My 26th birthday was a beautiful whirlwind {as was most of the month of July… thank you for putting up with my quasi-sporadic posting, dear readers}… As I was swept about here and there, I didn’t have my wonderful camera with me the whole time… but I did take some photos on my iPhone. Here is a look at my birthday… bits and pieces of it… via my phone snapshots.
{boys wear them… girls work them}
1. Solid Satin Vest $215
2. Daytrip Cropped Sweater Vest $28
3. Nordstrom Linen Blend Vest $45
4. Trafalgar ‘Formal Concord’ Silk Brace $80
5. Heavy Duty Suspenders $25
6. Trafalgar ‘Winslow’ Silk Brace $80
7. Rag & Bone Waxed Legging Jean $198
8. L’Agence Skinny Jean $192
9. Rag & Bone Skinny Jean Light Blue $165
10. Stuart Weitzman ‘Poco’ Pump $285
11. Prada 2-Tone Leather Pump $690
12. Nine West ‘Collegiate’ Pump $80
I am a firm believer in never letting an opportunity pass me by… So when someone asked me if I wanted to fly to Las Vegas, be fitted for a showgirl costume, be flown back out to California, head to Palm Springs and do a photo shoot with my sister in the aforementioned showgirl attire…. I said, “Why not?” After I first took a look at the costume {and the headdress!}, I was a bit trepidatious about what I had stumbled into. However, after mastering my balance, finding the perfect pair of clear heels, and giggling with my sister all the way through the photo shoot… I realized I had made the right decision. Being a showgirl {for a day} was scintillating {and, obviously, humorous}… and, somehow, instead of the large headdress feeling oppressive, ridiculous, or demeaning… it made me feel a bit powerful {perhaps because I was about 9 feet tall while wearing it}… and beautiful. Every girl should get the chance to be a showgirl for a day.
It was time for one of my favorite weekly traditions… cocktails and a multi-course meal with one of my closest friends. I always dress up for my friends {I think it shows them the kind of respect they deserve!} and a conservatively cut, yet wildly printed maxi dress is the perfect option {mine is a vintage gift and i am madly in love with it}. It’s feminine, yet classic. It can be dressed up {accessories are a woman’s best friend} and layered necklaces are a great touch. Throw on some comfortable {yet glitzy} sandals and you’re ready to drink, eat, and giggle long into the evening.
1. Miracle Icons Coral Bead Necklace $275
2. Renee Lewis Charm Necklace $29,000
3. Aurora Lopez Mejia “K” Initial Necklace $2,500
4. Meadow Music Dress $48
5. Pleats, Oh Pleats! Dress $100
6. Dress that Launched 1000 Ships in Storm $150
7. OluKai ‘Olu’Olu’ Thong Sandal $120
8. Isola ‘Adena’ Thong Sandal $135
9. Ivanka Trump ‘Devi’ Thong Sandal $120
This isn’t exactly a current obsession… it’s more like a life-long mental fling {where I will wander off to have a bit of a rendezvous with another designer and then… bam!… I find myself hopelessly in love with all things McQueen yet again}… Maybe it’s the bold use of animal print. Or color. Or snakeskin. Or skulls. Or the color black. Or the unapologetically large golden accents that seem to adorn everything. Maybe it’s just the fact that all things McQueen are f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s. It takes a woman who is comfortable with the spotlight to wear something created by such a confident design house… wallflowers need not purchase these wares. Feminine and strong. Bold and yet somehow work-appropriate. And very distinct. What a love affair.
1. Blouson-Sleeve Merino Top $1,195 & Zip-Detail Crinoline Skirt $2,230
2. Snake Biker Jacket Bootie $1,825
3. Skull Handle Umbrella $495
4. Leopard-Print Double Wrap Bracelet $260
5. Tuxedo Dress $2,640
6. Britania Velvet Skull Box Clutch $1,645
7. Knuckle Duster Chain-Strap Clutch $2295
8. Heart Peep-Toe Pump $955
While shopping this week I realized two things: 1. I have an insane makeup obsession {shouldn’t have shocked me… everyone else already realized it… but it was news to me} and 2. Shimmer, when done correctly, is absolutely a killer cosmetic asset… Buy some {or all!} of these products… You won’t be disappointed {and you’ll look like a glowing goddess}.
