While working on a fashion piece for an eco-luxe website I write for, I came across the accessories line, Mi Asunta. Let’s just say taking a peek at their jewelry collection is a quick way to banish any thoughts of eco-friendly being all about the hippie chic. It’s hot. The fact that the line is handcrafted out of dead stock chain and vintage components is a total bonus.

You can find Mi Asunta at Endless.com and SureNYC.com.

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Feeling a little sparkle this holiday season? It’s almost impossible not to! For me, the thought of glitter, sequins and sparkles sometimes scares me off but when it’s done right, it’s just downright glamorous.

You don’t even have to do all-over sparkle either; there’s plenty of accessories and fun ways to add a bit of glitz and glam to your outfit this holiday season.

1) Robert Rodriguez gold sequin dress 2) Vintage sequin hat 3) Gold miniskirt 4) White sequin dress 5) Jimmy Choo Passport Holder 6) White sparkle pumps 7) Silver sparkle dress 8) Blue glitter heels 9) Shellac Glitter Manicure 10) Sequin party dress

By the way, if you aren’t wanting to splurge there are tons of DIY glitter shoe tutorials I’ve found online. I like this one from The Glitter Guide.

Have you added any sparkle to your wardrobe this season?

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Dear Santa,

Everyone thinks shopping for the fashioinsta in the family will be outrageously expensive. But I swear, it doesn’t have to be! I have a whole list here of fabulously fun stuff that would make any fashionista like me totally happy, without breaking the bank.

xo

-M

1) Kate Spade Sparkler Gia clutch, $95. 2) NARS Yorokubi Super Orgasm Set, $49. 3) Philosophy “the Care Package” set, $85. 4)  MICHAEL Michael Kors Python iPhone Wristlet, $79. 5) Survival of the Hippest Social Media Necklaces, $49-$89. 6) MICHAEL Michael Kors Fingerless Gloves, $48.

What’s on your wish list this year?

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Seriously guys, how cute is this clutch?!
I’m totally obsessed as a fun, cheeky Christmas present.

AND, unlike every other clutch known to man this one has COMPARTMENTS! Yes, actual useful divisions for your cell phones, lip gloss and even a zippered pouch too. Just when you thought it’d never happen.

Compartments? Yes, please!

Kate Spade ChaCha Chocolate Clutch, $295.

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Found these babies on Tumblr but can’t seem to spot them on the web, any leads on where to get them? They seem to be calling my name.

Brides, keep these on your inspiration board as they’d make quite the bridal shoe.

For more bridal bliss, check out my Behind the Veil bridal video series and Wedding Wednesdays. You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter, too!

Wholly Fabulous!

Hello, lover!

These would make a fabulous bridal shoe, don’t you think?

Perhaps I’ll build my bridal theme around these shoes, instead of picking shoes at the very last moment.

Mmmmm….lust.

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This may be a style and beauty blog, with the occasional rant here and there and today, that’s what you’ll find. A bit of a rant. It’s my blog, after all, I can write about what I want, right?

So, what’s the deal with marketers completely running out of fresh ideas on how to market to women? Do nothing but men sit in a room together, grunt, scratch their heads and then say, “oh, well, let’s just make it pink!”

Come on guys, we’re not that dumb. I’m not going to be swayed to buy just anything just because it’s pretty and pink. Now, for some things, sure. A pretty pink cover for my cell phone, maybe a pink laptop or other gadget is cool. But here’s a good 5 things that really, shouldn’t be pink. And them being so, doesn’t make me want to purchase them.

Beer.

Even dressed up, this looks totally gross.

Really? I mean, seriously? Just because it’s got a little black dress and comes in a box that resembles a purse does not make me crave beer. And to be honest, it looks like it tastes like ass. Since when did beverages need to be marketed to a specific sex anyway? Red bull is blue and it gets my attention, every time.

Tools.

Really? This is just embarrassing.

If I pulled out this pink tool box in front of a man, I would totally die of shame. And embarassment. And shame. And I’m pretty sure he’d refuse to use them, for fear of accidentally ingesting airborne estrogen the pink tools probably give off.

George Foreman grill and other kitchen gadgets

Last time I had pink cookware, I was 5

Are we 12? I’m pretty sure I don’t need to cook any food in pink gadgets. The same goes for pink blenders I’ve seen too.

Breast cancer stuff

Honestly, do you really need all this crap?

