Actress Gabrielle Union has over 90 acting credits to her name & ever since her breakout roles in 90s-00s teen comedies, she’s getting better with age, like the finest of wines. Today marks her 50th birthday & she continues to slay on the red carpet, whether she’s showing skin, wearing bold hues, playing with texture, or suiting up. It’s no wonder since she’s been a designer & collaborator with New York & Company for years now!
Check out the images below for the very best of Gabrielle’s fashion history:
America’s sweetheart, Julia Roberts, turns 55 today & there’s no doubt about her style on the red carpet, especially her classic penchant for black menswear separates, dresses, & gowns. Take a look at the gallery below for some of her most fashionable looks through the years:
What do you think of Julia’s style? What is your favorite movie of hers? What’s your take on her menswear inspiration?
I’m a little sweater obsessed this time of year, though I wish it was consistently cool enough to wear one—at least here on Long Island. As I seek out different color combinations, sleeve lengths, & textures, I always have versatility on my mind, especially if a piece can be worn during the fall-to-winter transition & shift then to spring.
I love the sleeves on this top, which can be worn over a long sleeve turtleneck & with dark denim jeans or even with a pencil skirt & ankle boots. The top offers more possibilities when layered with a button down or matched up with leggings.
I hit up Old Navy last season BIG TIME for their velvet leggings, which will surely be a well-calculated investment on my part for this season, especially on cooler days & when I’m all about the leggings. In fact, a stylish look shouldn’t be uncomfortable or restricting, which is why I love how leggings have evolved & become more & more elevated in different materials. My go-to come winter time, no matter what my size is, is a tunic sweater & leggings… & why not velour leggings too? Also, I love Old Navy’s inclusivity (online, at least) in size availability for basics, such as velour leggings.
Most of my loungewear pieces are fuss-free. I don’t want to zip, tie, cinch, or button anything on me, so the details are pretty minimal; however, when it comes to adding a feminine embellishment to a top or sweater for cooler days, I’m on board! Of course, the whole point of a sweatshirt is to be cozy & covered up, but the trend of adding ruffles & lace or panels to a sweatshirt makes my heart happy & creates opportunity for a fashionable work from home look too.
While there’s a wide size range, I’d love to see this top in rich, jewel tones, such as hunter or violet, or bright colors, like red, magenta, & aqua. I’ve ordered it in black, hoping to pair it with velvet leggings & a statement necklace for a stylish luncheon with my gal pals or a casual Friday at work. However, you can never really go wrong with Time & Tru’s selection!
As the weather gets cooler & the layers start layering, I love a velvety texture to add a luxurious, fancier vibe to my look, whether it’s for the office / classroom, a weekend event, or night out with the girls if my husband. Last year, I was all about the velvet pants & leggings & now I’ve got my sights set on a velvet tops! For example:
SHOP:velvet puff sleeve top in black, bold Bordeaux, & deep spruce green @LOFT (final sale: $29.88 + extra 40% off for StyleREWARDS, limited availability in sizes XXS-XXL).
After I added each of these to my cart, I was floored to see their final price was $17.93! I can’t wait to pair these with a lace pencil or pleated midi skirt & a cardigan for work, jacquard or plaid pants a holiday party, dark denim jeans for a family gathering, or dressy palazzo pants for a special occasion. Not to mention that the jewel tones hues would really enrich an antique gold statement necklace with lots of bling or a more delicate pewter pendant too.
I’ve had my eye on different plaid pieces this season, loving any & everything with a green base—it is my favorite color! Plaid is fun for pumpkin picking, family gatherings, & can even styled for the work environment. Case in point:
This can styled with a great many options, including a turtleneck or button down with a statement necklace, a pullover sweater or v-neck blouse & drop earrings, a graphic tee with ankle boots & a denim jacket, or a belted tunic & knee boots. the plaid will pop against emerald green, navy, royal, or even mustard separates, especially if you want to get bold with your interpretation of it.
The very controversial 5th season of Netflix’s original dramatization if the royal family, The Crown, continues to make headlines as the trailer has finally been released.
The highly anticipated season premiere will stream on November 9th, featuring Elizabeth Debicki as the ill-fated Princess Diana, a role that previously earned Emma Corrin a Golden Globe. Also, Imelda Staunton portrays The Queen, Jonathan Pryce is Prince Phillip, Dominic West is Prince Charles, Lesley Manville is Princess Margaret (filling the glamorous heels of Vanessa Kirby & Helena Bonham Carter), Olivia Williams is Camilla Parker-Bowles, Claudia Harrison is Princess Anne, & Johnny Lee Miller is Prime Minister John Major.
Additionally, the 90s setting will also put Princes William & Harry in the spotlight. It’s even been announced that the role of Kate Middleton has been cast.
