All week I’ve been listening to The Lumineers. I just love this song. Its so simple but catchy!
How To Wear Ankle Crop Pants
Ankle crop pants are all the rave these days, but unfortunately they can go terribly wrong if you’re not careful! Here are a few tried and true tips for wearing this season’s hottest pant.
1. Your height is a factor
If you are under 5’3″ this is quite an unfortunate trend for you. All these pants are going to do is make you look shorter. Sorry to my petite readers, please pass on this one. Now for my average height readers who are approximately 5’4″-5’7″ you can rock this look, but make sure you are wearing heels! For my tall ladies 5’8″ and up, this is a dream come true- a hemline you don’t have to worry about, they are meant to be short! Yay!
2. Think about proportions
When wearing a cropped pant, you always want to keep in mind proportions. They cut off at your ankle, which will give the appearance of shortening your leg so make sure you are not wearing a tunic or a top that is longer than your natural waist. These pants often look best with a shirt tucked in and a cute belt!
Here is a photo with bad proportions:
Had she been wearing a heeled sandal and pulled them a little longer these would have looked stunning!
Perfect proportions:
Kate moss looks great with a little cuff on her pant, heels and a tucked in blouse!
3. Your shape matters
When hunting for that perfect ankle crop think about your shape. If you are curvy or pear-shaped, it is best to wear a pant that either has a slight flare or falls straight from the thigh. If you have a slim or athletic build, get a pant that hugs and tapers all the way down. This will give you more curves! When in doubt, the best shape for all body types is a straight leg.
Straight leg, which looks best on all body types.
Narrow cut, which works best on a slim physique.
Slight flare, which will work best with our girls with a little more curves.
You also want to consider your ankle versus your calf. If you are bigger boned, get a crop that grazes the ankle. Same goes for you if you have more athletic calves. If you have thin legs, you can wear a higher crop. With this in mind, don’t forget rule number 1!
4. Never forget about rise
No matter what pant you are looking for never overlook the rise of the pant. Unless you are super slim you probably should not be going for a low-rise. A regular or high-rise is best for almost all body types and this style looks super cute with a tucked in shirt! Make sure your “spare tire” isn’t hanging over the edges of your pants when purchasing. Try tucking your shirt in and dancing around the fitting room. If everything stays in place, then that is the right rise for you! If you are having a hard time fitting your thigh with your waist, (I suffer from this) invest in a cute belt. It’s a simple tried and true solution that often gets over looked! I’d suggest everyone own a skinny braided black leather belt, you’ll wear it with everything, I promise!
What not to do:
Something looks off in this photo right? This model is wearing a style where the rise is too low, and the trouser pocket adds too much emphasis to the hip. ( A trouser pocket is the style that has two side slits, which often gape if not fit properly.)
5. Have fun with colour and print
Coloured and printed pants are all the rage so go nuts! If you’re unsure, invest in cheaper pair. If you find you are wearing them all the time, then keep rockin’ this awesome trend! To stay on trend look for a floral print, mint green or red pant.
Inspiration: The Great Gatsby
Oh man, I cannot WAIT for this movie to come out!! It’s directed by the brilliant Baz Luhrmann, who also directed two of my favorite movies, Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge, and this film looks like its going to be of similar styling! I can watch this trailer over and over again. I love Dicaprio as Gasby, and Toby Maguire is the perfect Nick Carraway.
A few months back I decided I wanted to read the book, The Great Gatsby and I was surprised how great of a read it was. I was getting into reading classics and after reading MOST of Anna Karenina I switched to Gatsby…much easier! Than I rented the Robert Redford film from 1974- and boy do I get now why all the ladies-of-a-certain-age love their Robert Redford. Handsome devil he was!
Back to this version…have you looked at the fashion? I wish I could pull off the flapper dress, but the ’20′s simply were not made for curvy girls in fashion! (The 50′s and 60′s are more suited to our types!) But all the head bands, and hats look amazing! I’ve been obsessed with head-gear lately and I wonder if this movie will bring a surge in head wraps and head bands again. Side note, doesn’t Carey Mulligan make a beautiful Daisy?
Are you as excited to see this LONG AWAITED film as I am? With this cast I’m sure Baz Luhrmann will redeem himself after his last major film, Australia. Yikes. I still love him, because that wasn’t his fault! Nicole Kidman went overboard on the botox and couldn’t express anything on her face, which is really too bad- seeing as she was/is so beautiful and a great actress. There is my tangent…so here are some pretty killer head wraps I found online at Urban Outfitters. Would you wear one?
