A.VIZA STYLE

green leopard.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 12:02:00 +0000

I will be honest here, I am not in love with the way I look at the moment. I have some extra pounds from a year of truly living my best life. I haven't stuck to any type of workout regimen and I have been eating like I am still in my 20's (hi slower metabolism - you can go get back to where you used to be any time now thaaanks). Even though I feel that I am thriving in most aspects of life at the moment, loving the body I am in is not one of them.

dress: john + jenn "Maurice" dress via rent the runway | jacket: banana republic |

booties: marc fischer ltd. alva bootie | bag: 3.1 phillip lim floral alix bag

Beginning of March, I forgot to hit "pause" on my Rent The Runway Unlimited subscription and was suddenly thrown back into the wonderful world of renting everyday clothes to spruce up my closet. Even though it was an accident I think it happened at the perfect time. I have been struggling with outfit creativity just because things don't fit or I don't feel comfortable in how I look in them.

So when my subscription renewed and my boyfriend said "Hey! I want to get dressed up and take you out!" instead of feeling dread, which that feeling went through me while prepping for our trip to NYC, I got excited. I knew even though I wasn't feeling comfortable or confident in items in my own closet, I knew Rent The Runway had something that would. And it did.

When this John + Jenn Maurice dress arrived, I instantly loved the print and so on trend. I loved the olive green color and knew it would compliment my hair color well. I was just a little nervous about the fit. A bodycon dress while feeling a little down on myself was a bold choice but I can say that it made me feel like a million bucks.

I am here to tell you if you are second guessing yourself because you are not sure if you look good enough - always wear the dress. In the mean time, I will be here trying to take my own advice too.

SHOP

The Blazer.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 11:00:00 +0000

I have always loved a well-made blazer. They can be the centerpiece of outfits. They can be versatile. They can really hold down a closet. Ever since I started wearing blazers and appreciating the construction of them, I have been in search of "the" blazer. I am sure most of you have seen the brand Veronica Beard on your feeds and through your screens. Normally anytime I lust after a well-tailored interesting looking blazer I say to myself "I bet that is a Veronica Beard". Nine times out of 10, I'm right.

blazer: Veronica beard "Moroso Dickey Jacket" | denim: rag & bone ankle cigarette el jeans
mules: target | bag: 3.1 phillip lim floral alix bag

Sadly, they are P-R-I-C-E-Y. Like, over $500 pricey. I know...sigh...

That is why I am so happy that after my Rent The Runway Unlimited Subscription accidentally renewed, Veronica Beard was one of the newer brands they had started to carry. Guys, $500+ is expensive and way out of my budget. BUT I can say that RTR made my dreams come true because this blazer is EVERYTHING (insert excited claps as I say everything because it felt that good wearing it.). In the week I had the Veronica beard "Moroso Dickey Jacket" jacket with me, I wore it to an important 5 times. I sported it to an important work dinner in San Francisco, to a few regular days at the office, and then again to brunch on Sunday. It made me feel so polished and feminine.
The jacket has thick material that kept me warm in the brisk 50-degree temps, the pattern is gorgeous and was the perfect color pop for me, and it paired so well with jeans, my normal bottom of choice. The great thing about this blazer is that it can be dressed up or down. Wear it with flats for a tailored casual look or darker pants and heels for a more fun professional outfit.

All-in-all the Veronica beard "Moroso Dickey Jacket" is everything. I did shed a slight tear when I sent this beauty back on Monday because I really, like really, wanted to keep it. Double sigh.

For reference, I am wearing a 6 and am a 34D. I was able to button the main front button but not the hidden internal one.

I have a lot of great pieces from using the Rent The Runway Unlimited Subscription on and off over the last year and I have to say this may be my favorite. And Veronica Beard, I will own one of your amazing blazers one day because it did live up to the hype. If you get the chance, just rent it.

SHOP

leather florals.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 13:12:00 +0000

I have finally crawled out of my winter clothing rut. After wearing nothing but bulky sweaters for months so I am excited to break out fun sundresses. Leather and floral is a fun mixture that really plays into my personality. A fun mix.

dress: ganni "tilden sash dress" | leather jacket: topshop | boots: frye "veronica"

This awesome Ganni dress I snagged at the Shopbop sale a few months back. What I love about it is the texture of the fabric. It feels like a sort of softer stetchy tulle. Which leads to my second point of what I love about this dress: it's completely sheer. I wasn't able to capture any great pictures of the back and the details but I promise to soon.

This great Topshop oversized leather jacket I grabbed at the end of summer last year. It is the best. Lots of pockets (that actually fit things!) and keeps you warm.