This summer, one of the most popular trends was a matching top & shorts or top & pants set, which has seeped into fall fashion with most layering & styling options. As we’re bundling up & getting cozy, the line between workwear & loungewear is blurring, especially if you’re lucky enough to work from home. New York & Company is on board with this trend with their ribbed pieces in charcoal heather grey, lake blue, ravishing red, & tortoise, in 4 different pieces that can be worn as a whole monochromatic outfit, swapping out the tank for the pullover, or combined with other printed or neutral pieces.
Imagine the top with a lace cami & windowpane trousers or wide leg dark wash jeans. Also, the tank & duster with a pencil skirt or faux leather leggings. Lastly, the joggers & duster would work with a half-tucked button down shirt. Try any of these options with ballet flats, ankle boots, stilettos, or tennis shoes for an on-trend day of athleisure style!
I’m starting to feel that chill in the air & I’m getting major cozy style vibes from it. When I have down time or work from home days, I’m all about comfy tops with leggings, but I do love the possibilities of dressing up casual pieces when needed.
SHOP:Time & Tru cowl neck waffle tunic in black soot, light grey heather, teal star, brilliant red, green chili, & dark raspberry @Walmart ($14.98, available in sizes XS-XXXL).
I love the idea of styling this for a sporty or outdoors occasion with a puffer vest & cargo joggers or a long necklace & printed leggings with riding boots. This could even work with a midi skirt & ankle boots or skinny jeans & studded heels.
With over 40 acting credits to her name, plus an Academy Award & BAFTA nomination, Felicity Jones is a style star on the rise, especially as she steadily presents a likable, force on screen with every role she steps into, such as Jane Hawking in The Theory of Everything, Ruth Bader Ginsburg in On The Basis of Sex, or Jyn Erso in Rogue One, The actress turns 39 today & while taking a look back at her red carpet style, including owns, suits, & short dresses, I’m drawn to subtle details in Felicity’s looks, such as a chunky bang, embroidery, embellishment, belts, or a metallic accent. Take a look at the gallery below for Felicity’s classic style with a twist:
I can’t wait for these to go down in price a little bit more before adding them to my well-stocked & already leopard-spotted cart. I love leopard all year long, & the bow detail on these just cries out for a little black dress, cream sweater with a burgundy pencil skirt, or magenta blouse & straight leg trousers!
When it comes to nail polish, I’m pretty committed to metal hues on the regular, such as rose gold, copper, gold, silver, & bronze; however, I do love a metallic finish for other colors, such as purple, blue, green, pink, black, & white. Just in time for the spooky Halloween season, Netflix’s The School for Good & Evil has inspired Sally Hansen’s new line of beautiful miracle gel nail polishes.
The film, streaming on October 21st, features an all-star cast that includes, High School Musical: The Series star Sofia Wylie and newcomer Sophia Anne Caruso, along with Cate Blanchett, Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, Michelle Yeoh, Laurence Fishburne, Patti Lupone, Rachel Bloom, & more!
Catch the trailers below & get inspired to add some drama & sparkle to not only your wardrobe, but your nail arsenal too:
All year long, I keep my short sleeve & sleeveless tops & camis handy so that I can break them out when needed. These instances may be to pair with a heavy, printed, or embellished cardigan,, along with trousers, a pencil skirt, a midi skirt, or skinny jeans. A cami doesn’t have to be boring, though a classic white cotton one is a staple investment for sweater season. However, a cami with shine? Oh yes!
I love the possibilities of this for fall looks, coordinating the black sequin top with burgundy velvet pants & a mustard cardigan, as well as the copper with some leopard print & gold accessories. Both options are also prime for the upcoming holiday season too!
Each fall, I’m more & more impressed by the affordable & stylish items from Time & Tru @Walmart, especially as each season, they reinvent staple must-haves that prove to be best sellers. This includes a cozy non-sweater top that looks like a sweater.
SHOP:Time & Tru hacci top in teal star, black soot, dark raspberry, green chili / black, winter white, leopard, moonbeam, or papyrus beige @Walmart ($10, available in sizes S-XXXL).
I became a fan of this top during the height of the pandemic, desiring something fashionable enough for a statement necklace during a Zoom meeting, but realistic to wear with leggings when the virtual work day ended. In both real life & through a screen, these tops are sweater-like, but can be paired with trousers & ankle boots or pointe pants & ballet flats, aside from the comfortable leggings or lounge pants for days off with the family.
I’ve been spotting the chain link trend all over, which took a while for me to warm up to, but now, I’m all about it! I can’t wear chain link on chain link, but I like the subtle nod to edgy street style, mixed with luxury in bright gold & silver tones & jeweled embellishments.
