Look of the Day: Howling for Houndstooth

Houndstooth: classic print for sure. It’s easy to dress up or down and mix with colors all across the spectrum. It’s definitely a print you want to sink your teeth in (get it?!).

All images are original. All rights reserved.

The Only Fake to Wear: Faux Fur

I’m not a huge fan on wearing fake-anything. Although, being the big animal lover that I am, I will wear faux fur. But it has to be quality! I’ve seen some things on the racks…and they look like road kill. Can’t do it. 

Take a peek below at some awesome faux fur pieces:

Blumarine

Left: Rachel Zoe Top: Topshop Bottom: River Island Right: MICHAEL Michael Kors

All images are via polyvore.com 

Motivation Monday: Your Thoughts Are Everything

Be mindful of your thoughts and what you tell yourself. You can lift your spirits up and down with the simplest action: thinking. Tell yourself that you’re amazing, you’ll feel great and expect great things. Tell yourself that you suck and are pathetic, you’ll feel terrible and what’s worse is that you’ve attracted the worst with your thoughts and you’ll believe them– whether they’re right or wrong. Think about it (positively of course).

Sweater Dress + Tall Boots

‘Fuss-free’ is my middle name. That means, anything with a pull-over or slide-on is my best friend. I’m not opposed to buckles, snaps, ties, zippers and all. I just like easy better. One of my favorite Fall looks is a sweater dress paired with tall boots. It just screams Fall! And it’s only two items: one that pulls over and the other slides on. How easy is that? Add a pair of studs and a necklace to jazz things up and you’re really done.

Check out my picks below:

Dress: Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, Boots: Givenchy, Earrings: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Clutch: Rochas, Necklace: Rosantica

Love the look? Let me know in the comments!

Friday Feature: Dante Wright / The Bellwether Project

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting up-and-coming fashion stylist, Dante Wright, 9 years ago when I was 16 years old. My boyfriend, Jovan Simien, and Dante have been best friends for the longest. And since the early years of driving around in his red Mitsubishi Eclipse in Elk Grove, California and shooting hoops in front of my mom’s house, Dante has always had one thing– style. And he’ll tell you himself that he’ll “always be the best dressed person in the room.” So over the years, I’ve witnessed his style’s transformation from Jordans, jerseys, graphic tees, and skateboards to blazers, fedoras, and wingtips. What’s even more exciting is the beginning of his rapid career in styling and the birth of The Bellwether Project.

Check out my exclusive interview and shots with Dante Wright and his take on fashion, style, and The Bellwether Project below:

I had to sneak in a BFF photo: My boyfriend, Jovan Simien (left) and Dante Wright (right).

Xiomara: What does style mean to you?

Dante: Style to me is an expression of character through attire, movements, and mannerisms.


Xiomara: Who and what inspires your style?

Dante: What inspires my style is city lifestyle and music. Who inspires me would be elders and people like Nick Wooster and Piggy Motufumi.

Xiomara: How do you stay up-to-date and ahead on current trends in fashion?

Dante: I honestly don’t stay up-to-date on current trend because I try and avoid being trendy. Instead, I pride myself and my style as being timeless. I always buy for longevity. Meaning, classic prints and items such as wingtips, cable wire material and prints like houndstooth or herringbone. These are things that aren’t classified as trendy, but rather classic.

Xiomara: How did you meet your business partner and why did you two start The Bellwether Project?

Dante: I met my business partner at a SFNY yacht party event. He was taking pictures at the time and asked to take mine and we had a brief discussion about style.  We exchanged info and one year later, The Bellwether Project started. The reasoning behind us starting Bellwether was to document our own personal style and become an outlet for men who needed inspiration and advice on advancing there style.

Xiomara: What was your first major project/event The Bellwether Project styled?

Dante: Dario had styled events on his own prior to this event, but our first one together was The Dapper Hood event for SFFW at Rogue.

Xiomara: 10 years from now, what does the future hold for The Bellwether Project?

Dante: 10 years down the line remains a mystery for us. We aware moving at a rapid pace and never expected to be where we are now this quickly. The 2 things that are sure is office space and a major collab with a high end brand.

Xiomara: Throughout the years, how has your style evolved into what it is now?

