How to Style a Pink Coat Sporty Chic

November 26, 2018

We’re back to another work week! I a lot of the times love starting the week dressed up in a pantsuit/powersuit to get things going, along with feeling pretty damn confident in them, but sometimes, especially with all the dreary, rainy weather we’ve been having here in New York, you just gotta brighten up your days with some color! I’m not one to ever normally wear pink, but stepping out of my comfort zone is better than always playing safe, both in life and in fashion! Continue reading to check out the sporty chic look, one where my hubby/photographer couldn’t stop affectionately referring me as, ‘Pinkie’, as well as direct shopping links.

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Even though there’s a bit of feminine references within this outfit, (i.e; the pink makeup, flower earrings, etc;) I still wanted to keep it sporty chic. But before we get into how I styled it this way, I want to share a little bit about the makeup first. The latest lipstick that I can’t get enough of is the PillowPout Creamy Plumping Lip Powder from Buxom. It’s a unique, instantly-plumping lip powder that delivers a blotted, semi-matte finish for an all-day, comfortable wear. Thanks to its innovative wet powder technology and mess-free sponge applicator, this weightless, pout-plumping pigment glides seamlessly across lips to deliver rich color that never feels dry or tight. The smudge-proof formula provides a soft and sexy stained effect that stays put for up to eight hours-no matter what you get up to during the day or night. Available in ten vivid shades designed to build to your perfect coverage, ranging from subtle nudes to bold berries. I’m wearing ‘Soft Whisper’ and it’s the perfect pinkie nude for a medium/olive skin tone. The Urban Decay Naked Cherry Palette I’ve shared in the past before (HERE and HERE) and I just can’t say enough amazing things about this eyeshadow palette. It’s berry berri-fic, and also has some fantastic browns and peachy/pinks - all super duper amazing to play around with.

The earrings are from a sweet shop call SMTH (Small Things) where these flower droplet earrings come in a variety of colors. I’m wearing the lavender/pink set and think they look so cute with this outfit. I kept the remaining accessories fun yet sporty, with metallic pink sneakers and a holographic crossbody bag. To add an extra pop, I wore a pair of pink cateye sunglasses which are such a statement. These light yet sparkly playful pieces work well with the biggest contrast of this look: the ombre purple denim jeans.

A purple-tinted wash gives staple stretch skinnies a fresh, unexpected twist. I’m completely obsessed with my new pair of jeans by STS Blue. I definitely think the key to not going overboard on the pink and looking like a fluffy marshmallow, was a strong contrast. Purple does look awfully good with pinks, and the unique ombre situation blends well with the holographic bag and metallic sneakers. But most of all, I’m crazy for this light pink faux fur pink coat! You can layer it up and do a lot of different looks with this statement piece, but I chose to keep it more casual than dressy because that’s how I do me most of the time! Wishing you a great week, friends!

LOVE & XX’S,

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There's a LIE in Believe

March 21, 2018

WEARING: LIE COLLECTION TRENCH | LIE COLLECTION RUFFLE SLEEVE TOP | 
JOE'S JEANS THE CHARLIE | GUCCI BELT | LOUIS VUITTON BAG | NINE WEST PUMPS

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY SAKS OFF 5TH & LIE COLLECTION.

In case you missed last week's, 'Motorsport Trend' blog post, where I talked of up and coming Korean fashion designer, Chung Chung Lee of LIE Collection, and featured an amazing hybrid pair of navy blue track/tuxedo pants in the look, today's feature also includes some amazing pieces from his latest collection. Continue reading to see the coolest camel trench coat of the season along with a great pair of frayed hem jeans and a ruffle sleeve white top that combines both athleisure and chicness together. I'd like to think of it as an updated version of a casual classic look, with what will be trending this spring season.

Many classic camel trenches have a horn buckle and button fastenings, a trans-seasonal appeal offering any wardrobe great versatility. Pair it with jeans and a white top for a casual chic look. But this LIE Collection trench coat is anything but traditional. It's ruched/buttoned sleeves are beautifully detailed with a large tag around the waist belt with the writing, 'LIE' on one side, and 'BELIEVE' on the other. "I think nobody is perfect, but that is the real beauty,” Lee said. “We don’t have to think about stand-out beauty or a beauty contest. I want to talk about real, natural beauty.” In that real beauty cannot be a lie. It's not a lie if you believe in it, no matter if it's beauty or, overall, yourself.

The white ruffled sleeve top is also by LIE Collection. Its slit detail button-down blouse with ruffles and drawstrings definitely amp up the typical white bouse. Its athleisure details are what's currently trending. The cutouts on the arms of the blouse are great for layering, especially right now when the weather won't quite exactly shift to spring. It can also be worn with skirts and dresses, but I kept it with jeans as I'm really a jeans gal. It's rare that I wear more feminine pieces. The jeans are from Joe's Jeans. I got them at Saks Off Fifth and I got them for just a little over $100! They're having a denim sale‪ till 3/27, you can get 40% off all denim in stores and online so you can stock up on cute new jeans for the spring season!

