Wintry Midnight Blue Holiday Dress

November 30, 2018

Happy first holiday weekend! How is it already December?! Does anyone else feel like this year has just completely flown on by? I don’t know about you, but time sure has been going by fast! While we’re getting into the swing of the festive season, such as gift shopping, wrapping, cooking and then some, there’s also tons of holiday events and parties to attend to this month. But what to wear? One of my go-to fabrics for the colder seasons is velvet - and what’s more chic than a velvet dress?! Continue to see more photos, along with where you can get this gorgeous midnight blue dress!

Serve up a little va-va-voom with this ultra feminine and fanciful velvet frock. A deep blue hue makes for the perfect background to an asymmetrical hemline and playful ruffles. Bell sleeves help to cap off an incredibly sophisticated ensemble. The buttoned cuffs and self-tied sash on the waist are my favorite details amongst the color of this gorgeous velvet dress! And can you believe it is only $80?! I paired the dress with darker accessories, and kept with a black range of fabrics such as suede and lycra.

The black suede heart-studded drawstring bag is from SepCoeur, a really amazing Parisian handbag brand. I can’t find the link for the exact bag in this look’s post, but I’ve link very similar ones throughout so be sure to check them out! Different price points as well. I also did the same thing for the black sock boots in the post, as I also cannot find them online anymore! Do you guys like it better when I link a bunch of different options for certain items or do you like it when I leave only the direct link? Would love to hear your feedback on this!

Lastly, let’s talk about these insanely beautiful earrings by Le-J Jewelry. These assymetric star drop earrings are modern, feminine and playful, and are the perfect evening earrings. And for this time of the year, they are just perfect for nearly any holiday occasion. What do you think of this holiday look? Stay tuned for my next blog post, coming soon, my monthly roundup of beauty favorites for the month of November will be live in the next few days along with more looks and oh are they going to be FUN! Catch y’all back here in a sec! ;)

LOVE & XX’S,

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Running with Scissors

October 25, 2017

WEARING: SAKU MUSTARD YELLOW LACE TOP | LEVI'S 711 ALTERED SKINNY JEANS | 
FOREVER 21 BURGUNDY FAUX LEATHER ANKLE BOOTS | SEPCOEUR PARIS SUEDE DRAWSTRING BAG

HAIR CUT + COLOR: TAYLOR & DAVID ADAMS FROM FOURTEEN JAY & AVEDA.

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY s a k u New York.

Ever willfully act in a reckless, foolish, and/or dangerous manner? Alluding to the literal act of running with a pair of scissors in one's hand, which can cause severe injury, yet for whatever reason, one keeps running around with 'em and that is without a doubt stupid. But why? Most might say, it's easy. You just don't know any better. You like to live dangerously. Maybe you just don't give a damn and don't want to stop. But I don't think everything is that crystal-clear either though. Sometimes you have to dig deeper in search of the answer as to why. I'd say my blatant honesty are those pair of scissors sometimes, and that first cut can be rather sharp. I am fiery and passionate even impetuous at times, especially when emotions are running high. Especially in matters of the heart.

I'm an all or nothing type of gal. I never half-ass in anything I do, if I'm in it - I am all the way, 100%. This applies to all sorts of relationships, either professional or personal. But those very personal ones? I have to be into you. No, it doesn't have to be a romantic relationship, this also relates to friendships, to even companies/brands I work with. The relationship has to be REAL. And it should go both ways, so if I'm interested in them then it should be equally reciprocated. How else are you going to build what you have together? Is there such a thing as mutual interest though? Or is it always one having a little bit more of an interest than the other? I think that's what makes relationships unique and difficult simultaneously. And when you find those rare, great ones, they're all the more special.

