Today's Everyday Fashion: The Quirky Sweater

Today's Everyday Fashion: The Quirky Sweater

Inspiration: Harper's Bazaar

Proof I wore this outside. Facial expression optional.

Mother Nature has decided to give us December weather in March this year, so my response? How about a quirky sweater to lighten the mood. My inspiration photo is not meant to be a literal translation, but rather it was somewhere in the depths of my subconscious that the photo both whispered to me to want to own it, and motivated me to wear it with pink jeans. The light pink jeans with nude pumps is great for a more dressy occasion, and the darker jeans and ankle boots is what I wore for brunch last weekend. Quirky sweaters: yay or nay? Which outfit do you prefer?

Sweater: Collide Boutique c/o $42 - enter to win $100 to Collide here

Light jeans: Target, $22 (similar)

Dark jeans: Limited, $40 (similar, similar)

Pumps: Enzo Angiolini/Piperlime, $32
Boots: HCB c/o (same, similar)
Purse: Karen Millen, gift (similar, similar)
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3

Dorothy Perkins  /  J.Crew  /  Forever 21
Madewell  /  Buffalo  /  Urban Outfitters
Forever 21  /  Boden  /  Chaps

Today's Everyday Fashion: Minty Fresh

Today's Everyday Fashion: Minty Fresh

Inspiration: Pinterest

My enthusiastic, year-long hunt for the perfect pair of mint jeans is over... and it resulted in me owning not one, but two pairs. (These and the Gap Skimmers.) I normally wouldn't buy two items that are so similar, but lately my shopping planning hasn't been so much planning as winging it. Everybody makes mistakes (if I could go back, I would've held out for the Gap pair), but mistakes that result in twice the minty fresh denim fun can hardly be penalized in my book. ;-) What are your favorite denim colors for spring? Would you wear mint + leopard?

Shirt: Moda c/o MJR Sales, $17 (old)

Jeans: Forever 21, $25

Necklace: Red Dress Boutique  c/o

Shoes: Nine West c/o, $62 (similar, similar)
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3

Piperlime / Anne Klein / Charlotte Russe
Victoria's Secret  /  Buffalo  /  Victoria's Secret
Forever 21  /  Rsvp  /  Obey

Pageant Fashion: Miss Uruguay Universe 2011...and her "Toddlers & Tiaras" Iridescent Poly Organza Gown...

Pageant Fashion: Miss Uruguay Universe 2011...and her "Toddlers & Tiaras" Iridescent Poly Organza Gown...

Uruguay Pageant Gowns...Uh Oh!!

Pretty Girl...BAAAD gown: Miss Uruguay Universe 2011 Fernanda Semino, and her baby blue iridescent poly organza and sequin gown

On May 28th, the very pretty Fernanda Semino was crowned Miss Uruguay Universe 2011 in the resort/beach city of Punta del Este. Uruguay is not known for its winning pageant girls--but rather for having some GORGEOUS beaches (Hello, Punta del Este!!), as well as being a very "Euro" enclave of South America (Approximately 9o% of the population is either of full Spanish or Italian descent).

Gown No-No: Miss Uruguay Universe 2011 Fernanda Semino, (center) and her baby blue iridescent poly organza gown

This year's winner was a gorgeous dark-blond haired beauty. She won, despite the fact that well, she wore a baby blue iridescent poly organza and sequin gown that, even some Drag Queens would consider OFFENSIVE. And by the looks of the other contestants gowns, it looks like a Caché boutique Nightmare--or Dream, depending on how you see it!!! In addition, it was SOOOO TLC's "Toddlers & Tiaras", the adult version (I'm also a bit scared of the gown on the girl on the far right!).

Her First Runner-Up was Belen Sogliano (above, in black gown) who was crowned Miss Uruguay World 2011 (she will represent her country in this winter's Miss World Pageant to be held in London this November) and she didn't fare any better in the Gown Department. Belen wore a black one-shoulder "Mermaid"-style gown that featured cut-out's (yes, CUT OUT'S!) and very tacky applique. I guess, what is considered Haute Couture or HAUTE Gown Style may be different in Uruguay but frankly, these gowns needed help. When will Beauty Pageants evolve in terms of the Gown Department and grow up from tacky Prom Nightmares to looking like actual red carpet gowns Hollywood starlets would wear? Let's just hope, when these two very lovely ladies get to their respective Miss Universe and Miss World competitions, they get better Gown Advice. Word has it that they are both going to Colombia for some Pageant Coaching...maybe Colombia has better gowns for them.

