Happy Birthday to Me!

I'm a firm  believer in not waiting for people to gift you the stuff you want.

Sometimes you just need to treat yourself, right? Of course, right.

So in honor of my birthday today, I did a little splurging and bought the Chanel nail polish (Peridot) that I've been drooling over AND one of the other limited edition shades -  Graphite.

I basically couldn't be happier about it! Peridot is just as beautiful in person as it was online and though I haven't yet tried the Graphite, I have no doubts I'll be just as thrilled.

I also decided it was time to expand my sunglasses collection. Not that I need new ones... The 6548456 pairs I already have are more than adequate to match any possible outfit/occasion/etc. But I wanted them... So off to the Sunglass Hut I went.

And home I came with these babies:

RB2132 New Wayfarer

A tortoise frame with brown lenses makes this iconic Wayfarer style even more adorable than the standard black frame/black lens version.

Also, I wholeheartedly SWEAR that this guy...

...had absolutely NOTHING to do with my decision to buy these particular glasses. No, seriously. He didn't.

Moving on.

I've also never had sunglasses with brown lenses before and as it turns out there is this magical sepia effect that happens the moment you slip them over your eyes that just makes me smile. Everything looks sunny and golden and maybe even  a little bit hazy - kind of the way those old photos from the 70s look in your parent's photo albums. Seriously... It's like looking at the world through Instagram. I highly recommend it.

Then everything in your life will look like this:

Yep, that's me and one of my dearest friends, Amanda, lookin' all soft and glowy. Don't you want your world to look like that? Trust me, you totally do.

So that is my food for thought for the day... Enjoy yourself. Pamper yourself in any way you can - it doesn't have to be with gifts. Just take a moment to remember that you're pretty awesome and you deserve it. 

Okay, enough being sappy. More product reviews to come soon! Hope everyone has an amazing day. If you feel like it, let me know how you celebrate your special days!
 
[photo credits: sunglasshut.com, shefinds.com]

Spot the Carrera?

Since I figured out that all these celebrities were walking around in Carrera sunglasses I have realized that now I can't seem to go anywhere or watch anything on television without spotting more.

Seriously. It's become a pretty amusing habit. I was even watching the Olympics the other day (or every day, who am I kidding?) and the winner of two gold medals in ski jumping, Simon Ammann (the one they keep referring to as a Harry Potter look-a-like even though I don't see it, aside from the fact that they both happen to wear glasses), was rockin' the Carreras after his big win.

Know who else has some serious Carrera love? Usher.

He also follows in the fabulous footsteps of Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys by sporting these:

The 'Endurance' style in his latest video - Daddy's Home.

So, shall we play a little game? See who else is a Carrera fan?

Well, it's my blog, and I vote yes! So, here goes...

I spy with my little eye...

An heiress-slash-amateur-porn-star with nothing better to do with her time or money than match her sunglasses to an atrociously ugly bathing suit.

A rap star at the Grammy Awards lookin' way more serious than one ever should while attending an awesome award ceremony and while wearing bright blue sunglasses.

A tiny, blonde Disney starlet, with her super-cute boyfriend, wearing sunglasses that swallow half of her face.

A former boybander turned solo star/producer/clothing designer with way too much scruff for my liking.

Okay, that's enough Carrera spotting for now. What do you guys think? Maybe I can make this game happen more often. A 'spot the whatever' type column? Let me know if you're as highly amused by any of this as I am.

[photo credits: nbc.com, carrera, celebrity-sunglasses-finder.com]

Guess Lady Gaga Isn't the Only One Going Gaga...

...Over Carrera Sunglasses.

I declared last week that I had somehow missed out on the Carrera train. I had really never noticed this brand until Lady Gaga's video for "Bad Romance." Now? I see these classic aviators on...everyone.

No, seriously. Everyone, and their brothers, in the celebrity world has been spotted sporting these babies and I haven't quite figured out how I missed the memo. FAIL on my part!

Grammy-winner Alicia Keys is the latest star to feature a pair of Carreras in her new music video - "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart." First, this is a gorgeous song, though I can't say that I've heard any Alicia songs that aren't. The girl can sing, no doubts about it. Second? She is rockin' these shades.

This is the Panamerika 1 style and I think the whole "modern-vintage" (that's totally a technical term) fits with the look of the video. Actually, they fit with the whole outfit. I'm definitely a fan. And by the way, how fabulous is that cropped, studded leather jacket??

Alicia isn't the only one jumping on the bandwagon... A little research turned up a whole slew of celebs showing their love for the brand.

Here's Britney in her video for "3" (P.S. Gotta love how she pimps out her own fragrance in the beginning of this!)

Gwen Stefani is rocking her signature platinum locks, ruby red lips, and some great white shades. Does she ever not look put together?

It looks like hot young Hollywood has been getting in on the action, too.

Take a look at Taylor Momsen, who's clearly trying to steal Gwen Stefani's look and really just not getting it...

But, I do love the red glasses! Good call on those, Taylor. Now try easing up on the vampira lipstick - you weren't actually in Twilight, remember?

