Motorcycle Mama

So this is probably going to be exceptionally unexpected and random for many of you, but I love motorcycles! I have been brought up around motorcycles my entire life- riding dirt bikes myself for awhile and riding on the back of my Dad's many motorcycles over the years.

This leads me to some very exciting news- I received my motorcycle license last weekend! This is something that I have wanted to do for a very long time, and finally took the time to take this insanely intense beginner's motorcycle class (7:00am-6:30pm everyday over the weekend). At this class the instructors teach you all about motorcycles, safety, technique, and how to ride. Upon completion of this accelerated course (passing both a written and riding test) you receive your license!

So, in short, I got my license and actually purchased a motorcycle this week- It is a Yamaha V-Star motorcycle in Black Cherry (absolutely GORGEOUS color). It is the perfect beginner bike, because let's face it, I certainly do not want to kill myself and motorcycling is quite a dangerous hobby. That is why I am so glad that I completed that beginner's class- it helped me feel confident that I can handle a motorcycle and any dangerous situations that may occur (Fingers crossed that I never have to use any of these techniques that I learned).

This post is not to brag about getting my license, although I am extremely excited about it, but rather it is to inspire glamour girls everywhere to follow their passions- Just because motorcycling is considered a "guy thing" doesn't mean that a girly girl like myself can't do it too! I'm so proud to be a biker chick, sporting my pink helmet and pink gloves, riding an amazing bike, and doing something that I love- just because I am a girl, doesn't mean I can't handle the road like the guys do! So this is to inspire all those glamour girls out there to do what you want with your life- you can love motorcycles and Chanel purses, you don't have to choose. Follow your dreams and passions and always do what makes YOU happy xox


Stay Fabulous xoxo
~Miss Glamour Giirl

Manly Monday

Hello fashionistas! I am very excited for our second ever Manly Monday post- this week we have the fabulous Steven Huang joining us to give us his take on fashion! So without any further adieu, here is Steve- hope you all enjoy :)

One might argue that this Manly Monday is a “Semi-Manly” Monday because I’m playing on the other team. Said individual might be inclined to ignore my advice because he assumes it doesn’t pertain to him or that it doesn’t apply to the man in her life. However, the recommendation I’m about to make is equal parts sensible, functional, and fab-you-lous.

First off, I’d like to address the myth that men don’t need to be fashionable. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Would you want to take an unfashionably-dressed boyfriend on a date to a fancy restaurant, or say, your friend’s art show? Absolutely not; the man on your arm is one of your most prominent accessories. And it only takes one out-of-place accessory to ruin an entire outfit.

Without further adieu, I’d like to share one of the most important rules in my personal style manifesto: wear designer jeans. I’m not advocating a specific brand because it depends on the person’s individual taste. What I am recommending is a pair of jeans made with high quality denim, a fitted outline (this doesn’t mean tight), and one that pairs well with the rest of your wardrobe. I’m advocating that every man should own a pair of designer jeans that will give him confidence, that serves as an outlet of his expression, and ultimately, is practical day-to-day.

Confidence: Do you remember putting on your first pair of brand-name jeans? For me, it was a pair of Sevens; light indigo colored, medium-light wash, a little fading and detailing, boot cut. I wanted to see what the hype of brand-name jeans was all about, and as soon as I put them on, I understood. They were soft, fitted through the thigh, and fell perfectly around my heel. When I walked out of Nordstrom that day, I was a new me. I felt confident and just….sexier. I looked good and I felt good – all thanks to my first pair of designer jeans.

Expression: Everyday, I use high-end denim to express how I want to feel. If I have a busy day ahead of me, I opt for a straight-leg or skinny leg pair of G-Star’s with flip-flops or light canvas shoes to keep me streamlined. If I’m going to meet up with a friend for coffee or lunch, I’ll keep it casual with a pair of dark, unwashed Diesels and keep my look cool, crisp, and minimalist. On the other hand, If I’m planning a night out of getting hammered, the studded and distressed Rock & Republics are first in line; because I want to make a statement. Choosing between several styles of trendy jeans allows you to customize yourself and how people interpret you. Jeans are an outlet of your personal flavor and zest for life, don’t hold yourself back with cheap Hollister crap that has no character.

Practicality: When you wear high-end denim, you have a pair of pants for every day. I’m not talking about wearing the same pair every day; I’m talking about every “day”. Like, the day you go to a baseball game, you can wear those nice jeans. Going to visit Grandma? Throw on that pair of designer threads. Don’t pigeonhole each pair for a specific occasion. Only buy jeans that you can mix and match with different shirts and shoes. Pretty soon, your ability to sport trendy jeans with any occasion will become flawless. On a side note, they last much longer than a cheaper-quality pair. In fact, I’m wearing my first pair of Sevens as I write this! Your return-on-investment is guaranteed to surprise you.

