Commes On!

 If ever there was a statement skirt, this is it. Purchased 15 years ago at this incredible store in Englewood (Galleria Neoponti of blessed memory), this was a very daring move for me at that stage. My style had not even begun to shape itself, and most of what I wore then I’d never wear now. First of all, I was 25 with two kids. I was in full on mom mode, which didn’t look like the mom mode of today. The 25 year olds I see in these here parts are generally way cooler than my friends and I were. I’m not going to say we didn’t care; we did, we just didn’t know. We looked cute and fine but not particularly fashion savvy. There was no internet onslaught that exposed us to what was out there, so we bought what we saw. If it was cute and comfortable that was enough. But alas, one day I ventured into this avant- guard, way too cool for me at the time boutique, and connected with this incredible skirt. It remains one of my most prized purchases. It’s Commes Des Garçon, a designer I have always loved for its daring, cutting edge style. I love their deconstruction and distressing of fabrics and patterns. This piece is made of overlapping fabrics, frayed edges, and non obvious layering. It’s heavy and often falls off hangers, so it’s definitely a cold weather item. I have worn it with bodysuits, button downs, t shirts, and turtlenecks. I always wear a black top to keep the statement super strong. This cutout shoulder top is perfect, in that the little flashes of flesh give it some air. This is a heavy piece in both weight and affect. You need no accessories here; the skirt and the head to toe black are enough. Anything additional would clog the look. It’s so gratifying when an investment pays off, in any area. I’m glad I had the foresight to boldly go where I’d never gone before, and bought this skirt which was out of my then comfort zone. Even if you think something is “so not you” but you really love it, follow that. We get so annoyed with ourselves when we leave opportunities behind. It’s a frustrating feeling. Trusting our instincts won’t always be right, but the more we practice doing it, the more right decisions we are likely to make in the long run.

Goldfinger

Bond Girl reference noted. Ok, so this outfit is my Rio Carnivale look. Why I feel I need such a look, being a sabbath observer from Bergen County, is another story entirely. But it definitely conjures up Charro shaking her maracas, shimmying around.  I bought this liquid gold ensemble when I was waist deep in my Norma Kamali phase. I happen to love the lame’ metallic look, and the stretch in the pants are flattering and forgiving. This teeny off the shoulder crop top felt like a risk, but if there’s anything that justifiably holds us back in life, it should not be clothing. People put waaaaayyyy too much thought into what they can’t/shouldn’t wear. “What will people think?”, “I cant pull that off”. Ya know, insecure thoughts like that. True, clothing reflects personality, and thank God we aren’t all the same. But there was something liberating about graduating from the “that’s not age/socially/religiously appropriate” mentality that I too used to have, to the F It attitude that serves us all better.

I’ve gotten a lot of use out of these pants as a separate. There are matching long gloves that I adore too. Gold is so flattering. It has a goddess like quality to it that’s bold but so feminine. It feels and looks regal. It definitely celebrates being a strong, shimmering woman. This striped blazer was a great purchase from Century 21 last year before Fall Fashion Week. It’s Sonia Rykiel, one of my favorite designers. Finding a gem at Century is so gratifying. That place doesn’t overwhelm me; rather I like the challenge of emerging victorious when I find the golden ticket. You’ve gotta focus at stores like that, and focus is good. It temporarily eliminates excess crap floating around in our minds. If shopping can do that for you, great. Even if you’re a conservative dresser, I really recommend including some well placed shine in your wardrobe. It adds so much. A purse, a shoe, a statement cuff, even a pocket square tucked into a tailored, navy blazer would look killer. Do something today, anything, that makes you want to give yourself a gold star ⭐️. There is no one who didn’t feel like a lottery winner when our teachers used to reward and acknowledge our achievements. Most of us are no longer in school, so it’s up to us to reward and acknowledge ourselves. Shine on, Peeps

