Loving Lilac!

Loving Lilac by bbailey12 featuring Botkier bags

I've adopted lilac as my favorite color of spring! After I saw the Burberry runway show with the pastel trench coats, I immediately became obsessed! It's an amazingly flattering color on any skin tone and has such a feminine vibe and can be worn in a realistic way (as opposed to wearing all pink and looking like a Barbie doll). I am planning on wearing lilac nails throughout the summer and am looking forward to adding some of the pieces above to my soon-to-be mostly lilac wardrobe! I'm too giddy about my new "it" color to write too much more... I'd rather spend this time shopping for new garments!!!

Really? It's January???

Swimwear 2010 by bbailey12 featuring Missoni swimwear

I'm not quite sure where the time has gone, but I'd like to respectfully ask that it slow the eff down. We're racing towards February, and to most people it seems like a mundane month, but it holds a significant event for me... a cruise. That's right. I am going to Mexico where I will blind the world with my winter skin in an old bathing suit from last year... or will I? I've never bought into "New Year's Resolutions" until now. I am determined to be tan (or at least tanner than I am now) & find a new swimsuit to compliment my new glow. Problem is, where can you find a bathing suit mid-January??? Sure, there's Victoria's Secret, but (and I mean no offense to those who like it) that's not where I turn when I'm looking for a good bathing suit. Every time you turn around, you're likely to see another girl wearing the same thing, and I much prefer to be an individual. Finding the right suit with the right fit gives me a sense of individuality which in turn makes me confident. The Spring Runway shows are just kicking off in Brazil and won't be in stores for another few months. Along with that problem, the majority of suits are plain, and this year I've set my mind on lots of color & texture. I want to find the bikini that is super feminine, but doesn't cross the line into looking like a four year old would wear it. I've done some research and come up with a few options, should anyone else find themselves in this same boat.

1. Red Carter Core Bikini in Black at singer22.com - I love the simplicity of the black combined with the beading along the strap. The black bikini never goes out of style and looks good on every skin tone, and although black is common the cut of this suit makes it stand out against the others. I'm particularly fond of this one because of the cut of the bandeau top... it's not the run of the mill top that you see everyone wearing.

2. Ashley Paige at ashlepaige.com - although I couldn't find a great image to use other than this one, it's almost common knowledge that an Ashley Paige bikini is a Summer staple. Her hand knit bathing suits are soft, come in amazing colors, and have a fit that makes you feel like a model. Go look through her site and I guarantee you'll find something you love.

3. Bendito Crocante by Agua Bendita 2010 at swimwearboutique.com - After days of searching the internet trying to find a look that suited me (get it? suit? like a swimsuit? no? ok, sorry.) I found this brand on one of my favored sites, swimwearboutique.com. Their suits are brightly colored and are layered in frills and lace. I'm picky when it comes to those types of materials, but this little number above caught my eye. Instead of having pink as the base color like most of their other suits, this one has a nice Chinese Red canvas. The color itself made it more appealing to me because it turns it into something a grownup would wear, but it still has a nostalgic look to it.

4.Missoni Melbourne bandeau bikini at net-a-porter.com - Do I really need to elaborate on the genius that is Missoni? Probably not, but I will say that this bandeau is a nice change from the Aden cut that I am such a fan of. It has a kind of vintage vibe and I love the thickness of the top, rather than a thin bandeau that you always have to tug at to keep up! The colors are summery and fresh and I can't wait to get my hands on one!

5. Alas Acquaticae by Maaji 2010 at swimwearboutique.com - I have a new obsession and it is Maaji's swimwear line. Their lookbook is so stunning that I almost ordered one of everything. I realized why I love it so... It has an Alice in Wonderland vibe, and for those of you who don't know, I live my life by all things Alice. I settled on the Aloe Mesh bikini but wasn't able to find a photo suitable, so google it & tell me what you think. I love the cool hues this line uses and combines with intricate patterns and cuts. The best part of this line is that all of the suits are reversible! Contrasting patterns are found on each side, so you're guaranteed to have a plethora of looks come beach time.

