الاثنين، 30 يونيو 2014

DENIM DAYS


Good morning, Everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend! Do you ever feel like you have a split personality when it comes to style? Because I certainly do! One side favors very pretty, girly pieces like fit-and-flare dresses, full midi skirts, pastel colors and lace and the other side is all about ease, comfort and simplicity. Funny thing is, I really never know which personality is going to show up until I wake up in the morning and suddenly get an urge to wear my most comfortable pair of boyfriend jeans. 



Well, clearly my jean-loving side is having a moment:) In fact, right about now, I feel like if I had to choose one outfit to wear for the rest of the Summer, this would be it. Boyfriend jeans, a tailored blazer and a pair of heels. Yes, I realize that high heels are not necessarily synonymous with comfort, but since I hardly ever wear flats, this particular pair is my version of comfy shoes:) 

So, I suppose I should warn in advance, since I am extremely dedicated to my jean-moment, you may be seeing quite a bit of them on this blog in the near future. Hope you don't mind!:)






Reed Krakoff Boxer tote { also love this very pretty version in soft blue on SALE here } | Helmut Lang twisted blazer | IRO Keazan jeans | Assali Ghysele beaded top | Saint Laurent Jane leather ankle strap sandals | J Crew pearl open bangle & contoured spike cuff Dior Mise en Dior earrings | Wet & Wild nail polish in I need a Refresh - Mint

Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE,
Annabelle

الجمعة، 27 يونيو 2014

BLOOMING BLUES


Good morning and happy Friday, Everyone! As you can see, I am back in my Summer uniform, i.e. embellished tank and a pair of cute shorts. To be quite honest with you, I can't imagine my Summer wardrobe without these effortless and timeless key pieces that easily transition from work to play. What can I say, I simply can't resist great Summer separates and these Karen Kane shorts and tank definitely have the easy, laid-back SoCal appeal I always look for in my staples. Though normally I am a big fan of solid colors, lately I noticed more and more prints find their way into my closet. Case in point, a pair of spanish tile printed shorts I am wearing in this post. From the moment I spotted them in a store, I fell in love with this absolutely lovely white and blue geometric & floral print. Suppose I am a bit partial since white and blue just happen to be two of my favorite colors but I also think that this particular combination is really versatile and pairs beautifully with a variety of other colors and prints. 



Since, I had a few meetings in the morning, I wanted to create a slightly dressier look. So I paired the shorts with a palm sequin tank (the palm print is slightly reminiscent of the print on shorts, no? ), a soft white blazer and a pair of sky-high heels. I completed this look with pearl jewelry and an oversized navy tote. 

What about you guys? What are your Summer staples?










Karen Kane spanish tile print shorts & palm sequin tank | Helmut Lang twisted blazer | Saint Laurent Jane leather ankle strap sandals | Dior Mise en Dior earrings | J Crew pearl open bangle | Navy tote - old { cute options here & here } 


Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE,
Annabelle

الأربعاء، 25 يونيو 2014

COLD SHOULDER // HANGING OUT ON MELROSE


Hello Everyone! How is your week going so far! I just wanted to take this opportunity to share a few of my favorite spots on Melrose Place, since I tend to spend so much time there and talk about it on this blog:) Well, the first thing Emil and I do when we get there is head straight to Alfred Coffee & Kitchen for some cappuccino and croissants. I may have mentioned before that I have a weakness for cappuccino and the one from Alfred Coffee is my absolute favorite at the moment. Another reason I think why we like Alfred Coffee so much, is because of the cute little sitting area outside. Both Emil and I always have our laptops with us and prefer to do our work outside. Don't really know why, but we are much more productive this way:) Once we get our caffeine fix, we tend to wonder around a bit, which inevitably leads to shopping. Well, at least it does for me:) I fully admit Emil may be a little less enthusiastic about this part! 


Though there are a few stores I usually frequent, my current favorite is Elodie K. I first discovered it when my friend Belen was visiting me from Spain. We popped in to look at shoes and I think we both pretty much fell in love. For me, it was definitely seeing all of my current obsessions in one place! You know how I feel about Sophia Webster heels and Illesteva sunnies, but Elodie K also has a really good selection of Sara Battaglia bags, floowy dresses and absolutely extraordinary beautiful jewelry (some of which I am wearing in today's post). At this particular moment I am lusting over at least 3 pairs of sandals and 4 bags! What can I say - shoes & bags are definitely my weakness:)

Emil and I shot a few of these images at Croft Alley, a new restaurant opening on Melrose Place in a few weeks. We got the opportunity to check out the space and get a bit of a tour. Warm and rustic, the space looks and feels incredibly inviting. So, if you are a fan of Melrose, I definitely suggest checking it out! 
















