Lilac For All

Working in a contemporary environment, I am constantly surrounded by the newest trends. Lilac has been surrounding me.

All of the core designers have been coming out with items incorporating lilac for resort and into spring. I am typically an all black attire type of gal, but when seeing lilac all around me, I am considering trying to add some color to my life.

Adding lilac for resort can be as simple as adding a lilac purse to your daily ensemble or picking up a fabulous top for the next night out with friends. Giving into trends does not mean you have to abandon your wardrobe completely or buy an obscure piece you won’t actually wear. If lilac isn’t your color, maybe a print that incorporates the color, mirrored sunglasses or a key chain for your black bag can be a touch of lilac to keep you on trend.

My favorites so far are from DVF , a designes who I trust to constantly be on trend, a real brand for all women.

Diane von Furstenberg Belle 3/4 Sleeve Lace Top

Elizabeth and James Bianca Long-Sleeve Fur Jacket

Ray-Ban Mirrored Aviator Sunglasses

Jason Wu Wool Crepe Wide-Leg Trouser

 

Getting back into it

After a long (too long) break from blogging, I am back! Transitioning into my new position as a Stylist has been a little rough on my time, but I am making time again to start sharing what been blooming in my life.

I have left my position at Burton Snowboards and Oak St. Social to pursue a career as a Stylist at CUSP by Neiman Marcus. I am loving it! Working with new clients daily and sharing my love of fashion with each and every one of them puts a smile on my face daily.

I can’t wait to start blogging again!

 

It’s Starting to Feel Like Fall…Wait…..

In Chicago, we had a couple days of cooler weather which got my hopes up that fall was approaching! Obviously, my fashion senses were tingling and I started picking out my fall wardrobe already. I am in love with all of the 70’s trends coming back, as well as the 90’s (but did the 90’s ever go out of style?).

Here are some of my favorite pieces I’ve seen that make my fall fashion loving heart basically stop in my chest.

Whistles Button Front Denim A-Line Skirt

I saw this skirt the other day at Bloomingdales and I actually ran to it, like it was calling my name. I love the Whistles, they always make such beautifully tailored clothing, but this skirt is trendy and yet, so classically cool.

FRENCH CONNECTION Abel Ribbed Turtleneck Sweater 

I love anything this a turtleneck. This sweater from French Connection is the perfect transition piece from summer to fall, then also so chic under a big trench for fall and into winter. I would love to wear this with boyfriend jeans and flats for daytime, or vamp it up with ripped skinnies and classic black booties!

Nasty Gal Day ‘n Night Asymmetrical Maxi Tank Top

As I said before, I love a turtleneck. I have seen celebs rocking this style recently and I can’t wait to get my hands on my own. I love the asymmetrical style, it adds such a seductive vibe to this piece. Perfect for a night out with the girls!

Free People Intimately Seamless Solid Deep V

Loving this top from Free People as the ultimate essential for when it starts to get chilly out. It comes in 9 colors, which means so many options and ways to wear all of these essential tees. I can’t wait to wear these tucked into skirts and laying under perfect pieces with sweaters or long jackets.

Bailey 44 Bridgitte Poncho

I love this poncho because it looks like the perfect mix between a jacket and the classic poncho, it would be easy to just pop on and run out to anywhere!

Those were just some of my favorite things I’ve seen for fall, I’m sure there will be many more as September goes on! I can’t wait for the temperature to drop!

Lollapalooza Style….if only I could go!

As a Chicago native, Lollapalooza is a time when people flood into the city to celebrate music, style, and admire the beauty of this ever changing city!

Sadly, this year I will not be able to attend Lollapalooza, but I have begun to be inspired by seeing people on the streets around my neighborhood coming from the beach and shopping on Oak Street of what I’d love to wear if I was going to this awesome festival.

Festivals are a time to let all of your style reservations go and try something fun and new! Try all of the fun summer trends out there and go for a fun risk! For me, that means anything outside of jeans and a t-shirt! (or black!)

Makeup and hair should be kept simple because the heat here in Chicago is nothing to mess around with, anything too crazy would just fall apart and melt off. Trust me, I have made the mistake before. My first time at Lolla, I got my makeup done and curled my hair. Needless to say, I sweat off my expensive makeover and my curls fell flat after an hour. Then it rained! That’s Chicago for ya!

