Cheetahlicious

 My all time favorite trend/print is cheetah! I am obsessed and have so much clothing and accessories with it I could open up my own store! The problem is that this print has a bad reputation. Cheetah can be associated with promiscuity and cheap, but it doesn’t have to be! It is all about how you wear it. The biggest key to wearing not only cheetah, but any overwhelming print is to wearing it sparingly. It is hard to pull of a whole dress of cheetah, but by picking either pants or a shirt, you can wear it without screaming “RAWRR”

Here are some examples of tasteful and classy cheetah: 

Jessica Alba, Olivia Palmero, Kourtney Kardashian and Siena Miller all got this trend right! Nicki Minaj’s Grammy ensemble wasn’t as fortunate.

To rock this look, you don’t need a skin tight dress to amp up the volume. Instead invest in small items such as a scarves, shoes, bags, skirts or skirts to give a maybe boring outfit into a party.

I recently invested in cheetah shorts and a cheetah top to add to my collections. I encourage you do the same as we all embark on this journey of our individual style together hope

From witch to woman

Emma Watson walked into all of our hearts when Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone first premiered in 2001. Since then we all have been mesmerized by her overwhelming poise, grace and elegance. I always liked her until she cut her long locks into a pixie cut:then I loved her! Now its 2011 and the Harry Potter movie franchise has finally come to an end. Yet I strongly believe this is not the end for Emma Watson who not only is a great actress but is a fashion genius. Here I wish to take a look at her London and New York premiere dresses.

 This Oscar de la Renta dress is utterly flawless that was worn to the London premiere. She has skipped the princess stage and looks like a queen. I love the sheer top and the tulle ball gown bottom is magical. And the hair!! Although its grown out a bit, I love the wispy strands by her ears. Its pulls the whole thing together. It does almost cross the line into maybe bridal/prom, but I think she carries it well.

This  dress is by Bottega Venta Fall 2011. When I first saw this I didn’t know what to think and I am still a bit confused. I love the structured top with a recycled, eco-friendly look. The bottom is…okay. I like the color contrast but it looks like the top was put with the wrong bottom. Like it could be ripped off later and reveal another bottom. Once again I love the hair and the makeup and despite its lack of a ‘bang’, I think she left her mark.

 Lastly I thought I would just show the large contrast between Emma then and now. From feathered boa to ball gown! I wish all of us could make such a transformation!

Lately I...

Lately I love... my TexasLash Mascara by Cargo.

I have been obsessed with this mascara for the past three years and have refused to use anything else. Yet last year I went into Sephora and my worst nightmare became a reality: it was no longer sold! I was devastated and switched to Covergirl. My eyelashes were never the same until last weekend when I went back to Sephora and my mascara was once again in stores. My eyelashes have been rejoicing ever since. It has a really thick brush that really lengthens and thickens my lashes. Mascara is my fave makeup product and this one has given me the best results. I cant find it online, but if you go into Sephora and just ask for the Texas mascara they will know which one you want.

Lately I want... a chic bag.

I used to only wear huge bags, but since I started college I have downsized to cross body bags. I also usually only ever wear black, but black is out now especially foe the summer. I now want a nude  big bag for the summer that can take me into the fall while carrying all my stuff. I have fallen upon these two bags and decide which one I like better!

The first is a good size with a variety of ways to wear it, but maybe a bit too plain for me. The second I fear will not be able to lead me into the fall season, but I absolutely adore it. Thoughts? Which one should I invest in?

Lately I need...black heels!

I have wide feet so finding shoes especially heels is extremely difficult. While I am also in search of nude heels. I have finally found a great pair of black heels by Rocketdog that fit!! I found them at work, Famous Footwear, and need to own them before I go back to school! I love the side cutout and the knot detail at the toe!

What have you lately been loving in your style, craving to have and dying to own? Let me know here as we embark on our journey to individual style together.

Lately I….

Lately I… am in love with Gap and their basic t-shirts.

Currently Gap has been having amazing sales and with the shirts on sale for $9.99, you can find a great deal. Since the last time I posted I have collected 5, yes FIVE, basic tees. They are so comfortable and come in about 12 different colors. I have them in light blue/turquoise,  lilac, dark purple, burnt orange, and coral. I highly suggest  investing in these tees for yourself. I promise it will be love at first wear.

Lately I want… more skirts!

Skirts have become my new best friend but all I have is black and one floral print. Since I work retail, it is important to be comfortable especially when its 80 degrees outside. Dress pants are my worst nightmare especially when looking for them in petite. Now that I have a bevy of different tees from Gap, I can accommodate colorful skirts. I really like these: (all from Forever 21)

        

          

Lately I need… a braided brown skinny belt.

   I confess I am addicted to wearing black and silver, but there are a few select items in my closet that require brown/gold accessories.  As a result I keep a few gold earrings and rings on hand, but I have no belts! I have been looking for this belt for ages. And being only $2.50 I think I may just get it!

         

Let me know what you lately love, want and need right here as we embark on our journey to our individual style.

My fashion icon

Fashion is so subjective and really relies on an individual’s taste. Although we are all responsible for our own fashion sense, we are constantly inspired and influenced by others.

