If you are like me – Pinterest has become that secret online affair that you turn to whenever work, life or blogging gets you down. You type the letters into your URL bar, and instantly you are transported to a magical online world full of beautiful photos. Nothing is too expensive or out-of-reach as you gracefully click and pin away all of your hopes, dreams and fantasies. Your boards are your own personal vacation and there are no budgets or responsibilities to limit the possibilities of imagination and inspiration. Each board is sacred – holding a small piece of your soul – and careful time and consideration goes into the decision to pin each and every picture onto your profile.
And then, just as you are entering a state of ecstasy, you see it; the most awful thing that can show up in a girl’s Pinterest feed: The Ugly Pin.
You don’t know why this joy-sucking leech of a picture has invaded your otherwise harmoniously tiled screen. You try to quickly click into the (evil) user who pinned it, unfollow them, and then return to your feed; but by the time you take those steps and refresh the page your Pin-flow has been interrupted and you just can’t achieve the same state of euphoria. It’s official – you’ve left Pinterest paradise.
And we’ve all been there – stuck wondering how and why you ever followed the person who committed this abominable act. How could you have been so naive? Perhaps they once pinned something so amazing – it didn’t occur to you to check in on the rest of their boards – you just blindly followed them after seeing that one amazing pin. Maybe you followed this user when you first signed up for Pinterest and you were thirsty for content – your standards were so much lower then – you hadn’t yet learnt proper curation and discipline in following.
Don’t get too down on yourself – we were all once new to Pinterest. We were more forgiving of lower-quality content. Our tastes hadn’t matured to the level at which they now sit.
And if you followed so many regrettable users that your Pinterest feed is beyond saving – go unfollow every single user. Wipe your slate completely clean. It will take time to build back up – but it will be worth it.
Bonus! Below are 7 ladies who you should be following, but you have probably never heard of. These women so carefully curate their Pinterest content – I have never once seen even an ounce of questionability in their pins. Follow them now or forever hold your piece:
And you can also follow me on Pinterest (and on Twitter too).
xoxo
Natasha
Though I was just visiting SF for work, I was able to spend a few hours catching up with the lovely Amanda of Fashionablee Me - a necessity while I was in such close quarters with her! If you’ve never checked out her fashion blog – do your self a favor and head there now. Oh, and did I mention she’s responsible for much of the marketing over at Poshmark? Yea – Amanda has got it going on (with a side of sass – a favorite friend trait).
If you’ve never had a chance to explore San Francisco – put that on your list of things to do. And bring layers, because just like Seattle and my emotions, the weather tends to be a bit unpredictable!
My Outfit Details:
Hat: Forever 21 | Scarf: Zara (old, similar here) | Cross-body bag: Gifted | Sheer top: H&M (old) | Skinny star print jeans: GAP | Ballerina Flats: J.Crew
xoxo
Natasha
What’s leather, leopard and striped all over? Me – this past weekend!
And that’s all the witty banter I have for you (for now).
The jacket is literally an old man’s vintage bomber jacket I got a thrift shop (cause shit it was 99 cents!). The striped blouse is from Forever21 (plus size here), pants are my favorite skinnies from GAP. My booties are c/o Aldo and have become a fall/winter staple for me. The faux-ostrich bag is a wonderful item that Rehka of Outrage Fashion sent over to me – and I’m completely in love with it! The scarf is an old favorite I picked up in London years ago, and the hair is all mine. That’s right ladies – real Natasha hair.
xoxo
Natasha
Periwinkle pants in February? Yes!
Obviously the colored-jeans trend is in full bloom (regardless of the season) and I’m hopping on the bandwagon. Last week I purchased 3 pairs of (amazing) colored skinnies from the GAP which fit perfectly, have just enough stretch, and hit me at the ankle (my preferred length for skinnies). I’m going to wear these into spring – my favorite purchase in a while. I also decided to layer on my “around the world” sweater and my “bowser” cardigan (studded like a Pokemon, holler), both steals from F21.
And let’s take a moment to talk about my bracelets – all created by the amazing Marrin Costello (c/o). Marrin reached out to me last month when she was visiting Seattle, and we grabbed lattes (oh how Seattle of us) and chatted jewels. She brought samples of her handmade collections – all amazingly unique and edgy – and I quickly fell in love with both her and her craft. She ended up sending me my very own arm-party of skull & gold bracelets – which have now become a staple in my wardrobe. Check out her website and follow her on Twitter – there will be more to come from Marrin & her handmade jewelry line!