6. Mara Hoffman Ruched Bottom Bikini & Chiffon Cover Up in Headdress Pink at singer22.com. Oh, Mara Hoffman, why do you do this to me? I find my dream swimsuit and you have to mess it up by making the bottom a Brazilian cut! I adore everything about this suit (which is saying something since I usually steer clear of anything pink), except that the bottom isn't enough to cover up even a Barbie dolls behind. I like to keep a sense of decorum on the beach, and I'm crushed that this suit doesn't fit with my modesty. But, I'm sure someone else will fall in love like I did and have the guts to strut around in it. In the meantime, I'm still going to order the coverup, which has an amazing t-back, and throw it on over a plain black bikini to give it a little color.

Styling for "The Business of Falling in Love" with Hilary Duff & Jaime Pressley

Business of Falling in Love by bbailey12 featuring Forever21

Items in this set:
Elizabeth and James t shirt, $90
Alexander Wang top, 60 GBP
Forever21 vest, $18
Stella McCartney jacket, 488 GBP
BCBGMAXAZRIA shoes, $102

A few weeks ago I just happened to stumble upon a chance to be an extra in Hilary Duff's new movie "The Business of Falling in Love," and I couldn't pass up the chance to get some experience on a set. It's no new news to learn that I want to be a stylist, and I saw this opportunity as one which would give me some extra insight and knowledge about the business.

Call time was at 6am and I just stumbled in wearing the outfit pictured on the left: Elizabeth and James oversized tee; American Apparel bodysuit; my fav Tolani scarf; House of Harlow pendant necklace; and my Chanel flats... I wore the outfit out of comfort, but little did I know I was going to be on camera in it! I was assigned to be an office worker, but the on set stylist stopped me and switched me to the role of one of the models. She said my style was "Uptown cool" and just wanted me to wear what I already had on. The setting of the scenes were in Cosmopolitan's offices (Hilary's character is trying to become a fashion writer). I was beyond flattered to say the least especially since I was considered fashionable enough to be a "model" for Cosmo!!! Then she made me whole day by telling the other "models" to change into outfits that resembled mine. Talk about a fashion ego boost! Naturally I had to lose the comfy flats and change into my painfully tall black platforms, but it was well worth it. That day proved to me that I was definitely cut out for being a stylist!(sidenote: while putting together the looks above, I ran across a picture of Hilary Duff wearing the exact same scarf I had on that day! What are the odds? We had a seen together and I felt like she was staring at me weirdly, so perhaps if was the fact that I was wearing almost the exact same outfit that she had on in the picture above! She probably thought I was a crazy person, but I really had never seen that picture before! What are the odds? I guess she just has great taste, too!)

A few extras were kept for a few more scenes & my second look was more toned down. I went with American Apparel shiny leggings; a black Alezander Wang T tank; black Bamford satin blazer; grey & black striped Forever 21 swing vest; House of Harlow pendant necklace; a vintage multi-strand gold necklace; and Melani black & gold patent zipper boots. I threw on a black sequin beret just to keep the outfit from getting too boring. It won't be seen in the movie because we were filmed behind a frosted window pane of a conference room and were just being used to keep movement in the background. Too bad... it was a cute look!

Belated Halloween Costumes!

Halloween by bbailey12 featuring Vera Wang dresses

So my husband isn't really a fan of dressing up for Halloween... I , on the other hand, am obsessed with it! It took me a while to come up with a set of costumes we could wear together while making him still feel comfortable. Then it hit me... Kanye West & Taylor Swift at the VMAs! I already had a dress similar to hers that I bought at a Vera Wang Sample Sale and have no where else to wear it, so that was a major bonus because that would have been the most expensive part. It was almost too easy... He already had jeans and black shoes, so all I needed to buy was the Kanye shutter glasses ($7 at Hot Topic), a bottle of Hennessy to carry around, and a fake microphone (from a Halloween store). With Taylor's look a like dress already in my closet, I was pretty much set. I found some old shoes I had worn with another formal dress, bought some rhinestone bracelets and earrings and was good to go. The MoonMan was what worried me, but I had a bright idea... I could make it out of tinfoil! Sure it wouldn't be a perfect replica, but everyone would know what it was and the outfits were so funny that no one would have cared! I'm already Taylor's height and we have the same hair color and length, so all I needed to do was curl my hair and put it in a messy bun. Top it off with some red lip stain and I would be set. The key to making the outfits funny was to act just like they did--- "Kanye" needed to yell and act like a wild child while and "Taylor" just stood next to him looking frightened/confused and clutching her tinfoil moonman). I'm still really proud of my lightbulb idea & just wanted to share my creative moment with you! Hope you got a laugh out of this thought because I sure did!