I tend to be most inspired by just opening a magazine and looking inside. Yet my biggest fashion inspiration is Lauren Conrad. I have looked to her for many things in this my own life and this blog whether it be her hair color or clothing line. The biggest way she has inspired me is with her signature side braid. The side braid is my go to style when I’m having a bad hair day! I have loved her since Laguna Beach and I am glad that she is not just another reality show girl gone wrong. Here are some of my favorite Lauren Conrad looks.

          Whether she is walking around L.A,

 At an event

Or on the runway!

She currently creates her own line of fabulous and affordable clothes at Kohl's. If you go to the link for Kohl's, you can also watch videos by Lauren and her suggestions on how to wear pieces in her collection. And now she has created Paper Crown with two friends and it will soon be featured in stores such as Nordstrom's!

If you want even MORE Lauren Conrad, pick up a copy of her style book, Style. LOVED IT!

Who is your style icon? Let me know here as you embark on your way to style!

Lately I…

Lately I have not been blogging. I have so many ideas running through my head, but now that it is summer I have been a bit lackadaisical. But I have decided to start a bi weekly blog to keep me on track. It is called Lately I love,want and need. I will post bi weekly items in fashion that at the moment I love, desperately want, and absolutely need. This week will mark the first installment. I hope that by doing this, I will also post more frequently about the fashion we all love!


Lately I love… my cat eye sunglasses and white sandals.           

When the summer started I wanted to earn some extra cash by selling some clothes to Plato’s Closet and Clothes Mentor. (Clothes Mentor is for women and buy brans like New York & Company and Ann Taylor). Personally I had some good stuff they didn’t take, but they are pretty picky about quality and style. But I still made almost $60 at both stores combined.  Anyways that’s not the point. The point is A) I got these awesome sunglasses at Plato’s for $6 and B) The sandals were only $12 at Kohl's! I have been looking for cat eye glasses forever and jumped on these! These are definitely my summer staple and I also was searching for cute white sandals. I declare success!!

Lately I want… a maxi dress!
To be specific I want this maxi dress by Lauren Conrad. I love the sweet heart neckline and bold print. I am obsessed with her and her line at Kohl's! I love maxi dresses because they are perfect for summer with a cute wedge or flip flop. My only issue with buying a maxi dress is that I am so short! Standing at a meager 5''2” I fear that a maxi dress will make me look even shorter. I also fear that maxi dresses may make me look pregnant. Crazy? Probably. Legitimate? Oh yes.

Lately I need… NUDE PUMPS

 I have needed nude pumps for the longest time! Nude pumps are as important as an LBD in a girls closet. They elongate your legs which I need since I am so short!  I really like ones like these at Aldo.  My problem is my dumb wide feet! I am a devoted size 7…wide. With heels it’s the hardest because if I try and go up a half size for the width, the length to too long! It is impossible for me to find heels. But the search continues because I worry that without them my life can not go on much further. Too dramatic?

Royal Wedding: Best and Worst

Although Kate Middleton was the star of the Royal Wedding, she was not the only one who looked good. Unfortunately there were some that looked bloody wretched.

Lets start with the good:

1. Carole Middleton- Mrs.Middleton, mother of the new princess, definitely represented herself well in front of the royal family. She stunned in a Catherine Walker sky blue dress and wool crepe coat. I thought the color was perfect for the season and it fit her flawlessly. While watching TLC’s coverage, Clinton Kelly wished it had more bling, but I disagree. She is the mother of the bride, not the bride and she dressed as such. She still looked fashionable and was able to show off her great figure without looking dumpy. Remember people were in England, not America!

 

2. Pippa Middleton- As Maid of Honor, Pippa also came out strong in her own Alexander McQueen creation. She really looked like the hot, sexy, single sister with the low neckline and buttons down the back. It also clung to her perfectly engineered body which makes me want to never eat again.

3. Although I wish Diana could have been here instead, Camilla Parker, Prince William’s stepmum, did pretty well. I liked her hat as well the details on her two toned Anna Valentine coat. She also looked appropriate, yet fashionable.

Now lets take a look at the bad:

1/2. Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice- It was bad enough that their mother Sarah Ferguson was not invited to the wedding, but was this the right way to revolt?! The both wore hats by Phillip Treacy while Eugenie chose Vivienne Westwood and Beatrice chose Valentino. First the hats: Why Beatrice why? Is it a bow? Is it a toilet bowl with toilet paper on the seat? While watching the ceremony my mother saw her in the crowd and gasped saying “ WHO is that?” I quipped in remark, “It looks like Lady Gaga!” Somehow this reminded me of Lady Gaga’s lobster hat. Thoughts?

And Eugenie’s dress?! I didn’t mind Beatrice’s as it flatters her new figure, but Eugenie’s blue mess does the opposite. Her bust looks gigantic and the bottom hem is awful. She needs a genie to help her find a new dress.

3. Chelsy Davy- Maybe its just because she is dating the eligible Prince Harry, but I hate this look. Her dress, created specially for her by Alberta Ferreti, was so bad. I hated the color, the sheen, and the fit. She is a beautiful girl, but I feel this dress does not do her justice. She earns some points with the hat and shoes, but can you can really go wrong with nude heels? Come on Chels, if you want to marry the other Prince, step up your game.