And finally, let's talk about these boots. I only wore combat boots all of 3rd grade and I am currently embracing them again. When I grabbed the Ganni dress I also snagged these boots so they were discounted. I know Frye is a great brand that will last a while. Because of that, I felt that taking the plunge on the Frye "Veronica" would be worth the price tag. Not only have I been rocking these boots with girly dresses but they work so well with skinny jeans too. They have been great in colder temps and have worked well with warmer weather as well. They are also comfy! I walk all over the city so that is really important.

shop:

2019 Chose Me.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 14:09:00 +0000

Hello strangers :)

Man oh man has it been awhile. While I've been quite absent from this little space where I have been semi-consistently updating my Instagram.

A lot has happened since my last post.

Madewell Overalls | Kid Dangerous "The Game Chose Me" tee

I saw many of my best friends get married.

I gained a new family member - a niece!

I got to see new places in the US like San Francisco and Arizona.

I turned 31.

I hit the 1-year mark at my job (today actually!)

and next week, I will have lived in DC for 1 year.

So crazy how time flies!

Over the past 2 weeks, I have luckily had the opportunity to spend the holidays with friends and family that have actually still kept me away from home. I am actually hopping on a plane today from North Carolina where I have been visiting my sister (a post here about my last visit to Greensboro).

I have been working remotely, taking a lot of pictures of the new addition to the family, taking a break from wearing makeup and binge-watching Skin Wars on Netflix. Which, if you haven't watched, it is very cool. PLUS it has RuPaul.

Madewell Overalls | Kid Dangerous "The Game Chose Me" tee

Since starting my job last year I have just become more and more casual in how I dress. I scored these overalls during the epic Madewell sale that is STILL going on (EXTRA 40% off ALL sale). They have the perfect amount of stretch to accommodate all of the holiday weight I've gained but don't stretch out.

Along with the casual wear I have been leaning towards fun graphic tees as well. This one, I spotted via Instagram but had been familiar with the brand. Kid Dangerous makes men's and boy's shirts but when I saw this slogan, I knew I needed it. I decided to size up to a Medium to ensure sure that it was oversized and would look cute tucked into things.

SHOP THE LOOK:

chambray culottes.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 12:04:00 +0000

I have a little bit of a culotte obsession these days. I was a little hesitant a few years ago (post here) when I first wore them. I'm on the border of being petite, so it can be hard to wear pieces that could easily be overwhelming on my frame. I spotted these chambray culottes at a J.Crew Factory while in North Carolina a few weeks ago.

pants: j.crew (under $40!) | top: madewell

sneakers: joie | purse: coach

They're so comfortable and are easy to wear that I have found myself sporting these pretty frequently. They're on sale for under $40 too so if that didn't convince me to buy them... This past weekend I wore this outfit while popping in and out of shops in Georgetown and trying to avoid the rain. We popped into Chaia and I ended up buying a funny outfit for Memorial Day. More to come on that.

pants: j.crew (under $40!) | top: madewell

sneakers: joie | purse: coach

shop the look:

red dress.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 11:40:00 +0000

A few months ago I started using Rent The Runway Unlimited. With a few friends' events and things like that compacted in the last few months, it seemed like a great way to save money while wearing something new for all my fun plans.

This particular dress I rented for my friends' bachelorette party, which was a simple girls weekend in Corolla, North Carolina.

It seemed like a fun pop of fun for a casual girls weekend.

dress: philosophy di lorenzo serafini via rent the runway

I love a great back on any dress and this one really played into that. The great see-through crocheted material was also a fun detail. The way it flowed in the beach breeze was perfection. Even though we casually hung out in a beach house for the weekend, throwing on this fabulous dress made it even more of a perfect weekend.

dress: philosophy di lorenzo serafini via rent the runway

shop the look:

Tickled Pink in Charleston.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Wed, 30 May 2018 02:26:00 +0000

This past weekend, I made my way to Charleston for the first time to celebrate one of my good friends' bridal shower. The girl gang headed to Myrtle Beach last year (seen in this post) for their engagement party but since then, the happy couple has relocated to lovely Charleston. You can imagine how it did not take too much arm twisting to get us all to head down for her bridal shower.

I arrived on Thursday evening and spent our time up until the bridal shower Sunday, boating, eating, and enjoying the nightlife in the city.

jumpsuit: elliatt | shoes: marc fischer | earrings: kendra scott

The shower was held on Sunday at Barsa on the famous King Street. This was definitely the most humid day I had experience in awhile so I made sure we snapped pictures before the party, and the rain started.

jumpsuit: elliatt | shoes: marc fischer | earrings: kendra scott

I ordered the Elliatt "Arcadia" jumpsuit from Rent the Runway for the event. I loved the color but was skeptical about the fit. I'm always weary about front pleats of any kind. Luckily, it fit well enough and it was light enough for the extreme humidity. I finally got to snap photos of my new Marc Fisher Adalyn espadrilles. I will say that a few short hours later, it started raining hard and lasted for the remainder of the day. Since espadrilles really shouldn't get wet and I am weird about ruining shoes, I ran from bar to bar on King Street...shoeless. #dedicated.