Sweater: Forever21, Cardigan: Forever21, Periwinkle jeans: GAP, Boots: Trouve; Jewerly: c/o Marrin Costello, Nail Color: c/o Ava by Julep
xoxo
Natasha
Most people who live in Seattle are frequent attendees of live shows – rock bands, underground rap, indie groups, even open mic nights with unknowns. This short post is the typical outfit I usually wear to shows, the particular event was in Capitol Hill.
The Outfit: J.Crew jean jacket (Summer 2012, similar here), J. Crew necklace (similar here), gifted cross-body purse, Forever21 top, H&M booties (but I like these and these).
xoxo
Natasha
Winter is one of the best times to try a new make-up trend – you don’t have the sun melting off your face, and bold faces are the centerpieces for potpourris of classic [faux] furs, pea coats and boots. I’ve rounded up my favorite make-up trends to try this season – all of which I’ve tried AND loved!
My first and favorite look is a big, wide-eyed face. It doesn’t matter how small or big your eyes are – it’s all about drawing the focus to them and making them pop! Plus, guys dig this look because it’s somewhat natural and makes you look all doe-eyed and sweet (even though you may very well be evil…muahahaha)!
How to get the look: Use a light eyeshadow that is just a bit darker than your own skin (I actually use my NARS bronzer) and cover your eyelid and just above your crease. Apply dark, thick mascara and focus on the bottom lashes – press the wand onto your eye lash line so it smudges onto your eye line (almost like eyeliner). Now take a white or off-white eyeliner pencil (my favorite is NARS) and line your bottom water line so it is no longer pink but white, making your eyes bigger and bolder. Final touch is taking a brightener and applying it on your brow-bone to add a bit of sheen and brightness to the area.
How to get the look: You need black or dark brown eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara, as well as some sort of brightener (the best in my opinion here). The trick to a flawless smokey eye is to do the eye makeup first THEN concealer, so you can flawlessly cover up the eye shadow dust and residue around the eyes. Start by covering your lid lightly in the dark shadow. Focus on the outer-half and crease. Now take your eyeliner and make a very thick line that covers 1/3 to 1/2 of your lid (you can add the winged-tip if you’re feeling flirty like below as well). Line the bottom of your eyes as well – and then dust powder over the bottom lash line where you applied the liner (this will keep it from smudging or fading away and create a messy-smokey look). Use a brightener around the brow-bone and around the eye where you don’t want dark/shadow. Apply concealer then mascara. Finish the look off with your favorite matte/satin (not too shiny) natural pink or nude lipstick (think creamy, kissy, poofy lips).
Oxblood is a big trend right now – but I love a dark red oxblood lip and haven’t seen enough ladies trying this look! Now while this look may not be kissable, it’s seductive enough to bring the boys to the yard.
How to get the look: Apply a dark, blood red lipstick or lipstain (my favorite is YSL in Brun Glac). The only other make-up you need is your base concealer, light bronzer and black, full mascara! A bold eyebrow looks amazing with this look as well.
The last look is simple – no make-up at all! HA! Just kidding. The last look is wearing make-up that LOOKS like you’re not wearing make-up (so tricky, I know). Men and women alike love this look – and it allows your natural beauty to shine through (and slap haters in the face, which is a bonus).
How to get this look: Do your normal moisturizer and concealer routine – and make sure you put enough on to give you flawless-looking skin, but so it does not look cakey. Now use a bronzer with a hint of shimmer and starting on top of your brow, brush a number three (brow to inner cheek to chin in a 3-shape!). On the apples of your cheek, apply a light, bright blush (enough so you looked flushed but not 80s-Madonna). Now rub some brightener on your cheekbones and eyelids (giving your eyelids sheen). Finish with some dark but not-clumpy mascara and a bit of lip-stain that brightens your natural lip color.
xoxo
Natasha
The dust (or glitter) has settled and New Years Eve has once again come and gone. We have arrived at 2013. The world didn’t end (but there were some awesome parties anyway) and now it’s time to figure out your New Years Resolutions. You know – those things you write down every January but usually forget about by the time Valentine’s Day rolls around.
