Vacation (honeymoon) resort edit

Hi there!

Karim and I recently had our honeymoon in Europe (Island hopped in Greece, plus Mallorca and Madrid to see some family and friends). Although we couldn’t go to a friend’s wedding in the UK due to restrictions not easing up, we were so happy to have our postponed honeymoon. Next month we will have my family wedding in Brazil as our small wedding in Canada last year with Karim’s family and my parents didn’t include our friends and my big Brazilian family!

I’ve posted all these looks plus much exclusive content on my @shop.LTK app page. Follow me on there by searching for “Carolina Santos Read” under “influencer search” and you can shop all my looks including alternative looks should anything be out of stock, or just because I like to offer varying price points that are more affordable and similar as well. I won’t be posting quite as much on here going forward as most people follow my blog on Instagram as well as my LIKEtoKNOW.it app page instead, but I’m not going anywhere so feel free to email me through here with questions or DM me!

In order of how I wore them on the trip I uploaded photos above of some of my absolute favorite looks I wore while in Mallorca, Santorini, Naxos, Athens, Madrid, and Lisbon. Feel free to let me know what’s your fave! I’m loving trends like tie shoulders, smocked details, ruffles, a great print, neutrals, espadrilles, woven bags, white, and more. I also brought back some oldie but goodie looks and linked very similar currently available alternatives for you to shop. I’m also OBSESSED with the Greek designer Nema Resortwear and I bought her shell print light blue shorts and puff sleeve top, as well as a navy and gold maxi dress with the same seashell print that had me feeling like a Greek goddess. The boutique Alley Naxos (@alleyNaxos on IG) was so lovely to shop at and carries a lot of her pieces! Unfortunately the designer is not selling outside of Greece in stores or online, I contacted their PR team, but I linked similar looks (great wedding guest look ideas too not just resortwear) on the app.

I hope everyone is having a FABULOUS summer!
with love,

Carolina xo

Spring Into New Trends

Hi there!

On a recent trip to Austin, TX my dear friend and talented photographer Sarah and I shot some Spring looks. Check her out on IG @sarah_uftring. You might recognize a few of these pieces from my last post, but styled new ways. I love little pops of color for Spring, and naturally florals and other fun prints.

In the first look above I am showing off my new dress that I got myself as an early birthday present from a little Texas boutique that had all the bohemian vibes and of course I spotted a rack of all Spell dresses, one of my fave brands. They do a lot of recycled materials and all compostable or recyclable tags and packaging which I love. The booties are still available and are so inexpensive and a great quality staple brown suede boot!

In the second look above I went a little more classic with my look with my pop of color spring long coat, which is so inexpensive! It comes in a few colors. I styled the look with the boho top I shared to LIKEtoKNOW.it already which is an inexpensive dupe of Spell the Aussie brand that makes all my boho style dreams come true. My high waisted raw hem ankle cut flare jeans are my fave jeans of this season, and my booties are still avail (I shared them a bunch over the holidays when they were first on sale). The look below it wearing my new brown warmer double breasted coat sold out so quickly after it went on sale. There are other colors available in it though like a beautiful light blue tone. My white tank top underneath and the same jeans and ankle boots make for an effortless classic look. The coat dresses up any outfit!

In the next look I kept the same jeans on and changed into my fave oldie but goodie cowboy booties (linked similar as mine aren’t available anymore) and a new teddy coat long shacket. It runs big so definitely size down if you don’t want an oversized fit. It’s so warm and cozy and funky! Perfect for end of winter into Spring. It’s on sale right now too!

Now for some really springy looks like my dress in the first look above. I love my Spell seashell skirt I got around the holidays in their last sale. It’s not available on the site anymore but I linked a similar one. As always check my @liketoknow.it page in the app for alternative brands and similar items at varying price points for every look I link. Spell makes gorgeous prints but so many companies are doing this right now! I styled the skirt with an older fringe vest and my bell sleeve stretchy top from Bohemian Groove on the Move, one of the best traveling boutiques (but you can always order through their website or IG and they invoice you directly and ship anywhere). It’s a small business owned by a badass female and I’ve gotten amazing pieces from her from time to time! The top I’m wearing from them is not available anymore so I linked a similar one that’s on sale. I finished off the look with my brown booties and fringe purse. The purse is on sale too!