Which if you are thinking about snagging them, just do it. I wore them for 12 hours while dancing and standing for the majority of the time.

I really had the best weekend with these group of girls. Sometimes it's just hard to put 15+ years of friendship into words.

Cheers to the best bridal shower weekend and stay tuned for when we all head to Mexico in less than 2 months.

Cheers to Trentah <insert champagne emoji>

the valentine.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Thu, 24 May 2018 12:12:00 +0000

Two weeks ago, one of my best friends got married to a great man. The entire weekend was full of so much love, laughter, tears, and a temper tantrum or two. Richmond is full of so many of my close friends and I was excited to be apart of the celebrations of such a great couple.

dress: marissa webb via rent the runway | heels: the mode collective

This dress I snagged from Rent the Runway. I am in the middle of utilizing their unlimited program and I have been loving it. The wedding was held at The Valentine in downtown Richmond. It was a gorgeous venue that also had a museum we were able to tour. The wedding and reception were outside and was the perfect naturally beautiful atmosphere.

dress: marissa webb via rent the runway | heels: the mode collective

This dress from Marissa Webb was perfect for the 90+ degree weather for an outdoor wedding. The material was super light. It is slightly see through since the material is very thin. Nude undergarments work perfectly fine though. It was breezy for the heat and then great to dance the night away in. The day after I was seriously in a funk of post-wedding weekend depression.

dress: marissa webb via rent the runway | heels: the mode collective

earrings: kendra scott

shop the look:

sequin rehearsal.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Wed, 23 May 2018 12:08:00 +0000

I've mentioned many times that I consider Richmond a second home. Most of my best friends live in this little city, I visit countless times a year, and I love the vibe of everything. During my friends' wedding weekend a few weeks ago, I finally got the chance to stop by The Quirk hotel which has been on my "must see" list for awhile.

top: madewell | skirt: tanya taylor via rent the runway | heels: the mode collective

All of these photos were taken from the roof. You can see most of the city from here and the breeze was perfectly paired with a great cocktail to make it the perfect combination. My favorite part of weddings is getting to dress-up and experimenting with fun new outfits I may not wear otherwise.

I ordered this skirt on the whim, hoping it would "fit" into the vibe of the rehearsal venue which it did. I can say that I was more than pleasantly surprised. The sequins weren't itchy at all and the skirt had the perfect amount of stretch to wear all night long.

top: madewell | skirt: tanya taylor via rent the runway | heels: the mode collective

I'm only 5'4" so I sometimes get nervous that a midi length skirt will be a little too long. I can say that this skirt fell in the exact right place.

I was completely obsessed with this skirt and really wanted did not want to return it at all and will totally be renting it again in the future.

top: madewell | skirt: tanya taylor via rent the runway | heels: the mode collective

shop the look:

Brunch Review: Due South.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Tue, 22 May 2018 01:52:00 +0000

Brunch.

I used to brunch on a frequent basis, but in the past year my brunch pastime has really tapered off.

This past Sunday, I ended up at Due South in Navy Yard.

After walking around the city for a few hours my friend and I found ourselves parched and hungry. Due South is located right next to a cluster of restaurants that overlook the Anacostia River.

Though Due South offers bottomless mimosas for a great price ($16 for 2 hours) we decided to order their frozen beverages to start, the frozen mint julep and the frosé. Delicious.

For an appetizer, we shared the buttermilk fried chicken biscuit with hot honey.

The hot honey gave the homemade biscuit and fried chicken a great "kick".

As for our main courses, I opted for the pulled pork scramble, and my friend went for the Due South Benedict. I would say that the scramble was a little underwhelming. I should have put a bit of the hot honey on there to add more flavor. As for the Benedict, it was a great mix with the poached eggs and fried chicken.

hot culotte.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Mon, 21 May 2018 06:18:00 +0000

The sun finally started shining in DC after about a week of dreary AF weather. So I grabbed a pair of culottes that I added to my culotte collection, a basic crop top, a mozied around the city for a few hours.

crop top: h&m (under $10!) | culottes: h&m (only $30!)

sandals: joie (on sale under $70!) | sunnies: rayban | bag: coach

I think after moving, I ended up cleaning my closet out of any of the white jeans I had had so I had been casually looking for a new pair for the season. I noticed a sales girl at the Kendra Scott store in Georgetown a few weeks ago wearing these pants and I had to ask her where she had bought hers. She mentioned they were from H&M and were affordable.

