Closet Case: Anna Dello Russo for H&M

via (Fabsugar)

Its time for another exciting collaboration! This time, it's the glamorous Anna Dello Russo's accessories collection for H&M!

Anna Dello Russo is editor at large for Vogue Japan and street-style darling. If you frequent fashion blogs, then you have definitely seen Russo in all of her fierce over-accessorized glory. With that in mind, it only seems natural that the fashionista released the exclusive accessories collection.

From bejeweled gator sunglasses to embellished luggage, the collection will include everything you could possibly need to instantly Glam Up!

Check out some of the amazing pieces below:

(image via Filed Chic)   

(image via Sandi in the City)

But wait, there's more! Possibly my favorite thing about this whole collaboration is the music video Russo did aptly named "Fashion Shower", Enjoy and thank me later:

Anna Dello Russo for H&M hits stores October 4th!

Ashley Cedeno is a Fashion Blogger for Ruffled Feathers. You can follow her on  Tumblr and on Twitter.

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Feather Girl DIY: Eco-Coasters

Green ideas are all the rage these days, so why not bring the green to your home this fall? Check out these natural branch eco-coasters from Garden Therapy! So cute, so autumnal, so perfect.

(image via FamilySponge)

All you need is a straight branch (no smaller than 3.5'' in diameter), a *hand saw (grab your hubby for help), sandpaper, and clear varnish. Simply saw the branch into half-inch thick pieces, sand both sides and coat them with varnish. Allow time to dry.

These coasters are perfect for a fall dinner party—just in time for the chilly season! Invite your friends over, mix up some hot chocolate and enjoy a bonfire as you use these adorable, homemade coasters. Test it out and tweet us your creations @rufflings!

Kristyn is a Life Blogger for Ruffled Feathers. You can read her personal blog and follow her on Twitter.

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Culture Cram: Break Out the Tissues & Live Singing for Les Misérables

Anne Hathaway as Fantine in Les Misérables. (image via BroadwayWorld.com)

OK, bring out the tissues. I'm not much of a crier during films (I think the last film I cried during was Seven Pounds in 2008.), but the trailer to Les Misérables, which releases Dec. 14, got me a little teary-eyed. When I saw the Extended First Look, featuring bits of Anne Hathaway's and Hugh Jackman's performances, I got so emotional a tear escaped my eyes.

People really miss out by not looking at extended first looks and other behind-the-scenes features for upcoming movies. I loved Rent the first 10 times I saw it, but after seeing late writer Jonathan Larson's journey to creating the Broadway show, I loved it even more. There's always some extra heart in these and it really helps me make up my mind about whether I want to see a film in the theaters or can wait until it's on HBO.

The hidden treasure in the Les Misérables featurette? All the singing is done live! At first, I just wondered if that meant everyone would be pitchy, but the actors really feel it gives them a lot of creative freedom. Hugh Jackman was able to speak some of the words from one of his songs to really show the emotion. As someone who loves musicals, I do feel there's this over-choreographed disconnect sometimes because the songs were recorded in a studio. We won't get that here because they're on a set, totally in character and connecting with singing partners more organically.

With so much raw emotion allowed to seep into a film that is by name about misery, make sure you bring a box of Kleenex to the theater. And leave your boyfriend at home with his video games because he'll feel awkward about you crying for two hours straight.

Also, did you guys know Amanda Seyfried could sing? She should be using that talent instead of starring in subpar thrillers.

Get Fit: Healthy Football Snacks

(image via KingArthurFlour.com)

As I write this I'm watching the Philadelphia Eagles, sipping a beer and avoiding all the finger food surrounding me. Yes, ladies it's that time again... to act like one of the boys and root on your favorite NFL team! It's hard not to overindulge in these festivities but here are some tips when hosting your own or attending a football party.

1. Avoid the beer. I know it can be hard, but give yourself a limit of one or two. This way you can eat more of the snacks without feeling so guilty. Still want to drink? Mix up a vodka and tonic which has a little over 150 calories. 

2. Use baked or whole grain chips/crackers. Chips are my sinful addiction and I can't stop eating them when they're out. Baked or whole grain chips are a great alternative, and in my opinion taste so much better! My absolute favorite is Stacy's Multigrain Pita Chips, especially to dip into guacamole! 