Oscar the Grouch

Me, not Him. Why? Because the last time I put on this gorgeous Oscar de la Renta gown it was way looser. I haven’t worn it since my daughter’s bat mitzvah three years ago. I felt like a queen that night, and this dress was sheer perfection. I bought it at first sight. I’m not a clothes researcher. If I love something I’m done. I don’t need to know what else is out there. This gown reminded me of something Gwen Stefani would wear to the Grammy’s. It was rock and roll glamour to me. This was the first thing I tried on and the last. While my body is currently stronger and more toned, I’m not as skinny. I feel differently about this depending on the day. I’m not sure if I’m justifying things when I tell myself I prefer the “not as thin yet more fit” version. But I was not happy when I could barely zip this up on my recent shoot. My boobs were spilling out (a good thing) but the zipper was not exactly cooperative. This dress was very expensive and I’d like to wear it. It’s an Oscar for chrissakes!!!! The incredible thing about Oscar de la Renta’s designs is how incredibly wearable they are. He designed for actual women to wear in actual real life scenarios. None of that whacko runway nonsense that no one in their right mind would wear. Truthfully, I do think I put on a couple pounds lately and I’d like to be a drop leaner. It’s been great not weighing myself on a scale the past few years. It can really mess with you. But I don’t like my clothing to be tight. It’s like a constant reminder to put down the quinoa. I was annoyed I let that happen, but what was done can be undone. This Moto jacket wasn’t intended to camouflage anything though. I do love the tough biker chick touch over this ballgown. It’s beautiful edge, both strong and soft. I loved this low, soft ponytail look too. I bought this dress from what was one of Mr de la Renta’s final collections before his death. I’m grateful to own this stunning piece, and I want to enjoy how I feel in it. It’s not the owning of the clothing, it’s the wearing and feeling beautiful in it, as the designer intended.

Short Circuit

I truly love shorts. I remember wearing denim ones over black tights in middle school. While I can’t say I miss that look specifically, I do love the concept of an unexpected pair of shorts filling in for a more obvious choice of bottoms. It took me a long time to embrace my legs enough to think I could pull them off. While I’m definitely more toned now, I realize that I put myself through so much unnecessary self scrutiny and doubt. There was never a time I couldn’t have successfully worn shorts. I made myself small for no reason. Having kids so early, a fact I wouldn’t change for anything, catapulted me into this bizarre illusionary sense of being this old, unsexy, washed out mom type. It’s very easy to go down that rabbit hole in an orthodox community, where women are taught to hide their bodies from a very young age. Throw in the idea that we are “impure” when we menstruate as well as during the week after, and you quickly yield results that can best be described as “not hot”. Shorts=hot. Former Me=not hot. You dig?

Now my closet is full of ‘em; yeah Gurl! Some of my favorites are the winter pairs, because I love anything not obvious. These Sass and Bide glittery pair are perfect around holiday time. A little sparkle on the tush goes a long way! Balanced with the relaxed ease of a loose, comfy sweater with just the right amount of detail to be sexy in its own right. These Giuseppe Zanotti boots are a splurge and a standout. I’d never ever spend that much on shoes today, but I’m happy I have them. So killer. I wore my large scale fishnets because I couldn’t find black tights that didn’t have control top. Any suggestions?? Fishnets are my go to with shorts but I think this look would have been a bit better with plain black since the shorts are patterned. Still cute though. Mixing patterns is cool too, especially when winter in New York looks like a giant four month funeral. To any of you who want to experiment with shorts but have been intimidated; just go for it. Lengthen your possibilities wherever you can. Expand in every direction. Shorten the limitations you place on yourself.           

Shortening the distance from my soul to yours today,

Blaga

Tell Me About It, Stud

This look is needless to say, not understated. Grommets everywhere. This happens to be my favorite traveling outfit. It’s kind of a sweatsuit but it’s so cool and edgy. It’s comfy and looks put together but so easy. It’s one of my favorites from Norma Kamali. The gold high tops are Michael Kors. The jacket was this beyond random number from a beyond random leather shop in bumblesville New Jersey. I went in there to have something repaired, and spotted this insane jacket. If I see something so over the top it’s hard for me to pass it up. I knew I’d eventually use it. I really wouldn’t wear the jacket with this outfit in real life; it’s way too matchy matchy and too much loud gold detailing. It’s def a fashion victim look in actuality, but I knew it would photograph well. I felt like a cast member from the Real Housewives of New Jersey, and I kinda liked it. Hey, when in Rome...

