Menswear & Oxfords

It's no secret that I adore menswear. I drool over fitted blazers, tailored trousers, and hand-tied bow ties. What I love even more than all of those parts, is the sum of the woman who confidently wears them. My wardrobe, which I will post pictures of eventually, is a menswear Mecca. There is nothing that makes me feel more powerful and confident than than a perfectly-put-together menswear inspired outfit. This generally entails a sharp blazer, pressed button down, cigarette pant, and a sharp pair of oxfords. And that last piece is just what this post is about.

Oxfords can be a tricky shoe to for women pull off. There is almost nothing feminine about them (when done properly, like with wingtips and brogues) so it is the details of the shoe and the outfit that are essential to making them a perfect fit.  When I shop for oxfords I look for a shoe of substance. Good oxfords usually don't come at a steal price. The shoes should be lightweight, yet have solid sides and soles. They should not be able to fold into themselves like an everyday flat. Shoes of this quality keep creases from developing around the ball of the foot and toe area. These creases can quickly cheapen any outfit. It is imperative to walk a few rounds in new oxfords; their stiff body can painfully dig into heels and there is nothing powerful about a new-shoe-created limp.

Oxfords are wildly popular at the moment and finding the perfect pair that mixes masculinity and femininity together isn't always too difficult (you just have to know what to look for). A well-made oxford is clearly a nod to classic men's style, but its color, laces, and texture are what brings out its inner goddess. Colorblocking, which is also having its style moment, is a great option when applied to oxfords. Look for a neutral body with a bright colored sole or laces. Textures also provide a feminine option. Depending on the style of the oxfords, small panels of the shoes can be covered in metallics, glitter, sequins, or prints. This makes the shoe a bit less versatile as far as composing outfits, but they are definitely eye-catching statement pieces.

This style of shoe isn't always the most versatile, but there are certainly some outfits which would not be complete without them. My go-to styling option is with bootcut or boyfriend jeans, haphazardly cuffed about two inches about the ankle bone. This highlights the shoe and adds a bit of casual flair to the entire ensemble. I always suggest keeping the upper part of the outfit relatively polished in order to achieve balance (think a tucked in, starched button down with rolled up sleeves and a grand watch).

My suggestions of the best brands for oxfords are JCrew, Nasty Gal, and Anthropologie.

Things I Hate: High Waisted Shorts

I decided that my blog needed an ongoing post thread regarding the things I hated instead of the things I loved. The general theme of the blog focuses on products and styles that I personally promote and admire, but this meant it lacked the healthy cynicism that I always have on hand. To this end, I have created "Things I Hate." Enjoy!

The first inductee into the "Things I Hate" library is...

High waisted shorts from Hell (aka, a 1982 closet).

High waisted shorts are just the worst. Seriously. It is like fashion decided to pick the most universally unappealing, unsavory, and unflattering item available and make it hyper-trendy. It's kind of disgusting.

Let's take a moment to analyze how truly awful high waisted shorts are.

First, exactly who are these supposed to look good on? Rhetorical question. Sure, they highlight a slim waist, but at the expense of imperfect thighs that touch and camel toe. When did fashion (note: this isn't style) become a mockery of the female form? It requires that women take the parts of their bodies they feel most uncomfortable about and put them on display in the most unbecoming manner.

Second, I would be less at odds with this god-forsaken trend if it wasn't synonymous with the most atrocious styles. High waisted shorts seem to be exclusively available in acid washed denim circa the 80's. If it isn't pale denim, it is Lycra ridden cotton candy colors that are most likely studded or ombre. What this amounts to is an awful trend on top of other awful trends. It doesn't get better, it gets worse.

Third, these shorts do not recognize proper female anatomy. Since when does the ass start mid back? Since modern medicine did away with severe spinal abnormalities. Also, when women wear high waister shorts I can only imagine the level five yeast infection they are about to walk (literally) into. Enjoy.