3. Bring or make homemade dip. Like all food, homemade is always better because you know exactly what's in it. Store-bought dip can be very fattening and doesn't have the nutrients in that fresh will.  Make a simple fresh salsa or guacamole, and most recipes only contain a few ingredients. (Plus, your friends will totally be impressed!)

4. Grill, don't fry. Instead of serving fried buffalo wings, try grilling chicken wings then tossing them in your favorite wing sauce and putting them in the oven to finish. Also, rather than serving fried mozzarella sticks, try baked mozzarella or zucchini sticks! Yum. 

Lesley Anders is a Health blogger for Ruffled Feathers. You can read her personal blog or follow her on Twitter.

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Fashion Spotlight: Tommy Ton

(image via Editor Matthew)

With the Spring 2013 fashion shows still under way, there have been some amazing fashions seen both on and off the runways. For all those amazing fashions off the runway, I refer to Tommy Ton.

Tommy Ton is a canadian photographer known for his genius fashion blog, Jak & Jil, and his street style coverage during fashion weeks on Style and GQ.

Tommy has an amazing eye for detail and captures his subjects in motion. His images have served to inspire many (myself included) and continue to gain recognition.

Here are just a few of my favorites from the Spring 2013 shows:

(images via Style)

What inspires you?

Ashley Cedeno is a Fashion Blogger for Ruffled Feathers. You can follow her on  Tumblr and on Twitter.

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Happy Home: Cute Curtains

There's just something about floor-length curtains that I really love. And when you're renting an apartment, what better way to add a lot of color and pattern to your room? Nothing says romantic and stylish like a pair of adorable, flowing curtains. Plus, they are super easy to hang if you use a tension rod. Check out these cute ideas! What do you think?

A dash of modern mixed with vintage.
(image via Apartment Therapy)

Try a chevron pattern in a soft, muted color. The clash between modern and subtle will give any room a fab feel, without costing you an arm and a leg.

Girly and fun!
(image via Centsational Girl)

Mix and match patterns, like this cutesy office. Using a pattern similar to one already in the room (like the carpet) will bring the design together, but an accent color will add just enough pop.

How glam, right?
(image via Apartment Therapy)

If you have a lot of patterns and pops of color already going on, try picking up a color already in the room, and use a less complicated print. This will give your room a sophisticated touch without having it feel too eclectic.

Choose curtains that reflect your own personal style and go well with your room. Sometimes a few simple curtains can be all you need to take your room from boring to beautiful.

Kristyn is a Life Blogger for Ruffled Feathers. You can read her personal blog and follow her on Twitter.

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'Oh, Yes!' or 'Oh, No!': Elizabeth Moss in Dolce & Gabbana

Mad Men's Elizabeth Moss in Dolce & Gabbana at the Emmy's.
(image via FabSugar)

Poor Elizabeth Moss, she had to run through a garden to get to the show when she fell and rolled around in the flowers. That accounts for her mediocre floral pattern and wrinkled/ruffled dress, right? Or maybe she's just in character and pretending to be Peggy Olsen, who's also known for her bad fashion choices.

Regardless of how she came to look the way she did, Elizabeth hit the red carpet in this strapless floral number last night with bright blonde hair and simple black shoes. At least her accessories were styled well.

SHOP THE STYLE
High-low dresses can be very eye-catching, even in floral print. I found some options for you Feather Girls, but I'm leaving the ruffles to classy shirts because I'm not sure they have a place with these dresses yet.

Brianti Downing is the Editor-in-Chief of Feather Magazine. You can read her personal blog and follow her on Twitter.

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Being a Bargain Adventurist

(image via Instagram)

I was so excited to attend my first LivingSocial Adventure, called, "Vinyasa in the Vineyard," this past weekend with one of my best friends. And yes, it was exactly what you are thinking! We had an amazing yoga class in a vineyard, and then a wine and cheese tasting afterwards. It was an amazing day. I felt like a rich housewife (when in actuality, I only spent $35 on the voucher from LivingSocial). 

I have a pile-up of purchased vouchers from LivingSocial, Groupon, and Google Offers. I will openly admit that I should start a support group for addicts like me. I have a haunted house, trolley beer tour and a fishing trip ahead of me! I have been introduced to so many things I wouldn't have without sites like these. Not only are they (or seem) less expensive then they would be normally but I would have never had the time to search for some of the excursions they present.

