livforstyle

Best Dressed At The Met Gala 2017

         Last night was a special night; I had the honor to attend the 2017 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.  HA! Just kidding, I wish.  Instead, I admired all the beautiful celebrities and designers from my couch while in my pajamas.  One day, I will get invited to this exclusive fundraiser, but this year I relied on the tons of photos that my favorite celebrities and designers posted on their social media accounts.  Although, I did not experience this invitation only event first-hand, I can still recap all the amazing fashion on the red carpet and that is exactly what I am doing in today’s post.

         Before, I can jump right into my best-dressed list, I feel obligated to share with my readers a little background on last night’s invite.  So The Met Gala is one of the best and fashionable parties on the East Coast.  During the event, tons of famous designers, models and celebrities, like Kim Kardashian, Nick Jonas, Katy Perry, Tom Brady, Bella Hadid, Pharrell, Tory Burch, Anna Wintour, and so on strut their stuff on the red carpet.  Each year, the Met Gala has a special theme and this year’s exhibition is devoted to 74 year-old Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo.  This is the first time since 1983 with Yves Saint Laurent that the show is dedicated to a living designer.

Designer Rei Kawakubo is extremely successful, starting in 1969 when she founded her avant-garde label known as Comme des Garçons, which is French for “like some boys.”  She is known for defying norms and creating something new.  As a designer, she challenges ideas about beauty, gender, and identity, making her one of the most inspirational designers in the world.  Kawakubo goes against traditional fashion rules, designing pieces that are unique.  Most famously, she is known for creating pieces with contrasting themes, like then/now, male/female, past/present, self/other, clothes/not clothes, which emphasizes her fascinated with “in betweenness” (Vogue).  So with that being said, of course everyone at The Met Gala took some fashion risks to celebrate this amazing designer.

 

(https://www.yahoo.com/style/met-gala-2017-everyone-wore-slideshow-wp-221828678/photo-p-york-ny-may-01-photo-221828572.html)

Cara Delevingne

Since, designer Rei Kawakubo loves to challenge gender norms, I admired the stars that decided to ditch the typical dress and opt for a fabulous pantsuit instead.  So of course, Cara Devlevingne dazzled in her shiny, metallic silver pantsuit by Chanel, which also featured a plunging neckline and a chunky belt at the waist.  She continued with the head to toe silver theme by even painting her shaved head with silver paint, which totally is a fashion risk that I am sure Kawakubo celebrates.

(http://www.elle.com/fashion/celebrity-style/news/a44968/bella-hadid-alexander-wang-dress-met-gala-2017/)

Bella Hadid

Bella Hadid was another celebrity on the red carpet last night who challenged the idea that just because you are a woman doesn’t mean you always have to wear a dress.  Instead, she wears this fierce number by Alexander Wang.  Who could not love her sheer, beaded, and black body suit?  The extreme open back detail of her body suit just shows that a body suit can be just as sexy as a dress.

 

(http://nymag.com/thecut/2017/05/met-gala-2017-see-all-the-looks-from-the-red-carpet/slideshow/2017/05/01/all_the_looks_fromthemetgala2017redcarpet/GettyImages-675613998_master/)

Celine Dion

Not only does Celine Dion have an amazing voice, she also proved that she has amazing style last night on the red carpet.  It was her first time at the Met Gala and she totally knew how to dress to impress in her Versace dress.  I love the silver, gold, and black coloring of her dress.  It really resembles Kawakubo’s style because of the unusual style.  I love how each piece of the dress has a different shape and just seems to be fastened with those gold buckles on the shoulder and waist.  Plus, Celine’s dark smokey eyes totally complete her edgy look.

 

(https://www.yahoo.com/style/met-gala-2017-everyone-wore-slideshow-wp-221828678/photo-p-york-ny-may-01-photo-221828400.html)

Gigi Hadid

 The Hadid sisters can do no wrong on the red carpet.  Just like her sister, Gigi Hadid also made my best-dressed list this year.  Gigi’s nude dress paired with sexy, fish net panty hose perfectly represents Kawakubo’s love for “in betweenness,” considering Gigi’s Tommy Hilfiger dress is short and revealing on one side with a high slit and more covered up on the other side with lots of tulle and a long train. Her look just shows that mixing different fabrics and silhouettes is how you make a statement.

(http://nymag.com/thecut/2017/05/met-gala-2017-see-all-the-looks-from-the-red-carpet/slideshow/2017/05/01/all_the_looks_fromthemetgala2017redcarpet/GettyImages-675603554_master/)

Halle Berry

Another celebrity that stunned in a sheer jumpsuit.  I can’t get over all the beautiful details of Halle Berry’s Versace jumpsuit.  The embroidered jumpsuit featured metallic gold appliqués throughout the entire piece, which totally caught the attention from everyone.

 

(http://nymag.com/thecut/2017/05/met-gala-2017-see-all-the-looks-from-the-red-carpet/slideshow/2017/05/01/all_the_looks_fromthemetgala2017redcarpet/GettyImages-675606914_master/)

Blake Lively

 Blake Lively can do no wrong when it comes to the red carpet, so naturally she made yet another one of my best-dressed lists.  I am obsessed with her Versace dress.  Of course, I love the metallic gold color, but what really caught my attention is that elaborate feather train.  The shades of blue feathers paired with the gold color of the dress really pop.  I would never have thought gold and blue would look so good together, but it just shows that taking risks and going against traditional fashion rules can result in one beautiful look.