High waisted shorts always make the wearer look like a third grader's stick person drawing that doesn't take torso proportions into account. This is one of those silly trends that I can safely assume will be wiped out in a matter of months, much like the yeast infections it brought with it.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar

My daily makeup routine is quite the process. Creams, colors, brushes, falsies...it's a lot to keep track of. Regardless, I love every moment of it and every opportunity I have to create something new. It really is an art that requires imagination as well as precision. That said, over the past few years I have transitioned into what would be consider "prestige" brands. These are brands that cost a pretty penny, but prove their worth.

My most recent venture into a new makeup brand has been Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics; specifically their Lip Tar. I was aware of OCC, but had never purchased any of their products. I was not too keen on putting something on my mouth when it had the word "tar" in the title. But for a long while I had been looking for a truly vibrant violet lipstick and couldn't find one that met my needs. Everything I looked into seemed to be too dark or cartoony. I came across Hoochie (that's one way to sell a lipstick) on Sephora and believed it would finally end my search for the perfect purple.

I was so content when I first brushed the color on my lips. The lipstick is contained within the squeeze bottle shown above. It comes in a zip pouch with a small lip brush. Normally I don't use lip brushes to apply any color, but found this brush easy to use and a necessary tool for such a bright color. The product applies smoothly and has a minty taste. Perhaps what makes this product the most unique is that the user can determine exactly how potent she wants the color to appear based on the number of applications and layers. I used two layers to achieve the perfect violet color and after a few minutes it created a matte finish. 

Overall, I was sold by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar. The brand has a massive repertoire of colors (think black, yellow, blue) and a little bit goes a long way. The color wears well and I only had to reapply a few times throughout the day. As with all matte finish lipsticks, the product doesn't hydrate too well, so it is imperative for the user to load up on moisturizer prior to application.

You can purchase OCC products here.

Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque

Very rarely do I come across an item and fall in love with it having not done the list bit of research on the product in question. Obviously, by the tone of that first sentence, this is one of those products.

Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque is just crazy good. A few weeks ago I was in search of a clay/mud masque just for the nights when I wanted my skin to feel extra clean. I wasn't about to drop $20+ dollars on something I could only get a few uses out of, so it took me longer than I would have liked to finally discover this product. Initially I searched the trusted aisles of Target for something that met my qualifications but left empty handed (well, in the masque sense, I always leave with something from there). I then popped over to Sally Beauty Supply to check out some nail polish when I happened upon a big ol' tub of Queen Helene's face masque. The price was right (at under $6) and it was exactly what I was looking for.

Normally I proceed with serious caution when applying unresearched products to my face. I have incredibly sensitive skin that dries out easily. My skin reacts quite violently to many products, so it wasn't necessarily my best judgement to slather this product on right away. The minty green masque felt great going on: it was opaque with only one swipe of my fingers (a little goes a long way) and it initially had a cooling sensation. As soon as I had the masque completely applied I felt a burning sensation that was followed by an "oh shit." The sensation subsided almost immediately and my face didn't seem to take any more issues with the gunk I put on it. In about 12 minutes the masque had dried completely and cracked when I started to make facial expressions. I ran a clean washcloth under warm water and wiped the hardened clay off my skin. When my skin was once again visible it looked and felt fresh. Granted that word gets thrown around quite freely when describing products of this nature, but it's the truth! My skin was smooth, not the least bit red, and just looked so clean.

I use the masque about twice a week and always make sure I exfoliate and wash my face prior to applying the masque. I also give it a quick wash to rinse off any left over residue from the masque. As always, I slather on a strong moisturizer afterward to negate any moisture pulled from my sensitive skin.
I absolutely adore this product. It is simply phenomenal and the price is incredible.

Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque can be found here.

All Hail Betsey.

I have a loud personality, so to speak. I'm the type of person who you can't ignore when I'm in a room. This isn't to say that is always a good thing. I like my style to reflect my personality. To this end I am a devote follower of the Church of Betsey Johnson.

All hail Betsey. The 70 year old that executes a cartwheel at the end of every runway show.