crop top: h&m (under $10!) | culottes: h&m (only $30!)

sandals: joie (on sale under $70!) | sunnies: rayban | bag: coach

When buying things that are on-trend I normally try not to spend too much money on something I may not love after a few seasons. When I casually strolled into a local H&M and saw these I had to say yes. They are sold out online and I knew I would regret not snagging them. I ended up sizing up because my normal size at H&M wasn't available. Luckily they shrunk a bit after a wash and have a good amount of stretch in them so they don't look too oversized.

crop top: h&m (under $10!) | culottes: h&m (only$30!)

sandals: joie (on sale under $70!) | sunnies: rayban | bag: coach

These culottes hit so high on my waist that they really are the perfect pair of pants to pair with a crop top. I love any high-waist bottom for this particular reason. Here are the culottes so if you can find them at H&M I would 100% would recommend doing so.

shop the look:

pleats & eyelet.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Tue, 01 May 2018 10:28:00 +0000

I have never been the biggest fan of pink but lately, it has been the color I have been leaning towards the most.

top: madewell (worn here) | skirt: j.crew (worn here) | sandals: madewell

sunnies: loft | bag: coach "saddle 23"

In my new apartment, I have been throwing accents of pink everywhere from my kitchen chairs, throw pillows, and throw blanket. I have been feeling extra girly recently and have been leaning toward more feminine outfits when I'm not in my normal jeans and tee.

I have had this skirt in my closet for quite some time. I go through spurts of wearing it excessively and then forgetting about it for long periods of time but still consider it a staple in my closet. This skirt is so versatile.

It's perfect to wear to work or to go out in. The "millennial" pink is pretty much timeless and works year-round. The super cute sunnies? Yep, I stole those from my step-mom who has a surprisingly chic sunglasses collection.

reformation.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 10:56:00 +0000

Reformation is a brand I have admired from afar for a very long time.

Simple yet trendy designs that are easy-breezy. I have longed to pull the trigger on something, honestly anything, from the label because I love everything. When a good friend of mine offered me her BRAND NEW Reformation jumpsuit up because it didn't fit and she failed to return it within the window, I obviously cried tears of joy. But seriously.

jumpsuit: reformation (similar) | leather jacket: zara | heels: zara

sunnies: ray-ban | bag: coach "saddle 23"

The silhouette of the jumpsuit with the culotte legs makes it easy to style up or down. Then there is the open back <insert heart eye emoji>. Love at first wear. The best part about the jumpsuit is how easy it is to dress up or down. The culottes make it fun with heels or sandals. The open back makes it easy to wear in the summer or can transition into cooler temps with a great jacket.

jumpsuit: reformation (similar) | leather jacket: zara | heels: zara

sunnies: ray-ban | bag: coach "saddle 23"

I wore this out for New Year's Eve as well as my sister's sorority luncheon a few weeks back. I can't wait to wear this jumpsuit around town for the summer.

jumpsuit: reformation (similar) | leather jacket: zara | heels: zara

sunnies: ray-ban | bag: coach "saddle 23"

This particular jumpsuit is no longer for sale, but I've linked to a few that I love.

shop below:

on top.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 04:10:00 +0000

Since being back on social media and trying to get back into blogging consistently, I have been trying to get into a new rhythm. It has been a balancing act of finding a regular workout schedule, ensuring I make time to write down my thoughts for this blog, making sure I have time for social/blog events, and then there is my Bocce ball league on Thursday (no I am not kidding).

top: shoshanna | denim: mother "looker" skinny

When I lived in Virginia and had my old job, my main complaint was that I never had enough time for anything. I was working two jobs, had long hours, commuting two hours a day, and made working-out a big priority. With that schedule, socializing was very planned and sleeping 5 to 6 hours a night was amazing. My commute has been insanely slashed, my job has flexible hours, and I live near a metro so getting to any type of after work endeavor (happy hour anyone?!) has been made easy. Finding time to fit everything I used to cram into my limited schedule should be easy right?! But finding that new balance has been difficult. I have more time but I have yet to keep on top of everything and figure out my new stride.

top: shoshanna | denim: mother "looker" skinny

While I have been figuring things out, my normal outfit has been consisting of "jeans-and-something-else" and I have become a little bored with it. When I saw this top from Shoshanna I knew I needed it. The silhouette reminded me of a top I have that I wore consistently all last summer. The cut is super flattering, it being sleeveless makes it easy for warm weather but it would also look cute with a jacket because of the pseudo-bow detailing. Right now it is a fun change of pace from my normal t-shirt.

shop similar pieces below:

a little south.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 10:05:00 +0000

Over Easter weekend, I found myself in Greensboro, North Carolina visiting my sister and her husband. She's lived there since she got married over three years ago but I have only been able to visit less than 5 times and have not had the opportunity to explore the town.

