Ladi Like

5 Days of Beach Style: Day 3

2013-06-19T09:03:00.000-04:00

Day 3: Totes Amaze in Chambray

Shop The Look:

Miss Selfridge shirt / Arden B. palazzo pant / Charlotte Russe bra top / Sam Edelman mint wedges / Sperry Top-Sider leather tote

5 Days of Beach Style: Day 2

2013-06-18T09:59:00.000-04:00

Day 2: Cocoon-a Matata (It Means...No Worries! I'm styling in my cocoon coverup!)

Shop The Look:

Mara Hoffman cocoon swim wrap / Rachel Comey high waist bottom / Melissa Odabash swimwear / Leather flip flops / Straw hat

Ladi Like Vacation + 5 Days of Beach Style

2013-06-17T09:53:00.000-04:00

By the time you read this post, I will likely be lying on the beach. Yep, I'm on VACATION!!!! I'm taking a much needed break from work and day to day stress--but not from blogging (well, not completely lol). While I was shopping for packing for my trip, I also took the time to put together some beach ready looks to get you readers ready for Summer--which I like to call Swim Season!
I'll be back next week to share my actual vacation looks (although my Instagram followers will already have the heads up!), but for now get ready for 5 Days of Beach Style!

Day 1: Get Graphic

Shop The Look:

Comic book shirt / Norma Kamali retro style swimsuit / Sarong cover up / Cat eye sunglasses / Short shorts

Ladilike Style: Live In Shorts

2013-06-14T09:46:00.000-04:00

I've never been a shorts girl. A few years ago you couldn't catch me in a pair of shorts. I remember in college a group of my girls all decided to wear shorts to a party on a whim, but none of us owned a pair so we spent the whole day shopping. Over time my style has evolved and now I am quick to throw on a pair of shorts on a hot day and I absolutely adore the variety of styles and prints available.

These white scalloped hem shorts are the definition of ladilike. They are gorgeous on their own, but they are downright droolworthy when paired with a lightweight patterned blazer.

While the first look skews a bit dressy, the center look features the quintessential "daisy dukes." Everyone and their mama had a pair of these super short shorts back in the day...even me! Paired with a cropped sweatshirt, this look is urban chic. Rihanna would be proud.

You all know I am a sucker for a global print so of course I had to feature a printed short. This pair is the perfect blend of a fun design with classic tailored with the front pleated detail, so I completed the look with a funky pair of heels (or metallic flats) and a crisp white blazer.

Will you be living in shorts this Summer?

My Little Secrets Lace Front Update

2013-06-12T09:10:00.000-04:00

This lace front wig is still going strong! I wore it nonstop for the first month after I got it and then alternated wearing a week of my natural hair and a week of the wig. Today I wanted to give you all an update on how I'm caring for and styling the wig.

Read more »

Little Red Dress OOTD

2013-06-10T09:01:00.000-04:00

Dress: Express (similar) / Clutch: The Limited (similar) / Sandals: Chinese Laundry (cute option) / Watch: Fossil / Earrings: World Market / Bracelet: BCBGeneration

A few weeks ago I had a day out with the boys--my fiance and a group of his old high school buddies. Normally I don't tag along on boys night out, but they were going to see Fast & The Furious 6 and I LOVE a good action movie (or any movie starring The Rock for that matter) so there I was. As the sole female in the group, I had to balance out all that testosterone with a little femininity. This little is so cute with its three-quarter length sleeves and tulip hem, and it is cotton (like a burnout tee, but thicker) so it is so comfortable--even after eating a philly cheesesteak and onion rings! #dontjudgeme lol

Ladi Like Style: Tribal Glam

2013-06-07T09:04:00.000-04:00

Ladi Like Style 1

I fell in love with printed top and even though I had the self control not to buy it, that didn't stop me from styling it! I tried my hand at print mixing with these multi-colored, multi-print sandals accessorized with a crisp white clutch and bold yet simple jewelry. What do you think of the look? Let me know in the comments!

Doing Too Much OOTD

2013-06-04T08:55:00.000-04:00

Top: Asos / Jeans: Old Navy / Flats: Sole Society / Bag: Steve Madden

I was told that this shirt was "doing too much." I disagree. Ain't nothing wrong with a little geometric pattern, especially one that goes great with my new(ish) cute little flats :)

Tribal Crop Top (+ Style Me Friday Link Up)

2013-06-01T19:23:00.001-04:00

I have really come a long way from the Big Fat Summer Challenge of last Summer. Back then I owned no crop tops--just one cropped cardigan. This year, I've been slightly obsessed with crop tops and have bought quite a few to pair with skirts and high-waisted bottoms during these hot Summer days.

#Team Twistout, #Team Braidout...or #Team Both?

2013-05-31T08:55:00.000-04:00

It is no secret that I love a good twistout--specifically, a flat twist out. Twisting is quick and easy (for me) to do, and while it may come out looking different every time, the results are almost always great.

Twistouts

On the other hand, braidouts work better for stretching my hair to give my style length and also produce a pretty crinkly texture.

