the only alternative to fashion is naked.

When I was young I always wanted to wear white from head to toe - specifically in the summer. I remember being in the dressing room at Dillards with (what I thought at the time) was an amazing pair of disco-like white flares and a white and silver sweater (Stayin' Alive, anyone?!) and begging my mom to buy it for me to wear on the first day of school. I'll never forget she called me "the ice cream man". She never stifled my creativity and usually let me wear what I wanted. So the first day of 5th grade was spent in my white flares and white sweater with silver thread. ;)

This summer, all white is well, white-hot! The key is to keep it preppy with classic shapes and not too-tight fits, and alter the hue with at least one piece in the outfit. White makes your tan look tanner and your skin look even glowy-er than usual! Here's a couple of examples on how to rock all white this summer!

Quick blog post about some fashion & beauty things I'm absolutely loving right now! Enjoy! :)






Wet 'N Wild eyeshadow trio in 'Walking on Eggshells' 


Versatile, pigmented, everyday, gorgeous! Just some of the great things you could say about this eyeshadow trio. It was my first experience with Wet 'N Wild shadow, and another assumption about a product based only on pricepoint..(it's only $2.99 at Walgreens!) 

The compact comes with 3 shadows, featured as "browbone, crease, and eyelid". Pay no attention to these titles. ;) In my opinion, the white-ish (top) shade is too shimmery for your brow bone, and the other 2 shades can easily be used differently than what they advertise. But I can see how for someone who needs help with shadow would find it helpful, so..moving on! ;)


I have played with this trio a LOT, and my favorite look is as follows: put the vanilla shade on your inner corner and bottom 1/2 of your lid with a small shader brush. Then take a larger, flat eyeshadow brush (or even the spongey-applicator it comes with!) and pack the pinky-nudeish color onto the rest of the lid, lightly blending the vanilla shadow and the pinky shadow together where they meet (so no harsh lines.). Then take a crease brush (any fatter, rounded tip brush) and add the brown onto your crease and blend it out from the outer corner of your crease to the middle -- don't go too far in or it'll look harsh. I then take another brow highlight color (anything lighter than your skin color and not too shimmery) right underneath the brow bone. 

swatches of shadows :)

Then just line your waterline/tightline with a dark brown/black liner, add mascara and you're done!


Tip: for a smokier look, I pack the brown color on the outer third of my lid, then add a brown shadow a shade darker over it, and blend it out.


















Sonia Kashuk 'Blending Sponge'


If you follow a lot of what's going on in the beauty world, you know about the Beauty Blender sponge. It's hot pink, sold at Sephora or online, and it's THIRTY DOLLARS. For a sponge! Makeup artists and beauty guru's alike swear by it's usefullness and say it's worth the money, but for me, I cannot justify spending $30 on a sponge you can use for a few weeks (months at best) and toss. 


But at Target last month I spotted this blue beauty: the Sonia Kashuk version of the Beauty Blender, the "blending sponge". I can best describe it as a firm sponge, not particularly absorbent. It also has a little bit of a "tire" smell. You know what I mean. haha. I'm not sure why the smell, but this little sponge does some serious work. The best way I've found to use it: wet the sponge and squeeze it until no more water comes out. It will be just a little damp. Put some liquid foundation on the back of your hand and dip your blending sponge into it on the fat side. Apply all over your face in a stippling motion. When you get to smaller areas you'd like to cover, like the sides of your nose or under your eyes, dip foundation with the smaller, pointed side of the sponge. It can transform even the cheapest foundation and gives you a truly airbrushed-like look. The best way to use it is to gradually build up coverage: by using it wet it's going on more sheer, thus more natural looking. It also seems to "seep into" your skin better than your fingers, a brush, or a disposable makeup sponge. For $9.99, it's a price you won't have a heart attack about, and I also won't cry in a month or two when I have to replace it. 


Tip: to clean sponge (I do after about 3 uses), use a VERY SMALL amount of baby shampoo. Non irritating to your face, and does the job!




Mossimo (oversized) denim button down!


