so cute

Browsing the mall with my sister the other day, we spotted this pair of super cute red printed flouncy shorts things at aerie.  We were smitten, and then she said, "wait, but aren't these cullotes?  Are we really gonna do that again?" Too funny. Well, aerie calls this a "skort", so I'm going with that.

They would be so cute with a french-y striped shirt (wouldn't everything?) and some red lips.  Even if I'm pretty sure I had a pair in the fourth grade!

Zara

These looks from Zara's March lookbook are killing it.  Love the clean lines and pops of color.  They look so of-the-moment and timeless all at once. Dying for some colored slim pants and a camel jacket.  Such a fresh look for spring.

Speaking of fresh, how great does the model's matte pink lip look?  I'd try Tarte Lipsurgence Natural Matte lipstain.  These seem to have the best color payoff, in my experience playing around with lipstains at Sephora.

Vintage purses

via Vanessa Jackman

While looking around for what seems like forever for a brown leather handbag with a slightly Seventies feel, I noticed that the price of leather bags seems to have crept up over the past couple years.  And stores are charging an arm and a leg for vinyl bags these days.  So, what's a girl to do?  Go vintage.  The craftsmanship is generally better at a fraction of the price, and it has the added benefit of being very environmentally friendly.
I have mixed feelings about wearing leather.  I'm not a vegan but I don't really like the idea of wearing animal skins.  So-called "Vegan" bags are usually made from PVC or polyurethane, which is very bad for the planet and seems counter-productive to trying to live a "greener" lifestyle.
I came across a post on Alicia Silverstone's great website thekindlife.com, where she explains how she makes just this choice while shopping.
I found a couple of great-looking options on ebay, like this frame purse and this saddlebag, but I bet a trip to a local thrift store could yield some finds.
Gotta love fashion that's both economical and eco-conscious!

The Value of a Dollar

Artist Jonathan Blaustein has a very interesting project called The Value of a Dollar Project, where he has photographed a dollar's worth of various types of foods, such as the ten organic blueberries above, and the dozen servings of shrimp ramen.  Intended to show how unbalanced nutritional value and price are, it's a very eye-opening display.  And the double cheeseburger looks really gross, so maybe you could look at that next time you get a craving, and save your heart the trouble.

100% Pure

via Apartment Therapy

I have a box full of lipsticks that are barely discernible from each other, and barely detectable when I put them on my lips, but like just about everyone else, I'm on a constant hunt for that perfect rosy, dewy natural lip look. The reigning favorite is Nars Dolce Vita- but I'm looking for a natural replacement.

This lip glaze from 100% Pure is made from certified organic avocado butter, organic cocoa butter, and pigments from organic fruits and vegetables, and rose petals.  That's it.  There are a number of great looking colors, but I'm drawn to Rose Petal, for obvious reasons. I have bought their lipgloss in the past, and it was nice, I liked the color and the scent, but the tube was a leaky mess!  Such a bummer.  This looks like it wouldn't leak, so I'm very intrigued. 

Japan

via the always amazing Garance Dore

Thinking about the people of Japan.  Friends I've lost touch with and those I've yet to meet.  If you can, donate to the Red Cross.

Shopbop Wedding Boutique

Shopbop, my go-to site for drooling over very cool clothes and accessories I can't afford, has launched a wedding boutique.  While I'm not getting married anytime real soon (pretty sure you need a boyfriend for that first), the traditonal bridal industry bores me to tears, so I headed over to check out the goods. 
It's not exactly budget, but it has a range of great wedding and bridesmaids dresses that aren't too crazy-expensive, and its always nice to have more fashion-y options in a sea of same-old, same-old strapless a-line dresses.  Definitely worth checking out if you're a more adventurous bride (or know someone who is).   There are some modern takes on the classic long wedding dress from labels like Thakoon, Thread Social and Halston Heritage, but how rad would it be to run off and get married in this Temperley mini?