These Nine West white pumps were sold out for a hot minute, but they're now back in stock. Click here for shopping link or shop at the beginning or end of this blog post. What's your take on this updated classic look? Do you like what you're seeing trending? And what are you most looking forward to wearing this season? Leave your comments down below, I don't always have time to comment back but I do read each and every message from you guys! Until next time, let us pray for less snow and a little more spring. ;)

LOVE & XX'S,

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Elementary, My Dear Watson

September 25, 2017

WEARING: ROSEGAL DOUBLE BREASTED BELTED PLAID TRENCH COAT | 
FOREVER 21 RIBBED KNIT SWEATER | VAGABOND HONEY JAKARTA DENIM PANTS | 
OLIVER BILOU ROXY CLUTCH/CROSSBODY | GUCCI BELT | LIE COLLECTION SCARF | 
PERIDOT BOUTIQUE LOAFER SLIDES

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY ROSEGAL & OLIVER BILOU.

After writing and publishing my first novel in 2015, many of you have recently been asking if and when I'll be writing my second one. Well... the answer is still a mystery! Why? A few reasons: To say my debut was on the New York Time's bestseller is definitely not the case. (No, this was not my expectation.) Not to mention I also have at least three other big projects I'm trying to do while simultaneously plotting a way to somehow cure a deep writer's block I've been having for the past year or so. While I have my blog to communicate my daily life with you, in terms of fashion, beauty, love & relationships, photography and more, my one true love has always been the written word and in doing so, telling stories. Favorite way? Definitely fiction. But with a new career path in the digital world, I find it more and more difficult to juggle everything that I do and have been asking myself a lot of questions lately in regards to my work and discipline, in that; can a person be successful in more than one field and when one is struggling in one area more than the other, how can it be managed and put back in order? Continue to read more on my reflections and thoughts on this part of my life, including where to shop my new favorite fall plaid trench from this post that I wore during NYFW!

Now going back to my novel... I never had any intention or high hopes for my book to be anything but legitimately published. Before I found my publisher, I had debated for quite some time whether or not to self-publish and I get asked this question rather frequently when talking amongst other writers. I say there are pro's and con's to both, as there are in everything. But as someone who wanted to establish herself as a writer, I really wanted to be traditionally published. And so I made that happen. And like everything else as well, you learn so much along the way. So long as you're paying attention. With that, I've also embarked on a new journey into the digital world, creating content on a daily basis through photos and text, I truly love what I do. However, finding the time to manage both have put on quite a lot of pressure for myself, balance has never exactly been my forte... I always like to bite off more than I can chew. So, what's a girl to do?

You do the best you can. I am also a photographer, freelancing here and there and everywhere. The hustle is endless, and I would love to reach a point in my life when I won't have to hustle as hard anymore... but does it ever really get easier? I sometimes think we get lost in our own thoughts and have a tendency to think too much about things. Sometimes it's important to just run with it and let what will happen, happen. Because how much can you really control anyway? And how many of you are where you thought you'd be when you were younger? I bet not that many. So the moral of the story is to try your best every day. That's my motto. If I can look at myself in the mirror at the end of each day knowing I gave it my all, in every aspect (which too, in turn, can be a daunting task, especially if one is trying to maintain a social life on top of everything else), then I'm okay with that. What you think about yourself is more important than what anyone else thinks about you.

Something I've also learned from the past year: actions really do speak louder than words and when you deliver, that's it. You're good. Don't get me wrong, guys. I LOVE sharing bits and pieces of my life with you, but there's also boundaries and limitations to that too. I am also very private and when it comes to my personal life, very few are aware of what's really going down. And I think when it comes to the work, let that speak for itself rather than running around telling people what you are going to be doing. I'm all about sharing and conversing with one another, but if it's all talk and nothing else, well... I rest my case. I guess at the end of the day, keep yourself involved in whatever it is that you're extremely passionate about, don't compare yourself to others, (easier said than done, I know.), try to be nice (hey, no one's perfect but try to be lol), and after a lot of hard work (we're talking blood, sweat, tears, and then some), the fruits of your labor will come into play. Don't talk, just do.

And while I started my second novel last summer followed by a nasty case of writer's block, I know the work will come. It took me nearly four years to write my first one while holding down two jobs, so it's a matter of the right timing, patience, and discipline. When it comes to writer's block, my best suggestion is to walk away from what you're trying to write and take a break or, like myself, write about other topics that are very distant from the one that you're focusing on. Or go off for a tiny shopping run, and score this ultra-chic double-breasted belted plaid trench coat from Rosegal like I did! I love to coffee and grey tones with the long silhouette - very Sherlock Holmes. All I need is Hyde Park and some tea with crumpets and I'll be all set! Perhaps I'll be in Europe in the near distant future? Don't forget to leave a comment down below and follow me on Instagram. Have a great week, friends!

