WWYD? - Here Comes The Bride(smaid).

"Did I leave the toaster on?....."

I need your help!!!

I've mentioned a few times on the blog lately that I'll be traveling up to San Francisco next week (!!!!!!) to take part in my best friends wedding (the ceremony/reception will be at the San Francisco Zoo!). I'll be doing what I do best...and that's being a bridesmaid. I should have a business card for that.

Anyways, my best friend is no Bridezilla, and she's been totally chill with everything so far (I'll hold that statement when it comes to the actual wedding day). When I asked her how she wanted our hair done, she said whatever. Makeup? Whatever. Shoes? Whatever. She told me she wanted us to look fabulous, but whatever made us comfortable and still look like "us" and not some bridesmaid robot.

What does this mean? This means I'm on my own when it comes to hair and makeup. Why do I need your help? 1) Because the possibilities are endless when it comes to makeup combinations and it's frankly making my head spin. 2) I can't "do" my hair if my life depended on it. Now, this isn't the first time I've done my own makeup for a wedding. That's no biggie. But hair...I've always gone to a salon or a hired stylist did all the bridesmaids hair. It's different this time as I can't just pop into my usual home-town salon. I have three things I need help/inspiration/guidance on. Do you accept the challenge?


Challenge #1 - The Dress Rehearsal & Dinner

The dress rehearsal is, of course, the day before the wedding on Saturday. The dinner will be afterwards and we'll be going to The Franciscan Crab. Yippie! I got the reservation card in the mail (note to self: r.s.v.p. today!!!!) and notes that attire will be casual. I've already had a dress picked out, and I think it's casual enough but still dressy without being too dressy. Make sense?

The dress is from Target (of course).
Except it's in this color...or something very very close to it.

Where I need your help is...what kind of accessories should I pair with it (esp. shoes)? I want to stay away from black, so what else should I do? Gimmie gimmie ideas!

Challenge #2 - The Makeup

So here is what our dresses look like, courtesy of David's Bridal:

It's really pretty!! Why do I love it so much? Because I picked it ;) It's totally flattering and it's something I could use again, should the occasion arise that I need a formal dress. The good thing about this dress is that it's black, so I could do anything in terms of makeup. The bad thing? It's black and I can do anything in terms of makeup. See what I mean? The bride doesn't have anything specific that she does or doesn't want us to do (I mean, other than have common sense. I won't be showing up with green false eyelashes and black lipstick). The possibilities are endless!! Should I go with a neutral eye? Add a little color? Smudgy liner? Lips are just as bad....should I go with something neutral? A tint of red? Berry? Give me any and all ideas that you may have to go with this little black dress!

Challenge #3 - The Hair, JC Penney vs. Ulta

I guess my biggest challange is what to do with my hair. Right now the length is skimming my shoulders. I definitely just can't leave it down, but I can't put it up into a fancy 'do if my life was on the line. I was going to figure out something easy to do on my own, when the idea clicked to look for any shopping centers around my hotel.

Just my luck, there's a great mall about a mile and a half from where my hotel is in South San Francisco. In this mall, there's both a JC Penney and an Ulta. Both stores have salons. So the question is: Which is better? I've never had any experience when it comes to the salons in either store. I am very excited about Ulta, though!! Ulta's are pretty scarce (they're all either up north or down south- nothing in the middle where I am!) and the last one I went to was about 2 years ago. Does anyone have any suggestions or stories for either store? What I want to do to my hair isn't very complicated or fancy. I have yet to call the stores, do I need to make an appointment? Ah!!!!!!! Meltdown!!!!

Style Dupe: Carolina Herrera.

I am not one for fashion.

Well....I mean that I don't exactly keep up with "trends" (I like to think that trends keep up with me. Apparently cardigans are in this spring? Hello. I have about 50 cardigans, that's all I wear!), I couldn't tell you Pucci from Gucci (okay, so maybe I can- but those were the first things that came to my head), and- I'm on a Target budget. But what's that to stop me from gathering ideas and inspiration from my favorite designer?

Yes, singular. Designer. I don't care for designers and designer clothing, honestly. But, there is only one designer who I would actually consider saving my hard-earned dimes and pennies for: Carolina Herrera. I couldn't tell you how I came across her, really. I just remember going to Las Vegas a few years ago and really wanting to go into her boutique at Cesar's Palace. I admit, I was super nervous and was in fear of being intimidated by snotty sales assistants.

