Author: Rena

Fall Trends 2013 (Pt.1): Splurge Worthy


Fall ready looks with high price tags!

 

Don’t worry, we’re just looking…

 

These are some of my favorite designers and crazy good looks for the fall season of 2013. Totally worth $plurging on (if you have it, of course.) Let’s start off this series with something we ALL need in our closets…….

 

 

 

 

Whether you like “cool and muted,” “dark and deep” or “vibrant and bright” colors, this is the season to try them all.   Jumping right into the deep end, I chose purple. Of course purple is a sign of royalty so that helps boost the confidence level a tad. Also on trend…matching your colors. I’m beyond excited for this! It’s like the old rules of fashion, match your bag with your shoes and belt!

 

 

Where To Buy: (clockwise from left)

 

$395 ~ Animal Print Satchel ~  Longchamp

 

$725 ~ Stiletto Heels ~  Gucci

 

$385 ~ Suede Pumps ~ Chie Mihara

 

 

 

 

 

$194 ~ Swirled cardigan ~ Nic + Zoe

 

$78 ~ Merino wool sweater ~ Halogen 

 

$88 ~ Pleated blouse ~ BB Dakota

 

 

 

If you’re not one for dark shades or not ready for fall tones just yet, try the muted pastels; dusty rose and pale pink are definitely a do for fall. Speaking of muted colors…these colors seem to be far from it! They may not be as bold or bright but they’re definitely just as pretty and chic.

 

 

Where to buy: clockwise from left

 

$845 ~ Rockstud Caged Ballerina ~ Valentino

 

$898 ~ Legacy Embossed ~ Coach

 

$695 ~ Ballerina Flat ~ Valentino

 

$1590~ Leather & bows  ~ Miu Miu

 

 

 

 

 

 

$78 ~ Embellished Sweatshirt ~ Gibson

 

$200 Silk Top ~ Baum Und Pferdgarten 


 $99 ~ Mersa Top ~ Baum Und Pferdgarten

 

$137 ~ Kiss Top ~ Baum Und Pferdgarten

 

(The three Baum Und Pferdgarten tops are all from Saint Bustier, a shopping site that features clothing for bustier women.)

 

 

 

 

And you absolutely CANNOT go wrong with black or white! Better yet, how about black AND white! Check out these monochrome accessories!

 

 

Where to buy: (left to right)

 

$795 ~ Ankle-tie pumps ~  Giorgio Armani

 

$1295~ Top-handle satchel ~  Michael Kors

 

 

 

No matter what you choose, there is no wrong answer, so feel free to experiment with your wardrobe! That’s all for now folks but be sure to check back here for the rest of the fall fashion series! You don’t wanna miss more bank busting styles and the penny saving looks to follow!

 

Lustful Looks


Hey there stylish sweets! Welcome to another mid-week in August, we won’t be able to say that pretty soon! As September approaches, the weather cools down, trees lose their leaves, and we start reaching for layers. For fall, I’ll continue to do shopping posts which feature items that are affordable and those that are, um, shall we say…not too affordable for us everyday chicks! Also, drum roll please… New York Fashion Week is coming up in September as well. Definitely excited for that but between those runway posts, I’m thinking of doing an everyday post just for the month of September. Currently trying to decide between “30 Days, 30 Heels” or just “30 Days, 30 Shoes”…what do you guys think?

Anywho, now that I have you all caught up…let’s look at a few things I’m lusting over right now! Some of these are far out of my reach but that won’t stop me from drooling over them from time to time. See what’s on my mind and what needs to be in my closet, after the jump! (click “read more” below)

(1.) $995 ~  Charlotte Olympia ~ Pandora Pisces Clutch

 

(2.) $1,270 ~ Roberto Cavalli ~ Baroque Cap Sleeve Dress

 

(3.) $750 ~ Eddie Borgo ~ Alternating Pave Cone Bracelet
(4.) $1,150 ~ Tom Ford ~ Padlock Ankle-Wrap Suede Pump

 

