Girl Crush: Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara has splashed into Hollywood when she stared in the recent adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. She earned an Academy Award nomination for her role in the flick.

Mara is a gifted actress and we can't wait to see her star continue to shine.

Editorials We Love: Elizabeth Olsen in ASOS Magazine

Indie starlet Elizabeth Olsen is looking darling in the March issue of ASOS Magazine. She rocks her famous twin sister's clothing line Elizabeth and James. The actress is showing off some wonderfully quirky sweaters.

The Chalk Art of Dana Tanamachi

A chalk-lettered work of art by Dana Tanamachi

Before last week, I didn't know there was name for making awesome typography with chalk. I just thought it made you insanely awesome with the only media that could make a driveway interesting to a child (hopscotch, anyone?). Well, call me educated because I now know the terms is "chalk lettering."

I stumbled across an image of the latest cover of O Magazine and all the cover lines were drawn with chalk by Dana Tanamachi. She also drew the inside page (pictured above) and she's had a few other jobs using her talent for making beauty out of chalk. Just look at the coloring above!

Anyone who knows me, is aware that I have a slight (read: huge) obsession with magazines, but she does more than publishing work so I cannot be accused of trying to push my obsession on you ladies. I'll save that for my personal blog.

Remember my dream of having a chalk wall in my future home? I know who's going to put the first design on it now. Dana, expect a call from me in a few years.

 

 

(images via danatanamachi.com)

Ployvore & Cover Girl Team Up for Fashion Week

When this bit of good news came out, it had to be shared with Feather Girls.

Polyvore is collaborating with Cover Girl this year to create an amazing contest for fashionistas in celebration of the Fall 2012 Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week. Bloggers and Polyvore enthusiasts unite as four chosen FIT graduates will be presenting their collections on the runway Monday Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Not only are fresh collections by Lauren Bagilore, Vengsarkar Budhu, Sergio Guadarrama and Dana-Maxx Pomerantz being showcased but their looks will be modeled by much loved, top fashion bloggers. Enter your set at Polyvore Live and style the participating designers' pieces for your chance to win a trip to NYC and a ticket to the show!

Dana-Maxx

'Oh, Yes!' or 'Oh, No!': Rihanna's Thug Life Tattoo

Don't knock RiRi's gangsta, ladies. She's even got the tat to prove that she really is G4L ("Gangsta for Life"). And, really, what's more gangsta than that John Lennon t-shirt she's rocking?

The commander of the Rihanna Navy tweeted a photo of her new "Thug Life" tattoo yesterday. The white ink makes it a little hard to see. Along with the photo, she wrote: "All these bitches screaming that 2pac back."

I don't think I'd mind her doing a version of "California Love" in the future.

Watch and Listen: 'Without You' by Glee Cast

This may not be an official music video but I am obsessed with it. I am a huge Glee fanatic and this is one of the best covers they have ever done!

However you feel about the talented but sometimes annoying Rachel Berry, there are no words to describe her beautiful voice. Dare I say, this sounds better than the original.

Trend Spy: Faux Fur Vest

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Members Only Kitty Faux Fur Vest, $98
Rachel Roy Sleeveless Faux Fur Vest, $74
Hot Topic Faux Fur Vest, $26
Jack by BB Dakota Faux Fur Vest, $57
Hive & Honey Shearling Vest Fur Jacket, $27

Further Spying: How To Wear Faux Fur Vests

(images via Chictopia)

Sara in the City: Where the Wild Things Are

I made a New Year's resolution this year to get closer to my faith and God. Yesterday, I made a first step to that goal for myself. For me that meant attending a bible study my friend is running.

To say I was nervous would be an understatement. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I have never attended a bible study before and I had no idea what was going to happen or how to behave. Worse, I didn't know if I was going to like it and want to come back.

All this stress made me want to give up on the whole idea completely. However, I mustered up the courage and I went. It went great and can't wait to make it part of my regular life and routine.

We didn't just talk about God, we also talked about life. One point really made an impression on me. We talked about how going through your twenties is like going through the wilderness sometimes.

