My Favorite Scent: Daisy perfume

Daisy perfume by karalynfactor featuring MARC BY MARC JACOBS

My favorite scent is currently Daisy Marc Jacobs. The scent is very fresh and clean and goes with everything. I've been searching for a new perfume all summer and finally found Daisy.

13 Best Movies for Halloween That You May or May not have Heard of

In no particular order:

1. The Crow: Based on a graphic novel

2. Ginger Snaps: Indie Canadian werewolf film. Female-centric and awesome.

3. Nightmare Before Christmas: A classic. For those who don't like scary movies. Also works for Christmas time.

4. Rocky Horror Picture Show: Always fun to get dressed up and sing along.

5. Shaun of the Dead: Zombies from the guys who brought you Hot Fuzz and The Worlds End.

6. Sleepy Hallow: For those who love Johnny Depp

7. The Ninth Gate: For those who REALLY love Johnny Depp.

8. Beetlejuice: Black and white striped suits before they were ruined by Robin Thicke.

9. House on Haunted Hill: A Vincent Price classic.

10. Scary Movie: The Original Horror Comedy

11. Carrie: Watch it before the remake.

12. Lost Boys: The Original Teenage Vampires, Sans Sparkling.

13. Interview with a Vampire: 90's Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Christian Slater, and Kirsten Dunst In One Film!

The Great Debate: Fur in the Fashion Industry

While reading the December issue of Elle magazine, I came across an article written by Pamela Erens (you can read it here). She writes,

"[T]he public obsession with fur as uniquely immoral puzzles me. The realities associated with the raising, penning, and slaughtering of beef cattle are equally appalling, and the number of animals killed for meat dwarfs that of those killed for fur. In 2012 about 9 billion farm animals were slaughtered by the meat industry in the U.S. alone; the number for fur animals is 50 million worldwide…I know these facts don’t make fur morally stainless, but I have to wonder why the revulsion is so much more instantaneous when it comes to fur. Needless to say, almost none of the people who comment on my fur wearing eschew meat or leather."

Personally, I do not wear fur. I have been a vegetarian since I was 10, and vegan since I was about 15. I do not use products tested on animals either. My family does wear fur. My grandmother has passed down most of her fur coats down to my mother, who wears them more out of obligation, than an actual fashion statement. I am not entirely sure what will happen when these furs are passed down to me. 

Erens brings up the question why fur is more readily perceived as morally wrong, while leather is not. I have the answer. There are great alternatives to fur. Tim Gunn in his book The Fashion Bible even states so. They are not more expensive than the real thing, as Erens seems to think. On the other hand, there are no great substitutes for leather. Pleather does not hold up as well as the real thing. It is usually coated in polyurethane, which actually gives off gases as it breaks down. These gases will even cause the other clothes in your closet to break down. A pleather piece will never be an investment piece. 

This piece was most likely written before PETA exposed the awful angora fur factories in China, leading Zara, H&M, and Forever 21 to stop production and question their fur usage. This will always be an important topic in fashion and it needs to continuously be discussed. I know what side I'm on but what are your thoughts?

Get the Look: Karlie Kloss

Get the Look: Karlie Kloss by karalynfactor featuring real leather handbags

Resolution 2014

It seems like everyone has become very anti New Years resolution. They resent having to make goals for the year that in reality they probably will not accomplish. Most years I say that I will finally drop those unwanted pounds and every year nothing changes. This year is different. My New Years resolution for 2014 is to not shop at fast fashion stores like Forever 21 and H&M. These past few months I've become tired of all my clothes falling apart and having to constantly spend money on new clothes. Instead, I will pay more money and buy less and hopefully my quality clothes will last longer. This will not be easy since I am in grad school and don't have a lot of money but I still believe it is attainable. Do any of you have any resolutions?

Hope you all have a wonderful 2014!

Princess Style: Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly by karalynfactor featuring gold bangles

I am so excited for Nicole Kidman's new movie coming out in November called Grace of Monaco. She of course plays Grace Kelly and I obviously can't wait to see those costumes. I do love Nicole Kidman and think she will do a great job.

Princess Grace's style was always royal, whether she was Hollywood royalty or actual royalty. She of course was known for her Hermes bag which the company named after her. Add some Hollywood sunnies and voila!

Princess style: Diana

Today is Diana's birthday and I thought I would celebrate her royal style. I'm also very excited to see Naomi Watts portray the People's Princess in her upcoming film.

Princess Diana by karalynfactor featuring high heel pumps

Diana was the epitome of elegance, even if her early style was very 80's. The updated power suit is still a staple today. She really grew a lot from her Sloane Ranger style in her early 20's. I really admire women who always look put together whenever they leave the house.