Beach Basics

Take it from me, a true So Cal girl, that there truly is such a thing as beach essentials, I have rounded up some of my favorites for you! My top 3 being: great pair of sunnies, beach-friendly carry-all, and a great hat to block the sun from your precious face!
Hope you are enjoying this fab weather we are experiencing! XO 

Tory burch shirt
toryburch.com

Dolce Gabbana bandeau top bathing suit
$500 - net-a-porter.com

Max Studio weekend bag
maxstudio.com

Striped floppy hat
$27 - oliverbonas.com

Aveeno
target.com

Ray-Ban sunglasses
$185 - eluxe.ca

Traveler

Traveler by stilettostyle featuring ray ban optical

Cocktail Dress, Casual Dress, Tee, Leather Jacket, Trench Coat, Sleepwear, Skinny Jeans, Riding Boots, Classic Pumps, Wedges, Clutch, Scarf, Sunnies, Hat, Lipstick

I am beyond excited for my upcoming travels to Germany and England, but the one issue I've hit for years is over-packing. (Take it from my experience, it is so not chic to be lugging a bulging suitcase, and what fun is to shop in foreign countries if you already know that you can't fit one more bobby pin into your luggage?)

After turning into a frequent flyer, I have gained the knowledge of how important it is to stay focused, take the essentials, only take pieces you will want to be photographed in (and look at years later without being embarassed about how you look), and keep it basic, yet be ready for any circumstance. (Who knows if a cutie on a Vespa will sweep you off your feet for a romantic adventure? Any Roman Holiday fans?...) 

With my pieces above, you can go to a fancy dinner,  casually stroll the streets, be ready for rain or shine, and of course, look fab while exploring the world. 

I know the U.S. is facing a ton of issues at the moment, but the LAST thing we need is for locals in foreign countries to look at another American tourist with the stereo-typical "Family Vacation" scrunchy socks with tennis shoes, track suits in the airport, or ill-fitted jeans. If our economy is openly down in the dumps, we might as well look good doing it! 

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Mother's Day Gift Guide by stilettostyle featuring leather handbags

Ted Baker jelly flat
$76 - psyche.co.uk

Kate Spade leather handbag
piperlime.gap.com

Oscar de la Renta chain jewelry
oscardelarenta.com

Fornash rose jewelry
simplysoles.com

ALDO stone jewelry
aldoshoes.com

Kate spade
neimanmarcus.com

Tory Burch toiletry bag
leenewman.com

Ode à la ROSE Garden Roses
ahalife.com

Spring Sweater

Spring Sweater by stilettostyle featuring leather sandals

As the cold has melted away, and we are transferring into Spring, I still love to layer on a light sweater for after the sun sets. 

I've styled this amazing Sonia Rykiel sweater two different ways, to show the variety that a simple sweater can have: boyfriend jeans + ladylike heels, or tough leather skirt + studded heels. 

Hopefully this gets your wheels turning to mix up your own wardrobe! Enjoy! XO

Currently Craving...

Here are my top 5 that I am currently craving:

Chunky White Knit Sweater  (for after the sun sets on those Summer nights)

Polka-dot Jeans (Marc Jacobs)

Bright Lady-like heels

Classic Carry-all in a bold color

Dark Pink Lipstick (Bobbi Brown)

C/O Polyvore

Weekend Getaway

Weekend Getaway by stilettostyle featuring ted baker

With the weekend right around the corner (yay!), it gets me beyond excited for my weekend wardrobe. This weekend will consist of going back to my hometown for my Sister-in-law's baby shower (another yay!), so I am craving girly, feminine looks. I have been inspired by Ted Baker London's new S/S '13 collection; from the feminine bow details, to the amazing tailoring, to the amazing POC (pop of color..), it doesn't get any more playful than that! And let's admit, the weekends are for play, right? These pieces will fit perfect into both my weekend and my Spring wardrobe.
Happy shopping! XO

My Beauty Routine + Inspiration

I love Blake Lively's whole look; not only is her closet to die for, but her "effortless glam" hair and makeup serve as an inspiration. 

