TALL Blonde's Favorite Things

Written instruction with subtitles is also available in Spanish, click this link.

How To Make A Money Lei

My TALL Blonde You Tube video is so popular on how to make a Money Lei it probably deserves a re-post. A Money Lei is a fun and unique gift that are popular among high school and college graduations. But there is a growing interest in making one for a Quinceanera or make two of these beauties to present the Bride and Groom.

By clicking on the link below from my TALL Blonde Stories archive you will find written instructions along with step-by-step photos on how to make a Money Lei yourself, it's easy.

This is not only a unique and fun gift but my Money Lei is made from 50-one dollar bills which is also your gift and more fun than a $50 check inside a greeting card.

CLICK this link for FULL Money Lei written and video instructions in English and Spanish.

Veil Fettish

Hottest thing in women's hat fashion since the Cowgirl Hat. A Christian Dior veiled hat is over $400, even a veiled Eugenia Kim is over $200. For about 5-bucks and 10 minutes of your time your knit cap can also look like a million bucks,,,well at least $200.

Here is Luisa's quick DIY from her Why Don't You Make Me blog with easy instructions to add a veil to your favorite knit cap. Before you get started, it might look best if you begin with a new cap.

Luisa's quick DIY from Why Don't You Make Me

Fall/Winter 2022 Gloves <click this link here>

Classic Denim

Denim is an American staple in fashion. What started out as worker's industrial wear reinforced with copper rivets and made popular during the California Gold Rush of the mid 19th century, brands like San Francisco founded Levi's has been producing denim for all age groups and numerous generations. But did you know denim is originally French fashion? The fabric known today as denim was originally made in a small French town called Nimes <pronounced neem>. If one were to say this hard wearing fabric is from Nimes you would say "de Nimes". Say this 5 times fast and you can well understand the rebranded name.

Well over 150 years old and in no signs of dropping out,

Fall/Winter 2022

These gloves are like a great pair of shoes.

Wear them to accentuate your fashion identity, not cold weather or gardening.

Opera length, wristlets or fingerless driving gloves in oodles of different fabrics.

Check 'em out!

Shop Wide Trousers at Anthropologie <click link here>

UBER

UBER, and I do not mean the car service.

Uber-wide pants are in for this Fall. So pack up your skinnies and get uber wide now.

Many of these wide trousers are in plaid patterns which really gives them a classic-chic look.

These are not your mother's pants from the 1970s.

Browse BLOWOUT selection <click this link>

Blowout

$1.99 $2.99 $4.99 $9.99, even 99-cents !!

If their shoes last only one season you are still way ahead of the game. This also means you can purchase multiple pairs for your different summer looks.

You won't know what you are missing until you take a quick look.

See Kate and see Zara pieces <click link here>

ZARA Brings You Kate Moss

Zara offers fashion to look like Irish supermodel Kate Moss. These are great classic looks that will survive your closet for a long time:

Help Is Here

Warm weather is finally here and what comes with it is fashion that sometimes requires specialized undies. Many a time I used to pass on a summer garment because it required a strapless bra. I visibly cringe with the thought of the destruction and damage to sensitive skin at the end of the day from the digging underwire, not to mention the constant maintenance of "slippage".

Help is here-

My private secret that I have held close to the heart (literally) is now published. I use washable stick glue to keep everything in place. Here is how:

1. Put on your strapless bra where it is comfortable and the placement is correct

2. Gently pull back on the side strap under your arm, so as to not disturb bra placement

3. Swipe glue stick in a north / south motion once or twice on your skin the length of the strap

4. Place side strap back and press

5. Done! This holds for me the rest of the day. Note: clean skin will ensure success

You're welcome !

Check out Aldo Shoes 2022 Sunglass Collection <click link here>

The Summer Shade

I like to celebrate the beginning of summer with a fresh pair of the latest shades. Surprisingly Aldo Shoes seems to have a unique perspective on design and that fulfills my need to find something a little bit eccentric or controversial.

Let The Light Out

Orchids grown indoors require a special pot. The roots below ground require air to circulate through the bits of bark entwined in its root system. These pots with its air holes also make great luminaries for parties or just a little mood lighting when it is just you. Scour your local hardware store for interesting shapes, colors and designs.

ProTip; I only use candles that are sold in a glass container, saves on messy melted wax clean up.

Example of what you should be shopping this Summer <click here>

Romance Is Back

ROMANCE IS BACK!

