Fall Fun and Fashion with V8 +Hydrate™
Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PlantBasedHydration #CollectiveBias
How is mid- October treating you? As much as I miss the balmy days of summer, I have to admit I love Fall! The weather gets crisp enough to really get creative with fashion and layering, and it is really nice being able to run around all day and not turn into a sweaty mess. Plus hello gorgeous leaves everywhere! In the spirit of the new season, I’m sharing some of my favorite Fall activities, a few tips on how you should dress for each one, and the one thing that you have to have in your bag for all of them - V8 +HYDRATE™!
V8 +HYDRATE™ is a plant-powered hydration beverage that offers superior hydration with a blend of natural electrolytes from vegetables and hints of fruit, so you can replenish quickly when you are on the go! Staying hydrated is probably the most important beauty or lifestyle tip I could ever give you guys and no matter how busy I am, I always make it a priority. V8 +HYDRATE™ makes it easy, with the great taste and travel-friendly can so you can always have one handy. Now you just have to figure out how you want to spend the perfect Fall Saturday.
Museum Hopping
Sometimes Fall weather calls for some indoor fun, and it’s a great time to catch up on exhibits you may have missed during summer when you were too busy on the beach or at the hottest rooftop bar. If your city has a great museum scene, make a list of the ones you can’t miss and plan a day to explore them all. Since that means you’ll be on your feet a lot, walking around and probably waiting in a few lines, the day calls for a stylish but comfortable look. I like the idea of a casual chic dress, lightweight blazer or jacket, and ballet flats or loafers. I usually keep my bag pretty small and light since carrying something heavy all day gets really tough on my shoulders, so you’ll catch me with a mini bag for the essentials! Being on your feet all day can dehydrate you faster than you think. This is why I carry my new favorite hydration beverage with me.
Apple/Pumpkin Picking
Sometimes nothing beats getting out of the city for a day! I love to round up the squad and drive up to the Hudson Valley area for a day of apple or pumpkin picking. You can find beautiful orchards just about an hour away from the city, and there are usually also adorable farms and markets that sell everything from locally made honey to fresh baked cider donuts. My go to look for this kind of day trip is comfy jeans or leggings, an oversized knit cardigan, and flat boots, and a bag big enough to hold my essentials for the day.
Concerts/Live Shows
TBH, I hate concerts in the summer, even though they are super popular then. Call me crazy but I’d prefer to not be surrounded by a jam-packed room of hot sweaty people. Fall lineups are usually more my thing! Some of my fave venues are Terminal 5 and Music Hall of Williamsburg for small acts and buzzworthy names. Check out their lineup or who is on tour and may be heading to your city! My go to concert look varies depending on what kind of band is going on, but pretty much always involves some combo of graphic T and jeans or skinny leather leggings. Since you typically can’t bring your own beverages into a venue, hydrate before the show and after you get home with V8 +HYDRATE™. You’ve gotta keep your energy up to get through the show! Plus it makes for the perfect morning recovery beverage after your night out.
There are 3 flavors available: Strawberry Cucumber, Orange Grapefruit and Coconut Watermelon, so stock up and try them all while you can save! Be sure you and your girl or guy friends are staying hydrated! It’s clean, crisp, and has a delicious taste, and you can buy a 24 pack that’s perfect for sharing on Amazon!
Let me know what you are looking forward to most this Fall, and of course how you plan to dress!
$50 and Under Halloween Looks You Can Rent!
Images by Milli Stephania
We’ve got about 2 more weeks until Halloween and even less if you plan to celebrate all weekend long! If you are like me you start thinking about costume ideas and scouting events weeks in advance, but if you are just now starting to think about making plans, it’s not too late to put together an amazing costume! Rent the Runway is one of my favorite ways to “shop” especially for standout looks for special events. If you are looking for an affordable, no-commitment Halloween look for a special event, they are a great option. The site has thousands of options at your disposal, at a range of prices!
For the purposes of this post, I searched for styles that were under $50 at the time of publication for a 4-day rental in NYC. There may be some variance based on availability, length of rental, and where the goods are being shipping, so consider this a starting place for your search!
I’ve rented for a few Halloweens and am never disappointed. The look above was just a spooky glamour girl, and one year I was Diana Ross, complete with huge hair and long gold sequined gown! The options are pretty much endless. The best thing is each of these looks can easily be customized to various different costumes, all you need to do is swap out your ears, accessories and makeup to give these looks new life.
Here are some suggestions based on ideas that I was debating. Of course if you prefer to go more traditionally scary or super silly, you may want to go to a traditional costume shop to get what you need. But if you just feel like dressing up and going out all glammed up, stay tuned for my picks below!
