gold – A Styled Mind

In the vault

GILDED EDGE!

May 31, 2023 No Comments

When it comes to fashion, there are two things I’ve found myself being consistently drawn to as we approach the Summer season: black garments and chunky gold accents! Not sure if this comes as a surprise, but it’s a pattern I’ve noticed and am fully embracing all 2023. Living in and around New York City my entire life, it’s no secret that black will forever be known as a “year-round” color. Despite it’s reputation for absorbing too much heat, it seems like the coolest people are the ones that can pull it off effortlessly no matter what the weather conditions are…pun intended. Personally, I also find that when I come across a piece that is a bit outside of my comfort zone, wearing it in this shade always seems more manageable and familiar; and this voluminous frock was no exception. When I initially spotted this dress, I saw it in a floral motif that while pretty, didn’t really feel like “me” and was way too girly for my liking. Luckily, to my benefit, it also came in another option and I was quick to make it mine! I absolutely loved the juxtaposition of the ultra-feminine design and the stark opaqueness of the gown which brought out an unexpected edginess that I thoroughly enjoyed! At this point, all there was left to do was accessorize and I had some exciting new wardrobe additions in mind! In efforts to mirror the lace up back detail, I grabbed these amazing sandals featuring a bold chain-link heel. To further play up the gold hardware and add another element of interest, I decided to include this lime colored bag which helped to capture the brightness of the season in a fun, yet subtle way. After adding my jewelry and a sleek pair of sunnies, I was feeling confidently chic and ready for whatever the day had in store. Are you a person who gravitates towards vivid hues or darker/netural tones in the warmer months? Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In the vault

TONAL TRENDS!

July 19, 2022 No Comments

As much as I’ve been embracing bold color trends lately, Summer whites, linens, and neutrals will always be classic seasonal staples! I love the fact that my wardrobe has gotten to such a cohesive place that regardless of when or where I buy a particular item, I can always ensure it will align with a variety of things I already own. Though I am not the biggest fan of white jeans, I happened to come across this gorgeous pair of tailored wide-legged trousers and simply couldn’t pass them up! Since they were already so long and voluminous, I knew that a cropped top would be my best option to not offset the proportions of the ensemble. Despite also getting much more experimental with my dress collection, it’s no secret that statement tops will forever be a prevalent garment and favorite when it comes to my personal style. What I loved most about this specific piece was the fitted bodice and puffy sleeves that brought a touch of drama while still keeping with the light and airy vibe overall. To further accentuate this beachy theme, I knew that tonal accessories would be my only option! I didn’t want to over-complicate the look by incorporating a pop of color and anything black just felt too harsh of a contrast. I recently purchased these tan lace up heeled sandals which perfectly matched a wooden crossbody bag I’ve had for quite a few years now. In efforts to compliment the natural textures, I threw on my go-to rings and a beautiful set of gold earrings that resembled the sun and seamlessly tied all elements of the outfit together. With my oversized aviator sunnies as a final touch, I was ready for the chicest sunset soiree and dancing into the night! Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In the vault

WRAP IT UP!

April 15, 2021 No Comments

I don’t know if it’s because I haven’t had the opportunity to showcase my outfits over the past year due to the pandemic, but recently, I feel like I’ve been buying into the trends more than ever before! That being said, I do genuinely like what is being produced from various retailers at the moment and am so excited for the outfits I have planned in 2021. It seems like for the Spring and Summer months, the decades we tend to see the most style references come out of are the 90’s and 70’s; most likely due to the florals, light fabrics, denim, and flirty silhouettes. At this point, if I had to pick one garment that I’ve seen consistently growing in popularity from the runway to the high street for the upcoming seasons, it would have to be wrap tops. Whether as a blazer, knit, button-up, bralette, or t-shirt, the options seem to be endless and also highly flattering! The simple addition of leaving extra material to hug the body at the smallest part of the waist, is a subtle accent that elevates and instantly adds interest to any ensemble. For me, this particular top checked all of the boxes; it was the color of the season, linen, and the fit was incredible! At the beginning of the year, I was on a mission to find a pair of two-toned denim jeans, and though I was successful, I couldn’t resist adding this maxi skirt to my collection as well! I can honestly say that while both items are showstoppers, to my surprise, they did not clash in any way. I usually tend to focus on one standout piece to build around with each look I create, however this time I decided to take more of a “maximalist” approach. While I could’ve added a simple nude sandal, I chose a striking lace-up option which mimicked the detail of my top, and featured a bold blue heel. Lastly, I decided to complete the outfit with a few gold rings and a unique pair of earrings with multi-colored stones that seamlessly tied all of the elements together. Despite shooting in NYC, this outfit gave me all of the tropical vacation feels, which hopefully is a foreshadowing of what’s to come this year! Comment below your favorite featured piece and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- & Other Stories

