Culottes and Crop Tops

Top :: Windsor Store

Culottes :: Nabee similar here

Heels :: H&M similar here

Bag :: Coach similar here

Watch :: bebe similar here

Rings :: Club Monaco

When you spend a lot of time around fashionable influences, you start to pick up an interest in the style. Having spent the last three months working for a pair of designers, I've noticed that I have a growing interest in more loose fit pants. With that being said, I was never entirely certain if I could pull of the look of a karate pant or culotte outside of the Tae Kwon Do classes I took as a kid. I recently tried these culottes on, just for the heck of it, and I was blown away by how much I fell in love with them!

As shorts like these have a lot more volume, I find that it is best to either pair them with a fitted top or a crop top. I chose to wear heels with this look to elongate my legs, but you can wear a loafer or sandals with something like this as well. 

Oh! And a little tip, don't be afraid to mix navy and black together. I was always told that these two colors were mutually exclusive (particularly with suiting) but this is completely untrue! When layered you can really play up the differences in the colors. Another option is to accessorize the look with a complimentary color of both navy and black OR to wear pieces with different textures that can make the colors really pop against each other.

Light & Airy: A Cool Look For Summer

Top :: Club Monaco

Jeans :: Bullhead Black Denim from PacSun similar here

Shoes :: Charles by Charles David

By now, you all know that I'm big on comfort and this outfit makes the heat that much easier to deal with. When it gets hot out you don't always have to tear off all of your layers to feel like you can stand it. As long as you choose the right fabrics, you can always stay a bit cooler while remaining covered incase you enter a room with the AC cranked up. 

This draped top is made from viscose and is therefore cool and breathable. I paired is with ripped jeans, and while denim isn't all that light, the giant openings create some ventilation for your legs. I completed the look with these chunky structured sandals. While I went with a bare neckline, you could add a small necklace to make the look a little more uniquely you. 

I hope you like the look, and as always thanks for reading<3

xxAlli

Dressed Down

Top :: Club Monaco similar here

Pants :: New York & Co.

Sandals :: White Mountain

Bag :: The Upper House (gift with stay at hotel)

I don't know about you, but recently I've been into clothing that is a bit more dressed up. Despite this, I still have a tendency to want to dress looks down and stay true to my comfortable self. This look is all about taking a classic white pant and making it more wearable for your everyday life.

While I do maintain wearing a button down in this look, it is made from a softer cotton and has a print to make the look a bit more fun and playful. Instead of pairing heels or ballet flats with this look, I opted for a funky pair of strappy sandals. Continuing with the black and white theme, I topped the look off with a black leather tote. This look is super simply and comfy, and can be worn with the shirt tucked in or out (both options are pictured above). 

How do you like to dress down your fancier pieces? Let me know in the comments below!

xxAlli

Baby Blues

Blouse:: H&M similar here

Pants:: Club Monaco

Necklace:: NY & Co.

Shoes:: BGBGeneration similar here

Happy Friday! The weekend is yet again here! Despite the cooler day we had in the northeast today, my mind is set on summer thoughts which means lights and pastels. Today I'm wearing two more of my finds from my MDW purchases, this fabulous pair of pants from Club Monaco which was a steal for $25 and this necklace that I got from NY & Co.

Clearly baby blue is my color of the season with the shirt from my last post and these pants. It's fun to play with color and find different ways to wear it!

Until next time<3

xxAlli

IMATS NYC 2014

This past Sunday I went to the IMATS in NYC. It was my first time going and I'm hooked, I plan on going back next year! So many fantastic brands and youtubers, it was heaven filled with endless amounts of color!

I got to meet the truly outrageous, one and only Doe Deere of Lime Crime Makeup. She has a super funky style of prints and bright colors. I am obsessed with her style and the amazing makeup she makes. Her line is completely vegan and cruelty free and the color payoff is AMAZING. She has a ton of amazing products like velvetines which are liquid like a lipgloss and dry matte, the best eye primer I've ever used, and a ton of color lipsticks and eye colors. 

I also got to meet the super cute Amy from Sugarpill Cosmetics, another vegan and cruelty free line that has fantastic color payoff. Her line is mainly eyeshadows and eyelashes. She is like a little lolita always dressing up in super bright colors with a head of rainbow hair and beautifully bright makeup.

While I was there I also caught a glimpse of Jeffree Star and some youtubers like Makeup Geek.

For my makeup I did a very colorful look with lavender and pink eyebrows using a basic white pencil as the base, a lavender color from my 88 palette, and passionate from MAC cosmetics. On my lips I used the purple cloud from Portland Black Lipstick Co. which uses natural products in their lipsticks. Because I had such a colorful face I wanted to keep things simple so I wore all black. I found this beautiful peplum top from Club Monaco for just $35!! It was on sale with an additional 50% off, definitely a great steal!

After an amazing day filled with makeup and color and so many beautiful faces my friend and I enjoyed a burrito at a cute little Mexican restaurant on the way home. It definitely was a day to remember.

Don't forget! I have a contest going on right now where you could win a $50 gift card that can be used anywhere. Be sure to read my previous post for the complete details. As always, thanks for reading and Happy Friday!

xxAlli