Macaw

 

Somebody wise and renowned once said "Never wear yellow eyeshadow with blue eyeliner and bright red lipstick", but apparently I never got the memo. I personally thought it turned out great! I don't know any real makeup routines, and I got into it later in life than most girls, but I kinda just move colors and stuff around on my face until I get something I like. I've gotten a little better at it than when I first started, figuring out what works for oily skin and what colors go well with a generally olive complexion (most!). Maybe one day I'll look up makeup tutorials on Youtube channels and get really good at it, but videos bore me in general, and I'm kinda addicted to cheap drugstore makeup. So pretty much, I'm lazy as crap and not willing to spend the extra time and $$.

This dress was a thriftstore find (surprise, surprise) and I wear it to work all the time in the summer. It's a tiiiinnnyyyy bit little-kiddy, and not high fashion by any means, but it's cute and I get compliments on it all the day long, so I'm not complaining. I just wear it over a coordinating camisole and matching jewelry, slip on some sandals, and I'm out the door. My makeup probably took way longer than it took to create and wear the outfit.

The overall effect of the bright colors together reminded me of the tropical parrot, the macaw, hence the title name. I'm definitely not one to shy away from colors, there just has to be something holding them all together, an underlying backbone so to speak. I keep all the colors to a specific spectrum, and they all have to coordinate; it's not just a slapdash thing. It's difficult to describe, but it's like a mental closing the circle thing. Similar to when the conclusion of a story ends in a way that throwbacks to its beginning. A full circle. Everything has to mesh. I could just be crazy, who knows? I just know what feels right and my personal style is a way to indulge in that artistic compulsion.

Dress, necklace - thriftstore

Earrings - boutique store

Sandals - DSW

<3 The Magpie

Brick and Teal

I started collecting these Milani lip creme things awhile back when they first came out, and I'm really glad I made myself get one of each color when I could find them, because they were a limited edition and are no longer sold. I'm wearing the darkest shade in these photos, and I definitely felt rather daring with such a bold color on my lips. It's like this rusty brown, but also a deep red shade that really, and I mean REALLY, stands out on your face. If you want to be noticed, this is the shade for you. I actually didn't expect it to look this dark, as it appears lighter in the tube, but it dries dark, especially if you layer it. I decided to pair it with the tropical looking shirt I'm wearing, because of the brick red background. So naturally I reached for teal next, because brick red = teal? but it all worked out in the end. I would say it's a fall-tropical look - like if Hawaii had an Autumn, this is what it would look like. Oh, I liked how my nails matched my purse as well.

I really love color pairings that are unusual, as in anything not often seen in most people's wardrobes, but are actually really beautiful together. I have found that the biggest hurdle to cross in color mixing is the block most people have set in their minds against anything different than what they are used to. It's difficult for me to understand, as I like to experiment and play with color, but if people have grown up with certain color palettes, and are suddenly exposed to something that they have never known, they are immediately opposed to the initial idea of it. I admit though, that I've personally been trying to overcome my own color biases, so maybe we can all learn together. If one of my outfits makes one person think about overcoming a certain color distaste, just for a little bit, that would be one of the greatest things ever. Nothing I wear is just to make myself look pretty, there is always a purpose and philosophy behind it. And if I end up looking good, well, no complaints here. ;)

Cardigan - Banana Republic

Sandals - DSW

Earrings, ear cuff - Claire's

Necklace, skirt - gift

Bag, shirt - thrifted 

I found the bracelet lying in a parking lot :)

<3 The Magpie

Quick Fire

The name of the nail polish I'm wearing is Quick Fire. I didn't buy it for the name, but rather for its electric red-orange that reminded me of a race car, or perhaps a mustang you see speeding by you and you almost can't begrudge them their audacity, for you would probably do the same thing if you were that driver of that speedy orange car. Once I read the name though, it made me even more partial to it. Funny how names that inspire the imagination hold a closer place in the heart. That is probably why paint samples are named so elaborately; a certain name can create a bond with the reader and evoke some kind of emotional appeal. If there is one thing to get out of this outfield ramble, it's that marketers are geniuses.

I recently bought this triangle pendant necklace I'm wearing, along with its silvered twin at World Market. If I ever go in there, I always end up looking at the jewelry and scarves; if I end up looking at the jewelry and scarves, I almost always end up buying something. Really, the best course of action would be to simply never set foot in there. BUT IT'S SO DIFFICULT WHEN EVERYTHING THERE IS MY JAM. Oh, and sometimes hats. I've been waiting to buy this certain hat there till my next paycheck.comes. but maybe it's getter to get it before it disappears! Now I have disappearing-hat anxiety. Thanks World Market. You black hole of money and dreams.

Really though. Just look at its gorgeousness. Oh, and the earrings were a previous buy from World Market ages and ages ago! Funny how it matches so perfectly. It's like they know..

The lip color I'm wearing is this new Milan set that just came out recently that I'm now trying to collect. It's not lipstick, but a lip creme (their spelling) that dries to a matte finish. It's not sticky (like lipgloss, blagh), or messy like lipstick can be. You have to make sure to moisturize your lips beforehand as it can be a slightly drying, and keep a steady hand applying to the edges of your lips.. but other than that it's everything I've wanted in lip makeup that I've always looked for and never found. Great, something new to get addicted to. Exactly what I needed, neh?

Dress - thrifted

Earrings, necklace - World Market

Nail polish - Sally Hansen in "Quick Fire"

Lip matte creme - Milan in 06 "Desire"

<3  The Magpie