(https://www.aol.com/article/lifestyle/2017/05/01/kendall-jenner-bares-all-met-gala-2017/22064315/#slide=5013283#fullscreen)

Kendall Jenner

 Kendall Jenner was yet another celebrity who did not ignore the revealing dress memo.  Her bedazzled, sheer dress by La Perla Couture features many high slits.  However, if you think those slits were revealing enough, her dress is also backless.  Talk about defining fashion norms, Kendall Jenner shows that there is never such a thing as revealing too much.

(http://nymag.com/thecut/2017/05/met-gala-2017-see-all-the-looks-from-the-red-carpet/slideshow/2017/05/01/all_the_looks_fromthemetgala2017redcarpet/GettyImages-675584956_master/)

Lily Collins

 Lily Collins celebrates Kawakubo’s avant-garde taste in her Giambattista gown.  Her dress features a beautiful color combo, black and soft pink which blends femininity with edginess.  Her dress also includes tons of tulle and a corseted top.  I love how the dress plays with different shapes and textures, making it one of a kind.  Plus, her blunt bob haircut and vampy lip color adds even more edge to her look.

(https://www.yahoo.com/style/met-gala-2017-everyone-wore-slideshow-wp-221828678/photo-p-york-ny-may-01-photo-221828024.html)

Rihanna

 What an honor it must be to wear one of Kawakubo’s designs and to wear it so well like Rihanna did last night. Rihanna was dressed in one of the pieces from Kawakubo’s brand, Comme des Garçons. This multi-colored number totally represents Kawakubo’s unique taste making the audience wonder if what Rihanna was wearing was a dress or a skirt and top combo.  Of course, Kawakubo uses her fashion to blur the lines and challenges typical fashion rules.  Rihanna totally pulled off all the ruffles and petal details and of course those knee high strappy sandals, making her look like a real piece of art.

And that’s a wrap for this year’s best-dressed list.  Once again, I will keep on praying that I will be invited to next year’s Met Gala.  But until then, I will just continue to admire everyone’s fabulous looks from a far.  Keep the discussion going by letting me know who made your best-dressed list from last night’s event.

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Flower Power

I have never experienced a more finicky April, one day it is sunny and 70 degrees and the next day it is gloomy, rainy and can’t get passed 50 degrees. This weather has totally had an impact on my blog because all I want to do is go outside and shoot photos, but lately it seems like it is so easy to miss that short window of opportunity, or in my case sunny, warm weather. However, not all days are bad days and luckily we have been blessed with some beautiful days (although I can count them on one hand). So keep on reading to see one of my favorite spring outfits featuring some of the trendiest pieces for this season.

When the sun is shining bright (and today is not one of those days), I love breaking out my new jeans from Ruby and Jenna. I love the distressed and embroidered floral details. I am sure you can agree that it seems lately any store you walk into, you can find a pair of denim, whether a denim jacket or a pair of jeans featuring some sort of embroidered pattern. The colorful, embroidery paired against the denim fabric totally gives off a 70s vibe and boho feel.

Since my distressed and embroidered jeans certainly make a statement, I decided to keep my top super simple and just wear my new, boxy t-shirt from the brand Everlane. I never knew I could fall in love with such a simple t-shirt before but this top is super comfortable and the boxy, cropped fit is perfect. I highly recommend checking out the brand Everlane to find a selection of basic pieces that are high quality and can be worn in hundreds of different ways.

As I mentioned in previous style posts, the rose gold trend is huge, so I am so excited I found these rose gold slip on sneakers at Payless. These shoes totally complete my spring shoe collection because the metallic shade looks amazing with any outfit, especially an outfit that features denim. The zipper detail on the side gives these shoes an edgy kind of look, while still being sporty and casual.

Although, I wanted to keep the top half of my look pretty simple, I could not resist adding a statement necklace. My iridescent statement necklace from Apricot Lane is one of the most unique necklaces in my collection because the iridescent color reflects all the different shades in my outfit. Whichever way I turn you can bet my necklace picks up all different colors, like pink, yellow, green, silver, and so on and to me that’s the perfect way to top off any outfit.

Just like my yoga instructor said after today’s class, even when it’s rainy and cloudy outside, always remember that the sun is somewhere there, even if it is hiding. Meaning, make the most out of those dreary days and try to spread a little sunshine wherever you go. Anyway, let me know in the comments below what are some of your favorite pieces in your spring wardrobe. Talk soon!

T-Shirt: Everlane (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Denim: Ruby and Jenna (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Shoes: Payless (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Necklace: Apricot Lane (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR)

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Save The Elephants

Save The Elephants

 I’ll bet when you are shopping, you are only focused on finding the trendiest of pieces, not for items that only look good but also have a mission to save and protect.  Trust me, you are not alone, whenever I am shopping at my favorite store all I think about is buying stylish items, while trying not to break the bank.  However, recently I was introduced to the brand, The Elephant Pants, whose mission is to provide chic, colorful clothing while saving elephants, by donating a portion of their sales to protect the elephant population.

I know what you may be thinking, why should we care about the elephant population when most of the population is found practically on the other side of the world.  Well, elephants are tortured and killed for their ivory, making them endangered species.  The thought of never seeing an elephant in its natural habitat in my lifetime is a scary thought.  Why should we let this population of beautiful elephants continue to decline?  Well we don’t, keep on reading to see how I style one of my favorite pieces from The Elephant Pants.

