hey girly! we’re doing things a bit different for this weeks blog post, you get to hear from me… elsa’s summer intern.

now let me introduce myself. my name is maria and i came all the way from dallas, texas to spend my summer interning in nyc. and what a great learning experience it was!

unfortunately, this is my last week here and my last week with elsa.

and since we’re on the topic of good things coming to an end, this also marks the last week of our summer staples month (double sad face).

so get ready, cause this week i get to tell you about shorts, shorts, and more shorts!

shorts are a great way to keep cool, while showing off your legs in the summer. but maybe you’re looking for something more than your plain old denim shorts to throw on this year.

here’s what’s been trending this season in the shorts arena:

1. leather
2. scalloped trim
3. floral print shorts
4. embroidered

here are some basic points to remember when picking out your new pair of short(s)

*stay away from shorts that add extra volume to your mid-section through bulky waistbands or pleats.

• if you’re a jennifer lopez or halle berry shape, avoid pockets that pucker/stick out or prints that add volume to your hip area
• fit is also something to keep in mind while shopping. the fit should not be too tight
• pick a length that you are comfortable with…not too short and not too; long. shorts that end near the knee cut your body in half.  i usually like to keep my shorts slightly above finger tip length.
• pick the pair of shorts that accentuate your curves and make you look and feel your best

below are some fabulous options chosen just for you!

so feel free to look hot and stay cool this summer, starting now…

1) leather

option 1

option 2

2) scalloped trim

option 1

option 2

3) floral print

option 1

option 2

4) embroidered

option 1

option 2

do you have any of the 4 trends in your closet now? or maybe you have your eyes set on one of them? either way, let me know!

question: how often do you pay attention to the lines on those oh-so-cute sandals you pick up in stores?

just because they look cute off your feet doesn’t mean they’ll look cute on your feet.

you have to pay just as close attention to the lines and cuts of your shoes (and in this case sandals) as you do with your clothes.

i know it may be easy to overlook what goes down on your feet, but how you dress those pretty feet has a direct impact on whether or not you look shorter or taller.

since i assume you’d rather appear taller, here are some points to remember the next time you’re out sandal shopping.

avoid sandals with:

• a lot of frills
• overbearing flowers or decorative items
• ties that wrap around your legs or ankles
• so much material they cover up the majority of your feet (the more skin you can show the better)

streamlined is the name of this foot game.

here are pics of a few great looking sandals and options available for purchase right next to them!

have you done inventory of your sandals recently? how many of them actually look good on your feet and help add height to your frame? if you don’t know, now is the perfect time to look over your collection

i’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that i think one of the most beloved summer time accessories has got to be sunglasses.

and i say for good reason!

not only are they fun, but they’re very personal and have the ability to say so much about your personality.

sunglasses are the perfect way to add a bit of  flare to your overall look with minimal effort.

if you’re into shades, you may have noticed every year, there are usually a few styles that stand out more than the rest.

and because i love you, i’m giving you a quick rundown of the top 3 sunglass styles you should definitely check out this summer!

Style 1: The Cat Eye

option #1

option #2

Style 3: The Round/Circle

option #1

option #2

Style 2: The Oversized Square/Wayfarer’s

option #1

option #2

so feel free to plan a shopping date and have fun checking out these 3 hot styles!

remember to pay close attention to your face shape in relation to the style of sunglasses.

also, since it’s usually pretty difficult to get a clear vision of your self wearing sunglasses, take a picture of yourself (or have someone take one of you) while you have them on.

and if you have a style of sunglasses you swear by, please share and let me know below

it’s week 2 of my july summer essentials special, and this week we look at maxi dresses!

maxi dresses are everywhere right now and for good reason. they ‘re an easy pick for the summer heat because they’re comfy, breezy and can still be chic.

but as you know, you have to choose carefully. first based on your body shape and second based on your personality.

let’s review the best options for each body shape shall we?!

Cameron Diaz

look for:

-defined waistline

-any volume that gives the illusion of hour-glass shape

-any graphic detail that gives the illusion of hour-glass shape

-kaftan styles that can be worn with skinny belts

option #1

option #2

option #3

Angelina Jolie + Naomi Campbell

look for:

-defined waistline

-any volume on bottom half that balances out width of shoulders

-avoid halter strap style dresses

-pleated skirt is a great option for you

option #1

option #2

option #3

Jennifer Lopez

look for:

-defined waistline

-v-neckline or interesting detail around neckline

-try and keep darker colors on bottom half

option #1

option #2

option #3

Halle Berry

look for:

-defined waistline

-open neckline/ v-neckline

-any wrap style bodice

-keep volume to a minimal… styles that fit closer to your body are best

option #1

option #2

option #3

do you have any maxi dresses in your closet now? how do they measure up with the guidelines for your body shape? could any of them be altered to make them fit better?

let me know in the comments below. and of course if you have any questions, feel free to ask and i’ll get back to you

guess what beautiful?! it’s officially summer!

and guess what else that means?! a lot of fun in the sun and of course swimsuit season!

now i know for some of us, the mere mention of swimsuits, sends us into panic mode.

but you know i don’t like it when you panic, so i wanted to offer you a little peace of mind today with a swimsuit guide for your body shape!

below, you’ll find some fabulous finds that will accentuate your gorgeous body in all the right places.

after you have the guidelines for your shape down,  don’t forget to put your personality into your selection too. if that bright neon swimsuit is the perfect compliment to your bubbly personality than go for it! or if you prefer something more classy and simple stick with that classic black one piece.

