Friday Fives

Expressing yourself can be accomplished in many ways. One of my favorite ways to stay unique is by sporting cute manis. Below are five of my favorite manicures (some I've tried and some I'm hoping to try). Have a great weekend!!!

I love this mani because it's so simple
but still makes a statement.
[Plus it's very simple to accomplish]

If you ever need mani inspiration check out The Beauty Department.
This is a multi layer mani [they have a gold leaf affect].

This is a mani that draws attention. I loveee it and can't wait to try it!

I love glitter [obviously] and these ombre beauties are ah-dorable.

                                     

I got inspiration for these nails after going fabric shopping one day.
I got so many compliments on them and they were easier than they look.

                                   

How To: Make a Room Come Alive

When you first move or redecorate your place might seem a little... I don't know, incomplete? Well that was the case with me anyway. Luckily, I have conjured a list of ways to make a room come alive.

This is the same concept as the mints.
By putting out nail polish and a magazine,
I make visitors feel welcomed.

The first thing I would do is put out mints or chocolate.
There's nothing more welcoming than this.
It shows the guests that they were expected.

Next, I would add life to boring walls.

To do this I would suggest hanging up art work.

As shown, I hung a pastel I did and surrounded it by some of my fashion sketches.

Another way to make guests
feel more welcomed is to set out books and flowers. In this case I used a Nook which contains lots of magazines and editorials. 

The BEST way to make guest feel at home
is by putting out furry blankets.
They have great ones at TJMaxx.

xoVS

Faux Real

I finally finished my room (pics soon to come). One of my favorite things about my room is this one-of-a-kind accessories. It's from White Faux Taxidermy and  it is a unique piece that everyone notices. It's one of those accessories that must be talked about. 

xoVS

Friday Fives

You know that old saying, "Thank God it's Friday?" Well thank God it's Friday. This week has been much elongated and stressful. A few of the many tasks I’ve taken on this week: writing a research paper, making my Homecoming dress, redecorating a room, doing a large Photoshop project, blogging, and so on. But I am thrilled to end it with some Friday Fives. These are five of my favorite things that I cannot wait to try for the fall.

  

This idea could totally come in handy for me [see why here].
Lauren Conrad and her team are pure geniuses.

I'm obsessed with these gold leafed pumpkins.
My favorite thing about them is that they're so unexpected.

I love this DIY earcuff.
It adds spark to a simple outfit and certainly makes a statement.  

These homemade greeting cards by Emily Shuman
 will warm your friends hearts.
[Plus, remember, I love glitter.]

And here, is yet another from Cupcakes & Cashmere.
I love these leather hair ties.
Perfect for fall.

xoVS

Fleur (Take 1)

In my spare time today I went interior decor shopping. I only had time to go to one place so I chose World Market. As I was trying to decide which rug color I should get (pictures soon to come), I found these gems. The roses come in an assortment of colors. The best thing about them is that they're actually soap! Yes, soap. Aren't they adorable? I got the vintage glass holder in the idea of using it to store things like cotton balls and q-tips but I came up with a better idea. 

P.S. An assortment of different colored roses would be equally as cute. 

xoVS

Trendy Tuesday

I love glitter. It's girly, fun, and draws attention. As you may already know I am a Pinterest addict and lately I've been seeing lots of shimmery eye makeup. I'm waiting for the perfect occasion to test this look. Maybe Halloween will be my first trial run? Halloween should be the day every girl tests her risky makeup inspirations because you can get away with anything. Below is a variety of nine different ways to rock this look. 

Email me pictures of your glittery looks (xovictoriastinson@gmail.com) I would love to see them and post them as inspiration!

"She who leaves a trail of glitter is never forgotten."

xoVS

Sweet, Sweet Grunge

Today's look is, hints the title, sweet grunge. I don't know about you but I thought the weather today was just absolutely perfect! It's finally tights and sweater season which is by far my ultimate favorite. I love tights with prints because they add spark to an outfit. Can't wait to see what neat tights I find this year :)

Excuse the messy background, an Ombre wall is in process. 