And remember Ladies: Lo Barato Sale Caro! Translation: The Cheap Comes Out Expensive. In other words: PAY the BIG money for the real red carpet pageant-winning gowns! Just sayin'

Today's Everyday Fashion: Random Musings

Today's Everyday Fashion: Random Musings

I didn't plan ahead on outfit posts (sorry guys), so instead I'm sharing some pictures from St. Augustine yesterday! I was there shooting a VISIT FLORIDA video, and wound up wearing this turquoise top from yesterday's giveaway post (the only item that I kept). I'm also sharing three Daytime morning show segments I shot in December, see below. It was my first-ever time using a teleprompter and we did the segments in just one take to save time, so I was hoping they would come out okay. I talk about the polka dot trend, three ways to wear a blazer, and winter trends. Hope you enjoy! :-) 

Shirt: Collide Boutique c/o

Jeans: Gap, $30 (similar)

Belt: H&M, $20

Shoes: Chinese Laundry c/o

Sunglasses: Banana Republic, old

Purse: Karen Millen, gift (similar, similar)

Earrings: My Stella & Dot, $49

Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3
Bracelets: Banana Republic, My Stella & Dot 1, 2

Today's Everyday Fashion: Favorite Trends

Today's Everyday Fashion: Favorite Trends

Today's look contains so many of my favorite trends - mint, lace, winter white and chunky necklaces, to name a few. It's also a blending of new purchases (jeans and shoes) and old (coat and shirt). What are your favorite trends this winter? Would you wear a lace top?

Coat: Banana Republic, $130 (similar, similar, similar) 

Shirt: Charlotte Russe, $18

Jeans: Forever 21, $25

Shoes: Piperlime, $32

Purse: Calvin Klein/TJ Maxx, $120 (similar)

Necklace: Red Dress Boutique c/o

Bracelets: Ily Couture c/o, My Stella & Dot website 1, 2

Rings: My Stella & Dot website 1, 2

Dillard's / Forever 21 / ASOS
Target / C. Russe / Lucky Brand
Alloy / Lauren Conrad / Forever 21

Today's Everyday Fashion: Navy Polka Dots

Today's Everyday Fashion: Navy Polka Dots

Inspiration: Pinterest

See another outfit with this shirt here

Gray, mint and navy polka dots - a fun combo that I spotted on Pinterest and decided to try with my own clothes. My navy polka dot pencil skirt was calling my name this time around, but you could do any number of combinations to create this outfit, based on the items already in your closet. How would you wear this combo?

Shirt: Express c/o, $25 (similar)  

Cardigan: Banana Republic, $30 (similar, similar)

Skirt: Banana Republic, $50 

Shoes: Banana Republic, $50 (similar, similar, similar)

Necklace: Red Dress Boutique c/o

Purse: Michael Kors, Santa

Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Rings: My Stella & Dot website 1, 2
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website 1, 2, 3

Macy's / Forever 21 / Nordstrom
Forever 21 / Phard / Chico's

Today's Everyday Fashion: Plaid Layers

Today's Everyday Fashion: Plaid Layers

Inspiration: People

Celebrity airport outfits are my favorite. They tend to be comfy, cozy and easy to re-create! This is my fourth outfit with this plaid shirt, but I was digging the inspiration to wear it unbuttoned for the first time. Would you layer a plaid shirt this way?

Coat: Via c/o MJR Sales, $55 (similar, similar)
Plaid shirt: Old Navy, $17
T-shirt: Gap, old (similar)
Jeans: Gap, old (similar)
Boots: HCB Boutique c/o (similar, similar)
Purse: Karen Millen, gift (similar)

Piperlime / Tommy Hilfiger / Forever 21
Old Navy / Forever 21 / Piperlime

What's In My Hand Luggage | Survival Kit For Long Haul Travel

What's In My Hand Luggage | Survival Kit For Long Haul Travel

 

Hey guys! Happy new week! I'm dedicating this one to all of our news from NYC! We've finally caught up on sleep/work backlog, and I am SO excited to share our highlights and travelling tips from our time away. (OK, I have some fun things for back home too!)