(5.) (contact Chanel for prices) ~ Bows, Gunmetal & Pearls Jewelry Set

 

(6.) $750 ~ Lanvin ~ Beetle Print High Top Sneaker

 

(7.) $4,250 ~ Jason Wu ~ Pleated T-Back Combo Dress

 

(8.) $425 ~ Prada ~ Daino Pleated Wristlet Clutch

 

(9.) $1,495 ~ J Brand ~ Ready to Wear Connix Cropped Jacket

Ok, so you see the price tags…I’ll just enjoy lusting from a distance this time around. Although, every single piece would look very good in my wardrobe! ‘Twas fun dreaming, don’t you think?! What’s something you’re drooling over this month?

Saturday Surprise!

There’s nothing like getting surprises…the good kind of course!

 

If you stylish sweets remember, I’m an “Influenster” and Influensters get goodies (sometimes not so good) things to test, try out, use and review. I received my first Influenster Voxbox a few months back and enjoyed testing out every product. Check out my reviews here, here and here. Since then, Influenster notified me that I was one of the top reviewers for that Voxbox (goodies) and was selected to get MORE goodies!!

 

Well, that was a month or so ago and I totally forgot all about it, until today! Surprise! More treats! My wonderful mail lady shocked me by ringing the bell and announcing I had packages! Now, me being me, I was worried that maybe I was the proud new owner of a big fake check from Publishers Clearing House but not this time. Anywho, ripping into the packaging and pulling out beauty products was way better!

 

Here’s the loot I snagged:

 

 

 
 

Huge thanks to Kiss and NYC Color!!

 

I’m not obligated to use OR review these products but you guys know me…….I’ll share the deets!

 

Stay tuned!

 
 

Morning Linkage: Cup 33


Good morning stylish sweets, here’s your news and bits for your morning coffee!

photo cofmug5.png
Procrastination Mug

The Dark Side of Modeling: What I learned as a Plus Size Model ~ {Huffington Post}


Remember to check out one of my Lucky Mag contributing post and vote. If enough votes are calculated, yours truly will win a spa gift card. Hellooooo full-body massage! ~ {#AllNaturalStyleSecrets}

Career advice from the creators of BluePrint Cleanse ~ Glamour

Pics of muscle cars and feel good stories of Metro Detroit’s Woodward Dream Cruise ~ {Detroit Free Press}

 

Tune In: Fantasia


Season three, American Idol winner (yes, I forgot too) Fantasia Barrino is back with new music. I have to say, I’ve feeling this song for a while and to finally see the visual treatment it got……I’m a happy chick! Reminds me of the music videos of the late 90’s and early 2000’s, fun time for female entertainers. Anywho, feels like I can start rambling at any moment LOL so here you go…the new single from her new album “Side Effects of You.”

“Without Me” Fantasia ft. Kelly Rowland & Missy Elliott

 

Sit. Stay. Daykoor.

 IKEA really knows how to reel me in! It’s not that hard, just send me a catalog, I’ll look through EVERY page, and write a mental shopping list! Yea, I’m fairly easy to please. Normally, you guys see the chic and stylish chairs that I love so much like this, this, and this but today, I’m in love with an ENTIRE sofa!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course it was the color that caught my eye first…it’s pink, that’s kind of a no-brainer!

 

Then very very very shortly after spying fuschia, I saw the functionality of this sofa. It’s a bed, storage area, and a couch…all-in-one! This made it absolutely irresistible! My next task will be heading down the road to the local IKEA to test the comfiness of this contraption (insert dramatic gasp, head shaking, sweating, and fist clinching.) If you’ve ever been inside an IKEA store, you know exactly what I mean. If you have yet to visit….I encourage you to bring: patience, a cell phone with emergency contacts, water, and comfortable shoes!

 

 Lastly, GRAB THE MAP at the entrance, seriously.

