city – Page 3 – A Styled Mind

In the vault

SHADES OF BLUE

March 13, 2019 No Comments

The time has come and we are FINALLY beginning to see some signs of Spring approaching. I don’t know about you guys, but I have had my fair share of Winter blues and am ready to pull out some light jackets, flowy fabrics, and most of all COLOR. To my surprise, I was contacted again by the lovely representatives at Who What Wear and was graciously given the opportunity to select a few pieces from their new collection. I am personally a fan of this brand as a whole because it always seems to find ways to incorporate the latest trends in a wearable way that suits everyone from the style vets, to the fashionistas in training; not to mention the prices are also a bargain! The first piece I decided to style out of the two I was gifted, was a double breasted striped trench vest. Since I was working with such a neutral color scheme and versatile print, there were quite a few options floating around in my head at first glance. Initially, I was planning to fasten all the buttons and wear the garment like a dress, with hopes of finding a dainty blouse that could be layered underneath. After browsing the stores however, the top I had in mind was nowhere to be found and I wasn’t too keen on how the outerwear piece looked as a frock, even with the belt tied tightly around my waist. So it was back to the drawing board, and plan B was put into motion! Since the trench was so long, I thought it would be interesting to add a wide-legged trouser that could essentially streamline the look and give the illusion of an elongated frame. It didn’t take long before I stumbled upon the brightest sky-colored trouser that instantly reminded me of a sunny Spring day without a cloud in sight. The pants also came with an O-ring belt detail which gave a nod to the utilitarian trend that has recently become popular. I decided to keep things simple with a black sleeveless turtleneck sweater and white heels to tie in the stark stripes. Lastly, in efforts to add an unexpected touch, I finished off the look with yellow cat-eye frames for some subtle primary-color-blocking. I honestly felt like this was a great transitional look to launch into the new season, and I can’t wait to show you guys the other piece I styled from the Who What Wear collection. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Vest- Who What Wear Collection

Turtleneck- Zara

Trousers- & Other Stories

Heels- Topshop

Sunglasses- & Other Stories

In ASM Shop

SPRING TRENDS

March 3, 2019 No Comments

It’s now March and though time seems to be flying, I couldn’t be more excited that Spring is right around the corner. In honor of the upcoming season, I decided to round up a few trends that I think we’ll be seeing quite a bit of this year. While slip dresses seemed to be the catalyst for the satin trend and are still wildly popular, skirts as well as blouses are easily rivaling the frocks, and I don’t think we’ll be seeing silky fabrics disappearing any time soon! With bold saturated color seeming to be a trend in itself, its no surprise that it’s made it’s way to workwear. Bright colored suits and co-ords are definitely something I personally look forward to seeing more of this year and I’m sure my collection will grow because of it! An unexpected shade that has really made it’s mark on the runway and on fashionistas everywhere has been “pistachio.” I personally don’t own many items in the green family, but this particular hue is so versatile whether paired with neutral earth tones or bold prints, I’m definitely intrigued and excited to give it a try. Lastly, a trend that sparked earlier in the Winter season and I think will continue to flourish is boiler suits. It’s an easy all-in-one outfit and with the right accessories can easily be elevated or worn casually to perfection. Let me know in the comments which trend is your favorite or if there’s one you’ve seen that I did not mention. Until next time!

In the vault

NYFW: BEHIND THE SCENES

February 27, 2019 No Comments

MEJURI:

While it would be nearly impossible to showcase all of the footage I captured this season during NYFW, I wanted to pull some of my favorite photos together to get a BTS feel of this hectic week. Because I’m still balancing a full-time job, I decided to start slow, and ease my way into the festivities with a night of socializing and shopping at Mejuri in Soho. This charming jewelry store, is full of every dainty, delicate, and modern accessory one could imagine! By the end of the night, being a person who typically gravitates towards simple everyday pieces, I had definitely taken note of a few midi rings I could stack as well as timeless earrings that could add a subtle touch of interest to any ensemble.

FASHION HONG KONG:

The second day, I kicked things up a notch and attended my first collection of shows. What I like most about these runway presentations, is that they showcase different designers and allow the viewer to really get a sense of each designers’ inspiration. Bright colored outerwear and tailored garments definitely seemed to be a theme across the board; however, the combination of military structured garments and feminine silhouettes had to be my favorite!