My Fashion Must-Haves: Inspired by Mary Kate

Mary Kate by bbailey12 on Polyvore.com

Yeah, I know a lot of people mock Mary Kate Olsen for some of her eccentric looks, but I have no problem admitting that I am a huge fan of her fashion forward thinking. Sure, sometimes she looks like she woke up in a garbage can, but who hasn't had one of those days in the past? The tabloids obviously print the most absurd outfits so that more people will read their magazines, but what about the cool cutting edge outfits that she rocks the other 99% of the time? What I admire most her the Olsen twins' mind-set of "We don't care what you think." It isn't about pleasing anyone else, rather it's about what they feel artistically inspired to wear and what makes them feel good. I relate to that feeling by living in an area where fashion trends don't catch on until years later. By being in the moment & wearing what I feel is current and makes me look good, I've gotten a lot of looks and comments. So, I would like to focus on MK's looks & attitudes towards wearing creative ensembles, while still keeping it to something that can be worn in the real world... because not all of us have billions of $$$ and live the Hollywood lifestyle where almost anything goes.

1. Slim Cut Black Pants - these classic staples should be stocked in bulk. From leather, satin, cotton, and denim: there is NEVER enough in your closet. I repeat, never enough. They slim you down and when you're shorter (like MK) a slim cut lengthens your legs. On top of that, they go with everything. The ultimate in versatility! From day to night, the same pair of pants can do it all.

2. Plaids - mostly thrown over jean shorts in the summer time, this look is perfect for fall & winter as well. An over sized plaid shirt over leggings gives the appearance of being effortlessly cool. The Olsen's Elizabeth & James line has tons of over sized plaid shirts that range up to $200 and I have invested in a few, but for those days where I really don't want to wear my nicer pieces I bought several men's plaid shirts at sporting goods stores for around $20 each. They don't fit the female form as well, so I simply belt them to give myself a little shape. It's economical & they have a ton more selection of colors & prints.

3. Big Black Sunglasses - yes, I understand that most guys are against the trend & many people say it isn't flattering, but if Jackie O wore them, then I'm always going to be on board. It's that high class chic vibe they give off that I adore. They are also life savers on those days where I don't have time to put on make-up. I don't understand how anyone can live without them.

4. Leather Jackets - another piece that MK wears constantly, as do I. A leather jacket takes a plain black outfit and really gives it an edge. I'm a fan of jackets with a lot of metal hardware to give a little texture and pop to the look. They are such tough pieces, but have the chic quality to them. Always an eye catcher!

5. Black Boots/Booties/Platforms- so the Olsens are very short girls... I am the exact opposite. At 5'11" I spent most of my life in flats, but I finally have turned that around and now constantly wear heels. I decided not to let my height restrict my fashion choices. The one thing that I almost always do is buy shoes in black. For every pair of brown shoes I own, I have 3 black pairs. They don't go out of style and go with practically everything in my closet. Sure, my husband complains and says they all look alike, but when I want peep toes for a cocktail party, or platforms for going out, I'm all set.

6. Hats - an easy fix when you need a little color or your just too tired to try and fix your hair. A cool beret will always set you apart without making too big of a statement. My favorite that I constantly wear is a black matte sequin beret. It gives my outfits a bit of shimmer & adds this cool 1990's Brenda Walsh vibe to my look. Plus, on a bad hair day, a hat is a complete life saver!!!

7. MOST IMPORTANTLY: WHEN IN DOUBT, WEAR BLACK- Look at her pictures... even when MK isn't wearing all black she's in dark jewel tones. Maybe its because I'm fair skinned and can't pull of most bright colors, but I strongly believe in the majority of my wardrobe being black. You just can't go wrong with it. I can wear most of my black clothing to work & then transform it into something completely fun & different for night. Example: Oversized black tshirt with dress pants, black pumps, and a black boyfriend blazer for work... same shirt, switch the pants for leggings, keep the shoes, ditch the blazer and add a ton of gold bangles and you're ready for the night. It's all about accessorizing when you're wearing all black, and I happen to be an accessory junkie. I'd rather blow a lot of money on a bag and jewelry than clothing. And wearing all black allows me to layer a lot more bracelets, wear bright colored purses, and more funky shoes. The best part is that black never goes out of style or out of season, so you can invest more money into key pieces that you'll be likely to use for years to come.