Skirt- Mango

Heels- Song of Style

Rings- Ana Luisa

In Collabs

OKTOBERFEST (ft. WHO WHAT WEAR)

October 18, 2019 No Comments

Autumn is my favorite season for a variety of reasons; my birthday, the lack of humidity, holidays, warm color tones, and layering are just a few. To kick off the season, I figured what better way than with the world’s trendiest vegetable (or fruit?), PUMPKIN. For the last 4 years I’ve missed out on making it to an actual pumpkin patch, and while I still haven’t completed this mission just yet, I made do with what I was able to stumble upon in NYC. This outdoor restaurant display was actually perfect for highlighting the vibrant colors in my dress, as well as still bringing additional dimension to the shoot overall with the leaves and wood accents. From the moment I saw this mock-neck frock, I knew it had all the seasonal qualities that represented this time of year and I couldn’t wait to style it. Obviously as this is a bold printed garment, I wanted to keep the focus of the look centered around it. That said, while it could’ve easily made a statement alone, I wanted to accentuate it further with a few other accessories. The first piece I added was a brown suede belt with gold hardware. Aside from defining my waist, it instantly made the orange hues pop. To keep my metals cohesive, it was a no-brainer to stack my rings and reach for my twisted hoops for a bit of edge and glam. I hadn’t worn these circle frames in quite some time, which really made me appreciate the gems in my very own closet that I tend to forget about. For shoes, I wanted to tie the look together in a subtle, yet effective way. I chose a black pair of transparent sling-backs, featuring a lucite heel for an unexpected twist. Though I honestly could’ve thrown on any pair of OTK boots and called it a day, I really wanted to play up the femininity as well as give a nod to the 60’s mod styles that I feel this dress was inspired by. All in all, this look definitely has me pumped for brisk afternoon walks, lattes on the go, and window displays with the most intricate decorations. Let me know in the comments your favorite part about Fall and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Who What Wear

Belt- H&M

Heels- Aldo

Jewelry- & Other Stories

In Collabs

ASM X MELIE BIANCO

September 24, 2019 1 Comment

As a frequent shopper, I can easily spot an item that I know for a fact will not need additional or complimentary items to make a statement. Some pieces are just so eye-catching that the look is nearly complete as soon as the garment is put on; and this 80’s inspired frock was the perfect example of this. As we’re nearing towards Fall, I was instantly drawn to the dark floral print; but it wasn’t until I really examined it that I fell in love with the overall shape and structure. The giant voluminous sleeves created almost a butterfly-like silhouette that truly made this dress a showstopper. It also came with a thick belt that really helped to highlight the juxtaposition of broad shoulders and a cinched waist. There was really nothing more that needed to be added as I didn’t want to include anything that would clash with this incredible garment. That said, my love for accessories (mainly jewelry) has increased tremendously, so I would’ve felt incomplete if I didn’t add a few of my newly favorite rings. I decided on gold because it matched the hardware of my Melie Bianco bag I was recently gifted, and have been dying to style! The rich burgundy leather also matched the colors in the dress and will make for a great transitional cross-body as we move into the autumnal months. I finished off the look with a pair of matching hoops and my black sock boots for a sleek touch. Items of clothing like this, though a bit over the top for some, can also be extremely exciting to style and serve as novelties in your growing wardrobe collection. Comment below your favorite piece from this look, as well as the trends you’re looking forward to trying this upcoming season. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- & Other Stories