WOC FASHTECH BRUNCH/OXFORD FASHION STUDIO:

Day 3 was a fun one as I started my day with a networking brunch that brought together women of color in the fashion-technology space. After listening to the panel and doing a bit of mingling on my own, I truly felt uplifted, inspired, and more motivated than ever! Once the afternoon had come to an end, it was time for a few more shows. By far, my favorite collection featured more avant-garde pieces where the designer paired lace masks with embroidered gowns, truly bringing an unexpected edge to formal evening wear.

HAKKAN AKAYA/GLOBAL FASHION COLLECTIVE/NOLCHA SHOWS:

This was by far my busiest day. I had back to back shows and was literally running all around the city from 1pm-9pm. The highlight of this day was seeing Hakkan Akaya. I always love the gritty, “punk rock” elements this brand brings; but this year, they seemed to take their designs in a slightly different direction with more futuristic pieces as well. The strong shoulders, colorful metallics, and studded jumpsuits, definitely made this show one of the most exciting to witness. I also got a chance to go backstage at Pier 59 and capture some of what goes on minutes before the shows start. There always seems to be a “calm chaos” in the air, coupled with dozens of people scrambling to steam garments, finish hair & makeup, and make sure the model line-up is correct—but what else would you expect from NYFW?!

BUMBLE/AFFAIR:

My second to last day of the week, I spent supporting my friend at her event hosted by the popular app, Bumble, where she was speaking on a panel discussing the experience of being Latina in the influencer world. It was highly informative and really stressed the importance of inclusion and equality in all spaces. Lastly, I ended my season of NYFW with a sexy show by the brand, Affair. I’ve attended this designer’s shows during previous seasons, and always appreciate the intricate details of each garment and how they are so specifically created for the strong, confident woman. As per usual, this fashion week was a hectic one, but I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend while building my network, and capturing content that I love. See you in September! <3

In the vault

NYFW: THE LOOKS

February 21, 2019 No Comments

Fashion week is one of the most exciting and hectic times of year, and being that I’m still balancing a 9-5, I must be strategic with how I spend my time. Getting to as many events and shows as possible is always my focus so that leaves little time for showroom appointments and fittings. That being said, it’s no secret that being a style blogger, I shop a lot more frequently than the average person and because of that I usually have no problem finding garments from my closet to wear during this time. My strategy, outside of pulling pieces I haven’t worn in a while or outside of a shoot for my blog, is to create looks that are just slightly more intricate than what I would put together on a “regular” day. I don’t like to go too far outside of my personal style, but rather enhance the things I love and make it a bit more dramatic. Depending on your methods of transportation, dressing for the weather may not be a huge priority, but I definitely try to be mindful of it especially for the Fall/Winter season. For my first ensemble, I decided to pull a dress that I honestly haven’t worn in at least a year. I forgot how much I loved colors in the floral pattern, along with the lace overlay, and cutout shoulders. For added dimension, I layered a sleeveless knit turtleneck under the frock and used a belt to cinch the waist creating the shape I desired. To complete this look, I threw on my chunky thigh-high boots, and grabbed by suede and shearling coat for an extra layer of warmth. The green and gold earrings I selected beautifully complimented the tones in the overall look, and with my ring handle bag I was out the door and on my way!

LOOK 1: OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS:

Jacket– Zara; Dress– Zara; Turtleneck– Zara; Boots– Zara; Bag– Nordstrom; Belt– Mango; Earrings– Kendra Scott

I was pleasantly surprised on the second day, as a warm front rolled in and I was able to leave the house without an overbearing piece of outerwear. I still continued to play things safe, however, as I didn’t want to risk getting sick. I decided to layer a thin grey turtleneck under a chunkier cream version with a bold Aztec-like print across the chest. I then continued to play off of those warm, rich, colors with a pair of wide-legged corduroys in a similar hue. To bring a more classic and tailored element to the ensemble, a pinstriped blazer seemed like the most obvious choice. For accessories, I chose a black and white heeled sandal, a leather slogan clutch, and my favorite (and only) vinyl baker boy cap. For me this look was all about the combining of different textures and I loved how it turned out.

