Letoya Luckett – Photo of The Day

Style + Life + Fashion’s Photo of The Day goes to Letoya Luckett. How cute are those lavender sunglasses, hipster hat, and gold accessories.

The lesson learned – a pop of color can transform any look! And don’t forget to have a fun attitude to match.

 

Zen Cosmetics Makeup Organizer

Zen Cosmetics is a makeup organizer that makes primpin’ easy. Available on Quirky.com for $14.99, Zen Cosmetics was invented by Edwin Van de Bospoort of the Netherlands and marks Quirky’s first step into the beauty category.

Zen Cosmetics Makeup Organizer

Zen Cosmetics is a glamorous storage unit that’s designed to hold onto your beauty essentials. Its grippy silicone base accommodates primping tools of varying sizes, from brushes to pencils to tweezers. It’ll keep you looking your best and your counters clutter free. Decked out in an assortment of soft hues including grey, pink, teal, and coral, this is one organizer that doesn’t need to be hidden away. It looks flawless right out in the open.

Zen Cosmetics Makeup Organizer

Like all Quirky products, Zen Cosmetics was invented and influenced by real people like you. Edwin Van de Bospoort is an industrial product designer by education, but spends his days designing interfaces. After opening a junk drawer under his table he found a puzzling mess of pens, batteries, and randomness. He invented Pen Zen to help him and his coworkers keep their desks a little cooler, calmer, and more collected. Its popularity sparked a makeover: Zen Cosmetics.

Packing Tips for Fashion Girls: Look Fabulous on Vacation

Going on vacation is an exciting time for any fashion girl.  But there’s always the dilemma of packing for an extended amount of time.  Honestly, it can become overwhelming and the thought of going through airport security’s mentally exhausting.

Ready for anything with my Vera Bradley Duffle Bag
Ready for anything with my Vera Bradley Duffle Bag

We shouldn’t let that distract us from looking fabulous and having a good time.  To help us get motivated I want to share a few quick packing tips:

1.  Always pack a variety of summer dresses – whether it’s a maxi or shift dress.  Packing a dress makes room in your duffle bag and you don’t have to iron!

2.  Use accessories to dress up your vacation style or tone it down.  Pack a fedora hat (so we don’t have to worry about our hair) add a belt to cinch the waist for a sexy look and a few statement necklaces to dress up a basic t shirt.

Simple Travel Accessories
Simple Travel Accessories

3.  Your shoe collection should also be effortless style.  Include flip flops (easy to put on) flats for a cool night and two pairs of pumps.  In terms of pumps, I like to go with a basic color that coordinates with any garment such as nude or black.

4.  Undergarments need to reflect your coordinated pieces.  For example, a new mom should include a slimming camisole to keep the abdominal muscles (firm) underneath a blouse.  We can also add a bodysuit for that gorgeous dress that shows your curves.

5.  In terms of pants, consider a pair of shorts, jeans, or even leggings.  All three are great options when packing your vacation attire because they’re transitional pieces that can mix and match.

Kimmie Ready for Travel
Kimmie Ready for Travel

6.  Don’t forget your swimsuit – I like to keep two options in mind; one swimsuit for a sexy date and another suit for having a good time (you’re not concerned with your appearance in this suit because it’s comfortable.)

Packing for any trip can be demanding but with the right tips and perspective, we can have an amazing time and still look great!

Guys & Dolls Vintage Clothing & Accessory Pop-Up Shop

Guys & Dolls Vintage Pop-Up Shop
Guys & Dolls Vintage Pop-Up Shop

Washington, DC (Monday, July 7, 2014) – On the heels of their successful event in 2013, the ladies of Instant Vintage 78 bring to you the “Guys & Dolls Vintage Clothing and Accessory Pop-Up Shop” event to the Nation’s Capital. This one-of-a-kind pop-up shop will be held at Penn Social, which is located in the Chinatown area of Washington, DC on July 19th from 12-4 PM.

