Polyvore: Fall Must-Have -- Tailored Blazer

Happy Friday!

First off, I want to share with you guys my excitement over reaching 1,004 followers!

I wasn't having the best day yesterday, but when I saw that I've reached such a huge milestone here on Blogger, it definitely brought a smile to my face. Thanks to everyone who follow my blog and who always stops by no matter how busy life gets. :D

When I went around to visit blogs the other day, I couldn't help but feel the buzz and excitement over Fall 2011. Even though it's still quite hot here in California, I am definitely looking forward to fall fashion. I was looking through my clothes and I realized that I am lacking one must-have piece: a tailored blazer.

I really really want and need to get one!

While I still have to actually go out there and find one that fits me perfectly, I made three different outfits featuring one blazer. :)

Look #1: Cool for School

I love wearing blazers to school, perhaps because I wore one as part of my high school uniform -- and I always thought it was so cool! What's even cooler now is that I can wear it however I want to wear it. ;)

The first ensemble is a typical outfit I would wear to school now -- stylish, preppy, and comfy.

In my opinion, ballet flats are the perfect shoes to wear when you're spending a long day in school. They are comfortable and cute. A watch is very important because I hate being late! A big bag is a must for books and stuff. I always add a bit of fun to my outfits by incorporating unexpected pops of color like the feather earrings above. :)

Look #2: Casual Cool

The thing I love the most about college is my schedule! Last semester, I only had one class on Fridays. That was my day to wear something I wouldn't normally wear on a full day of school.

This outfit is a "Friday" outfit for me.

I reserve my not-so-comfy shoes for days when I only have one class because I won't be walking around so much. I would use the thin scarf kinda like a necktie, or if you prefer, you can tie it around your bag.

I love how there is still a preppy and collegiate vibe to this look, but it is also perfect for hitting the mall or meeting your friends for lunch after class.

P.S. I really really want lace shorts as well. Thankfully, I can still probably get away with wearing shorts since I live in California. ;)

Look #3: Date Night

So, it's Friday, and some of you are probably gonna go out on a date. I hope you didn't keep your dresses just yet!

I would wear a sweetheart neckline tube dress with a blazer. If it's too cold to bare your legs, my go-to answer would be to wear tights! Always keep black tights handy because they make wearing dresses when it's cold possible. Plus, they go well with either black high-heeled pumps or simple ballet flats.

Since the outfit itself is kinda on the neutral side with black and gold as the two main colors, I think it's always fun to wear colored statement earrings (and carry a statement clutch!). :)

I can think of many other ways to wear a tailored blazer, but this post would be super long if I made one Polyvore for each, haha. ;)

Which of these three looks is your favorite? How would you wear a tailored blazer?

Any outfit tips?

I wish all of you a fabulous weekend!

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P.S. Come and join my Stages of Beauty giveaway! To read my Radiance Treatment Cream review and to join in on my giveaway, please click here. :)

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites

Review and Giveaway: Stages of Beauty ***CLOSED***

Happy Tuesday!

I am sooo happy to start the week with a giveaway winner and a new giveaway for you guys! :)

First off though, let me introduce you to an amazing skincare brand that I feel everyone should have the chance to try:

Stages of Beauty was created by Jasmina Aganovic who has a degree in Chemical & Biological Engineering from MIT. Passionate about skincare, she saw that few brands actually catered to all of our skin's anti-aging needs throughout life.

Recognizing that age is the most important determinant of our skin's needs, she began researching the topic in depth, hoping to better understand which products would be best suited for her skin.

After discovering all of the biological changes that happen to skin as we age (way beyond fine lines and wrinkles!), she realized how important it is for skincare products to accommodate all the changing needs of a woman's skin, especially as she ages. Unable to find a product that catered to all of those needs, she decided to develop her own.

With this goal in mind, she created STAGES of BEAUTY: the first comprehensive line of anti-aging skincare products that are specifically formulated to meet all the needs of our skin at every (st)age.

Stages of Beauty offers a range of skincare products especially formulated for different ages and stages:

Radiance in your 20s -- Repair environmental damage and even the skin tone

In our 20s, our skin is besieged by free radical damage (from our hectic lifestyles, sun-worshipping, and so much more). Twenty-something women need skincare ingredients like antioxidants to repair skin and protect it against future damage and premature wrinkles.