LOOK 2: OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS:

Hat– Topshop; Blazer– Who What Wear; Turtleneck– Forever 21; Sweater– & Other Stories; Pants– Topshop; Shoes– Topshop; Clutch– Zara

By day three I was really on a role and had been absolutely loving all of the outfits I had created thus far. I recently received this tailored boiler suit in the mail, so it was only a matter of time before I reached for it. This look was all about the neutrals, however I still wanted to make sure every piece had its own moment to shine. Again, I grabbed another turtleneck to layer with and continued to brighten the look with my cream-colored calf boots which I am absolutely obsessed with. Remember when I mentioned dramatics?? Well, this was the day I chose to go over the top and bring out my giant teddy coat. This truly was the perfect day for it as the temperatures had dropped again and running from show to show was becoming slightly unbearable. All in all, with a similarly toned bag to complete the look accompanied by a bold dark lip, I felt pretty freakin’ chic and was ready to take on whatever came my way!

LOOK 3: OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS:

Coat– H&M; Jumpsuit– & Other Stories; Turtleneck– Mango; Boots– Zara; Bag– Free People

Three words: burgundy boss babe! For day four, I totally channeled my inner Miranda Priestly and felt like the fiercest woman on the planet! It’s no secret that blazers, suits, and co-ords have slowly begun taking over my wardrobe; however, this was my first and will forever be a favorite. To keep all of the attention on these beautiful wine-colored pieces, I kept it simple with a black cut-out turtleneck (yes, another one) underneath, and for a pop of interest, my new snake print boots which incorporate the same colors. I wouldn’t say any of my looks were necessarily hard to style, but this one definitely came together the fastest and brought out an essence of sophistication I don’t think any of my other outfits conveyed.

LOOK 4: OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS:

Suit– Topshop; Turtleneck– ASTR; Boots– Jeffrey Campbell; Bag– Zara; Sunglasses– Mango

As the week was beginning to wind down, comfort became my top priority so I thought it was time to finally bring out some denim! I definitely wanted to style a more casual look, but with a few hints of glam for a bit of contrast. One can never go wrong with a t-shirt and jeans, but I chose to add a lace top underneath for an unexpected feminine touch. To highlight the red in the graphics on my shirt, I decided to throw on my velvet booties and finish off the look with my grey puffer jacket. Because this is such a bulky piece of outerwear, wearing it open helped to balance the overall look without overpowering it. For an extra bit of glitz, I decided on my chandelier earrings (which I wore on NYE), and my everyday black cross-body bag with silver ring accents to tie everything together.

LOOK 5: OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS:

Jacket– Mango; T-shirt– Zara; Turtleneck– H&M; Jeans– Levis; Boots– Zara; Bag– Rebecca Minkoff; Earrings– Mango

Last but certainly not least, my sixth and final look of the week featured some bright color blocking and my usual texture mash-ups! I could not close out NYFW without showcasing my latest outerwear obsession, so it was important that I style this look around my new cropped shearling jacket. Following the layering theme of this week, I wore two turtleneck sweaters, both in bright shades which gave a vibrant Spring-like feel. I thought that the juxtaposition of these pieces against leather would also be quite intriguing so I threw on my paper-bag waist trousers to give a more edgy and structured feel to the outfit. I completed this look simply with a black pair of booties and small vintage looking frames. In efforts to seamlessly blend both upper and lower halves of this look, I grabbed my straw and leather cross-body to pull everything together. I was thrilled with how each of my looks turned out and quite proud of myself for not choosing to borrow items or spend additional money for new pieces. Aside from showcasing my personal style, I think it’s also important to show how older or current pieces can be remixed and incorporated into your day to day wardrobe, regardless of whether it’s a special occasion or not. I really hope you guys liked seeing what I styled this fashion week season, and please let me know your favorite look in the comments below. Until next time!

LOOK 6: OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS:

Jacket– & Other Stories; Turtleneck– & Other Stories; Sweater– H&M; Pants– Mango; Boots– Topshop; Bag– Free People; Sunglasses– Quay