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Shopping Find: Neon Plolish
Neon is hot hot hot for summer, and if you aren’t quite brave enough to add it into your wardrobe- add a touch of neon to your nails! Sephora is offering a bunch of different brands of neon polish and this is the one I purchased by Nails Inc.
(Sorry for the bad photo from my phone!)
So far I love it, it goes on a little thin but dies fairly quickly. I’d recommend doing 2 to 3 coats and adding a top coat to make it extra shiny. I’ve seen that China Glaze has some neon shades too, but I haven’t tried them yet. Have you hopped on the neon trend? Will you be rocking some neon nails?
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Diane Kruger Owns The Cannes Festival
Every year Cannes comes around and Diane Kruger rules the red carpets. She stuns. Something about her style is just so effortless yet glamorous. Can you believe she is her own stylest? She defiantly gets extra points for that!
Here is Diane at the film festival Jury Photo Call wearing a Versus’ dress and Jimmy Choo shoes.
Dianne takes over the Cannes Opening Ceremony! She is wearing a custom Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown.
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The Beautifully Pregnant Sienna Miller
Happy Mother’s Day! Hollywood’s Stylish Mom’s
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!
Mom’s are the best aren’t they?
Michelle Williams
Miranda Kerr
Gwen Stefani
Victoria Beckham
Heidi Klum
Jada Pinkett Smith
R.I.P Vidal Sassoon
Legendary hair stylist Vidal Sassoon passed away in his home today. He was 84. Sassoon was known for creating the classic bob hairstyle and revolutionizing 1960′s hairstyles. Every trendy go-go girl had the “Sassoon” hairstyle! He will be missed but we will never be forgotten. Thanks Mr. Sassoon for being such a trendsetter!
Even I rocked a bowl cut for a little while!
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Brad Pitt To Be The Face of Chanel No. 5
How to you feel about this? I am feeling a bit mixed myself. I have nothing against Brad Pitt himself, but for Chanel to go SO commercial seems a little strange. Did you know this is the first time the French fashion house used a male to promote a female perfume? A little random right?
I also just miss having real models in ads and not celebrities taking over the pages of my fashion magazines. I don’t know about you, but remember when you didn’t associate a brand with a celebrity? Did that make you like the brand more or less? Did you actually create your own opinion about that brand? I find now brands choose celebrities too boost their profits and create a customer base they never had before. What customer is Brad Pitt going to gain for Chanel? Will Brad Pitt make you run out and buy some perfume? We can look forward to seeing Brad’s ad later in the year.
Best Dressed at the Met Gala 2012
January Jones in Versace
January was the best dressed of the night! She sunned in bright yellow!
Nina Dobrev in Donna Karan.
She came in a VERY close second. This dressed looked so beautiful on the red carpet. I watched the live feed and it was such an eye catcher!
Dianna Agron in Carolina Hererra.
I just love this color on her and I WANT her hair!
Katharine McPhee in Elie Saab.
What a pleasant surprise! Never seen Katharine look so great!
Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren Collection.
She looked beautiful, classic and had great make-up!
Diane Kruger in Prada.
She’s always a favorite of mine, and love it or hate it I I thought she rocked this dress!
Carey Mulligan in Prada.
She always knows how to dress for her petite frame. I was hoping she’d appear with her new husband Marcus Mumford but no. 
Gisele Bundchen in Givency and her hubby Tom Brady in Tom Ford.
They were best dressed couple of the night!
Celebrity Looks Of The Week
Neutrals seems to be the theme of this post, but these female celebs are popping their looks with killer shoes, bold sunglasses, and great handbags. Which of this week’s celebrity styles are your favorite?
LeeLee Sobieski **Black is the New Black Favorite**
Eva Mendez
Gwyneth Paltrow
Scarlett Johansson
Jessica Alba
Make-Up Tip of the Week: Coconut Oil
The other day I went into a store/restaurant here in Vancouver called Organic Lives and they talked me into getting coconut oil. The sales person helping me said she not only used it as a substitute for butter but also used it directly on here skin as a moisturizer. I quickly asked “You use oil on your face? Doesn’t that just make it shiny and more oily?” She said her skin has never felt better…hmmmm…It got me curious that for sure. So curious I figured I’d try it for myself. Lately my skin has been a bit bi-polar one week its dry, the next week it breaks out, so what did I have to lose trying coconut oil?
I purchased a large container from Organic Lives. This one goes for $20. (Make sure is PURE organic virgin coconut oil and not an imitation!)