The grommets on the sweatsuit elevate the everyday feel and turn an old Mall standby into casual chic. F all that athleisure nonsense! Enough already with the leggings. Ladies, expand your horizons. A great pair of sweats that hug the tush and are tapered at the ankle are cooler and sexier, in my humble opinion. As always, comfort is key, especially when traveling. But it’s nice when amidst all the chaos of the airport we can keep it tight. It makes looking into those merciless airport/rest stop bathrooms slightly more tolerable. Should I change my name to Theresa...?

Suspended

Sometimes for a shoot I’ll put on something that I may not reach for in actuality, but that I know will resonate and photograph well. Other times, the times I prefer, are when I choose a killer look I can’t wait to really wear. This landed in the latter category. This look was the perfect mix of relaxed menswear and sexy chick.

These DKNY suspender pants are a major statement piece. Wide legs, swinging suspenders held together with seat buckle clips, navy with exposed white stitching. Sooooo edgy and chic. Since the pants are big, I balanced that with a fitted tank. I put on this vintage tulle and pearl collar that I was lucky enough to spot at a consignment shop several years ago. A very unique embellishment that lends more feminine detail in an unconventional way. I wore navy heels to lengthen my legs a bit, since they were swallowed up by all that fabric. This isn’t your typical beachy waves hair look, so the side parted bun was easy and chic. I love this different take on a holiday cocktail look. This is definitely jazzed up party attire. Amongst all the glittery and sparkly holiday wear, a sharp navy pants statement is a refreshing change. The holidays may be time for gathering together, but never blend in with the crowd. Be the star at the top of the tree⭐️

My IRO

Love love love IRO‼️. And dig this dress especially. It makes me feel very 70’s disco glam. Give me slinky metallics anytime! I love the long sleeves and super short cut. So often I see women in the opposite; emphasizing the top with sleeveless or cleavage but with less leg. This dress feels sexy to me in that it goes a different route.

I bought it in Los Angeles on a family trip. It’s such a good piece. It’s nice to feel leggy sometimes. The dress just lands in all the right places. I always feel great in it, and that’s so important. These Jimmy Choo cut out heels are actually comfortable and feel feminine with the openness of the straps and toes. Every wardrobe needs a fabulous, short, shimmery, statement party dress. This is a holiday look that always works.

The British are Coming‼️

Shameless Red Coat joke❣️.
Lord, was I happy to put this on for the last look of my recent shoot. So much work goes into my photo shoots. Whether it’s food or fashion I give it my all. Every detail matters. I’m representing my brand and crafting a reputation for myself in several creative arenas. I’ve waited so many years to bust out all this stored up creativity and design; it must be let loose in the right way. The finished product you see is the result of days of meticulous prep. Which is why I feel so accomplished and euphoric at the day’s end. To be honest, when Lady Blaga began I felt a bit silly doing my photo shoots. I felt a bit frivolous and that I had to justify it. That was textbook insecurity resulting from years of cumulative beliefs I had nothing worth saying aloud. I’m over that big time. I more than earned the pride I feel at getting shit done, be it styling bomb ass outfits or creating delicious recipes to share with you. Having said all this, it’s exhausting doing it. Terrific but tiring. Which is why I’m so freaking fried at the end of the day. Which is also why this coat was a lifesaver.

It was about to turn dark, the weather was particularly raw and cold, and I couldn’t handle the thought of putting on tights and heels again. I did need one last truly boss winter look though. Enter my new Margiela coat from Century 21. This color is everything, and the utter lack of structure is terribly chic. I felt like Andre Leon Talley, NYC fashion god. I once saw him at Bendels, and he was every bit as fabulous as one would think. There was something regal about this to me because of the high collar and voluminous overcoat feel, so my knit winter crown from Nini K was the perfect accouterment. Not a hat but something to bookend the wintry mood. I seriously felt like a 2018 Winter Queen. The leaves were still beautifully hued and provided the perfect backdrop. And I was comfortable. I really suggest investing in a bright, large scale puffer. It’s worth your kids feeling embarrassed to be seen with you.

