5 Ways to Style A Classic White Crossbody Bag

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DELAGE AND CECILIA NEW YORK BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.


Enjoying the last few weeks of summer before fall. One color I love to wear during the warmer months is white, especially accessories as they look crisp, clean and oh, so chic… it’s quite another story when the first set of leaves begin to fall. But you’ll be seeing a lot more of white this season! Which is why in today’s post, I’m sharing 5 ways to style a classic white crossbody bag. The twist? I’m styling both summer and fall outfits - even transitional weather appropriate because let’s face it, that’s also always a challenge, with only one purse and in one color. White. So continue reading to see full visual story along with where to shop each look!

WEARING: RED ORANGE BLAZER | RED ORANGE SHORTS | NUDE MULES | WHITE BAG | STATEMENT EARRINGS

First look screams Indian Summer. It’s hot one minute and cool the next, one needs a good transitional piece! And imagine the multiple ways of styling either the shorts or blazer separately. To keep the look with minimal style, I wore nude mules with a low heel that would give me just enough length and statement earrings to make the short suit more luxurious. Instead of a loud, noisy bag, I styled it with the white crossbody that definitely polishes this look overall.

WEARING: BLACK MEN’S JACKET | BLACK WAIST PANTS | BLACK + ALABASTER SANDALS | WHITE BAG | SILVER EARRINGS

This is probably my most favorite look out of the five. It’s bold, sexy and fiercely intense which is definitely one style I can embody :) A recent trend that will be booming during the transitional period between summer and fall is ‘sailoring’. A technique in tailoring, it’s when one uses the lace or straps from shoes to hem long pants. I’m wearing a gorgeous pair from Cecilia New York. Classic black and white, lucite straps, and wire wrap around to fit any ankle to give a flattering look. In this case, a fun twist on hemming. I also styled an oversized men’s blazer but tying the front two slits together to give a tiny cinch to the boxy fit. And tell me a black and white outfit that isn’t chic?!

WEARING: WHITE BLAZER | BLACK BRA | WIDE LEG JEANS | SNEAKERS | WHITE BAG

Another black and white look, but with a twist. The perfect white blazer, but invert layering. It’s a classic look with different variations of style. I’d typically pair these wide leg jeans with the blazer and some dainty shoes but in this look I went for a more rough, tomboy edge pairing it with sneakers, pulled hair and pearl details to keep a bit of feminine style in the mix as well. I wanted to show that this crossbody bag can also work for more hard, non-delicate looks. How did I do? ;)

WEARING: GREEN DRESS | WHITE CHELSEA BOOTS | WHITE BAG

I’ve styled this dress before during the wintertime (!!) you can check it out here but I wanted to wear this again during the warmer season to show you it can be worn all year round. That, and the fact that this white crossbody bag goes very well with bold print dresses such as this one. I love how the small white dots from the dress goes so well with the white accessories. I think this look is stylish but understated, can be worn on so many different occasions.

WEARING: NEWSPAPER PRINT TEE | BLACK SKIRT | BLACK BELT | BLACK HAT | BLACK BOOTS | WHITE BAG

Last but not least, a totally 90s-inspired look! I’d say this outfit is a mix of ‘Clueless’ and Prada references. This newspaper print tee I’ve worn during New York Fashion Week (see here) and it definitely reminds me of that Dior dress Carrie wore in Sex & the City. And I can’t seem to get enough of bucket hats and combat boots lately. They’re my ultimate favorite combo. I styled this look with a sleek ribbed skirt to keep it slightly sexy but not over the top. Definitely could wear this any day of the week and I wouldn’t be mad about it at all. Which look is your favorite look from today’s post?

LOVE & XX’S,

 
 

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How to Deal When the Holidays Aren't Exactly Happy

I don’t know about you, but the holidays can be a very bittersweet time for me. It’s not the most wonderful time of the year, I am not jolly and I normally am counting down the days until it’s January 2nd. I skip a lot of holiday events and parties because I’m never in the mood to socialize. Why? Am I the grinch? Nah. This time of year we remember people we’ve lost, especially the older we get. Both my parents are deceased, so this time period always brings up a lot of memories and mixed emotions. I’m grateful for the family I have made for myself, given the fact that my own estrangement from the rest of my family is not a choice I have made, but more so one that they have made, but since my parents have been gone, it just hasn’t been the same. There’s nothing like the season’s festive messages of peace, love, and togetherness to really make us contemplate our existence, our relationships, and what really matters to us. Hence, the Holiday blues do tend to creep in on me. But instead of passing through and keeping quiet, I decided to write to those that are in the same boat as me. Because you’re not alone. So here are my 5 tips on how to deal when the holidays aren’t exactly happy.

