polka dot – A Styled Mind

In the vault

PLAYSUIT PARTY

July 3, 2019 2 Comments

There are certain pieces that need absolutely no introduction or major selling point and this playsuit was one of them! As soon as I saw it online, I knew it would be a standout garment for my Summer wardrobe as well as a memorable item that would instantly turn heads. During my first try-on, I immediately saw how much personality and flare this romper had. From the voluminous sleeves, to the bold contrasting print, I knew that to pull this off I would have to be my most confident self. As per usual, when I style a look around one focal piece, I tend to downplay the rest of the accessories so that the item I want to stand out will really “pop.” For this reason, I chose a sleek black mule to streamline the ensemble as well as give my legs some added length. To my surprise because of the heel height in comparison to the short-shorts, I really looked like I had grown about a foot on camera! Lastly, I decided to finish off the outfit with some pops of gold, so I reached for my sequin pineapple bag and small hoops that I’ve literally been wearing nonstop. Though I never really discuss it specifically, I think it’s important to call out just how important selecting a location is to my photoshoot process. On this particular day, we happened to stumble across this white scaffolding (which is very common in NYC) but for some reason it stuck out to me more than usual. The coloring alone definitely made it more appealing, as well as the circular lighting on the ceiling which gave a cleaner more photogenic look, while complimenting the spots on my jumpsuit. I say all of this to say, that the work I put in goes way beyond the clothes; everything plays a role in capturing those perfect shot(s) and I’m glad that you like what ‘m creating. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Romper- Zara

Heels- Steve Madden

Bag- Zara

In the vault

SHEER STORY

May 9, 2019 No Comments

I’ve probably never put an outfit together faster, that I liked as much as this one! I purchased the boots first and had been waiting for the perfect time to style them. While I wasn’t set on a specific direction, I knew that I wanted to style them in a contrasting way (per usual) against more feminine pieces. What initially caught my attention, was the white piping along a seam of the shoe, as well as the bright blue tab that added an unexpected pop of color. To highlight the stark accent detail, I had pretty much come to the realization that a white frilly dress of some kind was exactly what I needed. Turns out, when it was actually time to do my shopping, I was feeling tremendously under the weather; thus, I made the executive decision to pick one store and not leave until I found my entire look. Now, I’m sure this sounds a bit crazy and overwhelming– IT WAS! I had no idea what I was walking into and hadn’t done any previous online research to see if the store I selected even had pieces that fit my vision; turns out, they did not. At this point it was crunch time so after leaving the fitting room line and putting back a cream-colored dress that I wasn’t very fond of to begin with, I began brainstorming a new plan. At that moment I remembered I had seen a sheer white tunic a few weeks prior, so I quickly located it as soon as possible. By this point, I was starting to get excited because although I had to forgo the frock idea, I was still able to pick up a garment that had the dainty feel I was looking for. From this point, things were much easier as I just needed to find pieces to wear underneath this see-through number. After taking a few more laps around the store, I came across a satin bralette and a table full of denim shorts. Initially, I was leaning towards the obvious choice (which was black), however I decided on the grey distressed version as they were softer and didn’t take away from harsh contrast that the patent booties brought to the look. Lastly, I felt like a bag was needed since I didn’t see any jewelry that really fit the theme of my ensemble. Unfortunately, this was also a bit of a challenge because most of the accessories either didn’t have silver hardware to match the metal accent on the heel of my shoes or were just completely inconsistent with the style genre. Finally, I came across a bright yellowish-lime green cross-body that seemed perfect, yet slightly random at the same time. Though very different in color, it appeared to be the same tone as the blue on my boots which complimented them quite nicely. Overall this look, though rushed, turned out to be one of my favorites for the season! I challenge all of you to try and style an entire outfit from just one store of your choosing, without using any of the pre-styled mannequins for reference (just for fun of course). Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Zara