WEARING: Urban Outfitters sweater, shorts, tights, Gap tank, and Ugg boots.

xoVS

LC Lauren Conrad

Even though Lauren Conrad is 27 years old and newly engaged(!), I still see her as the sassy girl on Laguna Beach and (my all time favorite) The Hills. She has accomplished so much and is an inspiration to many. At just 27 Lauren has already been a part of two hit reality television shows, launched two successful fashion lines (LC Lauren Conrad & Paper Crown), is the creator and writer of her very addicting blog, and has released three books! Congratulations on your success and your proposal. :)

Lauren & her adorbz new fiance William.
He proposed this weekend with a stunning ring!

Simply breathtaking.

xoVS

  

Florals for Fall

During my shopping spree, mentioned here, I snagged this cute little floral baby doll dress. I've noticed that I've been buying lots of floral prints lately. Maybe in the hopes of spring being my greatest fashion season of the year? 

I paired this Anthro dress with my fave chunky heels from Top Shop.
The shoes dressed the outfit down just enough for the occasion.
 The deep blue purse and burgundy nails helped this ensemble to represent fall apposed to summer.

And this is just my best friend Lily being cute
with her Nordstrom hat and Free People Shirt.

WEARING: Anthropologie baby-doll dress, Top Shop heels, J.Crew polish, and a Kate Spade bag.

xoVS

Third Week of Fall*

I had the most wonderful weekend with the most magnificent people! Starting off the great weekend I took a mini shopping trip to Baton Rouge in celebration of my [diva] mom’s birthday. I got plenty of lovely home-good accessories from Anthropologie that will look just divine in my mini apartment. On Saturday my best friends Lily and Elizabeth came over and helped me paint my new room. Although the finishing color was too depressing to keep, we had a blast painting. The real fun generated as the night went on. Elizabeth’s sister was acting in a play called “The Wizard of Oz” (I don’t know if you’ve heard it J) and luckily she snagged Alex, our other friend, and me tickets! After a memorable recap of having to run in the pouring rain while wearing stilettos, (Yes recap. Elizabeth and I already made this mistake before) our night came to an unforgettable conclusion with the perfect bonding sleepover. 

Nail polish: J.Crew & Urban Outfitters
Wall Hook: Anthropologie
"V" Mug: Anthropologie 
Hair Ties: Anthropologie 
Cake Stand: Anthropologie 

Kathryn (From The Dainty Little Things), Elizabeth,
Alex, Me (Outfit details here), and Camille  

xoVS

DIY: Polka Dot Door

When I first saw Whitney Port's pin I was in love. I knew this would probably be one of the cutest DIY's I've ever seen (and I was totally right). Given the opportunity to design a room, I knew this would be the perfect place to put it. I loved it so much I had to do a duplicate. 

What You'll Need:

Black (or the color of your choice) acrylic paint
and something to put the paint on.

A small variety of paint brushes
to neaten the edges of the dots.

A circular stamp or stencil.
I made this myself by cutting a circle out of cardboard
and hot gluing it to a stick. (A DIY all on it's own.)

Step by Step:

First step is to pick a door.
The smaller the better since this is a tedious project and it takes time.
I recommend laying out newspaper or plastic under the door just in the case that paint would fall.

To stamp the dots on the door,
I dipped my circle stencil in the black paint and then pressed it onto the door.
Next I took a a small paintbrush and smoothed the edges of the circles.

Paint the dots on the door while creating your own pattern.
You can make columns, rows, or just scatter them like I did.

                                         

And you're done!!
(I loved the dots so much I DIYed a second door!)
i.e. the hideous wall color as promised here.

Next DIY: Ombre Walls

xoVS

New Project: Interior Design

I’ve freshly taken on the taste of renovating a room. I’m not just doing this for the pure pleasures of it. When the room is finished I will move into it creating myself a chic "mini apartment". Since I will be doing many of the tasks myself, I will catalog each of my DIY’s in the hopes that you might be inspired by them.

Now I have a lot of work cut out for me since this is a very large room. You will witness the eye watering apple green walls soon enough that I am planning on demolishing this weekend. I’m not lying the color is that bad. Especially with nothing on the walls. You will just have to wait and see which color schemes I chose. My goal for the room is to make it look fresh, feminine, and organized. 