I then took a tablespoon and put it into a new container for “face lotion” so that I could save some for cooking. I chose to add a little peppermint essential oil, because I prefer the smell of mint and I like how refreshing it makes your skin feel. Feel free to add in any of your favorite essential oils. Once the oils were mixed I put dime size dabs on my skin, maybe even less. You do NOT need a lot of this product, which means it will last you for a while! Start off with a small amount and work up from there.
When I came back from my Mexico vacation my skin was doing all sorts of peeling, not such a hot look, and coconut oil was the only thing that stopped it! Like I said earlier, my skin varies from dry to oily, and coconut oil not only worked well on my skin for moisture, I also didn’t have any extra break outs! I would highly recommend it.
You can use coconut oil on cracked heels, as a body and facial moisturizer and as a cuticle oil. I would not recommend using it in your hair, it is a bit too heavy for that. Have you ever tried using coconut oil before? What did you use it for?
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DIY-ing Like Crazy
I’ve started a new little hobby, making bracelets! It’s this fun thing that has evolved in the past few weeks. I thought I’d share with you guys a few of my creations. I’m hoping to get some feed back from my readers as to which ones you like the most. Who knows, I may just start making this a little side business! Thanks for taking a look and leaving your thoughts!
Neon Bangle
Braided Bead Bracelet
Diamond Wrap Bracelet
Tribal Wrap Bracelet (two shown here)
Ball Chain Wrap Bracelet
Infinity Suade Bracelet
Friendship Chain Bracelet
Braided Hardware Bracelet
Finger Ring Bracelet (vintage Charm)
“R” Charm Bracelet (Vintage Charm)
Beaded Black and Gold Stretch Bracelet
Finger Ring Bracelet in Gunmetal
Braided Suade Hardware Bracelet
Rose Bead Stretch Bracelet
Neon Shoelace Chain Bracelet (I may add some charms to this one…haven’t decided yet!)
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Summer Sunnies!
Maybe I’m jumping the gun here, thinking about summer and all…but what can I say? I just want it to arrive already! Every summer I like to update and get one new trendy pair of sunglasses. Just a little tradition I have. Here are some of my favorites this year:
Elizabeth and James $190
AJ Morgan $26.11
H & M $12.95 ***Black is the New Black Favorite!
Top Shop $16.00
J.Crew $134.00
Top Shop $16.00
ASOS $20.89
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I’m on Instagram!
Check it out! I’m in Instagram! My user name is black_is_black so feel free to follow me! If you mention that you found me from my blog- I’ll follow you back. 
These are some of the photos I’ve already posted on Instagram. I like to post some DIY tips, outfit ideas and general inspirations!
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BB Cream…Uncovered
It has come to my attention recently that all the rage is “BB” Cream. I wondered, what does the “BB” stand for? Some crazy cosmetic term? Some scientific discovery? Or maybe it has to do with a new vitamin that was discovered to help uncover new radiant skin? Nope BB stands for either Blemish Balm or Be Beautiful. Yes. Really! That interesting discovery made me dig a bit further, because it seemed like some crazy marketing ploy to get us all to buy some magic cream. I can just hear the PR offices saying, “Lets call it BB Cream- it sounds more scientific and important when you have initials!”
I decided to speak with a make -up artist about the hype behind BB Cream. She shared that it is to create radiance for aging skin, which is not really what someone under the age of 40 needs. So all you girls that read my blog- its unnecessary! If you want a product that is similar, I’d suggest a tinted moisturizer. It gives you a little color to even your skin tone, and goes on smooth.
I also uncovered that BB Cream is a mix of primer, moisturizer, liquid foundation and sunscreen. Hmmm…how many of you out there already own all of those items? Why not save yourself the $35-$60 that BB Cream can cost and create your own! I haven’t tried to make my own just yet- but here is the ratio I am planning on doing:
10% Sunscreen (make sure its for the face and that is has an SPF of 30 or higher. Neutrogena has a great product.)
10% Liquid Foundation
30% Moisturizer
50% Primer
The best part about creating your own, is you already know which products work for your skin, and you’re not introducing something new for your skin to react to. No need to worry about break outs or any allergic reactions!
Ultimately, you could make your life easier and buy one product that will “do the trick” of 4 items, you could invest in a good tinted moisturizer or you can create your own. My personal vote is one of the last two. What is your opinion? Have you tried BB cream? Is it something you’d never go without?
*Click the top image for another great opinion on BB Cream.