P.S. if you don’t know what your body shape is, just enter your measurements into the calculator just to the right of these words and find out instantly!

Angelina Jolie Shape

goal: minimize your tummy area and accentuate your bust

what to look for: v-neck line, ruching  and strong straps and ruching are you friends! the ruching will make you look slimmer and those straps will help keep your girls up!

option 1

option 2

option 3

Naomi Campbell Shape

goal: balance bottom half with your top half and define your waist

what to look for: swimsuits with belts or faux belts, graphic detail that creates curves on your bottom half and straps that sit away from the edge of your shoulders.

option 1

option 2

Jennifer Lopez Shape

goal: balance top  half with your bottom half and define your waist

what to look for: embellishments/details on your top half and in the neckline, and keep it simple, dark  and embellishment free on the bottom

option 1

option 2

Cameron Diaz Shape

goal: to define their waist and create curves

what to look for: paneling, directional lines + graphics that help create the illusion of curves and defines the waist

option 1

option 2

Halle Berry Shape

goal: highlight your waist + curves

what to look for: v-necklines, lower waisted bikini bottoms/higher cut one piece bottoms and paneling that mimics your curves

option 1

option 2

have you been swimsuit shopping yet? or maybe you already own an amazing swimsuit that does all the right things.

either way, please tell me about it! what brands have you found work best for your shape?

they say all good things must come to an end, and this post my beauty, marks the last post of my accessories month series

but fret not, cause i’m featuring something pretty juicy today… hair accessories!

this is one trend that i really love, because it can literally be worn by anyone and adds the perfect element of interest to any look.

by now you know the drill, so let’s start by taking a look at some styles for the petite + delicate fist shall we?

if you happen to:

• be petite framed
• be 5’3″ and shorter
• have small hands + wrists (bangles tend to fall off your wrist)
  
• like more classic pieces
• be the strong silent type

i recommend you stick with hair accessories that are more delicate + personal, and then layer them to add element of interest.
here are some examples:

shop for delicate bracelets + rings:

hair clip

headband

chain hair clip

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if your style tends to be on the bold + trendy side, here are some guidelines to  help you determine if you can pull off more statement pieces:

• you’re 5’4? + taller
• your wrists + hands are not dainty
• you are not petite
  

the personality traits that best suit the bold + trendy hair look, are:

• you like to have fun + experiment with your wardrobe
• you have a flare for unique + funky things
• you’re outgoing + energetic

shop for bold + trendy hair accessories:

headband 1

headband 2

head wrap

so that’s a wrap on accessories! did this series help you in making more confident choices with your accessories?

if so, will you tell me about it below? and if not, was there an accessory i missed that you’d like to know more about?

we’re in week 2 of accessories month and this week i’m going to show you how to wear hand accessories

if you love the chunky watch, bracelet + ring look, here are some guidelines to  help you determine if your frame can pull it off:

• you’re 5’4? + taller
• your wrists + hands are not dainty
• you are not petite
  

the personality traits that best suit the chunky arm + hand accessory look, is the same as the statement necklace look form last week:

• you like to have fun + experiment with your wardrobe
• you have a flare for unique + funky things
• you’re outgoing + energetic

shop for chunky watches, bracelets + rings:

watch

bracelet

bracelet 2

ring

if you happen to:

• be petite framed
• 5’3? and shorter
• have small hands + wrists (bangles tend to fall off your wrist)
  
• like more classic pieces
• be the strong silent type

i recommend you stick with watches, bracelets + rings that are more delicate + personal, and then layer them to add element of interest.
here are some examples:

shop for delicate bracelets + rings:

bracelet

ring

watch

ring to wrist bracelet

which style are you? i’m definitely on the delicate side.

sometimes you may be a in the middle somewhere, so it’s important to always consider proportions and to experiment.

if you have a question about any of this, let me know in the comments section below.

