Golden Globes Review

After last years depressing red carpet, thanks to the rain, it was a welcome relief to have fabulous weather for this year's Golden Globes. It was clear that most people wanted to make up for last years dreary day because the majority of celebrities looked amazing (with a few notable exceptions!). At Chic and Savvy we choose to focus on the positive, so here are some of my personal favourites from the red carpet.

Angelina Jolie: She's known for very sexy black outfits but it was wonderful to see her in some colour! The emerald green, which was a huge colour on the carpet, was beautiful on her. I also like how she kept her jewellery, hair and make up simple to really let the detail of her Versace gown stand out. Angelina also proves that you can be just as sexy in a modest long sleeve down as you can in a revealing one.

Mila Kunis: One of the best dressed of the night, and sorely overlooked in my opinion. She looked gorgeous in her Vera Wang dress, especially for someone who is a relative new comer to the awards show circuit. The colour was amazing with her complexion and hair. The gown also really flattered her petite frame and made her look long and lean.

Sandra Bullock: A controversial choice, which I personally loved. No she didn't do the short "I'm single and sexy" look Reese Witherspoon did when she divorced Ryan Philippe, but why should she? I loved the contrast between the sleek and straight hair and the flowy Jenny Packham dress. I loved the blush color of the dress, and the asymmetric hem with bold cuff bracelet. Sandra, ignore the critics I thought it was fabulous!

Anne Hathaway: Like Angelina Jolie, she chose what appeared to be a modest long-sleeved gown until she turned around to reveal the gorgeous back cutout. She proves that showing off the back can be just as sexy  as showing off the cleavage or the legs! Again I also loved that her hair was down and her make up was the perfect golden compliment to her Armani Privé dress.

 Stay tuned for part II of the blog, where we discuss how to translate all your favourite celebrity looks into your own everyday wardrobe!

Beauty Favourite: Lip Stains

Want to participate in the bold lip trend this winter but find lipstick too bold? Lipstains are the perfect stepping stone! The best part about lipstains is they combine the best features of tinted lipbalm and lipstick. The marker tip applicator makes them fun andeasy to apply and you don't have to worry about being as precise as you would be when applying lipstick. They also last much longer than lipgloss and don't leave your lips with that unslightly film you can sometimes get from too much lipgloss!
My current favourite are the Cover Girl Outlast lipstains. The Everbloom Kiss (400) shade is the perfect starter shade in working your way up the bold scale. This flattering magenta shade looks like your natural lip color just enhanced. Flirty Nude (435) is a coral that is perfect for those people who love a red lip. The shade looks like you just finished eating a popsicle but without all of the sticky mess!

So now is the perfect time to start loving the bold lip because come spring the brighter and bolder the lip the better!  

New Year, New Blog, New You

At the beginning of a new year everyone always makes outlandish new years resolutions that are neither realistic nor fun. Who came up with the notion that resolutions have to restrictive and be about eliminating things in your life? Why should you punish yourself trying to give up caffeine and/or sugar when you know come middle of February you will be back ordering your tall caramel macchiato or indulging in the occasional slice of chocolate cake? That’s why this year I have decided to come up with style resolutions! Not only will I stand a better chance of actually sticking to them but I will have fun adhering to them and I will have a better wardrobe and personal style because of them. And that sounds almost as good as the chocolate cake you didn’t have to give up!

So here is part one of my style resolutions for 2011 that I feel everyone could somehow incorporate into their lives:

1) Experiment with your hair and makeup!

Get out of your beauty rut and don’t be afraid to try new things this year. Experimenting doesn’t have to mean going from platinum blonde to jet black hair (but if you want to, go for it!). If you always wear your hair down and straight try it down and wavy or half pinned up. For your makeup routine, switch things up by breaking up your daily routine. Always do a bold eye and neutral lip? Try the opposite! Scared of lipstick? Try a tinted lip balm!

2) Throw away old makeup and worn out clothes.

Everyone is guilty of keeping something (or some things for that matter) that are hard to part with, because you know it will come back in style…someday or you will fit into it again. Throw those things away or anything that you haven’t worn in a year—it will mean more room in your closet to buy fabulous new items!   

As for makeup, try to follow the general 1-2 year rule for lipsticks, eye shadow and 6 months for mascara. If it’s from ninth grade toss it because at this point bacteria isn’t your only problem if you’re still wearing it. Yes I know it can be difficult to throw out that half used eye shadow but no matter how nice it is, no makeup looks good when it gives you an eye infection!

3)  Be more critical of your purchases!

The adrenaline rush of shopping can make even the savviest shopper make purchases they will regret or never wear. Look at your potential purchase with a critical eye and ask yourself these questions: Do I own something similar to this already that is still perfectly wearable? What do I have in my closet that matches this? Do I really like it or am I buying it just because? Does it look good on me?

4) Buy clothes that fit, or tailor them to make them fit!

You can spend $400 on a jacket but if you can’t button it up it will look like a $20 jacket. Conversely a $150 jacket can look like a $300 jacket if it fits perfectly! Have a critical eye and really look at yourself in the mirror. Does it flatter you? Is it the right length? If not, can you alter it and is the alteration worth the price of the garment? (Spending $100 to alter a $20 item isn’t, no matter how cute.)

5) Wear more color and pattern!

Yes I know it’s easy and comfortable to wear black everyday because black goes with everything and its slimming but colour and pattern create variety in your wardrobe and add visual interest. I’m not suggesting you switch head-to-toe black with head-to-toe yellow by any means but instead to add a pop of colour with an amazing red heel or printed back and get bolder from there.

Welcome to Chic and Savvy!

I love fashion, beauty, writing and communicating information to others so I have decided to start this blog.  I have entitled the blog Chic and Savvy because I believe no matter what your budget is, to be truly stylish you have to be a savvy shopper! To me being savvy isn’t just about finding a bargain, it’s about finding unique pieces in unexpected places, buying well chosen items and knowing the trends and being able to incorporate them into your own personal look. My goal for the blog is that it makes readers look at their own wardrobes and they get inspired to try something new and become a better and more efficient shopper.

Enjoy!