Sunny Side Up

Finally! This is the type of weather I've been waiting for.  I need some warm sun in my life!  Time to swap sweaters with shorts, boots with strappy sandals, and stocking caps for wide brimmed Summer hats.  But--Don't forget to complete your look with the perfect pair of sunglasses.  Sunglasses are one of my favorite Summer accessories.  I like to play around with different looks- fun patterns, cat-eye, classic Ray-Ban, and mixing it up with different embellishments.  I've found some of my favorite looks to try this Summer- What do you think?

Danni/O, Human Holiday!

Sunny Side Up by dannironco featuring a retro eyewear

Miu miu
miumiu.com

Michael kors eyewear
asos.com

J Crew j crew
jcrew.com

Chanel optical
depuis1924.com

Retro eyewear
$13 - topvintage.nl

Chanel pearl optical
1stdibs.com

Ray-Ban RB4125
sunglasshut.com

I'll tell you all my secrets: Part 3

It's probably time to let the cat out of the bag...I have an addiction to CVS!

When it comes to cheap makeup, beauty products, hair and skincare, I'm the biggest sucker! Every time, without fail, I walk in for toilet paper and walk out with two bags full of products that were shamefully (yet brilliantly) marketed. Because everything will make me look like Sophia Vergara, Right?  Now, I'm not going to say that the impulse buy every now and then is a bad idea, but when it comes to getting the biggest bang for your buck, impulse is not the way to go!

So, what is my secret for makeup, skincare and fragrances?

1. PLAN AHEAD & COMPARE YOUR PRICES

If you're better at keeping track of your money than I am, you probably already have a budget for beauty products. If I've learned nothing from my $55 at a time trips to CVS and Walgreens, I've learned that the everyday consumer (including myself) likes instant gratification and shiny new things. However, if you're able to hold off from making numerous CVS and Walgreens runs a month, that $55 could get you a lot further.

Keep track of the things you are about to run out of at the middle of the month. This month for me was, makeup remover and hairspray. These two things are not expensive items and are much cheaper to just run to the CVS and pick up. But with the more expensive things, and with online stores nowadays, not only can you compare prices, but you can read reviews, check brands, and a lot of times get free Promo Codes or coupons that will get you extra discounts or even free shipping. You just have to know where to look.

2. TIME TO SHOP!

Two of my new favorite sites for the pricier things are www.allcosmeticswholesale.com and overstock.com You can buy some great brands like Chanel, MAC, Benefit and TONS of other brands at wholesale prices. They show you how much you're saving and you can read reviews and descriptions on each product. These features are starting to save me because I can read exactly what I'm getting for the price.  More often than not, I realize that I actually don't really need the product I might have bought in the store. Also, for some reason, paying for things online is a LOT harder to commit to than buying them in the store. Not having the benefit to return the product easily if I don't like it (which I never end up getting around to), has saved me from spending a lot of money!

3. CHECK FOR PROMOS

Now, If you DO end up finding a lot of products that are worth purchasing, make sure you search for promos and coupons before you hit that "buy" button.

Start out by simply typing in the companies name + "promo code" or "coupons" into Google. (ie. overstock.com promo code) If overstock.com has any hidden coupons in their website, or deals that aren't heavily advertised, than Google will let you know about it! I've been able to score 25% off, Free Shipping or BOGO by just looking for coupons using Google.

4. TIME TO WAIT

Okay, so you didn't get the instant gratification of being able to take your shiny new product home and try it out RIGHT AWAY, but your wallet will thank you!

Syd/O, Human Holiday!

OHH Trend Sunday!

Happy Sunday! This was a busy and fun-filled weekend for Syd and I.  I had a Bridal Shower today and Syd cooked dinner and spent some time at VB Chocolate Bar--not a bad way to spend the weekend!  For the Bridal Shower, I wanted to wear something fashionable but not too over the top.  I paired my Exquisite Corpse dress with a white blazer and cut out heels.  By pairing the white blazer, I was able to take what is one of my favorite evening dresses and create a fun daytime look.  Syd wore a flowy white top paired with skinny jeans and boots.  Syd's top has amazing detail along the collar so there isnt much need for extra accessories- Perfect Sunday look.

I'll tell you all my secrets: Part 2

If you read my last post (here), then you know that I'm doing a 5 part post about saving money, but still looking your best! I've got a ton of great ways to do this, but still get exactly the look you were going for. Today I'll teach you some tricks on buying clothing and accessories. If you take the time to do your research, you can usually find exactly what you wanted at more than half the price! I used this same method today and had great success! YOU CAN TOO! This is how it works

Step 1: Find your product

I found these perfect sunglasses about a year ago via Pinterest. Nobody seemed to know where they came from or who sold them. In my experience, the photos that are professionally taken, tend to use things that are designer products (which mean expensive) or used for magazines (which might mean international). This makes it THAT MUCH HARDER to track down.