So thanks, MK, for being an inspiration and always wearing what you feel regardless of what others think or say. I think that is an admirable quality that is hard to find these days, and while I don't always agree with your fashion choices (but mostly I do), I highly respect your boldness & consistency in being true to yourself. Because nothing looks better on a girl than confidence.

My team may have lost, but at least I look cooler than you...

Weekend Wardrobe by bbailey12 featuring LnA

For those people who weren't blessed enough to have attended an SEC school, allow me to give you some insight into our world:
1. We are the most intensely competitive people you will ever encounter... EVER.
2. We love football. We're obsessed. Beyond obsessed. (And, no, you and your conference are no where near as good as we are. Don't even try to argue it. You know it, so just accept it.)

With those things in mind, allow me to tell you how I cope with losing a huge rivalry... I dress to kill. Shallow? Maybe. Fun? Of course. Confidence booster? Definitely!

I'm an Auburn girl and my brother goes to LSU, so on top of a football rivalry, I have to deal with a sibling rivalry as well. The AU/LSU game was played this past weekend and I knew we were going to be destroyed. Instead of focusing my efforts on harassing the other team, I just decided I would out-dress them and make all their sorority girls stare in envy.

It totally worked.

I went with a classic white Deep V-neck LNA shirt (as seen on Mary Kate Olsen) with their zipper skirt in Noir (which is the wet looking black color shown on the model above). I was torn between my black satin Bamford blazer and my black Theory leather motorcycle jacket, but the cool weather made up my mind for me, and the leather jacket was just warm enough to keep me from freezing. The leather paired with all of its silver hardware gave the look a tougher edge and really took the outfit to a higher level. A pair of tights and studded platform clogs completed the look by mixing together a conservative piece with an out of the ordinary shoe choice. It's all about combining very traditional pieces (white t-shirt) with more eye catching items (tight, shiny skirt) in order to maintain a nice balance.

The people from the great state of Louisiana seemed highly confused with my fashionable choice, but I knew that it looked good and I stand by my decision to step out of the box and wear something a little more creative than the Southeastern region is used to. Mostly, I think it was the LnA skirt and clogs that threw them for a loop, but those were my favorite pieces.

At the end of the night, I already considered myself a winner. Naturally we were going to lose the next day (and did, in fact, do just that), but all that mattered to me was that I came in that city looking like a champion. Veni, Vidi, Vici.

PS- The next day at the game, I was shown on ESPN... although our team has terrible colors (burnt orange and navy blue), I still show my pride. I love the leather jacket because my dad had it made for me in Brazil! Couture gameday clothing! The video is in slow motion for some reason so it might look a little odd... Have a look! http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/video.php?v=759003064681

A lesson from my great grandfather... Walk softly and always carry an awesome cardigan!

I'm really lucky to have been able to spend a lot of time with my great-grandparents. Most people don't get that chance & not only did I have it, but I got to be with them countless afternoons when school was out for the day. They lived directly across from the school and would walk over to pick me up so that my mother could continue her incessant errand running. I was over at their house all the time while I was in school there,and that private time without my little brother or cousins running around stealing my spotlight is what taught me a lot about about myself and what I liked. (This may sound too deep for a fashion blog, but this is really going somewhere, I promise!). I came to realize that there were two things I loved that my great grandfather had introduced me to: #1 Black Jelly Beans & #2 old men's cardigans.

I hope that by the end of this fall, I will have at least one person refer to me as "the girl thats always wearing a cardigan." I am a firm believer in carrying a cardigan with me at all times. That was a valuable lesson that I learned from my great grandfather. He never went anywhere without one. It didn't matter if it was 95 degrees outside, somewhere within arm's reach was always a cardigan. My habit of always being cold usually resulted in my tiny 4 year old frame being draped in one of his beloved sweaters. He had no idea at the time, but he was creating a monster.

I now have an obsession with cardigans in all colors, lengths, cuts, and styles. I think this passion has become even more aggressive as I have figured out ways to wear them at any given time or event. Around the house... Sure! Out to dinner... Throw on some huge jewlery and its all good! During the day... I always go for a baggy look and pair it with an amazing bag and tons of bracelets!

Above, I've picked out some of my favorite pieces that show how versatile these sweaters can be. From chains and pailettes to ornate buttons and cool patterns, there are tons of options available for any type of fashionista. Click on the image to further explore my selections... I would go into detail, but frankly I'm curled up in a cardigan on my couch and am too comfortable to do anything else :)