fatmagulunsucunesonbolumizle: What I Wore

Showing posts with label What I Wore. Show all posts

Fall Is Slowly Approaching; My Zara Haul

A few days ago I picked up a few things from Zara to start building my winter wardrobe. Zara is one of the few places I love to shop at during the winter months because they have the best selection; more than just your run of the mill choices of cotton tees and plain denim.

Excuse the crappy picture quality, my light setup was all kinds of crazy last night!

Here are a few of the things I purchased:

- I snagged this Pleather Motorcycle Jacket because I love mustard colored anything! It always adds a nice splash of color to even the most basic of pieces!
- The floral shirt was a steal at 9.99, and makes for a good layering piece - For layering pieces I care more about the pattern/color then I do the actual style.
- This little petticoat was also something I had to have; I like pairing them with pieces that have a bit of "edge" for that feminine/edgy juxtaposition.

- I was a bit iffy about this dress because it really has no shape to it; It definitely needs some sort of blazer/jacket/layering piece to make it more interesting.
- This will probably be one of my favorite jackets, I love the 3/4 length sleeves, and the over-sized lapels.

- I have always loved crisp white shirts, and blazers! If there is one thing Zara has a lot of; it's "business attire" - I picked up these funky trousers because I love the fit!
- The blazer is cool because it has suede on the elbows! That sold me!

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Fashion Quick Tip: Go Nautical!!

I picked up this little number because it encompasses two of my favorite looks this summer; rompers & items with a nautical flair! I scored this on sale ($29.99 in store - $39.99 online) from Urban Outfitters, and it is probably one of my favorite purchases of the summer. To up the ante a little bit, I followed my own advice [given here], and decided to go with an accent color in lieu of navy blue or white shoes. I chose yellow as my accent color to make the outfit pop a little more. To add more cohesion, I chose a yellow polish, coupled with a yellow clutch.

Other Accent Colors To Try:

Red
Gold
Brown

Where Can You Find Nautical Pieces?

Zara
H&M
Forever 21
Urban Outfitters
Anthropologie

1. Across The Bow Jacket - $68.00 Anthropologie
2. Nearly Nautical Bikini Top - $39.95 Anthropologie
3. Hello Sunday Blazer - $98.00 Anthropologie
4. Spectator Sport Wedges - $49.95 Anthropologie

Romper: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell
Clutch: Vintage
Watch: Michael Kors
Earrings: DIY

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Pix: Lo & I Take on Downtown L.A

Last weekend, Lo and I took a little trip Downtown to do some goofing off! Here are some of my favorite places to go when I make the trek to Downtown L.A:

1. The Alley: - Entrance on 12th & Santee

This place is not for the faint of hearts. I'm going to be honest here; it can get hot, stuffy, crowded, and just plain icky. But if you can get passed all of that, you can snag really killer deals. Granted nothing down here is name-brand; however if you are used to shopping at places like Forever 21, H&M, and the likes; they offer the same selections, at a fraction of the cost.- You can find t-shirts and tunics from $2-10, shorts from $5-10, and dresses from $2-10. You can also get good deals on shoes that range from $5-20.

Tip:

-Never settle on the first price you are quoted, this type of environment is conducive to haggling. If you don't feel comfortable naming your own price, ask them if that is the best they can do. Normally they will change their tune.
-Pay with cash to avoid being charged sales-tax!
-If you are shopping with a friend, "combine" your purchases to receive more of a discount.

2. Bottega Louie

This is hands down one of my favorite places to grab a bite to eat when I am downtown. Bottega Louie is a swanky restaurant with a New York ambiance that boasts a modern aesthetic, floor to ceiling windows, a fresh deli, and a yummy selection of vittles. The venue is beautiful, the staff is beautiful, and the people that eat there are beautiful. Nuff said, it's a perfect place to eat, and people watch if you are in to that kind of thing.

3. The Modern Museum of Contemporary Art - MOCA

This is one of my favorite places to get inspiration, most of the installments there are conceptual, and therefore spark some sort of conversation, and thought. Regular admission is $10, however if you are a student, they do offer admission for $5

Tip:

Admission is FREE every Thursday after 5PM

4. Olvera Street - 845 N Alameda

Which is where these photos were taken. I love to take in the culture, and of course SHOP! Ethnic pieces are really in right now, however they can be a tad expensive. I love Olvera St. because you can get the trendy pieces like Moccasin's, Tooled Leather Purses, Poncho's, Jewelry, and Hats for little of nothing. Seriously, I spotted an amazing leather satchel for about $15 bucks [yup, it was leather].

5. Grand Central Market

This is another one of my favorite places to grab a bite to eat when I am Downtown! I love the hustle & bustle of this place, they have everything from fresh produce, to dried goods and spices, fresh meat & poultry, and the usual selection of multi-cultural eats.

Tip:

They are only open between 9-6pm MON-SUN, so stop by early to get the freshest selection!

Where are some of your favorite places to visit when you go Downtown?

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A Single Sunbeam Is Enough To Drive Away Many Shadows - St. Francis of Assisi

When I get dressed, I tend to keep certain elements in mind that helps take the fuss out of picking and choosing outfits. This summer for me has been all about dresses, colors, patterns, and bold lips; here are a few of my favorite things [Summer Edition].

