Category Archives: Fashion & Beauty

Miami Fashion Week 2013: Rosa Clara Bridal

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Miami Fashion Week’s fifteenth anniversary included a luxury wedding pavilion showcasing a variety of international bridal designers. But among them, Rosa Clara Bridal was clearly distinct. The world-renowned designer displayed a collection that is beyond the usual bridal fluff. Shown here are some stunningly graceful pieces with a whole lot of glamour and edge, created for the woman who wants to wear something truly unique on one of the most memorable days of her life. (I’d give anything to wear that last one.) You can visit Rosa Clara locally in Miami at 365 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables.

All images from Miami Fashion Week used with permission. 

Miami Fashion Week 2013: Roberto Cavalli

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Roberto Cavalli, a designer whose name has been prevalent in the fashion industry since the early seventies, presented a capsule collection at Miami Fashion Week’s fifteenth anniversary show, complete with all the exotic prints that have been woven into his designs for years. Having just shown new prints and shapes at Milan Fashion Week that he hopes will convey to his “fans all over the world that Roberto Cavalli is back,” the Italian designer’s pieces were nothing if not bold.

All images from Miami Fashion Week used with permission.

Miami Fashion Week 2013: Krizia

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Italian designer Krizia displayed a capsule collection at Miami Fashion Week as part of the European Designer Showcase. Known to include modern and pop art influences in her garments, the collection, shown above, incorporated graphic prints, geometric cuts, and a decidedly empowering take on the feminine aesthetic. Krizia also included her signature beast, a nod to the aggressive and savage jungle animal – a reference to the pieces that ultimately become “Krizia’s Zoo.”

All images from Miami Fashion Week used with permission.

Miami Fashion Week 2013: Petit Pois by Viviana G.

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Viviana G.’s display at Miami Fashion Week was clean, chic, sophisticated, and understated. The Petit Pois by Viviana G. Fall/Winter 2013-14 “Masquerade in Prague” collection was inspired by her travels throughout the European country as well as the anniversary of James Bond – very much an exercise in wearable glamour. To purchase items from the Petite Pois collection, visit the designer’s online store.

Images from Miami Fashion Week used with permission.

Miami Fashion Week 2013: Carlos Miele

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Miami Fashion Week celebrated its 15th Anniversary by honoring Brazilian designer Carlos Miele with the International Designer of the Year award. Miele also exclusively debuted his 2013 Fall/Winter Collection at the event to a full house. Celebrity guests included singer and actress Paulina Rubio, the cast of the Real Housewives of Miami, Latin Grammy award winner Luis Fonsi, People en Español’s fashion and beauty director Kika Rocha, and former Miss Universe Lupita Jones, among others. Shown here are some pieces from Miele’s stunningly graphic and colorful collection.

Images from Miami Fashion Week used with permission.

Miami Fashion Week 2013: Erin Healy

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I think Erin Healy won me over when I discovered that her work has been described as a balance between Coco Chanel’s classic aesthetic and Gwen Stefani’s rocker edge. This is clearly a woman after my heart. Her collection last night at Miami Fashion Week’s runway shows displayed an array of patterns and textures all in a variety of black fabrics. Above, I’ve picked the two I absolutely must have now. To get your own pieces from the Florida designer, click here.

Images from Miami Fashion Week used with permission. 

BaubleBar Spring Gift w/ Purchase

Bauble Bar Rose Pave Links BraceletBaubleBar Julie Vos Gold Elephant BangleBaubleBar Engraved Bar NecklaceBaubleBar Emerald Pave Links Bracelet

As I keep telling myself throughout these last few weeks of being an expectant mom, accessories ALWAYS fit. Now, thanks to BaubleBar and the onset of Spring, you can update your jewelry for the season and get a little something extra free when you spend $50+ through March 24th. Exactly what you’ll be getting is a surprise, but you do get to pick a favorite color (coral or turquoise). Some of my favorites are shown above to get you started. Happy shopping!

Post Details: Rose Pave Links Bracelet, Julie Vos Gold Elephant Bangle, Engraved Bar Pendant, Emerald Pave Links Bracelet

Maternity Chic: 4 Tips to Dressing the Belly

Header - Bubbles & Ink - Dressing the Belly Post

Week 32 is here and with it the slow waddle befitting one whose rotund nature is weighing heavily on their self esteem. In need of motivation, I started looking back through old pictures on my phone and came across a few shots of me dressing a belly that’s clearly got a plan of its own.

If you’re busy growing a small person of your own, I’m sure you can relate. It’s difficult to feel good about yourself when you barely recognize that person in the mirror. But take comfort in the fact that everyone else will tell you you’re glowing even if you’re sure that’s just a thin sheen of sweat breaking across your forehead from going up what used to be a short flight of stairs. Take heart. It’s only temporary. And your handbags will still fit, no matter what kinds of shenanigans your belly gets into.

