The Working Girl

So, I have been a little MIA the past week or so. My excuse is that I started a new, grown-up job. It's daunting starting at a new place. I still don't have a badge with a terrible picture of myself on it yet so I have to wear one of those tacky visitor ones. I just got a desk this past Wednesday and on Friday they gave me a laptop. Do you want to know the first thought that popped into my head when they gave it to me? "I HAVE to buy a new bag to carry this around in." 

I never felt more like Isla Fisher in Confessions of a Shopaholic. Ya know, the scene where she goes to the sample sale and promises herself she won't buy anything unless she needs it? She proceeds to pick up a pair of gloves and justifies only buying them because she has fingers. Fun fact: That is one of my favorite movies. I haven't read the book though. 

I have been on the hunt the past couple days searching for a bag that says "I'm fabulous but still take my work seriously." I'm sure my new co-workers don't read that far into the work bag a young girl is carrying but you never know. I was looking for a bag that was large enough to hold my work belongings but still had structure and defined shape. I can't just throw my things into a potato sack and call it a day. 

Here is where my research lead me.

one | Jetsetter Backpack, Henri Bendel. Navy blue with gold hardware. Great for travel or work. Almost has a bit of a nautical feel to it. Just imagine that your office is now a yacht and work won't seem so bad, eh? $278

two | Reptile Embossed Work Tote, Daily Look. Ivory color with gold details. Simple and chic. Could I carry a white bag on the daily? Heck no but props to those of you that do! $75

three | London Leather, Francine Collection. Cognac color. This is great color for Fall but it's also a timeless piece. I can see something like this lasting years if you take good care of it. $200

four | Croc Textured Work Tote, Merona Collection. Taupe color. This is a flashy metallic piece with good structure at an even better price point. $35

five | Paris Pebbled Leather Shopper, Knomo. Black with gold hardware. This bag has a casual, sporty look. Great for everyday + weekend. $295

six | Heather Top Handle Briefcase, Ivanka Trump. Stone color. I love this bag. The outside is very pristine and sweet and the inside says "let's get down to business." So many compartments and pockets. I think I am leaning towards this one as my fave! $175

Do any of you working ladies carry briefcases or bags to work? Have any advice for me? Fill me in! 

Until next time, stay flossy!

xx, A

Le Louvre Goes Runway

Original Work: The Last Supper by Juan de Juanes
Updated work includes blue Hermès clutch.

Did you ever think you would see the day that Jesus Christ himself would be carrying an Hermès clutch? Well, feast your eyes on this. Chris Rellas, who can be found on Instagram @copylab, has taken some of art's most notorious and famous pieces and gone completely rogue vogue. Literally. 

Original Work: Portrait of Maria de' Medici by Agnolo Bronzino
Updated work added in Anna Wintour's first issue of Vogue.

Rellas is creating a new territory for art the way he mixes fashion and history. He has re-vamped some of history's most famous works and added in touches of today's most iconic wearable pieces without the overkill. His first piece, "Girl with a Chanel Earring," is a simple yet modern twist on the original, "Girl with a Pearl Earring." All of these pieces that were once aged are now exciting again. 

Original Work: Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer
Updated work now shows a Chanel earring.

Rellas has been utilizing Instagram as his digital art gallery since this past July. According to his Linked In profile, Rellas is a sophomore at Georgetown University and interns for Nasty Gal (so cool!). You can check out all of his artwork on his Instagram page, @copylab. Give him a follow and enjoy! 

Special thanks to Chris Rellas for the use of his Instagram photos. 

Eye of the Tiger

Some utilize glasses as only a way to improve their vision. I however not only use them to improve my (awful) vision but I use my specs to make a statement. Glasses and sunnies are my favorite accessory and have been ever since my mother handed me my first pair of Burberry sunglasses. I could hear the angels sing when she handed me that plaid-covered case. 

I am fortunate enough to have, what I like to call, my own personal optical stylist AKA my mom. She works at an optometry office and always has first dibs on what is going to be the hottest look for us four-eyes. So I sent a bat signal to her about what's going to be in for this fall/winter. Her reply via iMessage, "Big nerdy plastics. Flat metals and lots of prints on temples. Clear plastic frames." My mission was loud and clear. I needed to find the cutest frames or all of humanity would be gone forever...or I chalked it up to something like that. 

