I know, I know. A lot of you guys are just about getting used to layers and hot chocolate, and I'm over here laying out in a two-piece. Well, what can I say, that's Miami for ya, come on down! :) Personally, I think it's never too early for a swimsuit purchase. Whether you're in a "summer year round location" like myself, going off to an exotic destination to catch some sun, or need a bit of early summer body motivation to shed the holiday pounds (New Years resolutions anyone?), you just gotta have a cute brand new swimsuit on hand. And us women, we already know, buying swimwear is like opening up a bag of your favorite candy: you can't just stop at one. Options, ladies!
There are two outcomes that come from taking a risk. You win or you learn. It's not as black and white as winning or "losing". If you succeed, you'll be happy. If you don't, you'll be wise.
A lot of people, me being the first, would consider going on a national reality TV competition show as a risk. When I was approached for a spot on the show, it was very random and unexpected, and I was hesitant to say the least. Watching a reality show is one thing, but being in one? It wasn't my sort of thing, so I thought. After thinking it over, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and just go for it. For three months, every move I made and word I said was recorded 24/7 for the whole world to see and to eventually criticize. Risky? 100%. Do I have any regrets?
With Christmas eve tonight, and New Years around the corner, who's ready to take on the holidays? Which ever holiday you may be celebrating, being surrounded by family and friends during these special moments of the year means it's the perfect time to doll yourself up. I mean, think of all the family pictures and selfies waiting to be taken, you gotta look on point! To help you out a little bit this season, I've teamed up with Hanes to put together a survival kit with items that have proven itself to me to be the ultimate holiday essentials!
1. Hanes Shape wear Opaque Tights If you're rockin' a dress but your legs aren't ready to bare it all and brave the cool breeze, reach for every girls go-to this time of year: tights. And when it comes to tights, Hanes always, always delivers. The material is ultra soft yet noticeably durable, so of course it has a spot as a staple in my closet because of it's long wear. Oh, and feel free to go for seconds at the dinner table cause these tights are shape wear and have the most comfortable control top, so even if you feel like you ate too much, you'll be lookin' lean! Comfort, durable, & always in style, exactly why Hanes' tights are a classic!
2. GlaMer Lips lipscrub and lip balm Two words come to mind in midst of the winter season. Chapped lips. Red lipstick on top of chapped lips? Nuh-uh! GlaMer Lips lip scrub is organic and PETA Certified Animal Cruelty Free; I currently have the Peppermint Holiday Edition flavor. This lip scrub and lip balm combo will get rid of all the dead skin cells and leave your lips super smooth and hydrated. Underneath the mistletoe you go!
3. Mini hair straightener Ever had a bad hair moment on a night out or at a holiday party where you can't escape the pictures? The winter weather causing all sorts of fly-aways? Go ahead and get yourself a mini hair straightener and pop it in your purse! It can straighten, curl, or wave whenever your hair doesn't cooperate. I love the new Amika Mini Flat Iron, it goes up to 400°F. Trust me on how useful this fun sized tool turns out to be!
4. Sunglasses Let's get real here. Living in the sunshine state means gray skies don't come by too often. So to all my girls living where you can still bum it at the beach in December, a pair of shades is still needed this time of year.
5. Clutch And of course, a clutch that will give the finishing touch to your outfit and fit everything too! I love this clutch from New York & Company which has a detachable shoulder strap; glamorous and practical, its a WIN WIN! and its currently on sale, get it while its hot!
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Thank you to Hanes for kindly sponsoring this post. All opinions are 100% honest & completely my own.
