A Thought About Jeans

So I went shopping yesterday looking for some basic pieces for work. I am in need of jeans, which is and always has been, a nightmare for me. I thought it would be easier to find clothes now that I am averaging around a size 12 and it has been, but not for jeans.

Jeans are a curvy girl's worst nightmare.   Although there are many brands that include "plus sizes," they simply aren't cut to fit a curvy figure. Being a somewhat in between size, I find that straight size lines that go up to a 12 or 14 are too straight through the hips and strictly plus size lines are too loose in the bottom. (Don't even get me started on plus sized tops that find the need to accommodate a DDD bust in a 1x top...) On top of everything this endless hunt requires, now we also have to deal with misleading style names.

I want to point out that I really like Joe's jeans as a brand. I love the styles, the quality and the overall feel of the jeans they produce and have sung their praises to many a customer. However, I have yet to find a pair that actually fits me. The brand goes up to a 32 waist, which I would say I usually wear a 32 or 34. When I came across a pair called the "booty fit," I thought I may have finally found my match. Now I did realize "booty" could have referred to the somewhat bootcut leg, but I figured since it was the booty fit and not booty cut, that the fit was designed for a girl with hips and thighs.

Fade out to the fitting room: me with my "booty" jeans not even making it past my knees. I couldn't even tell if they would fit on the booty. These jeans had zero, and I mean ZERO, stretch or any kind of Lycra. So apparently I was totally wrong about it being a curvier cut. Like I wasn't already frustrated, now I'm disappointed. Apparently not only am I not skinny enough for Joe's but I'm also too shapely? 🙄

I am still trying to wrap my mind around why so many brands are catering to skinny, curveless women when, in reality, they are the minority. I've realized that even if I lost enough weight to get to a size 6, I would still struggle. The fat may melt away, but the Puerto Rican thighs and booty are forever.

If I never get the opportunity to design my own line, I ask that someone please fix this problem! At least refrain from using misleading style names that make me feel like I'm not good enough to wear your clothes. *Mic drop*

XO, Briana

Instagram Wish List

For a while now I've been collecting some things on my Instagram saves that I've been obsessing over. Basically, its a wish list of things I most likely will never get my hands on. Either way, it doesn't cost anything to admire them from afar (sigh..) So here are my favorites! Maybe some of them will make it onto my Christmas list! ;)

Mermaid Goodies from Sincerely Sweet Boutique

You could probably pick something from this website with your eyes closed and I'd probably love it! This place has the biggest selection of mermaid goodies that I've found so far. They've got everything from bathing suits, to seashell compacts, to mermaid tarot cards! I'm in serious need. Plus, as I've featured above, there's even something super cute for blind mermaids like me! LOL.

Handmade Batik Clothing

Batik is a hand dying technique that is native to Indonesia and it is absolutely a work of art! Jenny Handmade Batik has been on my radar for a while and she creates some seriously gorgeous pieces! I've saved quite a few favorites, but this one was my most recent! I love the mudras on this cute little crop top!

The Jungalow Stationary

First off, let me say that I absolutely love everything that Justina Blakeney and company produce from their uber creative noggins. Like, who wouldn't want to spend all of their time in THIS room?! Decor aside, they just recently came out with this adorable stationary collection and let me just say, I need those palm leaf notebooks in my life!

Aloha Charm Necklace

I've had my eye on this baby for a while and it will be mine someday soon! I just love the meaning of aloha and how delicate and pretty this is! I hunted extensively for something similar but a little less expensive, but this one from Love Me Knots Hawaii is the clear winner. It's handmade in Hawaii with 14k gold and pink coral. So unique! Plus you also have the option to customize these necklaces with whatever you want them to say!

Pacifica Crystal Line

The vegan, cruelty-free makeup and skincare company Pacifica has recently released a whole collection of crystal based products. How cool?! I found this picture from @bbcbeautyblogs on Instagram but this is only a few things that they have to offer.  One thing I found extra cool was the roller ball perfumes! Each scent targets a particular vibe like happiness or romance and are made in small batches with the crystal inside for maximum effect!

