Mirrored Side Panel Floral Pencil Skirt

I saw this skirt a few months ago and absolutely fell in love with it!

In writing this blog, I was trying to search for similar items to refer you to, but the design is really hard to describe actually! It’s not enough to call it a “floral” print because the search results for that gives you a totally different list of items. I think my favorite descriptions are mirrored floral pencil skirt, or side panel floral skirt.

The best part about it is the fact that the front is white with a black design, and the back is black with a white floral design. I paired it with blue as an accent color to keep things simple for work, along with my trusty navy to black ombre pumps.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone! Have a good weekend!

Top: Basic Royal Blue Tee  |  Bottom: The Limited Mirrored Floral Pencil Skirt (similar here, here & here)   | Shoes: Enzo Angiolini (old)   | Accessories: Coach Tote (old); Jessica Simpson Sunglasses (old); Nails: OPI Where’s My Czechbook; Toes: OPI Sweetheart.

On Repeat: Gingham for Work + Yellow Pencil Skirt

Happy Tuesday! A couple of weeks ago I saw a guy at work wearing a navy gingham shirt and a yellow tie, so I thought “I could do that too!”

I’d worn the gingham shirt here on a casual day and the yellow pencil skirt here for work on a cold winter day. But I love that these pieces are versatile enough to wear year-round. Pencil skirts, button-down and pumps are always a classic look for work, and the shirt makes the classic look a bit more fun. I also had on a tan blazer at work in case I got cold.

Maybe this is just me, but I find gingham to be more guy-ish in my mind. It may be because guys typically wear gingham, or the navy color by nature, but I felt like I needed to dress the outfit up with pearls to make it more “girly.”

Top: J.Crew Factory Classic Button Down (now on sale!)  | Bottom: The Limited (also on sale!) | Shoes: Aldo (similar) | Accessories: Jessica Simpson 4 Stone Bracelet (old);  Pearl Earrings & Necklace (similar); Butter London Nail Lacquer in Queen Vic | Photo: my fabulous sister, Pri! Thanks for taking this in the midst of your packing!

Pardon the Puns: Zara Zebra Print(ed) Top for a Baby Shower

Happy Mother’s Day, everyone!  I went to my friend Joy’s baby shower this Mother’s Day weekend in a gorgeous Carolina country home and wore the Zara Zebra Printed Top I bought here!

Animal print has been adorned since the beginning of fashion time. In writing this post, I was trying to figure out where the animal print trend came from, who started it, and why it became so wildly popular. I’ve read everything from “it started with the loin cloth from the caveman days” to “it was an African revival fashion statement.”  From what I can tell, it started with Marian Nixon’s fur coat matching her pet leopard. Then it moved to dresses by Dior in the 40′s, animal printed shoes and accessories by Vivier in the 50′s. (Best known accessory was Marilyn Monroe’s leopard scarf in 54 while honeymooning in Japan with Joe DiMaggio)  In the 60s, animal print hit mainstream women’s apparel with all the color and rebellion the Hippie movement had to offer. Then, the 70′s brought the punk rock torn cheetah print stockings and that brings us to the 90′s with Scary Spice and cheetah print. And it’s been in many collections since!

So when I saw this Zebra printed top in NY the other week, I absolutely loved it. It’s pink, and has zebras printed on the shirt! I also love the conservative higher neckline and the subtle pleat down the middle. But the best part is that it’s a zebra print shirt, with actual zebras on it.

My other favorite item in my closet right now are the Paris Hilton Adanna pumps. Paris Hilton’s recent shoe collection, inspired of course by the iconic red soles of Louboutin, has pink soles on the bottoms of her shoes because “they’re cute” and I agree! What’s most impressive about these shoes though, are how comfortably they are! 4.5” heels, 1/2” platforms, loads of compliments and I didn’t even wince! I’ll definitely be buying more of her shoes again.

Top: Zara Zebra Printed Top (similar)  | Bottom: Forever 21 Skinnys   | Shoes: Paris Hilton Black Adanna Pumps   | Accessories: Steve Madden Sunglasses (borrowed from my stylish sister Debbie! ; Pearl and Chain Earrings (old); Butter London Nail Vernis in Vic | Photo: Can’t thank my sister Debbie enough! I really should start paying her for skillz! Love you sis!

Had such an amazing time at the baby shower too! From the right: Debbie (my sister), Joy (my celebrated pregnant friend), myself showing off the baby; and Pri (my other fabulous sister).

Statement Earrings: Amrita Singh Jewelry Review + 50% Off Sitewide for Mother’s Day

Two posts in one day! But I had to share the 50% off jewelry deal from my favorite designer.

