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summer styles

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In the vault

ROSETTE ROMANCE!

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To trend or not to trend, that is the question! When it comes to items that seemingly become popular “overnight,” especially within the fashion world, there can be an increased pressure to fully dive-in and indulge. Over the years however, I’ve found that acting on impulse usually results in regret and a little extra thought can go a long way. When it comes to trendy pieces, I try to ask myself 3 questions: “Is this a need or a want? Does this truly represent my personal style? Will I still wear this after the hype dies down?” Now don’t get me wrong, not every decision needs to be this deep or require this much analysis but it can be a starting point. How we represent ourselves through clothing should be fun, experimental, and ever-evolving. That said, if you’re interested in trying something slightly outside of your comfort zone, finding a dupe at a lower price point could be a better alternative until you decide if it’s worth the full commitment. When I saw the explosion of the rosette applique, I went through the same process. I was definitely intrigued, but I wasn’t sure if this detail was really “me” or how much I’d actually wear it in the long run. Thus, I decided to wait it out and in the interim started knocking off other pieces from my wish list that I had been wanting for some time. I don’t need to rehash my love of denim, but I spotted this mini skirt last Summer and unfortunately it sold out before I could get my hands on it. The same was the case with this oversized ivory blazer, so when I saw them both restocked I jumped at the opportunity to finally make them mine. Knowing my intention was to pair these garments together, I just needed the missing link to bring my vision to life! As soon as I saw this textured swimsuit (yes, it’s a swimsuit LOL), I knew it would be perfect and it absolutely lived up to my expectations! With my ensemble nearly complete all there was left to do was accessorize. Since my color palette was fairly neutral, I chose to incorporate a striking pop of green with my footwear and a structured navy bag that had subtle neon piping to match. To compliment the hardware, I added some gold jewelry and my newest rimless frames that I’m utterly obsessed with! In my opinion, this look could not have come together better and I will be styling it again before the season ends. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

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In the vault

PINSTRIPED PALETTE!

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As we move into the hottest months of the Summer, getting dressed can sometimes feel like a chore especially when staying cool is top priority. Personally, this is when I rely most on classic simple pieces; most notably, shirt dresses. Whether a white poplin or a blue pinstriped option, shirt dresses are one of the easiest garments to style when you want to look “put-together” with minimal effort. As soon as I saw this particular frock I was intrigued because though rather plain, it still had subtle details that made it a bit more elevated; ie: the elasticized cuffed sleeves and high-low hem. I’ve always said that the beauty of dresses is that as soon as you throw it on, your ensemble is nearly complete! From this point, all I had left to do was accessorize and opted for a few new editions that I’ve recently incorporated into my wardrobe. As a heel-lover, a lot of times it can be difficult to find designs that are practical for all-day wear. Thus, my search began for the perfect platforms and I can honestly say, the mission was a success! These lace-up beauties gave me all the height I could ask for, while still being extremely comfortable for those long days running around the city. To play off of the black and neutral color palette of my shoes, I decided to grab one of my most worn top-handle bags as well as a sleek pair of sunnies that make me feel incredibly chic every time I put them on. As I final touch, I added a bit of sparkle with some gold jewelry accents and was ready for everything from brunch with the girls, to a weekend in the Hamptons! When it comes to my Summer aesthetic, effortless eye-catching fashion will always reign supreme! Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

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In the vault

MIXED METALS!

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I’m sure it’s safe to assume that we all have our preferences when it comes to fashion: items that we love and others that we swear we’ll never be caught dead in; for me personally, white jeans are that thing. I’m not sure if it’s the high maintenance aspect, or that fact that I’ve seen them worn in some incredibly unflattering ways, but either way I cannot stand them. That said, this season I was really on the hunt for a piece that had a similar aesthetic & versatility but was also different enough to make me feel confident while wearing it. I’ve had my fair share of linen pants and trousers but I was determined to find something a bit more casual. After doing some online investigation, it finally hit me; a denim maxi skirt! I’ve been utterly obsessed with this trend since last year and though I have collected quite a few thus far, they’ve all been various shades of blue/black so there was still a void in my wardrobe. Another recent purchase was this monochrome graphic mesh tee which instantly intrigued me as an elevated take on a traditional closet staple. When it comes to accessories, I’ve been enjoying updating my collection with more eye-catching pieces and quickly realized that I was in need of a red bag. However, after narrowing down my options based on what was in my price range and actually in stock, it didn’t take me long to find the cutest leather shoulder bag featuring both silver and gold hardware. Despite it being the perfect size to hold my essentials, I also loved that regardless of my jewelry, it would never clash due to the mixed metal accents. Lastly, I chose to keep it simple while finishing off the ensemble with black heeled wrap sandals and a pair of classic cat-eye sunnies. Comment below your favorite featured item, as well as one garment in general that you would never wear. Until next time!