I’ve purchased both metals & love to wear them for work, a lunch with girl friends, or on date night, depending on the metal I’m most dominantly wearing with my outfit. The bracelets are a good, heavy weight, feeling like they won’t break if knocked into a desk, for example. The gemstones are very sparkly & add just enough shine for any look. See how they look with my recent outfits:
There are some accessories or around-the-house pieces I was always rely on until I just can’t wear them anymore. That definitely applies to slippers. In our high ranch house, since we live most of the time upstairs, I keep a pair in the bedroom for early, chilly mornings & when getting ready for bed. Likewise, I have another pair in my cloffice downstairs for work-from-home days & playing with my daughter in our family room. This is convenient, so that no matter where I am, I have slippers to stay cozy.
However, now that Target has a major 40% off deal happening right now on slippers, I might just have to freshen up my options, especially for post-shower primping when I don’t necessarily want my feet to be all covered up.
I don’t wear much in the way of literal festive jewelry, save some snowflake, gift bow, or bunny earrings, but in recent years, I’ve been including my four-year-old in my style journey. I love her input on accessories & appealing to her festive interests for any season or holiday. This fall & Halloween, while I haven’t yet invested in any spooky sparkles, I have my eye on the gorgeously glittery pieces from SUGARFIX by BaubleBar @Target:
One of the great things about the start of fall is embracing the warmer, richer hues of olive, burgundy, rust, & brown; however, on days when the sun is still shining & heavy sweaters or plaids are too much, I love a bright color & some short sleeves. Anyone who knows me knows I run warm all the time, so I’ll often wear short sleeves well into the fall months. Also, if I can get that with a peplum, we’re in business!
I love the shape of a peplum, so flattering! I have the deep purple & black, & I love pairing it with printer bottoms, like trousers, ankle pants, or pencil skirts. The v-neckline is my favorite ad I returned the higher scoop neck top in polka dots, but the shirt serves as a feminine base under a statement necklace for a special occasion or holiday gathering. In fact, I just ordered the cobalt & burgundy styles of this top!
As fall rolls in, we’re not only getting obsessed with layers, but also textures, especially in footwear! Specifically, velvet is a great fabric for virtually any article of clothing or accessory, but on a shoe, an outfit becomes elevated with a more luxe sophistication & festive fashionability. Last fall, I went crazy buying up all the velvet leggings I could in every rich, jewel tone hue & now I’ve got my eye on velvet flats.
These will be a perfect work staple to contrast a neutral-heavy look in earth tones & dark denim, but also with other luxurious patterns of the season, such as plaid, floral, abstracts, & brocade! my only wishes are for availability in wide width, a pointy toe as opposed to an almond toe, & other colors, such as navy or purple.
Now that fall is here & in full swing, it’s time to start thinking about layering pieces for work & weekend! My go-to layering topper for all season is a cardigan. Of course, I love patterns & jeweled embellishments on cardigans, but a solid in any color sparks joy when paired with a printed top & neutral pants, a basic shirt & printed bottoms, or a bold colorblock dress. Whether you’re shopping for fall must-haves or a staple set of cardigans for all year long, Amazon has just the pick for you:
I love the hunter green, which I’ve ordered & have planned for my wardrobe rotation this week, but I already have my eye on the cobalt, navy, ultra violet, & lime styles too! not to mention, this sweater has over 4,800 ratings with 4.5/5 stars.
The talk of the town is Blonde, starring Ana de Armas & directed by Andrew Dominik. While there’s so much style to write about outside of this film & despite the controversy surrounding the film’s NC-17-rated scenes, I’m a little obsessed with it.
Ana’s performance is immaculate & most critics agreed that she is luminous. Recently, the actress shared her experience preparing for the role, as well as the famed “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” dance number from Marilyn Monroe’s 1953 smash hit Gentleman Prefer Blondes.
View the video below, along with Ana’s version for Blonde & the original performance that’s been copied by so many movies, television shows, music videos, & other performances in recent decades.
For this post, I’m putting on my academician & literati hat…
I read Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates in 2010, out of my urgent love for Oates’ chilling writing & adoration of Marilyn Monroe as a fashion icon & screen legend. Knowing that the book was, in fact, marketed & labeled as a fictional biography, I voluntarily stepped into Oates’ well-researched & mystifying gaze upon Monroe’s troubled & glitzy life. By the time I finished the book, my heart sunk deeply into a place of grief for another version of the life of Hollywood’s most iconic of bombshells, ending in solemn tragedy, the same feeling I recognized from HBO’s Norma Jean & Marilyn (1996) & then later with My Week with Marilyn (2011), as well as Netflix’s documentary The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes (2022), HBO’s documentary Love, Marilyn (2012), & Lifetime’s The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe (2015).