As any one who travels with budget and short haul airlines will know, it’s often easier and cheaper to fly short distances with hand luggage only. In recent years, as I've mostly been travelling in Europe, I’ve become pretty adept at packing my life into a small wheely suit case. It's practical, but I miss having the luxury of packing things I actually want for a flight. When it came to packing for New York, with the joy of both hand and hold luggage, I couldn't wait to assemble my perfect long haul carryall. 

Here are the items which kept me snug, happy, and organised for our NY flight . . .  

Scarf: Becksondergaard Pre SS15. Love This & This | Leopard Print Pouch: Becksondergaard Pre SS15 Love. Love This Chic Option. | Patterned Note Book: Paperchase | Long Necklace With Stone: Feather & Stone | Lip Balm: Burts Bees | Face Spray: Pai Lotus Flower & Orange Blossom BioAffinity Skin Tonic (sold as part of travel set) | Face Moisturiser: Elemis Hydra-day Cream | Hand Moisturiser: La Roche-Posay Hand Repair Cream | Tablet: Apple iPad Mini | Socks: Pantherella c/o

Travel scarf: I recently professed my love for the travel scarf in my weekly blog for Hello! Fashion (by the by - have you checked it out yet? I don’t think I even told you guys I was doing that!).  Natural fibres are always the best as they keep you warmest. I took my new Becksondergaard scarf to New York,  it's pre SS15 but this gorgeous cashmere scarf would be perfect too. 

Precious jewellery: I keep all of the things I would hate to lose/ couldn’t replace, close to me in my hand luggage, jewellery included. I use small jewellery pouches, or even a purse to keep the items I want to wear on holiday safe. 

Socks: I want to feel as comfortable as possible on a long haul flight, and so I love to slip my shoes off and pop a pair of cosy socks on. Pantherella has a great choice, and I love the simple grey pair I got recently. I am also a huge fan of Roos Beach Shop, a super sweet Cornwall-based boutique I am yet to visit in person, but which has a great selection of gift-able items online. I just added these fun patterned socks to my sock drawer!

Moisturiser - in every guise!: After previous flights, I’ve found myself suffering  breakout. This is the last thing you want when arriving at a fabulous holiday location, or returning back to work. I made it my mission on this trip to be fastidious about moisturising and staying hydrated. I accepted a glass of water every time the cabin crew came round with drinks and avoided the salty plane food. The beauty products I took with me were: 
- Burts Bees classic lip balm. I use this every. single. day.
- Elemis hydra-balance day cream. LOVE! I have been using the cleansing balm too.
- La Roche-Posay Hand Repair Cream. this was a gift, and I have never used a better hand cream! Sometimes I use a little of the excess to smooth through the end of my hair too to minimise frizz.
- Pai Lotus Flower and Orange Blossom Skin Affinity Tonic: a refreshing spritz of this perked my skin up when it was feeling particularly lack-lustre on the flight. 

Pouches for stuff: I love a great pouch. On any given day I’ll have two or three in my handbag. Pouches rock my world! To clarify, in my mind, a pouch is either a small clutch bag, wallet or even pencil case, which I use to store things in my bag for easy visibility. No handbag rummaging for me! When travelling I use a clutch for passports and boarding passes, a separate one for all travel itineraries and information. And one for my iPad. I also have a separate one in my small personal handbag for receipts, and sometimes an extra one for cards and change. Yeah, I love these things!

 

iPad: I love the feel of a physical book, but I find that downloading titles on to my kindle app is much more space-efficient. Before we left for NY, I took the advice of Lindsay & Bjork from A Pinch Of Yum and downloaded a load of business-related books they recommended. To my shame I actually got lost in more of my non-fiction titles, but still, I like to know they’re there when I do want to get stuck in to a business boost. I also use my iPad for browsing the internet when away as I didn’t take my laptop with me to NY. 

Notebook: this thing comes with me everywhere. Despite working in the digital sphere, I find that I make my best notes and musing by hand. I religiously write to-do lists, and jot down thoughts as and when. This notebook was great as I actually dedicated a page to every day we were in NY, and we could scribble in things we wanted to do. As sometimes phone signal, and data allowance, can be tricky when abroad, it helped to have a physical record of everything. I also wrote down directions to places we were going in case we couldn’t look them up on our phones. 