Sunday St Tropez off the shoulder resort dress | Sara Battaglia bag { also love this clutch option } | Sophia Webster Mila sandals | Illesteva Leonard sunglasses | Elodie K Angel Wing earrings, Bite Me chain wrap bracelet and Bling Me diamond & chain ring  

Also Pictured :: Paula Cademartori Kate Cirque bag |  Sophia Webster Mila sandals in black | Anna-Karin Karlsson Chasing Daisies sunglassesPaula Cademartori petite Faye Venice Sky bag 

Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE,
Annabelle 


الاثنين، 23 يونيو 2014

THE FINE PRINT :: CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPPING GENIUS

Good morning, Everyone! I hope your week is going great so far! I am so excited to share yet another post from my year-long collaboration with Nordstrom Rack as part of #ShopGenius campaign. 

Every month, Nordstrom Rack highlights new trends and the month of June is all about bohemian-chic, characterized by graphic prints, stacked statement jewelry, soft neutrals and of course my personal favorite - jumpsuits!:) Why do I love jumpsuits so much, you ask? Well, because I think they are that quintessential must-have item no Summer wardrobe can go without. Completely versatile, you can take a jumpsuit to the beach or to cocktail hour, paired together with a tailored blazer and some cute heels. So naturally, when I thought about styling a perfectly effortless, bohemian-inspired look, a jumpsuit was the first thing that came to mind. I got this gorgeous graphic-printed Juicy Couture number at NordstromRack.com for 50% OFF + FREE SHIPPING and definitely had another one of those "YAY" moments! Cause I don't know about you guys, but I am definitely a bit of a shopping thrill-seeker and get really excited when I find something I love at a really great price. Now, I did mention why I like jumpsuits ( or it's mini version - the romper ) in general but the reason why I love this one in particular is... and here comes my confession of a shopping genius... I Believe in Fine Print!:) Though I do occasionally wear big & bold prints, normally I favor the softer & finer prints for their wearability and understated elegance. How about you guys? Bold or Understated? 

P.S. I would love to hear about your amazing finds at Nordstrom Rack! So, please share your saves & steels on @NordstromRack Instagram using hashtag #ShopGenius, and who knows, you may just find yourself featured on Nordstrom Rack Instagram page!











Juicy Couture Geo Del Mar romper via Nordstrom Rack | Levi's bleached denim jacket { similar here } | IRO Saresha sandals { super cute laser cut out wedge option here } | A.P.C. beige nubuck bucket bag { also love this Abaco messenger } | J Crew Panama hat { cute option in straw here } 


This post was brought to you by Nordstrom Rack. 

Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE,
Annabelle

الخميس، 19 يونيو 2014

BLUSH N' BLUE


Hello Everyone! How is your week going so far? I am sure you remember my friend Belen from B* a La Moda, who was visiting me from Spain in May. Well, while she was here we ended up attending an EXPRESS event together and getting the same pair of jeans. So, naturally we decided we simply had to do one of our collaborative posts! In case you have forgotten, Belen and I did a few of those last year { see  here, here, here & here }. 

THE CHALLENGE: This time around, our challenge was to create a cute everyday look based around a pair of Express jeans, showing out individual approach to dressy/casual style. 





MY LOOK: I wanted to create a look based on my favorite jeans, blazer and high heels combo. Since I am absolutely adore the combination of blue and blush, I paired my jeans with a blush silk blazer and a pair of matching patent pumps. To add a bit of drama to this look, I added a striped embellished tee and a fun Panama hat. I finished the look by adding a few layered bracelets and rings, because as you know, for me no look is complete without a bit of jewelry:) 








BELEN'S LOOK: Now onto Belen's look:) I absolutely love the way she paired her Express jeans with a graphic white tee and a pair of strappy heels in a matching color! A have a bit of a weakness for a great graphic tee, and this palm-print one is the cutest one I've seen lately by far! She completed her look with a pair of sunnies and a shoulder bag in my favorite shade of muted turquoise. 








EXPRESS mid rise destroyed ankle jean legging | J CREW Panama hat & top { similar here & here } | Chanel Boy flap bag | Dolce & Gabbana Kate patent leather pumps | Truth & Pride silk blazer { similar option here & here } | Vita Fede Capri 5 wrap bracelet | Tiffany & Co Atlas open ring 

Please CLICK HERE for Belen's outfit details and see her complete look! 

Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE,
Annabelle