A Love Affair

GUEST BLOGGER

Crystal Cunningham - Stella & Dot Stylist

 

Do you ever just stumble across something you instantly fall in love with? That’s what happened to me with Stella & Dot. I first was introduced to it by a friend who began selling it to make extra income, and I quickly loved all the jewelry and bags they had to offer. Not long after, I decided to start selling it myself.  It has grown into a wonderful love affair (which my husband can attest to).

Each season, Stella & Dot releases a small preview line and then their full line. For Summer I thought it would be a great opportunity to share with you five of their best sellers; items which I think are must haves.

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5. The Wanderer necklace $39 – This colorful mini statement necklace is perfect for that pop of color for the summer months. The chain is a vintage gold and features colorful discs for that mixed media look. Wearable by itself or you can layer with a longer necklace.

 

 

 

 

 

4. The Wanderer Cuff $34 – Sticking with the Wanderer theme, I introduce the Wanderer Cuff. This gold cuff features hand braided multi-colored strands of pinks and blues. I also love the mixed media look of this, and can be easily paired with other jewelry. Throw on a couple other bracelets and have yourself an arm party!

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Pavé Chevron Ring $29 – What’s bigger than chevron print right now? Nothing, so that makes this ring a must have. Comes with an adjustable fit, and with the delicate design it makes this ring great for your everyday outfits.

 

 

 

 

 

2. City Slim Clutch Botanical Print $49 – This is the perfect clutch to add to any outfit. Use it to dress up your favorite ensemble, or you can add a chain to make a cross body. The botanical print is what makes this clutch a stand out in my opinion, and is sure to catch everyone’s eye.

 

 

 

1. Pegasus Necklace $198 – I know what you’re thinking. “What a statement!” Take a minute and imagine putting this beauty over top of a basic black maxi dress with a denim jacket for layering. Complete the look with your hair up and simple studs, because you want this ensemble to be all about the Pegasus.

 

 

 

 

My end note would be to fall in love with your accessories. They can finish any look, and make your outfit standout from the rest. I don’t leave my house without popping on a pair of earrings, or throwing on some bracelets for that amazing arm party look. So what look will you wear today?

 

 

 

Crystal Cunningham – Guest Blogger

Stella & Dot Stylist

www.stelladot.com/crystalcunningham

 

 

*all photo credit to stella & dot official page



 

 

 

 

Read My Lips

 





Earrings: Nicole by Nicole Miller; Necklace: LC Lauren Conrad; Moto Jacket: New York & Company; Tank: Juicy Couture; Pink Stone Ring: Unknown (gift); Geometric Ring: Forever 21; Leggings: Elie Tahari for Designation; Platform Heels: Simply Vera Vera Wang

I have a confession to make.

I'm a bit of a flirt.

A sly smile. A twinkle in my eye. A playful exchange. And then of course, there's the fashion.

I prefer clothing that suits my attitude and my style. Sure, I would never say no to a curve hugging dress on date night, but normally I just love clothing that explains who I am. I LOVED this tank from Juicy Couture. The sparkly lip print was so eye catching and flirty and I didn't mind the loose fit of the top at all. This allowed me to go for a tighter fit on the bottom.

Enter my fierce Elie Tahari for Designation mesh scuba leggings. Ladies, with the body hugging fit of the leggings, they basically speak for themselves!

I love a moto jacket (as showcased a few times on this blog!) and I fell in love with this powder pink (flirty!) color, which brought new life to a style normally dominated by the color black.

And need we even pause any further before discussing the heels? It's hard NOT to be flirtatious in a gorgeous pair of heels. These perforated platform beauties gain attention with every step.

Did you notice my necklace? I love the lift of the little girl's heel while she's kissing the little boy. Too...cute!

This look was fun to put together and even more fun to wear. It was easy to be flirty in this outfit...especially with my boyfriend on the other side of the camera.

Liz

A Statement Piece

 

 

 

 

 Sunglasses: Simply Vera Vera Wang; Ear Cuff: Jennifer Lopez; Link Bracelets: Dana Buchman; Hammered Bangle: Unknown (gift); Watch: Guess; Top: Rock & Republic; Boyfriend Jeans: Gap; Studded Pumps: Aldo

I love to make a statement!