When you think about it, Life can be pretty unpredictable. Tomorrow, you could run into an old friend, or meet a new friend. You might see a celebrity, or even meet your future spouse! You could get caught in the rain and find yourself unable to get a cab. Your day could be anything from ordinary to extraordinary. As you live your life, live it in style; in designer jeans.

Thanks for reading everyone!
Stay Fabulous xoxo
~Miss Glamour Giirl & Steven Huang :)

Trend Alert: Mother-of-Pearl Clutch

Hot off the Paris runway, this new and unique trend is dominating Resort 2011 looks! Mother-of-pearl clutches have been seen in the collections of Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, and Judith Leiber. This is truly the sign of a new trend emerging, which is oh so exciting for us handbag loving fashionistas!
From Louis Vuitton's Resort 2011 collection, this mother-of-pearl candy stripe clutch is to die for! The most appealing factor in this bag is the fresh and bright color scheme. These color combinations are fabulous- so fun and flirty, they just ooze springtime and resort.
Lanvin debuted their mother-of-pearl clutch in Paris as a part of their 2011 Resort collection (seen above). Although it is mother-of-pearl, it is completely different from the Louis Vuitton clutch- the chunky and thin stripes really add texture and interesting design to the clutch. I appreciate the neutral striped color combination, making it fresh and allowing it to match easily with many items. Most of all, I love the chain and hardware on this bag- it all fits perfectly together to create this mother-of-pearl masterpiece.
Judith Leiber's version (pictured above) is quite similar to LV's and Lanvin's versions, however I much prefer the others in comparison. This clutch seems as though it is a mixture of the other two- taking the color scheme from Lanvin and the candy-striped design from Louis Vuitton. The combination of these bland colors and the striped design leads to this clutch failing to excite.
Personally, I think that Louis Vuitton's mother-of-pearl candy striped bag definitely prevails in comparison to the others- the colors and design make it perfection in my book! What do you think- Which mother-of-pearl clutch is prettiest in your opinion? Let me know in a comment on this post!

Although price, release date, and purchasing info are yet to be announced for any of these clutches, I am sure that this new trend will remain extremely exclusive and will fly out of stock.

Stay Fabulous xoxo
~Miss Glamour Giirl

A Must-Read for Fashion Lovers

I decided to buy a few fashion books to read over this summer, and the first one that I have really begun delving into has far exceeded my expectations. Nina Garcia, from the hit show "Project Runway" and long-time fashion director of ELLE Magazine, has some amazing things to say in her book "The Little Black Book of Style".
I wasn't quite sure what this book was about when I bought it- I knew it had to do with fashion (obviously) and that Nina Garcia was quite a viable fashion source; So I figured I would purchase it and see what info I could get out of it, since I am always trying to expand my knowledge about style and fashion.
Nina is such an empowering woman, who uses her unique writing style to convince others of her strong message. She convinces the reader that they must be confident- a confident woman is someone that all people notice and aspire to be like. We must be comfortable in our own skin and love ourselves- embrace the imperfections, quirks and flaws. And we can all feel more comfortable with ourselves and gain confidence through fashion... "What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language" ~Miuccia Prada.
"The Little Black Book of Style" really surprised me with its content- I can't put it down! This book helps every woman explore and create her own personal style, and with this new found style, exude confidence and tell the world who she is. Nina Garcia includes wonderful tips and tricks on how to dress at every occasion, advice on fashion necessities, and inspiration to always look your best. This is truly a book that every woman will appreciate and enjoy.
You can purchase this book at bookstores or on Amazon.

Stay Fabulous xoxo
~Miss Glamour Giirl

Tory Burch Logo Flap Clutch

A "go-to" small bag of mine is the Tory Burch Logo Flap Clutch. I love the style and color of this bag so much- the logo plate is so beautiful, the chain is so shiny and versatile, and the nude/neutral leather is durable and matches everything (my actual bag can be seen above).
It is the perfect size for when you don't need to bring all of your life's possessions with you for the day (as I feel obliged to do many times when I am carrying a large bag). As I stated previously on this blog, I usually am a girl who only buys HUGE bags. The only problem with this preference is that whenever I am out for a long day, shopping, etc my arm always gets so tired from holding such a heavy and big bag.

This bag is perfect for everyday and evening wear since the long golden chain allows you to wear it so many different ways! The chain strap is very long so you can wear it messenger style or on one shoulder with a very long chain. You can twist or tie the chain inside of the bag (so no on will see that you have done this) and wear it on one shoulder with varying lengths of the chain. Also, you have the option to remove the chain (it clips off) and use it as a clutch.

