Scandal design

I've been binge-watching Scandal on Netflix over my break, just to catch up on storylines that probably flew over my head while I'm doing a hundred other things during the prime time airings. And damn it is good! I'm so obsessed with the design. I mean, the costumes are gorgeous, obviously, and have had enough press in 4 seasons to write a book about (and I may or may not have been drinking and ordered a white wool cape late one night while watching). The makeup artist deserves awards as well! Read her advice here.
But the set design is killer as well. Specifically the Pope and Associates offices. In fact, I've decided that since the dining room of my new house still needs rehabbed, it's getting the Scandal look. Here's the office:

And more specifically, that wallpaper:

Now, I have scoured the web trying to find this wallpaper and while every other aspect of the set design has been dissected, by the designers themselves in many cases, nothing. I've decided I need to worry about the texture first, then the color. I was so happy to find this pretty decent option by Allen and Roth at Lowes. Paint it any color you want.

allen and roth #LW1342061

Now the quest is on for metallic paint. Home Depot recently nixed the Martha Stewart brand (one of the few readily available in store) in favor of one by Ralph Lauren that should hit stores soon. I'm hoping that will do the trick.

Fuchsia Lips for Spring

I am in love with these frames paired with the fuchsia lips. Very fresh for spring!

Via AllDressedInArgyle

Super Model-ed Down

The world's leading super models, pre-glammed:

Via Pinterest

Easy Eye Shadow

Look, smokey eyes can get the bestof all of us. But the lovely folks at The Untrendy Girl have broken down a simple eye shadow quad into 4 easy steps. Glamorous eyes, here you come!

Via TheUntrendyGirl

Face Jewels

I've been seeing this look around a little bit lately. How do you guys feel about face jewels? It's a little much for run of the mill days but it's a fun look for certain occasions. It would seem you've got to keep it under control and not stick them all over your face to pull it off.

Via Pinterest

Via KhloeKardashian

Teal Eyeliner

Via KhloeKardashian

Generally speaking, colorful makeup is hard to pull off. But I'm feelin Khloe K's teal eyeliner here. It matches the girl's big bold personality. She's no shrinking violet! And speaking of violet, how about this eye shadow:

Smokey Gold Eye

I love gold glitter for eyelids. It's festive and fun and, if you do it right, not at all obnoxious. I would say that the key is to keep it only on the lid and not go up to the brow bone with the shimmers, which is actually a good rule of thumb, but if you have deep set eyes like me, you know that it will never ever get seen just on the lid. So it depends on the look and style you're going for. Smokey eyes with gold is nice because it softens the drama of a full-on smokey eye and makes it a little more playful. I like Give Me Gold by Maybelline and Revlon Illuminance Cream in Precious Metals. I believe the gold pictured above is MAC.

Liquid Eyeliner

The time has finally come. It has been a good 50 years, but now is the time to bring back liquid eyeliner and its delicately winged goodness. It's such a beautiful, classic look and ultimately under-utilized, which is a shame. With the recent comeback of 50s and 60s fashion, liquid eyeliner is a natural extension. Sure it can be tricky to get on in a smooth, flawless line, but that's nothing a little practice won't fix. The modern version features little to no liner on the inner eye, growing to a thick short wing on the outer 1/3 of the eye.

Quick tip: Don't buy the cheap stuff! Nothing is more annoying than spending forever trying to get that line just right and then having it flake off 5 minutes after it dries. Also, give it time to dry!

Best Blush

A quick word about a blush I have been really impressed and happy with lately: Nars.  I'd been resisting the splurge for a while.  Pointless.  Received some for Christmas, have been experimenting for 6 months and just love this!  It's an excellent product that gives such a warm, "from within" glow to the skin that I have not found with other blushes.  Pictured above is LUSTER, which is a great shade for lighter, pinker skin tones.  Below is a fairly heavily applied swatch.  It's a sort of golden peach color.  I know, I know.  Everyone is obsessed with their ORGASM shade.  It's the rock star color that gets all the love.  But give luster a chance - especially in these sunny summer months.

Paper Eyelashes?!

OMG - amazing paper eyelashes! These are inspired by a Chinese paper cutting technique and while they certainly aren't gonna work for the office, they are incredibly fun and beautiful and I'm sure you can find some sort of occasion to sport them. That doesn't involve Halloween. Right?

They are available for the US equivalent of 12 pounds at: http://www.nonesuchthings.com/