Of course, the star of my outfit is my beautiful kimono.  I am obsessed with the rich colors, like navy, mustard yellow, and shades of orange mixed with the mosaic design and the elephant print.  A kimono can be one of the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe because you can pair it with jeans, a skirt, a dress, wear it as a bathing suit cover up to the beach, and so on.  Even before being introduced to The Elephant Pants, I was always a fan of all things elephants.  I love how elephants symbolize wisdom and strength.  So naturally, I wear my elephant kimono with pride.

Whenever I wear a kimono with jeans, I just like to layer a simple t-shirt underneath, so my basic white t-shirt from Forever 21 did the trick.

As for jeans, I am wearing my favorite Madewell distressed boyfriend jeans.  Whenever I am looking for a pair of denims that radiate that casual, laid-back vibe, these boyfriend jeans are perfect.

         Nothing looks better with boyfriend jeans than a pair of wedge booties.  I haven’t worn these Steven Madden booties in forever, but that is going to change.  The brown, chestnut color goes perfectly with the warm colors in my kimono.

         Speaking of all the warm, deep colors in my kimono I decided to wear my favorite gemstone necklace from H&M.  I love the amethyst, purple shade.  A simple necklace like the one I am wearing totally completes my outfit.

Thanks to their amazing customers, The Elephants Pants brand has donated over 120,000 dollars to save elephants.  Although, I can’t read the minds of elephants, I know that each and every elephant around the world is very thankful for our help.  So what are you waiting for? Start browsing The Elephant Pants website for a variety of stylish tops, pants, dresses, and accessories.  You won’t feel that shoppers guilt knowing that 10% of your purchase is donated to save the elephants.  Let me know in the comments below if you have purchased anything from the site and how you would style your new pieces.  Talk soon!

T-Shirt: Forever 21 (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Kimono: The Elephant Pants | Denim: Madewell (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR)  (SIMILAR)| Shoes: Steve Madden (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) |Necklace: H&M (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR)

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Rediscovered Favorites

It’s that time of year again…when the weather is starting to get a little warmer, the grass is getting greener, the birds are starting to sing, and so on.  These past few days have finally felt like spring. With a new season comes new fashion.  However, these past several days have just reassured me that my closet is not ready for spring.  Instead, my closet is still cluttered with tons of my winter clothes and most of my warmer weather clothes are tucked under my bed in storage bins.  So this week, I have dedicated some time to do some spring-cleaning with my wardrobe.  Although, the thought of reorganizing your closet can be stressful, it has allowed me to figure out how to style my clothes in different ways that I never thought of.  With that being said, throughout this process, I have rediscovered some “old” fashion favorites, hence the title of this blog post.

My outfit would be extremely boring without my colorful, tie-dye button up shirt from Urban Outfitters. It never fails me.  Whenever I wear this shirt I always have people compliment me on the beautiful, colorful design.  It makes sense because this bright, rainbow shirt just adds a pop of color and a dose of happiness on any spring day.  The funny thing about this shirt is that I bought it in the men’s department at Urban Outfitters when I was back in high school, legit like five years ago.  For some reason, this shirt was tucked away in storage ready to make an appearance again, but this time worn in a different way.

Usually, I’d wear this shirt with plain, black leggings and converse, but today I decided to pair this shirt with even more color.  I can’t believe the last time I wore these Madewell army green cargo like jeans with tons of pockets and zippers was a year ago in this post.  I love that the army green shade is basically a neutral color so it doesn’t take away from my rainbow shirt, but still adds more color to my look.  I have a feeling I will be getting more use out of these pants when I want a change from the usual pair of denim jeans.

I would normally style my Urban Outfitters shirt with a white t-shirt underneath, but I am so happy I rediscovered this distressed t-shirt from Forever 21.  The distressed look is so in this season so this shirt will definitely make another appearance.  Instead of just wearing the t-shirt long, I decided to knot it in front to give it more shape.

I am surprised these shoes are still in one piece.  I have a feeling they are not going to make it through the whole spring season considering I have had these shoes for years and practically wear them everyday.  I just love how these Kensie brand booties are so versatile.  So what if they are so worn out, they still work with any outfit.

I have had spring fever since January so you can only imagine how happy I am to see a new season finally begin.  I hope this post motivated you to take a few hours (or in my case a few days) and go ahead and transform your style with the clothes you already have hanging in your closet.  Let me know in the comments below what are some of your rediscovered favorites. Happy spring-cleaning!

Top: Urban Outfitters (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | T-Shirt: Forever 21 (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) |Pants: Madewell (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Shoes: Kensie (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR)

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How To Be A Fashionista While On A Budget

Everyone secretly dreams of a wardrobe that showcases their mood every day of the year.  Unfortunately, not everyone can adopt Paris Hilton’s approach to fashion: Buying more clothes than you need and discovering that you don’t have enough days in the year to wear them all. Besides, you probably wouldn’t have enough place in your wardrobe to store it all.  As much as one can love clothes, there is indeed such a thing as too many items. There’s also another problem with such an attitude to fashion: It’s far too expensive for anyone to afford.

What you want is fashion that you can identify with, but that doesn’t break the bank, fashion that defines your identity without making you look like everyone else, fashion that looks good without being expensive. This is a challenge that you can win if you change your shopping habits. Affordable and original fashion exists; it’s up to you to make it work for your style and your budget.  If you are not willing to compromise your style while on a budget, this post is for you. 

