Trapeze Pleated Maxi Dress

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dresses17brighterweb

Sometimes the best maternity dresses are not maternity. In fact, that's usually the case. I recently found this incredibly beautiful blush, pleated maxi dress with a trapeze silhouette from Target for only $29.99, and it has quickly become the most comfortable and fashionable piece of clothing I own. Even if I wasn't pregnant I would wear this dress.

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pleated_dress_web

You can switch out the string belt to add a leather one if you would like, or you can opt to not wear a belt at all. I especially love that this dress is lined. Lately, it seems that all of these maxi dresses I try on in stores are totally see-through. WTF?! The last thing I want to do is wear a slip in this terrible heat.

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pleated_dress_clutch

I like to embrace the Greecian vibe of the dress by sporting my wrap metallic sandals from Lulu*s, and my white leather clutch from T. Madison.

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bonjour_clutch_pinweb

If you wanted to dress up this dress for an evening event like I did recently for Alt Summit, I would wear long, shoulder duster earrings, bangles, rings and a pink pouty lipstick.

Photos by Gina Meola

Drugstore Beauty

Drugstore products are a lot of fun, they're cheap and easy and you never get too upset when the results are less than stellar. Most of us are willing to splurge on products like foundation or concealer, but for things like colorful eyeshadows or really "trendy" products-i.e. lavender eyeshadow or bright pink lip stain, a trip to the drug store is all you need. Here's a list of some drugstore products I've tried, or have been wanting to try for awhile now. Maybelline Baby Lips, have you ever used this stuff? It's awesome. Super colorful, cute packaging, and only around $3. I have the "Pink Punch" color, which is a super bright pink that shows up really well, but I want all the colors!

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Revlon's Lip Butter is another one I like. It has a really creamy texture and costs around $6. There are so many lip butters, stains, and sticks to try, so get to your nearest drug store to get some new colors for spring!

A good eyeliner is hard to find. It's something I wouldn't mind splurging on, but I always revert back to a drugstore eyeliner for colors like violet and emerald. I like Maybelline's Gel Eyeliner for a more dramatic look. Another one I've ended up loving is the liquid liner from Target's e.l.f. line, it was $1! How can you resist?!  I LOVE e.l.f. products, they range from $1-$5, so really, you can't be upset when you don't like the product...I mean it only cost you under $5! I can go on for days about how much I love this line and their price point, pretty much the only thing that fits my budget. I want to buy everything from the e.l.f. line and I probably will since I have no self control when it comes to beauty items. Anyways, their eyeliner is great, as well as the individual fake lashes, which I tried last weekend (and also only cost $1). They also make some pretty good eyeshadow/eyeliner brushes. I really want to try their brow products next.

Maybelline Gel Eyeliner 1

Another drugstore product I love is Bioré pore strips. I'm not one to experiment with cheap products for my face because I have pretty sensitive skin, but these strips are awesome. A lot of people find them gross, but I think they're fun! Your face even looks kind of like you had a facial afterwards. At least your nose does.

Mascaras are another product I don't often buy from the drugstore, once again because my face/eyes are sensitive. I've been using the popular Benefit They're Real! mascara lately, but I know I'll eventually return to good ol' Maybelline Great Lash. It's a great, basic mascara I don't mind spending $5 on.

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What about you? Are there any drugstore products you've tried and loved?

How to Wear Floral Pants

You may or may not be a fan of the floral pant trend. For some, it reminds them of the 80's and early 90's, and I guess that's a bad thing. For me, a lover of bright colored denim, I am ALL over this trend. In addition to buying these pretty pants from Target that are showcased in the February issue of EMMA Magazine, I just bought a pair of satin pants from Macy's for a grand total of $16.98. Let's hear it for this bargain hunter! WOOP WOOP! So, if you are not on board yet, check out the images below of the Target pants that I styled three ways. You can wear them causally with a tank, throw on some stripes, or dress them up with a peplum top. Have fun!

Photography by Michelle Herrick Makeup by Stephanie Neiheisel Hair by Amber Tillinghast Wardrobe Styling by AVE Styles Modeling by Diana Steffen

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Diet Coke + CFDA + Target = Fashion Dream

How crazy would it be to win $10,000.00, have Zac Posen, Cynthia Rowley and L'Wren Scott choose your design and then have it manufactured and sold in Targets across the nation?! What a dream come true? Well, it happened to one lucky guy named Gustavo Alonso. This is the winning design of the Diet Coke CFDA Young Designer Challenge in honor of the Diet Coke can's new makeover.

I must say that I really want that t-shirt AND I really want that coat dress.

Seriously, that has to be a dream come true for a young 25 year old artist. Check out the video below to see the famous designers give kudos to the winner.

Two weeks ago, you had the chance to use Pinterest to enter to win a trip to New York Fashion week. And today, we're still celebrating the pretty new look of Diet Coke by giving away more 12 packs of the tasting beverage.

To win, just tell me what you think of the Diet Coke can makeover? In or out?

Product Reviews

johnsonandjohnsonEver have one of those shopping trips where you feel like you're stocking up on face wash, body lotion, tooth paste, etc. all at once? I had one of those weekends awhile ago, and I decided to try some new products. I've definitely found some new favorites!... Johnson and Johnson Deep Hydrating Body Lotion - I'm not a fancy shmancy lotion person. Scent is a factor, but I'm definitely about results. This body lotion really does keep my skin moisturized all day long! It does have that baby smell, which you may or may not like, but I definitely recommend checking it out.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer - I've tried Aveeno's products before, and nothing ever wowed me, but this daily moisturizer with SPF 15 is definitely working for my sensitive, combination skin. This product is oil-free, hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic.

Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser - I've always been a fan of Johnson & Johnson's PURPOSE Facial cleanser because my dermatolgist recommended that product, but I decided to take a risk with this one. I'm loving it! It's super gentle on my face. Suds usually dry out my face too much, but because it's such a light cleanser I haven't had any problems. Not to mention, it takes my eye makeup off with a breeze.

Benefit Boi-ing - Now this is a product that I did not find in Target, but rather at blissful Sephora. Best concealer on the market times ten! This concealer is creamy, stays on and covers anything up. I highly recommend it! I've tried a lot of concealers in the past with LORAC, MAC, etc., this is the best. I'll keep coming back for this one and I don't mind paying the bigger bucks because it works!

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