Lilac is the New Neutral

April 10, 2019

WEARING: LILAC TRENCH | SILK BLOUSE | JEANS | TWO-TONE SANDALS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY NATURALIZER BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

If there’s one color during spring that I can never say no to, it’s the beautiful lilac shade. It’s light and strong, pure and elegant, but playful and intriguing. This color has really been making a scene, especially since last spring season in ‘18 - so much so, that’s it’s become an acceptable color for all seasons. There are several color schemes/combinations to work with lilac, and in today’s post, I’m keeping it very casual with a pop of extra color in the footwear. Continue reading to see and find where you can shop these pieces online!

#TodayWeWill share our stories - to remember and enjoy, as we should every day. 💜🌸✨ My mother always had difficulty finding a shoe brand that carried her size (she was a US 4.5!) I too, have trouble, like mother, like daughter, when it comes to footwear; we’re both very petite. Naturalizer was one of the first shoe brands that my mother loved and wore, since they were one of the first brands to have her size. Now, here I am following her footsteps in comfort & style. These two-toned ankle strap sandals are only $90 and come in a variety of colors! I think my 엄마 would’ve chose white or a lovely shade of pink for spring.

This stretch silk charmeuse blouse features a hand drawn artisanal floral print for feminine style and charm. Side slits allow for flexible movement throughout your day. That’s why I love wearing it with a pair of trousers, or in this case, a pair of jeans. I’m such a denim-loving gal, literally cannot live without jeans! I loosely tucked in the silk blouse to give it a more casual vibe with the trench. Unfortunately the lilac trench I have on is sold out in the US and Japan, so I’ve linked very similar lilac trench coats above, in the beginning of this post.

The jeans I have on are also sold out, but I’ve linked a very similar pair from the same brand. They’re the perfect boyfriend jeans. I really love any style when it comes to jeans, but a frayed or distressed hem really gets me going, I always think it brings a bit more edge to a casual look. What do you think? This look could be styled with a skirt or trousers as well. I’d probably go with black to keep is less busy since the blouse is great on its own with no other prints.

Stay tuned for Friday’s post where I’ll be styling an iconic accessory in five different ways. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time, so it is a special kind of post. I hope you’ll enjoy it along with today’s post! As always, shop at the top, middle and end of each outfit post with direct links, with the exception of the trench today as I have said the one I’m wearing is sold out. Thanks for stopping by, I’ll see you guys soon!

LOVE & XX’S,

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Baby Blue Spring Outfit

April 8, 2019

WEARING: BABY BLUE SET | WHITE TUNIC | BLUE BAG | BLUE SHOES

Happy Monday! Spring has sprung! The cherry blossoms are blossoming and the weather is finally sticking to warmer temps. Easter Sunday is right around the corner, in a couple of weeks to be exact, and for those that are celebrating, how do you like to wear your Sunday’s best? And even if you’re not celebrating, this is an outfit for spring! All about baby blue and a bit of princess/folk vibes (what can I say, I’m a bit too excited for GoT - Game of Thrones) continue reading to get more info on where to shop this springy look on top of seeing the complete shoot! Wishing you all a wonderful week!

The baby blue crop top and wide leg trouser is essential for your summer wardrobe. Featuring a blue crepe material, a bandeau neckline and a tie front detail. However, since I layered it for spring, I opted to tie the front detail in the back to create a stronger silhouette with the white. I love palazzo/wide leg pants for the spring/summer season as they can easily look like a dress depending on movement and how you’re positioned. It gives it a lovely flowing quality with the color alone, as it’s one of my favorite pastel colors of all time. Style this set with some sandals for a cute summer look!

The Aria Toe Strap Heel Mule In Light Blue Faux Leather is perfect for the season. I kept it monochrome and chose the same colored accessories in today’s post, such as the sandals as well as my handbag. Aside from the tunic not being in the same color family, my hair accessories were also not baby blue. I went with silver, as I found this to complement with the pastel well. Gold would may have been too much.