Step 2: Find the source
Google and Pinterest are beautiful things, are they not? But what about the time, when you're on Pinterest, find the most amazing top, you click on the Pinner's source and it takes you to someone's blog where they DON'T tell you anything about the product. That's when it's time to turn to Google.

1. Save the Pinterest photo to your desktop first.
2. Then go to Google Images. You will see a little camera icon on the right side of the search engine like you see below. Select it to upload your image.

 Once your image is uploaded, Google does all the work for you. It not only shows you all the other people who have uploaded the same image, but it tells you every website that displays the same photo. As you can see below, there are at least 10 pages of websites that have featured the sunglasses I was looking for. Most of these were blogs or Pinterest boards. But then...

I FOUND THE ORIGINAL!! The link took me to the exact pair as featured on Pinterest. Only problem was, and exactly as I thought, they were a designer brand and $109 in US dollars.

They were in my "Shopping Cart" and everything, but being in a stint where I'm trying not to spend money on unnecessary things, I decided not to purchase them. I bookmarked the website and decided to return when I had the extra cash. But then I thought. "Wait, maybe I could search for this brand on eBay and see if someone is selling the same ones."

Step 3: Before you drop the cash, check eBay!

Sure enough, after lots of searching using every variety of keywords imaginable, I found them. $7.95 and Free Shipping!

GOLD w/ DARK LENS ROUND FRAME SPECTACLES vintage circle lennon sunglasses

It's important to be very careful though. Sometimes these sellers will show pictures of a product that aren't the exact ones they are selling. These for example, show the same model as pictured above, but do not mention the original maker of the sunglasses. That's a red flag that you're buying a knock-off, or that the product you're buying is not what is shown in the photo.

You may need to send a direct message to the seller and ask for a better description of the product. In my case, even if they weren't the exact ones as pictured above, I like them enough and it was worth it to me to pay the $7.95 (and free shipping) and hope they were the same.

Step 4: REJOICE!
You just spent a fraction of the price for the exact same thing! Whether you do this for accessories, clothing, household items, etc., you can rest easy in the fact that you are going to look your best without spending your hard-earned cash.

Syd/O, Human Holiday!

Good Jeans

Summer is almost here, which means its time to show off those gams with some cute daisy dukes or tailored shorts! Paired with heels for a evening out or a comfy pair of flats.  I love mixing distressed denim shorts with heels and a nice top as seen here in our outfit post.  Have fun with your outfit and show those legs some rays!  One thing to remember- you can never go wrong with denim!

Danni/O, Human Holiday!

Good Jeans by dannironco featuring jean shorts

Rag & bone/JEAN short shorts
matchesfashion.com

Studded shorts
etsy.com

Levi's jean shorts
etsy.com

Accessorize flower jewelry
accessorize.com

Lookin' Good Isn't Cheap: I'll tell you all my secrets!! Part 1

Let's face it, lookin' good is expensive! When you consider everything you're "supposed" to do to stay fresh, well groomed, and with the styles, the results will make your head spin and your wallet light. When it comes to the simple purchases in life, ie: beauty products, accessories, vintage clothes, nail polishes etc., I've become queen of finding the good deals. Today you're in luck, because I've decided to share with you some of my secrets. I'll let you know where to save money and what deserves the splurge, in every area of your life. Make sure you check in, because this post is a 5 parter.

Part 1: Hair - Cuts and Dyes

Hair isn't something to mess around with. I've had my share of bad hair cuts, bad dyes, bad EVERYTHING. Let's talk about the time when I decided to use the discount I received for working at the mall, at a mall salon. The gentleman gave me a great haircut and then asked me if he could take some "creative license". Not knowing specifically what he was speaking of, I said "Sure!" He proceeded to take a straight razor to my hair for about 15 minutes, resulting in a she-mullet that would make Billy Ray Cyrus cry and highlights that only zebras would envy. He STILL charged me $100, and did I mention this was right before my sister's wedding in which I was the maid-of-honor? After that day, I vowed never to visit a salon of someone unrecommended simply because it was a good deal. This leads me to tip #1.

NEVER CUT PRICE CORNERS WHEN IT COMES TO HAIRCUTS OR DYE TREATMENTS

Take your change to CoinStar, save up for 3 months if you have to, but this is not an area to be cheap. One bad hair cut or dye job, having to wait a year for your hair to grow back again and spending hundreds of dollars on moisturizing treatments so your hair doesn't fall out from the chemicals, will teach you the hard way.

If you're looking for a great stylist, who wants your hair to be as healthy as you do and will work with you to make sure it stays that way, go visit Kristen Linares at 13th & Washington in St. Louis. She always starts each appointment with a consultation to find out what look you're going for, what goals you have for your hair, and will tell you the best way to get there. I could not be happier with the results of my hair and will continue to use her as long as she'll have me! 13th & Washington's information is listed below!

