Rebel Eight is a very cool streetwear brand made by the very legitimate graffiti artist Mike Giant. Mostly their clothes are for men, but I was lucky to score a women's crop top. When my boyfriend bought mine, the only size left was a large so I would guess they run pretty short! I paired mine with new spiked shorts from Forever 21. I wouldn't recommend them. Although they're a cheap alternative to most of the high waisted shorts out there, I've only worm them once and they already lost 4 spikes. Not cool! Since the graphic on the tee has bright orange I wore bright orange lipstick (Morange by MAC) hot pink rose earrings, a neon green belt from JC Penney, and bright turquoise sandals from Ross. For metallic accents I also added my boombox necklace, some skull rings, and a few bracelets. How would you style this fun crop top?
Learn how to make your own studded leg garter here
All images and video courtesy of the talented and creative Ivan Mrsic. Check out his Tumblr and Flickr for more from IM Productions. He was a delight to work with.
Jacket-originally from Ross
Bustier-originally from Forever 21
Fishnets- from Target (holes not included)
Shorts- These were originally jeans. I added all holes, bleach spots, etc.
It happens. We all have those days. Maybe something bad happened. Maybe you have so much to do that you can't find the motivation to move at all. Or maybe it's just Monday.
I'll be honest: it happens to me a lot. Sometimes I wallow in it, and lay in my sweats all day eating candy and feeling sorry for myself. Other times I follow these steps to have a better day. It may be a weird system, but if I follow through, I always feel better. Even when it is raining!
1. Turn the Music UP!
Pick something upbeat and turn the beat up. It's ok to dance a little. If you are stuck in an unfortunate situation where this behavior is frowned on, just get out your headphones. Eardrums aren't supposed to last forever, right? Just be sure you don't accidentally make yourself feel worse by playing sad, slow music.
For instance Justin Timberlake's new album has some seriously amazing songs, including this one called "Let the Groove Get In". You can't not dance to this:
2. Wash Your Hands and Feet. Yes, Seriously.
Ok, I know that sounds a little strange. But wait! I have a logical explanation! Hands and feet get the worst of it. Unless you're sleeping, you're probably using your hands, feet, or both.Your poor little fingers and toes have to do everything all day long. So maybe you don't feel like taking a whole, long, relaxing bath. Just perch yourself on the side of the tub and grab a loofah. Show your feet some love. There's something so relaxing about it, and it is so easy. This is why women pay $25 and up for a manicure or pedicure! It's not because we can't paint our own nails. Trust me. Afterward you have nice, comfy, clean hands and feet. It's even better if you apply a generous amount of lotion and let your skin get super soft. Just be sure to take your time with it. Besides, it's sandal season, and cute toes don't look good with dry, sad, tired feet.
So fresh and so clean.
Sandals from Ross $14
3. Put on Something that Makes You Feel Amazing.
They say the better you look, the better you feel. This isn't always true. What matters is if you feel like you look good. That's it. So put on something that makes you feel like you look amazing. Old prom dress? Muscle tee to show off the guns? Tiara? Go for it. Even if you're butt naked. Maybe it's just perfume. Maybe it's lipstick, even if you know you aren't leaving the house. Maybe it's those heels you bought and just can't find an occasion for. Whatever it is, put it on. Try to avoid putting on something just because it's comfortable. This will encourage you to lay around and indulge in your sad state. Besides, most of us don't look in the mirror in baggy sweats and say "Damn, I look hot. Now I feel like accomplishing things!"
Pink lipstick with glitter and my boyfriend's T-shirt. I feel amazing.
I doubt I'd leave the house in this, but I feel great wearing it!
Leggings and crop top from Forever21. Homemade tutu :)
4. Create Something!
Whoa, hold on. You said this was easy? It is. Now that you have clean comfy hands and feet, and you're jamming out to 80's music wearing nothing but underpants and a tiara, you get to be creative. This doesn't mean you have to draw a picture, but that's certainly an option.
Here are some ideas:
Decorate a wall or small area of your house
Cook something delicious
Write a poem-no one has to ever see it!
Write a plan to do something (like make a new product or take a trip)
Paint- it doesn't have to be great. It will make you feel good though.
Put together an outfit
Do your makeup totally crazy
Make a collage
Make up a new song
Start a blog!
There are about a million different ways to be creative, but the point is that the process of creating something is rewarding. If I watch a movie, or look at stuff on pinterest all evening I come away with a sense of loss wondering "where did my time go?" But if you create something you can look at it and know that you accomplished something. Even if you aren't 100% happy with the end result, the process is inspiring, and will push you forward to cross the things off your list that seemed insurmountable before. You may be surprised what you can do. Often times my mini projects turn out better than expected!
Some fabric I hung on the wall. Just happens to look a lot like a heart!
A drawing I made for my boyfriend's birthday. I felt so accomplished afterwards.
