Scrunched-n-Pleated

I stay scrunching up my sleeves. There's just something so easy-going about haphazardly arranging the sleeves in a pulled up/rolled up way that it gives the whole look a relaxed touch. Sometimes if I feel that my look is too 'dressy' or 'confined' and I want to mess-it-up a bit, I scrunch the sleeves. Then I exhale and smile. There we go.

Let's discuss about the faux leather skirt, shall we. Peggy Jean of OnTheQTrain came to the rescue on that front. Her most recent look floated across my Facebook page feed and I loved it. Mainly because of that skirt! I read the details and saw the skirt was from Ashley Stewart. Not even wasting any time, I called up my local Ashley Stewart stores. After the second store said it no longer had it in stock, I became a bit frustrated with myself. Like, ugh. How did I not know this item existed?!! Well, because I hardly enter a Ashley Stewart store. Whoops. Anywho, I called up the third store and *angels singing* it had a few more in stock! I asked the associate to place it on hold for me; she did. Got to the store 30 minutes later, tried on the skirt, and well, the rest is history. I also got it for a great deal: the skirt was already on clearance plus the store was having 30% off any purchase. Say whaaa?! iWon.

Embellished Sweater: Thrift

Faux Leather Pleated Skirt: Ashley Stewart

Bag: vintage Dooney & Bourke

Pattern Tights: c/o Kix'ies 

Heels: Avenue

*Photography: Pich and Roor

The Faux Leather Pleated Skirt is still on sale. You better go get you some! Also, here are a few more suggestions -

Black Leather Look Skater Skirt (Dorothy Perkins)

Exclusive Skater Skirt in Leather (ASOS Curve)

L'Amour Nanette Lepore Faux Leather Skirt (JC Penney) 

Calvin Klein Plus Size Faux Leather Eyelet Cutout A-Line Skirt (Macy's. Very similar.) 

Dynamite Faux Leather Skater Skirt (Forever 21+)

*This post is part of the Link Up series on Whitney Nic James.

Spruce It Up!

At first I thought that my favorite trend of this year was the black/white combination. Mind you, I'm still not over that trend considering I find myself STILL rocking a black + white look from time to time. I mean, why not, right? But then I realized that, no, my favorite trend of this year (and really, since late last year) is the dressy + sporty/casual look. Wearing a plaid shirt with a sequin skirt? Check. Wearing a graphic sweatshirt topped off with a statement necklace and adding a flouncy skirt to the mix? Check. Wearing a casual animal motif sweater with a midi skirt? Check. Wearing another animal motif sweater with printed pants? Check. Still not sure how I would look wearing high heels with sweatpants but I so do love when I see others wearing the look...and wearing it well. Oh, how can I forget about (faux) leather sweatpants?! Bomber jackets with dresses! Oh me, oh my.

Feeling inspired by this trend and somewhat finding myself in the Holiday spirit (It just sneaked up on me!), I put together three looks that can be worn at any holiday inspired party using items from Spiegel.com. My looks centered around three clothing items: Signature Ponte Knit: Bandeau Dress in Heather Charcoal, Maggie Shorts by Newport News in Tan, and Madison Pant by Shape FX in Tan

Stella Clutch in Gold

Ribbon & Chain Necklace in Gray

Allie Bracelet in Silver

Hope Earrings

Camila Pumps in Silver

*I wanted to add a small belt but none of the belts on Spiegel.com would have gone with this particular look.

Annabelle Ankle Boots in Multi

Jenna Cardigan by Newport News in Black

Bailey Watch in Red

Stella Clutch in Gold

Julissa Necklace and Earrings Set in Gold

*I am never against sporting shorts in the fall/winter seasons; just add tights!

*Wear a cardigan as a top!

Riley Jacket in Black

Desiree Earrings in Gold

Alejandra Bracelet in Green 

Harley Pumps in Animal

Allie Bracelet in Gold

*Wear a jacket as a top! 

Spiegel.com caters to both straight sizes and plus sizes. This is always a plus (pun intended) for me. Also, a lot (and I mean a lot) of items are currently on sale. And we all love a good sale, right? Right.

Have a great and safe Thanksgiving holiday weekend!

Inspiration #7

I remember when I first saw Mona in this look. I said to myself, "I must recreate this outfit...one way or another. Must!" That was August 2012.

Yep. More than a year later, I finally recreated this look...one way or another. 

