Post Holiday Pre NYE glow

 

Hi there! 

I hope you had a fantastic Christmas if you celebrate it! I loved being back on the East Coast visiting family in Connecticut and friends in NYC. I’m now back on the West Coast and in that lull between Christmas and New Years when you don’t know what day it is! But one thing is for sure: you can still sparkle.

I wore this look in CT for Church and it’s so much fun to throw on some metallics at this time of year, but not just on this time of year. I’m wearing an oldie but goodie Zara pleated metallic skirt (they are still avail not just in Zara but I’ve seen versions at H&M, JCrew Banana Republic and more) with a Zara Chanel-esque tweed metallic moto jacket and JCrew ruffle sleeveless white blouse. My brown riding boots are Cole Haan and my pink velvet chain strap bow purse was a recent score from the Saks 5th Ave outlet! It’s by Rebecca Minkoff. 

Shine on, guys! 

xo

Carolina

Boho Bombers for Spring

  

Wearing my Spell Designs blue skies bomber, Rebecca Minkoff mini love Crossbody with her pink embroidered guitar strap, H&M vegan leather moto pants and platform lace-up booties.  

Hi there!

I’m obsessed with the bomber jacket trend (I almost like it more than my moto jacket craze which will never get old)! I’m feeling this Spell Designs bomber jacket because it has a floral pattern to make it a little boho, and it’s very lightweight so it can be worn under a jacket or as a thin layer over a tank only. I styled it with H&M vegan leather moto pants and lace-up platform booties to give it a little edge, as well as my Rebecca Minkoff mini love Crossbody bag with RM embroidered guitar strap.  

As always I favor a bohemian rock and roll look, but this one is updated and so easy and fun to wear. 

Happy (almost) Spring!

Xo, 

Carolina

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. 

Festival Wear 🌸🌼🌻🎸🎤

Having a ball at the Governors Ball music festival in NYC recently! Wearing 12th Tribe pants, Free People top, H&M platform booties, and a Rebecca Minkoff purse (the mini Love Crossbody). 

Hi There! 

With Summer now in full swing, music festivals are going on everywhere! I was recently at the Governors Ball festival in New York, and I went in full festival garb.

In my look above I styled my 12th Tribe bell bottom print pants with Free People fringe top, H&M platform lace-up booties, and my Rebecca Minkoff mini pink Love Crossbody purse. I also topped off the look with natural curly hair and a flower crown. 

Last year at Governors Ball I wore a jumpsuit which was beautiful but difficult to use the bathroom in (had to get full naked in a portopotty!) so this year I opted for an easier pant and a platform rubber bootie that was easy to clean at the end of the festival once it was covered in mud from the field.

Happy Festival Season babes! 

xo, 

Carolina

Walking the Strange Creek festival last year wearing a Free People fringe kimono, Aldo studded ankle booties, and Express cutoff black denim shorts and H&M black crop top. 

Here's an outfit from last year's Strange Creek Music Festival wearing Topshop pants, Aldo ankle boots, and a Free People top and necklace.  

The 90s Are Back

Visiting the Ricardo Brennard museum in Recife with my cousin, boyfriend, and Mom wearing my espadrilles from Spain, Forever 21 skirt, H&M crop top, and Aldo choker. Photography by Francisco Graciano.  

Hi there! 

Happy first day of summer! I was recently on vacation visiting family in Brazil and while visiting the Ricardo Brennard museum Frsncisco and I felt inspired to shoot in the beautiful setting that is the grounds of the museum.  

Recently 90s fashion has resurfaced in a big way. In my look you'll see two or three of those trends: the choker, the crop top, and a long skirt. My crop top from H&M is updated with small mesh cutouts on the sides, and the choker from Aldo is a felt wrap choker that can be worn different ways. The skirt is a flowy light pink number from Forever 21 that is slightly sheer with a darker pink solid mini inside to add depth, and the draping on the skirt adds some nice texture too. I finished the look with an espadrilles from Spain (where espadrilles originated: "alpargatas") for a casual daytime look. Swap the flat for a wedge or heel in the evening and voila you have a fun summer going out look!

Enjoy the beautiful weather, 

Xo, 

Carolina

Resort Wear & Spring Trends

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Wearing a new Zara off the shoulder top with new Aldo lace up flats, H&M ripped black jeans, and a Rebecca Minkoff fringe cross body bag. Photographed in Mexico by Francisco Graciano.

Hi there!

I was recently in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for a resort vacation and Francisco and I took some resort wear shots, the first of which I'm featuring here and will continue to feature in the next couple posts! These spring looks transition easily into summer as well, but when I think resort florals and a beachy feel (sometimes preppy) certainly comes to mind.