A few years ago I became aware of Betsey Johnson (BJ for short) when browsing the jewelry section at a local TJ Maxx. I remember finding a really cute bow ring packaged on a bright pink sale card. I absolutely loved its eye-catching nature and its gaudy, yet feminine, appearance. She is like the Vivienne Westwood for the masses. That was the humble beginning of what was to eventually become a full-blown obsession with all things BJ.
For those of you who are not familiar with the brand, BJ is, what I would describe, as feminine-punk on a nightclub vacation bender. Her products are loud, garish, and not for the faint of heart...which is exactly why I love them.
Perhaps what draws me the most to Betsey is that not everyone can pull it off. I know that when I buy one of her statement necklaces, it is highly unlikely that I will ever run in to someone who is also wearing it. Her products simply require a certain confidence on behalf of the wearer. Not everyone can walk around with Saturn around her neck.

One of my favorite pieces in my collection.

While I may love everything that is encompassed in the Betsey (and now Steve Madden as a result of bankruptcy) empire, I rarely purchase much outside of jewelry. Her clothes were not made to fit a body like mine, so I stick to the racks upon racks of baubles and glitter. 

BJ releases new lines regularly, so I never miss out on adding some new items to my collection. I recently added this blue alligator ring to my repertoire.

It even has a little pink bow tie!

Most of my Betsey finds come from Dillards, TJ Maxx, Von Maur, and her direct website.

Her jewelry prices often range from the high $20's for stud earrings to the $185 mark for her larger pieces (mostly necklaces and bracelets). 

Look for bright pink tags when scouting out her items in a store, they are simply impossible to miss.

Big Sexy Hair Powder Play

The thing I love the most, after nail polish, has to be hair products. For those of you who don't know, I rock a super short faux hawk. Up until my middle school years I had stick straight, long, red hair that reached my butt. At that time I wanted to be different and cut it all off in order to donate it. Ever since then I maintained a series of relatively short hair cuts. These cuts were almost always different and I tried absolutely every imaginable hair product available to me. When I first cut my hair short I was awful at using these products. I assumed that the more I used, the easier it would be to achieve any one style. This left me with product filled hair that was a monster to wash out and looked like hell. We all have our rough patches.

I've been blessed with great hair and like to treat it as such. I like to try new products and am always switching up what I use. Two weeks ago I picked up a bottle of Big Sexy Hair's Powder Play. This product serves as a texturizing powder. It coms out of the bottle like baby powder, but turns into a pliable pomade when it is rubbed in to your hair and hands. If I knew anything about chemistry I am sure I would be impressed with its shape shifting and texture transforming powers.

So far, Big Sexy Hair has proven itself as a great hair brand. What is perhaps the best thing about it is that you don't have to actually want to achieve big hair to use it. I've loved the lift and texture it provides my hair without looking like it has been overloaded with sprays and gels. It is pliable without being sticky or stiff.

What I like most about this product is how truly a little bit goes a long way. It goes even further when you don't have a ton of hair! This makes Big Sexy Hair's Powder Play the perfect texturizer. The only downside of this product is perhaps that it is a bit clumsy to dispense. You don't want to put it directly into your hair, otherwise you can quickly overdo it (the bottle doesn't have a good angle for pouring). Putting it in your palm works best, but it seems like you get more on your hands than your hair that way.

You can buy it at Ulta, here.

Zoya Pixie Dust

It only seemed fitting that my first beauty related post be about nail polish. I am a nail polish connoisseur, of sorts. Every other day I wipe off my homegrown manicure and replace the color with something new and fresh. I don't let my nails go naked or chipped. The funny thing about this, though, is that I rarely have ever worn the same polish more than a few times, and I've been compulsively changing my nail polish since my high school years.