(Look out for fashion deals)

Shop Smart Items

At the beginning of every fashion styling, there’s the need for new fashion items that can follow the high street trends.  There’s a variety of trends, so it may be difficult to pick the one that you want to follow.  You need to become a smart shopper at this stage and to maximize trends that will work for you.  The best way is to take your time so that you can see the styles develop in high street shops.  This is the best way to identify the trends that will work for more than one season.  Additionally, if you choose to follow a specific trend, let’s say the star print, try to pick an item that will not look outdated next year.  For example, picking a blouse that combines a romantic cut with star prints means that you can still wear it next year without looking ridiculous or dated.

(http://geraldryanoutreach.org/clothing-room/)

Look Out For Deals

Fashion is expensive; there’s no other way to put it.  That’s why you need to keep your eyes open for deals, such as the ones on DontPayFull.com.  Another great way of saving money while staying trendy is to wait for specific sales.  Best part about sales is that usually you have the choice to buy online or directly go to the shop.  It’s not uncommon for true fashionistas to get to their favorite shop at the earliest hours of the morning to make sure that they can get the best deals on all items.  If you’re not own for the 2 AM wakeup call, then you’ll find it easier to shop online.  

(http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/slideshows/12-shopping-tricks-to-keep-you-under-budget)

Second-Hand Fashion Is Okay

There is an untold rule of fashion that forbids anybody to create a style with second-hand clothes.  Now in today’s fashion age, this is idea could not be more false, thanks to the Internet and consignment shops.   Have a look at pre-loved items from the 1940s, 1950s, and the swinging 1960s in vintage fairs and online.  For example, BlueVelvetVintage.com is an address that has a lot to offer to vintage fans.  Do make sure to compare current sizes with vintage ones, and, if you can ask for measurements instead. There’s nothing that has a better effect than wearing an original mini skirt from the 1960s or getting the real secretary geek look with a 1980s dress.

(Fashion takes you on a journey into time)

Recycle Your Favorite Items

As unbelievable as it sounds, you don’t need to buy new items to change your style.  Fashion is also about being smart and imaginative with your clothes.  You can create a new look by finding ways of repurposing items of clothing into something new.  For example, you could turn your skirt into an elegant dress with a matching top and some creative layering. Or maybe you could turn your favorite brooch into an elegant necklace. Let your imagination show the way.

(http://www.inonit.in/wear-one-piece-in-different-ways-work-your-closet)

Sew Your New Fashion Items

Finally, the last point is for skilled crafters who want to take fashion to a new level.  If you are feeling confident enough, you can begin to remodel your wardrobe by creating your own clothes, or modifying existing items.  Have a look on Pinterest.com for inspiration.  From a making a floaty summer dress to changing your own shirt into a trendy top, there is plenty of ideas and step-by-step instructions for you to make the most of your fashion style.  All you need is a good sewing machine and a little talent to get started!

(Do you need-le a new dress?)

So as you can see, you can still be a fashionista without breaking the bank.  It is all about being smart and doing your research before shopping.  For the new season, I challenge you to go through your wardrobe and find different ways to wear that blouse that you bought last year.  Let me know in the comments below what are some of your tips for being a fashionista while on a budget.

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Shine Like A Star

How cheesy is the title of this post?  Oh well, I haven’t uploaded a style post in ages, so this title will do. I can’t believe how long it has been since my last post.  I blame the blizzard and artic conditions that has plagued the East Coast.  Well luckily, before another cold blast hit my area, I was able to take advantage of the semi seasonal temperatures and head outside with my camera.  It was a nice change to ditch my bulky winter coat and wear one of my favorite spring outfit.

 This spring look no further than Zara to find all the latest fashion trends.  Hands down, Zara has become one of my favorite retailers because you can find some really unique pieces that embody all the hottest styles.  For example, this blouse I’m wearing doesn’t just feature one trend, but two: star print and ruffles.  Zara makes it super easy to stay in style.

So more about my top. I feel like lately, you can’t walk into a store without seeing the star print somewhere.  Remember my post a few months ago that also featured this print?  If not check it out here.  As for the ruffle detail of this top, it can be kind of difficult when it is super windy outside because the ruffles fly everywhere, but no condition will stop me from wearing this beautiful blouse.

       Day by day I am learning the art of layering.  So usually you won’t find me just wearing a shirt or dress without some sort of vest or jacket to complete the look.  An army green utility jacket, like the one I am wearing by Mudd, is the perfect transition piece.  Throw it over a long sleeve blouse when there is still a winter chill in the air or layer it over a short sleeve t-shirt when the spring weather arrives.  If you want to master layering, I highly recommend finding pieces like this versatile army green vest that will pretty much go with any clothes you have hanging in your closet.

         For denim, I was going back and forth between flared jeans or my go-to distressed skinny jeans from Old Navy.  Don’t get me wrong, I like the look of flared jeans, but for this outfit I wanted more of a straight silhouette, so skinny jeans it is.  With a slight rip at the knee and the high waist fit, these Old Navy jeans are a rock star.  Now I know why they are called the “Rock Star Skinny Jean.”

         Since the weather is not warm enough to wear open toe shoes, my favorite Rocket Dog booties will just have to do.  They have gotten so much use this winter and are still going strong as we enter a new season.  A basic brown bootie is the perfect shoe to wear when you just have no clue what other shoe to pair with your outfit.