Sweater weather? More like velvet weather! With temperatures cooling down, there's no better time to whip out this ultimate festive fabric. Velvet goes all the waaaay back to the days of royalty but guess what? It was still being rocked on the runways adding to vintage vibes for the 2016 fall/winter season.This lush material has a luxurious look to it, not to mention the super soft feel that leaves you lookin' an extra bit polished. So, go on and add velvet attire to your holiday wardrobe essentials list because it looks good, it feels good, and it keeps you warm? Check, check, and check. The velvet item in my closet this season is a little black dress (velvet does look best with deeper, darker colors) from the Eva Mendes collection at New York & Company. The "Avery Velvet Sheath" dress has sophisticated yet sexy written all over it with a high neck and lengthy hem but a snug fit. Eva Mendes is known for her "feminine chic with a side of sultry" style, so it's no surprise that her line embodies her beautiful fashion. I am loving the geometric pattern on the dress that spices the whole look up. To show off the detailed print, I decided on simple accessories with black pumps to match. For a touch more of holiday glam, glossed on red for the nails, swiped some more red on the lips and we're out! :)
Artists, collectors, curators, celebrities, fashion designers, everyday art enthusiasts, (the list goes on...) you name it, they've got a ticket to see this spectacular annual fine art show.
Pretty much, Art Basel takes over Miami Beach and Miami. Parties, dinners, and scores of other events related to Art Baselpop up everywhere!
But, if the nightlife and social scene isn't your thing and you're genuinely there to appreciate the art, you will not be disappointed.
Exhibitions are all around, and best of all, no matter your taste in art, it's guaranteed you'll find a piece you love. Whether it's out-of-the-box and thought provoking or urban and contemporary, Art Basel has a little bit of something for everyone.
It's no surprise that I, teaming up with VISIT FLORIDA, kicked off my Basel experience at the "Art Hearts Fashion" fashion show event at Spectrum. As they say, "fashion is art.”
The fashion event showcasedfour international designers (House of Li Jon, Diana Couture, Mister Triple X, and Amato Haute Couture) and their couture collections. Now let me tell you, the collections from all four designers were absolutely gorgeous! A few designs definitely caught my eye. A little blue and black number from House of Li Jon, I particularly found beautifulllll. House of Li Jon is known for sculptured couture made of crystal and metal details. From the chic hand-made design of the dress to the unique material (and the sparkles! lol), no wonder they say fashion is art. It truly is!
Another day into my Basel experience, I went over to the Miami Convention Center to check out the main event; art exhibitions. I was mellow in yellow for my fit of the day. I decided on a canary yellow cross halterneck dress. It was sheer material on the bottom, so perfectly light and flowy, perefect for spendingtime walking around taking in the art. And how cute is the back tie of the dress? Whether an artwork or an outfit, it's all in the details I tell you! I went with gold heels to compliment the yellow, and for a fun pop of contrast I chose turquoise earrings with an adorable turquoise clutch to match. And acasual braided up-do to finish the look.
Another favorite of mine were the neon quotes and sayings found throughout the Convention Center. In Kendell Geers' sign titled "Temene," the words sacred and scared were repeated. A sign by Tracey Eminsaid"I can feel you everywhere." For both signs, the bright neon caught my gaze but the phrases are what intrigued me. It's amazing how simple the words are, but we can each have our own perspective and interpretation of them.
Some displays I just loved didn't call for my deep thought, but weremore of eye candy. In the Alan Cristea gallery, Michael Craig-Martin's display "Kabinett" was a fun pop of color. In the AlmineRechgallery, I came across the most beautiful kaleidoscope canvas by painter Jean-Baptiste Bernadet. Can we talk about the colors? As vibrant as Miami.
I have one word for the exhibition: stunning. Some artworks make you think, some make you laugh, some pieces you might just like simply because of the pretty colors.
But that's the beauty of art. Simple or complex, it can make you feel something. Blunt or abstract, it makes you think. But most of all, it can inspire.
Art Basel is a beautiful experience, whether you're an art connoisseur or just a friend tagging along, and by the end of the day you'll find yourself leaving with an appreciation of it all.
Art Basel Miami should definitely be on your checklist to see one day, and who really needs an excuse to visit Miami? ;)
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of VISIT FLORIDA. The opinions and text are all mine.