For twenty-somethings like us, sometimes it's hard to balance time between having fun and working our butts off in our entry-level positions. With these coupon websites, you can do things with your friends you would never think of (like, skydiving!) and wouldn't be able to afford otherwise. 

Live your life! Register for some of these sites, download the apps on your iPhone and check out ways to do new, exciting things without draining your bank account. 

Lesley Anders is a Health blogger for Ruffled Feathers. You can read her personal blog or follow her on Twitter. 

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'Pitch Perfect' Giveaway

Pitch Perfect is about a female a capella group struggling to become the top college team in the nation. When new girl Beca (Anna Kendrick) comes and shakes things up by adding contemporary songs to their repertoire, they finally have a chance to make their dream a reality. Rebel Wilson (Bridesmaids), Brittany Snow and Elizabeth Banks (Hunger Games) make up some of the fabulous cast.

Pitch Perfect is sponsoring a really big giveaway for us! Prizes include a copy of the film soundtrack, $25 worth of Fandango Bucks, a Pitch Perfect T-Shirt, Aca-Awesome Magnetic Poetry, sunglasses, earbuds and more! The deadline to enter is Sept. 28.

(To see our "Pitch Perfect" playlist, check out the full story on Feather Magazine's site.)

TO ENTER:
• Follow @feather_mag on Twitter
•  “Like” us on Facebook
• Enter below using your Facebook or email

After you enter your information in the form below, you’ll be prompted with several options to gain extra entries. A winner will be chosen at random on Sept. 29.

Closet Case: Alicia Keys for Reebok

(image via Hip Hop Wired)

Do you have a shoe fetish? Are you a sneaker-head? If yes, then you are in luck! Alicia Keys is collaborating with Reebok for a limited edition collection, available now! The talented New York native is giving her spin on Reebok classics like Freestyle Hi, Freestyle Double Bubble, Classic Nylon Slim, and Princess.

Check out some of these awesome sneakers below:

(image via Hip Hollywood)

You can definitely see the songstress' influence in the details of the piano keys and the New York skyline! Any of these sneakers will be a fierce edition to your shoe collection! If you aren't already excited, check out the promo below!

Ashley Cedeno is a Fashion Blogger for Ruffled Feathers. You can follow her on  Tumblr and on Twitter.

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Feather Girl DIY: Neon Toe Shoes

I love nude pumps. I am also loving neon accessories these days, so when I found this awesome and easy DIY for neon toe shoes, my heart skipped a beat.

Must. have. now.
(images via Green Wedding Shoes)

Here's what you need: a pair of nude pumps, neon spray paint in your desired color, some packing tape, and a couple of old towels.

So easy, even I can manage this one.

Simply tape the shoes, leaving an area near the toes untaped (this part will be the sprayed with the neon paint). Cover the rest of your shoes with the old towel, and spray over the uncovered area with 2-3 coats of spray paint.

Which color would you pick?

Allow the paint to dry and you're done! Easy, right? Try it out this weekend and tweet us your creations @rufflings!

Kristyn is a Life Blogger for Ruffled Feathers. You can read her personal blog and follow her on Twitter.

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Get Fit: Have Another Cup of Coffee

(image via Instagram)

Hi, my name is Lesley and I am addicted to Starbucks.

No, but really I am. You can ask anyone (and I mean anyone) that has ever come in contact with me and my venti iced coffee. My mom has constantly told me that my headaches come from my obsessive intake of caffeine but, in reality, coffee is very beneficial for your health. 

Don't let my sarcasm fool you, I only have one to two cups of coffee a day. In moderation, coffee can help you in many ways. Not only does your "cup of joe" help to get your body and mind moving in the morning but it also continually helps you throughout the day. Coffee is full of antioxidants, or "free radical scavengers" which help to enhance our immunity system to fight off health problems like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. 

Caffeine is also beneficial for your brain, helping to speed up activity when it would otherwise be slowing down.  Hence, why you had a few cups while trying to study late for a huge exam in college. Coffee also aids in lowering the levels of estrogen, resulting in a lower risk of endometrial cancer in coffee-drinking women. 

