The (Almost) New Black
Friday, May 30, 2014
I had the fantastic opportunity to shoot with Teban of @asian_impressions this past weekend in Central Park. He has been a strong supporter of my blog, and I absolutely love his work as a street style photographer. He values natural beauty, which made me much more comfortable shooting amidst the crowds of people.
Top: Necessary Clothing (old)
Skirt: H&M (similar here)
Sunglasses: Zero UV
White is everywhere this summer. Even with my New York loyalty to a black wardrobe, I've fallen victim to the clean look of an all white ensemble. To keep this monochrome look interesting, I played with different textures and patterns. I love the floral cutouts of this top, which keep it light for the summer season. I paired it with a textured flared skirt as a girly touch and added neutral-colored accessories to fully embrace the white-out look. However, I can't neglect the chance to add a statement pop of color. I've been loving these beaded necklaces and decided to add this red piece for the ultimate summer vibe. Who knew I could actually create an outfit without a thread of black?
P.S. -- If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know I'm currently in Puerto Rico! That being said, be on the lookout for a travel diary in the near future...
Photography Credit: Teban
Road Trip Dreaming
Monday, May 26, 2014
There's something about summer that just makes me want to get out and see the world. There's nothing better than channelling your inner free-spirit and venturing off into unfamiliar territories. I recently came across a style competition hosted by The Blogger's Lounge and travel company Round the World Experts. Their amazing fly-drive adventures allow you to travel at your own pace while hitting the most important vacation spots.
My outfit today is inspired by the "Great Western Road Trip", which is a 22-day trip that includes everything west coast from Los Angeles to Yosemite to San Diego. I'm still anxiously waiting to visit this side of the country, so I've put together an outfit to prepare myself for the opportunity.
Top: Forever 21 (similar here)
Hat: Forever 21 (here)
The best way to dress for a road trip is with comfort and flexibility. For me, this means a breezy tank top paired with denim cutoffs. Especially for the ultimate west coast adventure, I want to make sure I'm ready to tackle anything. I've chosen accessories that serve a functional purpose, including sun protection from my hat and sunglasses and the lightweight ease of my cross body bag.
Despite these functional purposes, I can never forget my personal style. I absolutely love the patchwork detail of these cutoffs. It's subtle, but unique to these pair of shorts. A halter neckline is also one of the most flattering for my frame as well. You never know who you'll run into along a road trip; Always be prepared!
Check out the fly drive adventures by Round the World Experts and let me know which one you would tackle and what you would wear. I challenge you to enter this contest as well!
Find Your Fragrance Fit
Saturday, May 24, 2014
The sweet combination of Champagne and Mandarin in Commodity's Mimosa fragrance is all I need to kick off this Memorial Day weekend. If that doesn't appeal to your tastes, they offer nine other unique scents from Tea to Magnolia that just might. And don't worry, buying fragrances online is not as absurd as it sounds. Keep scrolling:
I'm sure you've had those moments when a perfume smells amazing until it hits your skin. Commodity takes the risk out of buying fragrances online by offering an at-home trial. With the "fitting kit", you can personally test out the entire collection and thus decide which scent is best for you to purchase as a full size:
A bonus that comes with these trial samples: travel convenience. I've laid out a few of my current favorite accessories below to put this into perspective. I'll be going away for a few days next week (spoiler alert), so these samples will be the perfect additions to my makeup bag.
Be sure to check out Commodity (here) to find your perfect fragrance fit. I have no doubt that you will!
Transformation ft. Luxy Hair
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Notice anything different? Today I'm so excited to show you how I wore Luxy Hair's extensions! I had never thought about wearing extensions before, but I have to admit that these make the process easy enough for me to reconsider. Keep scrolling for more photos and a full review!
Hair styling credit: My lovely sister Erin (here)
Romper: Zara (old)
Heels: Call it Spring (here)
Bag: H&M (similar here)
Extensions: Luxy Hair
I was surprised at how well the Luxy Hair extensions blended with my hair. As you can see above, mine is shoulder-length, layered, and pin-straight. Regardless, my sister and I had no trouble styling the extensions to look completely natural. I'm envious of how well the extensions hold a curl! The best thing about Luxy is that they provide extensive tutorials from cleaning to applying on their Youtube Channel. If you need more information before purchasing, definitely check it out!
My outfit is yet another evening look, featuring my absolute favorite romper from Zara. It is the perfect piece for a summer evening because of the lightweight chiffon material. The best part -- I purchased it during the infamous winter sale for only $30! I paired the romper with these fabulous peep-toe mules from Call it Spring that I bought in preparation for my summer internship. I've been gravitating towards the lower heel lately to add functionality to style. You can still make a statement without those sky-high pumps!