I always receive so many compliments whenever I wear it; The color of this bag especially pops when I wear it with all black; however, the nude color can also blend when worn with other neutrals or bright colors. If this nude color isn't for you, the bag is available in many others, so I am sure you can find one that suits your fancy. With all of the fabulous options and styles that this bag has to offer, it will never get boring or dull. I would definitely recommend this bag to fashionistas who need a functional and fun purse for day-to-day wear.

Verdict= Love it! (4/5 stars)

You can purchase the Tory Burch Logo Flap Clutch purse at Tory Burch (in stores and online) and at fine department stores (I bought mine at Nordstrom).
Retail Price: $325

Stay Fabulous xoxo
~Miss Glamour Giirl

Want It Wednesday

Like most fashionistas out there, I adore Sex & the City. Of course, I was there opening weekend in NYC to see the fabulous SATC2 movie, and was stunned by the fierce headpiece that Miss Carrie Bradshaw wears in the opening wedding scene. Upon further investigation, I found that this headpiece is by TRIVIAL, and its official name is "The Dark Queen Lace Headpiece". It was handpicked by Patricia Field herself- the amazing stylist for SATC! Even better, you can actually purchase this fabulous piece- It is a handmade, limited edition, made-to-order only headpiece (takes 4-6 weeks to receive it).
How amazingly awesome would it be to actually own and wear this iconic headpiece?! I adore how unique the style is- it is so ferocious and edgy, yet feminine due to its lace composure. Although I would love to own this headpiece, I am completely unsure of where I would wear it- knowing me I would most likely go to the mall and get stared at like I was a freak... Nevertheless, I think it is fierce and would totally take the hit of those awkward stares in return for my love for high fashion.
You can purchase "The Dark Queen Lace Headpiece" by TRIVIAL on Patricia Field's website (www.patriciafield.com)
The Pre-sale price is currently $400; however, the full retail price is $600.

Stay Fabulous xoxo
~Miss Glamour Giirl

Benefit Creaseless Shadow

This, my fellow fashionistas, is my favorite eyeshadow ever- Benefit's Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner is perfection!
This crease-proof and smudge-proof revolutionary formula will do nothing but impress you. It is wonderfully light and smooth, and allows for flawless blending, which is my favorite part about the product. I love using this cream shadow when I need a buildable and layerable color, whether I want a sheer or dramatic look it always looks gorgeous. It can also be used as a liner for the outer rims of your eyes, which I love playing around with (especially since it doesn't ever crease!)
I personally own the Birthday Suit shade (brushed chrome/shimmery nude) and the Skinny Jeans shade (pretty pewter). These two colors can be worn together or worn separately to create a flawlessly unique look. The Birthday Suit color works gorgeously layered with browns. Skinny Jeans is my go-to color to pair with blacks and grays to create a smokey eye.
Benefit offers this Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in 9 colors at Sephora, so every fashionista can surely find their perfect shade! I would recommend this product to every glamour girl out there who wants their makeup to look beautiful and fabulous all day long.

Verdict= FABULOUS! (5/5 stars)

You can purchase the Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner at Sephora (in stores and online).
Retail Price: $19 per color pot

Stay Fabulous xoxo
~Miss Glamour Giirl

Manly Monday!

Hello fashionistas! I am so excited to begin Manly Monday- This will hopefully be a reoccurring blog event on Mondays for awhile, where I will invite a male guest blogger to FAB-YOU-LOUS and we can hear about fashion and trends from a guy's perspective! I'm so pleased to christen Manly Monday with a post by one of my dearest friends, Darius Eslami. Here he is:
Welcome one and all to …….. MANLY MONDAY! When it comes to my wardrobe, I tend to default towards a t-shirt. How exactly can you make such a common article like that into something fashionable? Easy – Threadless.
Threadless is an online t-shirt company where artists submit their designs and the online community votes for their favorites; the highest scorers get their shirt printed among other lavish incentives. I’ve been pushing this site for years now and it’s steadily gaining huge momentum. I don’t think it matters who you are – you can/will find a shirt you adore. Their catalog hosts a variety of designs: abstract, funny, political, slogans, animals, popular cultures… you get the picture.
They print the design on their own shirts, which are very light and fitting. You can search for an existing shirt based on size, color, and design type. There are limited quantities of each shirt, so nab them while you can! If you find a design you LOVE, but it is sold out – you can request a reprint and if enough people do so, BAM! It is reprinted.
Aside from the cool community and frequent contests presented by Threadless – they are pretty affordable. Now, if you know me, I don’t spend too much money and rarely on myself. Threadless shirts generally sell for $20, but they have a handful of sales a year where you can get shirts at discounted prices (typically $10) with a flat rate shipping fee of $5. As you purchase more shirts, you can gain ‘points’ by taking a picture of yourself wearing your purchase and putting it on the site! This is a great way for them to generate repeat customers and it kind of saves you some money on your trendy collection.
I have about 20 shirts from Threadless and I wear them pretty frequently. They work well for social outings as conversation starters (funny/clever designs) or just very cool patterns (abstract/pop culture designs). All in all – check them out. From a guy who tosses on t-shirts – you can definitely look the part you want to play with any one of these in your styling arsenal.