1. TAKE CARE OF YOU

With all the added pressures the holidays bring, one activity I’m not much a fan of is holiday gatherings. So I tend to skip out on a lot of them. Not because I’m a no-show kind of person, but more importantly, I have to take care of me. So if that means I don’t feel like going to someone’s shindig - I just won’t. Life’s too short to spend all your free time at parties anyway. Plus I always feel guilty. Celebrating anything relating to family is difficult for me. And with a hubby and a dog I cherish so dearly, I quite frankly really enjoy just spending time with them around this time of the year. For those that actually care for me will understand and for the ones who don’t, who cares, honestly.

2. ‘TIS THE SEASON FOR GIVING

Whenever I’m feeling down I always make an extra effort to think of others before myself. Because as much as my problems are as big in my head, to the next person, who know what they’re facing as well. So a tiny act of kindness, whether it’s helping an elderly person walk across the street or giving away clothes to Goodwill, there’s always something to be done to help others. I always like to believe that whatever energy you project and also be whatever is paying it forward to the next person. So perhaps if my act of kindness inspires the next person to do the same, my work is done. Well… so to speak. :)

3. TREAT YOURSELF

Hey, they don’t call it retail therapy for nothing! If all else fails, you can always splurge on yourself too. Eyeing that new piece of jewelry that just can’t seem to get off your mind? Don’t regret the things you didn’t buy! Big or small, getting a gift for yourself is an act of self-care/self-love. Kind of goes along with the first, in that taking care of yourself and that it doesn’t hurt to buy something for yourself every once in a while. Money doesn’t buy happiness, though!

4. FOCUS ON THE GLASS BEING HALF-FULL

It’s quite easy to fall into the trap of missing what you don’t have in your life. We are all going through something, and no one’s life is 100% perfectly complete all the time. So when you start to get into a funk, I always try to think of what’s going right in my life rather than what’s going wrong. I think of the people and things I’m grateful for and I have learned to appreciate the smaller things in life. It’s all in the mindset and the way our perspective is in that given time. If you change the way you look at things, things you look at change.

5. LAUGH, AS THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

Laughter is the best medicine. Whenever I travel for work and am alone in my hotel room working, I always have Friends of Big Bang Theory on in the background. The white noise makes the room feel less empty and I can always count on a few chuckles to be had afterward. Watch movies, listen to music that make you feel good and will inspire you. Whatever makes you smile, hold on to that just a while longer, because before you know it, the holidays will be over just as quickly as they began!

If you’re in the same boat as me and are not a huge fan of the holidays for perhaps similar reasons like myself - YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I’d say try and make the most of it but it’s okay to not be feeling it as well. If you have any other great suggestion on how to get out of the holiday funky blues, feel free to relay your tips down in the comment section below. I love hearing from you guys, especially on more personal posts as such. Hope you enjoyed, until next time… take care of yourself and others. Love always.

LOVE & XX’S,

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To Speak or Not to Speak

WEARING: TBA DUSTER JACKET | RHODA WONG ASSYMETRICAL TOP 
ONEBUYE BLACK WORK STRIPES WIDE LEG PANT | THE LUXELLE SILVER PLATED CLUTCH 
FLOWER EYEWEAR CASEY AVIATORS | GUCCI BELT | MATT BERNSON MEZZA | THE 5TH BROADWAY WATCH

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY RHODA WONG, THE LUXELLE & THE 5TH WATCHES.

Yes, I'm a writer. But like my father, I have a tendency to bottle up my feelings. I have a really tough time trusting people. The only family I've got left is my brother and getting to know people can sometimes be exhausting, not to say that no one is interesting or beautiful but I have had many life experiences that few people will ever have to go through. I've been through it all, really. It can be difficult to relate to others on a personal or emotional level. And though I know I'm really fucking strong, I'm still vulnerable because I'm human. Sometimes the pressure cracks and like propane, I explode. But my new career as a content creator has given me the power to share my story and along the way, has helped me connect and be inspired by others. Just extremely incredible, talented people.

These life experiences have also taught me when to speak or not to speak. When I was younger, I was wilder and more naive. I had no problem telling it like it was, shamelessly giving a big F-U to your face while at it. But when you grow up, you (hopefully) mature emotionally and realize there are times and places for speaking up and when it's just best to remain silent. Even though I still can have a 'flare-up' here and there, even perhaps losing my temper, I've really learned to always be the bigger person, but hurt me or someone I love, I will verbally slaughter you before the real damage is even done.

