Fashion Friday: Statement Jewelry

If there's one thing I can't leave my house without, it's my jewelry. As dramatic as it sounds, I have about six special pieces I feel completely naked without (they're subtle!). However, as important as those pieces are, they're not the accessories that will decorate an outfit perfectly. I'm obsessed with having jewels that match and dress up my clothes. Statement jewelry, particularly statement necklaces, are the most fun way to do this...

The Bold Statement Necklace 

It's flashy but it works. Because of its boldness, I usually accessorize this necklace with simple white or pink shirts. Since the necklace's bigness sometimes gets mistaken for being part of this shirt's design, I can usually get away with subtle silver earrings, without it looking over the top.

The Color Statement Necklace 

My favorite color is any shade that is or similar to Tiffany blue. So obviously, this necklace fits those requirements. For me, it's not hard to get good use out of this necklace since I have a lot of blue outfits and accessories to match. If blue isn't your favorite, definitely get a statement piece in a color you do like and will wear a lot. It's a serious well used investment!

The Neutral Statement Necklace 

If you're not looking to draw too much attention to your necklace, the neutral shades are probably your best choice. Easy to match, and still makes a statement that can be used during day or night. 

The Fancy Statement Necklace

While it definitely can be used casually, I've only worn this necklace at night. It's great for that LBD or other black/silver ensembles. Nevertheless, totally not a waste! It's better to purchase some flashy costume jewels like this rather than an expensive silver statement necklace you'll use just as much.

The Ombre Statement Necklace

Starting on a bright pink note, ending on a bright pink note. This is basically a definition of the extreme statement necklace. The brightness, various pink shades, its ability to reflect off of any light and shine...definitely eye catching. Despite its well, everything, the necklace matches with various outfits. Obviously, over-accesorizing when wearing this piece is not advised. But otherwise, step out of your comfort zone and take a chance with it! 

Note : All of these necklaces (and their matching earrings and bracelets) were purchased at New York and Company. 

The September Issue : Redefining Cover Girl

Bless September. The fashion holy month that delivers us with the latest version of the bible - AKA, Vogue's September Issue. This year's 902 page magazine spoiled us with the most fashion ads and articles we've seen since the recession. The latest issue was also my personal favorite September issue since Kate Moss' wedding coverage in 2011. The profile on Jennifer Lawrence was extremely refreshing with its awareness and genuineness. Titled "Star Quality", the cover story examined Lawrence's rise to fame and how despite her movie star power, she's stayed down to earth.

The hyped up September issue is all about the revamped fall wardrobe and the start of new trends that will truly impact the rest of the year. With Jennifer Lawrence on the cover, Vogue is turning a new page on what it means to have star quality in today's age. Gone are the days of the media adoring the idea of the tailored to perfection actresses like Julia Roberts or Gwyneth Paltrow. With Lawrence, it goes beyond liking the relatable girl who can additionally rock designer flocks. This is the girl who won an Oscar then tripped in Dior and flirted with Jack Nicholson in the most fangirl manner. She's sincere, and in an industry where stars don't have the most fortunate fate, that revamps the ideal cover girl. The September issue is the blockbuster issue and Jennifer Lawrence is most definitely redefining what it means to be a blockbuster star.

(Sidenote: "Cinderella Story" is another stand out piece totally worth checking out!)

"I'm still getting used to everything. It makes me a little emotional, just to see how quickly everything changes." 
-Jennifer Lawrence

Fashion Friday: What's In My Bag

The Essentials

In honor of Fashion Friday, I thought I'd play my favorite game the magazines taught me as a child - What's In My Bag! When you carry around chic arm candy, such as my beloved Michael Kors bag, it's normal to be curious about the interior, so let's get to sharing...

Tiffany Sunglasses - Sunglass Hut

My baby! This is probably my most prized possession and if you've ever witnessed me refer to my sunglasses as Tiff (my apologies), this shouldn't exactly be a shock. This past winter, I entered my most dedicated commitment when I spotted these sunglasses and fell in love. They were a Christmas present and I have to admit, my love for the sunglasses was more religious than the actual holiday celebrations. Between the cat eye shape and bows on the side, I feel like a modern Audrey! (Bonus: they're polarized!)

Michael Kors iPhone 4 Case - Macy's

By now, it's pretty evident I have a strong addiction to all things blue or Michael Kors related. The shiny case makes it easy to not lose my phone at the bottom of my purse, and the color is surprisingly great for all seasons!

Icebreakers - Local Drug Stores

Yes, even the Icebreakers stick with the light blue theme. Nevertheless, these things are my life savers during hunger, after meals, and overall stress relievers. Who knew heaven could come in tiny mints...and only 5 calories.

Dior "Spring Ball" Lipgloss - Sephora

J'adore Dior! I'm more a of a lipgloss girl than lipstick but prefer applying cleanly with a brush (#firstworldproblems). This color is perfect for day or night as it gives the right amount of shimmer! Only issue is you can never tell when it's running out because of the case's outside shade. Obviously, not a fun surprise.