This is a complicated time in our lives. We are figuring out careers, friendships and love all at the same time. It can be a little overwhelming sometimes, like the wilderness.

For me, my wilderness is allowing myself to be open to new opportunities like going on dates and attending this bible study. They are all things I want, but sometimes it's scary to go after what you want. I am deathly afraid of rejection, so sometimes I avoid situations all together. However, I have learned that behavior only hurts me in the long run and I'm trying to correct that.

We are all going through the wilderness, no matter what our religious views are. Even though we might get bruised and knocked down sometimes, we will all make it through with a little guts and faith.

Peace, Love & Red Lips

I came across this beauty quote courtesy of actress Gwyneth Paltrow:

“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.”


And I couldn’t agree more! Red lips are stunning and are an attention-grabber, so l feel like a celeb with all eyes on me whenever I rock a kick-ass red lisptick. Minus the paparazzi, of course!


That being said, I cannot live without Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fire and Ice, $7.99 (revlon.com). Not only does the dominant red color make my lips appear fuller, but it gives off that I’m-sexy-and-I-know-it vibe. You know, the one that turns heads and makes other girls jealy. A bigger fan of lipgloss? Try Mac Tinted Lipglass in Sonoran Rain, $14.50 (maccosmetics.com), which promises a glass-like finish and intense shine.


Pair the red-hot look with a neutral or light eyeshadow color and a soft blush color. Beauty tip: Red is a strong color, so you don’t want to experiment with a plethora of vibrant colors when working red lips. Simple is sexy, so keep the rest of your facial features natural-looking.


Which is your favorite red lipstick?

Girl Crush: Chelsea Handler

We love Chelsea Handler for her gutsy attitude, sass and wit. Her late night talk show "Chelsea Lately" is a must watch and we've been enjoying her "After Lately" series. She's added much-needed spice and femininity to the world of late night.

Also, the girl is smart! She has written four best-selling books and has gone on record saying she's a big reader. A girl who is funny and intelligent, sounds like a complete package.

Editorials We Love: Taylor Swift in Vogue

Country music star Taylor Swift goes bohemian in this month's Vogue. This is the first time Swift has ever graced the magazine's cover and she even got her bangs cut for the honor.

In the interview, Swift talks about her relationships with celebrities like John Mayor and Joe Jonas admitting,  "I think I am smart unless I am really, really in love, and then I am ridiculously stupid."

(images via Vogue.com)

Non-Food Rewards

It’s nearing the end of January, which means your New Year’s resolutions may be losing their novelty. Or perhaps you’ve hit a plateau. Or, if you’re like me, you haven’t quite bounced back from your Christmas cookie hangover.

But let’s talk about goals. Think about what motivates you to stay in shape, whether it’s bikini season, an upcoming celebration or you’re just trying to take care of your body. I find that goals (especially ambitious ones) can seem daunting, often leading to frustration and feelings of defeat—especially around January twenty-something.

Cue non-food rewards. After a month of hard work in the gym (or dance studio, or bike path), it’s OK to reward yourself. Even if you haven’t been on your best behavior health-wise, why not give yourself a little incentive? Non-food rewards can be a very helpful and positive way to keep up your healthy lifestyle habits. Here are my suggestions:

Choose your rewards based on your motives. For example, are you trying to lose weight to improve your appearance? Reward yourself with things that make you feel like the gorgeous girl you are: try buying a flattering workout tank, getting a spray tan or painting your nails a new color.

My current faves: No Limit Tank by lululemon; Bobbing for Baubles by essie

Perhaps you’re attempting to eat clean foods and avoid processed goods. Try downloading a new recipe app or venturing to the nearest bookstore for a healthy cookbook. Treat yourself to a fancy kitchen appliance like a juicer or a stand mixer.

My current faves: Epicurious App; Breville Juice Fountain

And if you’ve hit a plateau in your workouts, weight loss efforts or endurance levels, kick things up a notch by downloading a new workout song or buying a fun fitness DVD. Or a quick Google search will yield plenty of free online workouts and fresh, upbeat music.