In the next look I’m wearing my new fave cropped puffer jacket. It’s floral, it’s super soft and comfy, and it’s now on super sale and under $20! I have been wearing it so much. I’m in the same accessories and jeans from the look above. Honestly though, how perfect is this jacket?!

The last and final look is my oldie but goodie Free People floral print fringe kimono with velvet print. It’s older and I will wear it forever. I’m linking a similar one here. It makes me feel like one of my faves when I wear it: Stevie Nicks. The top is the same bell sleeve cropped stretchy top, and the same new ankle cut raw hem high waisted jeans I have been wearing on repeat. My cowboy booties will never go out of style and only get more comfortable as they get beat up and broken in. I linked a similar pair here.

Happy Spring! Enjoy the beautiful weather getting warmer as it’s now starting to do back home and not just in Texas, hehe.

Xo,

Carolina

Accessories edit with Promo code

Hi there!

Karim and I have loved our staycation in various parts of our province of Ontario, including this gorgeous vineyard. It’s fitting that the dress is from a Canadian store close to us in Toronto (it’s a Canadian chain) called The Latest Scoop. I styled alternative look-alike options on my LiketoKnow.it also, follow me there! My dress is the “ribbed knit midi dress” and comes in 5 colors. They are having a sale on sale for an additional 20% off! It’s so easy breezy to wear and can be dressed up or down. I styled it with my “Greece White Leather” Steve Madden flats, which are perfect Hermès dupes! Use code Spring40 to get 40% off this style now. Steve Madden also has a Canada site so no encountering customs fees to have it shipped internationally, etc!

My gorgeous palm earrings are from the American brand Ettika. My personal discount code for them is “Carolina10” for 10% off! I’ve worn other pieces of theirs in previous blog posts, so I will post those couple photos below for you to see those jewelry items. More pics of Ettika pieces they’ve sent me and I wear nonstop are included in my “product faves” highlight reel on my IG. Lastly, the bag is Topshop and is on sale! There’s also a Topshop Canada (I picked it up at our local mall in Toronto). I love the cute shell detail. 🐚 I also linked look-alike bags on my LiketoKnow.it profile.

I’m obsessed with the varying landscapes of Ontario! If you look at my “Toronto” highlight on my Instagram @carolinasantosread.fashion or @carolinasantosread (blog or performer pages) you will see what I mean.

I hope you are enjoying Summer:)

Xo,

Carolina

Suede, Fringe, and the Reformation

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Wearing the Rosetta Dress by Reformation and fringe sandals from a boutique in Madrid, Spain.  Photography in San Antonio, TX by Francisco Graciano.

Hi there!

I was recently in San Antonio, Texas visiting Francisco's family when we thought the backdrop of this park would be perfect to shoot my new Rosetta Dress by Reformation.  I wanted to convey the movement of this dress and showcase the color (seen here in cognac) as well as the neckline bow detail and billowy sleeves.  I love how figure-flattering this dress is, as well as transitional from warmer fall days into winter when worn with tights and boots. In New York the weather has been so unpredictable that it is helpful to have pieces such as these in your closet at the moment!

I really love Reformation because aside from their clothes being fabricated in the United States, they are a sustainable and eco-friendly company.  Their clothes are all recycled and made with fabric that doesn't harm the environment.  Also, the company takes into account the costs associated with creating fashion.  They actually track the pounds of carbon dioxide emitted and gallons of water used to make and wear their clothes, and in exchange they help plant forests to naturally capture CO2 from the air and invest in clean water solutions. They also use very minimal and always recyclable packaging when they ship. They are awesome.  Follow @reformation on Instagram to find out more.  In addition to posting their Ref Babes wearing their clothes, they provide frequent tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint which is really helpful.  You also might have seen some famous faces in their clothes.

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Still dancing in my Reformation Rosetta Dress, fringe sandals and 12th Tribe faux suede Ferris Fringe jacket.  Photography by Francisco Graciano.

As you can see I was still dancing in the photo above where I styled my Reformation dress with my fringe shoes and new faux suede Ferris Fringe jacket by 12th Tribe.  I love the movement in the fringe jacket, and as a dancer I'm naturally drawn to movement.  I'm loving the suede and fringe trends for fall and winter, they have a 70s boho feel that is so much fun to wear.  I picked up this jacket in the camel color because it's a neutral tone and matches with a lot of other options, and can be dressed up with a dress or skirt, or dressed down with jeans.  I'm new to the [12th] tribe babe having actually discovered them recently on Instagram.  They have a beautiful boho vibe and funky clothes.  I'm loving their clothing! Their team is super friendly also.  I wish they would come to New York, but in the meantime I'll gladly have their clothes shipped from California.