Michael Kors Wallet - Michael Kors store

I swear I don't work for Michael Kors (although I would 100% be down for that), the obsession is just very strong. This wallet is the perfect size with the most convenient amount of compartments. The rose gold color only adds to it's shimmer!

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Lotion - Macy's, Mirror - Drug Store 

The necessities! Purell is great and all but Donna Karan's Cashmere Mist hand lotion makes your hands super soft and smell beautiful. And the mirror is a fun, flashy, and very helpful accessory Santa dropped in my stocking this year.

The Denim Blues

Fall 2013, denim is back. The rugged cotton has been a hot hit this summer and it's here to stay when the autumn leaves start changing colors. But just so we're clear, denim on denim is still a touchy subject so please, nobody repeat this tragedy.

Balmain's collections are providing plenty of options with how to show off those baby blues. With punk fashion totally making a comeback, you can keep the denim edgy with a studded jacket...

( Copyright 2013 Stylesight Inc.) 

Or keep it cute like Kate Hudson did in this softer textured Balmain dress. 

Always on top of the latest trends, Olivia Palermo shows off how to balance the casual and chiness of full on denim attires.

And last but not least, definitely mix denim with leather. This style is the best way to dress up the outfit while giving it a tough, yet feminine look. 

Into the Seasons: Fall/Winter 2013 Ads

Fall fashion is just around the corner! While the department stores begin to unload the seasonal change, here are some of the the top fall designer advertisements about to be splashed across the city.

DKNY Fall/Winer 2013

Cara Delevingne continues dominate her DKNY campaigns with this fierce NYC ad.

Michael Kors Fall/Winter 2013

Michael Kors takes his fall campaign on a west coast getaway in this Mario Testino shoot.

Dior Fall/Winter 2013

Dior keeps autumn vibrantly chic in the dark Versailles garden. 

Dolce and Gabbana Fall/Winter 2013

That's amore! Dolce and Gabbana sticks with the traditional Italian family theme.

Chanel Fall/Winter 2013

Karl Lagerfeld shakes it up a little with a futuristic campaign accompanied by model and celebrity studded short films. 

Let's Get Domestic

When I returned home for the summer, I returned to state of panicked redecorating. For the past couple of months, life has consisted of paint fumes, multiple trips to Home Goods, and the possible loss of the ability to tell if a picture is crooked from too much analyzing. After all of the stress, my home for the summer and winter breaks has been transformed into a faux Hamptons getaway. Between the Tiffany blue accents and Italian decor, the burbs just got that much cozier! The final product was so chic, I couldn't not show it off. 

En Route to Summer Fashionista

Summer might be flying by but that doesn't mean your vacation wardrobe has to suffer. So whether your jet setting to the south of France or keeping it low key a local beach, here are some trendy essentials you can still try out for the remainder of the summer.

Crop top

It's a hot trend, but to be blunt, it's not meant for everyone. Sure the high waisted shorts and cutoff shirt is a cute look, but only if it's done in a flattering way. Hence why the crop top can be done in a number of ways, whether it be showing off those abs or a less revealing cutoff flowy tank top. No matter what, pairing it with high waisted bottoms is usually the classiest way.

Patriotism

Fourth of July might have passed, but summertime is always the prefect time to sport the red, white, and blue. Take note from Queen Bey (in every aspect of life, but most importantly, her fashion). USA apparel never fails for a day out in the sun. 

Overalls

Purchase Here

Honestly, I don't understand why this is such a big trend or even why I like it so much. The retro overalls are in, and for some reason, they looks really good. Denim is huge, so consequently, it's forgivable to adore a cute pair of overalls. 

Fake It Till You Make It

First off, I have many reasons for defending my interest in seeing The Bling Ring:

1. The glamour. I'm a sucker for pretty things a.k.a any Sofia Coppola movie.

2. The story's background. I was an avid viewer of Pretty Wild  and basically have the "Nancy Jo, this is Alexis Niers calling" phone call down like a shallow pro.

3. The movie is an accurate and not so flattering representation of my generation.

It doesn't take a psychiatrist to figure out why these kids did what they did. They were stupid, bored, and like most people of the current youth, heavily influenced by the A-list/celebrity obsessed lifestyle. As someone who idolized Nicole Richie on The Simple Life and begged her parents for a Louis Vuitton all at the young age of seven, this obsession wasn't exactly newsworthy to me. We're all a little tainted by the desire to be rich and swimming in couture - pretty harmless ambition. We get a little too fascinated by Loubs and take too many selfies when we get into V.I.P. areas. It happens. But greed isn't the problem for the bling ring, or most of my generation, it's the lack of self-awareness. These kids were coked out like 95% of the time and lived in a bizarre fantasy. Like the LV my parents purchased to shut my 7-year-old self up, they were unstable knockoffs. And that fakeness gets disposed quite quickly.

Overall, Sofia did a great job showing the story without glamorizing the suspects. The characters' actions confirmed our generation is definitely corrupt but their selfishness doesn't define us. The American dream is still in tact with the "me" generation, it's just a bit more fueled by materialistic ideals. Our desires might be high, but in our defense, so are our standards. Yes, most girls worship the thought of owning a Birkin. But unlike this group, we're smart enough to earn it the authentic way - not steal it from Paris Hilton.