Classy Witch
Angel
Or Devil
Disco Diva
Let me know what you plan on being for Halloween, and share your pics with me on Insta!
Getting Halloween Glam with Pretty Little Thing!
As you probably can imagine, Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! Any excuse to get glammed up, go out with your squad and eat way too much candy is a hit in my book. I’ve been playing with so many costume ideas trying to figure out what I want to wear for the events the weekend before Halloween and of course the day of. Luckily Pretty Little Thing launched their Halloween Shop with pretty much everything you’d need! I partnered with PrettyLittleThing.com to bring you 3 ideas for the perfect glam Halloween look.
Belle of the Ball
Nothing is more glam than a Halloween Masquerade Ball! This lace ruffled gown would be a hit for so many different costumes, from masked diva, to glamorous witch! Just swap out the accessories depending on your idea. I paired it with the Masquerade Mask Face Stickers to finish my sultry glam look. Check out the PLT site for more accessories you could style this number with.
Classy Kitty
Sure cat costumes aren’t the most original, but this Lace-Up Back Midi Dress was just too good to pass up. I love that it is the perfect base of a Classy Kitty costume when paired with a mask, but it’s elegant enough to wear again for date night. It’s a bit tricky to get into because it’s so fitted and has the lace-up back, but I was able to get the hang of it in no time and it looks stunning on.
Haute Hippie
A burgundy velvet jumpsuit? SIGN ME UP! When I picked this item I wasn’t exactly sure what I would be. Devil was the obvious choice but usually devil costume are bright red. I was really into the 70’s vibe so decided to go for a glamorous hippie look, complete with matching flower crown. It also comes in emerald or blue which would be a great start to a peacock costume and PLT has plenty of options from face jewels to accessories to help you finish your look!
Let me know what you are thinking of dressing up as for Halloween, and shop these looks and more of my faves from PLT’s Halloween Shop below!
How to Style Leopard: 4 Do's and Don'ts for Rocking the Trend!
Images by Marc Levin
Still feeling catty!
You guys already know leopard print is one of the hottest trends this season. It makes a comeback every few years, and is back in full force for Fall 2018. I’ve been wearing the print on dresses, coats, and shoes and love it pretty much every time! If you feel like it may not be for you or you are not sure how to pull it off, check out some of my do’s and don’ts for rocking the trend!
Do: Keep it Classic
The print is trendy enough, so no need to wear it on an anything too extra. Think simple, elegant heels, timeless shift or wrap dresses, and of course, jackets. Avoid mixing leopard and another trend since it can start to venture into gaudy territory.
Don’t: Let It Get Costumey
I’ve seen leopard on a lot of amazing pieces, and a lot of things that look like they came from the Halloween section at Ricky’s. Unless the goal is to actually look like you are going to a costume party, avoid leopard print on tight jumpsuits or bodycon dresses. Not saying it’s an impossible look to pull off, but it is a challenging one and really not accessible.
Do: Accessorize with It
If you aren’t sure how you would look in leopard printed clothing, a safe way to try the trend is with accessories! Think a classic bag, scarf, or heels that you could rock with everything from jeans to a little black dress. Even look for jackets that have a chic leopard lining if you don’t want to go all out!
Don’t: Wear it head to toe
Leopard is a statement print – it will get noticed. I personally wouldn’t wear more than 1 leopard print item at a time, and even then only if they were the exact same print. Mixing and matching different versions of the print or wearing it in multiple ways at once is a definite don’t!
How do you feel about the leopard trend? Let me know what you think and shop the story below!
Meow! The Perfect Leopard Dress
Leopard is having a moment! From the runways to every street style post seen over NYFW, the print is suddenly back in fashion. I’ve always been a huge fan of leopard print clothing, so it’s nice to see it making a comeback in so many new ways. I love seeing new takes on this hot print on tops, dresses, skirts, jackets, and of course shoes and accessories!
Maxi dresses are another go to of mine! I got this amazing leopard maxi dress from Boutique Feel, after seeing it on Pinterest and I love the silhouette. It is a statement making one, with the semi low-cut neckline and sheer, flowing bottom.
I layered it with a black bralette just for a bit of coverage but you can definitely leave that out, especially if you are hitting the town for a night out. Just add a classic handbag and killer shades and you are all set. And when the temps cool off you can rock it with a jacket or cardi layered on top or a long sleeve knit underneath.
If you want to nail the look, shop some this look and some of my favorite dresses below!
The Perfect NYFW Look Featuring Upbra
Images by Nigil Crawford
This post is sponsored by Upbra. All opinions are my own.
