Last Minute New Years

New years is the time of year where you can't be too glittery or gold! I take full advantage of this!  But if you're anything like me though, you have waited until the last minute to find the perfect New Years Eve outfit. Lucky for us, Zappos has free 2 day business shipping! So this is it, party people...we are down to the wire.  I've chosen some of my favorite outfit pieces to help narrow down all the options available on Zappos. Have I mentioned yet how much I love Zappos!?

Buy one or buy them all! Best news is, you can always return everything for FREE up to 365 days after the purchase date!

Tutorial Tuesday: Back to the Basics

I wanted to start my first "Tutorial Tuesday" with a simple classic look perfect for any outfit and any occasion.  Using these simple and basic techniques are the foundation of most eye makeup looks I create.

First things first, here's what you'll need...

Eyeshadow primer is a must for any look you create.  Not only does it help your shadow last, it also helps it stay where you put it.  This is important when you are creating lines and contours.  I also think it helps the shadow maintain and enhance it's best color!

Once you have your primer in place, start with the bottom of your lid and choose the shade that will be central to the color scheme you are going for.  Since I wanted to keep it simple with this look, a light shimmery neutral was the obvious choice.

My next step is always highlighting my brow bone with a matte ivory shade.  It's important to use a matte shade on your brow bone for a few reasons: 1. It helps hide any new eyebrow growth you may have between waxing/plucking (a color with shimmer will highlight the new growth which we obviously don't want) 2. Matte colors are easiest to blend naturally (I usually go back when I'm totally finished with my look and make sure to blend my brow bone into the completed look)

Last basic step, as far as shadow goes, is using a matte tone that goes with the color palette you are using in your crease.  This step is so important because it gives your eyes the contour and depth that make all eye makeup pop!

Since I'm keeping this look basic and simple, my eyeshadow is complete. It has all the important elements, yet when using neutral colors, it looks natural and simple.

Next step is my eyeliner.  I went with a classic black liquid liner. It doesn't get much better than the Stila liquid liner I linked above. The long felt tip makes for easy and even application every time.  I decided to use a slightly exaggerated line to make this simple look pop.  The first step to this line is staying right on the lash line for the inside half of your eye and gradually move away from the lash line with a slight flick at the end to mimic a curled lash on the outer corner of your eye.

Now, connect a line between the corner of your eye and the end of the line you just created. That will create the outside lines of the bold line that you can now fill in.

This is what my finished liner looks like on both eyes.  The great thing about this liner and specific technique is that you can broaden this line for more drama or thin it out for a more subtle look.  Either way using this technique will get you a professional looking line every time.

Next, I used a simple black liner directly below my bottom lashes and a little on the inside of my lid.  This technique really makes your bottom lashes pop.

Last, but definitely not least, is the mascara.  I had already applied my LoracPro Mascara before I started the look so that it would be fully dry by the time I was ready to apply my younique 3D Fiber Lashes.  I love this mascara because it gives you the "false lash" drama without the hastle of application.  My full tutorial for the 3D fiber lash mascara is here.

The finished look is perfectly simple! 

Fashion Friday: Faux Fur Obsessed

In the cold weather months, nothing keeps you warm and stylish quite like fur! One of my favorite fur pieces is this gorgeous vest from my Favorite Fur Vest post.

Shop even more fabulous fur from my picks below!

Tour Through Blogland: Southern Accents Blog

I was nominated last week by the gorgeous Brittney, author of Pretty Little Pursuits blog.  This is a fun way of not only getting to know the author of blogs you follow, but also seeing who they follow and recommend.  

1) What am I working on?

I am currently in the process of transitioning Southern Accents to a beauty focused blog with a fashion flare.  I feel that the market for fashion blogs is saturated with beautiful girls who can help inspire everything you could ever dream to wear well.  However, there is a serious lack of bloggers who can offer tutorials, reviews, and overall advice on beauty products.  I plan on creating specific days where my readers can expect what type of material will be on the blog on any given day. 

2) How does my work differ from others in it's genre?

I am a huge fan of fashion blogs due to my obvious obsession with all things fashion, but I also love reading about new beauty products.  I plan on merging these two passions into a blog where my readers can really get to know my personal style from my makeup to the clothes and accessories I wear.