This time was different. The day before Easter Sunday happened to be my sisters birthday and my mom also came down to surprise her.

top: j.crew | vest: kit & ace (last worn here) | denim: current elliott "stiletto"

boots: stuart weitzman "keenland" | bag: coach "saddle 23"

That Saturday, the weather was beautiful so we decided to get out of the house and head to brunch in downtown Greensboro.

After we ate at a cute brewery, we walked around and explored the town.

Greensboro is such a historical place. It was the center of the non-violent protests in 1960's and where those protests took place is now the International Civil Rights Museum. It was cool to such a cool and surreal moment to see where such change in our culture came about because people knew change needed to be made.

top: j.crew | vest: kit & ace (last worn here) | denim: current elliott "stiletto"

boots: stuart weitzman "keenland" | bag: coach "saddle 23"

While walking down the main strip, we ventured into cute little vintage shops and a café.

There were so many amazing local products that it really took self-control in to not buy everything and I've already planned a shopping list for my next visit.

top: j.crew | vest: kit & ace (last worn here) | denim: current elliott "stiletto"

boots: stuart weitzman "keenland" | bag: coach "saddle 23"

This outfit is what I ended up wearing to lunch and around town. This vest is a favorite in my closet that I re-discover every season every once and awhile that is really versatile.

Then, these boots. <insert googly eye emoji>

They really are the biggest splurge I've made. I will say I found them on sale for a crazy deal and I had to snag them. During the colder months, if I ever found myself going out for the evening, I reached for these every time. The thicker heel makes it so easy to walk in and I feel the fact the suede hits below the bend of the knee, the shape will hold longer than some similar styles. If you are looking to snag a pair of over the knee black suede boots, I am selling my old pair here.

shop similar styles here:

the simple slip dress.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 04:15:00 +0000

As I mentioned in my post from Monday, for a brief period in December between my old and new apartment, I accidentally ended up "homeless" and stayed on a friends couch for a month...living out of a suitcase...and everything I owned in a storage unit. Because of that situation, I literally had a select few items I would rotate on a weekly basis in 8-degree weather. Options and desire to dress cute were slim.

slip dress: eileen fischer | sandals: madewell | sunnies: rayban

jacket: zara

slip dress: eileen fischer | sandals: madewell | sunnies: rayban

jacket: zara

From that scenario, I have found myself wanting to purge items that have not seen enough love and leaning more towards classic items I can layer with.

(SIDE BAR: you can shop my actual closet here: https://poshmark.com/closet/vadarling ) Enter this perfect slip dress.

I stumbled across it at Nordstrom Rack when they had an extra discount on any clearance items.

slip dress: eileen fischer | sandals: madewell | sunnies: rayban

jacket: zara

It's lined so I don't have to worry about it being see-through in the summer sun. In addition to that, the fabric is heavier and the way it is cut, I find this slip dress more form fitting than others I've tried. The lower hem in the back works well so I don't have to worry about showing too much backside.

All of the reasons above, are all points you should keep in mind if you find yourself searching for a slip dress for the Spring/Summer.

Though the weather has still been chilly here in DC, I am prepared to wear this little dress on repeat during all of our nicer weather.

shop similar slip dresses:

Hello There.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 12:00:00 +0000

How time flies.
I've shocked myself with how long it has been since I have shared anything with anyone on here or on any other social media platform.

After all these years, I still struggle with how much to share about myself.
I've always said I will never be the best blogger because I am more of a private person and know to be at the top of this game you need to share it all.

I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to do so.
When I go through difficult periods in my life, which I totally correspond with my absences from my blog/social media platforms, I tend to stay away from all ways to superficially share my life.

target pillows: here & here | artwork: society6 .:. my photo .:. society6 .:. market |
couch: all modern

I try to be as authentic as possible so when I feel moved by our political climate, experience loss, going through some type of significant life events, it feels unauthentic to share with you on where to buy a pair of shoes or convince you to go to this amazing brunch spot.

I understand reading blogs and getting inspiration is a way so many of us get away from all the hard things we face on a daily basis, I just have not found the need or want to share when I'm in those places personally.
Being unconnected from the often superficial world of blogging and social media is always healing for me. This time around so much has been happened, good and bad. I haven't checked my Facebook or Instagram in over 3 months and to me, that is freeing.
I love blogging.
I love sharing my experiences.
I love finding inspiration in so many places and meeting amazing people through this medium.
But sometimes, you need a mental health break and mine was healing.
With that, I am back and ready go.
While I share some backlogged travel items and outfits here is a slight highlight reel of what I've been up to these last three months:

I GOT A NEW JOB!
After being with my previous company for over 4 years, I stumbled into a great opportunity I couldn't pass up. I'm loving it so far but I probably won't share too much more.

