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July 6, 2015

The Curious Case of the Summer Booties

Maybe because I grew up during the era of grunge, but I always romanticized about pulling off a floral printed sundress, hitting right below the knees, with a classic pair of 8-lace black Doc Martens. The look has never quite been right for me, but I like the juxtaposition of the feminine with the tough, the practical with the impractical, underneath the unforgivingly hot summer sun. Usually when the summer weather breaks, my boots, booties, and cold weather foot confections like wool socks and fleece tights have been stowed away, but for the first time in a long time, I’ve left a few pairs of booties amongst my espadrilles, canvas sneakers, and open-toed wedges.

The turn of a naked ankle jutting out from the top of a low slung bootie is just so appealing, and I appreciate them paired with a summery dress or cuffed pair of jeans. These booties are a rare versatile breed that provide endless styling possibilities in all seasons, playing nicely with light and dark colors alike. It’s nice to know that my feet are covered, literally, in a cool pair of booties that have helped me to straddle seasonal style divisions; I hope you find, or have a pair that does the same thing for you too!

In This Look:

Proenza Schouler for Target Racerback Cotton Dress (no longer available)

Sole Society Sky Booties in Wine (c/o)

Kate Spade Hoop Earrings (c/o T.J.Maxx)

Left Wrist: Pyramid Stud Bracelets, all Sorrelli (c/o)

Right Wrist: all Giles & Brother Bracelets via Shopbop (c/o)

Alexis Bittar Ring via Shopbop (c/o)

39DollarGlasses.com Prescription Wayfarer Shades (c/o)

Lips: COVERGIRL LipPerfection Lipstick in Tempt (c/o; no longer available)

Nails: Floss Gloss Nail Lacquer in Wavepool via Birchbox (c/o)

May 11, 2015

Gaining Aesthetic Confidence

by Julia DiNardo

Ah, the elusive white jeans…when the perfect cut, thickness of fabric, and size has been located, it’s a killer look. However white jeans can be so…unforgiving, hugging every curve, and concealing..nothing. To me, they are the great sartorial paradox of looking amazing, but hold the potential to make one extremely self-conscious while wearing them. Just the very nature of them being so stark white makes one’s every move a strategy- where to sit, what to eat, even what handbag or shoes to wear is crucial, as these accessories can potentially leave rub-off marks on the jeans.

At the end of the day, when the perfect pair is find, they are worth the preventive measures, and making peace with what may happen to them, letting go and enjoying the look, is all part of the process. In working with Marshalls recently, I spoke with stylist Estee Stanley about identifying personal goals and tips to find, and relish in confidence. Clothing truly has so much to do with it, and finding your own personal style, pieces you love, that work best with your individual body is essential to the process. For me, wearing these white jeans in a cut that works with my petite frame, being neither too tight nor too lose and taking a cavalier attitude to them achieves that, and I’m going to incorporate into my wardrobe weekly, so stay tuned for more personal looks featuring them!

Back to my conversation with Estee, she reiterated that “what you wear is a powerful tool to convey who you are and how the world perceives you; what you are wearing makes a huge statement of who you are. Look AND feel confident, dress and feel comfortable, and ALWAYS wear something that you LOVE!” In an independent survey down by Marshalls, 42% of women identified looking and feeling their best as something that would help propel them towards their goal, and I couldn’t agree more. Remember to “dress for your body type, and ignore trends, ” Stanley emphasizes. “Make a statement with the story you are telling with your outfit and don’t feel what you don’t feel happy in. There is so much fashion out there that there are amazing clothes for all body types. Have the guts to go into the dressing room and try stuff on; items look completely different on the hanger than they do on your body.”

I think that it’s important to be accepting and accommodating to our bodies, and reward ourselves with clothing that fits our shapes and lifestyles to a T. If you’ve lost weight, gained weight, have “baby weight,” and don’t feel like yourself, find clothes that work with that new body of yours, instead of resist it. Choose items that make you feel confident and powerful for every stage of life that you’re in. Considering being your best version of yourself by dressing the part; white jeans, here I come!

In This Look:

Designer Blouse via Marshalls (c/o)

Designer White Jeans via Marshalls (c/o)

ShoeDazzle Morena d’Orsay Espadrille Flats (c/o)

Alexis Bittar Ring via Shopbop (c/o)

Kenneth Cole Men’s White Ceramic Watch (c/o; no longer available)

Sorrelli Cuff Bracelet (c/o) & Stud Earrings

Ted Baker Scarf (c/o)

Makeup: NARS Audacious Lipstick in Lana; Clinique Cheek Pop in Fig Pop (both c/o)

January 22, 2015

Working it With Winter White

by Julia DiNardo

Wearing head-to-toe white is one of the most sophisticated looks that you can accomplish to elevate your style without trying very hard; in fact, the only thing you actually need to do is make sure that you don’t get any scuffs or stains on your white apparel! Wearing white only in the summer is such an outdated notion that with a few easy items to consider, can transition white what you need it to be all year long. The easiest way to start is with accessories; see how it feels to participate in the look via a handbag, a pair of shoes, jewelry, or bag. Next up: let’s try winter white! Unlike a pure, almost opaque, bleached hue of white that is popular in the summer time, winter white takes on an almost yellowish tone that makes it a better match to blend in with winter’s other neutral shades of taupe, grey, black, brown, and navy.
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August 4, 2014

Update Your Fall Fashion with Fab Jewelry + WIN a $50 Gift Card to T.J.Maxx and Marshalls

by Julia DiNardo

“How many pieces of jewelry do you own?” a friend quizzically asked me recently. My response was pretty much along the lines of “I have no clue!” as I’m always on the hunt for a cool new piece, be it vintage or new, at a great price that can look great from season to season, year to year, without being too tied down to a particular trend or look. This past week I took the T.J.Maxx and Marshalls Fall Transition Blogger Challenge, which was right in line with favorite kind of adornment, by using accessories as the perfect update to transition one’s wardrobe from summer into fall. With the great selection of high-quality, designer accessories found at the stores, it’s easy to make a quick yet meaningful enhancement to your look without taking up too much space in your closet.

As I shopped for pieces to style from a summer to fall perspective, I generally went for baubles that struck a chord with my fashion sensibility, but also sought out jewelry that had a substantial texture to them that could work well against filmy garments and warmer layers alike. I also was selective about my color choices, opting for more all-over gold or silver tone accessories while keeping the colorful pieces slightly more muted, so they weren’t so heavily reminiscent of summer brights and fall/winter neutrals.

READY TO WIN A $50 GIFT CARD TO T.J.MAXX/MARSHALLS?
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