Tag Archives: style

Cover Craze: Jennifer Lawrence for Vogue’s September Issue!

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It’s that time of the summer when fall fashions are not just hitting stores, but also magazines too! September issues of fashion mags are perhaps the most highly acclaimed, ad-heavy, & competitive in capturing beautiful images of today’s most famous style icons. Vogue is celebrating their 125th anniversary as Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence graces the cover with photos from a slew of creative visionaries including artist John Currin, as well as photographers Annie Leibovitz, Inez & Vinoodh, & Bruce Weber.

Jennifer is clad is designer fashions & accessories including Miu Miu, Ralph Lauren Collection, Cathy Waterman, Tiffany & Co., Elsa Peretti, Dior, Eli Halili, Versace, & David Yurman.

During the interview, Jennifer discusses her love of reality television, the consequences of fame & judgment, as well as her upcoming projects. This includes her new film, Mother!, directed by Darren Aronofsky (& her current beau), as well as films working with Steven Spielberg & that rumored collaboration with Amy Schumer.

Which September issue are you most excited to see? Which stars are your favorites for magazine covers? Are you going to see her new film Mother!? Happy Styling!

Accessories Access: Big Bargain Baubles!

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Summer is typically the season of the big earring (for me) since I don’t love feeling heavy metals layered on my skin during a humid & sticky day. However, when I’m headed to work or for a special occasion with friends, knowing that I’ll be in air conditioning changes the way I think about my outfit & accessories. I’ve been spotting so many gorgeous statement & bib necklaces lately, each that are perfect for these last days of summer in fun pops of color & whimsical designs. Also, discounted prices play a big role in what I’m willing to invest in, especially as my accessories collection grows!

SHOP: hammered gold coin necklace @Francesca’s, black teardrop stone necklace @Target, poppy collar necklace @BaubleBar, & floral bib necklace @Charming Charlie.

Statement necklaces definitely do make a statement, which can be anything from elegance, confidence, & a chic sensibility. Even though they’re bold, statement necklaces work for outfits that include both patterns & solids, creating an interesting, layered look. Try one of these affordable options over a little black dress, printed maxi dress, blouse & jeans, or graphic tee & leather mini.

Do you like to wear statement necklaces? Which colors do you gravitate towards? What metals are your favorite to wear? How do you style bold accessories? Happy Styling!

SHOP NOW! Project Runway’s New Collection for JCPenney!

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Tonight marks the sixteenth season premiere of Lifetime’s Project Runway, the Emmy-winning series that showcases up-and-coming fashion designers who are challenged by time crunches & unconventional materials to create beautiful art. I’ve been watching the show since the very beginning, enthralled by the creative process & style inspiration. In celebration of the show’s newest season, JCPenney has debuted a new Project Runway Collection inspired by season 15 winner, Erin Robertson. The line features a fun & playful mix of separates & dresses in plaid scuba, yellow lace, & classic black lace to be mixed with street style favorites & elegant must-haves. The affordable & fashionable collection ranges in sizes XS-XXL & is priced between $24.99 (when on sale) – $44. Here are just a few of my top picks & I can’t wait to shop these pieces in stores, checking out their fit & the many ways to wear them with my current wardrobe staples.

SHOP: top, top, top, & top.

SHOP: top, skirt, & skirt.

If you haven’t already seen what’s to come on the newest season of Project Runway, check out the trailer below to get a first glance at the runway fashions & all the behind-the-runway drama!

Are you a fan of Project Runway? Are you excited about the newest season premiere? What fall trends are you loving? Where are you shopping for the newest fashions? Happy Styling!

SHOP NOW! Gabrielle Union’s Collection for New York & Company!

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The wave of celebrity fashion collaborations is still going strong & now that the best of fall fashion is hitting stores, there’s so much more glam on my style wish list, including pieces from Gabrielle Union’s collection for New York & Company.

The line is a blend of street style chic & high fashion with plenty of sleek dresses & modern separates that you can mix & match with your current favorite wardrobe staples. Shop the gorgeous & classic styles, ranging from size 0-20 & priced between $46.95 – $139.95, but if you sign up for store coupons, you can definitely get some great discounts on these must-have trends!

stitched sweater dress

long floral kimono

short kimono

long sleeve dress

fire sweater

v-neck sheath dress

Which looks are you most excited to shop? What do you think of the sleek collection? How much do you invest in celebrity / designer collaborations? What fall trends are you interested in this season? Happy Styling!

Show Me the Shoes: Pretty in Pink Flats!

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In its fairest shade, pink is a neutral, perfect for matching up with nearly any spring, summer, or fall outfit. I myself do love a rose gold flat with some black tights, if the look demands it, in the winter too! And why shouldn’t a blush shoe be a neutral? It works very well for the upcoming fall season as well with a slew of hues, including navy, chocolate, olive, charcoal, burgundy, cobalt, mustard, hunter green, & so many more!  