Everyone has that one thing that they can’t leave the house without; like you feel “naked” without it. For me, earrings are that vital accessory. I tend to forget a coat and an umbrella, but will have earrings in my ears.

Amrita Singh is a Manhattan based jewelry designer that started the business about 10 years ago. I  first heard of her when bangles became mainstream; infact her instagram username is banglebangle. You can find her pieces at major department stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Nordstrom, a variety of small boutiques, or online through her site or web partners such as Gilt Groupe. For me, my favorite pieces are her statement earrings, since I’m an earring girl. Her designs are laced with Indian inspiration which is probably why I love it so much.

Right now, she’s having a 50% off sale for Mother’s Day, so I had to share. Here are my Top 5 Statement Earrings from her recent collection. Click on the picture to link out, and sign up for their email to get the 50% off code!

1) AS Boho Hoops: I own these in mint, and love them! It’s a great statement piece for a strapless maxi dress in the summer!

2) AS Barcelona Chandelier Earrings: I love the geometric shape and the colors in this Austrian crystal piece.

3) AS Two-Tone Riverside Earring: I own these as well, and just wore them to a wedding this past weekend. I have the black/cream duo which I wore with a champagne and black dress, but if you’re looking for a pop of color, they have some brighter duos as well!

4) AS Kama Earrings: It’s a hanging chain with a knot. Not a novel concept, but cool with a leather jacket and plain white tee! Also available in gold.

5) AS Crystal Snake Earring: It’s a snake. Crawling up my earlobe. Need I say more?

A Bonus! 6) Suya Earrings: Cool spring colored chains at an unbeatable price. Might have to get these!

 

Happy Shopping!

H&M Printed Pants + Brainstorming Outfits

Pants are tough. I rarely wear them to work, and when I do, I generally feel frumpy in them. I’ve always had trouble finding pants; they never seem to fit in the right places, especially for my small frame! I feel like it’s an universal problem for women of all shapes and sizes!

I saw these pants at H&M on sale some time ago, and wasn’t sure how I felt about them. I took them home with me to mull over and almost returned them, thinking I would never wear them.  Up close the print seems overwhelming, but from far away, it’s not that bold. But yesterday it was cold enough that I wanted to wear pants and a sweater.

When trying a new look, I typically start with the most obvious choices, generally neutrals. Whites, blacks, & blues, are the obvious color choices for these pants. Since my work-place is relatively conservative anyway, I opted for white top and navy/black ombre shoes.

Yes, I came home from work and played with my doggies!

Top: The Limited Sweater (similar)  |  Bottom: H&M Printed Trousers   | Shoes: Enzo Angiolini (similar)  | Accessories: Kenneth Cole Pave Hoop Earrings (old); OPI Nail Lacquer in Sweet Heart |

I got home and was trying to figure out what else I owned that I could wear with these pants! I love polyvore for it’s ability to help me brainstorm! It’s like scrapbooking for outfits! On this site, you can add in items you own, put them together with other pieces, see other people’s outfits with the same products, and figure out where to buy them online. Here’s the “set” that I created during my brainstorm session with these pants. Thanks for reading!

Printed Pants by fashionandflare featuring h&m

Shoe Review: Red Espadrilles Wedges

I’m loving the fun summer colors that are popping up every where, and it’s certainly keeping me excited for a destination wedding I’m attending in Cancun later this year! Summer shoes is something my closet lacks, and I’m super picky with shoes. Comfort is of utmost importance to me! But it’s so hard to find comfortable shoes in the “comfort brand” that are also cute and trendy.

An espadrille wedge is a must have for this summer, so here’s a review of Lauren Ralph Lauren’s Cecilia Wedge vs. Nurture’s (a ‘comfort brand’) Antonia Wedge!

Nurture Antonia Espadrille Wedge

Lauren Ralph Lauren Cecilia Linen Wedge

At first, I thought the Ralph Lauren ones would be more versatile, since it’s simple and sheen. However, they are so hugely uncomfortable, I decided to pass on them.

Lauren Ralph Lauren Cecilia Linen Wedge

The Nurture brand shoes are amazingly comfortable. I love Nurture for comfortably shoes in general, but they’ve outdone themselves with these wedges. I personally think they’re more comfortable than Clarks, Rockports and Sofft. They’re sold in limited quantities at authorized retailers, but its definitely a go-to brand for cute, comfortable shoes! I think I’m going to end up buying these! It’s the perfect shoe for when your feet hurt, or you just want something soft and squishy under your toes!

Nurture Antonia Espadrille Wedges

 

Happy Thursday, Everyone!