In the vault

CONCRETE ROSE

February 7, 2019 1 Comment

I’m not sure what has gotten into me lately, but blush tones have really been tickling my fancy more than ever before. That being said, due to a certain hallmark holiday also creeping up on us, I’ve decided to embrace the feminine hues this month as it seems rather fitting. While my V-day plans are still to be determined, I wanted to try styling a couple looks that conveyed the romantic feel of the 14th, without being entirely predictable. So in efforts to put my own spin on things, it was inevitable that some form of contrast had to come into play. During my shopping trip I was met with the misfortune of being faced with every vibrant red and pink garment imaginable; and while this may have made the task easier for some, I was beginning to get concerned that I would have to leave empty handed. On my last lap around the store however, I noticed a slightly muted mauve toned slip dress that was honestly right up my alley! The gorgeous color paired with the elegant draping of the frock, instantly convinced me that I was moving in the right direction. However, because it was such a dainty piece, I knew I wanted to layer it with a few items that would give it a bit more structure and add some casual elements. After more hours of over-thinking and weighing my style options, I decided to take an understated approach and simply use a crisp white t-shirt as my base. On top of that, I decided to take the plunge and purchase a shearling jacket I had been eyeing for about a month now, and I couldn’t be more obsessed! The cut and shape of this stunning piece of outerwear is unlike anything else I own and can easily take me into the upcoming Spring months. Because the majority of this ensemble consisted of softer tones, I decided to add my grey suede thigh high boots for some added warmth and color richness. To complete the look, I thought it would be fun to give a nod to my 2015 self and throw on an embellished choker. This necklace alone, with its eye-catching rhinestones and overlapping black tie laces, really helped marry both of the edgy and girly components that made up this look. Let me know in the comments your favorite piece from this outfit and where/if you would wear it to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Jacket- & Other Stories

T-shirt- Topshop

Dress- Topshop

Boots- Marc Fisher

Necklace- Asos

In ASM Shop

CREAM BOOTS

January 27, 2019 No Comments

White boots have been a major trend for the past few seasons and while I am a fan, sometimes the starkness of the contrast can come off a bit harsh for certain looks. Luckily, there’s a new alternative that I’ve grown to love just as much! Cream or neutral toned footwear can serve the same purpose of brightening up any ensemble, but in a slightly more subtle way. I also feel like they are a lot more complimentary of other colors and versatile, whether you’re styling a monochromatic look or something more vibrant. Check out the options I’ve rounded up below and don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks! Also comment below if you’re a fan of this trend and how you would wear it. Until next time!

In ASM Shop

WINTER ACCESSORIES

December 14, 2018 No Comments

Tis’ the season to be cozy! Though I am a person who loves all 4 seasons (some more than others), during the Winter months, I enjoy taking full advantage of all of the cute accessories that are both practical and stylish. Below I’ve rounded up a few essential pieces that I currently own and are my go-tos when trying to survive the frigid temperatures. Let me know which is your favorite in the comments, and until next time!

In the vault

FUR FRENZY

November 21, 2018 No Comments

Growing up in the North East, I’ve truly come to appreciate each and every season. From the wardrobe changes and nostalgic feelings that come with them, it seems like there’s always something to look forward to. Now that we’re on the cusp on Winter, it is prime time to bring out all of those cozy textures that keep us warm and looking chic! Over the years faux furs have become a Fall/Winter staple and, aside from being just another fashionable piece, are now crafted to look and feel just as good if not better than the real thing! This year, I was determined to add a new coat to my collection that was still for the most part, practical, functional, and eye-catching. I wasn’t necessarily looking for a fur, but when I saw this one I knew it I had to at least try it on. To my surprise, upon doing so, I fell in love with the color, fit, and weight of the outerwear garment and knew it had to be mine! Because this was such a statement making piece, I wanted to be strategic with how I styled it. While I knew I wanted to incorporate neutral tones, I didn’t want to play it too safe by styling an all black/cream outfit. On another shopping trip shortly thereafter, I found this amazing houndstooth midi skirt that had just enough detail to keep the look interesting and dimensional, without taking away from or clashing with the coat. Since faux fur pieces can definitely be a little bulky for some, I made sure to keep the other items of the ensemble sleek and form fitting, including a textured short sleeved mock-neck t-shirt I found. To finish off the look, I decided to add a pop of color with an old pair of orange sock booties, and gold hoops for some extra sass. I know for a fact I’ll be layering this coat over almost anything this season from the most casual to festive and formal outfits. Let me know in the comments your go-to faux fur garments or accessories and how you like to style them for this time of year. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Coat- H&M