         What a shocker, I completed my look with a choker.  I chose this basic black suede chocker featuring a gem pendant from Forever 21.  Since the neck of my blouse is pretty high and the pattern is pretty dramatic, I just wanted to keep the accessories simple.  Plus, the purple gem in my choker picks up the beautiful colors in my top.

There’s nothing about this outfit that I don’t love except for the yucky snow that shows up in some of the photos.  Come on, it’s finally spring, so bring on the warm weather, because we all know that warm weather equals more style posts.  I hope everyone is enjoying the first few days of spring.  Let me know in the comments below what are some of your favorite ways to get your wardrobe spring ready.  Talk soon!

Top: Zara (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Vest: Mudd (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR)| Denim: Old Navy (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR)| Shoes: Rocket Dog (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Choker: Forever 21 (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR)

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Make A Splash With Mermaid Makeup

People seem to be obsessed with all things fantasy these days, from unicorns to mermaids.  So today’s post will feature the oh so popular mermaid makeup look trend.  Since this look is so fun and colorful, it will be perfect for the upcoming festival season.  If you want to nail the mermaid makeup look, then this is the guide for you, so keep on reading.  

Focus On A Flawless Base

(image source)

Mermaids have a flawless base, always.  Well, we don’t know that for sure, but a flawless base is still going to help you rock this look.  Make sure you start with a good primer, foundation, and then conceal under your eyes and any other blemishes.  Tip: using a wet blending sponge is a good way to get a flawless, sheer finish.

Get Your Shimmer On

(image source)

Mermaids are always beautiful and shimmery, so highlighter is huge for this look.  Give yourself a generous sweep of your favorite highlighter over your cheekbones, and down the center of your nose.  To really up your highlighter game, don’t be afraid to put a small amount of highlighter under the arch of your brow.  So flattering!

Choose The Right Colors

(image source)

It seems like a mermaid’s favorite colors are those jewel toned colors. Think like yellow, blue, pink, purple, etc.  Use colors that remind you of the sea, but don’t be afraid to get creative.  Keep it bright!  

Use An Iridescent Eyeshadow

(image source)

There are so many iridescent products out there right now, like those from Jouer cosmetics and other great companies. Iridescent eyeshadow can be swept all over the lid to create the most gorgeous mermaid effect you’ve ever seen. Tip: wet your brush or finger first to get an even more intense look!

Do Something Different With Your Lips

(image source)

Guess what?  Now, metallic, glittery,  iridescent lips are popular too!  You don’t have to follow this bold lip look if you don’t want to, but it’ll definitely help you to stand out even more for a festival or concert.

Make Your Eyebrows Stand Out

(image source)

Who says you have to have boring brown or blonde eyebrows?  Make your eyebrows stand out by making them purple, or even green.  You can contrast them with your eyeshadow to create a really fun look!

Use Glitter and Sparkle

(image source)

Use large pieces of glitter and sparkle to create an amazing mermaid look.  You can dab pieces under your eye and in the corner to get a super beautiful mermaid effect.

Get Creative With Shadows And Netting

(image source)

If you really want to take the mermaid look to the next level, you can use netting and eyeshadows of different colors to create scales on your face.  Don’t cover your entire face; simply have some near your hairline and over your forehead to give yourself just enough scales to look like a  gorgeous mermaid.

I promise, if you use these tips you’ll make a splash with your mermaid makeup.  Every once was in a while it is fun to experiment with a colorful makeup look.  What are your thoughts about the mermaid makeup trend?  Have you rocked this look?  Let me know your thoughts below.  Talk soon!

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Spring Fashion Wish List ft. Century 21

It’s that time of year again where I wake up every morning, look through my closet and realize how unsatisfied I am with my clothes.  All that jumps out is my overly worn sweaters, long sleeve blouses, scarves, and all those other winter fashion essentials.  Not only is my wardrobe uninspiring, but also every time I walk outside, I am met with a barren landscape.  I am counting down the days to when I wake up to the birds chirping outside, the grass turning greener, and the trees and flowers starting to bloom.

Until then, I can only turn to online shopping to get me excited for the warm spring weather ahead and stay up-to-date on what is trending for the spring.  One online and also brick and mortar store that has been satisfying all my spring fashion needs is Century 21 Department Store.  Whether online or visiting one of their locations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida, you will find designer brands at affordable prices.  Century 21 is the perfect place to shop fashionable women, men, and children’s apparel, as well as home décor and beauty products.  Of course, when I had the chance to browse Century 21’s online store, I bookmarked a few items that I am sure to add to my spring wardrobe.  So keep on scrolling to view all the stylish items I chose to update my closet with and get pumped for spring fashion.

Levi’s Desperado Patchwork 501 Cropped Jeans

This is not just your ordinary pair of relaxed fit jeans.  Instead, these Levi’s would totally revamp my spring wardrobe because of the distressed detailing and best of all the patchwork design.  Patchwork really made a statement on the spring and summer 2017 runways.  I love the unexpected blocks of colorful, patterned fabric, especially on denim.  Pair these jeans with a simple white t-shirt and your outfit is good to go.

Do + Be Amanda Off The Shoulder Top

Another trend you might have noticed on the runways is all things pink.  Whether it was shoes, purses, jewelry, dresses, or shirts, all pieces featured different hues of pink.  I am not a pink girl, so before fully jumping into this trend and wearing head to toe bright bubble gum pink, I want to start easy and incorporate lighter shades of pink into my wardrobe.  This is why I love this Do + Be Amanda Off The Shoulder Top in a light pink shade.  I think this blush color would look great paired against denim or black leggings.  Bonus style points are earned with the off the shoulder detail and exaggerated puffed out sleeves.

