Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Happy Bohemian Winter!

Typically when I think of boho style summer and fall come to mind, but a boho look can be done any time of the year! Bohemian looks are largely inspired by the hippie movement of the 60's and 70's, minus the whole flower power thing! It is derived from the style of artists and nomads who often couldn't afford to buy high end items thus throwing together looks of older so called "unfashionable" clothes making a whole new style!
So, here are a few keys for a perfect boho look;
1. Freedom - Not just the freedom to make any boho outfit perfect for you, but freedom of movement. Rather than tight pieces stick to loose pieces (maxi skirts, flares, harem pants, boatneck tops, and larger sweaters)
2. Colors, Patterns, and Fabrics - Color can vary, but neutrals are key! For a winter boho look pair your neutrals with burgundy, navy, or yellow. As far as patterns go oriental and tribal patterns are key however, romantic florals and lace add a nice element. Fabrics vary as well fuzzy fabrics, gauze, velvet, and tightly knit sweater materials are key. Leather is a huge part of this style as well, but not biker leather!
3. Layers, Layers, Layers - Loose layering is one of the main highlights of a bohemian look. An easy way to layer with a bulkier sweater is with either a thin top that flares out at the bottom (this top should be a good bit longer than the sweater), or a long lace top in a similar style. A slip is also a great option for an under layer! Vests, dusters, and leather jackets make a nice top layer as well! Don't forget to accessorize with scarves, belts, hats, and sunglasses!
4. Hair & Make up- Natural waves are the best when it comes to hair in a boho look but if your hair doesn't do natural (like mine) loose curls are good too. Curling with a flat iron will give your curls a more natural look and they fall a little bit nicer than curls with a curling iron. Adding a jeweled headband over your bangs or a turband for a nice modern touch to your hair. As far as make up goes, a neutral color palate is perfect. Keep it as natural looking as possible. For a perfect eyeshadow combo with this look use an almost nude color from your brows to right above your lash line, next add a light (not too shimmery) gold shade to your lid, then take a medium to light brown to your crease of your eye, and last but not least top it off with a light layer of mascara!
Boho is easy, comfy, and perfect for any one! If neutral isn't for you add a dark lipstick in a dark red or plum color!

Hope you love the bohemian style as much as I do, but don't forget to make it you!
Don't be afraid to try unique things as your under layer, but just make sure you don't wear anything too bulky underneath (this will make your look sloppy, and it will give off the illusion that you are bigger than you really are)


Love always,
Pittsburgh Pixie :) 





Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Dreaming of Velvet

Velvet has become HUGE this season!
As a kid, I hated when my mum would make wear a velvet dress on the holidays! (She even put velvet bows in my hair)
However as I've seen more and more velvet this fall/winter it has really been growing on me! Velvet dresses, leggings, pants, shoes, and much much more have been hitting the retail shelves like crazy this season! I can't say I'm even a little bit upset about it! 
One of my favorite looks is patterns made of velvet, and a close second to patterns is crushed velvet! 
It shines in a way that nothing else can!
My personal favorite colors for velvet are black, red, and deep greens!

Don't be scared to wear velvet, it doesn't bite! Just remember, keep it to one velvet piece and don't be afraid to mix textures here, most velvet isn't too bold to mix with other textures and patterns! 

When it comes to jewelry with velvet I prefer a gold or an oxidized metal; gold adds a timeless look to the velvet, while an oxidized metal will give it a more edgy look!


Love Always,
Pittsburgh Pixie

Not Faux Pas, Faux Fur!

Fur is typically a luxury, but faux fur on the other hand gives the look of luxury with out the cost and the loss of the beautiful animals that real fur comes from! Whether it's a full fur jacket, a fur trim, or fur accessories it's perfect for the transition of fall to winter. 
Typically its best to keep it to one furry piece, and be sure to keep the rest of the textures in your look relatively simple. Too much fur in one look will make it look cheap, different types of faux fur are different textures, and pairing them will be a clash that everyone is sure to remember (and it certainly won't be the way that you want to be remembered)

So remember, when it comes to faux fur (or real fur) keep it to one fur piece, if you feel like your look needs something more add statement jewelry!

Love always,
Pittsburgh Pixie


P.S. if you are ever interested in where you can purchase these pieces I'd be happy to tell you where they came from!

Christmas is in the air!

So the ugly Christmas sweater parties have been getting more and more popular, there's even an ugly sweater run now! There's a point that it gets a little over done, here's a few tips to keep your ugly sweater chic instead of tacky! Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know they always make it a competition to see who's sweater is the ugliest of all christmas sweaters, but thats just not me! I prefer to keep it chic and stylish!
I love the cutesy holiday sweaters with animals on them, it's a perfect addition to holiday spirt without taking it too far. From Rudolph to a kitty or puppy in a scarf a cute animal is sure to keep your holiday sweater on trend! Keep it simple, sparkle is okay, but not all over, a few shown above are sweatshirts with patches on them!
You can always pair your ugly sweater with a skater skirt and tights to keep it girly, you may be wearing your grandmother's holiday sweater, but you don't want to end up looking like your grandma!

Happy Holidays! 

Love always,
Pittsburgh Pixie

Monday, December 9, 2013

Can you crop it?

I've been seeing cropped sweaters everywhere this fall and winter, what's your take on this look?!
I love the look and there are tons of ways to wear a cropped sweater!
In the two bottom corners a cropped sweater is show with low rise pants, this is a super cool look, and its a total flashback of the 90's!
However, the cropped sweater goes great with high rise pants, especially on a cold day! 
 Cropped sweaters are also great paired with a skit, its the perfect solution to wearing a longer sweater which can make your upper body look bulky when worn with a skirt!
They come in all sorts of patterns and materials! One of my personal favorites is the fuzzier fabric!
The only issue I've seen with a cropped sweater is if its done wrong you could end up with a very confused outfit, you don't want to expose too much skin in the winter!

Enjoy :)
Pittsburgh Pixie

Bloglovin!

Bloglovin, claim blog

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Gifts Under $50 (Girls)

Looking for a gift under $50 for a friend, cousin, sister, or co-worker?
Well here are 10 great ideas under $50 for any girl!
1. Fossil.com, Animal Coin Purse $48, comes in three choices; a cute rosy fox, a gold owl, and an adorable blue penguin!
2. Urbanoutfitters.com, Animal Ears Beanie $24, comes in four great choices; cream with fur ears, pink with as sleepy face and puff ball ears, gray with knit ears, and an adorable black and white french bulldog face!
3. Urbanoutfitters.com, Boho Glass Candle $28, comes in three scents; Moon Sparkle (Pink) - Red fruit and violet notes with a woodsy base, Solar Blossom (Green) - Persimmon, citrus, and jasmine notes, and last but certainly not least Mystical Tide (Blue) - Ocean and sea salt notes
4. Sephora.com, Sephora Picks-Glitz and Glam $45, this gift set is a great day-to-night gift for any fashionista it includes; A chic gold clutch, Urban Decay Moondust in Space Cowboy, Nars Lipgloss in Gold Digger, Nails inc. Kensington Caviar Gel Effect Plumping Top Coat, Josie Maran  Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee, Lancome Hypnose star in Noir Midnight, Stilla Stay All Day 10 in One HD illuminating beauty balm with SPF 30, Sephora collection false eyelashes in celebrity, and Too Faced 3-way Lash Lining Tool
5. Sephora.com, Mini Mani Month $58 (I know its all under $50, but I had to make an exception for this great gift) This one is a nail polish advent calendar, includes 24 mini nail polishes; 18 paint pots - Snow Globe, Boudoir, Hoopla, Hopscotch, Sugar Plum, Fit For a Queen, Candy Floss, Amazing Gracie, Pepperminty, Encore, Starlet, Chinchilla, Members Only, Play Date, Ivory Queen, Main Stage, Pillow Fight, and Tweed and Tails. Two Caviar Luxe in Metallic Pearls Smoulder (silver) and Metallic Pearls Lustre (gold). Two Caviar Pearls in Cupids Arrow and Midnight in Manhattan. One glitter pot in Twinkle Toes, and last but not least one sequin pot in Dallas Dolly
6. Urbanoutfitters.com, Cat Nap Flight Aid Kit $16, This adorable gift set is great for any cat loving traveler. This set includes an inflatable neck pillow with matching eye mask, ear plugs, and of course an adorable carrying case!
7. Urbanoutfitters.com, Style Book II Pattern and Print by: Elizabeth Walker $29.95, This book is a great choice for any fashion lover; from runway to sidewalk this is a fresh outlook on iconic patters from geo to indian patterns, this will give you a great look at all the best patterns renewed
8. Urbanoutfitters.com, Meow Meow Tweet Birds of a Feather Gift Set in 3 choices $50, Lavender Lover - Lavender lemon bar soap, Lavender lemon liquid soap, and Lavender Rosemary Soy candle. Grapefruit Gang - Grapefruit mint bar soap, Grapefruit mint liquid soap, and Grapefruit Clove Soy candle. Woodsy Wonderland - Walnut sage bar soap, Cedar sage liquid soap, and Cedar Fir Soy Candle.
9. Freepeople.com, Laurel Denise All in a Word Leather Band Bracelet $28, comes in 4 sentiments and 4 symbols sure to fit any gift giving needs. The 4 sentiments include; "a heart treasured", "she lives life in her own little fairytale", "life whispers, listen closely", and "love is a friendship set to music" The 4 symbols include; cupids arrow, tiny heart, crescent moon, and infinity.
10. Anthropologie.com, Latte Bowls $30, set of 6 porcelain bowls. (online there are four color schemes) I have the Citrus one pictured above. The other three schemes are oceana, pigment, and blue.


I hope this gift giving guide was helpful, if you're searching for more idea's feel free to ask! I'd be happy to help you find the perfect idea for any gift giving this holiday season!

Happy Holidays,
Leah
Pittsburgh Pixie