28 Years in Leather

Yup, it's my 28th birthday or if you're following on Instagram, it's my birthday week. Honestly though, I feel as vibrant and vivacious as my 21st year and this energy is only the beginning! Great things are planned for life and the blog but for now let's focus on my all-leather look until it's time to spill the beans.

This year's celebratory outfit isn't as fancy as some would prefer but frankly, it is too cold for all that noise. Instead I rescinded into cool weather favorites (lots o' leather) to anxiously await spring in. AND red lip, always a red lip. This one from from Elizabeth Arden keeps my big lips (only stating the obvious here) supple in this dry-a** weather. Have you tried it?

Jacket: Joe Fresh (similar here)  Shirt: c/o Marine Layer  Pants: bebe (similar here)  Boots: Wanted  Messenger Bag: Chrome  Earrings: c/o Capwell+Co  Lipstick: Elizabeth Arden Moisturizing Lipstick in Red Door Red

Once we're safely in the steady 50s, I'll lose the layers underneath this outfit (Uniqlo has this lifesaving line of heat-tech layers) and ride all over Brooklyn in this. It's basically the perfect outfit if I were to ride by Bill Cunningham - stylish but appropriate. For instance the splendid tee from Marine layer is lightweight for the long haul and the pants can double for yoga pants, i.e. lots of stretch. The Chrome laptop bag is made for those who live and ride the city and sworn to live up to its name by bike messengers across the nation. Oh, you guys I'm getting really excited for spring and those bike rides just thinking about it!

But, let's take this one day at a time for now and enjoy the margarita infused evening (#birthdayweek!!).

Photos by Lydia Hudgens.

Shop the look:

The Stylist Kit for Everyday + Beyond

Remember this post and how I vowed to be more conscious on what I was bringing home? So far, so good. I haven't fallen astray to tempting sales (and they are tempting). Instead I've been purging my closet of the old and forgotten pieces. Lots of things have been donated and a few have been sold on Poshmark. For the special pieces that survived the purge, I intend on making them last with my tailor and look their best with my stylist kit. 

"What exactly is a stylist kit," glad you asked.

Image via J. Crew

A stylist kit can be thought of as your fashion emergency kit. Got white fuzzies all over your black sweater, reach for that kit. Unintentional deodorant skid marks on a tee, reach for that kit. Popped a button, reach for that kit. See where I'm going with this. Why waste the outfit when your kit is there to save the day. 

For those of you in the market for a pre-made kit, I suggest going with Fashion First Aid kit curated by Lauren Messiah (co-founder of School of Style). This kit has basically everything for your next gig or fashion mishap. For those of you knee-deep in wedding season, consider this your best friend for rehearsal dinners and the big day. This kit prevented hot mess syndrome during sweaty Miami fashion, so its pretty solid to say the least.

The kit comes complete with: folding scissors, lint roller, sewing kit, tagging gun, tape measure, safety pins, double sided tape, skid out deodorant packets, drool remover sponges, bra strap holder, heel fixers, shoe grips, nipple covers, garment guards, purse shine, sole glow. See complete details here.

Image via Brit + Co

For those of you wanting to DIY your own kit, consider these essential basics to be stored in an all-clear bag (easier to find what you need): 

- mini deodorant + deodorant remover or a small sponge: smell good and avoid the white stains.

- Band-Aids: great for blisters and unexpected cuts. I carry a few in my beauty bag too!

- safety pins, binder clips/clothespin, double-sided tape: these are great for hemming or holding any piece on the go.

- nipple covers: turn off the low-beams when they're not invited.

- nude underwear: sometimes our clothing may be a little more sheer than expected. Avoid any embarrassing moments with nude or black undies. 

- tide to-go: because life happens and stains come along with it.

- lint roller: helps keep the fuzzies at bay.

- foot petals, heel liners + shoe pads: to prevent feet fatigue on those long days.

- static guard, small sewing kit, and scissors: necessities for any kit.

I know it sounds like a lot but you'll be happy to have them when the bad ju-ju strikes, especially that tide to-go pen. Is there anything I missed that should be added?

P.s. You don't need to be a stylist to have a stylist kit, in fact think of it as your fashion emergency kit!

The Essentials: February 2015

Getting down to basics this month.

My basics include CK undies, nude heels, and lots of wheat grass to get me through flu season. A few other basics making winter a little more bearable include mascara for extra-long lashes, smell good hand soap, and a colorful weekend bag for last minute trips. 

Shop my wants below:

1. Pines Wheat Grass, 2. Benefit They're Real Mascara, 3. Calvin Klein Modern Cotton Bralette + Undies, 4. NEST Moroccan Amber Hand Soap, 5. Art & Sole by Jane Weitzman, 6. Le Motto Tee, 7. V-MODA Headphones, 8. Madewell Pullover, 9. Quilted Koala Joyful Duffel, 10. Easy Spirit Kenette Heels

What are your essentials for the short month?