Top- & Other Stories

Skirt- Zara

Boots- Zara

Earrings- & Other Stories

In the vault

SILK PRINTS

November 14, 2018 1 Comment

With only a week left until Thanksgiving, I’m finding myself slowly but surely getting into the holiday groove and it’s even begun to show in my current wardrobe. Every year I like to make a mental note of items that I’d like to freshen up or revamp, and leather trousers were definitely on that list. In the past I’ve gravitated toward leggings but this year I was leaning towards something a bit more elevated, and these paper bag waist trousers were the perfect option. In my opinion, the straight leg and tie detail allowed for a more chic and sophisticated take on the edgy garment. Aside from that, I’ve already begun to feel slightly overwhelmed by the abundance of turtlenecks and mock neck sweaters on the market. Granted, we’re approaching the Winter months so of course it’s expected, but I personally wanted to challenge myself to style a different type of top. To my surprise, this ended up being a lot easier than I initially thought and just as I was losing hope, a chain printed button up caught my eye. “Scarf printed” shirts are quite on trend at the moment and though I felt like this was slightly out of my comfort zone, I decided to go for it anyway. To keep the top as the focal point of the look, I knew I wanted to keep any additional pieces black; however, I figured this would also be a good time to incorporate different textures. Despite wanting to stay away from turtlenecks, I made a slight exception and chose to layer a lace version under the shirt for some added interest. The rest of my accessories, were solely added to play off the colors in the bold print. I wanted to highlight the gold chains by adding a pair of black pumps with a metal cap toe detail and my ring-handle bag. For some final touches, I chose to complete the look with my red tinted frames and a bright red lip for a pop of color. Overall, I’m pleased with how this look turned out and I’m excited to style some more outfits suitable for this festive season! Let me know in the comments what types of holiday looks/content you’d like to see in the upcoming weeks. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Shirt- & Other Stories

Lace Top- H&M

Leather Trousers- Mango

Heels- Jessica Buurman

Bag- Nordstrom

Sunglasses- Urban Outfitters

In Collabs

ASM X WHO WHAT WEAR

November 7, 2018 5 Comments

For this collaboration with Who What Wear, I was challenged to style one article of clothing 3 different ways. Though excited, as this isn’t something I typically showcase on my blog, I was also a bit nervous not because I felt incapable but because I wasn’t choosing the item myself. That being said, I was so relieved to see that the item chosen for me was right up my alley and a wardrobe staple that I could easily style in a variety of ways. This double-breasted, pin striped blazer is the perfect Fall essential for layering over transitional pieces and adding a more tailored element to any ensemble. For my first look, I decided to keep things very chic and sleek by pairing it with a turtleneck that I layered under a satin camisole, along with black skinnys and a pair of minimal black pumps. To me, this look gave more of a business casual vibe, or “boss babe” if you will. Overall, I loved the way this look turned out and it definitely made me feel strong and confident!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Who What Wear

Turtleneck- Mango

Top- Zara

Jeans- 7 For All Mankind

Heels- Zara

Sunglasses- QUAY x Topshop

I would say that my second look is for the more casual & cool girls out there. Putting this outfit together was extremely effortless and I think it showed in the way the pieces complimented each other. I chose to do a bit of print-mixing and found the perfect red, leopard print frock to do so. To keep things easy, I threw on some sneakers and a pair of mesh socks for a cute unexpected detail and was out the door. In efforts to add a few more accessories, I grabbed my black cross-body bag with silver hardware and cat-eye frames, which I definitely think helped play off of the edgy vibe without being too overpowering.

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Who What Wear

Dress- Zara

Sneakers- Vans

Socks- Zara

Bag- Rebecca Minkoff

Last but certainly not least, I decided to end with a trendy street-style look. As we are well into the Autumn season, I felt like I couldn’t finish this collaboration without incorporating a bit of corduroy. Luckily, I was able to find the most amazing flared trousers which made all of my 70’s dreams come true. To keep them as the focal point of the look, I paired the pants with a simple white t-shirt and added a some gold layered necklaces which I’ve been absolutely obsessed with lately. After throwing on my black booties, I completed this look with a dark vampy lip and draped the blazer over my shoulders for a final touch. Personally, I loved all of these looks for different reasons and I feel like they reflected the versatility of my everyday style in the best way. Let me know in the comments which outfit was your favorite and if you would’ve styled this blazer in a way that I didn’t think of. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Who What Wear

T-shirt- Topshop

Trousers- Topshop

Booties- Cole Haan

Necklace- Topshop

Sunglasses- Zara