So in the spirit of Lollapalooza being this weekend, here are some of the pieces I think would be perfect for this fun event!

Faithfull The Brand-Heartbreaker Playsuit

Love this romper to comfortably dance the day and night away in the Chicago humidity! The stripes add a classy element to this tiny romper. Love the open back and fringe belt for a fun carefree vibe!

One Teaspoon Charger Shorts

This shorts pair perfect with a loose tank or a cropped top! The loose cut allows for ease and movement when walking from stage to stage or just relaxing all day. Also, nothing is flattering about high waisted shorts that ride up in back, so these are a refreshing and more flattering take on the typical denim shorts you’ll see at festivals.

Truly Madly Deeply Perfect Halter Top

Maybe not the craziest outfit idea ever, but I do love this top paired with a printed short or even denim shorts for an airy, yet sexy way to take on this weekend!

RAGA Sweet Devotion Shorts

Fun and flirty! What could be more perfect to hangout with your friends in or maybe a couple celebs;]

The JetSet Diaries Emperors Crop Top 

A little over the top, but super festival fabulous! This crop top can go with anything on the bottom, its the perfect piece to spice up your festival fever!!

Yippie Alexa Chung for AG

The new Alexa Chung for AG collection has me more excited than Miley hosting the VMA’s! Not only do I love Alexa’s style, but I love every piece she designs for AG!

Bring on the denim, turtlenecks, suede, and corduroy! Her style has constantly been a mix of trends with classic tailored pieces, which is the reason she has become one of my style role models! I can’t wait to strut around this fall in her clothing.

This post is gonna be short because no words can do justice to the beauty of these pieces! I can’t wait to buy all of them!!!!

See for yourself:

I Gave In! My First Birchbox!

I know that Birchbox has been around for some year now, and for so long I have contemplated whether or not $10 a month would be best spent on one….oh boy what was I thinking!

It is absolutely worth it.

I received my first Birchbox last week, and I have never been more excited. I opened that box like a little kid on Christmas. And what was inside, made me wish I could have ripped it open faster.

Birchbox customizes which samples are sent to you every month based on your personal beauty needs and wants. The brands they carry are also top of the line products, that otherwise would make me uncomfortable to buy at full price and size. The samples inside the box are worth $10 each by themselves in my opinion.

Oh man am I excited about Birchbox! I can’t believe how happy my very first box made me, well worth the $10 a month.

I received Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, COOLA Sport Sunscreen, Harvey Prince Hello Body Creme, Vasanti Brightenup! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator, Marcelle Mini Waterproof Eyeliner in Navy Blue, and a headband from Pura Vida! How amazing! I know that I probably received more than the usual amount of items because it was my first month, but even receiving one of those items would have made me just as happy as I am right now.

I will do reviews on each of the items as I use them overtime.

For real though, if you have ever considered purchasing Birchbox before, I encourage you to do it. Receiving new beauty products to try every month brings a little more glamour to my beauty routine.

Boyfriend Jeans Make Me Happier Than My Real Boyfriend

Ok maybe thats a little of an exaggeration, but I do love boyfriend jeans. Boyfriend jeans are the most comfortable essential that look flattering on all women.

Personally, I am so uncomfortable in skin tight jeans that show off all the curves of my body and feel as though I can’t move. Being uncomfortable is no way to live. Style should be a reflection of who you are, and I am all about comfort in my life.

Boyfriend jeans can be styled for a night going out or just to run some errands. Boyfriend jeans come in a variety of shapes that flatter a variety of body shapes and colors, so it is easy to find your perfect pair….or in my case pairs.

For a casual day outfit, boyfriend jeans paired with a simple t-shirt and sandals or flats are the perfect comfortable outfit to just hangout during the day or go to class. It looks relaxed, yet stylish.

For a little more of a dressed up look, for lunch with girlfriends or a first date, throw heels on with your favorite relaxed items. Nothing is sexier than being comfortable and yourself.

Boyfriend jeans can also be styled appropriately for work. Pairing boyfriend jeans with more tailored pieces, allows for jeans to become appropriate for the working world.  

Personally, I love dressing up boyfriend jeans for a night out! Mixing comfort with whatever making you feel glamorous can truly be an effortless look.

I invite you to just try on a pair of boyfriend jeans, I promise you’ll understand what I’m talking about!

Headbands: Not Just for Kids!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been wearing headbands.

