STRIPES & BOWS

Every time my mom buys me clothes especially dresses her usual lingo is "I saw this dress and it looked just like you, so I had to get it," when I visited her and she gave me this dress I was so excited to wear it that I actually wore it to work when I returned from my vacation. I love this dress so much, the inverted pleats, the stripes, the fit, it epitomizes feminine. I have paired this dress with pumps, flats and sandals and it's always a hit. It is quite possibly one of my favorite dresses. For this outfit I decided to play up the "girliness" of this dress by pairing stripes with bows and adding pops of colors.

Outfit details: Dress: Gift from Mom (Similar) Love THIS one / Shoes: Jessica Simpson / Handbag: Michael Kors / Sunglasses : Ray Ban / Necklace: Gift from my Husband / Watch: Invicta Angel

Photos by Marlon

COOLING OFF (Pic Heavy)

The great thing about living on an island is that when it gets super hot, like it’s been these past few days, instead of staying inside and being a slave to my AC I can plaster on some sunscreen, throw on a bikini and take a short drive to one of the many beautiful beaches and go for a swim.

The heat and humidity here is SERIOUS especially this time of the year. Today, my husband and I decided to head to The Baths to cool off for a bit, I wore my neon pink bikini and cut off shorts, which was previously skinny jeans. The Baths is beautiful and very unique, the huge boulders and natural caves surrounding this beach is like nothing you have ever seen before; no wonder it was recently named number one on Trip Advisor's wonderfully unique beaches.  A hike through the caves leads to Devil’s Bay, which again is another beautiful beach, the hike itself is one for the books. Today I was too lazy to hike all the way through, so I went about half way and turned back.

Outfit details: Bikini: Victorias Secret / Shorts: Skinny Jeans from Express / Sunglasses: Versace / Flip flops: Old Navy

Photos by Marlon

OH SO RED

I love a colored pair of pants, it can easily add that wow factor to any outfit and can take an outfit from drag to fab. Colored pants are another way to brighten up your wardrobe. Many believe that red isn't very versatile and can only be worn with neutral basics; a huge misconception. Red can be color blocked with solid colors  or paired with patterns or prints, which is another great way to revamp your look. I personally love pairing reds with various prints,  and solids such as blues, purples and pinks.  

Outfit details: Top: TJ Maxx (very old, I've had this since College) love THIS one / Pants: Marshalls  (another great color HERE) / Shoes: Christian Siriano (Similar) / Necklace: Forever 21 (love THIS one) / Watch: Invicta Angel

Photos by Marlon

BRIGHT SUMMER

When H&M released these pants last year it was love at first sight for me and I knew they belonged in my closet. I searched everywhere for them with the help of my husband and mom, only to be told they were sold out. Apparently, they were quite popular; I mean I would expect nothing less of such a fantastic pair of pants. One evening my mom called and said she found a pair someone recently returned, I was in heaven.

I am sure, they are screaming, I have worn them non stop since I received them last year. I love that I can dress these pants down, like I did in the photos below or dress them up with a nice blouse and blazer, there are times when I feel risky and I pair it with a printed top. I mean you only die once so why not, right? Plus, if I am out with anyone, I can't be missed. I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend.

Outfit details: Tee: Target / Pants: HM (Love THIS pair) / Sandals: Target / Necklace: H&M (old) THIS is on my list / Watch: Invicta / Sunglasses: Versace

Photos by Marlon 

THE PERFECT LITTLE SHIFT DRESS

Shift dresses are so versatile and comfortable, it's one of those dresses that needs very little thought to put together and can be worn to any occasion. My first real memory of this style of dress was from a photo of my late Great grandma standing outside Disney world in the mid 1980's, it was beige with little flowers all over it. While I was fascinated by the castle in the photo, I fell in love with the dress, it was beautiful. My favorite childhood shift dress was purple with bold green, yellow and pink stripes at the bottom, it was my rainbow dress and I vividly remember wearing it to carnival and pretty much living it after that.

What makes the shift dress so special is the fact that it is universally flattering, the absence of a defined waist makes it perfect for women of all ages, sizes and shapes. The shift dress is timeless and classic and one that would never go out of style and we can thank Lilly Pulitzer for that.