Evening Look: Neon Summer
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Top: Aeropostale (here)
Skort: c/o Sheinside (here)
Heels: Go Jane (here)
Clutch: Nine West
My recent posts have really been lacking color lately, so I thought I'd make up for it in the boldest way possible. I chose to style this skort from Sheinside because it is the perfect piece for a summer night out. I'm not usually one to gravitate towards neon, but this color just pairs so nicely with black as a statement piece. The color palette, along with the skort's asymmetrical wrap detail, create a look with both class and edge. There's no doubt that you'll turn heads in it.
One thing to note -- The back of skort is pretty transparent, so make sure you have that nude thong ready. Also, Sheinside calls this color "yellow", but I'd definitely label it as more of a lime green. Otherwise, it is a great piece!
A Hint of Sunshine
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
We shot this look at sunset, and there happened to be a few rays of sunshine peeking through the trees behind me. It was quite the coincidence that I also chose to wear a pop of yellow. The sweetness of summer must be right around the corner.
Top: c/o Hey Crystalie (here)
Heels: Go Jane (similar here)
Bag: Mango
Today I'm styling this Hey Crystalie 3/4 sleeve top that features some geometric beading at the neckline. The best thing about this top is its versatility. The embellishments replace the need for statement jewelry, and the minimalistic silhouette makes it appropriate for any situation. While I styled the top for a casual summer day, it can be taken into the workplace as well. As I mentioned in my last Hey Crystalie post, they offer high quality garments for great prices. The material of this top is thick enough that I don't even have to worry about my undergarments showing, and it's white!
I decided to add a pop of yellow to the outfit with this adorable crossbody from Mango. It is the perfect little accessory to take when you don't want your hands full. I'll admit I haven't been gravitating towards typical summer colors, but I just can't help myself when it comes to monochrome. I'll do my best to add some color to the next post, but I make no promises... Talk to you soon!
Feeling Nautical
Saturday, May 10, 2014
H&M top (similar here)
Forever 21 bag
Daily Look sandals c/o (similar here)
The Northeast has finally been hit with summer weather! It is such an unfamiliar yet wonderful feeling to be wearing shorts again. Summer is my absolute favorite time of year, not just for the obvious reason of being out of school, but also for the wardrobe possibilities. As much as I love a great coat, I prefer not having to think about layers. I love the feeling of freedom that comes with throwing on a light day dress or simple tank and shorts.
Today I'm dreaming of the sea in this nautical-inspired look. I absolutely love the crisp, clean feel of the summer season's nautical trend. It's one that rarely goes out of style and only needs to simplest pieces. This top from H&M is the perfect interpretation of the sailor style with its high neckline and boxy silhouette. It's the subtle details that make the look. What trends are you looking forward to this summer? Let me know in the comments below!
Mixing Prints in Monochrome
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Zara skirt (from winter sale)
Black & white doesn't have to be boring. I'm sure you've noticed by now that I gravitate towards a neutral color palette. It's the New Yorker in me. This doesn't mean that I don't love a fun outfit! Today I'm doing something I've never attempted before -- mixing prints. For those who may want to try this as well, don't worry! I've written out a few tips for you below:
1. Opposite sizes attract.
2. Commit to a color palette.
While I went with the simplest color choices, you can definitely mix prints with bolder hues as well! The key is to stick to colors that are relevant to each other. The prints should share color families whether it be in the background or in the print itself. This way, it won't look like you threw on random pieces from your closet in a rush.
3. Think about the accessories.
Since a mixture of prints often creates a busier look, you may want to use simpler accessories. I chose to wear a small gold necklace and heels that match the color palette to keep focus on the clothing. A bold piece of jewelry can work as long as it doesn't clash with the colors of your outfit.
4. Be yourself!
While I can give you styling tips, I am in no way a dictator of your personal style! Dress the way you want, and feel confident in doing so. The way I mix prints is relevant to my simple-chic sense of style. If you're all about the contrasting colors and patterns, go for it! Fashion has evolved in a way that allows you to wear whatever you want, so take advantage!
Abstract Print
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Happy May! I apologize for the week-long lag time in between blog posts. I'm in the middle of exams right now, but I will try to post around 2-3 times during this upcoming week! I hope you are enjoying the weekend and hopefully experiencing some lovely spring weather.
Hey Crystalie skirt c/o (here)
Forever 21 bag (similar here)
Forever 21 hat (similar here)
Forever 21 necklace (similar here)
Yesterday was especially beautiful in NY, so I took advantage of the sunshine to style this textured circle skirt courtesy of Hey Crystalie. I had been searching for a white skirt for a while, but couldn't find a great balance between quality and price. Hey Crystalie contacted me at just the right time, so I couldn't resist selecting this beautifully constructed skirt. The surface of the skirt boasts a subtle geometric texture that gives the piece some personality when shown under the right light. For those of you who may forget to wear those nude undergarments, you won't have to worry with this piece. While the material itself is thick enough to remain opaque, there is a lining underneath that will guarantee coverage. Also, did I mention the faux leather band at the waistline? Seriously, guys, this skirt is as close to perfect as it gets.
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