Styled Boho Shoot

A few weeks ago, I showed you guys a little preview of the styled shoot I did with Meghan of Meliabelle Photography and Baily of B's Makeup Artistry. Today, I’m sharing a couple more looks we put together for that photo shoot. We wanted to include a couple bohemian looks, so I chose a white lace dress (layered over a nude slip) and my Cynthia Vincent custom dress (if you’re a newer follower, check out this post to learn how I got a custom dress from Cynthia Vincent - swoon).

Working with Meghan rocks for a lot of obvious reasons (she’s super cool and takes AH-MAZING photographs) but also because she’s like “Eff the po-po, let’s light up some smoke bombs.”

Because there's no better accessory than some possibly illegal smoke bombs.

And in case you missed it, check out this behind the scenes video of Meghan and this shoot.

white dress: pitaya (similar here)

nude slip: target (similar here)

flower crown: amazon

black dress: c/o cynthia vincent

necklace: stella and dot pegasus necklace

Black, White, and Stripes

If you were to look into my closet, you'd see a pattern: a lot of black, a lot of white and - by now you know - a lot of stripes. It's my go to combination.

But there are a lot of "rules" when it comes to stripes. Don't wear horizontal stripes. Choose narrow stripes over wide stripes. Avoid stripes on body parts you want to hide. All these rules have women shying away from even trying on this print (and doing your closet and potential outfits a great disservice because stripes rule). So much more important than the width or direction or placement of the stripe is the cut of the garment and how it fits your body.

So throw caution to the wind, break the rules, and wear stripes any damn way you please.

top: nordstrom (similar here)

skirt: asos (similar here)

shoes: cynthia vincent (similar here)

necklace: stella and dot aida tassel necklace

bag: target (similar here)

sunglasses: ray-ban

Fash Bash Recap

If you follow me on Instagram, it's no surprise that the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is one of my favorite locations in the city. It not only hosts some of the best art in the world, but the architecture of the building is one of the best backdrops in town. It is also home to Kresge Court, my (not so secret) go-to meeting spot for coffee and cocktails.

It's also no surprise that I love fashion (duh).

So when the two worlds collide, what emerges is my favorite event of the year - Fash Bash. Partnering with Neiman Marcus, the museum fashion show/fundraiser/dance party, supports the DIA, helping to keep one of Detroit's culture gems the incredible asset that it is.

This year, I was lucky enough to receive a media pass for the Neiman Marcus fashion show, hosted inside the museum. Showcasing the best fall fashion has to offer, it had me craving for cooler temps and lots of layers.

(See more photos of the event, as well as the Neiman Marcus runway show, at the Detroit Free Press and MLive). 

Guests tend to get a little more creative with their looks, so I decided to forgo the usual cocktail dress in favor of this bright Diane Von Furstenburg jumpsuit. As I've mentioned before, when choosing an outfit for an event, I tend to lean towards the unique. Both the shape and color of this jumpsuit stood out in a sea of dresses and had me receiving compliments all night.

Thanks to the DIA for throwing another fantastic event in Detroit. Looking forward to the next!

Outfit photos taken by Nailah Ali of The Moda Intersection (be sure to check out her recap of the event). Hair & Makeup by Stephanie Ford-Umachi of Runway Meets Everyday.

jumpsuit: diane von furstenburg via rent the runway

clutch: clare v. via willys detroit

bracelets: rent the runway unlimited

necklace: stella and dot aida tassel necklace

ring: stella and dot rebel ring

Currently Coveting: YSL Smoking Jacket

all items are saint laurent via farfetch

Recently the Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal exhibit opened at the Bowes Museum. In honor of the exhibit, I was asked by FarFetch to create a wish list around the always classic, YSL Smoking Jacket.

To me, there is nothing more versatile than a timeless, black jacket. And because it is a part of my year round wardrobe, I have created two outfits around the smoking jacket: one paired with shorts to wear in the warmer temps and one paired with my go-to cold weather staple, leather pants.

I'm not going to lie, this is basically my dream capsule wardrobe.

Outfit Post: Transitional Skirt

Don't hate me, but I'm kind of ready for fall. Maybe not fall weather, but certainly fall fashion. This feeling seems to be cyclical. Every August, I get tired of looking at sundresses and denim cut offs and I start to crave textures and jewel tones and layers. I get excited to pull out my cashmere and leather. And then winter hits and I curse the day I ever wished for cooler temps. I'm like freakin' Goldilocks - why can't I just embrace the season I'm in??

I bought this skirt with fall in mind. I immediately envisioned it paired with a chunky sweater, tan knee high boots and a trench coat layered on top. But since it's not fall (and I'm working on embracing this too hot heat), I've paired the skirt with some strappy sandals and a simple cami for a breezy summer look.

Is anyone else already working their fall pieces into their summer wardrobe?

top: express

skirt: topshop

heels: target (similar here)

clutch: clare v. via willys detroit

watch: shinola

bracelet: stella and dot renegade cluster

Outfit Post: Romping Around Belle Isle

Between trips to Virginia and the recent heat wave in Detroit, it's been a challenge finding outfits to stay cool. Rompers and jumpsuits are my secret weapon to both staying on trend and battling high temps. I love that this Zara romper is loose and effortless and looks just as good with a casual pair of flats (or in this case, some kick ass gladiators) as it does paired with a blazer and heels.

I'd also like to do a quick shout out to my photographer for these photos, Meghan from MeliaBelle Photography. Earlier this summer I teamed up with Meghan for a fashion shoot on Belle Isle (if you follow me on Instagram, you've seen a sneak peek here, here and here). We had a total blast shooting these - along with help from our hair and makeup team, B's Makeup Artistry - and I look forward to sharing more with you guys soon!

romper: zara (similar here)

sandals: madden girl

ring: stella and dot rebel ring

necklace: similar here

arm band: pitaya (similar here)

Outfit Post: Event Styling

When dressing for a special event, I tend to put some thought into my outfit. I like to stand out and wear something unique, but I also make sure the outfit represents my personal style. There's nothing worse than showing up at an event and not feeling like your bold and confident self.

So when deciding what to wear, I like to ask myself three questions:

1. Will I be comfortable?
If I am tugging at a dress or worried about it being too tight or too short, I will spend the entire evening self conscious and paying more attention to my outfit than to the event itself. Definitely not how I want to spend my time. I am a huge believer in looking good and feeling good in your clothes.
2. Is there a unique element to my outfit?
I really love fashion. I love experimenting and playing with trends. Part of my personal style involves taking risks in fashion, so it's important to me to have on something different. Even if I'm in a basic LBD, I'll be sure to add a statement shoe or bold accessory to stand out in the sea of other little black dresses. And finally...
3. Does this represent my own personal style?
As much as I love to play with styles, I know what feels like "me" and I make sure to stick to that. Personally, I avoid short and tight. I am attracted to neutrals over patterns. My preference is a nod to menswear instead of overly feminine. This doesn't mean I'll never stray from these guidelines (experimenting with other styles is part of the fun of fashion), but knowing my own personal style helps me to know what looks I'll confidently rock, especially when getting dressed in a hurry.

This dress from Rent the Runway, hits all three points. The scuba-like material is incredibly comfortable and is form fitting without being too tight. The side cut-out detail transforms this dress into something a little sexier than a standard pencil dress, creating a perfect date night look. And the modern silhouette is on trend, but still classic - representing my own personal style.

What do you look for when choosing a dress for an event? Do you follow any guidelines to make the decision easier? If you need help figuring out your own personal style, I can help.

dress: c/o rent the runway

clutch: vintage (similar here)

shoes: ann taylor (similar here)

earrings: thrifted (similar here)