Wishlist Wednesday : Flirty Scallops

How freaking cute is this dress?! It has scallop edges, pockets and comes in size XXS -- yes, yes and yes! I'm adding this to my wishlist and hoping it goes on sale.

 Blue | Red

Tutorial : Easy Blowout with Conair Hot Brush

Hey ladies! Today, I have a very easy tutorial for you using the Conair 2-in-1 Hot Air Curling Brush. I've been using it for the last couple of weeks as an alternative to my flat iron and I absolutely love it! My hair is so long (I feel like Rapunzel) and it's getting very time consuming to style and I wanted something that was quick and easy. I realized that my flat iron was giving my hair so many split ends and also drying it out. After using the Conair 2-in-1 Hot Air Curling Brush for the last couple of weeks, I feel like my hair is so much softer, shinier and healthier!

 I have tried giving myself a blowout with a regular blow dryer and brush, but my arms just get too tired. I'm also not coordinated enough to do the hair wrapping with the brush in one hand while holding the blow dryer with other hand. I did a little research and found this Conair Hot Brush (it's essentially a brush and blow dryer in one!!!), I couldn't believe such a product exists. I feel like a cave women for not knowing...hahaha! Anyhow, the brush comes with 2 attachments - one 1.5" brush and one 1" brush. In the tutorial below, I am using the 1.5" brush.

 Pros: Easy to use, great for straightening, shinier and healthier hair, gives more volume compared to the flat iron, causes less damage to hair & affordable price.
Cons: Not enough power + heat to curl the hair, hair can get tangled in the brush, no cool setting to the set the hair and cord is not long enough.

For the hair on top of the head to the crown, I styled it exactly the same way with wrapping the hair away from the face, pulling the brush toward the ends and wrapping it towards the scalp. I thought the pictures would be helpful in case you were wondering what to do with that section of the hair.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about this Conair 2-in-1 Hot Air Curling Brush! If you already own this brush, I'd appreciate if you can please share with me other ways to use it. Thanks!! ;)

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Forever21 Sale

Coupon Codes: Summer30 (extra 30% off Sale items),  Active21 (21% off one Regular price item), QLC9C2 (10% off full price item)

Picked up these sale items tonight: drop waist skirt, darling wedge sandals, cozy tights, striped blazer, floral skater dress 

Also regret not getting: relaxed crepe woven blazer + flora kimono

My Purse Essentials

I used to carry so many things in my purse, but over the years I have edited down to essential items that I can fit into my LV Pochette. Even though it seems like a little clutch, I can fit all these items shown below plus my keys and money! I hate when my bf asks me to put his phone in my pochette because it can only accommodate my items! Anyway...what's great about the pochette is that it acts like a wallet and I can throw it into one of my regular size purses without having to reorganize and empty out the bag. But most of the time, I use my pochette like a purse!

1. Louis Vuitton Pochette (vintage version) - The dimensions are approx 9x5x1.5" and it comes with a detachable strap that can be used for the wrist or shoulder. I bought this a few years ago for $300ish and now the price has gone up to $500. I also considered purchasing the longer strap so I can use my pochette like a cross body, but never took the plunge because the straps alone are $250. Ekk!

2. Laura Mercier Brush (similar) - I love how this brush is so flat, compact and comes with a clear carrying case. I use this brush instead of a sponge because I can wash it. I feel like sponges are bacteria collectors (I guess you can wash it too), but brushes just feel nicer on the skin generally. Too bad they don't make this brush anymore...

3. Bobbi Brown Illuminating Finish Powder Compact - This is more like a foundation powder, but I use it for touch ups and also to eliminate shine on the nose. It has a super light weight feel and a very nice medium coverage.

4. My Iphone - I haven't put a case on my iphone because I want to keep it small and compact. LoL! I dropped it so many times and the screen hasn't cracked. I hope I didn't just curse myself by saying that!

5. Credit Card Holder (cute one from Kate Spade) - I love this vs. an actual wallet because it's so slim and actually organizes all my cards.

6. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Eye Pencil - I carry this in case my eye liner wears off throughout the day and I need a touch up. It's also great for the waterline!

7. Benefit Cosmetics Fake Up Concealer - Although my skin is normally on the oilier side, my under eye area is more dry. I love that this concealer is super hydrating and doesn't crease. I also use it on other parts of my face.

8. Bobbi Brown Brightening Gloss in pink - The color is so pretty and natural and just gives the lip a hint of color. It's a no fuss type of gloss and you can wear it without having to retouch or worry about it bleeding all over the place.

Readers - what are your purse essentials and things you can't live without?

Same Dress With A Few Changes

I've been really lazy with pattern making lately because it can take days of work! Instead of starting from scratch, I'm just using old patterns that I've previously created and making a few adjustments to them. I used the same pattern from this striped sweatshirt dress, but shortened the length and sleeves and also made the neckline a little higher. Can you tell it's the same dress with a few changes? ;)

 Wearing:

DIY Dress | Michael Kors Berkley Sandals | LV Clutch (similar) | MAC Brick Liner + Bobbi Brown Crystal Gloss

Shop Similar Lace Dresses:

Gray Drop Waist Dress

I've been weary of drop waist dresses for the longest time! I was worried that a drop waist would emphasize my long torso and make my short legs look even shorter. To help elongate the legs, I decided to make the dress a few inches above the knee to counteract the shortening-leg-effect. The dress is so simple, I didn't think anyone would notice so I was surprised when a few friends commented how cute it was.

DIY Dress | F21 Necklace (similar) | B.P. Peep Toe Wedges (similar) | LV Palermo PM

Shop Similar Drop Waist Dresses:

Trendy Tuesday : Flutter Sleeves

I am currently loving flutter sleeves (aka circle sleeves) on everything! They are so cute and feminine and perfect for the summer weather.

Eyelet Dress | Lace Top | Blush Dress

 Maxi | Key Hole Romper | Pink Top

Fit + Flare Dress | Caftan | Shift Dress

Sleeves + How to Determine Correct Fit

DIY Coat | Aritzia Top (similar) | UO Jeans (similar) | Aldo Earrings | Pour La Victoire Wedge (RTTS)

 This coat is actually a blue version of my red coat that I made last winter. I've been wearing it during semi-cooler nights during the last couple of months. The self fabric is a very thin wool and the lining is a silky soft satin; I love putting it on because it feels so good against my skin! I also made changes to the original pattern after wearing my red coat and discovering a couple of fit issues. I noticed while driving, the sleeves prevented my arms from moving freely. Initially, I thought the sleeves were too tight and made the sleeves bigger, but that didn't help. Next, I thought I needed more ease (room) in the back bodice...that helped a little, but didn't give my arms total mobility and movement that I wanted. Finally, I realized the armholes were too low! So I raised the armholes and that totally solved the issue. Besides slimming or shortening the sleeves, other alterations for sleeves are probably the most difficult thing to deal with. So if you are trying a garment with sleeve issues (besides shortening/slimming), I'd probably advise against buying unless you have an amazing tailor.

Here are a few things you can do to test if the sleeves fit well. While wearing the garment, hug someone (or yourself if there's no one else with you lol) and raise your arms. If you feel restricted while doing these movements, then the sleeves are not fitting right. With your arms to your sides, the sleeves should hang pretty straight. If the sleeves are twisting, then it's not fitting correctly or it could have been sewn in incorrectly.

Shop Similar Blue Coats

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