In the photos above I'm wearing a new Zara floral off the shoulder crop top (link includes the exact link to the top) that I paired with my new Aldo green lace-up "Harmony" flats, my also new H&M skinny high-waisted ripped black jeans, and an "oldie-but-goodie" black leather fringe cross body bag I scored at a Rebecca Minkoff sample sale.  

I'm not always one to follow every new trend, but this spring's off the shoulder trend as well as lace up flats I'm really loving.  The top and shoes are recent purchases that won't break the bank, and neither will the H&M ripped jeans.  The top and pants are both under $40 and the shoes are only $60! As always, click on my direct links to buy.  As a rule when I'm trying out new trends I stick to a more affordable store so if I don't wear it another season I'm not worried about the price I paid (a one season investment is ok if you didn't spend too much in my eyes).  However, I can see myself wearing these two trends for many seasons! 

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Here is a closer look at the accessories linked above.  I love how the shoes tie around the ankle!

My Rebecca Minkoff bag is a high quality purse (I always like to buy bags of good quality since I wear them often and even trend purses should last multiple seasons), and her price point is always reasonable for being a high end designer. Plus she's from New York! Fun fact I shot a commercial that her husband directed! They are SUCH a cool and awesome couple and family.

Tag me in your resort looks on Instagram and I'll repost! My fashion blog (new) IG is @carolinasantosread and my personal performer one is @L1naBaller1na.

Xo,

Carolina

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A different take on the same look.  I call this "resort hipster." Thanks for your eye, Francisco! 

Army Green and Blush Pink

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In my W by Worth top, Zara long vest, H&M skinnies, Valentino rock stud flats, and Rebecca Minkoff purse while strolling Park Ave.  Photography by Francisco Graciano.

Hi there!

Lately I have been really loving the color combination of army green paired with a soft blush pink or baby pink.  As you can see by my outfit above, I paired my W by Worth new spring 2016 top (the one I purchased after my recently blogged-about visit to the showroom) with my cream and blush pink cheetah print H&M skinny jeans.  

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The details of the same outfit up close and personal

I then accessorized the top and pants with an army green long vest I bought recently from Zara, and my favorite Valentino cream and pink rock stud flats.  My bag is an oldie but goodie I scored a couple years ago at a Rebecca Minkoff sample sale.  I love the cream and black color combination on it with the big bow on the front and metal chain link hardware on the strap: another great example of girly meets rock and roll.

This time of year the flowers everywhere in New York are stunning, and my Upper East Side neighborhood is no exception with the blooming trees and tulips on the ground.  A perfect colorful setting to shoot this look.

Xo,

Carolina

Tartan and Holiday Nails

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Wearing the maxi tartan "Venitia Dress" by Free People, Aldo studded booties, Rebecca Minkoff fringe purse, and Urban Outfitters sweater and beanie.  Photography by Francisco Graciano.

Hi there!

When I think of the holidays what comes to mind is not only glitter, sparkle, and metallics but also tartan.  You know, that beautiful old-school English Ralph Lauren version of plaid that can be either worn edgy or preppy.  In my photo above I styled the beautiful Venitia Dress by Free People with Aldo studded black ankle booties, my Rebecca Minkoff fringe purse, and Urban Outfitters sweater and beanie for a bit of an edgier feel. I love this dress not only for its maxi length but the back and front are deep Vs, and styled with my hair up and maybe a black sequin blazer and heels makes it the perfect outfit choice for a holiday party!

Another way to do plaid I really love is in a buttoned up oxford shirt worn tucked into skinny jeans and with ankle or high boots.  Top it off with a blazer and you have a preppy put together outfit! I am also into a little bow under the buttoned up collar for a feminine touch to a masculine look. Additionally, playing with texture is always fun with plaid. Sometimes I wear my tartan oxford with a sequined mini skirt and tights, or with vegan leather pants.  

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Nail art by Absolutta Esmalteria in Socorro, SP Brazil.

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Holiday nail art option number two, also by Absolutta Esmalteria in Socorro, SP Brazil

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Red nails are always a classic for Christmas! New gold moccasin slippers by JCrew factory.

These three holiday nail options pictured above are some of my favorites lately.  In the first photo you'll see a fuchsia nail with gold glitter french manicure accents and a gold glitter statement nail, which I came up with to match my pink and gold look for my cousins' wedding in Brazil last month (see last post for outfit details). In the second photo I went with a lilac nail and cheetah-print statement nail art, and in the third photo you'll see a traditional red nail with my Starbucks and new JCrew factory gold moccasin slippers.  

All three ideas are fun for the holidays and parties, so I'd say go for your design and have fun with it to show off your personality and festive spirit! Happy Holidays everyone from my family to yours.

Xo,

Carolina