My current faves: Push It (feat. Yelawolf) by Jessie and the Toy Boys; Hot Body Pilates 45-Minute Workout by Kloey Hanson

(images: 1 2)

Listen: Moxiie, The Future of Pop Music

Up-and-coming pop star Moxiie, did a Q&A for Feather Magazine today. Now that you know the performer, it's time meet the music. The Brooklyn native's pop sound is parts Janet Jackson and Ke$ha with a little Lady Gaga mixed in. It may sound like a strange combination, but it makes for fun music.

We suggest you start listening now, so you can say you knew Moxiie before she was famous.

Platinum P (Jungle PoP EP) by MoXiiE.

Bottle Service featuring Marvin Priest by MoXiiE

Dancing In Dirt by MoXiiE

You can download her first EP, Jungle Pop, on iTunes.

What do you think of Moxiie's music?

Get Ready to Geek Out with another awesome Volkswagen Super Bowl Ad

It's a rule in our home that when the game goes off and the commercials begin airing that everyone go silent. I'm a huge fan of Super Bowl ads. I don't mind watching the football (I'll deck out for that as well); however, I get more excited for the day after the big game when I can go on Hulu's AdZone and check out the highest rated commercials.

Practically everyone's favorite ad last year was Volkswagen's "The Force" ad. When that aired on television, "Star Wars" fan or not, understanding of the force or simple-minded Jedi apprentice, everyone was entranced by the little boy donned in Darth get up "starting" a car.

I spoiled it for myself. I saw the ad prior to the Super Bowl when it went viral a few weeks earlier.

So, you can imagine the excitement when Volkswagen released a promo for their new Super Bowl ad yesterday. How do you top undoubtedly the best Super Bowl ad of last year? Simple. Don't fix what's not broken. Volkswagen teamed up with Deutsch who produced last years ad to deliver "The Bark Side."

The ad features dogs dressed up as characters from the "Star Wars" saga barking to the "Imperial March." Pretty clever. What's more impressive is that the dogs were all trained to perform simultaneously, a source who spoke to Deutsch confirmed. That's not some fancy editing you're seeing.

While I find the ad adorable, I don't think it beats out last years. What do you think?

Sara In The City: A Letter to the Past

I recently read a book where 75 celebrities wrote a letter to their younger selves. It was touching, humorous and inspiring. So, here goes nothing:

Dear 16-year-old me, you are going to regret that whole goth phase you are going through.

Dear 16-year-old me, Lighten up. You don't need to be so moody to be taken seriously.

Dear 16-year-old me, that boy sitting next to you in lunch you are crazy for? Yeah, you are still head over heels for him years later. You are trying to move on. I'll let you know how it goes.

Dear 16-year-old me, you should probably study a little harder.

Dear 16-year-old me, Good Charlotte? Really? I know you have better music taste than that!

Dear 16-year-old me, you are not going to find what you are looking for in vodka, tequila, rum or whatever else you can drink. You will, however, find your self-respect going down the toilet along with everything else you drank that night.

Dear 16-year-old me, it will all be alright.

Watch and Listen: 'Ours' by Taylor Swift

Anyone who knows me knows I have a huge girl crush on Taylor Swift. Sorry haters, girl is adorable.

In her recent single "Ours" Swift is all grown up and in love. She spends most of the video day dreaming of her boo at work. Who hasn't been there? This video is too cute for words. It's almost as cute as those photos of kittens playing with yarn.

The New Boss

The staff at W must cope with changes when
Blair becomes their new boss on "Gossip Girl."

Since the company I work for relocated right before I got my position, there were vacant positions that took months to fill when I started and there's been some turnover. Inevitably, a lot of the departments have dealt with a new boss at some point.

Thankfully, we don't have any mean bosses or ones that are never around in my office. But, in any situation, there's always a transition and it can be difficult to handle, especially if you've never been through it before. No matter how cool your boss is, you'll probably get a little stressed about the changes at least once.

As someone who's seen them come and go at a few workplaces, here are a few tips to help you deal with the new boss.