Brownie Points

Though this outfit is not something I’d buy today, it’s one of those good choices I made in yesteryear. I’m actually fairly anti label these days, but sometimes a classic iconic designer is lovely to wear. This happens to be Oscar de la Renta. It’s just a really pretty, well fitting dress. It’s way more conservative than my style, but it serves the occasional purpose when I’m required to dress more ladylike. I added some flair to it with the leopard Louboutins. Stockings can be sheer or opaque chocolate brown to go with the brown cashmere sweater. The whole cashmere sweater concept and I have never jived; it’s just way too prim and preppy for me. I can justify it here with the bolero style and little bit of skin that peeks out. Shades of brown and taupe are such terrific cold weather color palettes. It’s yummy when clothing lends warmth to an otherwise cold season. I do have several Oscar pieces that I’m so fortunate to own, especially since the designer passed away several years ago. Oscar de la Renta is inimitable in his elegance and class, and will forever be celebrated as one of the most talented and beautiful designers of all time.

Leather Face

Ok, LOVED this look. Worshipped. Not sure where the hell I’m wearing it, but not to worry, ya Gurl will figure it out. Let’s just say it most likely won’t be the annual synagogue dinner. I’ve worn this skirt a couple times in other shoots. It’s a surprisingly versatile piece. It was a totally worth it splurge in that it carries every outfit. It’s such a statement piece that’s simultaneously sharp and feminine. I love the contrast between the strong, large scale of the skirt and the slight, artfully cut out bodysuit. The windows of skin lighten up the overall effect and give off major smoke show vibes. This is definitely not your basic black look. This has a ball gown effect with the body con top and sweeping skirt. The moto jacket has the right amount of silver hardware to add an element of something that isn’t black, especially since the leather boots and gloves are as well.

I went with softer hair to calm things down since the outfit is such a strong statement. I didn’t want to come across as harsh or too serious. You have to be careful with black that way; that it doesn’t take itself too seriously or appear heavy in mood. I’d totes wear this to a black tie event, details depending. Push the envelope with your winter formal wear, especially if you have a burning need to dress like Sandy from the carnival scene in Grease. I think I’m the same age as those “high school seniors” anyway. You’re legit the One that I want.

Pom Pom Frittes

What are pomme frittes? French fries?

This coat is so cute but I don’t think I ever wore it. I bought it 12 years ago. I love how retro it looks. The fabric, buttons, and colors are all throwbacks, held together by the adorable Pom Pom detailing. I recall thinking that Carrie Bradshaw would purchase this piece and know just what to do with it. I never quite figured that out, but it had too much character to not buy. I usually don’t shop like that, especially now. My style vision is lightening speed, if I do say so myself. I see a piece I like and instantly know how I’d wear it   It’s really fun to challenge myself by incorporating the same item in totally different looks. That being said, this particular piece is meant to serve its purpose as cute, statement outerwear. The pom poms carry the mood, so there’s not much for me to do except just put it on.

As far as the fur, it’s obviously faux. I do have a bunch of fur coats I’ve had for a long time, mostly vintage pieces from my grandmother and mother. I love them for their history, sentimentality, and super vintage feel. I would not buy fur anymore. I don’t think it’s right for something to literally have to give their life so I can make a fashion statement I could easily make in a kinder way. I’m not weighing in on what anyone else does; I’m sharing my own thoughts with you about an issue that’s become very important to me. It’s why I no longer eat meat, chicken, or fish anymore either. Bottom line, faux fur all the way just to clarify. Fashion shouldn’t hurt anyone or anything. Just a thought.

Much love, LB

Having a Vested Interest

The right vest is really such a cool addition to Fall layering. I was lucky enough to get this Pucci one on sale many years ago. I love how retro Pucci is. It’s fun to bring those 60’s swirls into 2018. This neutral color scheme of brown, tan, navy, and touches of orange elevates my classic Fall looks of jeans and a turtleneck, or over leggings and a button down like I’m wearing here. It was still in the 60’s temperature wise when we did this shoot, and not yet jacket weather. This vest is a statement piece as a result of its design, so it looks just right over clean solids. You know how much I love my newsboy caps this time of year too. I was clearly feeling very Town and Country that day.

The leaves were incredibly beautiful, the sun was shining, there was an approaching crispness in the air. Not that I actually went anywhere, but in my mind I was dressing for an Autumn drive in the country. When it gets colder I love wearing this over a turtleneck sweater that’s one of the colors in the vest. Dark blue denim, beat up brown cowboy boots; the perfect classic look for this time of year. I def recommend inVESTing in a good piece that you can layer with and keep for years. Pardon that pun, it was just too easy.