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In the vault

GILDED EDGE!

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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!

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In the vault

CITY SUMMER!

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I think I’ve mentioned recently, that I’m in a space within my shopping journey where I only want to add things to my closet that I absolutely love; and because of that, I’ve become a lot more selective with the things I buy and ultimately keep. That said, this way of thinking has also helped me to distinguish the “must-haves” vs the trendy pieces I feel like I need just because they’re all over my timeline. I’ve gone through many phases when it comes to how I’ve built my wardrobe over the years, and aside from denim, another prominent time was my “jumpsuit era.” At one point they literally became my go-to garment regardless of the setting, time of day, or occasion and I was here for it! I mean, who doesn’t love a low maintenance all-in-one piece?!? While things have since diversified overall, I was quickly reminded of my subtle obsession when I saw this piece (ironically) scrolling through the gram. As soon as I was able to pinpoint the brand, my investigative research began and I quickly found her! Everything from the light sage color (very on trend for the season), to the intricate hardware, and open back intrigued me; I was SOLD. As if things couldn’t get any better, I also found it on sale with only one left in my size so I knew it was fate! Upon receiving it I was even more in love and beyond excited to bring this ensemble to life! Though the shade is fairly muted, it’s also quite distinct so it was a bit tricky trying to figure out what accessories would be the most complimentary. Finally, I decided on a chocolate brown pair of heeled sandals and matching sunnies which I thought were the perfect accent. In efforts to highlight the contrast white stitching, I added a geometric shoulder bag for extra depth and interest. Gold jewelry was the obvious choice, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled for this effortlessly chic look. All of the elements played off of each other in the most seamless way and I personally cannot wait to wear this outfit ASAP IRL (LOL). Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

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In the vault

ALIEN SUPERSTAR!

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There are certain ensembles that instantly bring out an unexplainable energy as soon as you put them on, and that was definitely the case when it came to styling this look! While still being in the midst of the maxi trend, I had come across this cargo skirt a few months ago and immediately became obsessed. Aside from it being designed by one of my favorite brands at the moment, it also had the perfect balance of casual yet “fashion” elements that I absolutely loved and could easily see myself throwing on all throughout the Spring and Summer seasons. Though I was a tad bit worried about the length on me, as I’m surprisingly shorter than I appear in photos (shocking I know), I opted to give it a try and see for myself! Upon receiving the garment, I was beyond thrilled with the quality, construction, fit and overall details of this piece. From there, the rest of the styling came pretty effortlessly and it was just a matter of pulling together the right items that would complete the vision I had in my head. Because of the amount of fabric I was working with and how light it was in color, I chose to add some contrast with a dark top and heels. While I’ve had these wedge sandals for about a year now, this lace-up knit was more of a recent purchase and I was just waiting for the best opportunity to showcase it! Since it’s more on the risqué side, I really wanted to make sure that I felt comfortable wearing it in a way that was still true to my personal style. I first saw it on the ultimate fashion icon (Rihanna) which definitely peaked my interest, but I also thoroughly enjoyed the nod to the influential 90’s aesthetic. To complete the outfit, I accessorized with silver sunnies that seamlessly complimented the hardware on my skirt, and an oversized zebra clutch for some added texture and interest. Dare I say this is my most loved look of 2023 thus far?!! Comment below your favorite featured piece and until next time!

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In the vault

TONAL TRENDS!

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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!

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In the vault

UPTOWN GIRL!