Anyone else is super excited that it's holiday season? Family get-togethers, yummy home cooked meals, and a happy spirit all around. Not to mention, the holiday parties!
When I think of what to wear to a holiday party, one of the first things that come to mind is...a little sparkle. Sequins, ladies! There's so many subtle ways to go if you wanna rock some shine, but if you're "glamming" out with a fully sequined dress, there's a couple rules I like to go by.
First off, stick to one color, if not at least complimentary colors, obviously. Sequins are already a statement, so the last thing you'd want is to walk in a room lookin' like a glitter rainbow (but hey, if you think you can pull it off, why not lol). Second, go for a classic fit/design. Trendy hemlines and necklines or cut outs here and there I feel would give a busy look. Keep it simple! I went with a high neck, turquoise sequined dress and paired it with nude pumps.
Now for the men in your life who need some assistance in the holiday look department, there is one wardrobe essential: a V-neck sweater. Super versatile, it can be dressed up or down for probably any occasion. Wear it on its own with jeans for a casual look, over a polo/dress shirt for a semi-casual feel, or throw on a suit if you're going formal. Seriously, it's a guy's go-to! Manuel is rockin' a navy suit over a beige v-neck sweater (navy and beige compliment each other beautifully). And there you have it! Who's ready to go for the holidays? :)
Whether you're redesigning your room or filling up your first apartment, one thing's a must: good furnishing. It may be tempting to just go for what's on the cheaper end, but when buying furniture you've got to keep one word in mind...quality. Great quality will stand the test of time and that definitely should be a priority. Another thing to consider is the style. Our taste in style tends to change throughout the years, so even though bold colors, prints, and patterns look good to you now, you might be feeling a different way about it down the road. You can always accent a room with pops of color by getting little knick knacks and paintings here and there, so as for the furniture, stick with classic tones so you'll have yourself timeless piece.
This past Thursday I attended the grand reopening of Baker®'s Dania Beach showroom at the Design Center of the Americas here in Florida. Baker® is a leading designer and manufacturer of home furnitures, so for the reopening they had a special limited time pop-in boutique shopping experience (their special guest designer and collaborator, Thomas Pheasant, was also in attendance). Let me tell you, the set up was AMAZING! Specially-curated goods from luxe lifestyle brands and designers were fabulously displayed for the guests to shop from. If interior designing is your thing, this would've been heaven!
As I was saying, in my opinion, there's two things to remember when buying a piece. Good quality and timeless style. And that's exactly what I was surrounded by at Baker® showroom. With clean, minimalist designs, energy-efficient upgrades, and the latest digital developments, Baker® did not disappoint, that's for sure! Below I have listed their website as well as their social media links, if you haven't already, CHECK THEM OUT! you'll thank me later :)
Sophistication meets edge. Where? On the dark side.
Now, I've talked about how a head-to-toe black on black look can never do you wrong, but especially during the fall/winter months, we tend to give up our brights and pastels, and reach for the chicest color of them all. And I'm not complainin' cause #allblackeverything, is definitely a fave of mine.
When the weather gets cooler, mock necks/turtlenecks are the go-to. It's the neckline that's sleek, classy, and it's gives you that little bit of warmth (a win-win!). High necks are common around these months, but you couldn't have missed that it's been everyyywhere in the fashion scene lately.
So even though I'm rockin' a high neck, being Miami bound in November means it's a crop and I can style it with a skirt. :) Like I've said before, cinched at the waist is the way to go to flatter your curves! The skirt has metal detailing which definitely adds a bit of flair. There's something about metal details that never fail to bring a slight edginess to an outfit.
To play up the sophisticated edgy feel to this look, what better to go with than heels from the sophisticated and edgy Rebecca Minkoff. Finished the look with the cutest mini Tous handbag, dainty accessories, retro sunnies, and vamped it up with a dark lip. There it is! Black on black on black. It never fails. ;)