And call it Korean pride, but I was also raised to never express your personal problems to anyone under any circumstances. It was a big fat no-no to my mother and she had that drilled into my head by the time I was in elementary school. Of course, this might explain my difficulty in also sharing certain parts of my life with others, but with what I do now, I feel like I'm slowly but surely making my way through sharing my emotions perhaps not always verbally, but through visual storytelling... the creative input... this means more to me than anything else right now. Thanks for tuning in this Friday! I hope you enjoyed getting to know me a little better. Got questions? Thoughts from this post? Comment down below or drop me a message! Have a fantastic weekend, everyone! 

LOVE & XX'S,

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At-Home Workspace with OttLite

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY OTTLITE, BUT MY DESIRE TO TRY OUT LIFE IN A BETTER LIGHT IS MY OWN. :)


I've recently rearranged my workspace desk with OttLite lighting. What's different about their lights? OttLite lighting was created by photobiologist (omg how cool is that) Dr. John Nash Ott (awe) who studied how natural daylight affects all living things. From his amazing research OttLite Technology was born, bringing the magic of natural daylight indoors! They combine low heat and low glare, OttLite natural daylight illumination comes with smart features such as magnification, convenient storage, flexible necks and more. What I love most about their lights is how you can see everything more clearly and comfortably. 

I am on my computer 5-7 hours a day either editing, writing, answering emails or having phone conferences, I need lighting that will alleviate the eyestrain from glaring at the computer for long periods of time. And the new LED crane lamp I received from OffLite is perfect for the new workspace. With its flexible neck I can easily adjust it where needed and it doesn't clutter up space at my desk. 

The clarity is unreal! Just look at the photos for yourself! I really have little to no eyestrain after I started using the LED crane lamp. It is light and portable on top of its flexibility and sleek cool design. It really complements with my new minimally- styled desk, and this new desk lamp is in great company! Ha ha! But it really has made such a difference in every day work! I can officially say goodbye to eyestrain! Yay!   

If you like what you see, there's a chance for you to win a free lamp of your own! OttLite is hosting a giveaway where 5 lucky winners will receive a lamp, plus one for a friend! Holidays are fast approaching us... do you know someone who is in need of a new lamp, or two? Perhaps you do too?  :::hint hint::: 😉

Check out the Before & After shot down below! It is clear that life is brighter and better with OttLite. I'm all for a healthy approach when it come to my eyesight, especially since I'm near a computer screen all the time. It never stops. I'm glad I can't count on Ottlite for their high-quality lights. Don't miss your chance to enter in the giveaway – it's a really great one! 

So what is currently on my desk? I have my classic Olympia typewriter that I've been using a lot lately along with recent invitations and photography books containing the works of some of my favorite photographers: Mr. Penn, Avedon, Herb Ritts, Peter Lindbergh, Leutwyler, Araki and more. (In no particular order.) I also have my go-to 'unobtrusive' camera, the Olympus OM-D E 5. It's my baby. I also keep coasters at bay, these agate coasters from West Elm have been around for a few years now, but I love the deep blue hue in them. I really can't stand ring marks from drinks! 

We live in a world that turns over in a moment.
— Azzedine Alaïa

You can read more on the benefits of Ottlite lighting here. Besides showing colors accurately and seeing fine print and details more clearly, more tips for healthier eyes can be read in this awesome article from Ottlite! They even have a collection of bedroom lamps if you're interested. The LED crane clamp is portable and can be used on your night stand. Check it out here!

LOVE & XX'S,

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Silver is the New Black

WEARING: MANGO METALLIC PLEATED TOP | 
BDG TWIG SLASHED HIGH-RISE CROP JEAN | CALVIN KLEIN RUBY PATENT SLINBACKS | 
BLUE NILE STATEMENT POLISHED STERLING SILVER HOOP EARRINGS 

Happy Hump Day! Silver is the new black, right? Immediately after seeing this Mango top online, I rushed to the store to get it, thinking one, they'd probably be all out in my size, and two, they'd probably be sold out to begin with! The metallic pleated top alone inspired the theme to my next editorial video; dancing and grooving to disco-y, R&B electronica vibes. Though I won't be at Coachella this year, I will be there in spirit! We hope our video puts an extra pep in your step!

Other outfit details include the ruby patent slingback from Calvin Klein, BDG high-rise jeans, which my favorite part of the jean are the ends, and big J-Lo-styled sterling silver hoop earrings from Blue Nile

What's coming up next on the blog? Stay tuned! In the meantime, please subscribe to our YouTube Channel and shop the look down below!


photos + videography by Gilles Decamps | director, styling, hair + mua by Suzanne Spiegoski

LOVE & XX'S

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