OOTD: Carolina Music Awards

hey lovies, 


I know I haven't posted in a while but I had a whirlwind of an end to my week, in an amazing way (thankfully).  I have been promoted as Editor for the Arts & Entertainment Department at  Carolina STYLE Magazine! I feel honored and overjoyed! Needless to say, I dove right in, and my first major "assignment" was to attend the Carolina Music Awards which took place last night in Raleigh, North Carolina.


Here's what I rocked while some of the most talented musicians in the Carolinas were being recognized:

With Rebecca Lakey of Fan Feet (right)

With Andy Washburn of NC Local Music

Top, MANGO
Skirt, Suncoo Paris
Pumps, ALDO
Clutch, Nine West

Make sure you stay tuned to Carolina STYLE Magazine to see my coverage of the awards show. You can also subscribe by email, it's FREE!

Peplum Parade

Today as I headed out to run some adult errands, I wanted to look trendy but professional. I thought the red peplum tiered skirt, that's been getting no action, would be a good starting point. This is what I came up with... 

Skirt, H&M
Shirt, BikBok
Sunglasses, Emporio Armani
Shoes, exē

Photography by JJ McDaniel

I love these peplum-influenced designs from the Resort 2013 shows:

Prabal Gurung, Carolina Herrera, Oscar De La Renta, Lanvin

The peplum parade continued on the Fall 2012 Couture runways:

Ulyana Sergeenko, Bouchra Jarrara, Chanel, Giambattista Valli

Whether it's a peplum blouse, jacket, skirt or dress, here's how you can incorporate the trend for under $100!

1. Miss Selfridges, $82
2. Oasis, $55
3. River Island, $44
4. Ally Fashion, $15
5. Rare London, $42
6. Debenhams, $39
7. Top Shop, $96
8. River Island, $55

DRANTS; Dresses-over-pants

Together or separate, you decide what works for you, but the drant (or dress-over-pant) is not going away any time soon. 
We saw these back in February 2012 at New York Fashion Week:

Helmut Lang, Rag and Bone, Rebecca Taylor

Then again on the Resort 2013 runways:

BCBG, Louis Vuitton, Roksanda Ilincic

So it should come as no surprise that the dresses over pants made yet another appearance on the Fall 2012 Couture runway. With the long anticipated collection from Raf Simons, Christian Dior's Fall 2012 Couture show in Paris certainly showcased elements of the trend:

Christian Dior Couture

Still not convinced? Think of it as a long tunic over leggings or pants. 

So what will it be for you; together or separate?

OOTD: Interview with a make-up artist!

So today I have my first interview for an article that I will be writing for Carolina STYLE Magazine!!! I am responsible for writing the make-up artist feature for July, and have the honor of spending my Monday with Charlene Kongolo, whose work you can see here . Being that this is my first official assignment for the magazine, I have a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings going through my head. Thankfully I put my outfit together last night, relieving some of the pressure from today!

Skirt: H&M
Ruffle Blouse: MANGO
Shoes: Steve Madden
Sunglasses: Emporio Armani
Clutch: Wilson's Leather
Bangles: uknown

Photography by JJ McDaniel

What do you think?
Check back for a link to the article!
x x

America the Beautiful

Photography by JJ McDaniel

I am not an American but this is a country that I have called "home" for 6 years, and will probably continue to do so for many more years to come. Having assimilated to the culture, I have decided that the 4th of July or Independence Day, is my favorite adopted holiday. From the food to the fireworks, the gathering of friends and family, to the warm July weather...it's a day that embodies some of my favorite things about life.
How do you like to celebrate this day?

If you haven't quite put your outfit together yet, here are few of my favs to help inspire you....

Enjoy :) and Happy Birthday America.

Capped!

I am absolutely smitten with the metallic trend, and even more so with the metal cap shoes that seem to be popping up every where recently!
I'm especially loving the merge of the metal cap with the pointed pump trend! Now I know you might be cringing at the thought that pointed shoes are back in...let's be real, it feels like there's a toe orgy going on down there the way they're all squeezed in and awkwardly rubbing on each other, but alas, yes, they are back. 
If you are still not convinced, it's ok, there is a good variety of shoes to choose from that are sporting the metal capped trend.
If you think the metal cap is too reminiscent of a dominatrix, then there are other options too. Some designers are combining the color blocking trend with the caps to create a fun and bright shoe.
What to rock them with? Just about anything. 
Jeans: skinny, colored, cuffed, or cut-off, I think the metal tips add a rock-star edge to any pair of jeans.
Skirts: I love the pointed metal caps with pencil skirts, as well as ruffled or peplum skirts.