So this year – let’s keep it simple. In 2013 it’s time to step up our game. Put some effort into our daily outfits (or more effort anyway) and try new things. Below are my simple yet fabulous New Years Resolutions for the fashionably inclined.
Let’s see how long we can stick to these – how about aiming for at least March? Good luck!
xoxo
Natasha
Another year has gone by. I’ve now been blogging for over 2 years, and while I haven’t had time to post every other day as I’d like to, my posts this year were some of my personal best.
As every year passes, and we arrive at New Years Eve, everyone thinks about the last 365 days of their lives and how each one has changed them. We also think about the next 365 days, and refresh our passions and drive for goals in the upcoming year.
For me, 2012 has been a year of lessons. A year full of experiences, some which ended the way I was hoping, and others ending in ways I couldn’t have ever imagined (both good and bad). However when I look back on every decision I made, everything I consciously participated in, I regret nothing. So to close out 2012, I’d like to share 12 lessons I learned this year – things I learned by making mistakes, taking risks and putting myself out there.
I’ve been doing a lot of reading by people in their 20s lately – and I’ve come to the realization that I am not the only person who is simultaneously happy, sad, excited, stressed out, intrigued and determined. Apparently I’m just 25.
It’s an interesting (and bipolar) time in life – I’ve been told it’s “quarter life crisis” time, but I think it’s more of “quarter life awakening” time. You realize what you want out of life – at least, you begin to figure it out. You start to see the natural separation between what truly makes you happy and what you thought would make you happy. And it becomes clear that you may not like yourself as much as you thought you did – but it’s OK because now is the time to fix it.
In college, you completely let yourself go – you drink too much, you eat poorly, you don’t get enough sleep, you make bad decisions; and if you didn’t do these things, well you probably wish you did.
And there comes a point after you’ve gotten a job, and maybe a place, in your 20s, after graduating, when you realize that you actually care about a lot of different aspects of your life, and in order to set yourself up for success in the future you have to start preparing and being proactive now. It’s why us ladies start buying eye cream, it’s why we all start going to the gym regularly, trying to eat better, trying not to drink as much (plus for some reason when you leave college your tolerance is cut in half, which you find out one embarrassing night out with coworkers) and maybe even trying to improve our *ahem* morals.
You realize that you either love your job and see your future career path being laid out in front of you; or that you hate your job and you need to go back to school. You realize you may be more mature than your parents, which is both disheartening and empowering.
You actually start dating (because that wasn’t REALLY dating in college now was it?!) – and a lot. You’ll meet (and kiss) lots of people who aren’t good for you. You’ll fall in love with someone who doesn’t love you back. You’ll have someone fall in love with you and you’ll feel bad that you just don’t love them back. You’ll have a couple close calls that you thought could have been “the one” – and you’ll think about what went wrong every time you are lonely.
You’ll also realize there’s a big difference between being alone and being lonely – and you’ll start to cherish your alone time. And after all the dating and kissing (and maybe other stuff) you’ll start to realize what you really want in a partner – what you really need in someone who you may spend the rest of your life with. And you’ll get over some of your past loves when you realize it could of never worked, though you may have trouble getting over that one certain someone who you feel was “the one who got away.”
And at the same time you’ll begin to discover what makes you happy. Music, playing or seeing it. Work (for some). Travel. Friendships (because they start to become few and far between). Family. Exercise. Reading books. Experiences.
You realize that you are passionate – and you need to make time for those passions. You’ll actually start listening to the stories your grandpa or uncle tells you – in fact you’ll beg to hear them – because you begin to figure out that they won’t be around forever.
The pieces of who you are – and who you are meant to be – start to float together. And at times, it seems like they are scattered around and a complete mess. And sometimes you are a complete mess. But then there are those times when you are so happy you can fly – you laugh so hard your face hurts. You love so deeply your heart aches. And you work so hard your head spins.
It’s insanity. But it is so absolutely amazing – actually realizing that you are in the moment of trying to figure out who you are and who you want to be.
And that’s all I know up to this point. I’m excited for life’s next surprise – and I’m starting realize that everything up until now has had a purpose.
So instead of trying to “make it through” your twenties, or waste them all away – just be 25. Or 24, or 26 or however old you are. Live for experiences – not things. Stop saying you don’t have time to do everything you want to do and MAKE TIME.
And laugh at yourself – because yea, you are a complete mess. But I’ve been told in these next few years, we all start to make a little more sense.
xoxo
Natasha