The white top is not even a top or a blouse! It’s actually a tunic dress from last summer, but the material is paper thin, so I was easily able to layer it together perfectly. Early spring weather tends to be tricky - one day it’s above temperature and the next freezing (even though it looks so beautiful outside), so I tend to layer a ton before it really starts to warm up. How do you like the layering technique? I’ve linked the most similar tunic from the same brand as the one I’m wearing is from last season and is no longer available online.

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope your week is off to a great start and that you’ve been enjoying the spring season as much as I have! Stay tuned for more spring outfits, but I’ll be doing a couple of posts where I’ll be styling a piece in several different ways. Can’t wait to share! Feel free to drop me a line down in the comment section below. Direct links to the pieces from this look, as always in all of my outfit posts, are listed at the beginning and end of the post, with links within the text as well. :) Have a good one!

LOVE & XX’S,

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Only in Dreams

April 1, 2019

WEARING: FLORAL MAXI DRESS

It’s that time of year where every woman should have certain staple pieces in their closet. For me, I think a lovely floral print dress suitable for many occasions but also not too pricey, is definitely up there on my spring wardrobe list. And I’ve found one that’s less than $70 and looks way more of high-quality than what the price tag says! You can wear it with sneakers, sandals, and for every day or to a wedding, it’s really a wonderful piece to have. Continue reading to find out where from and how you can get your hands on it, today!

The flower obsession continues with this dreamy fit-and-flare dress designed with a sultry yet demure V-neckline, lace trim and a soft floral print. The button down closure with bubble sleeves brings on an extra sense of elegance, making this dress quite appropriate to Sunday church, Easter, weddings, and more! It’s great alone, but also pairs well with a denim jacket or nicely colored pea coat or trench. I wore it alone so you guys can really see this gem of a dress and its details.

Aside from the beautiful, bright colors, excellent finishes, and buttons, there is also a sash that comes with the dress. You can tie it around the waist or even in your hair, making it a little more boho with the feminine piece. I styled the dress keeping it very simple with just a pair of earrings. But you can accessorize it with more dainty jewelry, like layered necklaces or multiple earrings/cuffs. How would you style this gorgeous floral maxi dress?

I would have loved to have styled this out in the country, in some open field, like a princess out roaming the prairie, but I chose to shoot it in the city with only two things: a white sheet and basket to give it a more peasant kind of vibe. Like a girl just airing out the fresh laundry, if you will. I’m always trying to come up with more creative shots, as of late and I hope you too are enjoying the process! We’ve got a few things in the works and cannot wait to get it online! Stay tuned.

Hope you enjoyed today’s outfit post! It’s much more simplified than usual, where I normally link 5-6 different items, but this floral dress speaks for itself. Coming up on the blog this week, more spring looks as well as my March beauty favorites! From my new favorite perfume to the latest in skincare and makeup, it’s all coming on the blog this week! Wishing you a wonderful Monday, friends! Don’t forget to shop this dress in the links from this post. xx

LOVE & XX’S,

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My 10 Favorite Elton John Songs

March 28, 2019

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SNIDEL & BEATRICE B ITALIA, BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Last month as a very late Valentine’s Day present (since I was away in London for Fashion Week), my husband fulfilled one of my lifelong dreams: to see Elton John live in concert playing some of my all-time favorite songs. Needless to say, he played everyone of my favorites except for one, but something tells me that I’ll be able to gone on without it like that ;) It really was everything and more, nothing really compares to his magnetism on stage. Why do I love this artist so much? Well, what’s central to the brilliance of Elton John’s art are the contradictions within the man. (We also almost have the same birthday, mine’s the 24th of March and his the day after.) He can kill you with the beauty of a tender ballad, then switch over with an intense blast of filthy rock and roll. He can dedicate decades of work to defeating AIDS, then engage in a public catfights with other celebrities through the gossip columns. So without further ado, here are (in no particular order) my top 10 favorite Elton John songs!