Dante: My style has evolved to what it is now through going through certain phases in my life and then taking all of them and creating the style I have today. Skateboarding, working at Macy’s, and my job at the bank all have played a major part in the evolution of my style.

Xiomara: What are your top three style rules you live by and would by no means break?

Dante: 1. Undershirts under button downs (v-necks only) 2. Untucked shirt and tie 3. Clip on bow ties.

Xiomara: Favorite designers?

Dante: Thom Browne, Tom Ford, and Junya Watanabe.

Xiomara: Any last thoughts, tips, or quotes for the readers?

Dante: Your style is your first impression, don’t forget you only get one.

[END]

Be sure to check out stylist, Dante Wright, and The Bellwether Project! Follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: thebellwetherproject .

Stay tuned for more features!



All photos are original. All rights reserved.

What I Would Do With a Leather Pencil Skirt

The day that I commit to purchasing a leather skirt, will be a day of victory. Think of it as a bucket list item to check off for a fashionista. A leather pencil skirt can be both simple and understated with minimal accessories, soft colors and textures. If you want to amp it up, just add bold colors, graphics lots of details. You know, shiny things and embellishments. This skirt is a staple item that will last for years to come and probably a piece that my future daughter will try to steal from my closet. I still don’t know why my mom hasn’t gone Kris Jenner on my ass and put a lock and key on the doors to her walk-in closet.

Peep below for my picks:

Top Row (from left to right): Marni shoulder bag, Peter Pilotto top, The Row pencil skirt Bottom Row (from left to right): Bijoux Heart earrings, Yves Saint Laurent ring, Christian Louboutin pumps

A Gift From the Gods: Nail Strips

Thank the heavens for nail strips! When I don’t have time to head to the nail shop, I just simply paint them myself at home. Most of the time, some sort of mishap occurs— smudging, fingerprints…just a mess! So, when Sally Hansen came out with nail strips a while ago, I had to try them out.

This isn’t my first time blogging about my success with nail strips. Yesterday was the third time I applied these doodads and was just as successful as the first– even better! Of course, it was a lot faster applying because it wasn’t my first nail strip rodeo.

Check out my current fingertips:

Walgreens had a sale for $6.99 each (usually around $10)! So it was a sign for me to get two!

Opted for the lace print.

I’m just a Giddy Gabby with my at-home, lace print mani! I’m even more happy knowing that they won’t chip the next day (advertised to last 10 days) like the average mani with regular polish plus tons of top coat. 

Stay tuned for the next go-around with the gold glitter strips!

All photos are Pumps and Lipstick original. All rights reserved.

Rain Boots?

Yesterday morning I woke up to rain. Immediately I thought, “What the hell am I gonna wear (on my feet)?” Good thing, earlier this year, I purchased a pair of rain boots that don’t really look like…well, rain boots. And that’s what I liked most about my new, deceiving rain shoes. Not to my surprise, more styles of rain boots, sneakers and shoes are on the shelves and making appearances online: heels, wedges, rubber bows, mixed textiles, buckles, studs, laces and more. Now don’t get me wrong, I adore the classic shiny, tall, rain boot style…I just like the new kids on the blockmore!

Here are the rain ‘sneakers’ I bought earlier this year:

Aldo

 Take a look below at some new styles to splish and splash around in:

Mel by Melissa

KORS Michael Kors

Kate Spade

Hunter

Like the new kids on the block? Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comment box!

Images via piperlime.com, aldo.com, nordstrom.com 

Fall Makeup Trend: Black Cherry Lipstick

My most favorite lip shade for Fall and Winter is Black Cherry– a deep burnt red blended with plum. It’s the epitome of sultry, velvet and sexy. Every woman that wears this shade, has a ‘come hither’ look about them. It took me some time to get used to a darker shade on my lips since I’m used to brighter hues, but it turned into a beautiful relationship. And of course, when I want to blog about Black Cherry lipstick, I lose my friggin’ lipstick! You know what that means…off to Sephora I go! 

Peep the shades below:

Maybelline New York – Plum Perfect

Bobbi Brown Big Rich Color – Crimson

Images via Allure.com

Grace

I love this.