Lavender

Growing up, I never liked the smell of lavender. I found it to be too "herbal", and nothing like the sweet and fruity scents I had come to adore. As I got older, I came to appreciate this flower a bit more. Here is a list of my favorite things to do with it:

1. When dried, it makes a nice and natural air freshener (either have a few stems on a dish, or make a sachet with the buds). Fact: The scent of lavender has been linked to reducing stress.

2. Add a few stems to a gift wrapped in plain paper for a pop of color.

3. Use them to decorate your room.

4. Add a few buds to your next bath (after rinsing them off, of course).

5. Make a pretty bouquet.

Go Bright

SWEATshirt DRESSshirt here, with your fashion weather forecast. It looks like we're going to be seeing some pleated textures, doily lace, and a gust of neon. From late March to early September, there will be a heavy downpour of brightly colored earrings, jeans, and accessories. If you're planning to equip yourself with the most current trends, I would recommend the following:

1. 3" Chino Short via J Crew $45

2. Neon Shoelace Wrap Bracelet via Juicy Couture $14.99 SALE

3. Contrast Stripe Tee via J Crew $39.50

4. Bobbi Brown 'Neons & Nudes' Lip Color via Nordstrom $23

5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Neon Enamel Bracelet via Bloomingdales $54 SALE

6. Toothpick Jean via J Crew $108

7. Mid-rise Skinny via J Brand

8. Patent Neon Flip Flops via Forever 21 $7.50

9. Nail Polish via American Apparel $6

10. Drop Earrings via ASOS $14.32

11. Dolce & Gabbana Leather Mini Shoulder Bag via Net-a-Porter $725 <--definite splurge!

12. Classic Thin Bangle via J Crew $18.50

Have a great Monday, and be sure to join us next time on SWEATshirt DRESSshirt, for another fashion forecast.

Let Them Eat Lemon Cake

On New Years Eve, my crafty friend K made us a lemon cake. I've had lemon cake before, but never homemade. It was sweet, refreshing, and had just the right amount of zest. You can find the recipe here.

A tip from K: For a stronger hint of citrus, add more lemon juice to the cake batter, as well as frosting.

Nail Tutorial: Better Than Revenge

It's funny how much my perceptions of love have changed since high school. When I was 16, I dated a senior boy. I thought he was the coolest person in the world, with his car, skateboard, and popular friends. He eventually left me for another girl. Though I was crushed at the time, I now see it as a blessing in disguise. In celebration of my teenage years, I present to you, a nail tutorial for 'Better Than Revenge' by Taylor Swift:

TOOLS

The following nail polish colors: dark purple or black, gold, gold glitter, and magenta glitter.

Tape -- I used blue painter's tape because it comes off the easiest... but any kind, except duct, should work.

Nail polish recommendations: 'Lincoln Park After Dark' by OPI, a gold polish from Forever 21, 'Only Gold For Me' by SEPHORA by OPI, and a magenta glitter from Forever 21

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Paint your nails with a dark polish.

2. Once the dark polish is completely dry (this is important!), follow these instructions:

Pointer finger (diagonal design): Place a small piece of tape diagonally on to your nail so that it covers the bottom left part (pictured below). Press firmly on the tape, making sure it seals any part of your nail that you aren't going to paint (do this for each design that uses tape). Apply two coats of magenta glitter, let dry, and slowly peel off tape.

Thumb and ring finger (explosion design): Using a piece of tape that is about 1 inch in length, cut 3 spikes, side by side. 

TIP: Since, I experienced some difficulty in cutting out such a small design with my huge kitchen shears, I realized that the best way to go about this is to cut while having the handles of the scissors closest to you at all times (see diagram). Place the tape on to your nail (see below for an example of a spike stencil), with the spikes facing your cuticle. Apply 1-2 coats of gold polish, let dry and slowly peel off tape.

Middle finger (partial glitter): Using a gold glitter, apply one coat in the shape of an L on to your nail. 

this image via http://when-you-think-taylor-swift.tumblr.com/post/10889016651

Click here for the 'Sparks Fly' nail tutorial.

I've Got the Blues

From Left to Right: 1. Madewell //2. Eddie Baur //3. J. Crew //4. Madewell //5. Old Navy //6. Madewell

The Chambray Shirt [sham-brey] noun: Jeans, in the form of a stylish shirt.

OFTEN SEEN WITH: black jeggings, gold sequin skirts, white jean shorts, striped shirts, lace skirts, and gold jewelry.

Tutorial: Valentine's Day Nails

I know it's a little premature to be talking about Valentine's day right now, but I just couldn't resist showing you guys this nail tutorial I came up with earlier today... while procrastinating my gigantic paper.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED 

- A Valentine's Day-esque colored nail polish (I used 'Big Apple Red'. My 2nd choice would have been 'Meep Meep Meep'. Both are by OPI and are pictured below)

- A white nail art polish (if you don't have one of these a thin paintbrush will also work)

DIRECTIONS

1. Paint your nails with the base color you selected.

2. Using the white nail art polish, paint a small V anywhere on your nail.

3. Go over the V shape as many times as you need to, expanding the edges a little more with each stroke (keep in mind, the more nail polish you apply, the bigger the heart will get). I wanted to keep mine small, so I only went over them just once or twice more. The part you want to focus on the most is filling in the inside of the V (just a little bit!) to make it look more like a heart.

4. Repeat as needed.

*TIP: for the smaller hearts, the original two strokes you used to make the V will suffice. Going over them too many times may mess them up.

The Bee's Knees

images via here and here

This past Christmas, I received a pair of knee high socks in the gift bundle my boyfriend's family gave me (see middle picture below). Ever since, I've become obsessed  with researching different ways to style them. My favorite way, being with tall boots.

1st and 3rd images via here and here, 2nd image via SWEATshirt DRESSshirt