The Look 2 Ways: Sporty & Chic

Hi there!

Isn’t this warm fall surge lately insane? So nice! I headed outside to shoot this look two ways. My photographer friend Prash and I collaborated at Toronto’s Graffiti Alley for some of these looks, the ones in the park were shot by my Hubby. Follow Prash on IG @blinking.lens. My goal was to style this new London Rag collection coral lightweight sweater as a casual sporty chic look with their black joggers and their cropped puffer jacket and then elevate it with black paper bag high-waisted slacks (recent Simons find in Canada and now ON SALE!) and an older black velvet blazer (also from London Rag and still available on the site. You might remember my red one from a past post). I love the way the nude heel adds a dressy office look that can be worn out to dinner/drinks, or you can throw on the joggers after work and your sneakers to head out to the gym after your work day! My code Car20 gets you 20% off on London Rag’s website.

Additionally, I really love these London Rag black vegan croc print ankle booties which are super on trend with the pointy toe and block heel. They were also sent to me with the pieces I mentioned above and you guys they are SO GOOODDD. I would size down as they run a little big (I’m usually an 8 and this 8 was a bit roomy). Again use my promo code Car20 for a 20% discount. I love how they finished the sporty chic look but with a bit of a dressy vibe. I honestly felt like Posh Spice leaving the gym and ready for a meeting.

My next post will include a resort wear look from London Rag that is so perfect for your next vacation but doubles as loungewear (so versatile)! Stay tuned!

Be sure to follow me on the @liketoknow.it app under “Carolina Santos Read” for all outfits linked and alternative options of the items in my blog posts (if I can’t find them on there but also just to give you guys other options to go with). Note: London Rag doesn’t have a presence on LiketoKnow.it so your best bet for their items is to shop their website with my links on here using my promo code. Happy Shopping!

Xo,

Carolina

What to Wear this Valentine’s Day

  

In my Tobi Leila Laced Scalloped Skater Dress, Louboutin heels, Yves Saint Laurent medium Kate bag and Cuban heel stockings. Photographed at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel by Meghan Asselta. 

Hi there! 

With Valentine’s Day coming up many of us wonder what to wear (even when single like I currently am!) because I love holidays. Here is a really fun idea for you. I worked with Tobi clothing on the blog and I styled the Leila laced scalloped skater dress in a sexy vintage way with tan Cuban heel black back seam stockings and a classic black Louboutin Pigalle pump. I finished the look with my YSL medium Kate purse and messy wavy bed hair, a cat eye and a bright red lip. To me a woman in a classic red lip black pump and red dress will always look sexy, and the messy hair shows the look isn’t too fussy either. This dress is a little more revealing than most dresses I wear but I challenged myself to put on something a bit more daring for the occasion.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Day no matter how it’s spent. With friends family a significant other or alone, there’s no right way to spend a day celebrating love. 

Xo,

Carolina

The Bodycon LBD

Wearing my Tobi  Bella Ribbed Bodycon Dress, Christian Louboutin Pigalle heels and YSL Medium Kate bag. Photographed by Meghan Asselta in the New York Palace Hotel. 

Hi there! 

I recently started to work with Tobi clothing, and have fallen in love with some of the beautiful pieces they sent me. In this post I styled the gorgeous Bella Ribbed Bodycon dress - a perfect LBD for a night on the town- with my classic Christian Louboutin black pumps and YSL medium Kate handbag. I am also wearing Cuban heel tan stockings with a black stripe down the back because if I’m going to wear stockings I find these to be the most beautiful classic and elegant. So that’s how I finished off this classic look! Many stocking manufacturers will make this staple stocking. It makes me feel like a woman in the 1940s. My fashion might be a bit more updated but I always love a vintage feel! I feel like a classic woman in them. 

Another thing I just love about Tobi is how affordable their pieces are and they don’t look inexpensive.  Stay tuned for more Tobi looks coming up. So excited to share them with you!

Happy shopping! 

Xo, 

Carolina  

Black Tie Date Night

Photography by Whitney Browne. 

Hi there! 

Recently I was fortunate enough to be Francisco's date to his Paul Taylor Dance Company gala where we celebrated the opening of their annual season in Lincoln Center at the David Koch theater. The occasion was black tie and I love an opportunity to get dressed up. 

I found this gorgeous Jarlo gown at Bloomingdales on sale for less than $100! The necklace, bracelet, earrings, and ring are gorgeous rainbow pyrite by Made in Earth collection. Thank you to the Made in Earth team for your help in styling my dress with your gorgeous jewelry! Rainbow pyrite was not in my post from our Made in Earth shoot. It's a memory enhancement gemstone and it's from Russia. I'm obsessed with the gold pink and green sparkly hues it emits, and it accented my gown perfectly. I also wore gold sparkly peep toe Christian Louboutin pumps which I'll show you in a photo below since my gown was long and didn't show them in the photos. Finally I topped off styling the ensemble with my gold python clutch from Coach.

I always recommend after New Years sales on gowns when you have an event to go to. I always do well!

Xo, 

Carolina

Close up of the details, from my snapchat and Insta stories feed that night. Follow me on snap: @StylebyLina or @carolinasantosread on IG if you don't already!

Bows: Uptown VS Downtown

In my JCrew sleeveless ruffled collar top with Free People gold chain and attached velvet black bow, vintage striped skirt, black tights and Christian Louboutin pumps, Valentino Rock Stud bag and Guess coat. Photography by Francisco Graciano.

Hi there!

I hope everyone is enjoying their "Turkey Hangover Day" aka Black Friday. I got lots of Christmas shopping done today and am feeling accomplished. 

You may have noticed bows or ties popping up on shirt collars and all over the place.  I challenged myself to style this two ways: Uptown vs Downtown (NYC). For those of you non New Yorkers, uptown chic is usually a little more preppy and classic whereas downtown has more of a bohemian or rock and roll vibe.

In the looks above I styled a free people velvet bow on a gold chain over a JCrew button up collared sleeveless off white silk blouse which I tucked into a vintage silk pink and black striped skirt. I completed the look with tights, black stiletto Christian Louboutin pumps, my new Valentino rock stud bag, and my Guess puffy coat. It's a put together Gossip Girl style look which is chic and definitely preppy, like a schoolgirl who's grown up.

In the below looks I styled a crisp white Ralph Lauren oxford shirt with high neck collar and attached big bow with my ripped H&M high-waisted skinny jeans, Aldo studded booties, and  Rebecca Minkoff black fringe bag.  In the other photo I also added a studded tweed jacket over the blouse which I scored at H&M years ago. I posed on the fire escape for a completion to the edgier version of the bow shirt trend. 

So there are many ways to wear this bow trend, two of which I had a blast putting together and wearing! The classic white shirt will remain a closet staple, but it can always receive updates.

Xo,

Carolina

In my Ralph Lauren bow tie high collar white blouse, H&M ripped high -waisted skinny jeans, Aldo studded booties, and Rebecca Minkoff black fringe purse. I finished the look with vintage Chanel studded earrings. Photography by Francisco Graciano.