The bag: OK so this is a biggie, which bag to use for your hand luggage?! This Karen Millen bag has been a daily saviour in my life of late! I use it to carry my laptop - SO hard to find an attractive, comfortable go-with-everything bag for this - and it was a great size for hand luggage. I like that it’s big but not bulky, and that it has both a long and short strap which gives you an option for how to hold you bag. 

What’s not shown: I took Sarah Yate’s advice and bought my own tea bags for the journey too. This helped to stifle the boredom of plane drinks, and keep us hydrated on the flight. And naturally I bought a hundred magazines for entertainment. 

What’s on your hand luggage must-have list? Do you have any tips and tricks for feeling healthy after a long-haul flight?

I am so excited to share all of our travelling news this week! If there is anything you would like me to specifically cover, leave me a comment below or drop me a line on monica@theelginavenue.com

Have an awesome start to your weeks all!

Love, 

MB x

Today's Everyday Fashion: Loud

Today's Everyday Fashion: Loud

Inspiration: Madewell

I was re-creating this outfit in my room. I had on the reddish top, the pink jeans, and leopard heels - and I felt bored. Somehow, it was just not as much fun (or as loud) as the inspiration. The burgundy necklace was the missing piece - similar color as my shoes, and her belt. If a more low-key look is your style, you could easily switch to blue or black jeans, or remove the necklace. How would you wear this look? 

Shirt: J.Crew, $35 (purchased in store 1/3/13, no coupon)

Blush jeans: Target, $22

Necklace: c/o Page 6 Boutique, $35

Shoes: Banana Republic, $60 (similar, similar, similar, similar)

Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Rings: My Stella & Dot website 1, 2
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website 1, 2, 3

Urban Outfitters / Kohl's / LOFT
Vince / Kohl's / Calvin Klein / Juicy Couture

Today's Everyday Fashion: Luck of the Irish

Today's Everyday Fashion: Luck of the Irish

Inspiration: Pinterest

Monochromatic looks are always welcome in my book, so why not use the St. Patty's Day holiday as an excuse to try it? You'll notice that in each version I kept one item neutral - in the first it's nude pumps, in the second the necklace is more neutral, although I think a plain gold pendant would look even better. Try using the green you have in your closet to come up with something fun this year! What green items do you plan to wear?

Shirt: Express, $25 (similar, similar)

Jeans: Lauren Conrad c/o Kohl's, $34 (similar, similar)

Nude pumps: Colin Stuart c/o MJR Sales, $17 (similar)

Turquoise pumps: Forever 21, $22 (similar, similar)

Bubble necklace: H&M, $18 (redeem the offer on my Facebook page for $16 bubble necklaces!)

Short necklace: Windsor Store c/o

Clutch: Charisma Boutique c/o (similar)

Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3

Old Navy  /  Macy's  /  Gap
Stella & Dot  /  Limited  /  Stella & Dot
Piperlime  /  JcPenney  /  ModCloth

Today's Everyday Fashion (failure!)

Today's Everyday Fashion (failure!)

I looooove Blake Lively's outfit (left), but my attempt to re-create came up a little... bell-bottomed. :-) The fit of my pants is all wrong for this look but if I find some high-waisted peach trousers at least I have the rest of the outfit ready to go!

Now tell me: would you wear Blake Lively's pink look?

Shirt: Banana Republic, $15
Belt: Gap, $3
Necklace: Stella & Dot, c/o stylist Lori McMinn
Pants: Kansas boutique
Shoes: Banana Republic, $20

Today's Everyday Fashion: Celeb vs. Real Life

Today's Everyday Fashion: Celeb vs. Real Life

Inspiration: FabSugar

Reese Witherspoon looks adorable, but let's face it - sometimes celebrity looks just don't hold up in real life! I bought this Gap hat on a whim last week and immediately regretted it. Her hat is arguably cuter (mine is a bit Pilgrim-esque), but I also just feel silly wearing a fedora out and about. Would love to hear what you think though - does this celebrity outfit work in real life? Where would you wear it? 

Navy sweater: Gap, old (similar)

Shirt: Mudd c/o Kohl's, $20 (similar, similar, similar)

Jeans: Gap, $30 (similar, similar, similar)

Hat: Gap, $10

Boots: c/o HCB Boutique, $54

Purse: Karen Millen, gift (similar, vegan)

Urban Outfitters / Avon / Nine West
Zappos / Piperlime / Macy's