Lace

Chiffon

Sheer

Ribbons

Velvet

Ruffles

Swiss Dot

Corset

Embroidery

Paisley

It's like the 1970's again-

'History of the Cowboy Boot' <click link here>

Cowboy Boots - Out of Necessity

Burns Cowboy Shop, Carmel, California

Cowboy boots are such a permanent part of the fabric of Americana it is difficult to imagine there was a time they did not exist. The truth is necessity is the mother of invention and cowboy boots are the poster child of this honest proverb.

The link below is a brief history of the making of the first cowboy boot, and I am a distant participant. How many pairs do you own?

Faux Leather Leggings <click link here>

Faux Fashion Shines

Faux leather pants are becoming the new norm for you closet, soon it may take over sloppy sweats and too stiff jeans. They are available for all body types and design shapes. You may even invest in 3 pairs: Leggings, Wide Leg and Boot Cut.

If you are really adventurous, try the liquid wet look patent shiny leggings from Spanx

'Forever21 Puffer Jackets <click here"

Puff Puff Party

The hottest winter fashion piece this season is the puffer jacket and/or coat. While these have been around for decades, now they are available in velvet, iridescence and super shine patent. The link below are some examples from 'Forever21' store. Excellent as a holiday gift to your BFF!

Shop here, now <click link>

Gifting

Buy 2, Share 1.

Gift Giving, perfect for all denim pieces, 'tis the season-

Home

!! BREAKING NEWS !!

Are you a fan of Zara like I am?

Hold on to your blankie, Zara HOME Collection is coming soon.

ZARA Home <click here>

Purchase CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion <click here>

Make Up Removal

I have tried those other products. Some of those fancy brand towelettes would rip the surface of my skin off and leave my eyelids raw. I have converted to CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion. Not only does it effectively remove eye make up, it is good for my skin. It is also great for moisturizing neck skin for a more youthful appearance. I suffer no alcohol sting when it comes in contact with my eye surface, also cruelty free.

Zara Examples of Neon 2021 Fashion

Jelly Beans

Spring / Summer 2021 features jelly beans, and not the sugary tooth rotting kind.

Find those bright pinks, greens, blues and oranges in your wardrobe or start hunting the sale rack for bright summer neon colors. You will be the stylish one among your friends.

2 Pieces for 2021

Fashion by Balmain

The hottest item for 2021 summer fashion is the two-piece, and I am not talking bikinis.

A fully coordinated cropped top and matching skirt, sometimes referred to as a 'Two-piece Dress' which I find laughable....dress (ha).

In some cases the two piece look is also presented in a similar cropped (seen above) and a front pleated fully tailored wide leg trouser with maybe a matching blazer, seen earlier this Spring.

Check out a number of websites (Zara, Net-A-Porter, etc.) to get some ideas and then dive into the pool, the water is fine.

REMINDER: Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 9.

GUCCI - SS 2021, "Mixing"

MIXING Is Back

Back in March of 2012 I wrote in a former fashion blog that the SS 2012 was all about "mixing". Mixing is the concept of pairing divergent patterns of a similar scale within a complimentary color palate. Nine years later, mixing is back in a big way.

Gucci and Zara are the most prominent fashion design houses that emphasize this trend so well. This may be a great opportunity to take in your entire closet with fresh eyes and find some great pairings that you already own.

Follow the links below for SS 2021:

ZARA - SS 2021, "Mixing"

TALL Blonde Fashion Archive - SS 2012, "Mixing"

Backless Tops & Dresses <click here>

Baby Got Back

Spring / Summer 2021 is all about the open back dress or top. The strappier, the better.

Below is a link from Forever 21 to give you some fashion ideas through their collection of backless women's clothing, also at an affordable price. Available options from various retailers include knitwear and metallic fabrics for date night too. Go wild!

Butch says WOOF, Click Here

Butch Says Woof

Your favorite clothing designer is now 'puppy friendly'.

Check out the Zara doggy clothing and accessory catalog.

Browse Sur La Table Class Calendar <click here>

Valentine Date Class

Retailer Sur La Table offers their well known cooking classes online, only $29 per household. How about a great Valentine gift for your BFF or Special Someone?

Order GS Cookies NOW (click here)

Girl Scout Grub

Gil Scout Cookies for 2021 are delivered for FREE through GrubHub until February 14 with a minimum $15 order. (that's 3 boxes).

RIMMEL London Lip Colour <click here>

Matte Love

Rich saturated color, easy to apply, long lasting, kiss-proof and face mask resistant. About $6.30 each in 28 colors. TALL Blonde found hers at the local CVS Pharmacy.