Thanks everyone for reading and I hope you enjoyed the first Manly Monday post- tell us what you think!

Stay Fabulous xoxo
~Miss Glamour Giirl & guest blogger Darius Eslami

MAC Look in a Box

I love MAC Cosmetics- they are of very high quality, have inventive designs, and never disappoint. However, although MAC isn't ridiculously expensive, it is still quite pricey- especially when you buy things separately, and it is unfortunately rare that MAC offers a kit or value set for us fashionistas to stock up and save some money. Well, ladies, our problem is solved- MAC and Nordstrom have teamed up to offer the MAC Look in a Box kit!
This kit is a Nordstrom Beauty Exclusive created especially for their huge Anniversary sale that happens every year. They seem to be making these MAC Look in a Box kits an annual thing- I purchased last year's set at the Anniversary sale, and I love it! I am actually wearing the Dazzleglass lipgloss from that kit as I write this blog post ;)
This year Nordstrom and MAC have worked together to change the kit and update it with the newest and hottest trends, looks, and styles from this year's MAC makeup lines. The Look in a Box kit comes in three different options- Tawny One (golden brown look), Miss Violet (deep pink and purple look), and Frisky Girl (pale pink and nude look). Each kit includes a mascara, gloss, powder, blush, and eyeshadow that go with the desired look. In addition, the kit includes a face chart (like the picture above) so that you can create your desired chosen look.
This kit is a necessity for every fashionista- choose a look that works best for you and that you personally desire the most. I am so excited that Nordstrom is offering this kit again, and I definitely plan on buying one- I am leaning towards the gorgeous pinks and nudes in the Frisky Girl look. I can't wait to try these fabulous products!
You can purchase the MAC Look in a Box kit at Nordstrom.
Retail Price: $59.50 ($87 value)

Stay Fabulous xoxo
~Miss Glamour Giirl

Calgel Manicure Update

Wow is all I have to say! Pinch yourself and believe what you are seeing- these are what my nails look like almost a month after my Calgel manicure (picture above)!
I posted photos of my first Calgel manicure at Marie Nails in NYC almost four weeks ago now (photo seen above). I loved the manicure and fun white gradation and glitter design that I got, and can you believe it that a whole month later they still look pristine?!
I absolutely adore my Calgel nails. Over the month of having them I have experienced no chips, no peeling, and no broken nails. My nails feel so strong, have gotten incredibly long, and feel very healthy. I would recommend this service to any fashionista that wants chip-free, healthy, beautiful nails! I cannot wait to get another Calgel manicure the next time I am in NYC- I am going to try a crazier design, maybe with some 3-D art ;)

Have any of you tried Calgel? Tell me what you think!

Stay Fabulous xoxo
~Miss Glamour Giirl

Hair Accessories 101: Flowers

Continuing with the Hair Accessories 101 series, I would like to now focus on flowers. Putting a flower in your hair is such a classic and fun summer style, which looks lovely on everyone. This look can be achieved by using either real live flowers or fake flowers.
There are so many different flower types and numerous hairstyles to pair with a flower- the possibilities are endless! When done correctly, this look will not be childish or silly at all, as one may originally think of it, but rather it will be playful, youthful, feminine, and chic.
One of my personal favorites hairstyles is a low side bun with a flower in it. It is super simple and easy to complete in less than 1 minute!
Here is how to achieve this look: To create the bun, first pull all of your hair to one side. Grab it as though you were going to make it into a ponytail, and twist the entire ponytail. Twirl the twisted ponytail up and circle it around the base. Secure it with a hair elastic and bobby pins. Secure the style and all frizzies with hairspray. To top off the design, clip your desired flower in front of your bun (in the space between your side bun and your ear).
There are so many possibilities with flowers- try them as headbands and clips, try live flowers and fake flowers, try putting a flower in your hair when it is both down and up. Experiment with flowers in your hair and tell me what you think of this style! Have you found a fun look for yourself? Comment and let me know!
Stay Fabulous xoxo
~Miss Glamour Giirl