Bralette- Zara

Shorts- Zara

Boots- Calvin Klein

Bag- Zara

In the vault

POLKA PRINT

March 27, 2019 1 Comment

As much as we’ve all anticipated the arrival of Spring, dressing for the unpredictable season can sometimes be a bit challenging. Despite the varying temperature changes throughout the day, there’s also the constant possibility of a rain storm at any moment. That being said, this is also a transitional time full of growth, and new beginnings! Having the opportunity to try out new pieces from the Who What Wear Collection has really prompted me to start thinking about my personal style this season and how I may want to revamp my wardrobe. Delicate fabrics are always a key indicator that we’re shifting into warmer months, and I’ve truly enjoyed creating a variety of looks with them especially when it comes to layering. To be completely honest though, while I did choose this flowy printed skirt as one of my favorites, I began to second guess my decision upon receiving. Aside from the length slightly troubling me, green is not a color that I wear often; but I was determined to make it work! For me, what truly saved this garment were the buttons. I loved that I could adjust them to my liking which gave the illusion of added height, not to mention the gorgeous movement it allowed with every strut and spin. In efforts to be mindful of the weather and keep things casual, I decided to throw on an over-sized sweatshirt. The mock neck detail truly made this top chicer than your average pullover, yet unfortunately it was still a bit shapeless. To define my waistline, I added a black belt with gold hardware and finished off the look with sock boots to match. Accessories were key for this look, and lucky for me, I had the perfect olive green and gold earrings to tie everything together. Lastly, for a bit of a wild card, I grabbed my grey leather backpack with matching metal accents to expand the color palette and add a final touch of interest. I personally love ensembles that are simple but can easily be elevated with the addition of statement making pieces; most of which already existed in my own closet, believe it or not! Comment below your favorite item from this look and what you’re looking forward to wearing most this Spring season. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Sweatshirt- Topshop

Skirt- Who What Wear Collection

Belt- Mango

Boots- Zara

Backpack- Zara

Earrings- Kendra Scott

In ASM Shop

WHITE DRESSES

May 18, 2018 No Comments

White dresses have recently become increasingly popular and have slowly made their way onto the list of “wardrobe staples.” Especially during the warmer months, these frocks can easily be swapped in as an alternative for the LBD and worn in a variety of settings no matter how casual or formal. Below I’ve rounded up a few variations that I could definitely see myself styling around the city, in the upcoming months. Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks; until next time!

In the vault

BACKIN’ OUT

April 18, 2017 1 Comment

Have you ever styled and wore an outfit that you felt was so perfect, nothing could affect your mood for the entire day? Well, that is exactly how I felt the beautiful morning that we shot this look! I am regularly shopping for new pieces to showcase on my blog and during one of my more impromptu trips, I came across these bleach dipped jeans. To be honest, I was a bit unsure about them at first as I didn’t know how much wear I would realistically get out of them. That said, after a few at home try-ons and a second trip to exchange them for the correct size, I had fallen completely in love! I may go on record to say that these are probably the chic-est pair of jeans I own. From the straight fit, to the raw hem and unique eye-catching details, there are endless possibilities with these denim beauties and I can’t wait to wear them throughout the Spring and Summer months. While I was off to a good start with my bottom piece, I knew that trousers this good needed a special top to pull the look together. I had been eyeing this blouse online for a few weeks and watched it go in and out of stock several times before taking the plunge. For me, when I decide to splurge on pricier garments they have to meet the following criteria: fit, fabric, and versatility. There’s nothing wrong with spending a little extra on an item but it’s important to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth and that the construction of the piece is in fact worth the inflated price point. Seeing as how I really wanted to make sure that this was the best top to compliment my jeans, I did something I rarely do and tried on both pieces together in the dressing room. While I hate the hassle of trying things on, I loved the instant gratification of knowing that I had two amazing pieces that looked great together and could easily mesh with the items already in my wardrobe. In efforts to keep the look light and fresh, I stayed away from black accessories and opted for nude heels along with my navy cross-body bag. To finish off the look, I threw on my gold aviator frames complimented by a bright orange lip and was ready to enjoy the day. There’s nothing much left to say about this look except for the fact that I am just as obsessed with it now as the day I wore it! If you like this look and you’re excited that it finally feels like Spring, leave a comment below. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Topshop

Jeans- Zara

Heels- NastyGal

Bag- GiGi New York