As a little kid, my mom put one in my hair everyday to push my blunt bangs off of my face. When I received terrible haircuts, headbands were there to save the day and hide my horrific chopped up hair. Headbands were there to add a little extra touch to all of my middle school outfits, remember when wide headbands were in? Headbands made sure my short hair always stayed out of my face when playing sports. And to this day, headbands will always be my go to solution to keeping my hair off my face while still looking glamorous.

Headbands are typically seen as a stylish accessory to put on top of your child’s head, like a big bow. Overtime though, headbands have become a stylish accessory to all ages of women. Designers are creating jaw-dropping headbands that any girl would lust after. The best part about headbands, is that they look good on everyone. It works for all types of hair and styles of women, coming in thousands of variations to fit your mood.  Pushing the hair off of your face highlights your beauty, showing off your best facial features without hiding behind your hair.

As I am going through my wardrobe trying to get rid of the things that are a reflection of who I used to be, not who I am looking to be; headbands are permanently apart of my style. I will forever be in love with the idea that headbands CAN be the best accessory to any outfit. No one can stop me from wearing headbands, they are just too cute.

As we grow into individuals, and realize that following what our friends wear or what is trendy isn’t what is always best looking on us; we must also think about what items are “made” for us.

Headbands are that item to me. As I bloom into an adult, I will never give up my headbands.

Here are some of the headbands I am on the hunt for:

Eugenia Kim Wild Rose Cocktail Headband 

J. Crew Printed Calf Hair Headband 

Deepa Gurnani Rosetta Headband 

Deepa Gurnani Crystal Headband 

Cara “Wave” Metal Headband

The Struggle of Getting Back In Shape

As college has come to an end, I have realized one priority I have not focused on in a long time, is my personal health. I have disregarded my health by eating junk food regularly, walking past the gym, and sitting on the couch for more hours than I’d like to admit.

So in honor of getting ready to become a “real” adult, I must make the adult decision to make my health a priority.

Now this is not going to be easy for me, I may be one of the most lazy people I know. Doesn’t chocolate cake, champagne, and Bravo sound much more appealing than attending a cycling class or eating a salad? Ya…I think so, too.

This is going to be my first of many blog posts about my personal endeavor to become a beautiful, healthy, and strong rose on the outside and inside.

Where to start, where to start…..?! Hm, well I should probably put down the beer I’m drinking, and not have had Lou Malnati’s pizza for dinner. Whoops.

I plan to make personal goals, both health and fitness, and stick with them for more than a set amount of time. I want to make a life plan.

Any ideas? I’m combing Pinterest , but would love insight from people who are not models and fitness gurus.

Help a sista out! I want to become beautiful, strong rose; but first, I need a little encouragement and advice.

Lipstick? On.

Lipstick is my favorite beauty product to obsess over. Red, purple, pink, orange, black; they come in every color and texture a girl could want. A girl can never have too many lipsticks.

Lipstick makes any outfit instantly glamorous.

Lipstick adds a pop to a simple outfit.

Lipstick gives confidence and completes any look.

Lipstick creates a standout look, that is not only eye catching, but makes you feel and look like the star in any situation.

Currently, I am obsessing over lipsticks to simply my makeup for summer. Lasting through heat and humidity seems like an impossible task, even for an individual. Layering foundation, concealer, bronzer, etc., is a recipe for a melting face. Mascara and lipstick are my only essentials for a summer fresh face.

How to pick a summer lipstick? Well, that is like asking how to pick out a favorite pen. It is the perfect combination to make you feel just right.

Personally, I love a matte lipstick that is bright and provides a long last stay. Matte lipsticks gives me the most intense shade that looks effortless. I have never been much of a fan of shine or glittery finishes of lipsticks, they make me feel like Britney Spears in the 90’s.

With just a swipe of lipstick, I instantly bloom and become radiant.

If you don’t normally wear lipstick, give it a try.

About a year ago, I started trying to wear lipstick, and the feeling is addicting. At first, I felt very uncomfortable and as if everyone was looking at my lips. I realized that I was right, everyone was looking at my lips, but in admiration. Lipstick gave me a new confidence I had not yet found in a beauty product before. I feel beautiful wearing lipstick; and now, I could care less if anyone is looking, because I feel beautiful wearing it. Beauty is a personal perspective.

So go out and give lipstick a try!

I promise it will make you feel like the most beautiful rose in the wild garden of life.