Celeb Inspired: Zooey Deschanel

Isn't she lovely? I love Zooey Deschanel's style since it is very feminine, quirky and easy. She usually wears simple cotton dresses and adds interesting jewelry to her look. 

I recreated her outfit below.

Sweatsuit Alternative

Tim Gunn has a list of fashion guidelines. One of them is to have a "sweatsuit alternative". When Juicy sweatsuits were all the rage, I lived in them. But, now I see that a sweatsuit, comfy as it is, belongs in the gym. My sweatsuit alternative all summer long is a dress! But when the days start to get a little cooler, I need a few other options. Here's a look that is summer ready with a touch of fall! I added my new cat eye glasses to the look for fun.

Glasses: Fossil
Denim Jacket: Ann Taylor Loft
Shorts: Worthington
Tee Shirt: Kenar
Flats: Aerosoles

More Aerosoles...

Beauty Buzz: Party Time Look

I have two night looks I rely on. A red lip a la Gwen Stefani or a smokey eye/nude lip a la Pamela Anderson! I can't do the bleached blond hair though, although I should probably add a blond wig to my wig collection, but that's another post:)

If I know I will be eating or drinking, I go for the smokey eye look! A quick smokey eye is my favorite night time look! I love L'oreal H.I.P. eyeshadows and Voluminous mascara. I bought some M.A.C. lipstick during college and it was great! But I found a less expensive option with the same consistency and nude shade. Surprisingly, it's the Brucci brand found at drugstores!

I did hear a crazy rumor once that some cosmetics are made at the same factory. And the exact same product could be labeled both as a high end brand and a drugstore brand. Not sure about that though. I just use what works for me (and my budget at the time). The exact shade name is Brucci Orchid Mist  (number 134).

Which look do you prefer for nights out, red lips or smokey eyes?

Photo Flashback: La Isla Del Encanto

The island of enchantment. I finally got the opportunity to visit the homeland I always heard about in 2007. I was born in NY and never visited Puerto Rico, although my father was born there and my mother lived there briefly. I planned on wearing white when I did see El Morro. Have you visited the your homeland? Where is it and what did you wear?  And what songs remind you of your homeland? I'd love to hear about your experiences and adventures!

This song and video captures the feeling of Puerto Rico so beautifully...
La Perla by Calle 13 with Ruben Blades.
It's about food, family, music and growing up in PR.




Here's a similar look to my dress...

Today's Trend: Hat as Art

This is way off the usual budget fashions shown here, but please tell me you saw the last episode of Project Runway!  How amazing were those Philip Treacy hats? If you missed it, you gotta see it, it was so crazy (in a fabulous way). Especially since I love hats! Here's SJP wearing a Philip Treacy design at the Sex in The City movie premiere. Would you ever wear an avant garde hat like this? I would, if only to the supermarket.

Here are more of Treacy's masterpieces...



I added some more affordable options below that are also super unique.

More Emilio Pucci...

Welcome to the Beach House

My friend invited me to a housewarming party at her beach house and we all had a great time sipping white wine and gazing at the beautiful shore. Summer, please stay a while longer.

I decided to wear a nautical inspired outfit. I wanted to have some fun mixing patterns, so I wore some polka dot wedges and a striped one shoulder top.

Blouse: 2 Apples
Pants: Kenar
Wedges: Tommy Hilfiger

More Jessica Simpson...

I Just Bought: Ruby Red Heels

Dorothy was definitely onto something...red heels add a pop of color! Here is a Dorothy red slipper redo for 2010...my Carlos Santana heels.

If you're looking to add a little "Oz" to your style, check these out (cute Toto not included) 

More Carlos by Carlos Santana...

Strike up the Band

With autumn on the horizon. I have been thinking about jackets and jeans!

Here is a band jacket I just purchased from JCPenny. It has a Michael Jackson feel to it, doesn't it? For those of you who follow my blog, you already know I love music and I'm an imaginary rock star with my famous karaoke nights. Anything that encourages that delusion, goes right in my closet!

The jacket is by Allen B and currently still available on sale on the website. You can never have too many blazers, so run, don't walk and pick up this jacket so we can match!  I paired it with some distressed denim leggings and my ever present patent stilettos. This is a jacket you can even wear to work, especially if it's a creative workplace. As much as I love make-up, I rarely wear any lately! But I thought this look at least needed some red lipstick. Check below for a similar look.

More Apt. 9...

Photo Flashback: 80's Hair

I graduated from 8th grade in 1990, so technically this was the tail end of my 80's hair. Here I am with my best friends and we're all rocking the big hair. I wasn't a bangs girl, so I just had curly, one length hair. And hairspray wasn't my Poison (like the band), gel was and still is. If you'll notice, our caps are placed as far back as possible as to not interfere with the hair. We went to Catholic school and it was our mission to push every possible beauty and fashion boundary. I tweaked the uniform so much (slouchy socks, boots, no vest, yellow sweatshirt and the worst infraction..big earrings) One day my principal pointed to me and said to the class, "This is how you're NOT supposed to wear the uniform".

Sometimes you have to suffer for fashion, what can I say.

I Wanna Rock

When I saw Kristin Cavallari wearing a cool denim vest on an episode of The Hills I made a mental note: Get a denim vest.


Here it is under KC's hair...

And here's mine...

Something about a denim vest screams more Joan Jett to me, so I styled mine a little tougher.

Sunglasses: H and M

Headband: Forever 21

Spiked bracelet: Abbey Dawn by Avril Lavigne

Vest: I 'Heart' Ronson by Charlotte Ronson

Shorts: Worthington

Tank: Banana Republic

Note: The exact vest I am wearing is I 'Heart' Ronson which is available on jcpenny.com in all sizes.  Rock on girls!

More Nine West...

Heels; Nine West 

Indian Breeze

My husband and I went to an Indian restaurant today, so I decided to wear a print dress I hadn't worn yet. On the way to lunch, I snapped a shot of this beautiful church steeple peering over the trees.

This is a similar dress with a sublimation print.

Photo Flashback: Sisters

My big sister had a brief medical scare recently, so I want to dedicate this post to her!
Here we are as little kids wearing rompers which are back in fashion now.
(Funny that I'm taller than her today, she hates that :). 

So to anyone with a big (or little sister), give her a big hug today!

Here are some rompers that my sister and I can wear today...

More Arden B...

Pretty Style: LC by Lauren Conrad

Word on the street is that Lauren Conrad will be developing another high-end, boutique collection. That's me, spreading the word about LC's new line. Actually, I was just talking to my mom!  But I am wearing an LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's top.

A couple of years ago, Lauren Conrad launched a runway ready collection, but it did not work. She has decided to give it another try. I love her attitude...if at once you don't succeed, try try again!

I think her Kohl's line is pretty cute actually and I wouldn't mind more of that also. Here's a similar top to the one I'm wearing.