right? Even I am guilty. I like to change my look a lot: I do my makeup differently or try a different look with my clothes. But when it comes to my hair? I've noticed it's pretty routine. I either wear it straight or curled. Up, or down. Not a lot of variety! So I've done a little research and come across a few styles that are not only different than what I usually do, but quick and easy so that I don't feel like it's a daunting task.

1. Braided Headband
This style can be done with straight or curled hair. It's simple, but adds a nice touch to an everyday style.

What you'll need:

Comb, small rubber band, (optional) bobby pins,
fun pins. These are from Wanderlust Gems

What to do:

Choose a section of your hair on one side.  The size depends on how big you want your braid.
Put the rest of your hair up to get it out of your way. 

Comb the hair directly upwards, then divide into three sections and braid.
I sometimes flip my head upside down to make this part easier, but the most important part
of this style is to start the braid upside down.

Once you've completed your braid you can spray a dab of hairspray to keep
 it from coming undone, or rubberband it. It just depends on what kind of hair you have.
This is when you let your hair down.

Wrap the hair across your head and pin into place.
It's important to have your hair down so that you pin it correctly.
(sorry it's hard to see because my hair is black)

Add the fun clips or pins to add visual texture. Less is not more, more
is more. 

Done. Pretty easy huh? 

2. Vintage

This style can also be done with straight or curly hair. I didn't curl mine because it's naturally straight but I may do a post in the future of a more in depth vintage hairstyle. Let me know if you want me to!

What you'll need: 

Comb (optional), "hair combs," (availabe at drugstores, cheap)  fun clips of your choice.
Once again these are Wanderlust Gems 

What to do:

Part your hair in the middle. Using your thumb or a comb, start at your ear and move to the crown of your
 head to grab a section of your hair. 

Twist the section of hair towards the center of your head.

Push the twisted section towards the front of your head to create a slight bump

Slide the little comb in to hold the hair in place. Curls hide these combs better than straight hair but just choose a color that's similar to your hair color.

Repeat the process on the other side. Remember to twist towards your part. 

Add hair pins underneath the combs to camouflage them more and add
 something else to your look. 

Yes, on both sides!

Done! This is what it looks like from the front. So easy!

3. Side Pony With A Twist

All you need for this style is a comb, a hair band, and some pins.

What to do:

If you have flat hair like I do, tease the crown a bit. NOT a lot.

On the side opposite of where your pony will go, grab some hair and twist it to the location of the pony.
This means no little strays, a nice look, and no pins stabbing the back of your neck. 

Once you've put your hair in the elastic, grab the longest piece and wrap it around the elastic to hide it. 

Then use the pins to hold the wrapped hair in place, and make your pony look more fun.
I usually tease the pony itself too, just because my hair is so straight and flat. 

 4. Wine-Thirty

Congratulations! You have 3 new styles at your disposal! Time for a glass
of Reisling. Feldspar wine-stopper by Wanderlust Gems. 

Just remember it's ok to let pins/clips show as long as it's obvious that you wanted them to. And don't be afraid to do a little something different with your look!

You can purchase any of the Wanderlust Gems hairpins or wine-stoppers here and go like the Wanderlust Facebook here. All the hair pins I featured in this post are either raw gemstones or ones the designer polished. She has a lot of cool accessories to see, and she finds all the gems herself! 

Thanks for reading!

5 Things To Expect in Spring 2013

Spring Styles are already showing up in stores. Thoughts of "swimsuit season" are starting to stir. The spring runway shows were already more than 3 months ago! Although fashion doesn't follow the same trickle-down pattern that it once did, it is inevitable that the stores we shop in are taking notes from top designers and known trendsetters. So without further adieu, here are 5 things we can expect to see echoed (most likely in watered-down forms) in department and specialty stores throughout the coming months:

1. The Bib Front.
The collars of last year--from Peter Pan to exaggerated and pointed--are transforming this season into the bib front. Not that collars have gone away, but many have been translated into or paired with the flat front. We will see this look in casual blouses that button in the front, or the bib will be added to dresses. This is part of the massive vintage trend that has swept fashion, home decor, and more in the last few years and is showing no signs of going away. People of today want to have all the perks of 2013, but look like they live in 1950.

Three looks featuring a bib front from Valentino Spring 2013 RTW

John Galliano's version. Spring 2013 RTW

2. Art

Probably the most common theme on the runway was wearable art. Not just interesting prints, but as if the fabric itself were treated as a canvas. Looks on the runway were damn near museum-worthy. We will see screen-tees, dresses, skirts, and probably even pants donning traditional paintings, watercolors, sketches, photographs, and abstracts.

Prada Spring RTW

Photographic art.
John Galliano Spring RTW

From the Sartorialist

Dolce & Gabbana Spring RTW

Watercolor looks from Versace Spring RTW

3. Bold Geometric Graphics

In sharp contrast to the freestyle look of the art pieces that were on the runway were bold geometric prints. The playfulness and abstraction of the art pieces really set off the repetitive geometric  prints such as large checkered pieces and stripes. These prints are very likely to be taken literally by retail stores we shop in, as it is easy to reproduce. Don't be surprised to see a lot of stripes this season!

Bold Stripes.
Dior Spring RTW

Nearly the entire Louis Vuitton Spring RTW
collection included checkers.

Dolce & Gabbana Spring RTW

Wonderful mixture of texture and print. Balmain Spring RTW.

4. Ruffles

Beautiful ruffles floated down the runway for spring. While the designers created beautiful large, soft ruffles,it is likely that they will be reduced in size for mass production. Let's remain hopeful though. Ruffles create such an air of soft femininity, especially when they are large. Either way it seems likely that we can look forward to cascading fabric in the coming season. 

Ruffled sleeves.
Gucci Spring RTW

A favorite piece from the Balenciaga
Spring RTW collection. 

*hint* Turn a hi-low hemmed skirt sideways to create a similar look!

Ruffles from Badgley Mischka Spring RTW

5. Flowers

What? Flowers for spring? No way! Well this is a little different. These are 3D. I know it sounds a little disturbing, but that aisle in the craft store full of plastic petals may just become your new happy place. It's time to let your inner flower child bloom. Don't be surprised to see floral hair clips, headbands and crowns appear in droves at stores like Forever 21 and H&M. Most of these flowers will be in the form of accessories.

3 D flower from Badgley Mischka Spring RTW

Take a close look at this necklace from Gucci

I Hate Blonde dons a floral crown and adds more blooms in her stockings.  

3D blossoms from Alexander McQueen Spring RTW

Prada's flowers are only slightly 3D.  But take a look at those glasses!  

Another floral crown. This one from The Sartorialist.

So now we just wait, and see how many of these show up in stores over the next few months. All photos are from Style.com, Ihateblonde, and The Sartorialist. Thanks for reading!