Looks I'm Loving Lately

The other day, someone asked me on my formspring page how to get out of a style rut. Believe me, I've been there.  In my last year of my post-grad program, I recall feeling very lost, style-wise.  I had no idea what I wanted to look like or what I should wear or what I liked. I basically spent the year in LuluLemon pants, UGG boots, hoodies, jeans, cardigans...let's just say I was comfortable and cute, but it wasn't the look I wanted to stick with, especially when I started to work full-time.

When I'm feeling uninspired (which I have been lately, since I've been sportin' all black, all the time)  I turn to celebrities to inspire me. It could be their hair, makeup, outfit, sunglasses, handbag---something just excites me about certain looks. I always save the photos so I can look back on them when I'm in a rut---and so I can share them with you lovely ladies!

Here are the looks I'm loving lately:

Winter may be long-gone here in Texas, but in many parts of the country, stylish gals are still feelin' the chill.  I love Blake Lively's outfits above. Chic, warm, pretty.

Following in Blake's footsteps, VS model Alessandra Ambrosio looks gorgeous in a
layered look. I love the softness that the scarf adds to the ensemble.

OMG.  Are you obsessed with this hair color? So am I. When I saw this gorgeous, highlighted look, I almost ran to the salon to get the exact same color. But then I remembered how traumatizing that would be. With her natural color and her skin coloring, her hair color is just stunning.  LOVE. Chrissy Teigen is just gorgeous!

You know who's stylish and often doesn't get the cred she deserves? Sandra Bullock. She's always effortlessly chic and put together.

Camilla Belle was never on my radar before---but then I saw these photos and holy smokes, she's smokin'!  I just love her overall look---and pretty hair and makeup. She polished without being overdone. Me likey. Okay, so maybe in the first photo she's a little more dramatically made-up, but she carries it very well.

I don't think it's possible for me to do one of these posts without giving some love to Miss Cheryl Cole. No words needed.

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I also can't do a post without mentioning my fitness inspiration, model-turned-actress Brooklyn Decker.  I love her because she's fit,
but also looks like she eats a Thin Mint every once in awhile.
Or maybe I'm just saying that because that's what I'M doing right now...

Proving that the ombre hair trend is here to stay, Hilary Duff stepped out of the salon with newly brunette locks---with an ombre effect that's oh-so-pretty. I actually much prefer this to when she was blonde and had the ombre look. This looks softer and less...dirty blonde.

Maria Menunos can really do no wrong (okay, except for the red boots.)  She is extremely attractive, has amazing, shiny, bouncy hair and great style...I just love her.

Girl of the moment? Minka Kelly. Gorgeous, glowing skin and a beautiful smile---and is that---OMBRE HAIR I see in the second pic? I love it.  I'm actually thinking of getting some of my blonde highlights that I had put in switched to a warmer but still light brown, kind of like hers.  Switch it up a little.

I've been obsessed with this gal lately---Odette Yustman.  Isn't she gorgeous? It looks like she's also got some ombre going on. And nude heels---love them!

Looks like Marissa Miller knows how elongating nude heels are too---here she is looking gorgeous as always.  Okay, so maybe she's my fitness inspiration too!

LeAnn Rimes isn't a popular lady on this blog, but I love her all-black outfit (looks like she's shopping my closet!) and those super-high, nude colored sandals. 
I think she looks very chic.

 

FUN STORY ALERT!!!!!!!
When my H and I were flying back from Toronto awhile ago, we had a connecting flight in North Carolina.  Guess who was on our flight?  Robert Buckley and Shantel VanSanten.  At the time, I didn't know who she was because the season hadn't started (yes, I watch OTH) but they were definitely dating and they are also lovers on the show. How sweet.  She is gorgeous and I swear she's gotten prettier with ever episode. BTW, as we were passing them at the airport to get a Starbucks or something, I looked at Mr. Buckley and gave him my best "I know who you are, but I'm not going to bother you" type of smile, and I think it worked, because he gave me the "thanks for not being a crazy super-fan smile." Nice.

 Lastly, Kate Bosworth. I like her, always have.  She's just got such a pretty look and I love her sweet and subtle makeup here. Pretty.

Who's been inspiring your style lately? Share with me in the comments below!

xoxo,

Veronika.

(all photos from: www.justjared.buzznet.com and http://www.thevoguediaries.com/)

NOTD & Looks I'm Loving Lately (photo-heavy)

I've talked about this before, but I need to mention it again because I've found the perfect base color for an opaque manicure!

