The New Icons

So here I am, on a rooftop, in a knotted-tee and bandage skirt.  It turns out Winter in Miami isn't so bad. As a result, my daily wardrobe tends to consist of my beloved crop tops and short shorts (or in this case, a skirt) to give my Summer pieces some relevance once again.  Although I've never really been the woman to check the weather prior to stepping outside, so I usually just throw on these basics and hope for the best.  When in doubt, throw on a graphic tee and a bandage skirt (to suck everything in) and call it a day.

What I'm rocking:

Tee by ZARA

Skirt by BCBG Maxazria 

Shoes by ALDO

Watch by GUESS

Rings by Topshop

Get the look:

More Aldo...

Miami Heat

The weekend is creeping around the corner, which means it's time to paint the town red.  As another week discontinues, stepping out in a complete black ensemble is an absolute essential look for any woman.  When in doubt, pair something leather with a red lip and trek on.  One can't go wrong with a Rita Ora signature lip and black on black.  One of my favorite aspects of residing in Miami Beach is the option to wear spaghetti-thin strapped tops and thigh-baring leather skits only a few short days after New Year's.  It's quite grandiose if you ask me.  

This sexy skirt ℅ of Hot Miami Styles is a new favorite of mine, as it bares a little skin without sacrificing your dignity and allows for flexibility.  Attempting to walk around Miami Beach in a pencil skirt can be next to impossible, but the high slit on this one keeps it comfortable.  

What I'm rocking:

Skirt ℅ Hot Miami Styles

Bodysuit ℅ Hot Miami Styles

Shoes ℅ ASOS

Bracelet by Kate Spade ℅ Nordstrom

Winter Fitness with Target® C9

After spending nearly three weeks in the frozen tundra, it hit me that staying active during the winter can be quite a challenge for those living in colder climates. On the other hand, it can be done, which is why I'm teaming up with Target® to share my favorite Winter workouts. Despite a long trip filled with ice-cold downtime, I was able to get some workouts in at the local gym as well as at-home workouts. When I can't quite fit in an outdoor workout or I'm in the midst of traveling, I like to stick to Beachbody programs. The 30-minute programs keep me motivated enough and don't take too much time out of the day to accomplish. Because I have one of the most energetic 3-year-olds known to man, my time is limited. Another motivator of mine is obviously sports luxe activewear that not only looks good, but feels even better. It pretty much justifies any need for a dedicated workout and keeps me comfortably stylish at the same time.

A newfound discovery of mine that I absolutely love for traveling is ClassPass, which allows me to take numerous fitness classes at studios throughout the country. If I'm in Chicago, I can drop in and take one of their classes for a quick calorie burn, or vice versa when I'm home in Miami. Having access to such facilities is what I constantly need in my back pocket if I know I'll be traveling. Falling off the fitness wagon is something I despise, as it completely interrupts my routine and ultimately makes me lazy. What are some of your favorite activities to do during the Winter that help keep you motivated and in shape?

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Target® C9 through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Target® C9 all opinions are my own.

Best Looks of 2014

It's a complete conundrum how it's already 2015, at the drop of a dime.  You expect to wake up after celebrating New Year's Eve with a bright new perspective on life, a workout plan to get that six-pack and perfect booty, and live for the day.  Then you realize that it's just like any other day.  With that, I'm going to kick off the new year tying up loose ends and refusing to create a resolution, but rather continue to focus on new business and growth.  

As one year comes to a close and another commences, I look back on how my style has evolved over time and it's usually quite entertaining to skim through.  Either way, it's amusing to go back in time to catch a glimpse of what was occurring in my life at that moment.

Leather + Distressed Jeans

Well, I'm traveling once again.

Whenever the duty of hopping on a plane occurs, I gravitate towards signature pieces that are pretty much considered my "airport must-haves."  I know I can't possible be alone on this - there has to be certain items of clothing that you always wear when traveling (that don't consist of matching tracksuits).  For me, it's usually a leather jacket, graphic tee, distressed jeans, and boots.  

I used to throw on heels if the flight was early in the morning, to offset my mind into thinking it wasn't 4 a.m. and 4-inch heels would keep me awake to walk through the airport.  That principle went out of the window when I began traveling with a 3-year-old.  What are some of your go-to traveling style items?

What I'm rocking:

Hat ℅ ASOS

Shirt ℅ Desigual (it's a men's shirt)

Jacket ℅ GUESS

Jeans by JBRAND

Get the look:

More Desigual...

Plunge Jumpsuit + Pastel Cocoon Coat

There are few things that beat the Winters in Miami, paired with sun-filled Sundays, toes in the sand and salty water splashing through the hair.  And just like that, I'm back in Miami Beach (and my fluffy white bed).  Don't get me wrong…it's always a joy to travel home and see my family, but it feels good to be back in crop top/denim short weather.  For the best of both worlds, I decided to pair this black GUESS jumpsuit with an alternate soft-toned cocoon coat.  I love the combination of pastels with dark shades, as it offsets the femininity of the coat.