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Wearing all Free People in a recent Free People secret stylist shoot in Manhattan's Upper East Side styled by Jessica Hill and shot by Isabella Nicole from FP UES.

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Wearing all Free People in a recent Free People secret stylist shoot in Manhattan's Upper East Side styled by Jessica Hill and shot by Isabella Nicole from FP UES.

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close-up outfit details

I was recently fortunate enough to be gifted some beautiful Free People pieces and then instructed to head to my local Upper East Side Free People store and meet my secret stylist who would style me for a Free People photo shoot.  Remember a few posts ago where I mentioned how good Free People is at inviting their FP Me stylists to events and things? This is a perfect example of their awesomeness.  Anyway, Jessica Hill my fabulous stylist and Isabella Nicole (find them under those names on FPMe, I'm Lina7 if you have the app) the talented photographer and I got ready and hit the streets of my beloved Upper East Side neighborhood to showcase the look. In this outfit I'm wearing all current Free People pieces: the Swingin' Suede dress (worn as a coat), the Midnight City Embroidered Top, the Denim Super Flare, and the Koda Brushed Scarf in off white. I loved how the outfit came together: the neutrals offset with the black jean, the soft texture of the oversized scarf next to the embroidered flowers on the billowy top.  The third photo showcases the texture and details in this outfit really well.  What you can't see in that photo is that this top also has a drawstring at the waist which allows the top to be synched and folded over to create a crop top perfect with the slightly low rise jeans I was wearing. 

This shoot was serendipitous since it gave me more outfit inspiration of ways to wear my current obsession over suede and update a 70s bohemian chic look.  Jessica and Isabella and I all agreed that the way the outfit came together incorporated my love of boho (which Free People does so well) with an updated uptown flare so fitting for the Upper East Side neighborhood the store is located in and where I'm proud to call home.  Thank you Jessica and Isabella for your eye and willingness to play with me, and of course a big thank you to Free People for always being so good to me!

Xo,

Carolina

Out on the Town Style: Classic Meets Modern

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Here I am at NYC's new Whitney Museum in the Meat Packing district, wearing my new Diane Von Furstenberg (DVF) wrap dress, Aldo studded flats, and Louis Vuitton Alma bag.  Photography by Francisco Graciano.

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This time shot from the outside patio of the Whitney Museum.  For outfit credits please see photo above.  Photography by Francisco Graciano.

Hi there! 

I am back on US soil after a hop down to South America to be in my cousin's wedding in Brazil which was spectacular.  It was much warmer there than in NYC (as it is springtime there), and I had fun playing with summer/resort wear for a little while longer before returning to what is finally colder fall weather in NYC.  

Even though the weather is getting colder, the holiday season is always a time of celebration and fun cocktail parties.  Next week I will do a feature on holiday dresses, but first I want to talk about a classic timeless piece: Diane Von Furstenberg's wrap dress in a traditional print (the iconic kisses) but in a pop art design shown in my photos above.  I recently purchased this dress because it is modern, flirty, and fun but also timeless.  In my opinion the backdrop of the new Whitney Museum of modern art was a perfect setting to shoot it, among some of my favorite Rothkos, Pollocks, and Warhols: modern and iconic art.

A little over a year ago I visited the DVF "Journey of a Dress" exhibit in LA at the LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) and I was so inspired by the evolution of her iconic wrap dress.  Diane's slogan is to "Feel like a woman...wear a dress" and the effortless wrap dress is easy to wear, chic, and transitions beautifully from day into night.  I styled mine with my Louis Vuitton red Alma bag, black Aldo studded flats for a little edge, and a leather jacket.  It can also easily be worn with tights and heels and added accessories for a night look. As one of my fashion idols, I believe owning a DVF wrap dress is a closet staple like the Chanel quilted handbag, a LV speedy, or a Cole Haan loafer.  What are your closet staples?

Happy Holidays!

Xo,

Carolina 

Free People and Fall Nail Art

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 Free People Movement drifter pant and white flowy top, Aldo booties, Zara vegan leather jacket, Urban Outfitters beanie, and Chanel purse. Photography in Brooklyn by Francisco Graciano.