“how do i wear accessories?”

it’s seriously one of the most asked questions i get.
aaaand i’m not gonna lie, it’s a tough question to answer because there are a lot of layers + variables.

but, i’ve decided to make the month of may accessories month, yay!

but what the heck does that mean?

well, it means that for the rest of may, i will post tips on how to wear a different accessory each week.

as you may have already guessed, this week’s accessory is necklaces!

you may have noticed a bunch of women wearing bold chunky necklaces, and wondered if you could pull off a similar look.
a statement necklace is a pretty dramatic piece and it has the potential to completely wow an ordinary outfit, but can just as easily overwhelm one also.

remember, it’s all about proportion.

will the frame of your body be able to pull off the weight + boldness of a statement necklace?

here are some general guidelines on how to tell:

• you’re 5’4″ + taller
• your torso is not too short
  
• you don’t have a short neck

and don’t forget, your personality plays a role in this too.
here are some personality traits that would make you an ideal candidate for statement necklaces:

• you like to have fun + experiment with your wardrobe
• you have a flare for unique + funky things
• you’re outgoing + energetic

you may be thinking ‘well i don’t fit any of the things above, what should i wear?’

glad you asked!

if you happen to:

• be petite framed
• 5’3″ and shorter
• like more classic pieces
• be the strong silent type

i recommend you stick with necklaces that are more delicate + personal, and then layer them to add element of interest.
here are some examples:

which style of necklaces do you feel would suit you best? and if you have any questions, post them in the comments section below!

i know you’re totally excited about spring FINALLY having sprung (you are excited aren’t you??).

i also know that this is usually a complicated time between you and your closet.

you want nothing more than to ditch all your heavy + bulky items, for the light + airy ones that have been dying to bust free from hiding, for the past 6 months now.

but there’s just one little problem…. the current 50 degree weather outside is not exactly conducive to maxi dress and sandal attire.

so what’s an anxious spring fashionista to do you ask?

glad you asked

here’s the plan:

1. ditch your winter coat for a lighter spring-appropriate version

2. layer, layer, and layer some more

• cardigan w/button up shirt

• blazer or jacket w/ sweater & button up shirt

• scarves

• skirts and dresses w/tights & booties

3. add a spring/summer color or item

and here’s a little visual spring wardrobe inspiration for you…

BTW how ready is your wardrobe? what’s your biggest challenge with spring style?

*photos courtesy of www.eonline.com + www.streetfasionmonitor.com

today’s post is completely inspired by my friend Jennifer’s question. and since i’m so excited to talk about this topic, i say we dive right in!

clothes can get really expensive.
and at some point you may have wondered which items are actually worth the extra money.

well, let me help you with that!

here’s a list of 5 items i think are totally worth the extra dineros:

the fabulous handbag

i’m a bit of snob when it comes to this item. if you’re serious about making an effort with your style, then the quality of your handbag should be non-negotiable. a cheap looking bag can take an outfit from a 10 to a 2, in no time flat. so please, invest a good amount of time and money here and select a higher end bag.

sample price: $395
cost per wear if worn 182 days of the year: $2.17

the glam winter coat

although i prefer not to ever have to wear one, NYC winters don’t make that a possibility. so to those of us that have to endure frigid temperatures for 4 months of the year and are forced to wear a winter coat, finding one that is both warm and cute will require a little extra moula.

sample price: $990 (mackage coat pictured)
cost per wear if worn 100 days of the year: $9.90

the sexy black/navy dress pant

how can a dress pant be sexy you ask? well, let me tell you… impeccable tailoring! it’s all in the fit my love, and the brands that spend & invest a lot of time + money studying the art of well fitting clothes have to recoup that cost in the price of the garment.

sample price: $298 (moschino dress pants pictured)
cost per wear if worn 100 days of the year: $2.98

the perfect pair of blue jeans

im pretty sure you know this already, but there’s a world of difference between inexpensive generic jeans and designer brand jeans. quality of fabric and construction just to name a few. but grabbing any designer brand name alone won’t guarantee you the perfect fit. you’ll have to really spend some time trying on several brands before finding the perfect pair. 9 times out of 10, those pair of jeans will cost about $150 and up… don’t let that deter you. proceed to the checkout counter in confidence, cause it will definitely be one of your best purchases. oh and you’ll wear the hell out of those jeans!

sample price: $187 (j. brand jeans pictured)
cost per wear if worn 150 days of the year: $1.25

the go-with-everything pair of heels/boots

one of the items i seem to have the biggest difficulty with is shoes/boots. you see my feet are picky and can’t really handle being in heels for long periods of time (i.e. anything longer than 20mins), and i refuse to sacrifice comfort for the sake of cute shoes… and neither should you. after all, its really not cute to be in shoes you can barely walk in. in addition to comfort, having a pair (or 2; 1 black pair + 1 nude pair) of heels/boots that can be easily paired with almost anything in your wardrobe will prove to be more convenient than you’ll ever know. and btw high end designer shoes/boots last waaaaay longer than cheapy ones.

paying more upfront for items like these, really does pay off in the long run, and the peace of mind that comes with investing in high quality pieces that not only look good but feel good also, allows you to wear items confidently.

is there a big ticket item you’ve been eyeing but afraid to bite the bullet on? lets talk about it below and maybe i can help answer any questions you have