You weren't... But Taylor Lautner certainly was. And Mr.-I-Need-To-Remind-Myself-That-He's-Underage-Cause-Of-Those-Washboard-Abs-Lautner is apparently loving on these aviators, too.

The lovely Sophia Bush is holding up the legitimately stylish side of the CW (after Taylor Momsen, somebody has to give us hope...) at a Carrera launch party as she grabs a black pair to try.

I wish I had a closeup of that ring, it looks super cute! I also kind of wish I had Sophia's dimples. How adorable is she??

So, there you have it. Hollywood is officially on the Carrera train and there is no sign of slowing down any time soon. Has anyone else started seeing these glasses around, or is this just old news to you? Let me know in the comments!

[photo credits: carreraworld.com, sophiabushfan.org, eye-wear-glasses.com, celebrity-sunglassesfinder.com]

Going Gaga for Carrera?

Have you seen the video for Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance"? It's quite possibly one of the most bizarre things I have ever seen, and yet somehow I couldn't look away. Maybe it's the awkward dancing or the signature-crazy-Gaga costumes... I'm not exactly sure. But I do love this song and as weird as Lady Gaga is and as much as I typically hate her fashion choices, I get it. I get that she's doing her own thing and creating this persona and honestly? If that works for her (and clearly it does based upon that massive amounts of success she's had) then I wish her nothing but the best.

Anyway, here's the video in question:

Weird, right? Yet, not unlike a train wreck. I really can't look away. And the song is officially going to be stuck in my head for uh... The rest of my life.

The thing that stands out the most for me are Gaga's accessories in this. The shoes are insane, as always. And we all know her penchant for giant sunglasses. The ones in this video fit right in with her style. They're actually the "Champion" style by Carrera.

Pretty interesting looking... It definitely works for the look of the video.

Carrera is actually a brand that's been around for fifty years, though I have to be honest and say that I've never paid attention to them before. As far as sunglasses go, I haven't really branched out my love much beyond Chanel, Dior, Fendi, and D&G... I think I actually forget sometimes that there are brands out there that actually specialize in eyewear... And I've also probably been a little blinded by the name recognition factor of these big brands.

I can't decide if I actually like this particular style, though. I'm a huge fan of aviator styles on other people, but for some reason they just don't look all that great on me. This "Champion" pair on Gaga is from their "Carrera Vintage" collection, which is basically an entire line of retro-style glasses that is inspired by an original design first introduced in the 80's (though "retro" is so in right now that I'm not sure this is all that unique).

Upon exploring the Carrera website, I did find some other styles that I actually prefer to the Champion.

This is the "Hippy 2" style and I love it.

I usually stick to square styles and the shape, size, and color of these is fab. Sure, you might look a little bit like a bug... But if Nicole Ritchie can pull it off, so can you.

This one is the "Exchange 3" and I think it's a much more wearable version of the aviator style. I also really like the detail in the center... I really have no idea what that would be referred to, but I like it anyway.

I also have to mention this one - the "Ticky". Uhm, maybe it's just me... But it looks pretty close to a standard pair of Ray-Bans, no?

I mean, they're kinda cute anyway, but I think it's just too close to such an iconic style from another brand for me.

Overall, I like a lot of the designs Carrera offers and I think they are definitely well-matched with Lady Gaga. Plus, the price point isn't too bad. From what I could find the price point seems to be low to mid $100s, in fact Shopbop has quite a few pairs on sale for under $100, so check them out!

[photo credits: carreraworld.com]

Who Wants to Look Like a Bug?

Good news for you! The Olsen twins are bringing their Insect-Chic to the wide world of sunglasses!

Uhm... Seriously?

Now, I love giant sunglasses as much as the next girl, but the Olsen's take it to a whole new level.

WHAT IS THAT? They have TINY faces. There is NO need for sunglasses that large! Don't get me wrong, I think the Olsens are pretty damn adorable in most cases (aside from when they feel the need to dress like bag ladies), but this is is just... Blah.

They will be releasing four different styles (I'm not sure if those four will range in color/design or if it will just be four standard styles) through their high-end line, The Row, and have partnered with famed luxury eye wear designer, Linda Farrow.

This is what they came up with...

Is this a joke? I've definitely seen these sunglasses at Target.

The best part? The Olsen's sunglasses will be available in the awesomely affordable price range of $325 - $390.

SAY WHAT?

Who do they think they are? Chanel?

Party foul, Mary Kate & Ashley.

I'm disappointed in you. You are not that famous or that talented that you need to be charging those prices for plastic. Seriously. Though, I guess you can argue that no one should be charging those prices for plastic... But let's face it. If you buy $300 sunglasses you're buying a name and nothing else. But what do you get from The Row? No instantly recognizable double-C's from Chanel, no Gucci stirrups, not even a sparkling D&G. What the hell is the point?

I do not approve.

What do you guys think? Yay or nay on the Olsen's sunglasses?

Don't forget! You still have time to enter the Big Chance From Maybelline Prize Pack worth $75!

[photo credits: nylon.com, bagstodie4.com]