 

Tune In: Jessie J


You know those “I remember exactly where I was the first time I heard _____ (insert any music artist) moments”? Well, I’m currently having one of those moments! While watching Saturday Night Live one night, Jessie J was the musical guest. Most of the Twitter world, including myself, didn’t know who this chick in a bodysuit was. Next thing you know, she’s on MTV and the rest is history! Flash forward a couple years, a few haircuts, and a bottle of golden blonde hair dye to now…Jessie J is one of musics’ sweet er slightly rugged voices!

 

 

Jessie J – It’s My Party

 

Let’s Go au naturale! #AllNaturalStyleSecrets


If you know me in the real world, you know that I rarely wear makeup everyday. Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE MAKEUP but showing a fresh face to the world is a thing of beauty. It shows confidence and your natural features. So when Lucky Mag and the Lucky Mag Community reached out to do a post featuring a new natural product, I jumped at the chance!

 

 

Disclosure: I received a free sample of this product from Lucky and Seventh Generation for use in connection with this blog.

 

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And here’s what I received! Seventh Generation Boosts: Firming

 

 

 

I’ve been using this product for 3 days and my skin feels ahh-mazing!

 

 

As my style is already fairly natural, I figured what way to show that off than in my “natural” habitat?! At home, relaxing on the couch while enjoying some tv! Natural is comfortable for me. A chambray shirt from Old Navy and curls are all I need for a relaxing evening. Keeping it simple is my secret to effortless style.

 

#AllNaturalStyleSecrets

 

 

Trust me, you’re going to love it!

Summer Treats: Sweet Edition

Welcome to August stylish sweets!

 There’s a problem we’re not discussing. That problem is my lack of self-control around sugary sweet treats! It’s like a never ending sweet tooth! Lately, I’ve been trying wholeheartedly to cut back my sugar intake and reach for healthier choices. With that said, I’m trying to get my hands to reach for more FRUIT!

Summer months tend to lend themselves to the tastiest fruits and it’s always during the summer, we’re looking for quick and easy snacks. Before going into the kitchen or even before going to the fruit market, be sure to check out this Fruits By The Season. This list will help you understand which fruits are currently in season and when to buy them. Now, let’s jump into a few quick, easy, sweet, and of course tasty treats!

Photos credited to Getty Images
 fruitc1
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Strawberry Shortcake ~  The following recipe is from The Food Network Kitchens (Yes, I’ve made this and it’s very very easy!)

Personal Quick Tips: I substitute sugar on the berries & cream with honey. Just because it makes it easier to dissolve when you’re not using a heavy duty mixer. Also, any Brandy will do for tossing the strawberries, you only need two tablespoons so unless you plan on getting tipsy later…buying a bottle bigger than a shot isn’t necessary.

Fruit Parfait ~ Another easy sweet treat that’s perfect for the hot summer months. You can use any fruits you like…fresh or pureed (I prefer pureed.) Simply, make sweet cream yourself by using heavy cream and sugar with a mixer or go the even easier route and use Cool Whip! The crunch in this dessert comes from granola.

 

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Personal Tip: Use vanilla ice cream for your “creamy” layers if you’re really looking for a cool down. Also, toss the granola in honey if you want to skip the cream all together for a sweet treat.

Fruit Kabobs ~ What’s easier than fruit on a stick? I’m thinking, nothing! There’s no cooking or real prep work! Purchase wooden kabob sticks from a craft store like Michaels or even grab them from the market. Get your favorite fruits and place them on the skewers in any way you like.

Bonus Tip: If you’re outside or doing some grilling…throw the fruit kabobs on the grill! Just make sure you’re using “heat” friendly skewers not plastic ones. The warm fruit seriously melts in your mouth!

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Homemade Fruit Popsicles ~ I’ve been making these since I was kid, definitely nowhere near the level in which these are but very yummy nonetheless! As a kid, I’d take my mother’s ice trays and fill them with juice and freeze them! Genius! Now we have these exotic fruit popsicles and I’m not in the least bit mad about it! Real Simple has a great article featuring the 6 Recipes for Homemade Popsicles to try.

Now, I’ve gotta run to grab everything you see here! I’ll be sure to post pics of everything I make!

Enjoy your sweet (healthy), summer treats!