Below, I give you four easy tips to dressing that belly that I discovered over the past months after making a serious effort to avoid the maternity shops. So far, mission accomplished. How’d I do? Any tips of your own you can share with us first-timers?

1) BELT THAT BUMP

Going through the first few months was tricky because all my regular clothes still fit but just made me look overweight, not pregnant. I quickly discovered that belting the baby bump would bring attention to my growing belly and clear up for everyone the fact that I was creating a person in there and not just really enjoying those Buffalo wings at Sports Grill (though I really DID enjoy all those Buffalo wings at Sports Grill…). To clear up any confusion and proudly show off your new curves, grab a skinny belt and wear it just above the belly. Something with embellishments adds a really nice touch and makes you look pulled together. Belted dresses or wrap dresses also grow with you.

Belted Shirt Dress from Kirna Zabete for TargetBelted Sweater & Layers

2) LOOK FOR LARGER SIZES

I was hesitant to dive into the maternity shops when I knew this would only be temporary. The truth is, you can easily fit into larger sizes and avoid the pregnancy tent phenomenon for quite a long while if you shop for larger sizes. Knowing I could find inexpensive pieces and still be on trend, I hit up shops like Forever 21 for loose-fitting items. I also shopped my own closet for comfortable stretch fabrics (maxi skirts, soft tees) that have worked for me even until today, at week 32. Maxi dresses with empire waists have also been an essential wardrobe stable that need not come from a maternity store.

Large Graphic Sweater - Forever 21

Outfit - Budding-Bump

3) THE POWER OF BLACK TIGHTS

When my jeans and pants stopped fitting against all better efforts, I discovered my new wardrobe staple: black tights. Sure, there are belly bands and such to make your existing pieces work. But the truth is that I didn’t want to bother with any of it. I wanted to pull something on and be done with it. So came the black tight uniform I’ve been shamelessly reinventing for several months now. Dress up or down by adding a basic tee or sweater, or even your husband’s favorite shirt. The very best part is that they’re fairly cheap and easy to replace if you outgrow them (I shopped Old Navy and Target).

Outfit - Sweater & Tights

4) ACCESSORIES ALWAYS FIT

When all else fails, the great thing is that no matter how big your baby bump gets, accessories will ALWAYS fit. Pile on your favorites or wear one standout piece. The choice is yours. But a little glitz always makes me feel much better when my clothing options begin to look like glorified tents. Remember it’s just temporary and you’ll be looking like yourself in a short while. I hear running after a little one just makes the pounds melt off.

Brighthouse Baubles BraceletEnvelope Clutch from ASOS

POST DETAILS: 

Pink ASOS Clutch, Pave Link Bracelet from Brighthouse Baubles, Lucite Bangles from H&M, Studded Black Clutch from Rebi’s Closet, Gold & Wood Bead Bracelet from Stephanie Lian’s Closet, Gold Link & Pave Link Bracelet from Gigglosophy, Graphic Print Sweater from Forever 21, Belted Shirt Dress from Target

Maternity Chic: The Diaper Bag Dilemma

So, the diaper bag. That vinyl thing we’re all supposed to carry around with some sort of overzealous duck print just because we’ve recently bred a munchkin who’ll likely adore that sort of stuff. And that’s just fine for him/her. But why would a 32-year-old woman voluntarily tote one of those things around? I mean, if that’s your thing and you’ve been secretly dying to find an excuse to sport some nursery rhyme-type fashion, then go ahead and rock that duck unapologetically. But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I’d be cringing for you just a little on the inside.

I’ve both been dreading and anticipating the hunt for a more fashion-forward solution to this diaper bag dilemma. Before getting pregnant, I wasn’t really the type of gal who’d linger around the kinds of shops that would impart this sort of information. But here I am and my search has led me to some admittedly chic options. Bags with nary a nursery print in sight.

Though I’ll admit that two of the six bags in this post are not officially diaper bags per se, my search did lead me to the “diaper bag insert” solution that can pretty much turn any good-sized  tote into a baby-suitable carry-all. Hence, the L.A.M.B. and See by Chloe are still perfectly legitimate choices (insert silly grin on mom-to-be here). The other four are by Timi and Leslie, my new mommy-friendly favorites.

But I’d love to hear from other chic moms out there. What did you wear as a diaper bag? Any designers I overlooked? Please share your wisdom with me! If you know me, you don’t even want to think about the perma-scowl I’d be rocking with a duck print bag.

Click on the pics to visit the retailer’s site.