5 Things That Aren't Worth Investing In

There are investment pieces and then there are pieces that are not worth spending a lot of money on. Here are some things not to invest in and some alternatives.

1.  Fashion Sneakers- Sneakers in general do not last, especially when they are worn a great number of times. Instead try Vans or Converse as they are still classic sneakers but a quarter of the price.
   
   
   
   VANS Authentic canvas trainers   (see more laced shoes)
2. Trendy nail polish- No trend moves faster than nail polish. Instead, a classic color is the reddish black of Chanel's Vamp.
   
   
   
   Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in Bitches Brew Opaque Pearl Mulberry   (see more pearl nail polishes)
3. Work out wear- Items like sports bras are only meant to last about 6 month -1 year with the constant wear and washing. Work out clothes from Target and Old Navy are just as good as quality.
   
   
   
   Champion Absolute Workout II Sports Bra 6715   (see more champion activewears)
4. Lipstick- High end brand lipsticks can be expensive and they aren't necessarily better. What you're really paying for is the name and the packaging. Drugstore brands like Revlon are just as good and sometimes last longer.
   
   
   
   TOPSHOP Lips in Drive   (see more Topshop)
5. Statement heels- One minute minimalist heels are in, very bold heels the next. Better to just invest in classic heels.
   
   
   
   Stuart Weitzman Pinot Leather Pointed-Toe Pump, Black   (see more pointed toe pumps)

Product Review: Valentia Even Glow Anti-aging serum

I would like to thank Valentia Skin Care for allowing me to review their product. This product can be purchased on Amazon.com I used this product for about a month with fairly decent results. Though I do not have many wrinkles, the idea is that you can never start too early.

Pros

• This serum has a great citrus scent, which really makes it stand out.
• Not as heavy as other anti-aging serum and can be worn under moisturizer and makeup.
• Dries rapidly.
• Eye dropper bottle easy to use.

Cons

• Can cause acne. Acne may go away with continued use. I used very little in the areas where I am prone to acne. I would not recommend this product for those who are prone to adult acne.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE by karalynrae featuring a glass candle

Valentino

Valentino by karalynrae featuring destroyed jeans

This outfit was styled around the Valentino bracelet. The textured vest tones down the jewel tone of the turtleneck sweater. This outfit is perfect for a day on around the city.

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?