Fall Makeup Trends: Dark Lips

Deep purples were all over the fall 2010 runways, and there are several ways to wear it ranging from totally tame to a slightly risky. Nail polishes in deep plums are the easiest way to wear this trend, but if you're up for it, wearing a purple lipstick or gloss is trés chic. Personally I'm a huge fan of this look, and I'm all about wearing it at the office or to an evening happy hour. Below check out of list of ways to pull of the perfect purple lip.

1) Make sure to exfoliate your lips. Many companies make exfoliators that you can buy, but I prefer the DIY method using things from around the house. Use an old toothbrush with a little sugar on it to gently exfoliate any dead skin off your lips.

2) Use lip balm (something that's isn't greasy ) to act as a base or a primer for the lips. This way you are sure that the dark lips don't show cracks and creases. Again, you can always buy lip primers, but I prefer to go the cheaper route.

3) Decide which color you are going to use. There are tons of great ones out there such as Chanel's Rouge Noir or MAC's Odyssey. Apply lipstick with a lip brush in order to be precise with your application.

4) Apply a clear gloss to finish the look. Something like NARS lip gloss in Triple X works perfectly.

Annnnd voila! You have a chic dark lip that can go from day to night all winter long.

Going (Faux) Fur Crazy

One of my favorite fall trends this year is fur, of the faux sort of course. Faux fur has been popping up in coats, shoes, handbags, and tons of accessories. Personally I'm still on the hunt for the perfect fur vest which has so far has not been a successful one since there are hardly any that I've found in stores that I can try on. So what's a girl to do? Online shopping of course! There are tons of fun faux fur options available on sites like Piperlime and Shopstyle. Check out a few ways you can rock the cozy fall trend below!

Arden B- Faux Fur Belted Vest $69

Forever 21- Furry Wedge Heel Boot $29.80

Forever 21 Fur Scarf- $10.80

Guess-Bountiful $139

BB Dakota- Janika Vest $69

**Yves Saint Laurent- Palais Mohawk Pump $935

** I realize these are waaay out of my budget, but what's the harm in a girl dreaming of having these s-i-c-k shoes in her closet...on display in a glass case so everyone can gawk at them (too far?).

What's Old is New Again

New clothes are great. Trends are ever-changing and I am always a fan of keeping up with the ones that work on me, HOWEVER, some of my most favorite pieces in my closet are vintage. With a plethora of vintage stores around Austinit's not terribly difficult to find great pre-loved pieces, but the keeper of my fashion heart is by far Feathers Boutique on South Congress. The space feels like something straight out of NYC, and the two owner's have an amazing eye for fashion. So many other places seem to simply take whatever they can get, but the pieces at Feathers are clearly hand-picked by people that really know what they're doing. While you peruse the 4 rooms where clothes are separated by color (which makes shopping so much easier!) you're likely to be met by the friendly faces of one of the two owners, Masha and Emily. I often find myself asking them for fashion advice and they are always happy to oblige. One of the greatest things about this store is that they will ship pieces to you if you are not lucky enough to live in the Austin area (or 2 miles away like I do)! Whether you're a resident of Austin or of Hong Kong, you can have one of their pieces hanging in your closet. Clothing, shoes, jewelry, hats, bags, scarves...this place has it all! Visit http://feathersboutiquevintage.blogspot.com/ to get constant updates on what's "new" in the store. Below are just some of the amazing things I've found there recently.

This scarf is actually brand new- Feathers carries a few new things on top of all the great vintage

Vintage YSL silk blouse- this thing is to die for in person! The photo really doesn't do it justice.

Halston Slingbacks

Teal Paper Leather skirt-again the photo doesn't do it justice. This skirt is amazing on.

Black Leather Skirt

This is the newest piece to be added to my closet. They've got someone who tie dyes corsets for them which turns them from drab white underwear to beautiful tops that can be worn alone or peaking out from under something.

I really can't say enough good things about this quaint little shop in the heart of Austin. With prices that are totally reasonable, anyone can add a little piece of something old to their wardrobe.

Get The Look: Bright Lights Emerald City

Aside from the uh-mazing (yeah, I did that) cocktail dresses, suits, and red carpet gowns, the Oscar de la Renta show was chalk full of gorgeous jewelry pieces. These unique pieces are all made of tonal sea glass and emerald cabochon with gold plating, and are obviously 100% amazing. Gorgeous as they are, I for one do not have the cash to drop on these pieces, but don't fret! There are plenty of alternatives that are easy on the eyes and the wallet. Check out some I've found below, all under $50!

Forever 21- Drop Earrings $1.50

Forever 21- Jewel Necklace $5.80

Temple St. Clair for Target- 3 Stone Cuff Bracelet $39.99

Temple St. Clair for Target- Jewel Drop Earrings $29.99

Forever 21 $3.80

Such Great Heights

Good news ya'll! Over-the-knee boots are still in, and better than ever. With so many different styles to choose from, anyone can pull off this trend! Check out some of my favorites below:

Wanted- Babel $99

Steve Madden- Xennon $100

Kelsi Dagger- Sophia $220

Frye- Sarah Boot $458

Report Kenley $99

The best thing is that these boots can be paired with just about anything. Dresses, shorts, skinny jeans you name it. Over-the-knee boots are a fall essential, and worth spending a little extra cash on to get a quality pair. Fortunately, you can find this style at stores with lower price points as well. Check out Forever 21, Top Shop, and Target for similar styles without breaking the bank.

Spring Fashion Week 2011- Oscar de la Renta

The Oscar de la Renta show was definitely one of my favorites this season. As always, we saw chic and sophisticated designs that included plenty of chiffon, lace, sequins (aka a girl's best friend). As the show progressed the pieces became more elaborate and extravagant, moving from separates, to cocktail dresses, and finally the amazing gowns that he is so well known for. I guarantee you will see more than one of these gowns on the red carpet in the months to come. I mean, the guy knows how to make a woman look good!

I totally die for this gown. I could certainly make room in my closet for it!

Spring Fashion Week 2011- Ralph Lauren

The only phrase I can think of when perusing the photos of this runway show is "Victorian Western". You can always count on Ralph Lauren to produce classic, quality clothing. This season leather and lace ruled the runway, but definitely with a twist. Leather belts, bags, and vests were paired with feminine cotton and charmeuse dresses, which made for a casual chic look that any girl could pull off. We can certainly expect to see these accessories become a fashion staple this spring.

Spring Fashion Week 2011- Marc Jacobs

This season, the hype over the Marc Jacobs show was as big as the hair on the runway, and for good reason! This guy does it right every time. The 70's are back with a vengeance in his new line, with high-waisted pants, voluminous skirts, stylish knits, and silky fabrics. These designs are definitely not for the faint of fashion heart, and clearly made for risk takers. Somehow, Marc Jacobs managed to fuse the old-school glamour of one of his favorite decades with the modern designs that he's known for and they are delicious!

Spring Fashion Week 2011- Rodarte

I'm getting a little ahead of myself here because there are so many other shows to talk aboutthat have happened and must be talked about but I just can't help myself. The Mulleavy sisters have created a totally amazing and completely interesting line this season for Rodarte. We're certainly seeing their most wearble collection to date, but there are a few pieces that are a bit out there. The powerhouse sisters ditched the always common frilly frocks for spring and went with a line that is decidedly more more structured and strong.Golds, browns, and blues dominated this runway along with tons of pattern. A-maz-ing.

Oh how I love NYFW!