I MOVED!
I am officially a DC blogger. This came after I was "homeless" for about a month due to a last minute situation that arose. Thankfully, I had a great friend swoop in who let me crash and helped me find a great place. With that, I finally made the district home in a cute one-bedroom at the beginning of the year that's in a great location and close to my new job.
Did I just get dining room chairs? Yes.
Is my old rug that is way too big for my space still rolled up in the corner of my apartment? Yes.
Are the walls in my bedroom still bare? Yes.
Despite all these things, I'm slowly making this apartment a home and can't wait to share how things come together.

Thanks for sticking around through my hiatus and I can't wait to share all updates with you soon.

Holiday Mash-Up.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 02:39:00 +0000

So many holiday parties and so little time!

There has been a lot going on behind the scenes over here but hopefully, life and it's crazy curve balls will settle down once January 1 hits so I can share all the new and exciting things happening.

Meanwhile, I wanted to share some quick outfit snapshots captured with my iPhone for you to check out. If you have questions ask away!

dress - finders keepers

This dress is one I keep in my closet in case of a cocktail-attire emergency. I wore this dress to this wedding, it works in a pinch and it makes me feel glam. The slit in the skirt and the sheer paneling in the bodice is just enough of sex appeal to make the dress different and interesting.

Shop my favorite Finders Keepers pieces below:

jumpsuit - greylin via rent the runway | heels - the mode collective

After scouring my local mall which is one of the largest on the East Coast for my work holiday party, I sadly walked away empty-handed. When I got home, I instantly jumped on my go-to site, Rent The Runway. Not wanting to break the bank, I kept my budget under $50 and looked at all my options that could arrive within the week in time for my party. This fun jumpsuit immediately caught my eye.

I mean, it's amazing. It fit like a glove and the culotte length worked well with my height (5'4").

Other amazing jumpsuits on Rent The Runway:

blazer - asos | leggings - spanx | heels - the mode collective

I'm currently in a very long process of moving and do not have any of my closets with my minus 5 items. Luckily, my friend let me borrow her amazing military-style blazer that fit in such a cool way. It is actually a TALL that's why it fits below my hips but works so well for this look that looks more put together than I felt. The leggings are my favorite Spanx brand. Under $100 with fun sheen. They are so comfortable and high waisted and don't stretch out. You need them. Trust me.

Shop similar pieces:

crop top & skirt - elizabeth & james via rent the runway | heels - the mode collective

This is the outfit I wore for my 30th birthday celebration. The original dress I was eyeing ended up being rented on my date, so I decided a fun crop top from one of my favorite brands was the perfect outfit. It's a matching set and was really comfortable despite the cutouts that may appear like they would cut into your skin.

My favorite Elizabeth & James pieces on Rent the Runway:

GUYS!If you don't have Rent The Runway I swear by it (seriously just search it on my blog to see how many times I've shared my experiences...) Sign up --> HERE <--- & get $30 off your first rental and tell me your thoughts!!

A.Viza Travel : 48 hours in Madrid

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 12:02:00 +0000

Spain has such a special place in my heart. I visited for the first time when I was 16 and stayed with a host family for a little over 2 weeks and was completely immersed in the culture and surroundings. While that trip only had me in Madrid for a few short days I remembered the magnificent Palace and seeing some stunning artwork at the Museo Nacional Del Prado. Since then, I have visited Barcelona (seen here) but when a friend mentioned that she was going to be visiting Madrid around my 30th birthday I immediately decided to tag along.

THE GAME PLAN

The first full day in a city after long hours of travel to get there can be slightly challenging. Because Spain has a later schedule than most, it was a lot easier to adjust and not feel that we weren't getting to experience everything because we wanted to sleep in a little. Our only plan for this trip was to see as much as possible. Luckily, our hotel, RHC was a perfect location to walk to any of the locations that were highest on our must-see list.

We decided to follow the Rick Steves walking guide of Madrid and had a great starting point at the Grand Palace.

Since our main goal for our 4 night 3-day stay, was to see as much as possible we decided not to tour the Grand Palace on the first day but to try on our other free day if we had time.

The best part of our self-guided walking tour was that we were in no rush to get anything done. We took our time to enjoy the sights, endless gorgeous ally ways, and to really eat and drink our way through Madrid. The Rick Steves book has a lot of great tips like places to visit and avoid, little-known facts about the city, and suggested places to eat.

WHAT TO SEE

The Grand Palace - while we ended up not having enough time to tour the Palace it is still amazing to stop by and wander the gardens. I will definitely make this a priority on my next visit to the city.