This isn't your old boss. You're old boss may have been the coolest person on the planet or maybe a tyrant who made your life miserable, but this new boss is a different person. You can't hold them accountable for the bad, or even good, qualities of your last supervisor. Try not to have any preconceived notions and let your boss reveal who they are over time.


Be patient. Even if your new boss was promoted from within the company, there will still be some things they'll have to get used to. A lot of times, they have to mess up before they can figure out how to do things correctly, so try to help them out if it's something you're familiar with instead of complaining about the incompetence.


Ask questions. I always tell the Feather staff, "You don't know something until you ask." Someone new will have different rules, so if you find yourself wondering if it's still OK to wear jeans on Fridays or if you can still take a long lunch on Wednesdays, ask your supervisor. Hopefully, they'll be helpful and figure out an answer if they don't know. If they're rude about it, at least now you know something not to approach them about.


Don't get aggravated. If your boss calls you out on things that were acceptable in the old regime, don't get aggravated. Either they didn't know or they think it will be more efficient to do things another way. If you want to keep your job, you'll have to follow their rules so save yourself the stress and accept the changes. Of course, all bosses aren't created equal, so if you feel like the rule is unfair or will hinder your work, talk to someone in human resources.

Girl Crush: Emma Stone

image via We Heart It

We first saw Emma Stone in the hilarious Super Bad. However, Ms. Stone caught our attention in hits like Easy A and The Help. This girl is definitely on her way to becoming the next Hollywood sweetheart.

Our crush stems from that fact that she's funny. It's not often in Hollywood you find a actress with incredible beauty who can make fun of herself and doesn't take herself too seriously. 

The only hindrance in our love is that she got to make out with Ryan Gosling in Crazy Stupid Love and we're totally jealous.

Editorials We Love: Charlize Theron in Elle France

Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron is looking sultry in this month's Elle France. We love Theron's soft curls. Plus, those curve-hugging dresses are to die for!

Who else is excited to see her in Snow White and the Huntsman?

Short Hair Don't Care

I cut eight inches of my hair! 

Right before New Year's, Rebecca (Beauty Director) wrote about her self-esteem issues after getting a short haircut. When I was reading it, I had really long hair. It was all the way down my back and had been since I could remember, but I'd been tossing around the idea of cutting it for a few years.

I've always been seen as a bit of an anomaly. I'm pretty sure when people are trying to describe me to others, they'd say, "You know Brianti. She's the black girl with really long hair." I get stopped in stores by strangers, inquiring if it's real and asking to touch it. There's also the occasional creeper who just runs their fingers through my hair without warning. When I went to newspaper camp in high school (take a moment to chuckle at my nerdiness), my nickname was Pocahontas. As the manager of a dance team in college, they called me L.H.D.C., or "Long Hair Don't Care" (it's from a song).

I just kind of got used to things the way they were, but a couple of years ago someone asked me a question I wasn't sure how to answer, "Do you like having long hair?"

I'd never actually thought about it before and I wasn't really sure. For most people it wouldn't be a huge decision, but my family and a lot of my friends have always really loved my long hair. It's been the topic of many conversations and I've been getting warnings not to cut it since I can remember. But it was also a big hassle to have long hair. My hair is thick, so with the length, it's almost impossible to wash it on my own. Finding a hair stylist to relax my hair for less than $100 where I live is a dream. Most importantly, my hair was starting to look unhealthy because I couldn't really manage it on my own.

Most of the responses to my shorter hair have been positive, but some people haven't exactly been supportive. But that will happen with any decision you make and I always respect other people's feelings, even if I don't agree with them. If there's any advice I can give to Feather Girls, it's to do what makes you happy, as long as you're not hurting anyone. 

All of my New Year's resolutions were centered around a central theme--to do what makes me happy this year. I've spent 22 years avoiding things I thought others may not like me to do. But this time, I went to my hair stylist and told her I wanted it cut off--for me.

As soon as I looked at the finished product, I loved my hair. I've felt way more confident the past couple of days with it shorter than I ever did when it was long. That fact alone makes all the comments I'll be getting from relatives about how I shouldn't have cut my hair worth it.