When I saw this little shift dress at H&M I fell in love with the print and I knew it had to come back to the islands with me, and since then it has been a staple in my closet. All my shift dresses but one, is covered some fancy print. Anyone else loves shift dresses?

Outfit details: Dress: H&M (this one is beautiful) / Shoes: Aldo (similar) / Handbag: Michael Kors / Watch: BCBGMaxAzria / Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren

Photos by Marlon

CELEBRATING 4th OF JULY - ISLAND STYLE

Since moving to the British Virgin Islands in 2010, I haven't really celebrated a 4th of July because it's not a holiday here, I am usually at work and way too tired and lazy to do anything when I get home. I have such fond 4th of July memories, especially from college with my teammates and friends; floating the Boise river, backyard barbeques, games and fireworks. After this little adventure, we were all ready to head home for summer. This year my husband and I decided to join in on the festivities here on the island and attend a 4th of July party with two of our friends at the beyond beautiful YCCS Marina (try to not be jealous:-))  and even though there was no fireworks we had a wonderful time. The food was extremely tasty, the DJ played great music; catering to the very diverse crowd, but most importantly the atmosphere was bliss.

So in honor of all these beautiful memories, I decided that red, white and blue was a must. I paired this bodycon skirt that I've had since my senior year of college with a chambray shirt, white tank and my gold oxford flats added that little extra fireworks that I needed. I got this beautiful necklace on one of my trips to Brooklyn, it is quite possibly the best $5 I have ever spent. I hope all my American friends and family had a wonderful 4th of July!

With my friend Marianne, her necklace is EVERYTHING!!

Outfit details: Necklace: Street Vendor, Brooklyn / Chambray Shirt: boutique in Miami (similar) / Skirt: Forever 21 (alternative) / Tank: Banana Republic (I love their tanks, great quality!) / Oxford flats: Target (similar) / Clutch: Asos (alternative) / Watch: Joshua & Sons (my Husband's)

Photos by Marlon

COLOR BLOCK & SUNSHINE

Color blocking is another trend that's been around for quite sometime and I believe it's here to stay. It is simply the combination of different colors that support or compliment each other.  It can be done with bold neons, brights, neutrals and pastels. The most important thing to remember about color blocking is that it must be tailored to your personal style, what may look good on someone may not look good on you. It's always about finding what works for you and "re-mixing" it by adding statement jewelry, handbag or clutch, belt; pretty much anything that would add that extra flare to the outfit. The other great thing about this trend is that it can be done with things already in your closet, so no need to run out and buy an outfit or two, you can shop your closet and still be fashionable.

I kept it quite simple with this outfit, by mixing a bright yellow top with color blocked wedge and bracelets. I will show you guys in another post how I color block with bold colors and neons.

Outfit details: Top: Forever 21 Similar / Jeans: Acne Denim similar / Wedge Love this  one / Belt: Aldo alternative / Necklace : old (can't remember where I got it) alternative / Watch: Invicta / Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren

Photos by Marlon

STRIPES AND POLKA DOTS

Most people shy away from pairing contrasting prints for fear they'll look crazy, but I'm sure by now you guys have figured out that I never shy away from prints or pairing them. I love experimenting with my looks and to tell you the truth, I never really think that things can't go together, because I believe one can always find a way to make things work. There is something beautiful about a nicely tailored striped shirt, and the vertical stripes on this shirt is actually quite small so it added a nice touch to this black and white clustered polka dot full skirt. Strangely I have a tendency to always pair stripes and polka dots together  (I'll give you guys another look at the pairing in a future post).  I have a great love for polka dots and stripes and I take them as they come, whether it's a dress, shirt, pants, skirt, anything and definitely any size!

Don't be afraid to experiment with contrasting prints, because when done right you will definitely stand out and we're all about making a statement aren't we? Have you guys paired contrasting prints before? Tell me about your favourite combo.

Outfit details: Shirt: HM Similar / Skirt: Forever 21 Similar / Belt: Aldo Similar / Shoes: Steve Madden Similar / Handbag: Aldo (old) alternative / Watch: Invicta Love this one / Opal necklace and earrings: Gift from my husband

Photos by Marlon