My Make-up Bag: Trusted Favorites & New Finds

I hadn’t planned on having a beauty component to this blog, but recently I’ve had the opportunity to try a few new products that I absolutely love so I thought I’d share them in my first ever Beauty Post. Here are my top 10 beauty products that I use religiously, in order of use!

1. Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage: These things have been around for a while, and a lot of other brands have them (Garnier, for example), but it’s a new find for me! I just got the Clinique one from my mom, and really really love it! I’ve always thought these eye roller things were pretty gimmicky but this one actually works well! It really helps with under eye puffiness, especially when I first wake up in the morning. Strangely, when you first put it on, it makes the area even more puffy. Then, after a few minutes, it all sort of smooths out! A girl friend of mine, Niti, tried it, and she said the same thing!

   

2. Revlon ColorStay Under Eye Concealer: This is an oldie, but goodie for me. Every girl has some under eye dark circles and needs coverage! This one’s a cheap one I picked up at a drug store while on the run, and I love it! It’s a cream concealer, but once you put it on, it feels almost powdery. I never have issues with it caking, or getting stuck in under-eye creases. And, at $5-8 dollars, you just can’t beat it!

   

3. Dior 5 Couleurs Eye Shadow Palette in Earth Reflections: This is definitely my go to eye shadow palette! I’ve been on a neutral eye-shadow palette kick lately, and this one has the perfect mix of shimmer and matte colors. I use the lighter brown the most!

   

4. Rimmel Day 2 Night Glam Eyes Mascara: I got tipped off to this mascara by my sister, and of all the brands I’ve ever tried (from drugstore to designer) this is my all time favorite. Period. It makes your eyelashes huge and I can’t get enough. It lasts all day, is waterproof and has two brushes built into one tube, for day and night looks. But, don’t go to sleep with this on! It’s pretty intense to try to get off the next morning.

   

5. bareMinerals Ready Pressed Mineral Compact: Now, I’ve been using bareMinerals for a long time and am an avid fan, but I’ve used it the original loose foundation mineral powder, and loved it! So, when my friend Tasha told me that the “new” thing at bareMinerals was a pressed compact, I thought it was pretty gimmicky too. Now it’s just like any other powder foundation-pressed and in a compact! How is that innovative? I was skeptical, but Tasha and a sales associate insisted I at least try it and it’s definitely the best foundation I’ve worn! Somehow, like magic, it gives better coverage than the loose powder, and a flawless photo finish. My suggestion is to get color-matched at a store if you are going to try this, because I’m a shade darker in this than I was in the loose powder. Right after I bought this, I read rave reviews in May 2013′s Marie Claire about how it gives an airbrushed look.

   

6. Victoria’ Secret Baked Mineral Bronzing Powder:
   Definitely a great find as a bronzer for someone with olive undertones! I love using this with a giant all over brush, like my sister Debbie usually does. This bronzer has a sun-kissed shimmer that’s perfect for work or play!

   

7. MAC Pro Longwear LipColour in Lasting Lust: Other than my go-to Smashbox Legendary Red Lipstick, I hadn’t really tried on any other red lipsticks, until a few weekends ago, when a friend of mine, Mary Ellen introduced me to MAC cosmetics. For the fun of it, I tried on Lasting Lust, and it’s such a gorgeous color! The best part was that it truly is long lasting. This is a lip color that will last you from dinner, to drinks, to brunch the next morning with no problem at all! I was definitely impressed, and glad I tried on a new red lipcolor!

   

8. Urban Decay Super Saturated Lip Color in Big Bang: If you don’t want to go red…go pink! I’ve written about this particular lip pencil before, and absolutely love it for a girl’s night out! It’s obnoxiously bright pink, sparkly and moisturizing! The downside is that you’ll have to re-apply. But it’s totally worth it! Read more about it in my previous post(s).

   

9. Julep Nail Vernis in Annie: This is absolutely my favorite color for the spring (even though it is Trina Turk’s Fall 2012 color). The bright blue just reminds me of blue skies on an otherwise dreary grey day today. I’m also thinking about becoming a Julep Maven. Julep nail color is a relatively new find for me, and I really like their nail colors! Are there any Julep Maven’s out there? What do you all think?

   

10. UNII Cosmetics Palette: This isn’t exactly make-up but it’s a makeup case that is perfect for those of us on the go at all times. The UNII palette is basically a giant magnetic board with a mirror that holds your favorite eyeshadows, blush, bronzer and brushes in one compact carry case. Most makeup is set in a metal casing, and the website gives you step by step instructions on how to remove your favorite makeup colors from it’s case, and insert them into this customizable makeup case! It’s the perfect thing to just throw in your purse and have everything you need with you!

    

Readers: Thanks for reading! Was the beauty review helpful?