With all that build up, it’s no surprise that the pretty pink flats I’m featuring are not only pretty & pink, but also, they’re versatile considering their texture & design. I’ve never been a huge fan of the pink family, but over the years, my heart has started to skip a stylish beat when I see some rose gold jewelry. That’s extended into eyeshadow & accessories like shoes & belts too. However, for fall, take a look at these dressy, luxe, & feminine designs @Charlotte Russe to inspire a pop of pink where you might not have previously.

SHOP: rose gold ponty toe flats, ankle strap patent flats, ruffle velvet flats, & bowed d’Orasay flats @Charlotte Russe.

What’s your go-to shoe color? Do you wear dressy ballet flats? Where are you shopping for the trendiest footwear this season? How do you like to wear pink? Happy Styling!

Basics for a Bargain: A Ponte Double-Breasted Blazer, Inspired by Jennifer Lopez, Olivia Munn, & More!

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I have to say, I’m not much of a blazer gal. I have a few & sometimes break them out for pictures, but cardigans are usually more my style. I tend to find that the structure & ungiving material of most jackets creates an uncomfortable & heavy feel all day long. However, I’m starting to see a big trend with blazers for this fall, which has got me rethinking my blazer game. A double-breasted ponte blazer is clearly the way to go for all looks professional & street wear, as seen recently on stylish celebrities like singer Jennifer Lopez, actress Olivia Munn, model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, blogger Olivia Palermo, & America’s sweetheart herself, Jennifer Aniston.

Now you don’t have to spend the kind of money that these celebs do (on brands like Balmain) for a chic, all-purpose & neutral menswear-inspired piece. The double-breasted ponte blazer @dressbarn is not only a new fall arrival, but it is available for shoppers in misses, plus, & petites sizes, from S-3X.

The big gold button trend isn’t going anywhere either to help accentuate your fall style. I’m seeing it everywhere, on sailor trousers & skirts, to blouses & dresses too! This particular stretchy jacket is great to mix with your favorite denim bottoms, a sleek pencil skirt, or leggings to create a chic athleisure look.

What’s your blazer philosophy? Do you like ponte pieces for the fall? How would you style a double-breasted blazer? Which celebrities do you think have the best street style? Happy Styling!

Style Tip: One Skirt Worn Six Ways!

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I’m a big believer in getting the most use out of an item as I possibly can. That means that not only am I considering how many seasons I’m wearing something, but also how many different ways a piece can be worn. While I’m a sucker for black & white looks, I also love a colorful piece that way I can play up my neutral & bolder separates to give something new life.

For example, during a recent venture to Target, I perused through their clothing department, knowing that I couldn’t buy anything (budget, budget, budget), but since I’m always seeking inspiration, I excused the detour as necessary for my blog. My eye immediately spotted the Merona stripe pleated skirt, which is available in sizes XS-XXL, & its colorful stripe pattern made my head spin with styling possibilities for spring, summer, & fall. To get the most use out of wearing a garment like this (with tops tucked into the waist-cinching band, of course), here are just six stylish examples. Not to mention that you can layer sleeveless tops with pretty cardigans or neutral jackets (like khaki, denim, or olive camou) to offset the bold color palette.

SHOP: denim tank @GAP, green tank @Target, yellow flutter sleeve sweater @LOFT, navy cut-out tank @New York & Company, white studded tee @dressbarn (shop plus size here), & orange racer back tank @Old Navy. 

Because of the skirt’s delicate material & playful hues, I wouldn’t recommend it for winter, unless you live somewhere majestically sunny like southern California for those chillier months, perhaps with a ribbed turtleneck & cognac knee boots. Since I live on Long Island, I can’t fathom what it’s like to live somewhere without the extremes of both summer & winter.

However, the styling doesn’t end there, nor does the flair. The busy design & colors of the skirt shouldn’t hinder you from having fun with accessories either. Think of all the opportunities this skirt has to offer, as well as combinations of colors to wear when it comes to a statement necklace or dangly earrings.

SHOP: orange tortoiseshell earrings @Old Navy, yellow fringed hoop earrings @New York & Company, rose gold tassel earrings @H&M, blue lapis drop earrings @Charming Charlie, tribal woven choker @Forever 21, turquoise blossoms bib necklace @Charming Charlie, & howlite stone statement necklace @Francesca’s.

How would you style this skirt? What colors do you like to play with most in your wardrobe? Where are you shopping for the best deals on summer-to-fall transition pieces? Do you like to go bold with texture, pattern, & sparkle for your looks? Happy Styling!