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Free People floral corduroys and slouchy top, Aldo booties, and Rebecca Minkoff fringe purse.  Photography in SoHo by Francisco Graciano.

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For outfit credits please see photo above.  Photography by Francisco Graciano.

Hi there!

For today's blog entry I wanted to talk about how much I love Free People.  Free People is a clothing store chain that to me captures the essence of the style I love.  They combine rock and roll with festival and traditional hippie fashion that can either be rough around the edges or girly.  It's not too fussy or contrived, and the pieces I buy from Free People I find to be timeless.  Check out my Free People Me (#FPMe) account under Lina7, where I've styled a lot of other Free People pieces in my wardrobe.  The fact that this brand allows for consumers who may or may not be bloggers or stylists to style their FP wardrobe and post on the FPMe app is genius.  There you can see how other people styled the pieces you are wanting to purchase and get ideas about fit and styling beforehand.  Free People also holds events for Free People Me stylists a few times a year.  I've been invited to rooftop dinners, yoga sessions, and scored dress benefits.  You guys seriously rock.

If you look at my images above you'll see a few "oldy but goodie" favorites.  The first image has some Free People harem/slouchy pants (called "The Drifter Pant") that I wear day to day or to dance class or yoga styled with my Aldo studded booties, Free People baggy white top, and my Zara blush vegan leather jacket I talked about in my last post.  I finished the look with my hair naturally curly, a berry lip and cat eye, and an old Urban Outfitters black beanie that is a fave of mine once it starts to get colder.  My quilted chain strap Chanel is a classic and goes with any outfit. The Free People pieces in that outfit are versatile from the yoga room or dance floor to a casual stylish day look.

The second two photos include my Free People floral corduroys from last year (their actual name is the "FP Printed Cord Skinny") that I will be re-wearing this season styled above with the same Aldo booties and Free People top. I completed the look with my natural curly hair and my Rebecca Minkoff fringe black cross body bag I scored at last year's sample sale.  This outfit is casual and comfortable with a bohemian and slightly edgy vibe that I just love.

Did you know Free People is the same company as Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie? Well now you do.  All 3 of those stores have a similar aesthetic but a slightly different target demographic.  Anthro and Urban have insanely beautiful stuff too, and Anthropologie has some great sales.  I'm currently eyeing a coat at Anthropologie!

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Nail Art done by Marie Nails (Nolita location) for a recent print shoot showcasing fall runway nail art trends. Photography by Prime Content Studio NYC.

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Another fall nail art trend for my recent print shoot.  Nails by Marie Nails (Nolita location), photography by Prime Content Studio NYC.

In the above two photos you'll see a couple of fall nail art trends that were seen on the fall runways this year.  The former of the two photos is a spin on the black and gold as well as glitter trends (I am obsessed with the detail in the leaf nail, they are wizards at Marie Nails).  The latter photo is a spin on the paint trend as well as red and black seen on runways such as Desigual (the Barcelona designer famous for mixing things up).  Which one's your favorite? They are both gel nails with nail art design, and they lasted a really long time.  My favorite was the black and gold because I had never had studs on my nails before, and I absolutely loved how it looked.

Xo,

Carolina

My Favorite Fall Color and Fall Florals

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Burgundy vegan leather pants and booties by H&M, turtleneck by Zara, jacket by Blank NYC, purse by Kate Spade.  Photography by Francisco Graciano

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In the same vegan leather H&M burgundy pants and black booties and Zara top as the previous picture.  Perfect for a fall family foliage stroll in CT!

Hi there!

I'm not sure about you, but this fall in NYC the weather has been a little nuts.  First it's cold, then it warms up to 70s, then it goes back to the 40s.  For this weather I find layers most suitable, but a fun color palette to play with makes layering so much more fun.  In the two above photos taken in 5th Avenue NYC (by my talented photographer boyfriend) and in the Connecticut shoreline with my parents, you can see I'm pretty into the color burgundy for fall.  This burgundy has been described as oxblood or bordeaux depending on the shade, but it's an unmistakable deep red that is so beautiful and fun to pair with black, pink, grey, army green, brown, and orange.  These vegan leather H&M pants are not only affordable but comfortable and can be dressed up or down.  I paired them here with a chunky heel lace-up bootie (also from H&M) and a black sleek turtleneck (and opted for straight hair to round out a polished look).  I've been layering a black jacket with it, army jackets, and my light pink vegan leather jacket in my photo below (see florals below).