Harmony in your 30s -- Promote natural exfoliation of skin cells and help boost collagen and elastin

In our 30s, we see our first fine lines and wrinkles, collagen and elastin decrease, and skin tone becomes duller and more uneven. Skincare ingredients must address the fact that our skin regeneration now takes twice as long!

Elegance in your 40s -- Skin plumping and soothing

In our 40s, we face a new foe: thinning skin. Skin in its 40s demands ingredients to improve elasticity, tone, and firmness as well as ingredients to target signs of photo-aging and sun sensitivity.

Grace in your 50s+ -- Increase skin immunity and hydration

In our 50s and beyond, our skin experiences a rapid decline in surface immunity while the natural moisture barrier degrades, leading to thinner and drier skin. Skincare ingredients must be hydrating, firming, and reinforcing to battle the effects of our bodies’ changing hormones!

How amazing, right?! I love how each product line focuses on working on different skin issues that come with our respective ages.

After I read about all of that, I definitely wanted in! Fortunately, Kristine from Stages of Beauty sent me the Radiance Treatment Cream to try and review.

The Radiance Treatment Cream is specifically formulated for the complete anti-aging care of a woman in her Twenties. Our formula serves as your 24/7 lightweight damage control, with skin-protecting antioxidants and monks pepper berry to help prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Amino acids work with plant stem cells and Reservatrol to provide DNA protection, while marine plant extracts soothe the skin.

The key ingredients of the Radiance Treatment Cream are Reservatrol, Apple Stem Cell Botanical Extract, and Sea Botanicals and Amino Acids.

First thing I gotta say, their packaging is awesome: A+!

You can see from the photo above that their boxes are environmentally friendly and they use minimal packaging. And how amazing is that note on the upper flap?! I was really smiling as I was reading that. :)

Their shipping is relatively fast -- I got mine within 6 days.

You can be sure that your products will not arrive broken, spilled, or all shaken up because, as you can see, it's pretty snug in there. ;)

And not only is it snug, but the bottle is also nestled inside this cool carton cylinder. Inside, you will find a slip of hard paper with directions -- which also helps keep the bottle steady.

How cute is that butterfly?!

I love the sleek design of the bottle -- you can totally tell the quality just from the feel of it.

Okay, on to the review:

I've never been much of a skincare advocate until I turned 20 last year (and quite honestly, until I started blogging). Now I really understand how important it is to take care of our skin -- wash, toner, moisturizer!

I am now experimenting with and open to trying different brands, and I must admit that with the myriad skincare brands available to us, it can get overwhelming. So, when I received the email from Stages of Beauty, I was really really happy.

The cream is light-weight. Not greasy at all. Skin absorbs it quickly.

It doesn't have a specific scent -- not citrusy or flowery. Just regular cream.

When I started using it, I had a couple of breakouts -- I guess I can attribute that to my skin adjusting to a new moisturizer. It eventually went away, like most pimples. I still do get the occasional zit here and there, but it's nothing too unmanageable.

The Radiance Treatment Cream makes my skin soft and smooth. There is a definite glow and radiance too. :)

I've also noticed that the faint lines on my face that I used to obsess over have now lightened up, if not disappeared all together.

Of course, you must remember that for a product to take full effect, you must use it continuously for weeks. For best results, the Radiance Treatment Cream must be used as directed for at least 8 to 12 weeks.

Now, the price... it may be a bit too steep:

$52.99 (30mL)

$74.99 (50mL)

But, it doesn't hurt to invest on our skin, right?

I am almost done with my second bottle. ;P

Have you tried any products from Stages of Beauty? Is this a brand you would think of trying?

If you want to try Stages of Beauty, but aren't quite sure about it, you can sign up for a free 14-day trial -- check out http://www.mystagesofbeauty.com/ for more details.

Or perhaps, you might be the lucky winner of one Stages of Beauty product?

Let's get on to the giveaway:

Mandatory entries:

1. Follow What Mimi Writes via GFC (+1)

2. Follow WhatMimiWrites on Twitter (+1)

3. Follow StagesofBeauty on Twitter (+1)

Extra entries:

- Like Stages of Beauty on Facebook (+2)

- Write something on their wall about your "stage" (+5)

- Tweet about this giveaway, linking to both @WhatMimiWrites and @StagesofBeauty (+2)

- Mention this giveaway somewhere on your blog, and let me know (+3)

Yay for a total of 15 entries! :D

Write separate comments for each entry. Or if you choose to put them all in one comment, please clearly list how many entries you have.