But, it was just the opposite. I was welcomed into the store with open arms, all the assistants were amazingly sweet and took me on a tour of the store was was more than eager to help me with anything. That was my first designer item- a pretty pink/tan scarf with the most darling design on it (I could bring it out and show everyone...if you want). It was also the beginning of an obsession called Chic (one of her fragrances that has become my "signature" scent- and of course it's exclusive to boutiques, which I am nowhere near). It was truly the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Ever since that faithful trip, I receive their gorgeous catalogs and newsletters. I feel like a queen when I get them in the mail.

This season's catalog did not disappoint. This collection literally screams my name. If you look closely, you can see my name on the skirt. I swear it's there. Pencil skirts, sweaters, tote bags, and gorgeous cocktail dresses that aren't too outlandish- but just perfectly classy. Out of all the glitz and glamor- this was the outfit that stuck out for me:

This could pretty much...no, it does sum up my entire wardrobe in a nutshell. Pencil skirts and cardigans. That's ME in a nutshell. I figure, "Hell, I can dupe this look!!!" It doesn't need to be exact, but I think the inspiration is there:

Both the top and skirt are both from JC Penney. That's right. JC Penney. And I'll admit right here I love that place. A good 90% of my work clothes come from there, and it's the only place I can get a good pair of jeans that fit perfectly right. The shoes (they are navy, as well as the skirt- the lighting just stinks in my room) are from Nine West and the bag is indeed Carolina Herrera:

Again, I'm not one to lusts over designer bags (I do like to look at them, but would never consider buying one), but a Carolina Herrera bag...that's a bag to own. For one, no one (in my area) has them. Around here the big three are either 1) Louis Vuitton, 2) Coach, and 3) Dooney & Bourke...Big. Yawn. If I'm going to spend money on a luxury bag, I don't want it to look like every Jane, Donna and Joan's bag. Ya dig? Anyways, the story on this special bag could (and will) have it's own post, so I'll spare the story (for now).

Alright, back to cosmetics...I got my Avon haul, which was purely un-epic. I thought I had ordered a ton of stuff but it was only about 3 things (not counting shampoo and conditioner). I did receive the Mark skin care stuff! The undereye brightener/lightener/tightener is pretty ace so far (I had to try it on A.S.A.P.). The primer will be tested out tomorrow, I do have high hopes for it. Don't let me down, Mark! I also picked up this cute little Avon Kabuki brush. Ain't it cute, folks?

Hump Day Inspiration: Jenna Jenna Jenna.

It's a fact.

I have a girlcrush on Jenna Fischer, AKA Pam "Don't Call Me Pammie" Beesly.


I admit I'm a fairly new fan when it comes to "The Office", I only got really hooked in the middle of the 3rd season. I had heard about it. I had seen a few episodes but never really got into it. Then, it was The Merger episode that just sparked that interest that hasn't really blown into a full obsession, but it's pretty damn close.

Of course, the character I connected the most to was Pam. I in many ways was (and still is) like her. A secretary (well, if you want to get technical I'm an Office Assistant II - Confidential...but who's getting picky?) who has to deal with an office full of characters. Similar dress (not too similar, but I do have to say I dress more like Season 4 Pam- "now with color!"). And, unfortunately, in a fix with a real life Jim. Okay, I don't have the whole asshole fiance storyline going for me, I do know how Pam feels when it comes to Jim and (the infamous) Karen. But, again, I digress...for my own life is still stuck in that awkward triangle of season 3 while there's a whole lot of "PB&J" lovin' going on now in season 4. Oh well...I'm totally diverting from my original intentions of this post.

The real reason of this post is to once again declare my love for Jenna. Both as an actress and as a kick ass inspiration when it comes to make up. She goes from looking somewhat plain, average and cute on The Office (again, speaking for early seasons Pam) to looking smexy & sexy in real life:

Seriously? Is this the same woman? Girlcrush ACTIVATE!

This photo takes the whole cake for me, though. I haven't done it yet, but Oh! How I want to re-create this look! The smokey eye, the fresh cheeks, the neutral pinky lips. Sigh...and again: Sigh.

Speaking of offices: of course that is where I would be making this post. It's like...an addiction. I can't possible work on my blog at home so I need to do it from work. Help me!