Cost - 11 euros

Catedral de la Almudena - This beautiful cathedral shares a plaza with The Grand Palace and has some gorgeous artwork.

Cost - 1 euro donation

Plaza Mayor - THE main plaza in Madrid. Surrounded by a bevy of restaurants and cafe's it really a city hub. We enjoyed a few hour break and enjoyed the sun and a little wine on in the square.

Because Madrid's high elevation it has some amazing sunsets.

The guidebook suggested viewing the sunset at Templo de Debod at Parque Oeste which is a location of a real Egyptian temple that was dismantled and reassembled in Madrid. You can expect a crowd here but there is not a place with a bad view here.

While the sun was setting we start walking back to our hotel and passed by the Palace and the Catedral de la Almudena. I will say that the views from those locations were breathtaking so if you wanted smaller crowds to view the sunset I may suggest those locations.

WHERE TO STAY

RHC hotel. The location was perfect. Just a few blocks from The Royal Palace and the Catedral de la Almudena. We had a corner room and got a peek at the San Francisco el Grande from the window. One we saved money is to make sure whichever hotel we choose, it offered breakfast so it would be one cost we didn't have to spend money on. Not only did RHC hotel have a prime location, but it offered plenty of options for breakfast that were included in the stay. Plus, breakfast goes until 10 am in case you need to sleep in from a long day of sightseeing and adventuring.

view from our hotel!

Along the suggested tour path, we stumbled into many other cool places like the oldest door in the city, the oldest bookstore

SOME PLACES I WISH I HAD VISITED:

- The Grand Palace - I wish I had time to tour

- Museo Nacional Del Prado - I wish I had had enough time to tour the gallery and really enjoy all of the artwork.

crop sweater.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 10:47:00 +0000

It's really crazy to think we have a little over a month left in the year. 2017 has really flown by and I am not sure how I feel about it.

On one hand, 2017 has been a slight struggle for a few reasons. Reasons that have put this little site, on the back burner. As the year is coming to a close I have decided to hit "reset" and try to end the year on a better note. I felt for most of the year that sharing what I was doing or wearing was really not the best use of my time and I didn't really feel like sharing much.

sweater: h&m (under $20) | denim: levi's (under $100)

mules: louise et cie (on sale! under $70)

As I am easing back into the steady swing of things, I am sharing what I have been wearing non-stop since I scooped it. I have cultivated quite the sweater collection and when I saw this over-sized sweater strolling through the recently remodeled H&M in Tyson's Corner I knew I had to have it.

While I have been unable to find this particular sweater on the website despite trying for a few weeks, in your local H&M.

This sweater also comes in nude and black if you opt for another shade.

sweater: h&m (under $20) | denim: levi's (under $100)

mules: louise et cie (on sale! under $70)

I also have been sliding into my comfy mules since they are perfect office shoes while I sit at my desk all day. Luckily, they are on sale right now for under $70 here. They come in two other colors outside of my pale pink color. I promise they are as comfy as they are cute.

So here is to finishing the year strong with great content coming your way.

Shop comfy sweaters under $50

Shop great mules under $100

Angel Etoile.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 19:29:00 +0000

When I was little, I remembered always being enamored with the collection of perfumes on my mom's dresser. The pretty decorative bottles with their even prettier smells. Every once in awhile she would allow my sister and me to bathe ourselves in these beautiful scents.

We would play pretend for the rest of the evening. Whimsical nights of laughter, dinner parties, dancing, and playing pretend that ended with the best memories and sleep.

One of those scents was Angel.

Cut to today. I have my own collection of perfumes and sometimes have exciting events to go to in the evenings versus playing pretend. While sometimes my life may look very fun and whimsical, my normal weekdays are full of mundane tasks and routine. While I don't follow a completely strict schedule it is always a combination of long commutes, working long hours, and then trying to squeeze in workouts, friends, and blogging events. I sometimes long for those "fun and fancy-free" evenings from my childhood when really there were no worries.

When I received Angel I was instantly taken back to those great memories, but have realized that it is the perfect scent for my adult life. I love fruit smells and the lightness of the mandarin mixed with a white musk really create a strong yet delicate smell that works well for my real life evenings out on the town.

Finding a fragrance that can withstand the office all day and late into the evening is imperative for my on-the-go lifestyle.

warm fall.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 12:40:00 +0000

October has become such a tricky month in Virginia to dress for. Typically at the beginning of the month it still feels like summer, so sporting your sundress with a light jean jacket, or no jacket at all will get you through the day.

By the end of October, the mornings are chilly, 40's or 50's, but by 1 PM the sun is beaming down and if the temps reach mid 70's to 80 degrees you shouldn't be surprised.