Boots- Zara

Bag- Melie Bianco

Earrings- & Other Stories

In the vault

MIX N’ MATCH

August 29, 2019 No Comments

When styling, I love nothing more than mixing and matching different pieces. Whether it be through textures, prints, or fashion genres, this trick in my opinion always helps bring more dimension and interest to an ensemble. I received this floral crop top and honestly didn’t have a clear direction regarding what I wanted to pair it with. Jeans seemed like the easy way out, but I wanted to push myself a little harder. Instead, I settled on a cream-colored denim mini skirt that kept the same casual element I seemed to be leaning towards, while also perfectly matching the tones in my top. Believe it or not, I was completely stumped at this point. I was pleased with how the two garments I had looked together, but for me, the look was far from complete and just fell a bit flat. Being a girl who NEVER plans her outfits in advance, it’s no surprise that more times than not, I’m usually finalizing my style creations the morning of my shoot and adding finishing touches that I wasn’t able to think of in the days prior. I decided to give my AF1’s a break and revisit my trusty Vans for footwear. Still, the ensemble was giving me unrefined middle-school vibes. In the final moments I had before I needed to get ready, as usual, the vision came to me. I pulled a striped blazer from a suit set that I haven’t worn in quite some time and saw the look instantly elevate before my eyes. Since I decided to forego a bag, I relied on my accessories to save the day. Lately, I have become more of a jewelry wearer, with a slight obsession for rings. That said, I made sure to incorporate some gold pieces with a coordinating cuff bracelet and my small hoops. After adding a round pair of frames, I was finally satisfied and ready to SLAY! When developing your personal style, I think it’s so important to try new things and step out of your comfort zone; you never know, you might just stumble upon an odd combination you like! Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Topshop

Top- Eggie

Skirt- & Other Stories

Sneakers- Vans

Sunglasses- & Other Stories

In Collabs

OUT OF THE BOX (ft. EGGIE)

August 15, 2019 1 Comment

Being a person who always loves to create the best content possible, it can sometimes be nerve-racking when items arrive that don’t exactly fit the vision in the way you expected them to. One thing that’s so intriguing about the fashion industry is that it’s not “one size fits all;” and because of that, there are times when it may take a bit of extra effort to style a piece specific to your body type. While working with the Eggie brand, they allow me to select pieces from their catalog that coincide best with my personal style. Though this dark floral printed dress caught my eye, especially as we’re moving closer to the end of Summer, I didn’t quite expect it to fit the way it did. To be honest, upon initially trying it on, I didn’t think it was flattering for my shape at all. Specifically, because I have broad shoulders and a fuller bust, the cut of the neckline simply made me look boxy and quite wide. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much time to pull this ensemble together and it wasn’t until the moment I was about to shoot that I suddenly had an idea. The frock came with a tie detail at the front and due to the lack of support I was feeling, I wondered if by tying the fabric around my neck in a halter-style, I could achieve the look I was going for. This small detail completely turned this photo-shoot around for me, and I instantly went from a feeling of uncertainty, to elevated confidence and security. With that issue resolved I was ready to finish pulling together the rest of my outfit with my very worn-in pair of white leather converse and my geometric frames for a modern take on this Victorian-inspired garment. At this point, though my look was nearly complete, I still wanted to add a few more accessories for an extra layer of interest. I felt that my wood basket cross-body bag was the perfect item, as it was neutral and still captured the essence of the season. Lately I’ve also been into mixing metals, so my mini gold hoops were an unexpected touch that just seemed to fit effortlessly. I was genuinely proud of how this ensemble turned out because it forced me to think outside of the box and create a look that was specific to accentuating my frame in the best way. Were you ever forced to wear something unconventionally to make it more complimentary to your body type? Comment below and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Eggie