Whether it's a witty (sarcastic?) statement that comes out of my mouth on a daily (hourly?) basis or throwing on something eye catching. I was out shopping months ago and came across these boyfriend jeans from Gap. I love them. They have a different fit from my other boyfriend jeans and had no distressing, either. I tried them on once I was home and my boyfriend was not impressed.  He thought they were "too boyfriend." I told him I'd prove him wrong. I believe my statement was "Studded heels and a cute top. That's all you need and those boyfriend jeans will be transformed, you watch!"

On another outing, I came across this Rock & Republic top and saw the statement "So Over It." I loved it. It had perfect attitude and I knew it would be great with a low slung jean. I also spotted these cool Jennifer Lopez ear cuffs and figured, "Well, it's a statement piece." And off to the register I went.

As we all know, I love a pop of color (you know, something that draws the eye in). One of my perfect pair of heels for this reason alone is my cobalt blue studded/spiked heels from Aldo. Those heels are a statement in themselves.

Facial expressions are also a great statement. I'd be a horrible poker player. It is clearly evident what I am thinking and feeling by looking at my face at all times. But sometimes it is fun to hide your expression with a large pair of shades. I have Vera Wang to thank for this.

When I was shooting the pics for this blog, I was at a park and was consistently being passed by dog walkers and joggers alike. Some glanced over while others stared, neither of which bothered me. I had made a statement. And I think it was a pretty good one.

Liz

Mix It Up

 

 

 

 



Sunglasses and Peep Toe Pumps: Jessica Simpson; Sweater: Gap; Necklace and Handbag: Simply Vera Vera Wang; Denim Leggings: LC Lauren Conrad; Earrings: Unknown (gift); Bangles: Forever 21

 

How many times do you pass someone on the street or flip through magazines and wish you could pull off a certain look? I guarantee the number surpasses zero. I love my fashion magazines. I subscribe to most and then I get online and read and gaze even more. A certain look that keeps grabbing my attention is mixing prints.

 

For many years, I was scared of doing such a thing. I've admired mixed prints all over New York City, in the beautifully styled pages of Vogue (all hail Grace Coddington) and on Sarah Jessica Parker's character, Carrie Bradshaw, in Sex and the City for years and years.

 

I am a fan of prints and as I've gotten older, I've been more open to buying more items showcasing prints. So as I chose my blog outfit, I knew I was going to use my navy and white striped sweater from Gap and pair it with one of my red heels (Jessica Simpson won in the end...though my Nine West strappy satin sandals embellished with a gorgeous chiffon rose came in a VERY close second).

 

I looked at my handbags and thought, "Ok. This is it. Grab a floral bag."

 

I breathed in deep, picked up this pretty Simply Vera bag and threw it on my shoulder before I could think twice. I went over to my full length mirror and LOVED IT.

 

Why was this scary? It's awesome. I love the stripes with the florals and it wasn't overkill. It was the perfect pairing of prints. If any of you feel anxious about mixing prints, start out small, like me. Do a top with a handbag. Or if you are fearless, do the top AND the pant! Have fun with it and experiment with your clothing.

 

Who knows? Maybe this is only the beginning for me in the mixed prints department.

 

Liz



Coffee Shop Chic

 

 

 Aviators: Tahari; Earrings: Chico's; Velvet Blazer: Gap; Tee: Elie Tahari for Designation; Floral and Pearl Rings: LC Lauren Conrad; Other Gold and Midi Rings: Forever 21; Skinny Jeans: Old Navy; Handbag: New York & Company; Lace Up Peep Toe Booties: Rock & Republic

Here's a few things you should know about me. I love coffee. I can never have enough (ask my co-workers). I live in jeans and have an obsession with high heels. I always try to style my hair but it almost ALWAYS ends up in a messy bun or ponytail. Hmm, what else? Reality programs on Bravo are consistently recorded on my DVR and though I complain non-stop about getting stuck on levels of Candy Crush, it is still my go-to game.

I'm always on the go. I love to stay busy. I'm always doing something around my town house or running errands...or shopping. I love to be social. I always put thought into what I am wearing, but I try to not take too long to get ready or to pick out an outfit. Today I wanted to run out to a local coffee shop and immediately grabbed some heels and jeans and one of my favorite tees from the recent Elie Tahari for Designation line at Kohl's (FYI- This line was inspired by New York City and I seriously had to own a lot from this collection)! I am obsessed with the taxi print on this tee. It was too cold for just a tee shirt (Spring, didn't we have this discussion in my last blog post???) so I threw on a trusty black velvet blazer.

