Seeing Spots: The leopard movement via www.nastygal.com

Idle Hands < Idol Hands

Acid anyone?

I've become a little obsessed with manicures and nail art as of late, and I want to share some super creative ideas that I've come across online. As far as self expression through fashion goes, I've become pretty adventurous and there isn't much (aside from nudity) that I won't try. Nails are no exception.

Unfortunately a lot of nail technicians find my requests daunting as they do require a very steady hand and a lot of patience. If I ever succeed at my secret desire to become ambidextrous, I'll just do my own nails and avoid the raised eyebrows.

At the moment I'm rocking a classic French gel manicure. Before this I had black gel with a white eagle which was killer and I wish I had taken a photo to share with you. I'm hanging back with a traditional look for now as I work for a bank and they already think I have a "unique style of [my] own." That's another topic for a later date!

The great thing about nail art is that you can be as adventurous as you like in small amounts as apposed to going all out head to toe. Speak of the devil, pedicures are a great way to try bold designs at home before taking your ideas to the salon for professional application.

All the photos I've added here were found via Google image search.

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below!


Skinny Love,
Ciara

2012 Mayan tribute.

Moustaches are ironic.

Madonna who?

TOMS: Get some!

Here's the first entry for my fashion wish list. They're not Jimmy Choo's sexy stilettos or a classic Chanel bag, though that post is long overdue, I'm talking about TOMS.

They're a stylish slip on that promotes awareness and helps children in Argentina! in 2006 Blake Mycoskie started a company that gives one pair of new shoes to a child in need for every one pair purchased by those of us who are blessed enough to have shoe closets. Prices range from about $60.00CAD to $200.00CAD. They have several styles so there is something for everyone and who doesn't love buying new shoes? Especially when they help someone else!

Is it any surprise that the pair I have my eye on are silver and sparkly? I hope not. Find your dream pair of conscience soothing flats (or boots if that floats your proverbial boat) at www.TOMS.ca. Find more styles at www.TOMS.com. Leave a comment below and let me know what your favourite style is!

Skinny Love,
Ciara

H&M: Hustle & Mimic?

I should have written about this last week when I awoke to a swarm of angry facebooker raging on H&M's profile. Alas, procrastination and I have long had an understanding; it cripples my potential and I let it. My issues aside, it seems that the endlessly stylish (and incredibly affordable) fashion outlet has stolen a design from an artist in East Atlanta.

Tori LaConsay created the piece for display in her community in 2008 as "a love letter to her 'tight-knit' neighborhood" says www.fashionista.com. It looks like someone in H&M's design department decided that the "dog ate my homework" approach wasn't going to cut it after a long night painting the town tweed (enter Chanel) and opted to plagiarise via the eleventh grade.

"You look nice" is a phrase that usually evokes feelings of pride but there are thousands of angry fashionistas around the world refusing to shop at H&M because of this little compliment. The company changed the font and removed the punctuation before plastering LaConsay's image all over pillows and door mats in their Korean stores, but the similarity was still close enough for someone to recognise it.

I'm not going to lie, I still adore the store but it's looking pretty sneaky that this design wasn't released in North America where the original is hangin' out for all to see. Things like this disappoint me to no end because it reminds me that the rich take from the rest of us to get richer and we just get shoved aside.

H&M's initial response to LaConsay's concerns about plagiarism was less than impressive to say the least. Their Facebook page boasted this response, "We apologise if anyone should think we have copied, which has never been our intention and also not allowed. We have merely been inspired after seeing many different varieties with different text messages, to create something similar in a different font... and the placement of the shaped heart. We are truly sorry if we have led someone to believe that we should have copied someone else's creation." initially but that has been taken down and replaced with more sensitive words, "We are very sorry for our customer service team´s reply, it is very unfortunate and we apologize for it. We are in contact with Tori LaConsay and will continue the dialogue with her directly." A much better response than the first, if you ask me. I find it quite arrogant that the public relations department thought they could sweep this under the rug whilst they continue selling someone else's artwork as their own.

The merchandise has been removed from shelves, and rightfully so. All I can say is that I hope this was the first and last time H&M tries to get away with fraud. It's clear that consumers care about where their favourite stores get their inspiration from and we are not afraid to make a fuss when we don't like what we find out.

What do you think of this little scandal? Do you think Tori LaConsay has a case? Let me know what you think in the comments below!

More information here and here.