I love any excuse to turn up the sparkle! NYFW is the perfect time of year to stand out and wear looks that will keep all eyes on you. I was debating what to wear to Saturday’s Badgley Mishka show, and since they are known for bringing the glam I decided it was the perfect occasion for bling!
This sequined Zara jacket is a favorite of mine. The blush color is soft and romantic and the iridescent sequins are just gorgeous. I paired it with my billowy wide-leg satin trousers and a bandage crop top that you would swear is Herve Leger but is from H&M when I was in Paris!
The finishing touch for this look was my major cleavage, courtesy of Upbra!
I’ve featured them on the blog before and I just can’t get enough of this bra! It lifts like no other but is still amazingly comfortable.
The bra features cleavage control straps that are the core of the Upbra ActiveLift® technology. After the bra is on, just pull the straps and rehook them in place!
That shifts your breasts upwards and center to maximize the cleavage. The farther away the loops are from the center, the greater your cleavage. For this look I had them pulled in a bit, but not even as far as they go! Even with pulling the straps to maximize cleavage, you don’t have to worry about compromising your comfort.
If you haven’t tried Upbra yet, head over to their site ASAP! Let me know how you would style this amazing bra!
NYFW Outfit Ideas: The New LBD
Can you believe it’s already mid-September? Fashion Week is in full swing and the temps today are a chilly 60 something degrees. I was hoping for a few more weeks of nice weather, but I guess Fall is seriously ready to make its debut.
In the spirit of the new season, it’s time for a new take on a wardrobe staple – the LBD! A little black dress is never boring, and never goes out of style. There are so many different types and ways to wear them! This number is from Rue107.com and has the perfect eye-catching, feminine silhouette. I love the exaggerated A-Line proportions and the ruffle detailing on the sleeves, but the neoprene fabric adds just a touch of edge. I paired the dress with leopard block kitten heels that I got in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.
I usually hate kitten heels, but the block heel made a world of difference! Something about short, thin heels just feels matronly to me, but when they are short and blocky I find them pretty cool. Plus nothing is worse than being stuck in heels when you are racing between shows at NYFW!
To finish the look, I had to throw in my classic Louis Vuitton tote that you guys have seen me wearing all over Instagram. It was a steal from a vintage store and I could wear it every day for years and not get sick of it! It works especially well with the retro vibes of this look.
This dress is sold out in black, but still available in Olive. And you can shop similar styles of this look below!
6 Open to the Public NYFW Events You Can't Miss!
Fashion Month is kicking into high-gear! I have to admit, the Fall edition of NYFW is one of my favorites. The weather is warm, but still civilized so you can really bring it with the street style. If you have been dying to get into some Fashion Week events but aren't how to get on a coveted invite list, here are some of the best shows and events that are open to the public. Buy tickets, round-up your squad and get ready for a fun night of fashion inspo!
Style Fashion Week
Style Fashion Week brings a host of designers together under one roof for a lineup of shows and after parties from September 6th-September 9th. Check out the full schedule here and register to attend!
WWD x Samsung 837 Present Style Dimension
Editors from WWD give an inside look into the behind the scenes happenings at some of the major fashion houses beauty brands through a series of discussions with designers, influencers and retailers. Guests to note include Caroline Maguire, fashion director of Shopbop, Torsten Hochstatter, the creative director of Puma, and Mark Badgley and James Mischka of Badly Mischka. Dates are September 6th & 7th.
Queens Fashion Week
This Queens native will definitely be stopping by the event celebrating the history of fashion in Queens! Queens is one of the birth places of amazing designers who have traveled all around the world and worked with some major players in the industry. The big day is Saturday September 8th, but it runs from the 2nd-15th. Tickets here!
Essence Street Style Block Party
Day party season is almost over for the summer, so end it with the Essence Street Style Block Party! This event will feature performances by Teyana Taylor and Yemi Alade and is hosted by Actress and Comedienne Amanda Seales. Though it used to be free, it's well worth the ticket price!
Street Style Photo Shoot
And if you want a taste of street style life for a day, some of my favorite photographers are throwing a free photo shoot meetup at Domino Park in Brooklyn from 5-9! Follow Wini Lao's Instagram for details and their updated location!
Blogger and the Brand
Blogger and the Brand is a networking event for emerging and established bloggers and lifestyle brands. I went last year when I was starting to ramp up my content and I'm so happy to announce that I was asked to join as a Style Host this year! RSVP here, and hopefully I'll see some of your lovely faces!
The Perfect Linen Dress
this post contains affiliate links, hope you don't mind!