Currently, my nail polish collection tops 300 bottles. I haven't counted in a few months, because every week I seem to have a new line-up of colors waiting for me. I used to store my bottles in small Sterlite containers from Target. They were clear and stackable and five usually were enough. Eventually my collection exploded to new levels and this makeshift storage option was no longer viable. Not only did I have hundreds of the colorful bottles, but I hated that something I have put a substantial amount of money in was not properly on display. My polishes belonged on a stage! About a year ago I purchased a DVD display case with glass doors. I was able to line up my polishes in 4 x 8 rows. They were organized by color (because of course they were) and the finished product was beautiful. Unfortunately, my collection continued to grow and I was no longer able to sort them by color (which drove me mad). I've now come to the point where they don't all even fit in the case. I've reached critical mass.

Anyway, I like to think I'm an expert on all things nail polish. I take very good care of my hands and nails and am dedicated to keep them looking sharp. I like to think that you can tell a lot by a person based on their hands. Disagree? Well, I don't much care. That said, I have never had a professional manicure done simply because my work is equal, if not better. Also, my entire collection contains no duplicate polishes. While a few of the colors may look identical, the brands and line-up certainly are not. Almost all bottles are salon brands (OPI, Butter London, China Glazer, etc.) because quality trumps all. Roy G. Biv would be impressed.

I had only recently become acquainted with the Zoya brand. For some reason the brand had never crossed my radar. What turned me on to Zoya were the nature of the colors. Their reds weren't just reds, they had a depth that seemed slightly less typical than what I had become accustomed to. After becoming comfortable with Zoya I began to explore its range of options.

A few weeks ago I picked up a bottle of Zoya Pixie Dust. This line was one of the many popular polish trends that touted a unique texture. I like to think these trends came of the heels of the atrocious cracked nail polish top coat abomination (more on that later). When running out of unique color combinations, brands could now explore a facet of their polishes that was almost entirely untapped. This meant that caviar, velvet, fuzzy, magnetic, and sandy finishes were being added to brand repertoires.

I'm not a huge fan of textured finishes simply because, while the idea is novel, the texture doesn't translate. Ten individual and centimeter wide swatches don't lend themselves well to illustrating these unique finishes. That aside, the sand like finish found in the bottles of Zoya Pixie Dust were well-articulated and fun to play around with. The best way I have found to describe the Pixie Dust finish is like that of dried cement. The texture is rough, hard, and a has glimmers of sparkle interspersed. It is definitely different.

My favorite thing about this line was that the colors were purposefully selected. Zoya didn't opt for anything overtly bright and eye catching. I can't imagine that bright greens or royal blues would translate particularly well with this finish. Rather, the line features what I would dub as "dusty" colors. The shades are a clear representations of the rainbow, but are almost washed out in nature. This plays well with the texture making the polish well-rounded.

Vespa (featured below) proved to be the most stunning because the shade of green was unlike anything else I had ever put on my fingers before. I have yet to be disappointed with the colors I have used. I will admit that I might like the idea of these a bit better than I like them in reality. I am primarily enamored with the colors themselves rather than the finish, but this brand does both well. 

I would like to add three notes that might be worthy of knowing before you commit to these polishes. First, the texture is definitely a bit off putting. I noticed that I was constantly rubbing my nails against my skin, and vice versa, because the feeling was so different. It was by any means bothersome, but it did take some getting used to. Second, like most textured polishes, removing it practically requires a vat of acid and Herculean strength. I always used a 100% acetone remover to get rid of my polishes and usually don't run in to many difficulties. The acetone is absolutely necessary for removing this polishes and a pre-soak wouldn't hurt either. Finally, if you have brittle nails this might not be the best option for you. The texture doesn't translate when paired with a base coat or top coat. This means that is does not stand the test of time and may not allow you to protect your nails. 

I currently own the following colors (shown below): Vespa, Dahlia, and Nyx.

Zoya Pixie Dust can be purchased here.

Fashion Forgets

I don't much care for the word "fashion." It's too temporary. It's a moment and nothing more. It's kind of like a sneeze: it happens, then it's over. This is why I like the word "style" instead. Style is a choice. Style has a permeance that fashion simply doesn't. Style stays, and fashion forgets. Fashion is what we make fun of 5 years out, style is what we admire decades later.