[Follow my Pinterest board to see what I'm inspired by while creating.]

xoVS

How To: Pick Out the Perfect Scarf

It's that time of the year again. When the weather gets cold and we pile on the layers. I particularly love this season because these are the days my hair looks it's best. (Therefore, I'm hinting it doesn't frizz.) Anyway, it's time stash away your daisy dukes and polka dot bikini and begin the hunt for the perfect scarf. With your best interests in mind I have conjured a list of my top five places to find the perfect scarf for the fall (that won't break your bank). 

Click here for nine ways to tie a scarf!

1. World Market - This place is like a hidden treasure because most people don't realize how totally awesome their stuff is. The scarves here are beyond cute and no more than about $30. 

2. Gap - Good ole' Gap is where it's at. They always have the biggest selection of scarves to chose from. Pick your style, shape, color, print and wallah. 

3. Restoration Hardware - I know, you're probably thinking whaaaat is she talking about but trust me on this one. I purchased a cashmere scarf from here last winter and it is incredibly soft and looks great with everything. I bought a linen color that I always get compliments on. I definitely recommend (splurging a bit) getting one for yourself. 

4. Banana Republic - Although this doesn't seem like an ideal place that sales trendy scarves, it really is. The scarves here are by no means as elaborate as the ones you will find at World Market. Here you will find more sophisticated scarves. 

5. Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters/Free People - I know these three shouldn't qualify as one but they have the same owner so that counts right? (And if you didn't know that there's your fun fact for the day.) These stores don't have as much of a variety as World Market and Gap would but they still offer great unique patterns. 

  Here's a guide to help you pick: 

     Anthropologie: sophisticated/vintage

     Urban Outfitters: retro/modern/trendy

     Free People: boho/vintage 

I highly encourage checking a few of these stores out to find the perfect staple scarf. 

xoVS

Personal Fragrance

When you smell a certain scent does it remind you of someone? If so, that would be a little something I’d like to call personal fragrance or pf for short. As I've read about on countless blogs and in many beauty books, it is very important for a woman to have a signature smell. (This is a particularly good idea for when it comes to guys.) Wouldn't you love to know that every time he smells a smell close to your pf he thinks of you? (If you answered no you're lying. Hehe)

I'm aware that there are not enough perfumes out there for every girl to have her own personal fragrance, so be it. We've gotta face the facts, just because a perfume smells lovely on your bff doesn't mean it will smell the same on you. Because of everyone's different body scents and natural aromas, no one perfume will smell exactly the same on you as it does on someone else. So remember this, spritz & mist before you buy. Meaning: spray it on yourself and go throughout your day seeing how long the fragrance attaches to your skin. Then mist once more and see if it recovers the smell quickly (we want to avoid all odor mixed with fragrance smells). Following this trick will get you on your way to your very own personal fragrance.

This is my personal fragrance.
It smells rather divine :)

xoVS

J. Law

A triple threat: beautiful, confident, and hilarious. 

Jennifer Lawrence is on top, on both my list and countless others. Recently she was voted most desirable by roughly 2.4 million men. This past year Jennifer, also known as J.Law, made a huge impact on fashion. 

I remember this dress. 
It was the first time she was really put into the fashion spotlight.
Everyone praised her for her effortless beauty.

2013 Oscars 

Met Gala 2013: Chaos to Couture 

Just for laughs ;)

It doesn't matter which appellation you like better (Jen or J. Law), the only thing you should be paying close attention to is her fabulous outfits and astonishing acting jobs. She's really making it big.

xoVS

Leather Is The New Denim

 When most think leather they think motorcycle grunge. When I think leather I think alluring pleats. The reason being that leather has been so hot within the past two years is to transform people’s (wrong) perceptions. No altercations needed, leather is one of the only pieces out there that can look both sultry and adorable all at once. Almost everyone looks great in it thanks to the endless options given to us by generous designers, so I don’t see why more people wont choose to rock it. My high-waisted leather skirt is my take on a “little black dress”, it literally looks fab with anything. 

Leather & Tule?
There's not a more feminine way to go about it.

Pair a sleek leather mini with
a chunky sweater and to make the outfit
even better, add a leather tote.

A red leather skirt. How great.
This gives off a sweeter vibe, if that's what you're aiming for.

Leather, leather, and more leather? How fab!
I love this. It's so sleek.

xoVS