Linen is basically the fabric of summer. It's cool, breezy, and has an undone sophisticated vibe that is perfect for the season. I usually go for lighter fabrics that don't tend to wrinkle as much but I caved when I saw this dress while shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Purple typically isn't a color I wear a lot, but for some reason when I saw it I was intrigued. It's a cool lilac that reminded me of a lavender field, and the shape and cutout details seemed to strike a balance between romantic and sexy.
If you aren't super into plunging necklines and open sides you may not love this, but I thought the detailing was a nice balance, especially since the dress was pretty long and billowy on my petite frame.
I played up the feminine vibe of the dress with these floral detail sandals from Zara. They have a sexy cage upper and are adorned with colorful 3D flowers. I am absolutely in love with them, and even though they are a high, thin heel, it's just thick enough to make you feel a little bit more comfy than you would in a classic stiletto. And for a little pop of color, I finished the look with my bold vintage Louis Vuitton.
If you are feeling this look shop the dress I'm wearing and similar styles below! I couldn't find the exact matches for the bag and shoes so also included similar items to pair with your perfect linen sundress. And in case you missed the post about my amazing braid, give it a read here!
All the Memorial Day Sales You Need to Shop!
It's the unofficial kickoff to summer! Even though Memorial Day has been far less than summery the past few years, it still is celebrated as the time to get ready for the new season and enjoy the (fingers crossed) good weather. If you, like everyone else needs to breathe some life into your wardrobe, this weekend is the perfect time to start some shopping! Here are some of the sales I'm most excited about.
1. Net-A-Porter
50% off high-end goodies from some of your most coveted designers! I'm checking out luxe accessories from Vetements, Chloe, and the amazing swimwear that is perfect for the season!
2. Asos
Ya'll know I love me some Asos! Get 20% off everything for a limited only with code SUNNYDAYS. Their prices are already super affordable, but take advantage of this deal for even more savings!
3. Bloomingdales
Need a new handbag? Well get one at 40% off! Bloomies is having a huge sale on designer bags, with babies by everyone from Marc Jacobs to Burberry. Don't miss this one!
4. Nordstrom
Nordies is one of my favorite retailers and their half-yearly sale is a good one! Stock up on the season's hottest fashions at up to 40% off!
5. Revolve
I'm obsessed with pretty much everything on this site! Revolve is my go-to for when I want the It Girl look. They've gotten pretty pricey the last few years, so take advantage of their 50% off all sale items to get all the goods you need for your cool girl summer wardrobe!
6. Wayfair
If you are looking to update your home decor, get 70% in this sale! The site is full of everything from furniture to cute finishing touches, all at amazing prices! I'm eyeing the cute decorative rugs and lighting to update my living room decor.
7. Williams Sonoma
The Memorial Day clearance is on, with a whopping 75% off! WS is one of my dream stores, and I'm adding some new gadgets and pretty cookware to cart in this sale!
Happy shopping guys! Let me know what you end up buying and what you are up to this holiday weekend!
Your Spring Accessories Guide
Happy early Spring! I've been busy updating my wardrobe to transition to the new season, plus thinking of fun ways to transition some of my favorite pieces as the weather changes. But as you focus so much on fun new clothes, you can't forget your accessories! That is probably one of the most cost-efficient ways to breath new life into your wardrobe each season. Whether it's new gems, shoes, bags, or all, check out some of my fave accessories to add to cart this season!
Scarves
A chic scarf is a great topper for the most basic look. Elevate a simple sundress or classic jeans and tee with a colorful or graphic printed baby. I also love wrapping my hair up in one on bad hair days or when I just don't feel like dealing with my curls. You can go high-end if you want, or just anythng cheap and cheerful to take your look up a notch.
And you can't forget the oversized earrings! They make even the most simple look special, and make your lazy buns or ponytails instant chic. Just choose carefully, you want styles that bring all the drama without being too heavy.
Booties
You can never go wrong with a basic black pair. These are from Thursdays and they are amazing! You can start to lighten up your boot wardrobe with cut-out or peep-toe options in lighter, more breathable fabrics.
Sunnies
So everyone has been into the tiny sunglasses trend. I tried it and am really not a fan! So I'll be sticking to my oversized shapes in classic colors. I love retro-cat eyes and oversized round frames, usually in soft colors that flatter my skin tone. Here are a few in my rotaton.
What other accessories are you stacking up for Spring? Let me know in the comments!
One Look Two Ways - with The Perfect Watch!
Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #StyledForSpring #CollectiveBias
Hello babes! Spring is here in full swing and the city is absolutely blossoming. I love spending long days bouncing about the city between museums, brunching, shopping and just basking in the new energy that rebounds after winter.