No matter the avenue by which a viewer enters the memory of Monroe, the outcome is always the same; at first, I suspected that Oates’ Blonde offered a revisionist hope, but by the end, that remains unattained because Monroe does die & never gets her glorious victory. That’s a blunt reality that can’t be changed, even if the fictional road to her demise is illustrated with fearless creative license.
However, not long after completing Oates’ novel, I started freelancing for Movie Buzzers, & the one bit of film news to have followed me from that era of my life has finally come to fruition with director Andrew Dominik’s interpretation of Oates’ heralded fiction, which has come under fire with deeply scathing criticism, after its long-awaited premiere.
Having read the book & nearly every major review of the controversial film, I stand firm in stating that Dominik serves Oates well. That’s not to say that the film is perfect, but it’s a loyal depiction of another artist’s depiction, & yes, these are depictions of a real woman—one who is still very much relevant at the forefront of the media 60 years after her death. These days, headlines about Monroe are less about her films & more about her experiences through the lens of the media & paparazzi. No matter the screen size, big or small, Monroe’s legacy is fraught with exploitation. Dominik serves one more example, albeit an explicit & unapologetic vision, that won’t victimize her more than she already was, especially as unauthorized biopics & mini series about other celebrities—who are still alive & vocal about their disapproval for such interpretations—are made by those with enough money to not care, consumed by the public, & awarded by the industry (see: Pam & Tommy).
The NC-17 rating for Blonde is a justified warning the audience chooses to join when streaming the film on Netflix; therefore, they should expect the unexpected. The sex is graphic. The nudity is excessive. The abuse is gutting. The fetuses—yes, plural—are unnecessary, but overall, vehicles that reinforce the myth of who the woman underneath the platinum persona was. Marilyn Monroe is a myth that killed Norma Jean Baker—that is Dominik & Oates’ story.
In addition, Ana de Armas, recognizable accent & all, is mesmerizing, even in tears, on a stage, when victimized, opposite her lovers, when nude, in a drug-induced hysteria, & when joyous. de Armas embodies Oates’ Monroe, spitting out every ugly side of a male-dominated, vicious Hollywood back at the audience. Moreover, de Armas conquers the demands of the role, sure to garner her an Oscar nomination.
The shifts from color to black & white are confusing, but it’s wiser to go with it than question it, in order to immerse the audience in the imagery that made Monroe sparkle & dimmed her at the same time.
The costumes, hair, & makeup are identical & uncanny to Monroe’s most gorgeous, provocative, & vulnerable moments captured on film & through photographs.
Ultimately, if your hope is to enjoy Blonde, do your research first to not only understand the source material, but the context in which Monroe lived. Do I recommend this film? Not to every one. However, there are far more shocking & formulaic forms of entertainment about fantastical lands with their own crude, misogynistic mythologies that the masses flock to. If you appreciate cinematic artistry that pushes boundaries, watch Blonde. If everything you’ve heard about it makes you pause, move on.
Also, read Oates’ short story “Three Girls” to see how the author focuses on Monroe in a shorter, more validating & charming fictional work that I’d love to see find its way to the big screen.
View the trailer & other videos about Blonde below. Happy Styling!
Throughout the pandemic, I’ve not only reevaluated my wardrobe needs, but also embraced the possibilities of loungewear. Now, I appreciate matching separates for not only their colors & textures, but also for the ease of the preassembled outfit for cozy indoor days. Even though my collection of about 6 2-piece matching pjs are more than enough, I still have my eye out for newer styles, especially in the hopes of wearing them on chilly rainy fall days ahead!
I’m loving these cooler days & chillier nights so that I can rediscover my cozier clothes, like reconnecting with old friends. I will miss the stylish ease of my maxi dresses, but fall can’t be denied. When it comes to dressing casually, but fashionably, I love a solid piece that can be coordinated with variety of separates for multiple occasions.
SHOP:bateau-neck banded top in wild berries, black, arctic blue, gentle mauve, & paper white @New York & Company (on sale: $16.00, available in sizes XS-XXL). This is a perfect match with printed leggings & a scarf, dark denim jeans & knee boots with a puffer vest, a sequin pencil skirt & drop earrings, or velvet pants & ballet flats with a statement necklace.
Truth be told, I bought all of the colors (except for the gentle mauve) with a birthday reward from New York & Company & I couldn’t happier with the decision. Though the poly-blend material needs a good steam before wearing right out of the package, this top is not only a staple for a casual Friday, but a mainstay in my weekly rotation with printed pants! My only wish is that there were other colors to choose from, like teal, olive, red, purple, or gray.
Style Darling Daily 