1. THE BITCH IS BACK!

One of Elton John's best hard rock cuts, this song was banned on several radio stations, in the United States and elsewhere, due to the use of the word "bitch". “The Bitch Is Back” is a rousing rocker from John that doesn’t pull any punches with its feisty lyrics. The high-energy horns, female backup vocals and the clanging guitars are some of the best parts of the song. “The Bitch Is Back” (also from Caribou) was banned by some U.S. radio stations, but that didn’t stop the song from becoming a No. 4 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

2. CROCODILE ROCK

Sometimes it’s an artist’s slightest work that maintains the greatest staying power. Which is not to say "Crocodile Rock" isn’t a terrific tune; just that its aspirations are small. It’s a song from the '70s that’s a pastiche and homage to all the '50s rock, pop, and doo wop that Elton John and his peers grew up on. From that perspective, it’s a rung or two above Sha Na Na. Here the devil’s in the details, like the whirligig organ that floats above Elton’s central piano riff, or the ascending guitar lines that underpin the chorus. Roger Ebert said that great parody becomes that which it parodies, which is a high-falutin’ way of saying that on 'Crocodile Rock,' Elton didn’t just imitate his idols; he equaled them.

3. I’M STILL STANDING

Although it’s not quite fair, the eighties seem to be regarded as a “lost decade” for Elton John, at least when it comes to critical appreciation. Outside of his 1989 Sleeping With The Past album (the first produced after his recovery from drug addiction) and 1983’s Too Low For Zero, the decade yielded plenty of hits for Elton, but few of them memorable. (The less said about "Wrap Her Up," his campy duet with George Michael, the better.) Too Low, yielded our No. 9 Elton John song selection and this propulsive rocker, a staple of Elton’s live shows and another iconic song that has come to define the singer’s public persona. Weaving effortlessly between genres, "I’m Still Standing" is somehow both a full-out rocker and completely danceable, the wailing electric guitar and searing synth meshing with a bouncing bass line that’s almost disco-esque.

4. TINY DANCER

It may have been immortalized by writer/director Cameron Crowe in Almost Famous, but for Elton John fans, "Tiny Dancer" has always been an undisputed classic. It starts with that simple, beautiful opening piano riff, like the tinkling tune of a music box, and builds effortlessly into a full, warm sound – a chorus of voices, a relaxed acoustic guitar, Elton’s piano weaving its way around every note. Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics for his girlfriend at the time, and surely her face is lost to the mists of history; it’s the unforgettable images in his words, her dancing in the sand and those Jesus freaks "handing tickets out for God" that will endure.

5. GOODBYE, YELLOW BRICK ROAD

You could write an entire separate piece ranking Elton John’s '70s albums, but one looms large above the others, if only by size and the weight of its many iconic songs: "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." If Elton John and Bernie Taupin have created a magnum opus, this may very well be it. While Elton and his band hopscotch through the entire history of American popular music, Bernie crafts evocative words that look ever backward with nostalgia, wit, and occasional anger. This title cut captures those themes perfectly with the tale of a green young farmboy who finds himself trapped in the orbit of a world weary, powerful figure. There’s something almost Spector-esque about the sound Elton and his band achieve on this track, adding an extra halo of wistful yearning to the song.

6. YOUR SONG

“Your Song” (from John’s 1970 self-titled second album) was his first breakthrough hit around the world, reaching No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Your Song” is a simple, beautiful ballad that can apply to all kinds of love. It’s no wonder that it’s still one of the most-covered Elton John songs of all-time. And yes, I get teary-eyed every time I listen to it! A true gem.

7. ROCKETMAN

Harry Nilsson did it with "Spaceman," David Bowie did it with "Space Oddity," and Elton John did it with "Rocket Man." Each song as about the new-at-the-time phenomenon of men actually climbing aboard giant machines and soaring upward beyond the veil. But while the other songs zero in on the strangeness of space travel, only Elton John and Bernie Taupin manage to capture the underlying sadness of drifting alone above Earth, so far from family and friends, looking back at a massive turquoise orb that just grows smaller as you float away. It’s that emotional undercurrent, that human element, that Elton and Bernie so often discover, and that makes their greatest songs so great.