40 Candles 🎂

 This is the second Sixteen Candles reference I’ve made in the past week. Wearing this style hat makes me think of 80’s teen goddess Molly Ringwald in that film. Any 80’s kid knows what I’m talking about. Those movies were seriously the best. Being a Yeshiva girl where the only requirement for being “fashionable” in high school was a wearing floor length denim parachute, I recall being in awe at the styles in movies about public school kids. Why did they look so cool??? Were they allowed to buy and wear whatever they wanted??? Public school seems to begin at the crack of dawn, so what time did they have to wake up to pull together outfits with such clarity???The best was how if they went out AT NIGHT, a foreign concept to a Yeshivah student who first got home at 5:30, they CHANGED INTO EVEN COOLER OUTFITS. These Brat Packers had lives yo.  Yeah, I know it was a movie but it all seemed representative of an adolescent life that was simply not an option for me. The good news is that I can wear whatever the F I want now. If I want to dress like Molly did, ain’t no one to tell me I can’t.

This bulky red Maje sweater was delicious on a crisp autumn afternoon. There’s nothing better than the right sweater this time of year, when we don’t overheat by having to layer on a coat. The baggy, distressed jeans with the tapered ankle are so 80’s too. Red kicks were an obvious choice. Red was huge during that decade and so was being super matchy. The sneaks are Margiela btw. Topping this off is one of my favorite J Crew hats. A dark gray wider brim number that I love to wear tilted forward or back. Any angle works for this hat. It’s an easy fit that looks fly this time of year. Now if only I had some guy named Jake to yearn after from afar...

Blackbird

 I love this whimsical Marc Jacobs sweater. In general I love birds. I have them strategically placed throughout my house, on jewelry I wear daily, and printed on clothing. I love what they symbolize; freedom, soaring to new heights, lack of fear, and gliding effortlessly through the sky. This pastel parrot looks cool contrasted against the black sweater. I paired it with these athletically striped black jeans to add some sporty detail. The jeans are from Mother and have short, distressed ankles. I liked the Oxford style ankle boots with this in that I felt it gave the look some gravity, as opposed to say, a ballet flat or a plain boot. This look is cute but isn’t thesis worthy:) Jeans, a fitted sweater with a dash of personality, and boots is a staple look as the weather gets colder. I kept my white shades though. No way I’m giving those up yet.

Leather Shorts

 This was the best post title I could think of, because is there really anything more to say? “Leather Shorts” are most def a show stopper, even in words alone. I was talked into buying these babies ten years ago, when my fashion choices were way safer. I didn’t have nearly as much confidence or bravado at that time, for several reasons I won’t delve into right now. I talk about that mostly in my Inspire section posts, so feel free to hop on over there and get to know that side of me too. I laughed nervously when the pushy saleswoman tried to get me to purchase what looked to me like a leather diaper. I didn’t like my butt or legs at that time either, so the whole concert seemed insane and age in appropriate. Btw, I was 30. If that’s an indication as to the warped view that I had of myself as an “old, washed up Mom in an orthodox neighborhood”, then there you go. So sad, but it’s over so it’s really fine. We can only improve coming from places that need improvement.

Ok, so she talked me into the shorts. I thought they’d be one of those items I wore once max, or perhaps one of those indulgent purchases that never actually leave the closet and make it onto your body. I must say that these Haute Hippie shorts are hands down the coolest item in my pretty darn cool closet. I wear them a ton, and they’re always a showstopper. I have gotten tremendous use out of them, and now that I truly do like my butt and legs thanks to yoga, I rock them proudly at 40🏻.

For this look I contrasted the lil sexy shorts with an oversized chunky turtleneck sweater. I love things that are large scale, and this sweater is another fave. It was instant comfort and ease literally just thrown on with the shorts. Sexy and comfortable is always the goal. With or without tights, the high heeled Brian Atwood boots give the right amount of height and edge, and are very comfortable as far as high heeled boots are concerned. I am not a heels gal at all, so you can trust me if I tell you these were good to my feet. This new hat from Urban Outfitters is a new purchase that I’m loving this Fall! It’s the perfect scale of width and flop. It fits great on my head with no fussing. The round Prada glasses are old and look great every time. This look has a very retro Bridget Bardot feel. I saw Bohemian Rhapsody last week with my son. It was outstanding, and I was inspired to dress with a nod to that incredible time period where rock and roll was at its best, and mostly coming from England. The fashion at that time is my favorite era. I’m guessing Freddy Mercury would have dug a cool pair of leather shorts. Or even had it actually been a leather diaper.