But being out all day this time of year can get tricky. In the morning it can be chilly, blazing hot by mid-day, then back down to low, breezy temps by evening. I like to play with little style spinoffs on days like this, and it's super easy to transform a look depending on how the breeze blows. Take this perfect little dress. It's from Macy's and just screams "style me for Spring!". I've been seeing a lot of runway looks pairing dresses with jeans, so instead of tights I added my fave skinnies. The look is fresher and more unique but still keeps your legs covered if it gets chilly. And add an extra layer with a moto jacket to finish the look. A jacket always comes in handy when temperatures flucutate, so make it one that takes your look up a notch.
And when the temperature rises and you start to feel the heat, shed the jeans and jacket and just rock the sundress! Just make sure to bring a tote you can stuff your extra layers in if you need to.
Plus the packaging is so pretty no need to fuss with gift-wrapping. Check out the collection at Macy's and let me know your favorites!
3 Spring Trends You Need Now!
Well it took a while, but Spring is finally here! I’ve been putting off my shopping until I could actually wear the goodies I was buying and now it’s finally time! I tend to live by my own personal style more than I follow trends, but there are a few that I’m pretty excited about for the season. You got a little preview in the video above, and check them out in more detail!
Maxi Dresses
If you want easy comfortable glamour, a maxi dress is the way to go! It feels like you are basically wearing pajamas, but you look super chic. Plus they can be great on their own with no styling, or you can add a layer to finish the look. Since this dress is so feminine and delicate I like the contrast of adding a tough girl moto jacket and black leather booties. As it gets hotter you can lighten up the look with sandals, and either no jacket or a lightweight vest.
Layers
You usually hear about layering for Fall, but some Spring days can be cooler and windy so you need a bit more coverage. I like pairing a graphic T with a lightweight jacket, and taking the look up a notch with a scarf. Depending on the weather that day, you can rock this look with jeans like in the photo, or denim cutoffs like I did in the video
Crop Tops & Mom Jeans
I pretty much never met a crop top I didn’t like. A lot of people think they can be too sexy or revealing for them, but there are crop tops for every body type. If you want to make the look more playful, pair it with something oversized, like these high waisted mom jeans. They give you instant cool girl cred and you don’t have to worry about the look being too revealing!
What are your favorite trends for Spring! Let me know in the comments and shop the story below!
April Showers, Spring Layers
Spring came, then went in a day!
Last Saturday was an incredible 70 degrees and sunny, only to descend back into the 40’s the next day! This weather is really keeping me on the struggle bus. Between the extreme dips in temperature, the clouds and rain it really is both a mood and wardrobe killer! I can’t stand to wear my Fall/Winter wardrobe anymore, and have been trying to creatively transition out of my winter sweaters and work in some of the cute Spring trends. It’s too cold to just wear any of my favorite Spring pieces without layers!
Froze for this shot for a minute though!
I’ve been feeling polka dots this season, so had my eye on this super cute jumpsuit from Macy’s. It’s a lightweight fabric, open back (another one of my favorites) and the pants are just a little bit flowy so it’s so easy to wear. Plus white is one of my go-to colors for Spring/Summer so it was the perfect find. However since the weather won’t let me be great, I had to top it with my favorite leather moto jacket to warm up. I’ll have to wait until summer to show off the pretty open back detail.
And even though this jumpsuit is begging to be paired with a cutout sandal or chunky 2 piece heel, the forecast called for clouds and drizzles so I went with sneakers instead. At least a bright floral umbrella is giving me some Spring vibes!
What are you looking forward to most about the new season (if it ever gets here?) And shop the look below!
The Ultimate Denim Jacket
It's Mon-slay! Hope you guys are ready for an amazing Monday. I'm recovering from the best birthday party ever, which you can check out on my Insta-story highlight. My actual birthday isn't for a few more days, but why not spend a few days celebrating? Since I'm still in casual fun mode, this look is the perfect one for early Spring weather, and days when you want to look pulled together but still want a casual vibe.
and more of that Fenty Beauty Trophy Wife!
Denim jackets are a style staple, and the coolest new versions are oversized. Think of it as the jacket version of your favorite baggy boyfriend jeans. I've worn this baby after a workout and dressed it up for this look with a little black dress and booties.
I've been having more fun with my hair the past few weeks as well. Since the front of my hair gets a little too puffy when it's super curly, I swept it up into a fun top knot and left the back half out. This look will definitely be one of my go to styles for Spring!
What trends are you most into for Spring? And If you are loving this look, shop these items and similar ones below! I also saved a few favorites on my Like to Know!