Honey Punch Embroidered Denim Jacket

Without a doubt, a denim jacket is the perfect layering piece when the weather starts to get warmer but still not warm enough to go without a jacket.  This is no ordinary jean jacket, but the back features one of my favorite phrases “good vibes only.”  Statement slogans, whether on jackets, sweatshirts, or t-shirts are trending this season and the perfect way to add a little funk to your look.

Free People Frieda Embroidered Woven Dress

Whenever the warm weather hits, I channel my inner boho chic style.  What better brand than Free People to embrace the bohemian style.  I am in love with this Free People embroidered dress.  You guessed it; embroidery is another huge trend for the spring and summer.  I love how this dress not only features a beautiful embroidered pattern but a flowy top and sleeves.  Pair this dress with a pair of your favorite brown, platform sandals and you will nail the boho chic vibe.

Silvian Heach Ambition Graphic Tee

Speaking of more statement making slogans, how awesome is this shirt?  I love how this basic white t-shirt features inspiring words to help add a little dose of motivation to your life or others.  For a sporty, casual look I can totally see myself wearing this tee with a pair of distressed boyfriend jeans and sneakers.

Betsey Johnson White Flo Star-Appliqué High Top Sneakers

Like I mentioned above, I love wearing sneakers with a pair of boyfriend jeans.  I hope the sporty, athleisure trend never goes out of style and when reviewing all the runway looks for this season, this trend does not look like it’s disappearing anytime soon.  I love these Betsey Johnson high top sneakers because high tops are always stylish, especially worn with cropped jeans or even a dress.  Who wouldn’t want these faux leather sneakers with metallic star embellishments in their shoe collection?

French Connection Summer White and Silver Ciara Open Toe Block Heel Sandals

You can never have enough shoes, so of course I am eyeing these French Connection open toe block heel sandals.  Whether, it is for winter or spring, the color white always seems to be trending in the fashion world.  I usually stay away from head to toe white to avoid looking like a snowman, but I would so incorporate this trend in a subtle way, like with these white open toe sandals by French Connection.  These sandals will look amazing paired with the perfect spring dress and best part of all these sandals embrace two of the hottest fashion fads, the color white and block heels.

Tretorn Gray and Black Lina Short Rain Boot April

April showers bring May flowers, right?  Well it seems like every spring tends to be wet and soggy, so I need to be prepared for the rainy weather with the right footwear.  So obviously, I have been obsessing over these short rain boots by the brand Tretorn.  I really like how these rain boots are short because who feels like trekking around in heavy rain boots when the weather is starting to get warmer.  Since these boots feature a matte and rubber material, I know these boots will keep my feet dry and outfit fashionable.

Wildfox Wood Tort Malibu Retro Round Sunglasses

As I am writing this post, the sun is nowhere to be found, but when the sun does decide to pop out and stay out, a pair of sunglasses is a must.  This season, I want to experiment with different styles of sunglasses.  So these Wildfox sunglasses caught my attention because of the oversized round shades and tinted gradient lenses.  These sunglasses will totally turn heads.

Rebecca Minkoff Rose Gold-Tone Threader Earrings

Last but certainly not least, a major jewelry trend this season is statement earrings.  This season when it comes to earrings, the bigger the better, so naturally I am obsessing over these rose-gold dangling earrings by Rebecca Minkoff.  These earrings are so cool because the long dangling chain and the triangle shape charms add tons of sparkle and glam.

After spending hours browsing Century 21’s online store, I can tell that my bank account won’t be very happy with me after I make some much needed purchases.  I mean it is only natural that when a new season hits it is time to upgrade your wardrobe.  If you are like me, looking for an excuse to shop, then head over to Century 21 and get lost in all their fashionable pieces.  Let me know in the comments below what you are obsessing over.  Let’s hope that spring arrives sooner rather than later.  Talk to you all soon!

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TGIF!

Cue Rebecca Black’s catchy, yet annoying song “Friday,” because guess what “It’s Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday.”  Sorry for getting that song stuck in your head, trust me I have been singing along to that song all morning and it’s not only frustrating to me but also my roommates.  Oops!  I am just so excited for the weekend and to share with you today’s style post.

The star of today’s post is my stylish gold cuff by the up and coming brand Cosa™.  This is not just an ordinary bracelet but it is actually the world’s first magnetic charm cuff.  The Cosa™ cuff, which is Italian for “a thing”, features magnetic charms called Jigs™, which is short for “thingamajigs.”  Clever right?  As you can see the gold cuff contains 5 blank spots to pop on your favorite Jigs™.

Today, my Cosa™ cuff includes the pill, the vintage like, the heart, the light bulb, and the lipstick Jigs™. All of the charms have a special meaning like, the vintage like for being an Instagram “star,” the heart for the love and dedication to blog, the light bulb for always being inspired, the pill for those moments when I need to remember to take a chill pill and relax, and lastly, the lipstick for obvious reasons.  I love how my Cosa™ cuff allows me to add personality to my look and with all the Jigs™ to choose from you will have no problem creating the perfect cuff.  And to add even more “arm candy” try mixing and matching your favorite bangles like I did with these Forever 21 gold bangles.

Moving away from my cuff (but really how can you stop staring at my gold cuff and colorful Jigs™), lets talk about the rest of my outfit, like my chunky sweater from Yoshop.com.  I love how my sweater features a zipper detail on the sleeve and a choker neckline, which is so in style after making many appearances on the runways.  I figured my gold Cosa™ cuff would bring out the gold finish on the zipper detail and it totally did!  Also, I am obsessing over the lavender shade of my sweater.  A popular color palette for the spring is pastel colors, so I give myself props for breaking out of my usual warm toned color palette and trying this soft purple shade.

As for denim, I am wearing my favorite pair of Zara gray washed-distressed jeans.  I love how the dark gray color makes the soft lavender shade and the gold coloring of the zipper and bracelet pop.

Finally for shoes, I am wearing my usual black booties from Charlotte Russe.  These shoes don’t really need a description considering how many times they have been featured on my blog.  Just know that these are the perfect shoes for any outfit.

After reading this post, I know what you are thinking…you are wondering how you can purchase a Cosa™ cuff.  Well check out their newly updated website and get lost customizing your cuff and choosing from the ever expanding list of Jigs™.  The best part is that if you use the promo code LivForStyle you get 20% off your order. So what are you waiting for? Head over to https://www.cosacuffs.com

Photos by: Lauren Urrico

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 Sweater: YoShop.com (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Denim: Zara (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR)| Shoes: Charlotte Russe (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Bracelet: Cosa Cuffs |Bangles: Forever 21 (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) 

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Top Trends That You’ll See Everywhere In 2017

We are more than a month into 2017 and the fashion world has already seen some trends that will continue to make a statement this year.  Although we have less than 11 months left of this year, I am almost certain that the pieces mentioned below will make it into your wardrobe before we ring in a new year.  Keep on reading if you are interested in learning about some of the trends that have been turning heads so far.

Micro Bags

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You heard me right – micro bags are one of this year’s hottest trends.  The only problem with micro bags is that on first glance they seem incredibly useless – what can you use them for, other than carrying a lipstick and maybe one stick of gum? But many designers paired them up with larger bags, meaning that these micro bags are used more as money purses and an accessory to your larger bag.  Carrying two handbags can seem a little counterintuitive and unsafe but if you attach them together then not only will you be on trend, but you’ll also make sure that you never misplace either of them.

Statement Jewelry

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Statement jewelry never goes out of style. Whether it is the year 2016 or 2017, you can bet that accessorizing is always on trend.  The way to rock this look is to always remember to not over accessorize. But with strategic styling, you can always make sure your women’s jewelry game is on point.  From incredible statement necklaces to delicate rings, you can add jewelry to any outfit to make yourself look immediately ten times better and more put together.

Sneakers

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Alleluia for the return of comfortable footwear! Now, we no longer have to wear ugly running shoes or strange misshapen fake Uggs in the quest for our feet to be perfectly comfortable – instead we can follow in the footsteps of Instagram-to-Vogue models Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, and step into some comfortable Adidas Originals with a massive sigh of relief that we aren’t trying to cram our toes into pointy heels.  If you want to go really old school and channel the early 2000s golden punk pop era, then you could go for some Vans or Converse, which are coming out in a series of more and more attractive styles including rose gold, which brings me to the next trend.

Rose Gold

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It’s true – somehow rose gold is still in style after a good year of it being on top.  These days it’s moving more towards home decor, clothing (check out Katy Perry at the Grammys) and accessories.  A cross between copper and silver, it adds a pleasant warmth to the metallic goods in your life.  Go for a rose gold rain coat, rose gold shoes, and a rose gold metallic shimmer on your eyelids – you’ll look glossy, feminine and slightly astronaut-like at the same time, which is, of course, the best combination in the world.  Although you probably shouldn’t wear them all together because too much of a good thing is very possible when it comes to rose gold.

What other trends have you been seeing this year?  Continue the discussion down below.  I would love to add to my growing list of top trends in 2017.

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A Few Of My Favorite Things- Floral, Fringe, and Sparkle

Remember when the ground wasn’t covered with snow and you could walk outside unafraid of stepping into a gross puddle filled with dirty water from the melting snow?  Or remember when it was like 60 degrees one day and then the next day we got dumped on with over a foot of snow?  It’s been a crazy winter to say the least.  Well luckily the photos below were taken on that 60-degree day because no blogger would miss the chance of shooting outside on a warm winter day.  Keep scrolling to read all about one of my favorite outfits that has been on repeat because it features a few of my favorite things: floral, fringe, and sparkle.

         Whenever the cold weather hits, I am the type of person that will fold away all of my favorite dresses and wait until the warm weather returns to wear them all again.  But, now I realize that dresses can certainly be worn in the winter, especially when you layer, layer, layer.  I love my button down, floral dress from Zara.  For the winter, I love dark floral prints, because it totally makes a delicate, girly print a bit more edgy.

         My Zara dress can absolutely stand alone because the beautiful floral print is bold and makes a statement, but as I said, to turn a dress into a more winter piece, it is all about layering, so I added this suede fringed vest by the brand Bongo.  You can’t go wrong with a simple fringed vest.  To be honest, this vest doesn’t add much warmth, but the fringed detail totally adds a more bohemian vibe to my look, which I totally dig!

         It’s my sparkly tights from Forever 21 that makes my dress more wintertime appropriate.  The thick, knit fabric keeps my legs warm and of course the sparkle keeps my outfit stylish.  I highly recommend investing in a good pair of thick tights, especially ones with some sort of pattern to complete any look, while keeping your legs nice and toasty.  If you are not into tights, you can certainly layer this dress over your favorite pair of skinny jeans.  For me, dresses like this is with just an oversized shirt that can be styled in so many ways.