Skinny Love,

Ciara

Hair Love: Three styles I love for 2012

 Blunt Bang (&Bob)

I may be biased here, because I'm currently rocking this look myself, but I think there is something so sexy and bad ass about this cut. It screams vixen or espionage in my books and I'm not going to lie, it brings out a more daring, devil may care attitude in me. It's hard not to feel alluring and mysterious when your do is most often seen on confident, and sometimes, dangerous women (Thank you Angelina Jolie, via Salt 2010, though hers was long.) Before blow drying, prepare your locks with Bumble&Bumble Prep spray. It detangles and adds vitality to your hair in an instant. After drying and styling with a ceramic flat iron, put a pearl sized drop of Brilliantine (also by Bumble&bumble) in your palm and spread, sparingly, through your ends and bangs for frizz protection and glamorous sheen. Warning: May instill confidence and sex appeal.

 Imperfect braids

One thing I really miss about my long hair is having the option to through it back (or up) in a loose braid and head out. They're simple to do but look almost ethereal like the women of ancient Greece. Braids certainly give the impression that you've put effort into your look without requiring a lot of time or styling tools. To prevent harsh fly aways, use a bit of Bumble&bumble's Grooming Creme throughout your damp, towel dried hair. When your hair is almost dry, spray in some Surf Spray (guess who makes it) for easy texture, then go ahead with your braid. The trick here is, less is more.

 Urban Waves

This look is the 2012 version of the beach wave we saw so much of a couple of seasons ago. It seems effortless and super stylish but there are two important things to remember when attempting to rock these bedhead kinks. 1. Makeup: The most obvious choice (for those of us not gracing the red carpet in Marchesa) is to go with the already natural feel of your tresses and wear none. If you have perfect skin and gorgeous thick Italian eyebrows, then God bless you, please don't wear a drop. If you have an (un)naturally empyrean halo of platinum blonde hair (say that ten times fast) on top of your head and a flawless complexion like the Sisters Fanning, then we mere mortals beg you, please don't ruin it with makeup. On the off chance that you're human and have acne, blemishes, dark circles, and/or a sneaky wrinkle, (deep breath,) makeup is a must for pulling this look together. The ugly truth is that, when your hair is purposed to look unkempt, your face must be flawless or risk a very fast, slippery slope to looking like a greasy teen and that's far from fashionable in any season. Which brings me to my second important point. 2. Grease: I'm sure we can all agree that there isn't much less attractive that someone with bad hygiene, and dirty hair falls under that category. Although this look is slept in and laid back, the way to get it is with clean hair. There is a plethora of amazing products (thank you Bumble&bumble) to help you dawn messy locks, without the need for really letting your hair go. After washing with Bumble&bumble's Curl Conscious shampoo and conditioner, use their Styling Lotion spray all over. Flip your head upside down and blow dry the roots for volume. Let the rest dry naturally and finish with Surf Spray by lifting the hair while spraying, then crunching the body of your hair with your fingers. For extra hold, finish with Spray de Mode.

You can find all the epic styling products mentioned above on www.Bumbleandbumble.com.

Don't be afraid to let me know what you think of my favourite looks by leaving a comment below! I'd love to hear about your 2012 hair obsessions, follow me on Twitter and tweet them @ShakinVerbatim.

Skinny Love,

Ciara

Home Sick for My Future

I dream of the day when I can afford to make a part time home for myself some place dreamy like Ireland or the South of France. My plan is to travel most of the time, splitting my calendar between ancient civilizations, rich cultural niches, and towering cities around the globe. Although I don't plan to be in one place very long, I am very excited to one day decorate a little apartment or a country house for myself. A little place full of character and charm that I'll fill with beautiful things. I often come across photos I find inspiring, photos that make me home sick for that place I'll create one day.

Skinny Love,

Ciara

LOOKBOOK Hype: Death Valley California

I adore this photo. Fellow Canadian, Ania B, won her stunning headdress on EBay for $99. Her sheer, long sleeve dress can be found at http://store.americanapparel.net for around $40. I feel like this photo should have it's own commercial; Headdress, $99. Dress. $40. Capturing a moment? Priceless. Of course, Ania has the fantastic silhouette one needs to pull of a nylon spandex micro-mesh mini dress, which only makes the photo more beautiful. I imagine her feet are bare but I also think these great Minnetonka boots would go nicely with her look.

Minnetonka triple fringe boot I purchased online at http://www.urbanoutfitters.com

If you agree that Ania's Lookbook.nu post is memorable to say the least, go ahead and give her some Hype with the button above!

Skinny Love,

Ciara