It was a cute outfit. Simple, with minimal accessories. I had my I Phone if anyone called (or if I just happened to have some lives on Candy Crush...) and a cup of coffee because, well, why not? I was able to sit down and relax and have a bite of biscotti and hang out with my boyfriend. That is, until I felt the need to get going and return home to work on this blog...and maybe catch up on some Real Housewives, too.

Liz

Spring Fling

 

 

 

Earrings: Nicole by Nicole Miller; Necklace, Gold and Beaded Bracelets, Cocktail Ring and Wristlet: Simply Vera Vera Wang; Faux Fur Vest: Jennifer Lopez; Tee: Rock & Republic; Skinny Cords and Slip On Sneakers: Gap; Rhinestone Bracelets: Swarovski

If you are sick of snow, raise your hand!

Even though I can't see you, I know I am not alone in thinking this. A week ago we had like 8 inches of snow. Today the temperature hit 55. I'm doubtful it will last...days like this are just Spring's way of teasing us. So I decided to have a fling with this Spring weather.

Pastels go with Spring like Body Con dresses go with Herve Leger. I was already wearing a white tee (you can never have enough!) and broke out my comfy Gap Always Skinny cords in this GORGEOUS pale periwinkle shade. I wish this would have been warm enough, but let's be honest. The wind is still cold, so I went back into my closet and grabbed my Jennifer Lopez faux fur vest and slid on my Gap slip on sneakers. Perfect!

Eh...maybe not.

I want to sparkle. I want to shine. I'm feeling flirty, don't forget. Some days I prefer simple jewelry. A chain with a charm or two. Perhaps a floral ring. Other days, like today, I want to stack up on jewelry. The more the better! Simply Vera Vera Wang at Kohl's is perfect for days like this. Her jewelry line is gorgeous and fun. Her pieces never shy away from the spotlight. I basically have a Simply Vera section of my jewelry armoire (kidding...not really!) so I grabbed this necklace, bracelets (with the exception of two Swarovski stunners) and a cocktail ring.

You cannot get more sparkly than that!

I like this outfit. It's simple with the casual rolled up cords and tee, yet a tad sophisticated with the faux fur vest and snakeskin wristlet. And as I walk out into the cloudless sky with rhinestones glistening in the sunlight, I give a little wink to Spring. Bring on the fling!

Liz

I Have Nothing To Wear

 

 

 

 

 

 Beanie: Forever 21; Tee: American Eagle Outfitters; Cardigan Sweater: Elie Tahari for Designation: Jeans: Old Navy; Ring: Juicy Couture; Ballet Flats: Rock & Republic

"I Have Nothing To Wear"

I love this tee shirt. I was out with my boyfriend shopping a while ago and came across this tee from American Eagle Outfitters and I said, "I have to buy this! It's so true!"

He looked at me like I was crazy.

Fashion is fun. I can't state that enough. What better tee shirt to showcase on a fashion blog than one with that statement?

Also, I was wanting a simple, casual look for this blog. Currently I am out of town, in Minnesota to be exact. And it's cold here! However, I took advantage of the "heat wave" today (30 degrees! Woo Hoo!) to throw on this fab Elie Tahari for Designation cardigan sweater over my tee and jeans.

I also decided to free my feet from wearing boots for weeks and slipping them into these fierce ballet flats from Rock & Republic (bought them a while ago...still love them)!

Other than combating the cold, I also have freezing winds to deal with. What better way to fight it than with braided hair and a black beanie from Forever 21? Perfect!

Sometimes my most favorite outfits (like this one) are the most simple: No bells and whistles (or sequins and gorgeous heels, for that matter).

Next time you are running errands or meeting a friend out for a bite to eat, remember that it doesn't need to take you a half hour to an hour to find the perfect outfit (believe me...it can happen)! Check the weather ~ that is ultra important. Being fashionable doesn't mean having to be too hot or too cold. Remember that layering is always easy (you can always add a layer or peel one off). Grab some of your favorite accessories. Throw your hair in a bun, scarf or hat if you are having a bad hair day (or combating brutal winds!) and jeans are always a great go-to, as they can be dressed up or down.

Voila!

You now have something to wear.

Liz