I have been wearing this all over the place. I bought mine in a size larger than I'd normally wear; I wanted the casual, relaxed, "i'm not trying to look cute" look. ;) I have worn it over a floral sundress to "toughen" it up, over a white boyfriend-tank with black pants, and over a silky, ruffled blouse with a skirt at work. Roll the sleeves up, keep them down, pop the collar (i know) add a fedora (you all know how i love the fedora) It's so versatile and cute, and I've seen lots of them at the mall for way more. (this one was $19.99). 








As always, thanks for reading! (: 

let's face it: it's HOT outside. [and it's only June!] If you live in South Florida like me, or if you live anywhere other than Antarctica, you're probably seeking out clothes that help you stay cool while also keeping you looking cute, fresh, on-trend, and fun!

There are of nearly endless possibilities on how to do that, but here's an example of a look I'm loving for this dreadfully hot summer!

First, here's the pieces I used to put this look together:

lime green cotton tee: H&M, $8

cotton high-waistband skirt: H&M, $13

braided whiskey leather belt: $24, AE

leather sandals with gold detail: H&M, $25

the put together look. i'm wearing it today! :)

A new wardrobe every season can be expensive. But rock these statement-making pieces with your already-in-your-closet fashion staples and voila! You have a whole new look...on the cheap! (our favorite part!) ;)


1st statement: bold necklaces!

You can't go wrong with this season's jewelry. And you don't have to pay a ton for it, either! I'm loving bold, chunky, bib-style necklaces, long, skinny rose gold chains that graze your waist, fun and bright beads, and the new friendship-bracelet inspired jewelry that reminds me of 5th grade when I made "custom" friendship bracelets  for all my friends!

to the left is one of my favorite new necklaces. It's got everything from leather cords to turquoise and coral beads. it's got plenty of fresh personality! Wear this with a white sundress, or dress it down with a white v-neck tee and jean shorts! (necklace, 14.99, Target)


to the right is another one of my current favorites. It's "friendship bracelet" inspired design has braided thread intertwining with a chunky, brushed-gold tone necklace. it adjusts with two leather cords on each end, adorned with beads. the "adjuster" is just as cute as the necklace...for a funky look, position the leather cords on the side instead of the back and show them off! (necklace, $8.90, Forever 21) sorry the picture is not the greatest!






statement #2- Keeping with jewelry, another great current trend is lots of bracelets. Paired together in a funky "mashup", or just one or two paired with a great menswear watch, I'm LOVING bracelets right now -- and oddly, I was never a big bracelet wearer! The key these days is to mix and match! no longer does gold have to go only with gold, or leather cuffs have to be worn only with dressed-down outfits! While I wouldn't wear ALL of these bracelets shown together in real life, mixing more than one style together makes you look fresher and very on trend. :)
(bracelets, from top to bottom: whiskey leather and gold tone bracelet, $20, Target; "jade & pearl" beaded bracelet, [sold in set of 2], $7, JC Penney; sterling silver beaded bracelet, Kohls [gifted]; large rhinestone bracelet in blue-tone, $35, J. Crew; turquoise, silver, & leather bracelet, $9.99, Target)




What goes great over dresses, cardigans, and pencil skirts...but also looks equally great looped into denim shorts and used to accentuate your waist?! statement #3, a braided leather skinny belt! (of course!)

My pick comes from American Eagle ($24) - a good hint is to buy the belt a size or two larger than you actually wear..this works with a braided belt because 1) there's no "holes" for the pin, you can adjust it as loose or as tight as you'd like, and 2) because braided belts look the best looped through and tucked under. Use it to create a waist in a shift-style dress, or as an accessory to break up this season's hot 'color blocking' trend. Skinny belts are in style in general this season...pick up a bright orange or bright pink one as well. But when picking out a leather braided style, stick with a neutral color that goes with everything. You can dress this baby up or dress it down. You'll be wearing it with everything!