On another scissoring-note, the cut of this ribbed top by s a k u New York is my latest fave! The mustard yellow is not a normal color hanging up in my closet and I am completely obsessed with the lace detail on the front and back end of the top! s a k u New York is one of my favorite Korean clothing brands. The designer, Lissa Koo, never plays it safe - as do I - on top of her talent and creativity. And I think playing it safe in life isn't the best approach either. You've got to be a little reckless and wild to be free. Because it will open you up to so many amazing things! So I say run with those scissors from time to time. Just don't intentionally hurt anyone with them.

Do you ever feel like you've got those pair of scissors around you too? What do you do to get them to 'disappear' and have it more 'together'? Is there a way to do that with a fiery and passionate person like myself? Because I'm pretty difficult to tame... and who's to say frankness is such a terrible trait to have? I'm always saying, so long as you're not hurting yourself or others, I'm fine with it. So scissors, honesty, schmonesty - just don't be deliberate in causing pain. I'd love to hear your insights on today's topic! Comment down below and follow me on Instagram for more of my everyday life. See you guys back here on Friday!

LOVE & XX'S,

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Soft Toughness

March 14, 2016

WEARING: FOREVER 21 FAUX LEATHER BOMBER JACKET |
VINTAGE BLACK & WHITE FLORAL PRINT CHOKER BLOUSE |
J BRAND JEANS MID-RISE SKINNY BLACK | 
SEPCOEUR PARIS SUEDE DRAWSTRING BAG | VERSACE BY H&M GOLD FLOWER RING | 
GUESS CARRIE BLACK SATIN PUMPS

Spring has sprung - well, sort of. The funky, somewhere in between winter and spring weather has got me bundling up in layers one day, and then strippin' 'em off the next! So, in tune with this unsteady climate, I wanted to incorporate a big trend, and one of my all-time favorite ways to style, the soft and the toughness together. I always find the combination of soft, feminine pieces with hard rock -n- roll textures and shapes to be quite interesting. A superb example? Check out Chloé's SS16 runway show from PFW. Perfect representation of this.

For this look, I paired up a vintage choker blouse I've had in my closet for years with a high-ponytail. I curled my hair to give it extra bounce to bring out the dancing playfulness from the blouse. To enhance the feminine pieces, I added a bangle from Express, vintage earrings, and a gold flower ring from Versace by H & M (on top with my engagement ring and wedding band). I also kept my makeup light and fresh to stay with the romantic yet free-spirited feel of the entire outfit.

As for the toughness, I had to go with my favorite faux leather bomber jacket from Forever 21. I don't shop as much there now that I'm getting older, but I still hold a few pieces, near and dear to me, through the years. They do have some decent stuff! More black on black means my go-to J Brand skinny jeans with my wedding shoes! Yes, you read that correct! I know some women solely pick out their dream shoes for when they get married only to wear it once. And that's totally cool! But I'm sentimental and I like to wear things that remind me of who I am and where I started from. You see that red Fender guitar pick on the sole of one of my Guess pumps? It belonged to my father. Since he could not be at our wedding because of his passing, I, of course, had to carry something that I knew was very important to him. And that was his guitar playing every day. When I wear these shoes, I feel like I'm marching on to the beat of his drum - or rather, his music. He always used to say, "keep on keeping on". 🎶

Lastly, I want to tell you about an amazing not-for-profit organization I will be collaborating with, that's paving their way in helping everyone have access to healthcare! How can you help pay for the trips of volunteer nurses IN FULL to impoverished countries around the world and at the same time not feel guilty about owning a designer handbag? By re-selling your donated purses to Purses for Nurses! It's that simple! You can either donate your purses OR you can purchase a gorgeous designer purse and all proceeds go to aiding in better healthcare to all. The Sep Coeur Paris drawstring bag from this look is from them! They've got Coach, Dooney & Bourke, Burberry, Gucci, Kate Spade and more! Please go check them out here now!

Coming up this week on the blog, a full recipe post on those sesame broccoli bites AND another post on my very first Korean-inspired cocktail recipe! Stay tuned... you'll definitely won't want to miss out on these! 😊❤️

Photos by Gilles Decamps