3) Why do I write/create what I do?

As a preschool education teacher, my clothes never really come home looking like I came to work in. Between paint, runny noses, and whatever else my kids choose to accessorize my outfit with at work, I usually end up wearing things I don't mind getting dirty.  As a result of this, I look for any excuse to get dressed up!  What better excuse is there an a fashion and beauty blog? Thus was born Southern Accents Blog.  

4) How does my writing/creating process work?

I get inspired all the time looking at other fashion and beauty blogs. I also get inspiration from other places like, magazines, television, shopping, etc.  No matter where I get inspired, I tend to create a post around one specific item or look.  Once I have a complete look, pictures follow and then comes the hardest part - composing the details and inspiration into a comprehensive fluid thought. 

Now for the fun part! Here are some of my favorite blogs I follow on a regular basis...

The gorgeous Megan, author of For All Things Lovely

The lovely and talented Emily, author of The Sweetest Thing

Cozy Cardigan + Graphic Tee

Cardigan: Nordstrom Rack // Graphic Tee: Old Navy // Jeans: Old Navy // Clutch: Saks off 5th // Wedges: Guess // Bracelets: Kate Spade, Bella Jack via TJMaxx // Watch: MK

I have literally worn this cardigan every chance I get since purchasing it from our new Nordstrom Rack in town.  It's perfect to dress up or dress down and warm enough to wear without a jacket on chilly days. I opted to pair it with this graphic tee and booties for an edgy cozy look, perfect for going christmas shopping and running errands on the weekend!

Shop the look below.  Similar styles added for items no longer available! 

Holiday Party Picks

I love any excuse to dress up.  I especially love an excuse to dress up for a holiday occasion! I put together some of my favorite picks for a holiday party this season.  Any one of these pieces is bold and festive enough to be sure to leave a lasting impression!

Holiday Party Eye Makeup Tutorial

It's that time of year where we get the excuse to wear sequins and glam up our beauty routine! In honor of this I decided to do a golden holiday eye makeup look.  This eye is perfectly golden and subtle enough for a bright matte red lip.

I used the items below to complete this look

First, start with the NYX primer and a clean palette.  Confession though, I did start with my Lorac Pro mascara already on, I'll explain why towards the end so stay tuned.

Now apply the 'Naked' color to your crease for definition.

Next, use 'Virgin' on your brow bone to highlight and blend into the crease color.

Now, use 'Smog' and apply to the entire lid below your crease.  I also drew the shadow out beyond the outer corners of my eyes so that I could really accentuate that later with my liner.

This next step is what makes this look so perfect for the holidays - that golden shimmer! The color is 'half baked' and even though a little goes a long way, don't be afraid to glam it up here.  I applied this color to the inner halves of both eyelids making sure to get all the way into the inside corners. This makes all the difference.

To add even more glow to the look I used the same color, 'half baked', and using a thin angled brush applied it directly beneath my bottom lashes.

Since I applied the golden color to highlight beneath my lashes, I applied my eyeliner to the inside of my crease to really create depth and contrast that golden shimmer.

Using the liquid liner I started from the inside corner of my eye and started with a thin precise line.  I gradually thickened the line and drew it out beyond the corner of my eye with a slight flick at the end to create that glam 'cat eye' liner effect.

Lastly, I applied my Younique 3D Fiber Lash Mascara which is why I started with my other mascara already applied.  See the complete Younique 3D Fiber Lash Mascara tutorial here! 

And below is the completed look!

I love reading through holiday makeup tips and tutorials and wanted to share this great article about holiday makeup mistakes via Allure. It's a great point of reference to help us from getting carried away with the glitz and glam of the holiday season!
 Stay tuned for more fun holiday party ideas this week!

Christmas Card Shoot {Part 2}

John Runion Photography

As if I'm not smitten enough over my sweet husband, he actually allowed me to put him behind the camera (even if it was only for a few shots) and talk about his amazing style.  I won't lie and say I didn't have some input on his outfit here, but the main outfit details seen here are his staple pieces he loves to wear during the cold weather season.  Any one of these would make great Christmas presents for the stylish man in your life!

Shop the post below!