Check Out The Video Preview

Comedy Tonight

LET'S GET LIT WITH BLAZE!

There is a new Podcast out there like no other. I'm not just saying that to sound good, it really is one of a kind and fresh. You take a great SciFi classic like H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds" and then you get notable Comedians to taunt and tease the story. Remember the class clown at the back of the classroom that always cracked you up? Yeah, that guy/gal. Webby Award Winner Blaze Mancillas assembled a great cast of Comedians. Listen to Judah Friedlander, Josh Gondelman, Irene Tu, Veronica Garza, Lane Moore, Kenice Mobley, Shalewa Sharpe, Calvin Cato, Anna Roisman, Usama Siddiquee just to start with these comedy headliners.

SiriusXM Radio Interview with Blaze Mancillas

Subscribe and Listen Now !

R U Ready?

Just a quick reminder for all y'all, Ugly Christmas Sweater Day is Friday, December 18, 2020.

Shop now, laugh your head off later. See ya!

Gentlemen, Start Your Style Engine

Jacob Gallagher wrote a piece in the Wall Street Journal in October on how men are becoming more bold in their fashion statement and having fun with nail art. Time to drop the necktie and pick up a tiny paint brush. Matte finishes are perfect for you and come in an array of soft tones. Add a stencil in a shiny polish for an eye catcher. TALL Blonde is here to help with Press-Paint-Peel Nail Stencils on Poshmark. It will save you time away from a salon and save that hard to earn cash. Gents, see my curated selection of stencils to match your mood and personality. Custom orders available.

Bookmark this blog and check out the TABS at the top of the page, it's not just for women: 'Men's Health' and 'Sex & Love' & 'Furniture' & 'Travel' & 'Consignment'.

The REALReal - SHOP or BROWSE

What Is That?

When you shop consignment store, you never know what you will find. Found this Kate Spade from her classic wicker collection crocodile theme handbag with lovely turquoise leather handles. 5-inchs high and 19-inches long this is the ultimate conversation piece at brunch. This item was found on The REALReal. Create a fun list of your own "Obsessions".

Set Up Amazon Wish List Here

Gift Giving

Today is October 25th

Two months away from December 25

I will bet many more people will shop online for the holiday season this year

Use Amazon Wish List for all your family members

Have each person curate their own list for all the holidays and birthday during the year, this will ensure you always select the correct size, color, etc.

The wish list is not limited to Amazon items, you can add items from other websites.

TALL Blonde even uses this to keep track of home project ideas, outdoor landscaping ideas, etc.

Zara Lingerie New Collection - BUY/BROWSE

Oh La La

A new place to shop for sexy undies. This is Zara's newest collection to their already wildly popular 2020/21 fashion line. Do they ever take a rest? NO.

Zara will keep on designing, keep on manufacturing, because we keep on buying. Check this out, many pieces are in silk, So chic, I would wear their jammies to a party.

Fishnet Stockings - BUY or BROWSE

Fish On The Menu

It has been written, the Fall/Winter 2020 fashion season includes fishnet stockings.

Halloween at Zara - BUY or BROWSE

Halloween 2020

Don't just dress up in costume, have a little style this Halloween this 2020. It has been a strange year for all of us, go for rugged individualism at #Zara.

Press Paint Peel Nail Stencils

Nail Stencil kits can be fun whether it is one nail or all ten. TALL Blonde's favorites are the "Tiffany Blue Box with White Bow", and the "Have A Nice Day" yellow. Dog lovers, we got you covered too. 12 different kit collections available, CUSTOM ORDERS AVAILABLE.

Nail Stencil Kits - BUY

Arm and Hammer - HOW TO USE

Not A Scam

You but the expensive scented laundry detergents and your clean laundry does not smell of wildflowers or the ocean breeze. Is this a Proctor and Gamble scam? Not at all. It just means your clean clothes are not really clean.

Baking Soda simply makes detergent products more efficient and takes away that lingering musty smell. Be aware that because it makes soap better at its job, you may need to slightly dial down the amount of detergent you currently use. Breathe deep again.

Aye Matey

Ahoy Matey, today (September 19) is the annual International Talk Like A Pirate Day, really! I always wear my Betsey Johnson necklace and matching earrings on this day and tomorrow will continue the tradition. My point today is be silly, have fun, and don't give a damn what others say as long as it makes you feel good. I know I will be smiling 😀.