As you read this blog, please keep the aforementioned in mind. My style represents something more than fashion can convey. Fashion is what you can buy, style is what you do with it. I hope the same applies to you.

Glitter and Metal

A few weeks after I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa a former coworker suggested that I start a blog highlighting my ever-expanding wardrobe and makeup collection. I had always pondered starting a blog on the same subject matter because style was my primary creative outlet. My state of unemployment provided a fitting opportunity to begin such a blog, and here we are.

I had been toying around with many names for this blog for over year. My go-to names were all already applied to other blogs with similar functions. Shimmer and spikes stands for the contradictory nature of myself. I am a dichotomy. Shimmer exemplifies the soft and sensitive, whereas spikes honor my rough and tough sides. I am equal parts glitter and metal.

I value my appearance. The way I look and the items I choose to use in completing that look represent everything about me. Studs and spikes illustrate my aggressive and devil-may-care attitude. Converse sneakers embody my tomboy tendencies. Glitter speaks for my eccentric ideals. These items, and many more, are reflections of who I am. They are the very real manifestation of what the 21st century Leah is.

This blog is my way of cataloging these identities. On a regular basis I will post an array of makeup applications, nail polish colors, jewelry obsessions, and outfits that give readers a brief insight into what I'm wearing and why I'm wearing it. I may occasionally wax poetic about why a certain pair of heels changed my life, but I'll try to avoid the trite dramatics.

I'll also frequently share links and reviews of items I've added to my collection (or would like to). The old adage states that imitation is a form of flattery. While I vehemently disagree and hate being copied, I want to allow readers to explore what items can share their reflection.

I hope you enjoy my musings, and if you don't I can only assume you lack taste.

An important note about blog comments: I do not value your opinion. Comments are currently hidden and will remain as such.

Your Eccentric Leader

I'm like Liberace on ecstasy. I'm sparkly and aggressive. I am your eccentric leader.

I have essentially nothing to do with the makeup and clothing industry, aside from being a loyal consumer. I have no endorsements, no paid opinions, and no surprise gifts have shown up at my door. I have no formal background on any of what I write about. My meditations are merely my own unadulterated opinions on pretty things.

I grew up in a small town in eastern Iowa and I hated it. I had perfect grades and wonderful friends, but I loathed every moment I spent in that town. My education was piss-poor, my classmates were popular culture sheep (assholes), and there wasn't a Starbucks within reasonable driving distance. I peaced out of that forsaken land as soon as I received my college acceptance letter.

Coe College is a small private college also in eastern Iowa. It was about an hour and forty five minutes away from my hometown. In four years I graduated with degrees in philosophy, journalism, and gender studies. Essentially, I was bored and studied whatever interested me. I liked arguing and distributing my opinions, so I was a natural. During my time at Coe I spent two summers abroad, both in the United Kingdom. I had my fair share of good times, but much like my hometown, I was more than ready to move on when I was handed my diploma.

The University of Northern Iowa is as mid-sized public university in the same part of the state. I attended this school for two years and earned my Master's degree in student affairs. I am comfortable in the college atmosphere and, for the most part, enjoy working with students.

As you can tell, I'm not exactly a formally trained apparel designer or makeup artist.

When I hit middle school I was introduced the world of makeup as a tool for more than just dress-up. As a child I was always destroying my mother's makeup by smearing it over any surface it could stick to (so, basically everything). It was nothing more than play time when I dragged a tube of red lipstick across my face. When I starting to become more than a child I began to understood that makeup and clothing were means to redefine one's self. I became progressively more transfixed on how these objects could create exactly what I wanted.

When I hit college, the women who lived around me were always asking for me to help them find outfits, style their hair, or do their makeup. By this time, I had turned my fixation with style and makeup into a perfect hobby. I had collected such a breadth of knowledge that I had become an unofficial expert. I understood textiles and knew how to sew. I was bilingual in English and apparel. I could wield makeup tools with grace and understood application processes. Eventually, I just got really good.

Now I'm here. I have a whole bunch of degrees and an obsessive hobby.