This is the time in the office where people get sick, the allergies are all over the place, and you really have to utilize your layering skills.

Sadly, that is not what we are experiencing right now.

These photos were taken just three weeks ago when the high was 80 and there was nothing but sun and mosquitos.

Though this outfit may not seem weather appropriate now, it is actually the perfect time to score some amazing deals on remaining summer items.

These high waisted black shorts are my go-to for any summer activity that requires me to leave the house. They're so versatile and though I purchased them on a whim years ago, I have found myself wearing them so much more than I ever thought I would.

jacket: zara | top: zara | shorts: forever21

purse: tory burch | sneakers: joie

I believe the last of the really warm weather has come and gone but a girl can dream.

Shop similar outfit pieces here:

fall jumpsuit.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 17:23:00 +0000

I say this every year but Fall is my favorite season by far.

The crisp air, the changing leaves, apple cider, and the awesome outfit combinations you can achieve with layering.

This jumpsuit (last worn here) is perfect for summer with its light breezy material and thin straps but can also transition along with the season.

jumpsuit: anthropologie (last worn here) | jacket: zara (identical & under $50!)

booties: tory burch via nordstrom rack | necklace: loft | bag: coach | sunglasses: rayban

Since it is still earlier in the season, the exposed legs of the outfit haven't made it unbearable to wear for slightly colder days.

This leather jacket I snagged from Zara a few years ago is still a great piece that adds the warmer and a slight edge to the whole look.

This one is basically identical and such a good deal.

Adding a third piece to my outfits has become a staple and really a default in terms of deciding an outfit.

In warmer weather, I find myself with "nothing to wear" because I like to buy jackets, blazers, etc. because I really feel that a great third layering piece can really elevate any outfit and gives you more outfit options.

If you are looking to add or expand your fall outerwear choices I would highly recommend starting with a good black blazer and black leather jacket (or faux like the one I'm wearing)!

I would suggest investing a little more in these items because you will wear them often.

You want to ensure better quality so you don't find yourself buy a new blazer or jacket every year because you end up spending more in the long run.

jumpsuit: anthropologie (last worn here) | jacket: zara (identical & under $50!)

booties: tory burch via nordstrom rack | necklace: loft | bag: coach | sunglasses: rayban

And I just wanted to point out these booties quickly. These may have been one of the best sales I have ever found. I purchased these Tory Burch booties at Nordstrom Rack about 2/3 years for around $60. Yep. The best deal ever. I don't wear them too often but I have already found myself grabbing for them multiple times this year.

Shop similar pieces below:

fanfare.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 09:52:00 +0000

I always look forward to Fall because things "slow down" but that is never really the case. I always find myself planning last minute trips that keep me busy. A few weeks ago I found myself back at my Alma Mater for what was supposed to be a good match up, Virginia Tech vs. Clemson.

tee: madewell | scarf: madewell | denim: madewell

booties: rag&bone | belt: urban | lipstick: nyx lip matte in "prague"

We did lose the game but that did not put a damper on the weekend at all. For the majority of my time, I was in the countryside on the outskirts of town in a cabin with some of my closet friends just catching up and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

I lived in Blacksburg for over 4 years and the weather can be a little cooky. It was projected to be 76 during the day but mid 40's at night. Planning on being out all day for that type of weather can be difficult but I defaulted for a super casual outfit that would work with my jean jacket.

tee: madewell | scarf: madewell | denim: madewell

booties: rag&bone | belt: urban | lipstick: nyx lip matte in "prague"

Madewell and J.Crew have some of my favorite tees so that is why I opted for this slightly faded maroon striped tee from Madewell. I have had a great love for scarfs but have not snagged a non-silk one in awhile. I chose this blue one that paired well with the tee but will also mesh well with most items in my closet.

shop the pieces:

redo wedding.

noreply@blogger.com (A Viza Style) — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 10:07:00 +0000

This is such a great dress I had forgotten about in my closet. I wore it to a wedding a few years ago here and haven't worn it since. It is amazing how a few years and slight styling changes can really transform a simple dress.

A great fitting dress with a fun print gives you an easy go-to piece for any wedding or formal function.

For the most recent wedding I attended, I wore this dress (also worn here).

To style things a little differently this time, I wanted to go with more retro waves in my hair and different heels.

Keepsake is one of my favorite brands that I can always count on for great quality pieces. I love the style of this dress and it is such a great item to grab for a more casual wedding if I don't have time or money to shop or rent something for the occasion.

dress: keepsake (last worn here) | shoes : zara

As wedding season is winding down, this is a great time of year to score some classic dresses that are marked down in end of season sales.

It is the perfect time to stock up for next year's round of vows!

Great wedding guest looks on sale :