Category Archives: Fashion & Beauty

Rent The Runway

Fashion & Beauty, ,

I just spent more time than I’d care to admit browsing through hundreds of dresses on Rent The Runway, a site best described as Netflix for fashion. If you’re on a budget and as addicted to clothes as 90% of the female population, keep them in mind as an option for special occasions. This basically solves the “I-have-nothing-to-wear-because-I-only-like-to-wear-things-once” dilemma. Not that I’d know, or anything…

Pricing depends on the item you rent but the rule of thumb is 90% off retail pricing for high-end fashion items that are guaranteed intact and perfectly dry cleaned with free return shipping and a complimentary second size just in case. Seriously – someone invite me somewhere. I can’t wait to try them out!

Love Always

Fashion & Beauty, Shopping & Deals

We lead such busy lives – days run into each other, the trivial things consume us, and before we know it, we’ve developed a desensitized perspective that all but muffles out the things that matter. A friend of mine lost his partner yesterday. The one he shared his life with lost his battle with cancer. I heard the news more than 24 hours ago and it just now hit me like a blow to the stomach. For the first time in a very long while, I allowed myself to cry; I sobbed like a child while my husband held me. I’ve experienced loss several times, and too often on a deeply profound level. And yet I’ve still allowed myself to forget, to take people for granted. If you’re reading, I hope this will serve as a reminder, as it has for me, that life is too short to not be good to each other. Life is too precious to let the important people and things get lost in the chaos of our days. Life is too short to not love deeply. So love with intent. Love with purpose and grace. And never forget that tomorrow has not been promised.

My thoughts and prayers are with Bruce during this difficult time. May Julio’s memory always live on.

 

Rebi’s Closet: New Monogram Necklaces

Fashion & Beauty, Shopping & Deals, ,

I’m a sucker for accessories. One of my favorite things to do as a little girl was to pile on all of my mother’s jewelry and strut around, adding one scarf after the other and feeling all the more fabulous with each piece. Not much has changed since then and it’s shown each time I shop at my favorite mobile boutique, Rebi’s Closet.

Aside from having a great selection of outfits for quite a few occasions, what I really tend to indulge in is her accessories collection (seriously – I end up with bag after heaping bag of accessories). These monogrammed necklaces are her newest item to lust after, with a choice between sterling silver, gold plated, rose gold plated, or just plain real gold! Check out their Facebook page for pricing and info. Can’t wait to leave my mark on one of these…

 

 

Online Shopping Seasons: A Quick Guide to Bargain Hunting

Fashion & Beauty, Shopping & Deals, , , ,

Working from home has also made me more prone to shopping from the comfort of my couch. Recently, to my benefit (and yours!), I came across this useful online shopping guide in Glamour, outlining exactly when specific items go on sale online. The advice comes from Charlie Graham of shopittome.com, a personal shopping service. Here’s to shopping smarter and saving some ca$h!

January: Shorts, Dress Shirts, T-shirts, and Jewelry

February: Suits & Skirts

March: Intimates, Outerwear, and Coats

April: Dress Pants

May: Sunglasses

July: Sweaters

August: Sleepwear, Belts, and Shoes

September: Jeans & Bags

October: Swimwear

MAC Beads

Fashion & Beauty, Shopping & Deals, , ,

Nothing says summer fashion like the classic BoHo look that gets us through the balmiest of days. Not one to miss out on accessorizing one of my favorite looks of the year, I picked up some beaded bracelets from mac beads after running into them at the salon. They don’t have a website yet but you can comment on their Facebook pics and they’ll send you a message with pricing, details, and info on how to pick up your selections.  You can also call Maria at 786-486-8806 for more info. mac beads range from $12 to $75 depending on the style. Not bad for handmade one-of-a-kind stuff. I’m sold. Happy shopping!

A Day with the Girls

Art & Culture, Fashion & Beauty, Travel & Miami, , ,

Sometimes all you need is a day with the girls to lift your spirits (and perhaps some other areas that may also need, ahem, a lift). I spent the day at the Terribly Girly studios yesterday with my friend, Nicole. This was her first time experiencing the hard work and production that goes into each of these sessions.

After a few hours in wardrobe, hair, and makeup, she asked if I could remember my first shoot and how I got started in the first place. Turns out, I was feeling a little low and decided to treat myself to something fun. It was around Christmas, I was living alone, feeling lonely, and coming out of a bad relationship that had left me with more than a few self-esteem issues. The minute I stepped into the TG studio, all that stuff was pushed out of my mind. The girls were friendly, confident, and encouraging – and SO talented!

Nine shoots later, I’m glad these women are keen on making a point about beauty and self-image. I may not be a cookie-cutter beauty, but they don’t seem to mind – and neither do I.

Here are a few behind-the-scenes shots from another wonderful day of playing dress-up:

  

  

ban.do signature scarf

Fashion & Beauty, General, , ,

I’m finding it hard to take my mind off pretty things today. Quite appropriately, ban.do just sent me an email about the arrival of their new signature scarf (100% silk – pics below). Enter code “sigscarf” through April 13th to get 15% off this adorable little wrap.

While you’re there, do some good by checking out their Hearts for Japan section, with proceeds going to relief efforts in Japan.

  

MiMo Madness

Art & Culture, Fashion & Beauty, Shopping & Deals, Travel & Miami, ,

Today’s weather was absolutely perfect for a street fair so Tony and I headed out to one of the many outdoor events taking place in Miami this weekend. MiMo Madness, nestled in the heart of Biscayne Boulevard’s Historic District, promised an eclectic bunch and it did not disappoint.

Along with the burlesque acts and street performers, I came across a few great artists and boutiques with unique handmade pieces. Chiquita’s is definitely noteworthy with a dedicated focus on vintage pieces from the 1920’s to the 1980’s.

Karen Keith Designs was another favorite with self-proclaimed jewelry designs for the bold and free-spirited. Wish I’d had the cash on me to take home a vintage miniature magnifying glass on a long black chain.

Check out my finds below. I’m now also a  fan of Treasures by Alicia‘s handmade bags and jewelry. (I’ll admit, the name got me):