I love dresses that have a fitted waist, and flare slightly at the hip. They tend to have a lot of movement, and accentuate the curves in a woman's body without being too revealing. When looking for these types of dresses, I always gravitate to dresses with cute patterns vs. solid colors. You can usually find dresses of this type for $30 an under at stores like:
Forever 21
H&M
Zara
ASOS [Even though they are in Europe, their shipping is cheap and lightning fast]

Accessories can really pull an outfit together, and help set you apart from the 5,452 people that may have purchased the same piece. I like to opt for stand-out accessories vs matching my accessories to my outfit because it really creates more of a unique, "stylish" look. Oftentimes my outfits are plain "as-is", but it is the accessories/styling that brings them to life.

If your outfit is:
Navy Blue + White = Red Accessories
Brown = Yellow/Orange Accessories
Blue + White = Yellow Accessories
Red = White Accessories

Pile it on! The brighter the better! I love bright fuchsia's, and deep dark reds! Pictured from left to right is:

Intriguing by Stila : This is a velvety smooth, matte fuchsia color, that I am wearing in the pictures today [Although it's matte, it doesn't dry my lips out, which is a major plus].
Ruby Woo by MAC: This is hands down my favorite red of all time!

I love the juxtaposition of ultra feminine dresses paired with worn, rugged boots; it gives you instant edge factor vs a Pollyanna look. Because these boots can run a pretty penny, I usually hold out until I find a sale, or shop at places like:

DSW [which is where I got these Ralph Lauren Boots]
TJ Maxx
Ross
Marshall's

Nail polish really completes the look! This summer, look for bright colored lacquer, and sweet, minty pastels. OPI is my favorite brand, & here are my fav colors of the moment [from left-right]:

OPI Gargantuan Green Grape [a minty green]
OPI No Room For The Blues
OPI It Color

Cover FX: Setting FX - This is hands down the best translucent powder I have tried to date. It perfectly sets your makeup without giving you a "ghostly" appearance, and is sheer enough so that you can wear it in the daytime.

Smashbox: Anti-Shine - My face is extremely shiny, and this is the one product that keeps my face matte for up to 8 hours, even while in direct sunlight! I dab this on my t-zone [and anywhere else I am prone to shininess] before I apply my makeup.

Make Up Forever: Face & Body Makeup - A true staple for me, the coverage is sheer yet it still manages to even out skin tone, while giving your face a healthy, dewy glow.

Dress * Zara
Belt * Thrifted
Purse * Zara
Boots * Ralph Lauren
Jewelry * Forever 21

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Pix From The Concert!

Here are some pics from the concert this past Friday! If you've never experienced Bilal live, I recommend you add it to your bucket list; you won't be disappointed.

Whilst there, I spotted some folks w/dope style

I loved their necklaces; the gentlemen on the right is the designer behind the Los Angeles based jewelry line Browne & Co. Limited quantities are available @Fred Segal in L.A

Later on that night, we decided to go to Kiss N Grind to hear Vikter Duplaix spin!

We laughed, and danced the night away!

Wearing:

Top: BCBG

Necklaces: DIY

Belt: Thrifted

Clutch: Thrifted

Shorts: Thrifted

Jewelry: Forever 21

Life Is Partly What We Make It, And Partly What It Is Made By The Friends We Choose - Tennessee Williams

Lo and I managed to catch tickets last minute to check out Foreign Exchange at The Roxy last night, and it was definitely good times! It was a much needed break from the monotony we have been experiencing lately, and it felt amazing to just let our hair down and dance to one of our fav groups. There is nothing better than great live music!

Now more than ever I value the phrase "true friend" - Ever notice that when you make the conscious decision backed with the effort to start LIVING your life; certain friends start to reveal themselves? When I was the insecure Nikole who was confused about her direction, and could barely look people in the eye, I was the ultimate sidekick, the bestie, the BFF. Now that I strive to walk in truth, and have made the decision to get out of my own way, I have found that I have become less appealing to some. At first it stung, as I wanted the unwavering support that I gave others. Then I started to realize that in order for true growth to occur, I must begin to get my house in order, and clean up my surroundings. I now know and have accepted the fact that it is ok to move on; it is ok to organically transition out of a situation that isn't conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Jealousy, greed, and competition are not the components of a healthy friendship.

Once I made the decision to transition out of those unhealthy relationships and interact with those on a much higher vibration, I started to feel much better about myself and about my outlook on my future. It seems as though when you plant yourself in love and support, the universe conspires to send blessings your way, and it manifests into an abundance of joy and wealth. Nothing can be denied to you, if you surround yourself in love.

Wearing:
Top: 25cent Goodwill Top
Pants: Zara
All Jewelry: Forever 21
Watch: Michael Kors

Already Home.

Pic I snapped while on the subway

I am back in my neck of the woods, although my heart is still in Chicago! Thank you Kean for being such a wonderful host and allowing Lo and I to take over your amazing loft for 4 days :-)

I had zero internet connection & splotchy intermittent cell coverage which actually turned out to be a good thing considering I've been needing to hit the reset button for a while now. It afforded me more time to laugh till it hurt with friends, and focus on taking in all of Chicago sans modern day balls & chains.

My hair had a mind of it's own the entire trip, it grew two times it's weight due to the humidity [lol]. Instead of fighting it, I just rolled with it. In these pictures, my hair is just styled in a simple twist out with Miss Jessie's Buttercreme. I lightly brushed it with a paddle brush for additional volume.

I will spend my day today recouping, and responding to emails, questions, & comments on the blog. Over the week I will recap my trip with tons of photos! These are from our first night: