Miss something on Style IT in the past week? Get caught up, all at once, with the Week In Review!

Fashion

Lucky Duck: Gorjanna's Horseshoe Stud Earrings

On The Plus Side

IGIGI's Fall 2010 Lookbook

Outfit of the Day: 7/30

Beauty

Double Dare You: MAC's Haute & Naughty Lash Mascara

Lavish & Luxurious: A Wei Lang Spa Experience

Clearly, I Have Been Missing Out: My Time With The Clarisonic Mia

Recreate The Look From Betsey Johnson Swim 2011

Nail Of The Week: MAC's Alice + Olivia Lacquer in Morning After

Technology

App-a-Riffic: Lulu Guinness Launches A Liptastic App

Lifestyle

Summer Soundtrack: Robyn - Handle Me

It's been so long!  There have been so many changes in my  life recently - all of them positive - and I'm finally able to resurrect my outfit photos (heck, writing in general!). Of course, these days I don't have help from the amazing Kimberley Williamson (though she is with me in spirit) or Felicia Sullivan's quick snaps, but I do have my trusty tripod and Bushwick as a sometimes beautiful/often edgy backdrop.

Now, onto the outfit details!

Earrings: Forever 21 (no longer available)

Scarf: Jessica Simpson Collection (no longer available)

Top: TJ Maxx

Leopard clutch: L.A.M.B. (no longer available)

Straight leg trousers: Lane Bryant

Sandals: Naya

Gorjana Horseshoe Studs

$40.00 by Gorjana at shopbop.com

I'm not sure whether it's my equestrian past from Arkansas that's subconsciously sneaking up on me or I'm feeling the need for an extra bit of luck, but I can't get the thought of a darling pair of horseshoe stud earrings out of my mind.

The instant I saw these Gorjana Horseshoe Studs, I instantly knew they belonged on my ears. With brushed 18k gold, these studs are 1/2" an inch wide, which just happens to be just about the perfect size for a pair of studs.

Superstition says that you should always keep the ends of a horseshoe pointed up so your luck doesn't run out - keep those ends up, ladies!

Before you get all excited about this nail lacquer, please allow me to preface any gushing with the fact that the most covetable items from MAC's Alice + Olivia collaboration have long been sold out - basically since they first went online.

Morning After is a gorgeous teal. Definitely deeper than Milani's Neon Nail Lacquer in Fresh Teal and a bit lighter (but just as green) as the MAC Jin Soon collection's polish in Beyond Jealous (another favorite). I definitely didn't anticipate Morning After looking like such a deep shade of teal on me, but I am enjoying it. It's a nice way to slide into the deeper shades of fall as summer ends.

The instant I saw the first product shots of the Alice + Olivia collection, I knew that I had to have the polishes. Not just one, but every single one of them. So far Morning After (pictured above) was my out of the box favorite, however the other two shades are definitely calling to me from the polish drawer. Anticipate more Nail of the Week featuring these polishes as fall approaches.

My interest in Mercedes Benz Swim Fashion Week is back, piqued by the braided looks seen on the Betsey Johnson Swim 2011 runway.

Ryan Suhr, the lead stylist for the show from Cutler Salon felt that Betsey Johnson's cheeky & cherry prints could benefit from the juxtaposition of a more editorial hairstyle.

To recreate the "edgy and editorial braids", follow Ryan's recommended steps:

1: Spray Cutler Volumizing Spray onto damp, clean hair

2: Section hair into two asymmetrical sections, brushing the top half into a tight ponytail at the right recession of the hairline, and repeating at the bottom half by brushing it into a tight ponytail at the bottom left of the nape

3: At the top section, create two fishtail braids, loosening the braids by lightly pulling at the sides, then wrapping the braids around each other and pin, replicating the look of a flower

4: Repeat Step 3 with the bottom section

5: Finish the look with Redken 23 Forceful Super Strength Finishing Spray

For more information on Cutler Salon, please visit http://www.cutlersalon.com/.

Clarisonic Clarisonic® MIA with GoClear Clarifying Cleanser

$149.00 by clarisonic at Sephora

There are some cultural phenomenons that I avoid like the plague: anything relating to Twilight, The Lord of the Rings, Justin Beiber, and previously - the Clarisonic. How can something so expensive, although evangelized by so many people, be effective? Wouldn't "scrubbing" your face every day irritate, rather than help, your skin?

I know all of this sounds crazy, but with some things, I just need to experience them for myself before I even consider giving all the hype one shred of credibility.

When I received the opportunity to test drive the Mia, I couldn't resist. After receiving my sunshine yellow device, I plugged it in and allowed it to charge the required amount of time (much longer than I expected, about 24 hours). The Mia has only one speed (as opposed to the Classic's two or the Plus' three), which I don't mind, since the Mia's speed works well for my skin.

After I used the Mia for the first time, I was blown away. My face felt so smooth, so fresh, and so clean. I've always struggled with my skin's texture and have previously turned to microdermabrasion and peels to correct the the damage and scaring my face has sustained from years of acne. Within one week of using the Mia, I was seeing noticeable changes in my skin's texture and clarity.

Its been over two months since I first started using my Clarisonic Mia. I've only charged my device twice (each charge lasts me about four weeks) and my face hasn't become irritated once. My morning doesn't begin until I've used my Mia in the shower and I've never been able to achieve such a clean feeling, even through the numerous treatments I've tried over the years.

As much as it pains me to say it, I am now a believer. After spending over eight weeks with the Clarisonic Mia, I cannot imagine washing my face without it.

I've experienced and accomplished many things over the course of my lifetime, however I've also missed out on a few of life's great pleasures. Like many women, I don't always take the time (or money) to take proper care of myself, especially when it comes to spa treatments. Sure, I've given myself DIY facials, at home with a steamer and my favorite mask, but I had never received a professional treatment. That was, of course, until I went to the Wei Lang Spa for a treatment.

Going into the treatment, I had a couple of reservations, including the overwhelming fear of the pain of extractions (have I ever mentioned that I'm a total pansy?). What would the aesthetician tell me about my skin? After hearing about the wonderful treatment my gal Kristin of Fashion Style Beauty had at Wei Lang, I had to put any reservations or lingering questions aside. What's the worst that could happen?

The aesthetician who performed my Signature Facial ($130), Anna, was knowledgeable and gentle. After closely examining my skin, Anna shared a few insights and tips. We briefly chatted about products and routines - it was nice to discuss my current favorites with an expert! When she began the extractions I was nervous, however Anna put me at ease. Her technique was swift, gentle and not once did feel uncomfortable. After several rounds of creams, treatments and Anna's expertise, my skin (and my spirit) felt completely renewed, rehydrated and brilliant.

In addition to receiving the Signature Facial, I also experienced the Irresistible Eye Renovation ($50), which was the icing on the cake. I always have serious concerns about my eye area - I am terrified of fine lines, wrinkles and crow's feet in the surrounding area. This treatment rehydrated, toned and brightened my eye area.

Admittedly after my very first facial experience, I had to ask myself - what the heck was I waiting for? The experience was luxurious and the definition of being pampered. Why wouldn't I want to experience this more often? The Wei Lang Spa was the perfect spa for my first facial experience. The atmosphere was relaxing, the staff was professional and I absolutely cannot wait to return.

Wei Lang Spa

584 Broadway, Suite 506

212-925-7570

Tue - Sat 11am - 7pm

Sun 12pm - 6pm

(photo courtesy of Lelsey Unruh)

Haute & Naughty Lash

$18.00 at M·A·C

Mascara is my "stranded on a desert island" product - you know, the one you'd take with you if it were the only one you could have? Ok, I'm lying - I'd cheat and bring lip balm as well, but you get the point. I'm down to try any mascara, but those I love are few & far between. In my opinion, your mascara of choice says a lot about you.

Previously, my mascaras of choice have been:

Maybelline's Full & Soft

MAC's X

L'Oreal Voluminous (original & Carbon Black, for a brief period)

MAC's Fibre Riche

L'Oreal Voluminous (I just can't quit you)

MAC's Plush Lash

....and now, I'm in love with Haute & Naughty. Head over heels, I'm about to get on one knee and propose, truly, madly, deeply in love with this mascara.

After all this gushing, you're probably wondering what makes it so darn wonderful. A few mascaras on the market have tried to offer multiple degrees of results from one tube, but none has done it as effortlessly or distinctively as Haute & Naughty. Each pink section of the tube is essentially a different variation of the same brush. While this sounds confusing, once you see the tube in action, the dual wand concept comes to life.

For a daytime look, unscrew the cap from the hot pink end - the dual wiper the wand passes through creates lashes with length and volume. For a nighttime look (or if you're me and prefer round the clock lash drama), unscrew the wand from the glittery cap. Be warned, your wand will have more mascara on it and it may take a bit longer to brush through your lashes, but the results will be well worth the effort.

I love how this mascara plays on duality - day & night, good & bad, sweet & sassy. Heck, let's all get Haute & Naughty!

(If you're looking for new posts on StyleITOnline.com, please keep scrolling past this post.)

If you're anything like me, you've been avoiding this oppressive heat by parking yourself firmly in front of the air conditioner. While this keeps us from wilting like the delicate flowers we are, it also keeps us from achieving that summer glow. Fortunately, Physician's Formula has graciously offered (er, enabled?) to us to continue to sit in front of the a/c and achieve bronzed perfection by giving away a complete set of newest and greatest bronzers. Should you be the lucky winner, you'll receive:

• Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Pressed Shimmer Bronzer
• Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Pressed Shimmer Bronzer
• Healthy Wear SPF 50 Pressed Bronzer
• Bamboo Wear Bamboo Silk Bronzer
• Powder Palette Mineral Glow Pearls
• Shimmer Strips Custom Bronzer, Blush & Eye Shadow
• Summer Eclipse® Bronzing & Shimmery Face Powder

How to win: Tweet "Hey @StyleIT! I want to win Bronze-a-palooza from @PFCosmetics! http://bit.ly/PFBronze"

Click here to automatically tweet this from your account (when signed into Twitter.com).

To be eligible to win, you must be following @StyeIT and @PFCosmetics on Twitter. Giveaway begins on July 26, 2010 at 10:00 am and ends on July 30, 2010 at 10:00 pm. Open to US residents only. Comments on this post will not count as entries.

Unfamiliar with Physician's Formula's bronzers?

Physician's Formula Bronzer