1. CHANEL - Clear Acetate with metal chain link details. Karl can do no wrong. I'll take one pair to wear everyday and another just to stare at longingly. Details Here

2. TORY BURCH - Mixed Media in vintage tortoise. Here's the flat metals we're talking about and these ones are in a fun color! Details Here

3. WARBY PARKER - Kimball in marzipan tortoise. These are probably my favorite. They are bold but not too aggressive. Details Here

4. VERSACE - Black and gold with textured sides. Classic look. Can't go wrong here. Perfect for the office. Details Here

5. BURBERRY - Beige color with signature plaid print on inside. These would look great on someone with dark or olive skin tones. Details Here

Want to see how the celebs are wearing their other set of eyes?

Anne Hathaway is picture perfect nerdy chic at an appearance. 

Must be girls night in with gal pals Ashley Benson and Selena Gomez. Lookin' Cute, Hanna Marin! 

Jaime King looking exquisite in a clear frame that compliments all of her soft facial features. 

Glasses are no longer just a necessity. They are a statement accessory. Not just something we throw on before we go to bed at night. Work 'em into your look, ladies! You may have to try on 50 pairs of frames before you find the "one" but it will be worth it! Many online stores, like Warby Parker, are offering home try-on programs. They will send you several pairs of frames and let you keep the frame you like and send back the ones you don't for no extra cost. I hope this post gave you some inspiration for your next pair of glasses. Tag me on +Instagram in your glasses - @TheFlossy_com. I wanna seeee! 

Until next time...stay flossy!

xxA

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Flossy Reviews: Reviva Labs' Light Skin Peel

For some time now, I have been wanting to try a skin peel. Now that I live in the Sunshine state, my face is exposed to UV rays now more than ever. While do I enjoy having a tan (don't worry, I put SPF on every morning), I am not in the market to look like a leather bag by age 40. I thought the benefits of a skin peel would help me on my quest to keep my skin looking as youthful as possible. However, I have pretty sensitive skin so I was never sure how my face would react if I had one done professionally or if I used a high-dose chemical peel. We all remember what happened to Samantha in Sex and the City after her first chemical peel, right? This actually may be where my fears come from. 

Ouch.

After doing some research, I stumbled upon this Reviva Labs' Light Skin Peel. I decided to go for this one because it was chemical-free and they don't test their products on animals either. I was surprised to see that one of the main ingredients in the product was almonds! Anyway, I have decided to start off easy with my dance with "chemical peels" and proceed to work my way up. I found Reviva Labs' Light Chemical Peel at Ulta for $20. The jar seems pretty small for what you're paying but the product goes a looong way.

As soon as I arrived home with it, I was eager to try it. So I washed all of my makeup off and read the short but sweet directions. Let it be known that the floral printed box is not any indication of how the product will smell. The good news though is the product literally sits on your face for only 3 to 5 minutes. A very thin layer is all that is required of the application. The consistency is slightly gritty and feels like Elmer's glue when you are applying it all over your face. After you let it dry though is when the magic happens. 

You can either use a towel or your hands to remove the "peel" from your face. I have done the peel twice now and used my hands both times but I think the next time I would like to try using a soft washcloth and see if I have even better results. When I am rubbing the peel off my face, I can actually see my dead skin slough off into the sink (sorry, TMI?). After I remove all of the peel, I rinse with some lukewarm water. 

It's amazing what a difference 5 to 7 minutes and 20 bucks will get you. My face feels like glass because it's so smooth and it looks so much healthier and brighter. This is absolutely a product that I will work into my Sunday night skincare routine. Now while this product isn't a legit "peel" per se I would consider it the most miraculous exfoliator. I checked out Reviva Labs' website and they have a whole slew of other skincare products that I would love to test out and they also provide a handy little guide on their site about what products are best for certain skin types. 

All in all, I would give Reviva Labs' Light Skin Peel 4 out of 5 stars. Have any of you ever done a chemical peel? Tell me about it in the comments section!

Until next time...Stay Flossy! 

xxA