Splurge or Save… on Lace Up Ballet Flats?

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This time of the summer is when retailers are rearing to go with the newest fall items for shoppers to clamor over. This includes trend items that might not stand the test of time, but there are definitely some worth seeking. For inspiration on the best of the newest arrivals for the next season, it’s easy to turn to luxury designers & brands. Those styles trickle down the price point pole & then look-alike items finally become affordable for a Style Darling on a budget.

One example is the lace-up ballet flat, a stylish option to help transition your wardrobe from summer to fall. The below styles range in prices from $685 (wowie!) to $24.99. These are examples of the next level of the ballet flat craze that’s obviously not going anywhere. What will designers think of next? A black ballet flat doesn’t have to be basic anymore, especially when styled with a little black dress or blouse & silk shorts ensemble.SHOP: 1. Gianvito Rossi flats @Neiman Marcus, 2. Sam Edelman flats @Bloomingdale’s, 3. MICHAEL Michael Kors flats @Macy’s, 4. lace-up flats @LOFT, & 5. SO flats @Kohl’s.

Which designers do you follow & invest in? What trends do you buy for less? Where are your favorite places to shop for shoes? What are you most looking forward to wearing for fall? Happy Styling!

Style Tip: No Ordinary Stripe Tops for Summer & Fall!

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Whenever I see a garment or item, the imaginative wardrobe archive in my mind starts churning out options of how to style it. I love considering how a statement necklace can be worn with both a dress and blouse, as well as how a jacket can transform other separates. It’s very rare that I invest in an item that I can only wear one way, although there are some outfits that I’ve repeated because it just feels perfect, which is usually the case, I find, with summer clothing.

I was immediately inspired by the jersey top with ruffles @H&M as soon as I saw it an email I recently received. I began to consider its styling possibilities. I love the subtle ruffle sleeve detail, which elevates it as a trend piece above other long sleeve tops. I was a little hesitant to share this one top specifically & singularly because it is only available in sizes XS – XL. I’ve been on a mission to blog about pieces that can reach readers of any size or shape, which is why I set out to find another trendy red & white striped top for plus size shoppers too. That’s how I found the Belle + Sky off the shoulder top @JCPenney, another unique & fashionable shirt that’s a step above the ordinary stripe tee & can transform your summer style.

However, when looking at clothes, I also like to consider how many seasons a piece is relevant for, which is why I’m styling both tops with affordable options for the summer (because there is still plenty of the season left to enjoy!) and fall (an exciting time to play with texture).

SHOP SUMMER: zipper skirt @H&M, sandal flats @Payless, grape pom pom tote @Forever 21, palm tree earrings @Charming Charlie, & hammered gold necklace @Charming Charlie. SHOP FALL: ankle jeans @dressbarn, suede d’Orsay flats @Nine West, utility vest @Target, triangle studs @Charming Charlie, & satchel @Charming Charlie.

Stripes should never be feared by any shopper, especially when an off the shoulder trendy top is both flattering and versatile when headed to a night on the boardwalk or with a fall business casual ensemble.

SHOP SUMMER: shorts @Old Navy, wedges @Francesca’s, heart clutch @Express, necklace @Express, & charm bracelet @Forever 21. SHOP FALL: pixie pants @Old Navy, denim jacket @Lane Bryant, satchel @dressbarn, BCBGeneration heels @DSW, LC Lauren Conrad stud earrings @Kohl’s, & @LC Lauren Conrad layered pendant necklace @Kohl’s.

What items do you carryover from season to season? Where do you like to shop for trendy tops? What’s your philosophy on rewearing pieces in new ways? Do you like preppy & classic red & white stripes? For more fashionable posts, check out Charming Charlie’s pretty $5 stud earrings, Rachel Bilson’s Old Navy denim inspiration, cute olive pieces to transition from summer to fall, & the only navy heels you’ll ever need. Happy Styling!

SHOP NOW! The Prettiest Stud Earrings for $5!

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I. Love. Jewelry.

Obviously.

With that, I’m always on the lookout for a little something extra to add some sparkle to my daily look. More than statement necklaces (which might be hard to believe), I’m all about earrings. I have five piercings in each ear, so I’m always playing around with what I like to call either a cocktail or bouquet of studs to create a pretty & interesting design of earrings each & every day. These studs usually range in flowers, sparkles, stones, & other objects like fruits or animals to make a seriously stylish look a little more playful & humorous.

A pair of earrings that I recently discovered & love is the opaque shimmer solitaire studs @Charming Charlie. Not only are these amazing & versatile studs $5, but they’re available in 23 colors!

Which color is your favorite? Do you like to wear big statement studs? How would you style these earrings? What’s your budget for fashion jewelry? Happy Styling!