I had a brochure for an art show which I cut up and framed. Recently I added some editorials around it.
Inspiration!
So there you have it. Those are the 4 steps I take when I have a bad day. They can be done in a very fashionable way, or the not at all. I hope they work for you too!
Thanks for reading.
XOXO
The only thing more fun than styling a photoshoot is styling a friend too. Steph made the perfect Barbie doll to play dress up with. She let me do her hair, makeup, and select all her clothes and accessories. It helps that she's beautiful.
I was also lucky to work with a photographer who lets me have a lot of creative freedom when selecting a theme, location, and wardrobe.
Look 1: Casual Glam
About the look: Steph and I have very contrasting looks. I decided to play on this by using complimentary colors. I chose gold accessories for both of us, but gave her big earrings and me a big necklace. For Steph's makeup I contoured her cheekbones using powder, filled her eyebrows, and gave her a heavy liner and false lashes. The lip color for both of us was added to complete the contrasting look. Unfortunately we didn't get any full body shots of this look, but I assure you we had cute shoes ;)
Look 2: Sequin Seduction
My Favorite.
About the look: As you can tell, the photographer was a little more excited about the second ensemble. I chose sequins because it was very sunny that day and I was hoping to achieve a sort of angelic/demonic feel with a lot of reflected light. But we shot in the shade. I once again played on the contrast between Steph and I by dressing her in dark and me in light. I chose thigh highs because I think they are a great way to add mystery and make an outfit sexy while actually covering up. As someone who is always cold, I can get away with a lot more on the bottom half when I have thigh highs to keep me warmer too.
Wardrobe:
Look 1
On Steph: blouse - Ross, earrings - Burlington Coat Factory, Ring - Forever 21
On me: leopard tank - Ross, blouse-TJ Maxx, necklace- Burlington Coat Factory
Maybe you'll never have a reason to wear an extreme black smoke eye. Maybe you'll do it anyway. Here's how I did mine:
You'll need: at least white, black, purple, grey, dark brown and beige shadow, black eyeliner, brushes and mascara.
Face and eyebrows done. Make sure you use eyeshadow base!
Add white shadow to highlight brow bone, a light matte grey on the inner corner.
Then cover the entire lid with purple shadow.
Use a cream eyeliner above and below the eye.
Then use a brush to apply black shadow directly on top of the liner before it dries.
Add a very dark brown in the crease with a brush for more depth.
Use a brush to add black shadow on the lid, in the crease, and underneath the eye. Lots of it.
I used two black MAC shadows. The mixed one added lots of sparkle.
A nude lip is best with a heavy eye. I used Kate's nude for Target and MAC's Gaga gloss.
Add mascara. Done.
With most styles, I use a brush to clear away excess shadow. With this one, I use my finger to smudge the shadow around the outside corners. This is a look where smudging is good! If you have light colored eyes this will look completely different on you. You may want to wear false lashes. I decided not to this time though.
Shirt worn throughout: DIY muscle tee from the men's section of Spencer's.
Recently I have discovered a product that I feel the need to tell everyone about: L'oreal Paris' Colour Riche Caresse lipstick. You have probably seen the advertisements. I know I did, that's why I decided to buy it in the first place. I was hoping it would be exactly like the ad, and I know it sounds crazy but I would say it actually is! Even though it is technically a lipstick, the color is so sheer, it is more like a tinted gloss. A tinted gloss that somehow isn't sticky, doesn't get clumps of color, and isn't too shiny. It looks very close to natural. It is exactly what I've been looking for. Here are some of the reasons why:
* I have a large mouth. Big lips. This makes it difficult to wear lipstick (especially in bright colors-which I love) without looking ridiculous.
* Lipstick is a very strong statement look. It can be a bit daunting! Think about it... how many people do you know that wear lipstick on a daily basis? Heavy lipstick has a time and place.
* I like to wear color on my lips to even them out, and hide imperfections.
* A little color on the lips draws attention to them.
*I typically wear a lot of eye makeup. It is hard to wear a heavy eye with a colored lip without looking like a streetwalker or a drag queen. Not that there is anything wrong with hooker chic or being a queen, but once again, it has a time and a place ;)
So far I have bought two colors: #176 Sunset Angora, which is a subtle pink color and #179 Cherry Tulle which is a dark/bright red. I hope these pictures give you a good idea of why I love it!
These are my naked lips
On the left is Covergirl's 400 "Temptress" compared to the Sunset Angora.
Pretty similar shades of pink.
This is the difference between the pinks.
You can see how sheer the L'Oreal is by comparison.
Wearing the Sunset Angora.
A similar shade of red. The black tube is Wet N' Wild #911D Stoplight Red.
The other is the Cherry Tulle from L'Oreal
Comparison between the red shades. Once again, so sheer!
