Casual Friday

GREAT News!

I got a camera!!! Outfit posts shall resume shortly! :D I'm SO glad to be back. I missed ya'll!

Guest Blogger: Mariana

For the next few weeks, I'll be hosting a series of guest bloggers talking about all things personal style. For this post, the stunningly beautiful Mariana of Miss Tangerine tells us about her blog and her take on style.

My name is Mariana, I am an 18 year old blogger behind http://miss-tangerine.blogspot.com/ and I'm from Portugal. My baby blog, as I like to refer to it since it has only six short months, is about my views on fashion: mainly my outfits and inspirations. Regarding my personal style, I really do dress by the moto "less is more" and I think that is what is quite unique about me... I don't overdo my outfits, as I feel many blogguers do. As for my inspirations, I find them literally anywhere: the streets, the weather, magazines and of course other blogs as well. I find it quite interesting to see how bloggers interpret trends, and it that way I get major inspiration from fellow bloggers...

As a final note, I encourage you to check out my blog, I really think you will at least find something inspiring there!

Guest Blogger: Tessa

For the next few weeks, I'll be hosting a series of guest bloggers talking about all things personal style. For this post, Tessa of Little Contessa answers some questions about her take on style.

What inspires you when coming up with an outfit?People in Lookbook and other fashion bloggers inspire me to experiment and take risks when it comes to fashion. I adore their uniqueness and creativity in mixing and matching outfits. I look up to them because they were able to freely express themselves through dressing up. For me, it usually depends on my mood and the weather but I always make it a point that I am comfortable with what I am wearing.

Describe your style.I describe my personal style as Sophisticated yet edgy. I am into boots and motorcycle jackets and at the same time I am in love with maxi dresses and lace prints clothes. Well, those two styles really work for me since fashion depends on your personality.



What fashion advice can you give to the readers?Fashion is about expressing what and who you really are. You don’t need to follow all the “IN” trends and be someone you’re not. Remember, you are all fashionable in your own ways. For more of my styles and fashion advices, please visit my blog at littlecontessa.tumblr.com. Thank you.

Xoxo, Tessa

Guest Blogger: Andrea

For the next few weeks, I'll be hosting a series of guest bloggers talking about all things personal style. For this post, Andrea of Blonde Bedhead answers the question 'what is unique about your personal style and how does it make you stand out?

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My personal style varies day to day. One day I'll be in all leather and the next, I'm wearing an all pink, super feminine ensemble. I don't take myself too seriously and I love over-the-top, ridiculous shoes, so a majority of the time, you'll notice a crazy pair of shoes with an outfit. My big, curly hair is also something that separates me from a lot of other bloggers. Mostly due to my laziness, it's never quite put together and it differentiates me from a lot of people.

Andrea

Good Reads

Looking for new blogs to scope out? Tanita of STYLARY is doing a blogpresentation on her blog, where you can get to know a bit about new bloggers on the rise! Isn't that a brilliant idea? Comment on her page for a chance to be featured and check out her LOVELY fashion photos while you're at it :D

A Girl Can Dream

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You see this purse? Isn't it stunning? Isn't it perfection?? I'm in absolute love with this beatiful accessory, but I could never in a million years afford it. I have, however, gotten my hands on an affordable alternate with an exact color-match, same size, a litte bit more structured, and with an interesting texture to it. I will photograph it when I finally get a camera, but it has been the source of much inspiration when styling my daily work outfits. It's perfect for work or travel so it fits my style perfectly :) I can't wait to show you all my latest addition!

lots of love

~elisa~

Cameraless :(

Hi Dolls!

I'm sad to say I wasn't able to fix my camera... I'm afraid it's a goner for good :( Unfortunately, that kinda puts me out of comission with this blog for a while, hence the blogging break I'm taking. However, all hope isn't lost! I'll be trying to post tidbits of inspiration I find around the net for the next month and a half, when I plan on getting my new camera (on my next trip to the U.S.). Thanks for sticking around, being so patient, and being awesome overall!