What I'm rocking:

Jumpsuit ℅ GUESS

Coat by Express (similar coat here)

Shoes ℅ GUESS

Rings by Topshop

The Skirt Trick

Oddly enough, I'm sitting at my laptop, with a pile full of Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Speculoos Cookie Butter Cups as I blog my life away at 1:04 A.M.  Obviously, what else would one be doing at such a time?  Cyber family - I have come to a realization that I failed to post anything in almost a week, which is highly unlike me.  Although I would like to place the blame on my presence at home, visiting family.  Yes, that sounds like a good excuse.  I've also taken on the role of posting a new video every day of December on my video channel, which seemingly takes up more time than expected when I initially had this grand idea in my head.  Nonetheless, I like to stick to my word so I shall push forward.

As I sit in the 40 degree weather, enjoying the 10 degree increase since the past week, I recall this look that I shot back in Miami prior to traveling up here.  If you grew up in the 90's, this dandy little wonder called a skort, was all the rage.  What could possibly be better than a skirt that ultimately remains shorts?  This skirt trick has a sexy edge without looking ridiculously crazy.  

What I'm rocking:

Top by ZARA

Blazer by Macy's

Skort by EXPRESS

Shoes by Me Too

Bracelet by Kate Spade ℅ Nordstrom

Hat ℅ ASOS

Bag ℅ GUESS

Sunglasses ℅ Italia Independent

Get the look:

More J.Crew...

The New Classics

Festive avoidance has suit me quite well over previous years, that is, until I had a little man enter the world.  I don't enjoy eating ham, turkey, drinking beer, or devouring endless amounts of Holiday cookies while sitting cozily around the fireplace with my entire extended family.  However, I do believe in spending quality time with family over the Holidays.  Hence, my current residency (for the next week) in the Midwest to visit the family.  

One might believe that I am beginning to sound like a complete grinch, but I am going somewhere with this…I think.

So once I birthed my son, all possibilities of avoiding Holiday spirit went out the door along with my ability to refrain from hiding this little Elf on the Shelf character, master the art of gift wrapping thousands of gifts, and get away with no Holiday decor.  Despite all of this, it's become quite festively interesting to create so much joy for my little guy.  Additionally, I've busted out the Holiday fashion looks (which brings me to today's post).  If there's any staple piece that should be in every woman's life, it's a moto jacket (a green one suitably works for the Holidays).  This green moto jacket that I was gifted by GUESS is one of my absolute favorites from their Holiday collection and needless to say, I'll be rocking it quite often.

Another classic piece is obviously the little black dress, but style is also defined by finding new ways to switch pieces up (like layering a flouncy A-line skirt over a textured black dress).  It creates intricate depth and less of a boring look for this time of year.  

What I'm rocking:

Jacket ℅ GUESS

Dress by BCBG Maxazria

Skirt by EXPRESS

Belt by Target

Shoes ℅ ASOS

Get the look:

More GUESS...

GUESS Holiday in New York City

There's something beautiful about melding fashion exclusivity with New York glamour, which is why I'm excited to announce the latest project that I've been working on. GUESS recently invited me for a night of glamour in New York City, where myself and a few other influencers were "glammed" up and laced in the new GUESS holiday collection. I'm overly fascinated with vibrant reds for Fall/Winter, so I instantly selected the Off Shoulder Corset Dress for our photo shoot at The Griffin.

There's something alluring about a peek of shoulder and a little leg that makes the corset dress essential for a girl's night out. To accessorize the look, I paired it with a Sunrise rose gold watch, Greyson satchel bag, and Cayen heels (which just might be the most comfortable pair of high heels existing in my closet). 

The photo shoot was so much fun with the girls, complete with gold confetti for days! Check out photos from the shoot below, and get some glam inspiration for your upcoming holiday parties. 

See how the GUESS party went down here:

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by GUESS and Style Coalition

Red Midi Skirt

Midi skirts seem most appropriate during the Fall/Winter season, although I'm fairly keen to mini skirts or flouncy A-line skirts.  However, I feel so feminine and radiant in this bright red midi skirt from Express.  I'm a firm believer in dressing for your body type, and for some reason, midi skirts have never really been too flattering on my shorter-framed body until I discovered ways to alter it for a more appealing look (without looking like an oompa loompa).  Whenever I'm wearing a skirt or dress that hits beneath the knees, I offset it with a light colored crop top to elongate the torso and high heels of at least 4 inches or taller.  A neutral heel, such as nude or metallic, helps lengthen the appearance of legs as well.  There you have it - my tricks for hiding my short height.  

What I'm rocking:

Crop top ℅ Missguided

Skirt by Express

Bracelet ℅ Pandora

Heels by ALDO

Get the look:

More Missguided...