No, I didn't wear a gorgeous statement necklace. I, instead, opted for a delicate one from Charming Charlie. And, no, your eyes are not deceiving you - that is a sequin skirt and not a leather skirt. Plus there's the whole factor of donning tights and heels instead of some bad-ass two tone sandal heels (Hey, at least my heels are two tone! That counts for something, right? Right..?) The main reason why I loved Mona's look so much was because she made plaid stylish and classy; so lady-like. Remember, this was last year. I don't recall a lot of folks rocking plaid in that kind of style. It was refreshing to see back then.

The more I look at that caricature, the more I believe that it can fit in seamlessly on "The Proud Family" or something.

Plaid Shirt: Target (previously worn here)

Cardigan: thrift (previously worn here)

Skirt: Lane Bryant (previously worn here)

Metal Plate Belt: c/o City Chic via Sonsi.com

Tights: CVS

Heels: Lane Bryant

Watch: Michael Kors

Bracelet: Avenue

Necklace: Charming Charlie

When you get the chance, check out Mona's blog, Monalavinia. This lady got some style. I just wished she updated more (Yep, I called her out. Nicely, of course. *smiles*). But she's pretty active on Instagram so check her out here.



This post has been added to Whitney Nic James: Personal Style Linkup.

American Music Awards

The award show that allowed America to cast in their vote pretty much became the "Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, One Direction and Rihanna" Awards. Anywho, the AMAs was last night and hosted by Pitbull. He was corny. The end. There were a lot of performances from Miley Cyrus and her cat to Lady Gaga + R.Kelly doing some kinda Scandal-ish Broadway drama (I do like their song, though. Do What U Want) to Justin Timberlake getting his folk band on to a Celia Cruz tribute done by the ageless Jennifer Lopez. But my favorite was definitely Imagine Dragons. Their performance was electric and entertaining and powerful. Another performance that got my attention was Christina Aguilera and A Great Big World, Say Something. I was stunned at how much Christina pulled back and did not over do it with voice dramatics. I mean, we all know Xtina can sang but sometimes when she performs it's feels like she wants to remind us that she can do these tricky vocal acrobatics. But not this time around. She sang so beautifully. Lovely song, too. Finally, Rihanna won some kind of icon award and I was all like, um, okay...? It's no secret that I'm not a RiRi fan but all I will say is that I think it's too early to deem her an 'icon' of anything.

Red carpet time!

Ciara in J. Mendel
She looks so beautiful. That dress is sexy, bad-ass.

Taylor Swift in Julien MacDonald
My T-Swizzle is all grown up!

Kendal Jenner in Keepsake
She definitely turned heads in this look.
Meanwhile, she's the youngest person I follow on Instagram.
Judge away.

Kesha in Michael Costello
The best I've ever seen Kesha. We thank God.

Ariana Grande in something Mariah Carey would have worn in her heyday Dolce & Gabbana

Kelly Osbourne in something Adele would have highly considered wearing during her heydey Rami Al Ali

R. Kelly in something ASAP Rocky would definitely wear sometime soon.

Jennifer Hudson in Dior
I honestly have this strong urge to reach my hand through the screen and rip off the 'torn' cloth hanging from the skirt.

TLC
This is just sad and disjointed.
That can also be said about their performance. 

2 Chaaaaiiinnnz in Versace
Someone said this on Twitter regarding his blouse: "2 Chainz is looking like the hardest level on Tetris." 

photos c/o Styleite, The Hollywood Reporter

Well, that's my time. What are your thoughts about the 2013 American Music Awards?

(p.s. 300th post!)

Pop-Up Beauty Lounge II

Having attended their first Pop-Up Beauty Lounge almost one year ago, it was only right for me to attend their 2nd going. This time it was held at Neiman Marcus beauty department. This wonderful event was brought to us by Red Sprinkle and was hosted by Lianne of The Makeup Girl.

photo c/o Pich and Roor
(l-r) Rebecca (Red Sprinkle), Lianne, Madiana (Red Sprinkle), Whitney (PR)

I went with Wave and we definitely had a great ol' time. Along with beauty brands participating like Clinique, Molton Brown, Guerlain and more, there were plenty of activities at hand like...

...filling our stomachs with tasty cupcakes from Hello Cupcake, delicious sushi from Sushiko, and sizzling drinks by Cointreau and Honest Tea.

...trying nail wraps from Jamberry. Jamberry also provides you the chance to make your own nail wraps! That's right. You can upload a photo onto their website and create your very own personalized nail wraps.

photo c/o Pich and Roor

...listening and grooving to great music provided by DJ Mim.

...have an artist make a caricature.

...getting eyelashes done by Elle Bella Lash Bar.

...and watching presentations of the latest beauty trends. Above is a photo of Wave getting her hair styled in the latest Fall trend by Adrin "Seven" Washington of Seven and Company.

To view more photos of this event click here.