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Though I am growing increasingly more excited for the transition into the new season, I could not help but take the next few weeks as an opportunity to crank out any last minute Summer looks I have yet to style. I think we can all agree that the biggest trend so far this year has been bold, saturated color. While I didn’t go too crazy, I definitely added a few pieces to my wardrobe that fit the bill and this skirt was no exception! It actually belongs to a two-piece set but for this particular styling session, I felt that using just one of the garments was more than enough to achieve the vibe I desired. Since I was working with such a bold print, I knew I wanted to include elements that were both complimentary as well as paired down for a subtle contrast. I was initially contemplating a few variations of white crop-tops, but in the end decided to go with the simplest option which was a plain ribbed tank. Along with highlighting some of the negative space in the skirt’s pattern, it also provided a nice balance to the ensemble overall. For footwear, I chose to take a bit of a risk and incorporate my newest pair of heels. From the moment I saw them, I knew they were a showstopper that belonged in my wardrobe. For some, I understand how this pairing could be a bit much, but for me they were absolutely perfect! As if this look couldn’t get any brighter, I took it a step further by also opting for a pink crossbody bag which really took things to the next level. As a final touch, I threw on some silver framed sunnies and jewelry to match the hardware on my accessories and keep them cohesive. I’m not sure if I’ve ever worn an outfit packed with so much color, but I truly enjoyed how it turned out and feel like I can officially go into Fall with no regrets! Comment below your favorite featured items and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Asos

Skirt- With Jean

Heels- Zara

Bag- Calvin Klein

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In the vault

WORK MODE!

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Life is unpredictable. There are periods of ups and downs and moments that will make you question everything you thought you already knew. What I’ve learned over the years is that while there is no way to prepare or plan for everything that is to come, if you stay focused, everything will eventually fall into place. At this point in my life, the time to put my all into creating my desired reality is now and I refuse to miss my opportunity! When styling this look, I didn’t know how much strength and power I would feel. It’s no secret that a suit is a classic garment that is normally structured and often worn with regards to business. That being said, I love the modern takes on tailoring and how even options that have more of a relaxed fit, or use lighter materials such as linen, can still command the same attention. When figuring out what color to pair this khaki set with, it all came down to my bag choice. After waiting MONTHS for this gorgeous leather tote, I knew I had to style it immediately! Recently, I’ve also found myself gravitating towards all/majority black outfits. Why I waited until the hottest month of the year to experiment with this is beyond me, but I have yet to be deterred. It’s almost as if the details on dark items pop more, especially in the Summer, when most people are staying far away from those shades. To complete the ensemble, I layered a cropped t-shirt featuring a tie-waist detail and a simple pair of mules. Another theme I’ve noticed in my wardrobe is my affinity for classic pieces that have unexpected elements to them; and I personally think this particular look conveyed that seamlessly! For one final touch, I added a neutral pair of chandelier earrings and couldn’t have been happier with the outcome. Wearing this, I was absolutely in “deal closing” mode and even more excited to put in that work! Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

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In the vault

CROPS + CUT-OUTS!

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We are now officially in the last month of Summer and though I am always excited for the start of Fall, I wanted to create a look that truly captured the essence of the current season. For starters, I knew that this outfit could not have an ounce of black or any dark colors despite my love of contrast. I really wanted to keep the overall ensemble light, fresh, and airy while highlighting some of my favorite styles and pieces. The “milk maid” or bardot trend has remained a flirty staple during the hotter months, and I was instantly drawn to this perforated version from the moment I saw it. I was a bit hesitant because this was an online purchase, however, the quality left me pleasantly surprised. Recently, I also added a pair of cut-out jeans to my collection which were unlike anything I currently own. Though I wasn’t sure how flattering these would look on me, again, I was elated from the moment I tried them on. While this may be a matter of preference, two things that have seemed to go hand-in-hand during this time of year are vacations and gold jewelry. Being a huge fan of both, I really wanted to convey those vibes with my accessories. Heeled sandals are probably my most worn style of shoe during the summertime, so I used this as an opportunity to break out a pair I’ve been dying to wear. In efforts to keep my metals consistent, I grabbed my favorite oversized aviator frames and a dainty pair of hoops. Lastly I incorporated a light charcoal bag featuring a croc design for an added bit of texture and was quite pleased with the look overall! I could definitely see myself wearing this outfit for a variety of occasions while feeling chic, stylish, and on trend. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- NA-KD

Jeans- Zara

Heels- Asos

Bag- & Other Stories

Sunglasses- Zimmerman

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