One last thing is that coffee makes you happy! A recent study was done by Archives of Internal Medicine, where the women who were consistently drinking coffee were more happy and  had almost no depression symptoms compared to those who were drinking none. 

Just remember to drink your coffee in moderation and once you add lots of sugar, whole milk and flavored syrups your beverage becomes more fattening and may not be as beneficial for your health. Save the "special drinks" for a treat every once in awhile! 

Lesley Anders is a Health blogger for Ruffled Feathers. You can read her personal blog or follow her on Twitter.

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Culture Cram: 5 Questions from the 'Pretty Little Liars' Summer Finale

The Pretty Little Liars in the summer finale episode, "The Lady Killer."

As always, the finale of Pretty Little Liars earlier this month left us with way more questions than answers and since I know a lot of Feather Girls watch it, I hope we can all come together to predict what the heck could be going on?! (P.S. This contains spoilers, so if you aren't caught up on episodes, don't read it!)

Who shot Caleb?
I knew that gun was going to cause nothing but trouble for Caleb, but I also knew he was willing to do whatever it took to protect Hanna. Everyone's probably assuming Nate got up and shot Caleb with the last amount of strength he had left before dying, but he looked dead already the last time he was on screen. I'd suspect the known members of the A-Team, Mona and Toby, but they didn't exactly seem ecstatic about any events of the night so I don't think anything went their way. Until we know for sure, I hope Caleb is OK because I can't lose Spoby (Spencer and Toby) and Haleb (Hanna and Caleb) in one night. It's too much to handle.

What signs did we miss about Nate's creepiness?
I hate (read: love) to say "I told you so," but I've been saying Nate was untrustworthy from day one. He always seemed to have some sort of ulterior motive and when he offered to send that letter from Emily to Maya's parents I knew he wasn't even her cousin. You just conveniently happened to be sending stuff to them and were overeager to add in Emily's letter? Yeah, that seems normal. Note to Jenna: don't be a framing device to throw us off the scent again. When you came by Emily's house I was so sure Paige was working with "A," when you were really talking about Nate. Can you not even get out a one-syllable name when you're warning people?!

Is Aria going to tell Ezra about his secret son?
Aria is always handling problems way above her maturity level. I'll give her props for handling it with grace, but when is enough going to be enough for her? If Ezra's mother offering her money to go away wasn't enough, she now has to hide the fact that he has a son he doesn't know about. But, if you ask me, Ezra's also hiding something about the money she found in his drawer. I like Ezria (Ezra and Aria), but it's just becoming too messy. And since Ezra's brother is 10 times hotter than he is and a total sweetheart, I suspect he may come between them soon enough.

Was Paige really just an innocent bystander?
Can someone tell me how Paige was whimpering in a closet just a few feet from where Emily was sitting all night and she never heard anything? That just seems really strange to me. I'm not convinced she wasn't working with Nate or both weren't involved with "A" in some way. Or maybe Paige is affiliated with Garrett? The possibilities are endless on this, but I don't think I fully trust Paige right now.

Why would Toby break our hearts?
When Toby turned out to be the other person in a black hoodie, I heard my heart shatter. It was joined with millions of hearts around the world because Spoby is the show's most beloved couple. It also didn't help that he'd taken Spencer's virginity just hours before and told her he loved her. I do have my conspiracy theories about him doing this to protect Spencer from the inside, but I'm pretty sure he's just not who we thought he was. Since he did look guilty when he left Spencer's, maybe he does have feelings for her? But it still doesn't forgive how he's possibly been making her life hell for a year.

What questions do you have about the summer finale? What questions do you want to see answered in the winter season?

Brianti Downing is the Editor-in-Chief of Feather Magazine. You can read her personal blog and follow her on Twitter.

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Trend Alert: Stripes

Even though I'm sad to see New York Fashion Week over, it has showcased so many amazing trends that we can all try this fall season! Case in point: stripes. Stripes have made a huge comeback on the runway, being seen all over NYFW.

                    

                   

Tommy Hilfiger
(images via Style)

                     

                     

Michael Kors
(images via Style)

                   

                   

Marc Jacobs
(images via Style)

I'm a big fan of stripes because just about anyone can wear stripes and they are so versatile that you can easily dress it up or down. Its likely that you probably already have a stripe-centric piece in your closet right now.