That’s My Crew

For those of you who often read my style posts, you know what a longtime fan of J Crew I am. Whether I’m wearing their pieces as a layering building block or featuring one that’s a whimsical print, this brand never disappoints. Like ever. Since childhood. It’s so common that our tastes evolve and change over the decades of our lives. We all have tons of photos that should be captioned “what was I thinking????” Sweater sets and me are not friends. Voluminous poet sleeves? Eek. Heinous trends we were once obsessed with that morphed into embarrassing lapses in judgement🤦🏼‍♀️. It’s cool; it’s so important to be able to laugh at ourselves and refine our style over time.

Personally, I’m wary of peeps who have dressed the same since infancy. How much have you changed and grown if your wardrobe hasn’t changed even a little?? This is why I love J Crew. Their look is constantly evolving and flowing with the changing needs of the customer. The more pragmatic, preppy designs from my youth became the butterfly printed silk button down of my adulthood. Burgundy pocket t shirts grew into a burgundy pleated leather skirt, one of my prized items in my entire closet. My best hats came from J Crew. Sunglasses, gauzy beach wear, and vibrant color blocking are some of my favorite concepts from the company. My all time fave would have to be my impressive collection of button down shirts. From masculine oxfords to silky, feminine styles that drape my femininity, my J Crew shirts literally carry every outfit. I’ve asked a lot of them over the years, mixing them up in a million different looks. They fit incredibly and are classy and sexy at all times. Yes, I’ve given some J Crew away over the years. The solid pencil skirts aren’t me, and neither were the boxy floral dresses that made me feel like Jackie O for five minutes. I never loved their leopard prints or sequined pieces. But there has never been a time in my fashion history that hasn’t included this brand. Here are some of my favorite J Crew looks from the Lady Blaga archives. Which do you like best? Any suggestions for more ways I can mix it up that might help you put together an outfit? I love acting as a stylist, so if there’s a certain concept you could use ideas for, I would love the challenge of coming up with inspirational combos for y’all. Can the J in J Crew stand for Jessica?

Cardigan Slip combo

For this cardigan look, the sweater serves as a blazer. A softer, more relaxed version. This is def a going out look. The Rag and Bone leather pants are a major staple in my closet. They were a splurge, but so worth it. They're incredibly versatile. You'll be seeing them a lot.

I found this ancient off white silk slip, that I remember was an underlay for an old dress. I think that dress involved eyelet and a sash (can you imagine me in that?? I guess I hadn't yet found myself). I'm glad I kept the slip. It's not that transparent so I can get away with using it as a dress or a top. Girls, always keep that stuff. Anything too see through or flimsy can always be used as a nightgown, on a non bleach stained boxer night😜.

I "slipped" this on and belted it with an edgy studded black belt. Black leather zipper heels which you've seen me wear many times. I am so uncomfortable in most heels. These are very wearable, despite the dominatrix effect. Lol, even those gals still need to buy milk and toilet paper🚽.

Lastly, the cardigan thrown over softens all the edges of the overall look, bringing a great mix of sass and "silky smooth". Thank you, Zohan!  Leather, hardware, silk, black, white, and a little unexpected preppie vibe from the cardigan makes a cool combo. If your slip truly isn't see through, ditch the pants and just use this look as a dress based idea. Everything else can stay the same. When the sweater comes off, it's still all perfection. Smoky eye, nude lip, loose hair. Just keep this ensemble for nighttime. This is trying way too hard during daylight hours. However, if you're killing it, hopefully after your big night out, you'll still be awake to catch some daylight creeping in. If you're too tired to even find those aforementioned bleach stained boxers, just ditch everything else and sleep in the slip. Hope you have fun, lemme know where to meet ya‼️

Scarfing it Down

I must say that I’ve never worn my hair like this, all wrapped up in a scarf over a high half top knot. I must also say that I freaking loved it. When we do a photo shoot for the blog the goal is to get at least 8 to 10 different looks. This is for obvious reasons of efficiency. While it would be easy to throw on a cute dress or one showstopper labeled item, that to me is both boring and lazy. As a person, I’m really not a shortcut gal. I try to do everything with max intentions, yielding the fullest results. If I can’t deliver all of me then I’ll sit it out until the right vibe strikes. I’d rather do nothing than do something halfway.

