The September Issue Round Up

As the great Candy Pratts Price once said, September is the January of fashion. The September issues are the most important of the entire year, and not just because of the ad revenue. The summer is over and it's time to get down to the business, both fashion and otherwise.

By the time Labor Day rolls around we've all had enough rest and relaxation and we're ready to hit the ground running, but we can't do it without the right shoes. We rely on our weighty September issues to give us the inspiration and motivation we need to take on the world, and look damn good while we do it. 

Not all the issues have arrived at the news stands, but here's a look at what we can expect. 

Elle

New Name, New Look

If you're a regular reader of Chic | Sparkle you're probably a little confused right now. I've made some changes to the blog, including a new focus and a brand new name! I started writing this blog about a year and a half ago with a focus on all things lifestyle including fashion, cooking and interior design, but over the last several months Chic | Sparkle has evolved to reflect my true passion which is all things fashion.

I felt it important that the blog mirror my new fashion focus, hence the new name and aesthetic changes. Going forward, Fashionably Chic will feature fashion news, personal styling, shopping, beauty and some lifestyle coverage in the form of reviews.

Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you enjoy Fashionably Chic!

The Week in Fashion

 The Charles James exhibit at the Met is one of the most popular ever - Fashionista

Victoria Beckham is selling her wardrobe for charity - British Vogue

Tory Burch's Manhattan office is just as stylish as you would imagine - Architectural Digest

Even Jennifer Aniston wants to drop those pesky five pounds - Yahoo Beauty

Brooke Shields is the latest celeb to design a makeup collection for MAC - Fashionista

Happy Saturday!

Shop This Sale: GAP Friends & Family Sale

Time to stock up on the basics! GAP is having a Friends and Family sale this weekend and you can save 40% off your entire purchase with the code FFSALE. I have consistently gone to GAP for their long-sleeved crew neck tees and their essential camisoles because they're perfect to layer under other tops and sweaters. I change out my white and black cami's and crew neck's every 6 months because of stains and fading, so it's silly to pay $75 dollars for a tee shirt. For under $20, GAP essentials are the best deal in town.

Happy Shopping!

Thursday Night Cocktail: The Harpoon

Recipe and Image via AMC

Ingredients

1½ oz vodka
½ oz orange liqueur
¼ oz lime juice
Dash of cranberry juice
Slice of lime

Directions

Add dash of cranberry juice. Pour liquors and lime juice into mixing glass. Shake briskly and pour into martini glass. Add slice of lime to garnish.

Cheers!

Beauty Review: Estée Lauder Double Wear Eye Pencil

I've been a long-time user of liquid eyeliner because of its durability but I find it to be a little too much for everyday makeup because it can't be smudged and blended into the lashes. Pencil eyeliner is much more user-friendly and can be toned down with a q-tip after application so I decided to add it back into my routine.

I literally haven't worn pencil eyeliner for ten years so I asked my makeup-loving best friend Jamie for a recommendation. She and I both have a mix of drugstore and department store makeup but she insisted that the cheaper pencil liners don't stay on all day. She recommended Estée Lauder's Double Wear  Eye Pencil so I headed over to my local Nordstrom to pick one up.

I ended up purchasing the liner in coffee and onyx tested one of the shades out yesterday. I applied the liner around 7:30am with my favorite MAC primer layered underneath. If you're going to smudge the liner after application, you've got to move fast because after a few second the liner sets and you'll need makeup remover to remove it.

Coffee

Onyx

According to Estée Lauder, the liner is suppose to stay put for 12 hours but mine didn't last quite that long. By 4pm, I saw a few smudges of liner further up on my lid and teensy bit on my lower lash line. I just used a tissue to remove the smudges and I was good to go until I removed my makeup later in the evening.

All in all, I liked the product. It is much easier to wear during the day than my liquid liner, and, although it didn't stay put for the whole 12 hours, it lasted a lot longer than most pencil liners. I'll definitely be keeping this in my makeup bag.

You can purchase the Estée Lauder Double Wear  Eye Pencil at most major department department stores, Sephora and at EsteeLauder.com.

Get the Look: Naya Rivera

Dress: Faith Connexion // Sandals: Vince Camuto // Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Bag: MICHAEL Michael Kors // Jacket: Topshop

Love What You Do

It's More Fun to Workout in Cute Clothes

Earlier in the week I succeeded in finding myself an attractive (and functional!) pair of gym sneakers, but what are cute sneakers without fun workout clothes to match? 

I'll be the first to admit that I would rather be anywhere but the gym. For me, getting regular exercise is like getting your teeth cleaned, not super fun but absolutely necessary. So, to add some fun to my gym experience, I try to make my workout clothes as fashionable as my everyday looks. It may sound shallow, but everyone feels better when they know they look their best, even if it is just the gym.

If good taste isn't enough of a reason to invest in cute gym clothes, then function certainly is. Regular old t-shirts aren't cut out for sweat absorption and I find that baggy bottoms get's in my way when I'm working out, especially during spinning and circuit training.

OK, I've got my sneakers and my cute outfits. It's time to get my lazy behind to the gym!

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The Week in Fashion

A look at Roland Mouret's collection for Banana Republic - Refinery 29

Net-a-Porter gives it's departing CEO a fabulous send off - Fashionista

Is it time to start breaking the seasonal clothing rules? - New York Times

Carine Roitfeld's magazine, CR Fashion Book, my be closing - Page Six 

Style.com is ready for fall with their fabulous shopping guide - Style.com

Happy Saturday!!