Sneakers- Converse

Bag- Free People

Earrings- & Other Stories

Sunglasses- Quay

In Collabs

ASM X DVF

August 1, 2019 1 Comment

I don’t think anything could have truly prepared me for my blogging journey and the best part is, as far as I’m concerned, it’s still only just the beginning! Introducing more luxury items and garments to my platform has always been a thought, but it was something I wanted to happen organically. That being said, I was absolutely thrilled when I was contacted by the DVF team to collaborate and style an item from their Summer collection. I’ve been styling a lot of frocks as well as printed pieces in general lately, so I wanted to make sure this shoot had a completely different feel and theme. While the goal is always to keep the focus on the clothing, I knew I wanted to find a location that was just as striking as the bold, Summery print! To my surprise, it didn’t take long before we stumbled upon a “south of the border” inspired bar which captured the essence of Latin America and just so happened to match my ensemble perfectly! The vibrant colors of the establishment, cheeky signage, and abundance of foliage truly helped bring my vision to life in such an editorial way; it’s hard to believe it wasn’t planned. Slip dresses have literally been everywhere over the last few years, so instead of just wearing it as is, I decided to bring a bit of casual edge with a ribbed t-shirt layered underneath. Additionally, since the frock was slightly too big for me, I used this as an opportunity to accessorize and cinch my waist with a belt featuring gold ring details. I didn’t want to over-style or add anymore pieces that would potentially distract from the main garment, so I chose to keep it simple with a pair of satin heeled sandals with feminine bow accents. I really loved how shoes complimented the lace trim on the dress and elevated the look in a subtle way. As a final touch, I threw on my twisted gold hoops and sunnies, which truly helped bring cohesiveness to the ensemble overall. This may have been my most well-matched outfit and setting to date and I couldn’t be more grateful to the DVF team for offering me this opportunity. With only a month left of Summer, let me know in the comments if there are any other looks you’d like to see from me before I dive into Fall content. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- DVF

T-shirt- & Other Stories

Heels- Mango

Sunglasses- Mango

Earrings- & Other Stories

In the vault

CAMEL COOL

April 4, 2019 2 Comments

The weather is finally warming up, so I decided to test the waters and show off a bit of skin with this look. While doing some online research, I was instantly drawn to this camel colored suit. However, though the belted jacket did in fact come with a pair of matching trousers, I thought it would be cute to style it as a frock; considering it seemed long enough to do so and I had been meaning to give this “blazer dress” trend a try. Honestly, the only thing that was of slight concern to me was the color. As much as I loved how rich and neutral it was, I wasn’t sure if it would wash me out against my skin tone. Luckily that was not the case, and I was more than pleased with everything about this tailored garment. From the cut, to the wide belt, and tiny button details; this piece looked sophisticated and chic in every way. In efforts to tone things down and keep the look a little less formal, I decided to throw on my sneakers and white tube socks for a cool, effortless contrast. As this look was so warm toned, I thought that gold accessories would be the perfect option to really highlight those sandy hues. I had recently purchased the most gorgeous pair of transparent teardrop earrings with gold accent flakes and knew they would bring a beautiful elegance to the overall look. As a final touch, I stumbled across a wooden cross-body bag, that truly felt like the last piece of this fashion puzzle. Though quite reminiscent of a coconut, the spherical shape and texture brought an unexpected bohemian element I didn’t even know I needed! Bags made of natural materials such as wood and straw are always quite popular during the warmer seasons, so I was happy to incorporate one into my look. I loved how this ensemble pulled together so many different style genres and portrayed how they can all coexist and compliment each other in a seamless way. Comment below your favorite piece from this look and how/if you would’ve styled anything differently. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Zara

Bag- Zara

Socks- Nike

Sneakers- Nike

Earrings- & Other Stories

In the vault

TAN+LACE

April 17, 2015 9 Comments

I decided to go with a more formal look this time around and it seemed only fitting that we take to Wall Street to shoot it. Though it was a little difficult posing and maneuvering on the brick road in my heels, it was definitely fun floating around in this tan midi length skirt. The subtle snake print in the lace top and the dramatic pleats definitely made this look for me. I felt so chic and classy! I also thought it would be a nice touch to separate the two statement pieces with a gold plated belt which served as an eye-catching accessory as well. While I tend to dress more casually on a day to day basis, this was a nice change for me and it made me want to experiment with more dressy pieces.

Outfit Details:

Top- Topshop

Skirt- Missguided

Belt- Know Style

Pumps- Zara