That being said, it’s a fun challenge to put together ten fashion looks that require creativity and uniqueness. I like to keep you guys interested, and I’d never insult you by delivering anything less than what you came here to see. Enter this look for today. I bought these splatter paint pants at Diesel years ago. They’re cute but not particularly flattering. I think I’ve worn them only once. I have to hike them over my butt, which requires me being in the right mood to deal with that (again, once). But they’re cool. I had on this cropped black tank from the previous outfit, and I love quickly thinking of ways to build a whole new look off of a previously worn piece. It’s also a time saver. Since the waist line on the pants doesn’t do me any favors, it required something to go over it to camouflage any belly that poked out. I added my trusted boyfriend blazer for relaxed structure, complementing the chill vibe of the pants. Wearing flats or sneakers would be cool to dress this down, but I put on heels to dress it up. A cropped ankle shortens legs and a heel combats that. Ok, fine. A cute outfit but nothing to write home about (or a blog post). It’s fun to mix prints that are in the same color family, so I reached for my black and white skull printed Alexander McQueen scarf which I’m obsessed with, and just wound it around my head. Dug it!!! Boom, instant flash and fun.

This is one of those instances where an accessory and a bit of boldness carry a look. The red sunnies were a nod the the color scheme on the pants, a tie in. This scarf look is definitely something I’ll add to my repertoire, especially on an island vacation. Have your accessories enhance your outfits by finding new and creative ways for them to serve you. The best answer is often the non obvious one.

Turban Jungle

Having my Kourtney Kardashian moment in this leopard turban. I’ve admired her style for years, and I think she often outdoes Kim. There’s a definite effortlessness to the way Kourt dresses (she told me I can call her that), and you know that’s my thing as well. Her style is chic, sexy, and relaxed. Even when she’s more decked out, there’s a naturalness to it. This whole look felt like something she’d wear.

This parachute DKNY skirt is one of my warm weather favorites. It’s so cool to wear a light, long skirt when it’s hot. I like to juxtapose the overpowering skirt with an itty bitty crop top. It breaks up the black and adds sexiness to the seriousness. This look called for a fun pop of something. After all, too much black in the summer can feel misplaced.

I love animal prints, always have. I love adding a dash of animal print to any neutral palette. Instant personality. I tried to do the turban/headscarf thing for years, but to no avail; I felt like an idiot. I’m finally hitting my stride with stuff like this, and it’s so fun to play around more. Tip; just because something doesn’t suit you at one point, doesn’t mean it will never work. Maybe you just need to hit more of a sweet spot style wise. Maybe it’s a confidence thing. Fashion and style should be ever evolving. Who the heck wants to look the same for 70 years?? Keep playing around. Oh, and stay away from dudes who refer to themselves as “Lord”. Love you, KK. 

Fresh Gauze

This gets the prize for my favorite summer dress ever. Flowy, gauzy, soft, sexy, and easy; all words that ideally describe that summer livin’ mood. Until I hit my style sweet spot, I’d look at those chicks who always seemed to nail it and feel a bit envious. How they managed to lock down the perfect look with such natural ease. One dress, a couple of key placed accessories and done. That seemed to evade me at a time where I wasn’t as in tune with my body, my fashion, and mostly myself. Which is all proof that the more centered we are in our essence, all the offshoots that stem from our core will emerge as they should. Overthinking clothing most likely indicates unnecessary overthinking in more important areas too. Basically, to look natural and flowy, one must feel that way inside first. Or the dress just won’t read as it should. But this is a fashion post, so back to that.

I rekindled my love with Urban Outfitters this summer. Reunited and it feels so good. This perfect dress made me feel beautiful each time I wore it; the absolute point to clothing (in addition to us not getting arrested for public indecency). Belted or not, layered with a lot of hippie gold jewelry, gold Birkenstocks, and I felt wonderful. This amazing hat was from Urban too. It was a great change from my usual summer fedora style. The yellow lensed sunglasses were so perfectly 70’s. This was my fave look for floating through the summer months, and it’s my new must take for all vacations going forward. Perfect for the beach, day, or night (no hat at night), this one piece wonder delivered each time. It gave me that desired fresh feeling all chicks aim for.