And sidenote - five stars for Emma Watson and Claire Julien's valley accents. Killed it.

An Oldie But Goodie

Yesterday marked the 15th anniversary of Sex and the City! The show centered on four women in New York City broke the barriers for girls on friendships, relationships, sex, and fashion. It's typical for girls (and mo's!) to identify with a different character depending on their particular personality, however the fashion on SATC really brought its audience together. The one thing we can all agree on is you can't go wrong with a little Manolo Blanik on the feet and a big flower on the shoulder. Here's to the top SATC fashion moments worth raising a cosmo to! 

First off, they went to a Yankees game dressed like this. Fur coats, heels, and diva sunglasses. What better way to get over your ex (especially when he's Mr. Big) than show up to a baseball game like this and catch the attention of the new Yankee.

The series came full circle with the Paris finale. While Carrie experienced the most unromantic rendezvous in Paris, her fashion fortunately didn't suffer the same fate. This particular green dress stood out as she dashed through the streets of Paris before returning to her one true love - New York City.

The flower trend! By the time of the SATC movie, Carrie largely increased the flower, but back in her early Aiden days, the accessory was a subtle touch. Thanks to the show's amazing styling department, florals in the spring/summer suddenly did become groundbreaking. 

My personal favorite, the Dior newspaper dress. This style was so iconic that SJP repeated the look in Sex and the City 2, after debuting it during the series. It's not hard to pinpoint what exactly makes the dress so flawless. For six seasons, viewers watched and related to Carrie's struggle to find herself and what she wanted out of life. When Bradshaw steps into this dress, her confidence just sparks that SATC/NYC dream millions of girls relate to. 

"The most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself, and if you can find someone to love the you that you love, well that's just fabulous."

-Sex and the City

Fashion On the Go

Quick and easy high end retail therapy, sounds like paradise right? Well, the fashion app Gilt offers that dream come true with discounts on a diversity of fashion brands. No need to stress about missing out on those early morning Kate Spade online shopping sales anymore. With the help of Gilt, you can consistently stay up to date through your iPhone or iPad to find the hottest and cheapest versions of your favorite labels. Spending summer purchases on discounted YSL and Prada - there's nothing guilty about that!

Style Obsession: Olivia Pope

Summer beach days can be a little tough to predict on the east coast. Hence why it's so important to have your latest addictive show ready to hit play on Netflix. For me, it's been Scandal. After missing out on all the Twitter viewing parties, I finally decided to check out all that hype on ABC's hottest show. After two weeks of rainy days centered around marathoning, my gut was telling me I was obsessed. It's hard not to fall in love with Olivia Pope. Her sassiness, hot affairs, and impeccable style make politics actually seem like a good time. And while many of us can't get our wish to be Olivia Pope, we can at least take a few notes and copy her style (seriously, is gladiator in a suit synonym for fashionista?!). Some of Liv's most stylish moments: 

The white Tory Burch trench coat

Michael Kors dress

Jean Fares Couture gown

Escada gown

Summer Trend: High Low Dresses

The summertime is all about trading that black wardrobe in for a colorful, boho chic one. The current stylish high low dress is the best way to perfect that look! With this figure slimming style, summer 2013 just got a little trendier.

Possibly, my favorite high low dress to wear! I'm a sucker for the strapless types with corset shapes and this one totally fits that type. The front zipper, stripes, and blue coloring just adds to its fabulousness!

Get that look: Apricot Lane

With a similar shape, this high low dress is perfect for going casual or dressing up. The bright coral top mixed in with the blue bottom allows it to work beautifully on a summer beach day. However, with the simple addition of a white blazer and pump/wedges, this high low transforms into appropriate nightwear. 

Get that look: Apricot Lane

For a comfortable and dressed down high low, this is the go to dress. Pick your color and you've got your flowly summer dress ready to wear!

Get that look: Express 

Fashion Roundup: Cannes 2013

Oh Cannes! The film festival where it's the best of everything: movies, yachts, and more importantly iconic red carpet moments.

Marion Cotillard looked fresh and gorgeous in this Vivenne Westwood dress at Cannes. The festival is usually noted for its more glamorous looks but with Marion's minimal makeup and peach stripes, she looked effortlessly perfect!

Freida Pinto sparkled her way up the Cannes red staircase. With this jeweled top and high waist shape, Pinto channeled her inner flapper and completely accomplished the 20s' trend.

Great Gatsby star Isla Fisher brought her A game in ruffles with this Oscar de la Renta dress. The bright color with the tribal styled Bulgari jewels was a timeless look for the festival's summery vibe.

From Harry Potter to The Bling Ring, Emma Watson made a fashion transition with her film and fashion roles. Typically one for dramatic apparel, Emma approached Cannes with a more toned down look. First, Watson went classic with a black and white Chanel dress. Nothing says Cannes debut like a little sequin and semi backless dress! For her first photo call, Emma wore a Christopher Kane two piece. The deep red and frills were a little dark for the season, but Emma's posh style helped pull it off!