Blast Magazine» fall 2009

Catalog Clippings

Krystal Beaulieu — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:03:51 +0000

Like any self-proclaimed shopaholic, and maybe even more than most, I get enough catalogs on an almost daily basis to thoroughly annoy my mailman and fiance, who, as keeper of the mail key, has to fight with the mailbox to unstuff it every single afternoon. Here are some notable spreads I saw in my most recent shipment.

Did anyone else notice how many spreads of the White House Black Market catalog had this model with crimped hair? I know that some of the trends from the 80s have started to trend again — velvet, lace, leggings and even some neon colors — but this is the first time I’ve noticed crimped hair in any fashion or beauty marketing.

The spread above is from the latest Brooks Brothers catalog. Call me traditional, but I’ve always been a big follower of the black-brown exclusivity rule. Brown shoes should not be worn with black tights, and vice versa. While I have become begrudgingly accostomed to seeing fashionistas on the streets and in magazine spreads with black tights and brown riding boots, I’ve always relied on my fellow conservatives at Brooks Brothers to enforce the rules. Needless to say, the above picture is a sign of the changing times… and since Brooks Brothers thinks it’s okay, maybe it’s time for me to start wearing my brown Longchamp with black pants…

Please forgive my amateur photography skills in the J.Crew spread above. The folks at J.Crew may be obsessed with Italian cashmere, but I’m loving everything about this outfit… the rich color and textures (wool skirt, cashmere sweater, suede (?) flats… swoon)… and the anklets. I have made up my mind on this fall-winter trend, and I am heading out to buy some warm ankle socks tomorrow.

Birthdays & Broadway

Krystal Beaulieu — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:16:11 +0000

My birthday is quickly approaching, and I am dying for a new dress to wear to my birthday brunch. Tory Burch added a picture on her Facebook page last Thursday of an event she did at Saks in New Orleans, and I fell in love with her dress:

It is her ‘Gracia’ Silk Georgette Dress available at Nordstrom for $395. Is it worth the hefty price tag?‚ Could I wear it to the office with pearls? And throughout the fall with black boots?

In other exciting news, for all of our Broadway afficianados, “The Lion King” is coming to the Boston Opera House on February 16! Balcony tickets start at just $32.70. For a chance to purchase tickets first, sign up for the‚ Broadway Across America‚ E-Club.

Obsessions of the Week (September 29)

Krystal Beaulieu — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:32:26 +0000

5. Do-it-yourself Mani and Pedis

In Style magazine highlighted Lauren Conrad’s “ombre” nails on their website at the beginning of the month, and I had to try it myself. Splurging on manis and pedis (or taking the cheap route and ending up with infected cuticles) has gotten cut from my list of things to do. I have fallen in LOVE with the DIY method. Using a foot file and cuticle cream, I apply two coats (Essie’s my favorite!) of color before finishing up with a top coat‚ (I always use Orly’s top coat).

I used three shades of blue to create a “fade effect” — Essie’s Mesmerize, Shelter Island and Sag Harbor. If you don’t have three hues of the same color, you can always add a little bit of white to a dark color to create the fade. I used this effect on my room in middle school, but enough about that!

Don’t skimp on the top coat — the most important part! It can also help make your mani or pedi last if you reapply a top coat every other day. The best part of an at-home mani or pedi is that you have the shade to fix any chips. You’ll look like you just walked out of the salon for at least a week.

4. Very Hollywood by Michael Kors

Michael Kors attributes the appeal of his new scent to mandarin and gardenia, but I’ve been on the hunt for a new fragrance for months, and I would just call it genius. Sensual without being musky (or musty, which I usually consider to be synonymous with musky), intriguing with suffocating. Not to mention the bottle looks adorable on my vanity.

3. The Color Purple (no, not the novel)

Have you walked into H&M lately? Royal Purple shades flatter garments all over the store, and thank goodness. Have you ever seen anyone who didn’t look good in a shade of purple? I bought a wool mini skirt from H&M, and fell in love with the Theory pre-order “Sarah” Animate Top at Bloomingdales.

You can buy short or tall classic Uggs in Mulberry to wear when greeting the fall weather or coat your nails in Opi’s Pamplona Purple (part of the Espana Collection), but it’s hard NOT to look good wearing purple.

2. Absolute Boston

Try it mixed with Arizona’s Arnold Palmer (a mix of lemonade and iced tea for those of you who don’t get out much) or ginger ale, you’ll taste tea. Absolut’s newest blend of elderflower and black tea with ginger ale is my new go-to cocktail.

1. Understatedly Over the Top

Today, I am sporting a simple outfit of a white J.Crew t-shirt with a tan Brooks’ Brother pencil skirt… with a mixed-metal necklace, chain link gold bracelet and caged all-season sandals. I’ve got numerous compliments all around the city today for my very simple outfit paired with fall’s best outrageous accessories… and I got them all for less! Now, don’t get me a wrong, I am a big fan of Tiffany’s, Kenneth Jay Lane and Saks Fifth Avenue, but this season’s fashion jewelry can just as easily be found at Forever 21 or H&M. Getting dressed is simple and comfy this season if you’re willing to glam up the extras.