Swap It Out!

2013-05-29T08:24:00.000-04:00

Style Swaps by carmeme

Sick of the same old, same old when it comes to your style? Try these fashion swaps on for size!

Swap the little black dress (LBD) for the little black jumpsuit (LBJ). Every woman has heard the rule that you need to have a LBD in your closet, but whatchu know about that LBJ? A LBJ can pack just as much heat (see what I did there?) as a sexy little black dress, and a jumpsuit in a classic cut like the one above can serve as a nice alternative in your work wardrobe for the days when you want more coverage than a dress but are not in the mood to style a pair of dress pants.

Floral Skater Girl OOTD

2013-05-27T09:31:00.000-04:00

trying to work on my poses...and failed lol

top: Bisou Bisou / Skirt: Mossimo / Shoes: BCBGeneration (similar, pump version) / Earrings: BCBGeneration (love these) / Bag: Asos

Happy Memorial Day! I am so happy to have a much needed day off of work. I did the whole cookout thing yesterday so I will spend today relaxing, checking out Netflix, and (over)indulging on leftovers.

What are your Memorial Day plans? Enjoy the day!

Back To The 90s (Fashion)

2013-05-24T08:27:00.000-04:00

Back To The 90s by carmeme

There is a saying that goes, "what's old is new again." This statement definitely rings true in the fashion world. Celebrities like Rihanna and brands such as DKNY have ushered in a resurgence in the popularity of items that many of us remember from yesteryear--chunky chains, overalls, oversized logos, and sweatshirts...basically everything from the 90s short of boomboxes and fanny packs (which I pray never return lol). As a child, I hated overalls (and never thought it was cool to just have one buckle unfastened) for functional reasons--what twisted individual would come up with clothing that makes it so hard for a child to get undressed to go to the bathroom?--but now I realize that with the correct fit and style, a pair of overalls can be just as stylish (gasp!) and flattering as a fly jumpsuit. Oh, and that DKNY t-shirt shown above--guess who has had that very same shirt (minus the signature and 2013 price tag) for about 15 years now? This girl!

What do you think? Are you pulling out your old 90's favorites, or waiting for this trend to pass?

Style Rut? Swap It Out!

2013-05-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

For me, getting dressed is more than just an act, it is a process that usually ends up with my closet looking like the aftermath of a natural disaster with shirts, shoes, and belts strewn about and several empty clothes hangers stacked on the floor. I hate to wear the same outfit the exact same way, so I'm always trying out new pairings to see what works. Sometimes simple swaps can change your drab, go-to outfit into something fab. Don't believe me? Just watch:

Simple Wardrobe Swaps by carmeme

A nude shoe always works, but a pop of color can breathe new life into a classic, simple look.

I'm always preaching the gospel of the chambray/denim shirt, but I love the juxtaposition of the casual top with a classic piece such as a black and white houndstooth pencil skirt. The chambray shirt allows you to get more miles out of your wardrobe by pairing with seemingly work-only items and taking them from work-to-play.

Sequins are usually reserved for evening wear, New Year's Eve, and other glam occasions, but pairing an ornate, embellished piece with a pair of distressed boyfriend jeans creates an unexpected yet fun look--perfect for date night!

The next time you are having an "I have nothing to wear!" moment, pull two items from your closet that you have never worn together and TRY IT ON, you may fall in love with the look! Be sure to bookmark this page to keep these outfit ideas handy!

Sheer Maxi & RiRi Woo

2013-05-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

I don't own very many maxi dresses and skirts because they are not the most flattering for my short frame and often feel like a ton of fabric, but this one solves both of those problems. This skirt is pleated without being too bulky, and because it is sheer with a short opaque lining, I can still show off a little leg while still being covered up!

While my look is mainly black and white, I added a pop of color with my new Riri Woo lipstick! If you are a beauty addict or Rihanna stan, you know that Rihanna has an upcoming collection with MAC cosmetics and the first release was the Riri Woo lipstick, a retro matte red shade inspired by the popular MAC Ruby Woo lipstick. I am probably one of the few people who has never tried Ruby Woo so I can't compare the two shades, but I do love the Riri Woo! It is a gorgeous, flattering red shade with a matte finish, which I prefer to a gloss finish. As a warning, matte lipsticks show off every crack and peel in your lips, so make sure to exfoliate and moisturize your lips before wearing and you should be good to go!

Vest: Old Navy (I cut off the fraying at the sleeves) / Shirt: Dorothy Perkins (similar) / Skirt: JCPenney (similar) / Bag: Asos

Casual Jumpsuit OOTD

2013-05-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

Lately I have been obsessed with jumpsuits and rompers. I love the ease of throwing on one piece of clothing and ta-da...you have an outfit! This one is perfect for casual days, and days when I know I'm going to be eating a lot. I know I'm not the only one that has grubbing clothes! LOL!

Jumpsuit: Casual Couture (similar) / Shoes: Steve Madden "Hilite"

What Would Kourtney Kardashian Wear?