Also, please include your email address and what stage you are in on at least one of your entries.

This giveaway will end on October 22nd at 11:59pm PST.

Open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.

Good luck! :D

$25 Apothica Gift Card Giveaway Winner! :D

Happy Monday!

I just wanted to thank everyone who participated in my $25 Apothica Gift Card giveaway!

I had a total of 78 entries. :)

And, entry number 69 won!

The lucky winner is Natalie from nataliesavage.blogspot.com!

Congratulations, Natalie!!!

Thanks again to Apothica for giving me the opportunity to host this giveaway! :D

Welcome Fall 2011! :D

Happy Sunday!

Fall 2011 officially started this past Friday, yay!

Even though leaves don't turn into a gorgeous combination of orange, yellow, and green here in California, we can totally feel the start of a new season. There's a definite chill in the morning and at night and it starts to get dark at around 6-6:30pm -- Fall is sooo on!

Here are some beautiful autumn photos from Pinterest:

I am so excited to wear boots, scarves, knitted berets, coats, sweaters, cardigans... you get the idea. ;)

I know we are still gonna have more hot days ahead here in Los Angeles (90s this week), but I am definitely gonna start preparing my fall essentials. And perhaps, I should make some Polyvore outfits for inspiration.

Are you excited for fall fashion?

Is it actually feeling and looking like fall where you are?

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I totally lost track of time, and I didn't realize it's the 25th of September today... oh gosh, where did the time go? It's super crazy -- Christmas is three months away!

But anyway, my $25 Apothica gift card giveaway ends tonight at 11:59pm PST, please click the photo on my sidebar to enter. :)

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites

Movie Trailer: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Happy Weekend!

Last night, I saw the official trailer of David Fincher's adaptation of the Swedish novel and movie The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

Here it is:

Oh man, that was long, wasn't it?

But, it looks amazing!

Rooney Mara's transformation as Lisbeth Salander is unbelievable and extraordinary -- my sister didn't believe me when I told her that's the girl from The Social Network. ;)

I think I am definitely going to see this movie -- I would love to see the differences and similarities between this and the original Swedish version.

What did you think of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo's trailer? Are you gonna watch this movie?

I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!

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P.S. My $25 Apothica gift card giveaway ends on September 25th -- still enough time to enter! Thanks and good luck to all who entered and will enter. :D

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites

On Location: Grey's Anatomy

Happy Thursday!

Tomorrow is the official first day of fall, but we've been enjoying new and returning Fall TV shows since last week. ;)

Tonight, Grey's Anatomy comes back with an awesome 2-hour season premiere!

A couple of weeks ago, my friends and I went on a little road trip -- we stopped by the hospital where they film Grey's Anatomy. We were just gonna take photos, but luckily they were actually, really filming that day!

We didn't see Patrick Dempsey or Ellen Pompeo or Sandra Oh or any other Grey's Anatomy star, but we did see their trailers. :D

I took some photos with my phone -- sorry if they're a bit blurry!

This next picture is the famous walkway outside of Seattle Grace where many memorable Grey's Anatomy scenes and conversations took place:

***from Google***

And here are the photos I took:

It's kinda hard to take photos while in a moving vehicle, haha! ;)

Oh, and that iconic Seattle Grace arc? Here it is:

***from Google***

My photo:

It's not the best, but I was so happy that I got the top part of the arc in the photo, haha! ;)

There goes my little on location adventure.

I am very excited to watch the season 8 premiere of Grey's Anatomy tonight!

Are you a Grey's Anatomy fan too?

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P.S. There's still enough time to join in on my $25 Apothica gift card giveaway! :D

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites

Wedding Wednesday: Starla Sandals

Happy Tuesday!

Okay, I know it's still Tuesday, but I am really excited to share Starla Sandals with you guys. And it's under Wedding Wednesday because they have a fantastic bridal collection! :)

A passion for jewelry, shoes, and the tropical lifestyle of South Florida led to Starla, a brand of luxury sandals. Often embellished with Swarovski crystals, the sandals have a signature sparkle that lends a casual elegance to any outfit.

