Embellishments

As I've said before, I am very fond of the menswear look for women right now and I've been experimenting with different ways to rock it without losing femininity.  For today's look, I paired these sequin shorts with a white blouse, suspenders, and these Steve Madden booties that I adore.  When I'm putting together a menswear inspired look I like to incorporate male accessories but add embellishments that bring out the female side of it.  For example, sequins, rhinestones, and chiffon tops.  Let me know what you think!

What I'm wearing:
F21 blouse
Express shorts
American Apparel suspenders
Steve Madden booties

What's in My Beach Bag?

With the summer season just around the corner, I've decided to do my "What's in My Beach Bag?" post today.  I love going to the beach and laying out in the sun all day or grilling out with friends during the summer.  These are some of my essential items that I take with me when I'm heading out for a beach trip.  What are some of your must-have items when you go to the beach?

1) Target - Bright fedora
2) Large beach towel
3) Express - Bold maxi skirt (as a cover-up)
4) Victoria's Secret - Bikini
5) Victoria's Secret - Lip gloss with SPF
6) Express - Sunglasses
7) Apple - iPhone 4S
8) Express - Oversized color blocked tote
9) Zico - Mango coconut water (stay hydrated!)
10) Banana Boat - Little packets of sunscreen
11) Banana Boat - Dark tanning oil
12) Target - Sandals

Miami Wine & Spirits Expo

Hi everyone!  How was your weekend?  I had a pretty busy weekend, but I was able to squeeze in some rest and relaxation as well.  I would have to say that the highlight of my weekend was attending the Miami Wine & Spirits Expo, yesterday.  For those of you who aren't familiar with it, the Miami Wine & Spirits Expo is a showcasing of various wine and spirits within the United States (primarily more localized).  Therefore, I was able to sample a variety of different wines and spirits! 

As for what I wore, I decided to go with something pretty casual yet professional since I was going for business purposes.  I wore my short suit along with some sandals and a snakeskin bag (faux).  Here are some of the shots from the amazing event:

Friday Favorites: Healthy Snack Choices

Although my diet is rather healthy, that doesn't mean that I don't have the urge to snack sometimes.  What I found about working out is that I actually become hungrier the more active I am.  Instead of grabbing something filled with fat and calories, reach for a snack that is equally crunchy or sweet.  Another tip that helps curb my cravings is to eat small meals throughout the day versus eating two or three large meals.  What are some of your favorite snacks?

Here are some of my favorite healthy snack choices:

1) Hummus and Carrots | Carrots are nutrient-rich and delicious with a side of hummus.  I like this roasted red pepper hummus from Whole Foods.  Next time you're craving something crunchy, grab some of these.

2) Sauteed Spinach and Shiitake Mushrooms | When I'm craving something savory, I like to whip up this quick dish.  Simply sautee some garlic in a pan, add the mushrooms with a few handfuls of spinach and a drizzle of low-sodium soy sauce and you have a yummy dish that is good for you!

3) Raw Almonds and Dried Cranberries | This is the best of both worlds because I get something crunchy and sweet at the same time.  When I'm on-the-go, I grab a handful of these and I instantly have a boost of energy.

4) Mediterranean Crunch Salad | This is light and packed with crunchy vegetables that are good for you - garbanzo beans, fennel, cucumber, parsley, kalamata olives (very few), onions, red pepper, kale, cherry tomatoes, mint, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar.  It's perfect for a late afternoon snack.

Denim + Leather

I love to pair contrasting materials together, and I was very pleased with the way this look turned out.  It's such a feminine look, yet edgy at the same time...which is just my style.  To brighten it up a bit, I added a bright pink bow clutch.  This is perfect for lunch with the girls or a casual event.  Let me know what you think!

What I'm wearing:
F21 top, ZARA collar, H&M skirt, Target belt, Steve Madden heels, H&M clutch

The Skinny Tie

One of my favorite trends right now is menswear for women.  However you prefer to style it, it can add a bit of structure or power to your look.  For this look, I paired a tuxedo jacket with a collared blouse, a lace skinny tie, and sequin pants.  I've also acquired quite the craving for these loafer heels as well.  They add a feminine touch to a masculine shoe.  What do you guys think about menswear for ladies?

What I'm wearing:
Vintage tuxedo blazer
F21 blouse
F21 skinny tie
Arden B pants
Hautelook (Me Too) heels

Look for Less: Pippa Middleton

Here is a way for you to get a celebrity look for less, featuring pieces that are of the same representation but easier for you to snag!  I replicated Pippa Middleton and her casual look.  I love it because it's clean and crisp, yet so comfortable.  Let me know what you think.

What I'm wearing:
F21 blazer
Gifted lace top
ZARA white pants
Target flats

Remixed Leather

"It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not.  So start believing in yourself!"

It's motivational Monday and I just wanted to start off the week with one of my favorite quotes.  I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend!  I've been a little sick lately, along with my baby Taejin.  However, I had a relaxing weekend.  For today's OOTD, I've put together a mix of a very feminine look combined with a leather jacket and black booties to add a bit of an edge to it.  It gives a unique approach to your average feminine outfit.  Enjoy =]

Friday Favorites: My Top 5 Spring Trends

Happy Friday everyone!  For today's Friday Favorites, I've compiled together some of my top 5 trends for the upcoming season.  Spring is such a beautiful season because the weather is amazing and it allows you to bring out some of your lighter and brighter pieces.  What are some of your favorite trends for the season?

Here are some of my favorite trends:

LEATHER - Adding a leather piece to any outfit can give your look a bit of an edge. 

NEON - Bright and vibrant neon tones can really make any look pop.

MINT - Mint green is a beautiful pastel color that's very trendy this season and it can be as simple as adding minty nail polish to your nails to bring your look together.

DAYTIME CLUTCH - A large or oversized daytime clutch is simple and convenient for this upcoming season. 

COLOR BLOCKING - Combing bold colors together add a bit of brightness to your look, so my spring wardrobe is filled with bright pieces.  I can't wait to pair them together.

Color Pop

One of my favorite rollover trends for this season is color-blocking for the simple fact that various bold colors can look beautiful together.  However, this is not to say that you should throw on every bright piece that you have in your closet.  It's almost like attending art class all over again!  Primary colors, complementary colors, analogous colors, and triadic colors look great together.  Primary includes red, yellow and blue while complementary colors are opposite on the color wheel (i.e. red/green, yellow/purple, orange/blue).  To dive into it a little deeper, analogous colors are typically next to each other (i.e. red, orange, yellow) and triadic colors are evenly spaced on the color wheel (i.e. green, purple, yellow). 

For today's OOTD, I included the analogous colors red (pink), orange and yellow.  I'm very pleased with the outcome!  Let me know what you think.

What I'm wearing:
Forever 21 blazer
Express dress
Target belt
Gifted clutch purse