         For shoes, I was torn between wearing black or taupe colored booties, but since most of my outfit’s color palette is dark, I decided to wear my favorite taupe colored booties by the brand Report.  Do these shoes look familiar?  Of course they do, I also styled them in a recent post, click here to read.  I know these shoes will continue to make more appearances on my blog.

         Finally, my choker featuring a lace band and gem pendant is from Forever 21.  Whenever a shirt or in this case a dress features a high neck, a choker is the way to go.

         Thanks everyone for reading.  What are some of your favorite ways to transform a dress into a winter appropriate outfit?  Let me know in the comments below.  FYI, it is suppose to be in the 60s this weekend, which means major meltage and more yucky puddles.  Talk to you all soon!

Photos by: Lauren Urrico

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https://www.instagram.com/laurenuphoto/ 

Dress: Zara (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Vest: Bongo (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Shoes: Report | Tights: Forever 21 (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Choker: Forever 21 (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) 

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What I Wore Wednesday

You know you are experiencing a mid-week slump when it took you an hour to come up with the title of this post.  Anyway, today’s style post features some of my favorite new pieces that I picked up from Zara a while back when they were having a massive sale.  I took advantage of Zara’s sale and stocked up on new denim and tops for all occasions, so of course you can expect more style posts featuring my favorite retailer, Zara.

Today’s style vibe is casual and laid back.  I took a somewhat fancy, silky black blouse with a floral embroidered detail from Zara and dressed it down by pairing it with slouchy, boyfriend jeans.  My Zara top also features a ruffle detail at the neck, which as you can tell by the photos was not cooperating with the windy weather, but hey it still looks chic.

Mixing textures and fabrics, like denim and silk can be interesting, so to give my blouse more shape, I decided to do my oh so famous half tuck trick and tuck a portion of my top into my distressed, boyfriend jeans from Zara.  It is safe to say I am in a committed relationship with my boyfriend and by boyfriend, I mean my boyfriend jeans.

As for shoes, I am wearing my favorite leopard print high top sneakers by Sam Edelman.  High tops and boyfriend jeans and leopard print and floral print are a few of my favorite style combos.

Since my blouse has somewhat of a high neck and special features, like the ruffles and embroidery, I kept with the basics, a choker and stud earrings.  For my necklace, I decided to stick with the floral theme and wear my new choker from Forever 21, which features tiny, delicate rose charms.

Next, I am in love with my simple button freshwater pearl earrings from Pearl & Clasp.  The black coloring is an interesting twist on the classic white pearl.  Head over to Pearl & Clasp for an extensive collection of bold and unique jewelry pieces.

So that will do it for my “hump day” style.  Thank goodness I was able to capture these photos before that tiny snowstorm that hit yesterday.  I don’t need icky snow to ruin my pictures.  Now I’ll just be patiently waiting for the snow to melt and for the weekend to arrive.  Talk to you all soon!

Top: Zara (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Jeans: Zara (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Shoes: Sam Edelman (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR)| Earrings: Pearl & Clasp  | Choker: Forever 21 (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) 

Photos by: Lauren Urrico

https://www.facebook.com/laurenuphoto

https://www.instagram.com/laurenuphoto/

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Twinkle, Twinkle Little Stars

Who else is totally gushing over the star print trend this year? I mean how beautiful was Emma Stone’s Valentino blush colored dress she wore at the Golden Globes a couple of weeks ago.  I loved how the dress included a sparkly star pattern.  She really looked like a star (no pun intended).  Emma Stone as well as other celebrities and bloggers have really inspired me to add more of the star print to my collection.  Keep on reading to see how I style one of my new favorite pieces that follows that star trend and will have you shining like a star (too cheesy?).

All eyes are on my long black tunic with the beautiful metallic star print from online shop, Zaful.  I love heading over to Zaful because you will always find the best prices on the most stylish and trendiest pieces.  Every time I wear my Zaful tunic, everyone is always confused whether it is a top or a dress.  It is long enough to be a dress, but since the sides of the shirt features extremely high slits, I like to style it more like a shirt by wearing my favorite leggings or opaque tights.

         My favorite thing to wear with my tunic is my pair of leather leggings from Target.  I have been living in these leggings all winter because they are so stylish and definitely add that edgy vibe to any look.  I totally want to add more leggings like this in my wardrobe, so suggestions on where to find the perfect leather legging are greatly appreciated.

         Of course, what is a LivForStyle outfit without a faux fur vest?  So naturally, I layered my favorite black fur vest from Macy’s over my top for an extra pop of glam.

         Since my whole outfit has a lot going on, I decided to keep my accessories simple and just wore a choker from Apricot Lane.  The simple suede cord makes for the perfect choker without drawing too much attention away from the star print.

         Lastly, my black booties are by the brand Material Girl.  You can’t go wrong with a pair of booties that add some extra height and finishes off any look.

         I have been getting so much use out of my Zaful tunic, especially for a night out with my friends. However, don’t let the dark color palette make you think this outfit is only for the night.  You can always throw on a pair of light colored skinny jeans or boyfriend jeans to lighten up this look.  Either way, in my opinion this tunic and more specifically the star pattern will never go out of style.  Talk to you all soon!

Top: Zaful | Leggings: Target (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Vest: Macy’s (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Shoes: Material Girl (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) | Choker: Apricot Lane (SIMILAR) 

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