Starla Sandals are inspired by fashionable women who desire style and comfort, no matter where they are or what they are doing. The core collection of embellished flats was designed to take women to all their destinations in style.

Starla Sandals are made with the finest leathers, stones, crystals and jewels from around the world. New designs are created seasonally.

Starla Sandals... The World's Most Luxurious Sandals

Stephanie from Starla Sandals sent me a pair of sandals from their Bridal Collection:

Shipping in the United States is free. And they usually ship within 1 to 2 business days.

Their shipping is incredibly fast -- my sandals arrived a day early. :)

They were wrapped in pink tissue paper.

They come with a note that says:

Starla Sandals are hand crafted with love by skilled artisans. Slight imperfections are part of the unique characteristics of a handmade product.

I can honestly say that I didn't see any imperfections. I can tell that the sandals are very carefully made.

They also come with foam to keep them from being deformed.

The material is very sturdy, so I think it's pretty much difficult to flatten the sandals -- but it's always better to be safe than sorry, right? ;)

The sandals I picked from their Bridal Collection is the Gold Opulence Sandals:

The Gold Opulence Sandal features metallic gold leather straps adorned with Austrian crystals and jewels in a circular pattern. A truly exquisite sandal and Starla best seller. Leather sole. Suede lining inside straps. Designer handmade Starla Sandals. Hand made in Bali, Indonesia.

Aren't they beautiful?!

The sandals are not lightweight, so you know that they are definitely not like normal flip flops or sandals.

I am normally a size 6, but their sizes go by halves so I got a size 6.5.

It's a bit of a tight fit at first, but it's just right -- not too big, not too small.

They also have a size guide on their website to help you determine which size is best for you.

As with most shoes, you have to break them in before you can say that they're totally comfortable.

When I got my sandals, I wore them for about 30 minutes to an hour in order to get them to mold into my feet, and also so I can get used to them. They get more and more comfortable each time I wear them.

A closer look:

You can see the excellent craftsmanship put into these sandals!

The Austrian crystals and jewels are arranged perfectly. The stitching is flawless. The suede lining makes it comfortable -- none of those plastic linings that stick to your feet. ;)

The Gold Opulence Sandals are originally sold for $120, but right now, you can get them for $79.
How amazing is that?!

These are perfect for your wedding reception -- you're tired and your feet hurt from wearing high heels, but you still want to dance = change into these beautiful sandals. :)

Another good thing about these sandals is you can definitely use them anytime -- your wedding reception, a friend's casual wedding, a day of running errands, going out with friends... really, for anything!

The quality is excellent, so I just know that I will be using my Gold Opulence Sandals for a long time.

Here are other sandals from their Bridal Collection:

Platinum Opulence Sandal ($120, on sale for $79)

Gold Brilliance ($89, on sale for $49.99)

Gold Diamond Sandal ($89, on sale for $50)

Platinum Floral Sandal ($65, on sale for $29.99)

Silver Gems Sandal ($89)

To check out more of Starla Sandals' products, please visit www.starlasandals.com.

They also have a blog: starlasandalsstyle.com.

And you can also follow them on Twitter: StarlaSandals.

Have you bought anything from Starla Sandals? Which of these sandals did you like the most? Are they something you'd consider buying?

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P.S. My $25 Apothica gift card giveaway is open until the 25th of September. To enter, please click here.

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)

2011 Emmy Awards Red Carpet

Hey, guys!

I just finished watching the 2011 Emmy Awards, and I gotta say that it was a pretty good show.

But, I have one question: Why didn't Steve Carell win?! Seriously?!

Besides that disappointing fact though, I was really happy to see a lot of beautiful dresses and gorgeous looks from the many stars that attended the annual awards show.

Let's start with:

Kate Winslet -

She looked beautiful in her plunging, red Elie Saab gown and Cartier jewels.

And she won an Emmy for Mildred Pierce!

Did you guys know that she is one award away from being an EGOT winner? Yup, all she needs is a Tony Award, and I'm pretty sure Kate Winslet can do it! ;)

Evan Rachel Wood -

One of my favorite looks - she looked absolutely gorgeous! Her Elie Saab gown is a perfect fit. Salvatore Ferragamo pumps, Judith Lieber pewter clutch, and Art Deco-inspired Fred Leighton jewels completed her look.