Much love,

~elisa~

Tangerine and Turquoise Crush

Tangerine and Turquoise Crush by elisastyled featuring ankle wrap sandals

All Moved In!

I'm all moved into my new apartment! I will start posting bits and pieces of my progress as I turn this great canvas into my own stylish work of art! My camera is acting up at the moment, but I think I'll be able to get it working soon enough... Check back for more great updates! :D

Wildcard Wednesday: No Words

Top #7

Skirt #36

Shoes #6

Belt #4

Star-Studded Thursday: Youthful and Fresh

Inspired by Taylor Swift:

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Dress #5

Shoes not pictured

Belt #7

Taylor's coral dress looked so summery, fresh, and youthful that I just had to see what I could pull from my closet to emulate this look. For my hair, of course I had to go for the crazy curls that toss about in the wind to add a playful air to the whole ensemble. Loved it!

Wildcard Wednesday: Black, White, Yellow

Who knew random.org had such great sense of style? This basic little outfit came off so well put together for something chosen at random. Wildcard Wednesdays are so much fun!

Dress #4

Shoes #9

Belt #10

New Look

Hi Dolls!

I curled my dreadlocks!



Do you love it? I love it! :)

Tuesday Treasure: Chescalocs

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Ok, apparently, I've been living under a rock for who knows how long because I'm JUST NOW discovering the awesome youtube sensation that is chescalocs, one of Franchesca Ramsey's youtube channels. This girl is amazing! She's a comedian, a natural hair enthusiast, a runner, a singer, an amazing graphic designer, and has been doing videos for about 6 years now if I'm not mistaken. She's got such a bubbly personality and she's one of those people that I'm sure if I met in real life we would become good friends instantly!

As you guys know, I have dreadlocks. I have been itching for some inspiration on how to wear them in cute and stylish ways as they grow... well now that I've found chescalocs, all my troubles have vanished! lol. She's SUCH a style inspiration to thousands of girls with dreadlocks and she's just as amazing for people with no interest in dreadlocks whatsoever. I found her channel and her blog and I'm just going back through the archives because she's got the kind of content that you get hooked on immediately!

She's seriously got so many interests in common with me, it's like she's my sister from another mister! Those are the best kind of bloggers, you know, the ones that you can relate to.

Please check out her blog and her youtube channel. I promise you, you'll be hooked as well!

Chic Noire

Suggested by Elodie of Elle Yeah:

Dress #23
Belt #10
Shoes #8

I'm completely loving this simple monocrhomatic ensemble put together by the lovely Elodie! Easy as can be, yet sophisticated and fashionable. Thanks for the suggestion, Elle!

Star-Studded Thursday: Glare on Bottom

Inspired by Victoria Beckham:

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Top #2

Pants #16

Shoes #15

Belt #9

The always fashionable Mrs. Beckham looks so posh (pun intended) and polished in this picture, what with the white high-waisted sailor pants and the appearance of a pep in her step. Totally inspired me to pull out some items from my closet which most closely resembled her get-up, complete with a beehive hairdo and oversized sunglasses. Gotta love her!

Tuesday Treasure: lemlem

Hi Dolls!

This is probably the most inspirational Tuesday Treasure feature I will ever do... I absolutely LOVE the whole concept behind this amazing company. I especially love what the founder Liya Kebede, is trying to accomplish. Liya, who is Ethiopian by birth, started the company lemlem, with such a heartwarming and inspiring objective in mind: To preserve the ancient artform of traditional weaving which she realized was dwindling in Ethiopia.

From the website:

Liya Kebede discovered that traditional weavers in her native country of Ethiopia were losing their jobs due to a decline in local demand for their goods and wanted to do something about it. Recognizing the beauty, quality and historic significance of their work, Liya started Lemlem in 2007 as a way to inspire economic independence in her native country and to preserve the art of weaving.

