Misfit Right In

I used to despise skinny jeans. True story! They didn’t make me feel “skinny” at all, but rather self-conscious about my curvy and petite frame. Recently I’ve had a change of heart about skinnies, partly because part of me changed. It was a little more than a year ago that I switched up my fitness routine and started working with my friend and personal trainer Monika Paez of Bella Forma Fitness. At the time, I had a fancy gym membership and would go to yoga and pilates sporadically, but I hated working out. (I’d be lying if I said I actually like it now, LOL.) With a little dedication and consistency Monika helped me say “peace out!” to my thunder thighs, and I gained the confidence to rock super skinny denim without hang-ups. I’m currently living in these high-rise denim leggings by Express, which are just as comfy, yet more stylish, than actual leggings. They’re a great alternative to yoga pants when you’re having a low-key day or have errands to run before you hit the gym. That was the case when I wore this faux-leather trimmed version last week before trying Exhale Spa’s cardio barre class at the Loews Miami Beach.

P.S. Exhale’s cardio barre class will also help get you into your skinny jeans. Holy workout.

Lyfe Brand Tank | Express Plaid Boyfriend Shirt (similar) | Express High-Rise Jean Leggings | Lululemon Lab Sports Bra | Shoes: Shoedazzle | Wristlet: Express | Hat c/o French Connection | Ring: Express | Sunglasses: Celine Traveller | Necklace c/o T’Audrey | Lips: MAC Relentlessly Red Matte

T'Audrey Autograph Plate Necklace, Celine Traveller Sunglasses

Express Leopard Wristlet, Knuckle Ring

Photography by Bella Mente 

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This post is sponsored by Express. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Great Harbour Cay: A Lesson in Relaxation

Denim and Detoxing

Summer Essentials with Olay Total Effects + Miami Swim Week Giveaway

Summer L.O.V.E.

 

 

Tank & Skirt c/o Express | Necklace c/o Taudrey | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik 'Pacha' (also here) | Bracelet: ZARA | Sunglasses: Wildfox 'Catfarer' | Lips: Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Sunset Orange c/o

Bring on the short hemlines and shorter hair, summer is officially here! No need to sound an alarm, I didn't get scissor happy with my 'do. I have been itching to cut it a little shorter, but this faux bob was a fun way to try the style with zero commitment. It's not the most difficult style to achieve, but I was lucky to have it done by one of the great hair/makeup artists at Despierta America last week. (Click here to view my segment on men's summer fashion trends with Express.)  Besides beachy chic hair, I'm currently crushing on bright colors, and fun, mix-matched prints. I'm a bigger fan of teaming stripes and floral prints than I thought, since this outfit is practically version 2.0 of this look from earlier this year. Which is your favorite?

To polish things off, a bold lip is never a bad idea. Bobbi Brown's Art Stick is the perfect all-in-one lip color for the sticky summer months because it goes on smooth like a pencil, but offers the rich color of a lipstick with staying power. It'll likely be my go-to for Swim Week since I know it won't melt off or get stuck to my hair in the breeze.



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Photography: Bella Mente

White Hot with XOXO

XOXO Dress c/o | Zara Heels | TAudrey Plate Bracelet | Tous Clutch c/o | MAC 'Relentlessly Red' Lipstick

Every girl has her go-to LBD (little black dress,) or if you’re like me you have an el-bee-dee for work, special occasions, date night, girls’ night, and I-can’t-decide-what-to-wear nights. With summer approaching it’s time to ditch the black and get yourself a little white dress. Thanks to Miami’s state of eternal summer I live in white year round, but a crisp white frock always looks best with a tan. The problem with finding the perfect LWD is that white can be tricky. You have to wear the right undergarments (nude, not white, please!!) and make sure the fabric isn’t completely sheer in bright lighting. This bodycon style from XOXO is the perfect fit with on-trend mesh insets, thick yet breathable fabric, and even a built-in bra – genius. It gets bonus points because it’s under $100, just like the majority of the XOXO collection. You can check out this hot little number and other celeb-inspired dresses from XOXO in-store and online at Macy’s, Dillards and Carson’s stores, and on Amazon.com

Win your own head-to-toe look from XOXO by voting for me here as your favorite style inspiration and submitting your own XOXO inspiration on Instagram. Share anything from your XOXO outfit to an XOXO moment (smooching your beau or your pooch!) to be entered to win $500 worth of XOXO goodies. Make sure to tag @therealxoxo and use the hashtag #XOXOmoment to be considered. Contest ends June 2, 2014. Good luck!

Photography by Bella Mente

This post was made possible by XOXO.

  

Boho Vibes: Hoss Intropia Spring/Summer 2014

Hoss Intropia Maxi Dress & Bag (Available at Bloomingdale's Aventura) | Henri Bendel Gold Chain Cuff | Zara Pearl Bracelet | Briana Evil Eye Bracelet | Tous Motif Ring c/o | Express Hoop Earrings | Photography by Bella Mente

The past month has been so busy, I'm glad I managed to sneak in a short trip to Disney World last weekend. (Nothing says disconnecting like wearing Minnie Mouse ears and eating way too much ice cream.) Monday's reality check hit hard, with a marathon of events looming, including styling two fashion shows, and Miami Fashion Week kicking off today. When my schedule gets this crazy it's hard to find time (and energy) to keep my look together, but as you've probably surmised, I'm not a jeans-and-a-tshirt type of girl so I find ways to make it work. My solution? A chic maxi dress. Hoss Intropia's latest offerings just hit Bloomingdale's Aventura and my eye immediately went to this dress, with an unlikely combo of black and white stripes and a very bohemian floral pattern. The best part is the halter straps are long and can be wrapped in a multitude of ways. I'm not embarrassed to say I spent close to 15 minutes tying and untying them in different ways. Chic and convertible - winner, winner!

Join me this Saturday, May 17th at Bloomingdale's Aventura as I host the Spring/Summer 2014 Hoss Intropia fashion show. If you loved last year's must-have red lace gown, you'll fall in love all over again.  

Summer Chic with Benetton

 

Knit Top, Printed Shorts, Espadrilles c/o Benetton | Barbados Mesh Tote c/o TOUS

 

 Benetton Leather Wrap Bracelet | TAudrey Initial Plate Bracelet

 

  

It's always great to get reacquainted with a brand that you grew up with. In this case, United Colors of Benetton. I have memories of shopping there as a kid, (remember the Coconut Grove location at the Mayfair Shops?) and lusting after the expertly color coded collections that seemed all too grown up for me at the time. Fast forward to today and I'm so excited to have teamed up with the new Benetton as a style ambassador for their 2014 summer collection! Inspired by Italy and the Mediterranean, the line offers chic basics in amazing knits and printed textiles that will take you from a coffee date to a Sunday stroll down Collins Ave, or your choice of exotic summer getaway. Can we talk about these amazing espadrilles? I'm not taking them off anytime soon.

Join me tomorrow to celebrate the new collection at Benetton South Beach and enjoy a special VIP discount all night. Check out the invitation below and RSVP by emailing me with your guest names here. Don't forget to tag your photos & tweets with #BENETTONBEACHBASH. Summer is calling, see you on South Beach!

 

Photography by Bella Mente