8. DON’T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME

It's mushy and a little maudlin -- but it's great, too, a dynamic gem that unfolds and builds to epic, horn-drenched proportions over its five and a half minutes. And it's hard to beat a backing vocal choir that includes Beach Boys Carl Wilson and Bruce Johnston, Toni Tennille and Billy Hinsche.

9. I GUESS THAT’S WHY THEY CALL IT THE BLUES

Featuring guest harmonica from Stevie Wonder, "I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues" finds Elton John delivering a warm slice of '80s mid-tempo pop, aided and abetted by his own down and dirty piano skills. The man’s one of music’s greatest balladeers, but this is something different; this may be the closest he’s ever come to the straightforward soul music that’s one of his many influences.

10. I DON’T WANNA GO ON WITH YOU LIKE THAT

The lead single from 1988's Reg Strikes Back is taut, spare and propulsive, with some of the most inspired piano playing we'd heard from John in quite some time. The song describes someone ending a relationship due to not feeling exclusive and important to their partner. The song was regularly played by John in concert during the 1990s, before he retired it in 2000… which is why this is the only song I did not hear play at his concert! A great break-up song, all about remaining strong!

LOVE & XX’S,

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Babushka Chic

March 27, 2019

The word, ‘babushka’, has its origins in Russian and means, ‘grandmother’. It also makes reference to the manner in which ladies in Russian, use this type of scarf, covering the head and knotting it under the chin. The last reference was taken to name the famous, ‘Lady Babushka’ who was suspect of recording the Kennedy assassination while wearing this garment. A trend that has come and gone, from Audrey Hepburn to the film, ‘Thelma & Louise’, to the Queen of England and even A.S.A.P Rocky, the rapper, has kept this style alive, even breaking boundaries which is something I definitely enjoy doing. And I really wanted to style this in a great setting instead of the usual street style photos we sometimes take. So continue reading to see the complete shoot along with where to shop the pieces in this look today!

I love a good rib-knit dress in a cotton blend. This one is great for spring. Small stand-up collar, short sleeves, and slits at sides, it’s movable and very comfortable. Since the the weather is not quite springlike here in New York yet, I layered the dress with a faux fur coat with contrasted cuffs to bring out a more Russian-feel to the look. I even wore sheer nude tights to also keep with the overall mood of this outfit. I also mixed with the stripe print with an animal one, as snake print anything is super hot in trends at the moment. Don’t worry, they’ll still be around this coming fall/winter as well.

These snake print booties are awfully comfortable too! Super sleek pointed ankle boots featuring exposed zip and sock style fit, you would think 4.5” in terms of heel height would be too much on the feet, but they’re so well-fitted, like a glove, makes it easy to walk around in. I wouldn’t say this if you’re on your feet all day, but for an afternoon or evening will do just fine. I like my shoes to be practical.

So I’ve mixed in animal print with stripes. You’d think I’d stop there, right? Nah. I love playing up on the beauty of print and patterns. There’s something about pushing boundaries like I mentioned earlier in today’s post, I find that when you do, in terms of fashion & style, you can really find out if these rule-breakers work or not. I wore a blue and white floral scarf around my head, a standard must in a babushka chic outfit. :) This scarf in the post is not intended to be a headscarf and is no longer in stock so I linked a very similar one that can definitely be intended for a headscarf/headwrap.

Other accessories featured in today’s look are a luxe burgundy crossbody bag and gold statement earrings. I hope you enjoyed this more stylized editorial shoot! I am working on doing more of this kind of content, but it takes more time, therefore, a longer waiting period. What did you like the most about this babushka chic look? The headscarf? Coat? Perhaps, you’re wanting to see a trend/concept on MaQ + Suz that you haven’t seen and would like to? Drop your messages down in the comment section below!