Isn't that amazing? I'm so happy to know this thriving company is providing employment to people that deserve to show off their skills and bringing attention to a treasured artform such as weaving.

The concept behind lemlem hits especially close to home because I too have found different artforms to be dwindling in my home country of Angola, where I currently reside, due to the highly westernized lifestyle of the younger generation. Arts such as shoemaking, basket-weaving, jewelry-making, and more are all but forgotten in today's fast-paced environment.

I've had ideas swimming in my head for a while now, and since hearing about lemlem, I'm THAT much more inspired to make a difference among Angolan artisans!

This is definitely not the last you will hear from me regarding this concept. But for now, please check out lemlem, support the business, and spread the word!

Monday Maven: Elodie

Hi dolls! Today's Monday Maven is such a cutie with amazing style. Her blog is chock-full of fashion inspiration for any style-lover and her posts describing her adventures in her journey to a career in fashion keep you coming back for more. I present to you, Elodie from Elle Yeah!

StyledByU: What made you begin blogging and what motivates you to keep going?
Elodie: I had been reading blogs for a few years before actually taking the plunge and start my own. I really wanted a place on the internet that I could use as a diary, a portfolio and an inspiration board, and that is how I came up with Elle Yeah. I love the fact that sharing my inspiration, my outfits or my favorite trends with the rest of the world is only a click away, but whenever I hit a bit of slump, I just remember why I started my blog in the first place.

SBU: What advice would you give rookie bloggers for building a successful blog?
E: Firstly, make sure your blog looks appealing. Don't overdo it on the design. Instead, keep it clean and easy to read. Obviously, you can have the best quality photographs and the clearest blog in the blogosphere, without a good content, it is not worth anything. So get typing! Also, don't let the follower count gets you down. Chances are, you have a lot more readers that just don't have a google account, or simply don't use this feature on theirs. Instead, you should look at your stats and comments. Sometimes you'll see the same names over and over again in your comments. These are your readers, not the ones who followed, hoping to be followed back. Last but not least, never lose sight of who you are, and what your blog is all about. Freebies might be nice, and being invited to fancy events is definitely a plus, but always remember why you started blogging in the first place and most importantly… HAVE FUN!

SBU: How would you describe your personal style?
E: I would describe my personal style as classic with a twist. Indeed, I am not one to take a lot of risks when it comes to fashion, but I do like spicing my outfits up with accessories, jewelry, or even makeup!

SBU: Who is your all-time favorite fashion inspiration, living or dead?
E: Believe it or not, my sister is actually my biggest source of inspiration. She has an amazing eye for fashion, and always seems to be a step forward. She spots trends earlier than magazines do, and it is not rare for me to talk about a certain must-have item, only to realize it has been sitting in her closet for months! Some other ones worth mentioning would be Audrey Hepburn, for her class, Olivia Palermo, Blake Lively, and my fellow bloggers of course!

SBU: Tell us something about yourself that we wouldn't know just by following your blog…
E: Not many people online know this, but I sing and also play the guitar. In fact, if you were to ask me what my most precious possession was, I probably wouldn't be able to make up my mind between my Mulberry oversized Alexa, and my 2001 Fender Telesonic electric guitar.

SBU: Will you style my outfit for the day?

E: Dress #23, Belt #10, Shoes #8 for a sophisticated and fashionable look.

Thanks Elodie! LOVED your answers!

Check back later this week to see how I wore her suggestion :)

Star-Studded Thursday: So Cool, So Chic

Inspired by Kim Kardashian:

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There's nothing like an easy-to-wear, versatile piece that makes you look and feel cool and chic in one fell swoop. That's exactly what I loved about the look Kim K rocked in the picture above, which inspired me to wear an office-appropriate version of a striped maxi dress. I love the way it turned out... what do you all think?

the back detail makes my heart go pitter-patter...

All the items I wore are part of the emergency haul I did during my trip which I hope to capture in a haul video soon! :D