Train Spotting in the Alliance Shoes DV8 by Dolce Vita

As summer continues to drift away, I'm not ready to let go. I'm going to keep wearing my dresses. So I paired this one with a fall fave: the chambray shirt. The shoes are really gorgeous to look at, but let me tell you-these are not for walking. These booties are DV8 by Dolce Vita, and they're called the Alliance shoe. The color is bone. It could be that mine are just a little too small, but as an experienced high heel wearer/walker these are the most uncomfortable pair of shoes I've ever put my foot into! But we all know I'll wear them again sometime. Maybe for a nice dinner or something that doesn't involve much walking. 

 The look was put together to make a dress that could be more formal into a more casual look.Try wearing a collared shirt over a bodycon dress for your own similar look. You can make it more casual by adding combat boots or a sneaker instead of heels. 

Dress and ring -Forever 21

Chambray shirt- Ross

Earrings-Burlington Coat Factory

Shoes- Alliance by DV8 from Karmaloop

All photos courtesy of Shuttereye Images

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XOXO

Look of the Day: Sheath Dress with a Collared Shirt

Inspiration:

This was an image on the banner of paperlime.com which I thought was such a cute way to transform a more formal/cocktail dress into a dress to wear to work, or in cooler weather.

Xpression:

For my look I decided to keep it simple with black and white and added pops of color. The dress I chose wasn't a conventional sheath dress, but a cute variation with a ruffled skirt. I chose neon yellow ballet flats, which are comfy for the office, and added purple earrings for more color (but you can't see them, because of my mega-black hair).

Dress-Nordstrom Rack

Collared Shirt- Forever 21

Shoes-Gap

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Industrial Glam - A Shoot by the Tracks

The only thing more fun than styling a photoshoot is styling a friend too. Steph made the perfect Barbie doll to play dress up with. She let me do her hair, makeup, and select all her clothes and accessories. It helps that she's beautiful.

I was also lucky to work with a photographer who lets me have a lot of creative freedom when selecting a theme, location, and wardrobe.

Look 1: Casual Glam

About the look: Steph and I have very contrasting looks. I decided to play on this by using complimentary colors. I chose gold accessories for both of us, but gave her big earrings and me a big necklace. For Steph's makeup I contoured her cheekbones using powder, filled her eyebrows, and gave her a heavy liner and false lashes. The lip color for both of us was added to complete the contrasting look. Unfortunately we didn't get any full body shots of this look, but I assure you we had cute shoes ;)

Look 2: Sequin Seduction

My Favorite.

About the look: As you can tell, the photographer was a little more excited about the second ensemble. I chose sequins because it was very sunny that day and I was hoping to achieve a sort of angelic/demonic feel with a lot of reflected light. But we shot in the shade. I once again played on the contrast between Steph and I by dressing her in dark and me in light. I chose thigh highs because I think they are a great way to add mystery and make an outfit sexy while actually covering up. As someone who is always cold, I can get away with a lot more on the bottom half when I have thigh highs to keep me warmer too. 

Wardrobe:

Look 1

On Steph: blouse - Ross, earrings - Burlington Coat Factory, Ring - Forever 21

On me: leopard tank - Ross, blouse-TJ Maxx, necklace- Burlington Coat Factory

Look 2

On Steph: dress - Ross, bracelet- Forever 21, stockings- Burlington Coat Factory, shoes -K&G Fashion Warehouse

On me: dress- H&M, stockings- Hot Topic, shoes- Ross, headband- Forever 21

All Photos Copyright Grafix51 

Thanks for reading! 

XOXO 

Ladies Night With The Blondes

Finally got out on Saturday night! As you may have guessed, my favorite thing about going out is getting ready.
We started by shopping around 4pm and made it to the destination around 11pm. It could have taken longer if we let it!
I snagged a dress at Ross without trying it on. When I got it home the fit was ok, but the skirt was a little long and ended at an awkward place on the leg.
An easy fix was to add an elastic belt and fold the skirt under a little bit, tucking it up, making it shorter.

I accessorized with new shoes, home made studded garter straps, a studded clutch, and lots of rings and bracelets. Overall my look was meant to be a little punk. I didn't try to match color at all, because the look worked together without it. It was more about coordination of style and silhouette than actually matching.

My completed look.

Jessica Simpson platfroms. Nordstrom Rack $38

My two blonde accomplices Cate (long hair) and Steph (short hair) also donned new looks for the evening. 

Stephanie likes to match, but stepped  a little out of her comfort zone by mixing bright colors. She paired her ultraflattering teal peplum dress with coral platform sandals and one of my chunky beaded necklaces. She added metallic rings and lots of attitude.

Cate fell in love with her shoes before she had found a dress, so she decided to make them her focal point. Black and white always makes color pop extra bright, and the look worked perfectly with her suede Sam Edelman heels. She played on the colorblocked bright blue and turquoise platforms by choosing a cascading necklace from my collection with beads that reflected blue tones. She also added bronze earrings, bracelets, and an armored pinky ring!

Ladies night

Confidence is the best accessory.

Such fun girls they are!

It was so lovely to step out with friends, and even better that they each let me have some input on their styling choices, hair, and makeup.

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Date Night Outfit for Dinner and Wine

Every once in a while it is fun to let someone else pick your outfit. It can really help to be creative in a new way. Tonight my boyfriend made dinner reservations. While I was focused on my hair and makeup (trimmed my bangs myself!) I jokingly asked him to pick my outfit.

When I came out there were 4 different dress options laid across the bed and several pairs of shoes in a row on the floor. He said that he was most partial the the "green zebra dress" so I said I'd wear it. The thigh high socks he picked weren't working with it, and neither were his shoe selections so I chose the rest.

Dinner was Italian, and delicious. First time having Tiramisu.

Dress with pockets: Ross

Kitty!

Jacket: Nordstrom Rack

Details:

Left hand:
Kenneth Cole ring on index finger
Middle: chain rings from Forever 21

Right hand:
Skeleton hand ring from Hot Topic

Earrings: Prabal Gurung for Target
Necklace: Tiffany & Co. (gift)

Shoes: Ross
Dobby Tights: Nordstrom Rack

Tied the dress in the front instead of the back because I didn't want a lump in the back of the jacket.

Cheers! Xoxo

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