I’m going to tread lightly on this one so I don’t get attacked but gimmicky pink products that “benefit” the Susan G. Komen foundation or other breast cancer research is just that–a gimmick. Do you really think that buying the pink chapstick instead of the regular one is going to help? That whole .05? If you really wanted to help, you’d make a straight out donation instead of spending on these companies who, at the end of the day, end up only donating a smaller percentage to the charity.

There. I said it.

Wanna actually help? Make a donation here.

Am I alone on this? Or do you think it’s a total insult to just package any and everything in pink too?

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Thus far, our Shops that Sizzle have included three budget-friendly fashion hubs: Pitaya, Divaz Boutique and Francesca’s Collections. This week’s featured Shop that Sizzles is one of my upscale favorites-Ruby Boutique.

Ruby Boutique was formerly at DC Ranch; now it calls the Shops at Kierland Commons home. You’ll find tons of cute, contemporary lines like  Tibi, Poleci, Alice & Olivia and Milly. Plus, the staff is super-friendly; don’t be surprised if you’re offered a glass of wine while shopping for a new party dress.

The Kierland Commons store features two floors of cute tops, dresses, skirts and more. And the owner, Lisa, definitely knows how to buy for her shoppers; you won’t find fabulous-yet-totally-not-practical fashion items here. Instead, you’ll encounter tons of wearable pieces that are fantastic and perfect for our desert lifestyle and weather.

Here’s a peek at their selection.

Perfect for a day at the pool or shopping

Everyone loves a classic maxi

The LWD-a sexy summer staple

Ruby Boutique- 480.538.7817

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Hopefully, you’ve been following the Shops that Sizzles series where each Monday (today it’s Tuesday) an awesome shop you can find in the Valley is featured. If you’ve already checked out our previous winners (Divaz and Pitaya) you’ll also love this budget-friendly find: Francesca’s Collections.

You can actually find several Francesca’s Collections throughout the country, including 8 locations in Arizona. So while it isn’t a purely “local” boutique, it doesn’t have that “everyone-is-going-to-be-wearing-this” vibe shops like Forever 21 have. Instead, you’ll find cheap-chic fashions including cute dresses and tops under $60; jewelry; accessories and though I’ve never purchased a pair, shoes too.

Their pretty headbands and miscellaneous trinkets are reminscent of funky finds you’d see at Urban Outfitters. But it’s their dresses and blouses at super reasonable prices that have me coming back for more.

Blue ruffled dress-$44

Borderline lace skirt-$38

Heirloom blouse-$44

Flight of Fancy blouse-$38

Got a shop that should be featured as a Shop that Sizzles? Contact me or leave a comment below!

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I’ve seen this topic floating about lately. I wasn’t planning on going there. But a recent pitch I received where the term “real” was quoted over and over again kind of drove me to the brink.

To be as clear and upfront as I can right away, let me just say that I have nothing against plus-size fashion. I also have nothing against “smaller” or “mainstream” fashion. I just like fashion. Everyone has different bodies. Can’t that just be it?

Instead, the press, the media, the publicists, and even some bloggers adore referring to plus-size women as “real” women’s bodies. Or curvy. Or insert whatever adjective you prefer here. And then proceed to put down thinner models with what I like to call wood adjectives: “stick-skinny”, “pencil-thin”, “twig.”  I know because these “wood adjectives” were hurled at me often when I was in Jr. High. And it sure wasn’t meant as a compliment. Nor did it feel very nice.

Of course there’s always the kicker, most-oft used as of late toward skinny women: “She doesn’t have a ‘real’ woman’s body.”

Why not? Some women are just SMALL. Some women WISH they had curves. Calling someone “unreal” or less of a woman because she is NATURALLY a size two or smaller is just not very nice. And offensive. And it isn’t any different than alienating plus-size women.

This is a totally a two-way street by the way. Just as many “smaller” women are telling others to lose weight. But seriously, what’s up with the girl-on-girl hate? Men sure don’t seem to have this problem.

Sure, there are women out there who have eating disorders. In both directions. But attacking each other isn’t going to help the situation. Nor is waging a war on which is better. People’s bodies are just different. Let it just be that.

I fear I’m going to have to edit this post about 100 million times before hitting publish. But the excessive use of a “real” women’s body throughout this pitch just put me over the edge.

You’re beautiful. Go ahead, say it.

That’s all.