1. Yves Saint Laurent, $795
2. Loeffler Randall, $295
3. Tory Burch, $265
4. Dorothy Perkins, $79
5. Asos, $41
6. Oasis, $59
7. Reiss Alicia, $171
8. Giuseppe Zanotti
9. Kelsi Dagger, $79
10. A Wear, $27
11. Asos, $99

I personally can't wait to get my hands on a pair of these!

Christian Louboutin 

Hat-Cessory

Remember when I told you here that hats are the most essential accessory for summer 2012?
Whether you're hiding from the harmful UV rays that are beaming down, or the flashes of the paparazzi's cameras, this summer you need to hat-cessorize!


These pictures are from a photo shoot I did in Amsterdam back in February 2010 with the amazing and talented photographer based out of Istanbul, Dilara Gürcü. You can see more of her work here.

Here's how the celebs are doing it:

Ashley Tisdale,  Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Bethenny Frankel

Get your own hat-cessory for under $150!

1. Panama Hat, Banana Republic, $45
2. Short Brim Panama Hat, Hat Attack, $135
3. Fedora, Billabong, $34
4. Cowboy Hat, Heidi Klein, $130
5. Big Brim Straw Hat, JCrew, $38
6. Panama Hat, Club Monaco, $80
7. Trilby Hat, Asos, $20
8. Fedora, Charlotte Russe, $13
9. Fedora, Armani Exchange, $38

Resort Trending 2013: White Meow!

Whether it's eggshell, champagne, magnolia, ivory, or meringue, one thing is for sure, white is HOT...right meow!
These are from my photo shoot yesterday with photographer J.J. McDaniel, who also happens to be my husband. 
Follow him on Instagram @jamcdaniel and me @trkshdlt

Here's how some of the designers incorporated white into their collections:

Acne, Alberta Ferretti, Bottega Veneta, Burberry

Chanel, DKNY, Phillip Lim, Balenciaga

Belstaff,  Cushnie,  Ferragamo, Narcisco Rodriquez

Pucci, Alexander Wang,  Celine, Chloe

Nina Ricci, Stella McCartney, Valentino, Yigal Azrouel 

Photos from Harper's Bazaar & Vogue. 

Birthday Biiish!

My birthday is in exactly a month from today. That's July 24th for those of you who, like me, have trouble remembering what the date is.

Anyway, I thought I would take this opportunity to put together my birthday wish list :)

Be sure to check back to see what I actually do get for my birthday.

Chunky Bracelet, MARC by Marc Jacobs, $128
Brooklyn Bridge Ring, $17
Skull and Crossbones Ring, The Great Frog London, $210
Skull Print Scarf, Alexander McQueen, $420
Sunglasses, Yves Saint Laurent, $325
Sneakers, SUPRA, $120
No Sleep Till Brooklyn, Bangle, Kate Spade, $88
Nike Sneakers, $195
Purse, CHANEL, $5,948
Clutch, Alexander McQueen, $2,095
Gotham City Ring, nOir jewelry, $225
Wrap Bracelet, nOir jewelry, $145
Dinner with Jay Z, $priceless

Resort Trending 2013: Tribal Princess

Among the array of patterns that made an appearance on the runways of Resort 2013, the tribal patterns are one of my favorites. Whether it be animal prints or more native looking motives, the tribal trend brings color, life, and, a wild edge that no other trend can bring. 


Here are some of my favorites from the runway:

Peter Pilotto, Diane Von Furstenberg, Versace

Peter Pilotto, Moschino, BCBG

Photos from Harper's Bazaar & Vogue. 


But don't fret, most of us can't afford off-the-runway outfits so I've put together a more affordable selection of items to make you look like a tribal princess without maxing out all of your credit cards. 
Let me know what you think!

Dress, Warehouse, $100
Bra Top, Top Shop, $50
Silk Shorts, Mara Hoffman, $325
Pants, Fair + True, $62
Platform Sandal, Republic, $31
Clutch, GoJane, $23
Ring, House of Harlow, $95
Necklace, BCBG, $88
Bracelet, GoJane, $9.20
Scarf, Best Seller, $21
Wedge Booties, Skinny Bitch Apparel, $84