2013-05-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

On the 15th of each month, I play the role of stylist and showcase celebrity-inspired outfits based on my interpretation of their style.

Kim may be the Kardashian that put the family on the map, but when it comes to style, Kourtney Kardashian is the star in my eyes. Kourtney is always chic, and not even pregnancy or being a busy mother of two seems to adversely affect her style. She pulls off the flowy, comfortable-yet-stylish mom-on-the-go look like a pro, and when she switches to mogul mode she oozes sophistication in classic, smartly tailored pieces with feminine details.

What Would Kourtney Kardashian Wear? by carmeme

Can you picture Kourtney K rocking any of these looks? In your opinion, which Kardashian has the best style?

Peplum Talk (+ OOTD)

2013-05-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

I was a little late jumping on the peplum bandwagon but now I am a believer. The peplum is a curvy girl's best friend, hiding your tummy while accentuating the smallest part of your waist. For the not-so-curvy, an appropriately placed peplum can create an hourglass look by flaring out at the hip. The only enemy of the peplum is the wind...just like with a skater skirt, a sudden gust of wind can have you almost naked before you know it. There were many times throughout the day where I felt a draft on my back where the wind had raised my top.

Blouse: Philosophy (similar) / Jeans: Old Navy / Shoes: Old Navy (old) (similar) / Clutch: Asos / Necklace: unknown

Have you rocked the peplum trend yet?

Finally Rocking Prabal Gurung For Target + Style Me Friday Link-up

2013-05-10T19:20:00.001-04:00

Top: Prabal Gurung for Target / Pants: Apt 9 (Kohl's) / Clutch: The Limited / Shoes: The Limited

This blouse is one of the two items I bought from the Prabal Gurung for Target collection. Until this week, I have never worn either of my PGforT items. At first I wanted to let the hype die down...then whenever I thought about wearing this top (or the dress I got) I always found something else to wear that I liked better. I do like this shirt, but sometimes the pattern looks too summery, like a Hawaiian shirt. I can definitely see myself wearing this top with some cutoff shorts in the summer, but for now I paired it with a pair of red slacks. Now these pants...perfection, honey! Perfect fit, perfect length, and best of all, a size 10!!!

*I'm linking up with The Fashionista Next Door's Style Me Friday link-up! The inspiration this week was slacks!

Leopard & Lime OOTD

2013-05-09T00:02:00.000-04:00

Cardigan: Old Navy / Tank: Old / Jeans: Old Navy / Flats: Red Camel (similar-lo) (similar-high) / Bag: London Fog

Sweats + Bodycon (OOTD)

2013-05-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

Sweatshirt: JCP / Skirt: Old Navy (similar) / Sneakers: Aldo (love these!)

If I don't have any plans, or if I am traveling, I am usually dressed down. A couple of weeks ago I traveled with my fiance' to visit his family so of course, I kept it casual with a sweatshirt, a stretchy skirt (to account for all the food I was planning to eat!), and some sneakers. That day I also ended up at a youth basketball game so my semi-sporty outfit was a cute option for that as well!

Black & White Bold Stripes OOTD

2013-05-02T00:01:00.000-04:00

Simple With Tribal Accesories OOTD

2013-04-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

Top: A.n.a. (similar) / Jeans: A.n.a. (similar) / Shoes: Skechers / Clutch: World Market (love this one!) / Watch: Fossil

The star of this outfit is this cute little tribal clutch. I got it during a gift exchange during the Bloggers Like Me (BLM) holiday brunch but it is from the eclectic home furniture/decor store World Market. I love going to World Market for home items (and wine tastings!), but they do carry some gorgeous global inspired beaded and stone jewelry. Check it out sometime if you're looking for something different!

What Would Teyana Taylor Wear?

2013-04-25T20:19:00.003-04:00

On the 15th of each month, I play the role of stylist and showcase celebrity-inspired outfits based on my interpretation of their style.

So...I'm a horrible blogger and I forgot to post this on the 15th! Oops!

Photos from Teyana's Instagram

This month I'm inspired by the gorgeous Teyana Taylor. I'm usually in awe of her always perfect curly hair, but her super fit body is hard to miss! Her style is tomboy chic with lots of boots, sneakers, hats, and athletic wear, but she does make sure to show off her womanly curves in body hugging jeans and 6-pack baring crop tops. She even has her own athletic shoe with Adidas (the funky metallic hightops are featured in this post)!

When it is time to hit the red carpet, she glams it up with bodycon dresses and skirts with slits and cutouts that are not for the faint of heart.

What Would Teyana Taylor Wear by carmeme

What do you think of Teyana's style?

2 Chains (OOTD)

2013-04-25T00:02:00.000-04:00

Blouse: Forever 21 (similar 1) (similar 2) / Shorts: Mossimo / Shoes: The Limited / Clutch: Asos (similar 1) (similar 2) / Necklace: Melody Ehsani (love this one!)

Chunky gold chain necklace + Chain print sheer shirt= 2 Chainzzzzz!