Who knows? I may never grow it back out.

Fashion: David Koma's SS 2012 RTW

After Miley Cyrus caught everyone's attention on the red carpet last night at the People's Choice Awards, I went back to see how truly innovative, fluid and beautiful designer David Koma's S/S 2012 Ready-to-Wear collection is. 

Miley Cyrus at the 2012 People's Choice Awards 

Taking a new approached to the tribal like trend that we have seen reappearing from season to season, Koma took the statement to a new level.

David Koma SS 2012

David Koma SS 2012

With uneven pleats and see-through slashes Koma incorporated motifs from the Polynesian tribal culture. By cinching in the waists and repeating the fabric in bright white and cool colors, the line instantly shows modern and edgy style.

David Koma SS 2012

 While working with jewelry designer Sarah Angold, Koma experimented with Perspex discs in a rainbow of colors giving the garments a futuristic vibe. 

David Koma SS 2012  

David Koma SS 2012

(images via Style.com)

Watch and Listen: 'You Da One' by Rihanna

I am more positive than ever that whatever Rihanna touches turns into gold. Seriously, has this girl ever had a song that wasn't a huge hit?

I'm obsessed with this song like no other. It's adorable, catchy and makes me want to dance. What more could you want in a pop song?

The video is in all black and white and Rihanna is looking fierce as usual.

Sara In The City: A Little Black Dress

Last week, I shared how I was moving on from a toxic relationship. When I set a goal for myself, I do everything in my power to achieve that. This week I landed myself a date. We met through mutual friends. He's cute, nice and actually has a job. I was beyond excited.

Then, utter panic hit me.

I can't honestly remember the last time I went on an actual date was. What was I going to do? How should I act? Most importantly, what was I going to wear?

I went through my closet like a mad woman. Everything I thought was cute the day before, I now thought was uglier than anything Snooki has ever worn.

I looked at the huge pile of clothes that use to be hanging neatly in my closet. Maybe, this was too soon? Maybe, I wasn't quite ready to date again. Just when I almost reached for my phone to call this whole thing off, I stopped myself.

Moving on was going to be challenging. I knew this. Who knew how long it was going to take to get over my ex. All I knew is that I had to try. For me, this meant going out and meeting new people.

That's when I saw it, the perfect black dress. It was cute, simple and sexy all at the same time. It was the perfect dress for a first date.

The date is this weekend and who knows how it will go. All I know is that I am truly moving on to bigger and better things in my life.

'Oh, Yes!' or 'Oh, No!': Kelly Osbourne's Gray Hair

(image via US Weekly)

No, Kelly Osbourne's stress levels haven't caused her hair to turn gray. She dyed it and debuted the new color on the red carpet at the People's Choice Awards. With Katy Perry going pink, we expected outrageous hair colors, but don't people usually dye their hair to hide the gray?

If anything, she gets points for originality.

What do you think of Kelly's gray hair?

• Oh, yes!
• Oh, no!

'Hunger Games': Capitol Couture

A screenshot of the Capitol Couture Tumblr page.

How insanely awesome (and smart) is it that there's a Tumblr dedicated to Capitol fashion? Well, Capitol Couture hasn't officially launched yet, but it's still caught my attention.

After seeing the photos of Elizabeth Banks as Effie this morning, I also stumbled across this gold mine on MTV Style. It's times like these that make it harder to wait until the film premieres March 23.

If you're familiar with the books, you know the people who live in the Capitol are known for their outrageous fashion sense. You also know it's about a society that's so hardcore they send children off to murder one another and make the entire country watch. I'd give a full synopsis, but you'd be better off watching the trailer.

The best part is that this seems to be an online magazine! I signed up to be notified when the first issue launches and I'm going to be stalking my email account. With my luck, I'll be driving in the middle of nowhere when it launches and have to wait several hours to finally view it.

This whole thing has left me with a lot of questions. Will issues launch before every movie or will they be more frequently? Are they getting models to take actual photos in Capitol fashion or just using shots of extras? More importantly, why am I not on the magazine staff that's creating this?