statement #4 is something I've been wearing A LOT of since Spring began. If you follow me on twitter or friend me on facebook...chances are you've seen a picture (or two!) of me wearing these. I'm talking hats! I LOVE hats, sports related or otherwise, so i was so excited to see fedora-styles were back and bigger than EVER! I love the straw-fedora for spring. They're in every store these days from Wal-Mart to American Apparel and everywhere in between, so you're sure to find one in a price point you like. And it's not just straw hats - cowboy-inspired straw hats are huge right now, and also big, floppy hats to wear to the beach (so you don't ruin your dye job in the sun!) I think a hat can instantly change your look and definitely makes a fun statement! (hats: top $13, Target; bottom $8, WalMart)



and finally, statement #5 is a bright, bold, coral lip! Even if you shy away from lipstick (I did for the longest time! it's really ok!) you must try this trend. Start by exfoliating  your lips (no more dry, flaky lips!) by mixing sugar and water into a paste, rubbing a large quantity onto your lips, then rinsing off. (or you could use a lip exfoliator by Lush Cosmetics or Mary Kay's "satin lips"). Then line your lips with a nude pencil (the brighter the lipstick, the more tendency to run...not cute). Then apply lipstick from the tube or with a lip brush. Add some clear gloss on top for some slickness and you're done! Just make sure the rest of your makeup stays simple and fresh - no smokey eyes with coral lips please!) *(lipstick, $5; 'Coral Crush' by Maybelline)


Can't wait to share more of my favorite summer trends! (:

I remember wearing my denim jumper in 5th grade sooo often it was crazy. I loved that thing! And it was great because it was so versatile..like wearing jeans but trendier and great for warmer weather!


And i'm sure everyone reading this had their moment with 'jelly shoes'. I'm sure I had some, but I specifically remember my older sister wearing her O.U.T...they were ALL the rage!


[side note: anyone remember "snap bracelets"!? Those things hurt...but i loved them! haha!]


Back to the topic at hand, if you are into fashion and have looked at designer's spring/summer collections for this year, denim romper's/dresses and jelly sandals have made their comeback in a huge (and super cute!) way. Here's my opinion on how you can do it for less! (i'm all about saving some mooolah!)


bloomingdales.com and nordstrom.com have a wide range of denim dresses..the only problem is, the cheapest one I found was $300! It was really cute...but for a lot less, check out [and pick up!] some of these REALLY adorable dupes!


 'i heart ronson' for JC Penney denim dress, $40, JC Penney stores

Everything about this dress is fresh and in fashion! I love the zipper pocket detailing on the chest, and the tie at the waist is ultra-flattering and also chic! You can roll the sleeves down, or roll them up and button them as shown here. Paired with a simple necklace and a really cute pair of gladiator sandals or jellies (see below!), this look is so effortlessly cute! 






Hailey Jeans Co. pleated denim dress, $39.99, Target.com


A lot different than dupe #1, this can be dressed up or dressed down. Dress it up with a statement necklace (just make sure it doesn't interrupt the great pleating detail at the neckline!), fab hair & makeup, and fun heels. Or easily dress it down by throwing a t-shirt scarf (another one of Spring/Summer's hottest trends) around your neck and some cute embellished sandals! (or really cute flats!) 








now, the jelly shoes trend. Gone are the early 90's where jellies were for little kids and looked like ballet flats made out of goo. They're fresh and super fashion forward for us! I found some Marc Jacobs jellies online (pictured right), but the price is a bit too steep for me. Plus, I found some really adorable dupes!






Dexter "Port Jelly" Sandal, $16.99, Payless stores and online (online deal! only $9.99 right now!)
I love these! I thought they only made them in red, but went online to find all kinds of fun summery colors! I recommend at this price to pick up more than one pair! I have a feeling they'd be a staple of your hot-weather wardrobe! Bonus: i love the stripes! Definitely coensides with the 'nautical' trend going on right now! 


(shown left in yellow. also comes in navy, clear, red, and black!) 










Old Navy 'chain link' jelly sandals, $19.50, Old Navy stores (not available online-bummer!)
Like the ones from Payless, these come in a wide variety of colors and are SUPER cute. They're a little more outfit-specific and trendy (in my opinion), but again..for under $20 you can afford to wear them for the summer and then donate them :) I love the T-strap and the details on top - very cute to show off pedicured toes! My favorite are the blue, shown right! (but i also LOVE the pink!) 








As usual, how much you paid does not equal how on trend and H-O-T you look! (; 


xoxo!