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Over-the-knee leather boots by Nordstrom, patchwork suede mini skirt by Zara, purse by Celine.

Here's another example of burgundy done in a patchwork suede mini skirt I recently purchased at Zara.  I paired it with over-the-knee black leather boots from Nordstrom and my brand new fall splurge: the Celine nano cross body luggage handbag in beige.  As you can see the skirt has suede patches of beige, black, and navy to go with the burgundy.  I styled the skirt with the same black turtleneck, an older necklace from Urban Outfitters and my new Celine nano luggage tote. I was ready for a night in Lincoln Center last weekend to see Marcelo Gomez's choreography premiere "After Affect" at American Ballet Theater. Of course this required I pay homage to my bunhead days and sweep my hair into a high bun!

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Shopping at the famers market in fall florals.  Vintage skirt, shoes by H&M, top by JCrew, jacket by Zara, and purse by Chanel. Photography by Graham Scott.

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For outfit credit see photo above.  Photography by Graham Scott.

Lastly, in these two photos you'll see I styled the same H&M lace-up platform booties with hose, a floral mini skirt, an army green (with black vegan leather collar) silk button-down blouse, and pink vegan leather jacket with my matching light pink Chanel tote bag.  This spring-looking outfit can be worn into fall when the weather isn't too cold, layered with a jacket, long-sleeve, and hose underneath.  This look was so much fun to wear to buy pumpkins and fall flowers. I love the way light pink looks with army green (just like in my maxi dress from my previous post), and florals can easily transition from spring into fall.

Xo,

Carolina

Summer To Fall & jumpsuit love

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Photo by Francisco Graciano www.franciscograciano.com

Hi there! My name is Carolina Santos Read.  Born in London to Brazilian parents and raised in Madrid, CT, and New York, I am a freelance dancer actor and model with a HUGE passion for fashion and travel.  I decided to create this fashion blog as an extension of my website after a lot of encouragement from friends (and my handsome dancer and photographer boyfriend) and family to do so.  I hope you enjoy!

For my first post I wanted to talk about how much I love jumpsuits.  Pictured above is this jumpsuit I bought recently on my South America trip with Francisco (who was touring with Paul Taylor Dance Company where he works, and I went along as Taylor wife and unofficial translator post closing of my regional production of South Pacific I was performing in).  The tour culminated in a stop in Rio de Janeiro (where I've been many times to see family), and I can not make a trip to Rio without stopping at my FAVORITE Brazilian clothing store, Farm.  I brought some of the dancers along with me after a fun sightseeing adventure and I explained Farm as an Anthropologie or Free People (some of my favorite American stores) meets JCrew. They are great at fusing hippie laid-back Rio style with bright colors that are festive and fun to wear.  My fashion sensibilities always incorporate color and a little gypsy/boho with a little rock and roll.  I like to mix it up, one day preppy another hippie, another more edgy, but at the heart of my dressing is always a femininity. 

It's starting to get cold in New York, but this jumpsuit can transition into fall because of the dark mixed with a pop of color.  I was pictured here on September 1st heading to Francisco's birthday dinner (a surprise party I set up at Officina Latina restaurant) in SoHo on an end of summer day, so I didn't need a jacket just yet.  I would now style this with a closed-toe heel, leather jacket, and scarf. 

Visit www.farmrio.com.br for the jumpsuit.  Don't forget jumpsuits aren't always just for tall bodies.  I'm 5'6" and have an athletic dancer body but with curves, and I love the way a tight top and baggy pant jumpsuit lengthens and leans me out.  Other jumpsuits have looked awkward on me, but this one was perfect.  With a platform I felt like I was in the 70s and super tall. Another jumpsuit I bought recently was an all-black one from H&M with baggy dress pants attached to a tight tank mesh top with a crop top underneath the mesh.  It's all black and I style it with a pop of color in my makeup and a statement shoe or bag (like my red Valentino rock stud heel for a killer rock and roll look).  With that jumpsuit I tend to wear my hair in a high ponytail or swept into a high bun to draw focus to the high tank neckline and detail of the crop top under the mesh.  

Xo,

Carolina