Being a So Cal girl myself (and growing up with two older brothers), I have kept my beauty regime relatively simple.

Makeup: Concealer, tweezers, powder, blush, classic red lipstick, eye liner and mascara are always in my bag. Besides, you NEVER know who you will run into, or where the night will take you, right? And of course, I always have at least 3 tubes of chapstick. It's a lifesaver!

Nails: I always try to keep polish on them, and I generally stick to darker, richer tones. They always look classy.

Skincare: I have been using ProActive since I was a teen, but I was recently introduced to Kiehl's Deep Pore Cleansing Mask. I use it twice a week at home, and I can literally feel my pores being cleansed. It's the most refreshing feeling and the best way to finish out my day. 

My Beauty Routine + Inspiration by stilettostyle featuring macs cosmetics

Bobbi brown cosmetic
saksfifthavenue.com

MAC Cosmetics macs cosmetic
nordstrom.com

Clinique foundation
$42 - harrods.com

Christian Dior waterproof mascara
$35 - harrods.com

MAC Cosmetics macs cosmetic
nordstrom.com

MAC Cosmetics colorful eye makeup
bloomingdales.com

Mac cosmetics lipstick
nordstrom.com

Kiehl s kiehls skincare
cusp.com

Chapstick beauty product
walgreens.com

Dual Personalities

One blazer---> two different styles.

With such a hectic schedule and so many fun things to go to, all the pieces I purchase need to be versatile. If I am going to spend money on a quality piece, I want to ensure that I can wear it multiple ways. This fabulous Stella McCartney blazer is the perfect example. It's such a staple for Spring; you can dress it up conservatively, or add a rock edge to it for a fun night time look.  Just think: Option 1 --> meet the parents/Sunday at church/brunch/meeting or 

Option 2---> lunch with friends/out to dinner/shopping day

Hope you enjoy! XO

Dual Personalities by stilettostyle featuring a leather skirt

Moschino Cheap Chic short dress
stylebop.com

Logo tee
$26 - bfamouslondon.com

Stella McCartney colorful jacket
bernardboutique.com

Rag bone leather skirt
lagarconne.com

Gucci platform shoes
tessabit.com

Dorothy perkin
dorothyperkins.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs leather bag
couture.zappos.com

Ted baker
tedbaker-london.com

Oscar de la renta
$680 - net-a-porter.com

Mint green jewelry
orangeandpear.com

Lady-like Lace

Spring fashion always makes me excited for two things: lace and floral print. Lace is particularly one of my favorite fabric and texture. You can pair it with nearly anything, and you instantly look like a glam lady. I also like pairing lace with lace (hence the lace bag and blazer).  As long as there are other components added to break up the delicate fabrics, the result is a fresh Springtime look.

Hope you enjoy! XO 

Lady-like Lace by stilettostyle featuring fitted skirts

Christopher Kane lace jacket
$1,610 - farfetch.com

Dolce Gabbana fitted skirt
matchesfashion.com

Rupert Sanderson suede high heels
rupertsanderson.com

Dolce Gabbana genuine leather handbag
$1,900 - farfetch.com

Weekend Getaway

Weekend Getaway by stilettostyle 

Today I tried using Polyvore for the first time to create and style outfits. I absolutely loved it! They have SO MANY products to choose from, and so much inspiration from the other bloggers to really get the creative juices flowing. Here's my first one, and I hope to have many more to share! Enjoy! XO
PS- I know it's only Monday, but this outfit is already getting me excited to go on my next weekend getaway!

Genuine leather jacket
$1,240 - iro.fr

Miss Selfridge floral skirt
missselfridge.com

CÉLINE mini handbag
moaat.com

Steven alan
tenover6.com