This event will feature top vintage and retro dealers and boutiques from MD, DC, VA and Philadelphia. The vendors that will be featured are: B4 Kizzy Evae, BeSpoke Not Broke, Bourgeois & Rebellious, Brown & Williams Clothiers, Catch 22 Boutique, Craft Culture Co., Haute Crave Boutique, Instant Vintage 78, Mahogany Bleu, Pixie Kitsune, Rag Dollz Collective, Sophisticated Phunk Vintage + more to be added. The items that will be on site are one-of-a-kind articles of clothing (for men & women), jewelry, shoes, housewares, luggage, accessories and more. There will also be a stylist on site who will offer ideas to patrons on how to incorporate a statement piece to your everyday wardrobe and how to pull together various looks for different times of day.

Not only will this pop-up shop be about fashion, but it will also scream fun! Your Saturday afternoon will be filled with old school jams that will be spun by DJ Amen Ra as you enjoy signature cocktails and drink specials. In addition, there will be swag bags given to the first 75 guests, a “Best Dressed in Vintage” contest (winner will receive a prize), Soul Train line, throwback photos, games and more!

The “Guys & Dolls” pop-up shop is sponsored by Facon Magazine and Shop Love DC. Penn Social is located at 801 E St. NW, Washington, DC. To join the conversation or to see who will be attending the “Guys & Dolls” pop-up shop, please use the official event hashtag #VintageGuysAndDolls on all Social Media platforms.

Beyonce: The Fashion Chameleon – Achieve The Look

It’s no secret that Beyonce is a fashion chameleon. This woman can look glamorous wearing a sequin bodysuit (for shows) to dressing in street style with a hipster hat on Instagram.

 

To pull off a combination like the one below, the secret is to find a dominate color and select additional pieces within the same color family. Personally, I like eclectic design of the first look, mixing textures and prints. Bey also made this style sexy by cinching the waist with a belt.

 

The second and third photo gives us a lot of style and personality with garments in the same print (top and shorts) while adding a hat for quick style.  With simple accessories in our wardrobe such as hats, belts, and funky nail designs anyone can achieve this look – fashion is fun!

 

 

Basignani Winery – Wine and Cheese Pairing

Basignani Winery is one of Baltimore’s premiere vineyards, located near Falls Road.  Established in 1986, Basignani hosts a variety of events throughout the year and local Marylanders can visit for a tasting, movie night, farmer’s market, or tuscan christmas event.

Basignani Winery
Basignani Winery
Basignani Winery
Basignani Winery

As a member of the Junior League of Baltimore, our President Elect – Cylia Lowe hosted a July BBQ at the winery for members.  We enjoyed a traditional wine pairing starting with dry white, dry reds and sweet wine. Members also savored a variety of cheese  and cracker selections to help enhance our palate.

Junior League of Baltimore
Junior League of Baltimore
Wine Pairing
Wine Pairing
Wine Pairing
Wine Pairing
Wine Pairing
Wine Pairing

Normally I prefer a glass of Chardonnay but after enjoying a few options at Basignani I concluded that the tasting was worth the visit. And aside from having delicious wine and cheese the vineyard was beautiful and comfortable.  Visitors were also able to purchase a bottle of wine after their pairing to take home.

We concluded our afternoon under the patio (piazza) with a meeting and chat.  The location made a beautiful backdrop for photos and warm memories.

If you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon and beautiful atmosphere, visit Basignani Winery and tell them Style + Life + Fashion sent you there!

Junior League of Baltimore
Junior League of Baltimore

 

Ashley Martini – Is Your Wardrobe Stressing You Out and Style Tips

As if there weren’t enough to worry about in day-to-day life, people often find themselves frozen in front of their closets during the morning rush, panicking about what to wear.

“I think everyone has that terrible feeling of insecurity from time to time when you just know you have on the wrong outfit – as if it’s not just your clothes that are frumpy and outdated, but you, too,” says styling consultant Ashley Martini, author of the new book, “Styletini,” and founding member of Martini Fashions, (www.ashleymartini.com).

“Unfortunately, in today’s society, people do judge books by their covers – and perception is reality. You can sense how people respond to you, especially in relation to job opportunities and relationships.”

Getting your outfit right can be challenging, she concedes. People want to be confident yet comfortable; up-to-date yet not necessarily “hipsteriffic;” professional but not overly formal. Most have a favorite outfit or two, but those get old quickly when worn twice a week.

“One of the first things you should understand is that your criteria really isn’t conflicting – you can be stylish, professional and comfortable, all with that stamp of individuality,” Martini says. “You just have to know what to look for.”

Martini talks tips to take the stress out of the morning dress hour.

• Not all trends work for all body types. “You have to be honest with yourself; skinny jeans may not work for you, and forcing yourself into a pair that’s semi-workable is not the best way to optimize your closet,” she says. “The trendiest thing any individual can do is answer the question: Is it flattering?”

Women have six basic body types: triangle, narrow above the waist and wider on the bottom; inverted triangle, with fuller shoulders and chest and slim hips and thighs; rectangle, also known as athletic with little definition in the waist and hips; diamond, high-sitting, full stomach with wide hips and full thighs; apple, similar to diamonds, but with a lower-sitting stomach – also know as oval-shaped; hourglass, with equal upper and lower halves with well-defined waists.

• Know your measurements! Measure the parts of your body that most define your shape: your hips, shoulders, waist and bust. Wear underwear (but not shapewear) when measuring hips, and wrap the tape around the fullest part of your hips and butt for the most accurate measurement. Don’t tug too tightly or loosely when measuring; the number in the center front is your hip size.
To measure shoulders, keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed, and extend the tape from the outer edge of one shoulder to the outer edge of the other.

To measure your waist, bend forward and note where your body creases – that’s where to measure.

For bust, wear a top without a bra, which often alters measurements. Wrap the tape across your back and under your shoulder blades and arms – and around the fullest part of your breasts.

• Own your plus-size, petite or tall body. You’ve probably heard the statement, “Real women have curves.” Yes, they do, but there are also real women with smaller busts; long and lean women, and some built like the ancient fertility goddess statues. All of us are “real.”

One tip for plus-sized women: highlight your assets — shapely legs and well-toned arms are meant to be flaunted. Petite women: Opt for pieces that come in naturally shorter lengths, such as cigarette pants, knee-length or higher skirts and three-quarter and shorter sleeve tops and jackets. Showing more skin will make your limbs look longer. Tall women: Wear high heels if you want to — just because you’re taller doesn’t mean they’re off limits.

About Ashley Martini

Ashley Martini, styling consultant and founding member of Martini Fashions, LLC, discreetly assists both men and women in unearthing and exhibiting their inner beauty through style, fashion and the top trends. Ashley is the author of the new book on style, “Styletini,” (www.ashleymartini.com). A business graduate of Lynn University, she specialized in fashion marketing and merchandising. She also completed her master’s degree in business with a focus on international business, and studied abroad in the world’s fashion capital, Paris, with a concentration in fashion styling and trend forecasting. She worked as a styling intern with Jennifer Lopez’s fashion company Sweetface/JustSweet/JLO, and earned numerous fashion awards.

1384284104

Ross Dress for Less – My Personal Summer Style and Photos

Let’s be honest, everyone likes to shop at Ross Dress for Less.  Fashionistas can find designer labels for a discounted price and it really doesn’t get any better than that!

To jumpstart their new campaign, the brand asked shoppers to like their Facebook Page and participate in a Summer Style Quiz.  The quiz was a fun addition to their campaign and I discovered that my personal summer style is the Social Butterfly.  Being a Social Butterfly means I enjoy wearing maxi dresses, embellished sandals, oversized sunglasses, and large tote bags.  

Ross Summer Style
Ross Summer Style

I had the opportunity to visit my local Ross and purchase a few pieces for my wardrobe.  I was happy to see all of the Summer hues and trends for shoppers to select.

Pink Betsey Johnson Handbag
Pink Betsey Johnson Handbag
Aztec Print Leggings
Aztec Print Leggings
photo 3 (1)
Black Booties with Gold Zippers
photo 2 (2)
Coral Shift Dress
photo 1 (2)
Gladiator Sandals

As you can see from the previous photos there’s a wonderful selection of merchandise.  If you’re a classic fashionista, one can find a corporate pantsuit and if you’re a trendsetter, one can choose from the leggings department.  To make sure you’re selecting the appropriate size don’t forget to visit the fitting room to try on items.

Visit your local Ross Dress for Less to enhance your wardrobe and find your summer style!

Cut Out Maxi Dress
Cut Out Maxi Dress

If you like this post, click here: Ross Dress for Less – Show Off Your Shoes Selfie