So what do you say? Will you try stripes this fall season?

Ashley Cedeno is a Fashion Blogger for Ruffled Feathers. You can follow her on  Tumblr and on Twitter.

 

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'Oh, Yes!' or 'Oh, No!': Lily Collins in Balmain

Lily Colins in Balmain at the premiere of Writers at the Toronto International Film Festival.
(image via Tom & Lorenzo)

Sorry, Feather Girls, but I don't have any quips today. I'm not exactly on top of my Lily Collins knowledge because not even Julia Roberts (I adore her so much I watched Pretty Woman everyday for months in the seventh grade.) could get me to go see Mirror Mirror. It's not just that it looked bad but I also felt like I needed to choose between it and Snow White and the Huntsman. Even though Kristen Stewart's lack of expression for most of the film bothered me, I think I made the right choice.

Lily Collins stepped out during the Toronto International Film Festival in a Balmain dress, paired with Casadei shoes and a Tiffany & Co. ring. This is like Claude Monet threw up a Jackson Pollack painting in the water, where it was rescued with a net by a group of clammers, which accounts for the netting and beads.



SHOP HER STYLE:
We'll just ignore the netting because I could not find any example of it that wasn't as odd looking as the one Lily wore. But paint-inspired dresses are almost everywhere right now in a variety of different styles.

Happy Home: Polka Dots

If you haven't noticed, polka dots are the new fashion trend this season. But don't limit the fun to just your clothes: try these tricks to bring the polka dots to your apartment!

Colorful and fun, but not overdone.
(image via Design Sponge)

Try throwing a few polka dot pillows on your bed or couch. The fun pattern will give the room a young, playful feel without hurting your wallet.

Polka dotted-patterns give your bathroom a retro feel.
(image via Design Sponge)

A polka dot shower curtain can add a unique touch to your bathroom. The brightly colored pattern is a quick fix for any boring bathroom space.

Quite the conversation piece.
(image via We Heart It)

Cover a vintage chair in a bright polka dot fabric. The design will give your room an old-fashioned, mod feel. It's super feminine and quirky!

Remember to have fun with your space, but keep the polka dots to a minimum: a few stand-out pieces are simple and sure to be noticed. Enjoy the trends now and keep your space interesting with a few eclectic details. They're the easiest to change when a trend becomes outdated.

Kristyn is a Life Blogger for Ruffled Feathers. You can read her personal blog and follow her on Twitter.

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Going Green with Your Packed Lunch

You can use these tili bags from Birchbox.com for snacks.
(image via Birchbox.com)

Do you pack or do you buy your lunch every day? I feel like I'm back in elementary school saying that I pack my lunch everyday, but I really do! It saves me money and I end up eating much healthier than I do when I go out for lunch. 

However, by the end of the day, my trash can is filled with little plastic baggies from my lunch. It's a complete waste! After buying my reusable (and self-filtering water bottle) and a lunch bag I made a decision to completely go green with my lunch accessories. 

Lauren Conrad recently teamed up with BlueAvocado and developed an entire line of reusable lunch-packing items, including different size reusable bags for your food. All of the bags are machine washable and really cute (not to mention, inexpensive). Plus anything you purchase from her line, 1 percent of the profits go to ocean research and conservation. 

The great thing about these bags is that they are completely versatile. I recently purchased a pack of tili bags from Birchbox.com which I use for both my snacks and makeup. They are too cute not to use as much as possible. Plus, if my foundation or lip gloss spills, I can just wash them before the next use.

Lesley Anders is a Health blogger for Ruffled Feathers. You can read her personal blog or follow her on Twitter.

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Closet Case: Kirna Zabete for Target

Target continues with its store-to-store collaborations with Kirna Zabete, available in stores now! The incredible New York boutique offers the elite in designer fashions including Celine, Proenza Schouler, Givenchy, and Prabal Gurung to name a few. And with prices ranging from $9.99 to $99.99, it's no wonder that this collection will be a steal compared to their other designer duds!

Check out just some of their looks from their collection below:

                               

(images via A Bullseye View)

Owners Beth Buccini and Sarah Easley talk about their exciting collection below:

Ashley Cedeno is a Fashion Blogger for Ruffled Feathers. You can follow her on  Tumblr and on Twitter.

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