If you want to access the site and sign up for the mailing list, the password is #lookyourbest.

Are you going to see "The Hunger Games" film?

• Holy Panem, guys! I'm so excited to see this!
• I'm not sure yet.
• I'll pass.
• What's "The Hunger Games," again?

Trend Spy: Pleated Skirts

@neonblush

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SHOP THE TREND:
Miss Selfridge Split Maxi Skirt, $58
Topshop Metallic Pleated Midi Skirt, $72
Sparkle & Fade High and Low Knit Midi Skirt, $49
Dorothy Perkins Red Pleated Skirt, $17
ASOS Floral Printed Pleated Mini Skirt, 18
Black Faux Leather Pleated Mini Skirt, $75

Winter Beauty

Feather Girls, just because winter isn’t over until late March doesn’t mean we have to embrace our dry skins for that long. Your BF complaining about your rough, flaky skin? Well, there’s a solution to this, and it didn’t disappoint my wallet. 

I was scanning the soap aisle at Wal-Mart for a body wash that promised me soft, smooth skin. Normally, the sparkly or “New” body washes catch my attention, but this time I wasn’t going to fall victim to these qualities. Instead, I migrated toward a Dove bottle that read “Winter Care.” OK, so it was sparkly and it did say “New,” but it’s limited edition, so I needed to get my hands on it. I tried it this morning for the first time, and it was nothing short of a great wash for my skin. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy the refreshing smell of lavender? Try my current fave skincare remedy, Dove Winter Care Body Wash. 

I’ve provided you these other easy, budget-friendly beauty tips—and a look at beauty products I swear by—on how to keep your skin beautiful these last two months of winter.

 

1. Moisturize your lips with Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm with Vitamin E and Peppermint, $3 (burtsbees.com).

2. Moisturize your face with Aveeno Active Naturals Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion, $8.39 (aveeno.com).

3. Use makeup with an SPF to protect your skin from the sun. Remember, just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean the sun isn’t directly hitting your skin. Try Revlon ColorStay Under Eye Concealer with SPF 15, $7.99 (revlon.com).

Check out my Avoid Winter Skin article for more ways you can beat the cold weather these next couple months.

(image via All About Fashion)

Jason Wu for Target

From left: Peplum Top, $32.99 Pleated Skirt, $29.99, Pleated Shift Dress, $39.99, Woven Mini Saddle Bag, $24.99, Trench Coat, $54.99, Flared Dress, $59.99

After what feels like forever (and is probably more like a six months), we finally get to to see the looks from Jason Wu's Target collection. The designer did not disappoint. The collection is full of bold patterns and there are plenty of pleats to go around.

Seriously, can we have it all?

Since nothing costs more than $60, maybe we can. Well, probably not, but we could at least get a cute outfit when the line hits stores Feb. 5.

From left: Long-Sleeved Blouse, $34.99, Lace-Printed Skirt, $29.99 Lace Clutch, $29.99, Short-Sleeved Dress with Pearls, $44.99 Canvas Tote, $39.99 Front-Flap Bag, $39.99, Pointelle Sweater, $39.99, Dot-Printed Shirt Dress, $39.99

From left: Sheer Blouse, $34.99, Pleated Canvas Skirt, $29.99 Front-Flap Straw Bag, $39.99, Pleated Sleeveless Shift Dress, $39.99, Woven Tote, $49.99, Sleeveless Top, $26.99 Pleated Skirt, $29.99, Lace Clutch, $29.99

From Left: Pointelle Sweater, $39.99, Pleated Cap-Sleeved Blouse, $26, 99, Pleated Skirt, $29.99, Short-Sleeved Tee, $19.99, Cuffed Shorts, $26.99, Straw and Canvas Clutch, $29.99, Jersey Dress, $34.99 Cat Tote, $39.99

Poplin Dress in Navy, $39.99, Long-Sleeved Sailor Sweater, $32.99, Long-Sleeved Blouse, $34.99, Cuffed Shorts, $26.99, Woven Mini Saddle Bag, $24.99

Photos and prices via Glamour.