Katie Holmes -

Some fashion critics think this look is way too casual and boring, but I think Katie looked beautiful. I like how she kept it simple, while standing out at the same time.

Plus, I love the color of her custom Calvin Klein Collection silk crepe cinched waist dress designed by Francisco Costa.

Jayma Mays -

She looks so pretty! And her Zuhair Murad dress is pretty too!

I think it is perfect for her. :)

The hem of the dress looks a little crooked and long though (probably from when it was altered), but that's okay, it didn't do anything to hurt her whole ensemble anyway.

Sofia Vergara -

When does she not look gorgeous on the red carpet?!

She looked stunning in this coral Vera Wang mermaid gown with exposed tulle. Sofia also wore Casadei heels and Lorraine Schwartz jewels. Aren't her emerald earrings just gorgeous?!

Emily Blunt -

I loooove Emily Blunt! I think her look is flawless!

She looked beautiful in her midnight blue Elie Saab dress.

Her hair + makeup = absolute perfection!

Julia Stiles -

Yay!!! I am so happy to see Julia wear this lavender lace Georges Hobeika gown with delicate ruching and a trumpet hem. She looked polished and beautiful!

Martha Plimpton -

I didn't get the details of her ensemble, but I think her dress fit her perfectly. Her hair and makeup are also just right.

Julie Bowen -

She looked fantastic in her low-cut Oscar de la Renta dress!

Christine Baranski -

I loved how stylish, classic, and age-appropriate this look is! She looked perfect in her custom Zac Posen midnight blue silk faille double lapel gown. I hope I look that amazing when I am her age!

Lea Michele -

There isn't anything new about this look. Lea Michele looks good, but she's had better red carpet days. I do like the cowl back of this red Marchesa dress, though. The layered sleeves and mermaid silhouette give this look a romantic touch.

I wish she put her hair up to emphasize the details of her beautiful dress.

Gwyneth Paltrow -

This is definitely a love it or hate it look. Some people hated it a lot -- one even said Gwyneth looked like she's wearing a lamp! I kinda see that, haha. ;)

But I do think that only Gwyneth can pull off this exotic two-piece Emilio Pucci dress. Even though the dress isn't a big winner, I still think she's fantastic, and I love her!

Kristen Wiig -

I wasn't sure if I liked this look or not when I first saw it. It's kinda growing on me, though. I think she is rocking this Zac Posen earth tone ombre gown. The plunging neckline and Grecian draping add to the dress' charm.

Minka Kelly -

I am not sure about this lace Dior gown either... there's just something kinda off with it, but I don't know what it is. Nevertheless, I think Minka looks beautiful, and I love how she wore simple diamond drop earrings.

Juliana Margulies -

Ummm, this Armani Prive gown with a crystal-adorned bodice is not my favorite. And I also think the hem is a bit too long.

Heather Morris -

Okay, I don't get what's up with this gown. Too many ruffles! I feel like the designer didn't finish sewing it or something. :/

Rachael Taylor -

I couldn't find the details of this look either, but I do know that it is not the best Emmy's look. The color of the dress plus her skin tone plus the white background plus her platinum hair ended up washing her out. And I think she looks considerably different from how she looked like as a doctor on Grey's Anatomy -- she's lost quite a lot of weight, I think.

Kerry Washington -

A lot of fashion critics loved this look, but I am not loving the bottom part of this red sequined Zuhair Murad gown. I like how she went daring with the dress' sheer skirt, but somehow it doesn't work for me. And the hem of the dress kinda scares me. :/

Heidi Klum -

She is usually a red carpet favorite of mine, but not this time. :/

I like the top part of this custom Christian Siriano dress, but not the bottom part!

It kinda looks like fungi or a mushroom or algae of some sort grew on the dress or something... sorry, I don't know how else to explain it. ;P

That's about it for my 2011 Emmy Awards fashion recap! :)

Were you able to watch the awards show? What did you think of it?

Whose look did you like the best? Whose did you not like at all?

I wish all of you a wonderful week ahead!

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P.S. Enter my giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Apothica gift card! Giveaway ends on September 25th. Thanks and good luck to everyone who entered! :D

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites