14 Ways to Revamp your Look for 2014

2014 is finally here and you've probably said to yourself something along the lines of "new year, new me".

If that's the case then it's time to take the next step whether it be big or small. Here are 14 ways to revamp your look for 2014.

1. Work one or more of Spring's new trendy colors into your wardrobe for a fresh vibe. Spring 2014 is all about neutrals, pastels, and brights so you'll have plenty to choose from. Pantone, world-renowned authority on color, recently named their color of the year and other popular colors for Spring 2014. Check out my post about these colors here.

2. Update your makeup whether you make a drastic change or a small one. Usually a nude lip gloss person? Try a bold lip and minimal eye makeup. All about cat eyes? Switch it up and try a smokey eye. 

3. Invest in accessories. Purchasing a bunch of accessories is a much less expensive way to update your look. A new bag, scarf, or necklace will make your outfit look completely different. Look at how drastically the simple tee and jeans combo below changes with just a few accessory swaps. For more about the items featured click here.

4. Try a trend that is totally unlike you. Girly girl? Invest is a good leather jacket. Tom boy? Pick up a frilly frock in a super feminine color. There is always a way to make a piece that you usually wouldn't wear work for your style. 

5. Update your favorite pair of shoes. Treat yourself to a new pair of boots, heels, or whatever you know you'll wear all the time.

6. Find your signature fragrance. I love Hailey by Aeropostale.

7. Reinvent something you never wear. Maybe try adding some studs or other embellishment.

8. Try a new hairstyle. You don't have to do anything drastic. Maybe add a few highlights or get side bangs. You'll look and feel completely different. If worse comes to worse hair grows back. 

9. Go out and buy some new nail polish. I don't know about you but when my nails are done I feel so much better. Schedule one day a week to redo your nails. It makes a difference and you'll save money by doing them yourself. 

10.  Invest in good skin are. Whether you have severe acne or a few breakouts here and there try your best to find a product or multiple products that work for you. If you need help seek the advice of a professional they'll know what's best for you. Everyone is different, a product that works for me and my skin may not do anything for you. Read my review of Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Wash here.

11. Follow some fashion blogs (hint, hint) and take note of looks you like and don't like. Then think about why you like or dislike them. This will help you figure out a lot about your personal style. Go the extra mile and get a Pinterest account and pin your favorite looks for future inspiration. 

12. Try shopping your dad, brother, or boyfriend's wardrobe. Their unworn watch, tie, blazer, or sweater could become an awesome new statement piece for you. 

13. Study up! Watch a movie or read a book that's filled with fashion forward inspiration. For fashion books I recommend click here. 

14. Own it. Once you've figured out your personal style (if you haven't yet that's ok too) own your look. You're the only you so flaunt what you've got. 

Happy 2014!

-BL

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Holiday Gift Guide: The Guys

Whether you're shopping for your boyfriend, dad, best guy friend, or brother,

here are 10 holiday gifts for the guy in your life.

1. The Heat (Widescreen), Walmart, $9.96. 2. Jacket in Wool Blend, H&M, $99. 3. Pullover Crew Neck Sweater, Target, $29.99. 4. Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme 3.4 oz, Giorgio Armani, $78. 5. 'Mercer' Chronograph Bracelet Watch, Michael Kors, $295. 6. Knit Hat, Target, $4.99. 7. Leather Gloves, H&M, $29.95. 8. Ramones Tee, $16.80, Forever21. 9. 'Little America' Backpack, Herschel Supply Co., $120. 10. Star Player Leather Sneaker, Converse, SALE $56.25 (reg. $75). 

1. As I mentioned in a previous gift guide DVDs always make a great gift. Pick out a couple of his favorites and you have a gift that you can't go wrong with.

2. For the stylish guy in your life this coat from H&M would be a wonderful gift. It's fashionable with navy wool and leather sleeves but also practical for the cold months ahead. 

3. This Santa skull sweater may not be ideal for everyone on your gift list but the right guy with a quirky personality would love it.

4. Cologne is an excellent gift for any guy. Pick him up a bottle of his favorite scent. If he doesn't have a favorite I highly suggest Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme by Giorgio Armani. It has a clean and fresh smell that isn't too strong.

5. I love a good watch. Michael Kors makes some of the best that I've seen. The one featured in this gift guide is on the pricier side but in my opinion it is completely worth the money. The face is modern and its all black color is very masculine. This watch will not be going out of style anytime soon.

6. Who doesn't need a great beanie? I love the bright red color of this one. For only $4.99 it would make a perfect stocking stuffer or add on to a gift.

7. Leather gloves are another fashionable but still practical gift.

8. For the music loving guy in your life it may not be the greatest idea to get him his favorite band's new album. Most likely he already has it. Instead get him an awesome band tee and maybe throw in an iTunes gift card. I'm a huge Ramones fan.

9. There is just something that I love about this backpack. It can be used everyday whether for school or work. Also, this bag is stylish and casual at the same time. All in all a nice backpack like this is a favorable replacement for the typical Jansport.

10. Everyone likes a cool pair of Converse. Update your guy's with these leather ones for a more put together look.

Happy December!

Stay tuned for more gift guides.

 I'll be posting a new guide each weekend right up until Christmas.

In the meantime, check out the rest of this year's guides.

Your Best Friend - The Fashionista - The Makeup Lover 

Is there a certain gift guide you'd like to see?

Tweet me or leave a comment with your ideas.

- BL

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Gift Guide: What to Buy the Boys

Boys are difficult to shop for. There I said it. I am a self-proclaimed amazing gifter buy truthfully shopping for guys can be extremely difficult and usually always is. If you shop for the same guys each year their presents can get a bit predictable and who wants a predictable gift? Not this girl. So here I've tried my very best to think about any type of boy, man, or guy you could be shopping for this holiday season and put together a nice versatile collection that any guy would want. At least I would want if  I were a boy.

1.) The Fashionable Fellow- A nice well-made leather jacket. This one shown in the picture is from H&M and for a real leather jacket with a lining I think $249 is a great deal especially if you're shopping for someone special that also has some serious style.

2.) The best guy friend -  The holidays are a great time of year to show your guy friend how much you appreciate your friendship. What better way to do that than with an awesome fashionable but still masculine hoodie? The one pictured above comes in a range of colors to fit any personality or style. I like it best in gray or maroon.

3.) The secret Santa / gift swap guy - Everyone knows that feeling when you get someone for Secret Santa that you know nothing about. If it's a guy it can be even more difficult. An awesome (and inexpensive) gift that is perfect for this situation is a fun pair of sunglasses. The ones featured in this post are by H&M and are only $9.95.

4.) Any guy - A nice leather belt is perfect for any guy that you need to shop for and is a perfectly versatile gift. A simple classic one will never go out of style and can be worn again and again.

5.) The boyfriend - Boyfriends can be tough to shop for especially if you've only been together for a small amount of time. A great gift that won't break the bank but that still looks really nice and thoughtful is a bottle of his favorite cologne. This gift set pictured above is by Giorgio Armani and it smells amazing if you ask me.

6.) The brother - DVDs are great gifts for anyone but they're perfect for a brother. Who knows maybe you can book some sibling bonding time to watch the movie too. Grown Ups is a favorite of mine and is available at Target.

7.) The father - Fathers are all different and have all sorts of hobbies and interests. If you're not sure what to get your daddy this year invest in buying him a really nice watch that you'll know he'll wear. This may seem like such a simple gift but if your dad's anything like mine this present will be greatly appreciated and used. The watch shown is from Target and is reasonably priced at $34.99.

8.) The music buff - Buying that music loving guy in your life's favorite band's new CD for them as a gift  probably just won't do. You know that they've surfed through iTunes for hours on end downloading every single, EP, and live album that they've ever released. Instead buy him that awesome pair of headphones that he's been talking about nonstop might be the way to go. With this gift you might just earn the title of person around. This gift is perfect for someone special because super cool headphones usually come at a slightly high cost. You can get the headphones featured at Target for $199.99.

9.) That guy who is completely and entirely impossible to shop for - You know that guy I'm talking about. The one who is too cool for video games, only likes indie music that you've never heard of, and dresses so uniquely that his clothes are only bought at thrift stores. When in doubt, buy him a really cool phone case and an iTunes giftcard. You can get cases in all sorts of colors and designs and they're also very practical too the one pictured is from Target.

The collage used in this post was made using www.polyvore.com.
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XO, BL