OPI's "Alpine Snow" is an opaque white polish that I absolutely love. I used 3 layers on my toes (white toenails are kind of weird at first but I love them now) and then I used two layers of it under Essie's "Minimalistic" for a light pink, opaque manicure.

The picture doesn't do it justice, but this mani is one of my favorite looks. I really love the look of opaque polish. I might even do my nails all white next week. I saw someone with bright white opaque nails recently and I thought it looked really fresh and fun for summer.

Speaking of fresh and gorgeous I MUST talk about Jessica Biel. Seriously, is she stunning or what lately?

She is just so pretty! Definitely a natural beauty.

Then there's the naturally beautiful Sophia Bush.  I thought this picture of her was so cute. She has a really fresh face.

...and here she is recently a little more "dolled up"

Next up is Brooklyn Decker at a recent event with gorgeous long lashes and pretty coral/pink lipstick:

Then there's these recent photos of The Hills star Audrina Patridge. I don't know why, but I think she looks so stunning in them. She has a gorgeous smile.

and her fellow Hills star Kristin Cavallari looking fabulous at a recent photo shoot:

Loving that destroyed YSL tee!

I loved how Scarlett Johansen looked at the MTV Movie Awards last night.  Her soft curls and smokey eyes were perfect!

Hope you love these looks as much as I do! Which ones are your favorites?

xoxo,

Veronika.

Ask Me Anything- on Formspring!

Looks I'm Loving Now- Celebrity Hair, Fashion & Makeup

Once in awhile I like to do a little celebrity fashion and beauty inspiration post. Like I said in my last post of that nature, I tend to save photos of celebrity outfits, hair or makeup I love and wait until I have enough to do a fun entry like this.

I'll start with the lovely Kate Beckinsale. She seriously can do no wrong fashion and beauty wise. I have never seen her look bad! So not fair!

She just has the most gorgeous style. Her hair and makeup are always perfect as well. Sigh. Can I just be Kate for one day!?

Her nude heels are gorgeous and I am loving her carefree pouffy pony tail.  Seriously, just ONE DAY!!!

 STUNNING!

...and proving that she looks absolutely fabulous in workout clothes with her hair thrown up....we have this lovely photo:

The next celeb look I love is this outfit Jennifer Lopez wore recently. I just think the blouse has such a stunning pattern and it's so flowy and pretty. The color suits her so well too.

I love the simple black skinny jeans she paired it with.

Then, there's Marisa Miller. I love her pretty ruffly top paired with short shorts.  Can I also say I would LOVE to have her hair? It's gorgeous! I think the next time I get a trim I am going to ask my hairdresser to teach me how to style my hair like this (only mine isn't as long!) 

Cute brown wedges too! (they remind me of my CV for Target ones!)

The next celeb is LOST star Evangeline Lily. I don't really watch LOST anymore, but gosh she is cute! She is such a natural beauty. I love her layered ruffle dress here. She also has such gorgeous, healthy hair and glowing skin. A very lucky lady!  I'm continually amazed at how phenomenal she looks, even without makeup on (like those jungle island scenes on LOST when she's got mud on her face- STILL CUTE!)

I saw this pretty photo of The Hills reality star Audrina Patridge recently and I thought she looked so natural and pretty. Defined eyes, glowy skin and light pink lips. I just love when she does a more natural look. She looks great all done up too, but she really does have pretty features that don't need a lot of makeup to "play them up."

Then there's The Hills star Kristin Cavalleri. I loved this shot of her because she just looks really happy. I also admire how great she looks with her hair pulled back. Very sophisticated!

I'm also IN LOVE with the way Kristin's hair is styled here. So voluminous and pretty! I may have to bring this picture in for my next trim!

What's an inspiration post without a little Brooklyn Decker in the mix? I saw this photo of her (not sure how recent or not it is) and I just feel in love with her sultry, smokey makeup. Yes please!

If looks could kill, huh? and just for good measure, here she is on a more natural day! still gorgeous...

OK, maybe one more of the smokey eyes photos. I wish I could do my makeup like this! I love how the liner looks so smudged and messy, yet absolutely perfect at the same time!

I hope you all have a happy Friday evening!  More blogs to come over the weekend. Miss USA is on this Sunday and I can't wait to watch it (YES, I LOVE to watch pageants!)

xoxo,

Veronika.