LOVE & XX'S,

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An American Girl in Paris

April 26, 2017

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK BLACK LAYERED BLOUSE |
 RHODA WONG BABY BLUE STRUCTURAL JACKET | BROWN HAT KOREA NAVY BLUE LACE HAT | 
GENUINE PEOPLE BELL BOTTOM CROP JEANS | LINEA PELLE SUEDE BUCKET BAG BLUE | 
UO BLACK PATTI LOW HEEL MULE

Happy Wednesday! The weather has been rainy and awfully gloomy here in New York City, so I'm bringing you Paris today! Just kidding, this shoot did take place in New York, but I bet I'd have you fooled if I told you I was in the La Ville-Lumière. And even though we're not in Europe, today's post is definitely Parisian-chic inspired!

Brown Hat is a Seoul-based hat brand with handcrafted hats inspired from classic designs, yet with a finishing touch of wit. The collections are defined by founder and designer Ji Hyang Park’s signature design in creating flexible and sometimes experimental silhouettes, and her mixture of use of the finest fabrics. The navy blue lace hat from this look is so great because I could wear this at a resort but at the same time, I could also be wearing the heck out of it in Paris! Brown Hat aims to offer timeless hats for men and women. Some hats are also available at NYC boutique, Dreams On Air.

Another talented emerging Korean designer is Lissa Koo, for saku. The motif for saku is both the chic New York sense and the easy, breezy West Coast atmosphere. While being a unique, never-seen-before style, saku offers clothes that are ready-to-wear and easily approachable for anyone. Pursuing both sportiness and femininity simultaneously, saku showcases silhouette apparel that greatly emphasizes woman’s beauty along with comfortable fabrics that allow easy movement. The black layered with white lace blouse is by Lissa, and is only one of many more pieces I just can't wait to show you in the next coming weeks! You can find some of her designs at DOA as well.

Last but not least is this crazy gorgeous jacket by Rhoda Wong. What makes Rhoda special is not just her age (which is twenty(!)) but her deep understanding of structural pieces when it comes to fashion. Aesthetically-pleasing with good detail playing on a variety of textures and materials, Rhoda's talent is off the charts! The baby blue oversized jacket is perfect for spring, Paris and/or both, plus more. It's a wonderful color with beautiful metal buckling and subtle yellow stitching on only on side of the jacket.

Watch these women closely, guys. I guarantee you will be hearing a lot more about these emerging designers in the coming years. Lastly, while shopping the look, please note some pieces are not available online yet and need to be inquired within. Have a great rest of your Hump Day!

LOVE & XX'S,

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How to Wear an Ankle Length Kimono Wrap

March 13, 2017

WEARING: ROSEGAL ANKLE LENGTH KIMONO WRAP | ZARA BLACK SWEATER
ROSEGAL BLACK JEANS | LITTLE E NYC KC BEAUTIFUL DAY BLUE BAG | 
UO BLACK PATTI LOW HEEL MULE | VINTAGE JADE HOOP EARRINGS

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY ROSEGAL & LITTLE E NYC.

Happy Monday! New York City's spring has not sprung yet and we're about to embark in one last blizzard (hopefully) of the winter season. A blizzard in NYC means over a foot of snow, so I know a lot of my fellow Michiganders are scratching their heads over this ha, ha but it went from a foot to now two feet... and I had an early meeting at a showroom tomorrow that just got postponed! I bet I'm not the only one who is SICK of the cold and nasty-ass weather.

But this won't stop me from showing you my new favorite spring piece for the upcoming season! Prints are still on-trend but those unique finds that aren't only suiting your personal taste but complement with your already-diverse wardrobe are what gets me excited to style it. I've been searching for a kimono that not only flattered my petite frame but was also not a cliché type one (sorry folks, I've seen far too many that make my eyes cringe.) But when I stumbled upon this one from Rosegal, it wasn't just the print that caught my eye. The details such as the length and the velvet straps on the sleeves and waistline made my heart skip a beat.

I styled the ankle length kimono wrap with a pair of Rosegal black jeans that have such a fun fringe on the ends. To give the rough edges a soft subtlety at the same time, I wore mules with a low heel. The black suede also make them super comfy to walk around in, I just wish it was a little warmer so I can actually start wearing them! My favorite black sweater from Zara is also a great transitional piece from winter to spring, especially on those chillier days. This blue bag by Little E NYC is made from genuine full grain leather with a beautiful faux ostrich skin texture. I love the size of the bag as it can easily fit my iPad and other work essentials while running around the city. And how chic is it for spring?! Lastly, I've linked a similar pair of my vintage jasmine hoop earrings down below.