Where you can save your pennies:

Okay, now for the tricks in cutting corners. Normally, I would teach that it's very important to put quality products and ingredients on your hair. This is still true, but I feel that it's not necessary to spend $50 on a bottle of shampoo if you can find the same thing for much cheaper! It's still very important to read the labels. Keep your hair free of chemicals that will dry it out, or clog your follicles. Clogging the follicles will keep your hair from growing at it's normal pace, and for some men, keep the hair from growing completely. Now, I have not tried all these products below, but I feel I can trust the companies being represented. All of these products are vegan, animal-cruelty free, and check out the prices!! Nothing here above $19.95. Remember that if you have healthy hair, you won't have to buy expensive products to maintain your look. Also keep in mind, that it's beauty comes from the inside out, so make sure you eat right, take any necessary vitamins and drink lots of water!

Smooth as Silk Deep Moisture Shampoo by Giovanni ($7.95)

Lavender Highland Conditioner by Beauty Without Cruelty ($10.95)

Super Scalp Treatment by LUSH ($19.95)

Hold Me Tight Finishing Spray by Paul Mitchell ($18.99)

Amplified Hair Color by Manic Panic ($16.50)

www.thirteenthandwashington.com

www.kristenlinares.com

Products compiled from Peta.org Top 5 Vegan and Cuelty-Free Hair Care Products.

Some Like It Hot

With swimsuit season just around the corner, most of us our looking to kick our workout routine/diet regime up a notch.  Whether it be running an extra mile, adding some weight to the machines at the gym, or monitoring the sweets.  I've recently starting attending Bikram Yoga classes again after taking about a year off.  My usual workout routine is boxing at The Boxing Gym in the central west end (Amazing workout, btw!), but am looking to add something extra to my fitness.  Hot yoga sounds intimidating- usually heated to 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  The instructor guides you through a series of poses which promotes sweating and designed to work the entire body.  I fell in love my first class.  I've added a few links of places I have attended, but there are many studios in St. Louis.  What are your favorite workout routines?

Danni/O, Human Holiday!

http://yogastlouis.com/

http://hotyogamidwest.com/st-louis/

http://yogasix.com/y6-st-louis/

For the guys.

We talk a lot about women's fashion to-do's and not to do's, but what about the guys? It's been argued the a women's best accessory is the man on her arm, and vise-versa. We like guys who take pride in their signature look and love the men who like to look their best. With that being said, check out some of these spring 2013 trends for men! These are 5 easy trends to work into your everyday style, no matter what it may be.

1. Loafers
2. Printed ties
3. Plaid
4. The "bad boy" "outsiders" look
5. Bow-ties

Check out GQ mag or web for more Gentlemen spring 2013 styles.

Syd/O, Human Holiday!

OHH Trend Sunday!

Today we decided to switch up our style post a little bit. With the amazing new fashion and trends coming out for spring, we decided to do a "Style Stalk" post using the best chick to sport the style for the season.

Say what you want about her music, but Lana Del Ray's fashion sense is exactly what we need for spring! With her throwback and feminine style, her look is perfect for any occasion this spring. Refer back to this look for a spring picnic, wedding or even a music festival. With the perfect hair, nails and makeup to match the style, you could sport this modern yet retro look. We love the mix of chunky jewelry and floral prints!

What do you think of Lana's look? Would you wear a style like her's?

Danni & Syd/O, Human Holiday!

Style Stalk- Eva Mendes

Eva Mendes always looks classy and sophisticated whether she is running errands, at a premiere, or event.  There is something about her that makes everything she wears look effortlessly chic.  She has a very classic style, never too trendy pushing the limits of fashion- yet she still looks amazing.  In a recent interview with Latino Voices, Eva stated she is a huge vintage lover and is also starting a collaboration with New York & Company which will be out this Fall- expect vintage inspired prints.  I will definately be on the lookout for her pieces!  What do you think- Will you be on the lookout for Eva's design collaboration?

Danni/O, Human Holiday!

Getting Organized

Every once in a while I'll go through these cleaning phases where I spend hours organizing every nook & cranny in my home. Sometimes I'm required to get a little creative to solve an organizational issue or two. With the help of some easy tips and tricks, they're sure to make my life a lot easier. Here are some I might just be utilizing!

What do you think of these? Do you have any tips and tricks that you would like to share? Comment below!

Keep your necklaces from getting knotted and tangled by stringing through a plastic straw.

Apply a magnetic strip to the inside of your drawer or medicine cabinet to store loose bobby-pins.

Use CD racks to organize leftover food storage containers.

Store and keep track of your tights by looping them around a hanger.

Keep frozen food organized by storing them in plastic bins in the freezer.

Mount PVC pipe on the inside of your cabinet door to store curling irons.

Syd/O, Human Holiday!