Island Style by Colleen Wilcox Art

Well, if you didn't know I was in love with this lovely wahine's art by now, you haven't been paying attention! I just adore the tropical themes, the bright colors and the unique way she puts it all together! I would kill to have this beauty hanging in my room right now, but I'll probably have to settle for the print. This particular one that she is holding is a giclee canvas print, which is a special, limited edition, high quality print on wrapped canvas.

Isla + Mar Hand Painted Hats

It was love at first sight with this palm leaf, painted hat. I find myself constantly double tapping on every hat and bag on their Instagram. Like many things that come from Miami, it just gives off that laid back, beach life vibe that I love oh so much. Plus, I'm pretty sure this one would go with just about anything!!

That's all for now! I could go on for days about the super cool things I find on IG, but I'll save some of those for another post!

XO, Briana

Weekender Style

For some reason, I have been on the hunt for a good weekender bag.  I found many I loved, but I'm waiting until I actually have a need for a new bag.  Which will probably be never.  But, a girl can dream!  So in the mean time, I was inspired to style some outfits based on different bags!

Summer Jetsetting by brianalaurenbela

I looovee this Sam Edleman bag with pretty blues and palm leaves, of course.  It's tropical, but still super chic!  I decided to pair it with a super glam jumpsuit, some killer heels, and lots of luxe accessories. For the makeup, I did a creamy gold eye with gel liner and a cranberry lip.

sunkissed beauty by brianalaurenbela

This Patricia Nash bag is so girly and bright! I had to pair it with something super cute and lacy! The blush top and bright yellow shorts begged to be paired with lots of rose gold accessories with just a pop of coral! For makeup I chose a great bronzer, a bright coral blush, a nude gloss, and a killer waterproof mascara.

Into the Sun by brianalaurenbela 

Believe it or not, this super rad pineapple bag by Twig & Arrow is available at Target!  It was giving me a surfer chick vibe, so I paired it with some ombre shorts and a cute crop tank that reads "raised by mermaids."  How appropriate, no?  I accessorized with some strappy sandals, a wooden watch, and an array of beachy motif.  For makeup, I kept it beach ready with a bright pink blush, lots of highlighter, and some surf spray to get those mermaid waves!

Just a Little lulu

So I've been digging my wardrobe lately, mostly because it consists of stretchy pants and comfy tops.  Don't judge me.  We all know you wish you could wear leggings to work.  Any who, even though most of what I wear to work is lululemon brand, I've been having fun styling my outfits.  Because as comfortable as it may be, it gets kind of boring wearing black pants and a workout top everyday.  Especially for a fashionista like me.  So I took a queue from some of my genius coworkers and mixed it up a bit.  This includes mixing my lulu with other brands and using staple pieces and accessories to spice up my looks.  This allows me to be comfy, hardcore rep for the brand, and also express my personal style.  So I thought I'd make just a little post dedicated to some of my looks thus far.  I know there are many more to come, so I'd say expect a part deux.

For this outfit, I'm wearing three lulu pieces: Wunder Under Crops, the Salutation to Savasana top, & the Manifesto Energy Bra (not pictured, Instead of wearing a track jacket or a hoodie, I opted for my Lucky Brand denim jacket and wore my super badass shark tooth necklace from Geometric Theory on Etsy.  I really loved this outfit because I felt like I was styled and not just wearing workout clothes.  And btw, this shirt is amazing,  I couldn't get a great picture of it on, but here's the original lulu picture.  So freakin cute.

This outfit was a little more on the work out side, but it's a good example of mixing my brands.  And I felt particularly cute that day.  Here I have on my lulu Wunder Under Pants (that are reversible btw!) and my aqua colored Energy Bra (which I'm basically obsessed with this style. I have 3 and counting).  The top is from JCPenny's and the jacket is DC.  Topped all off with my trusty Nike flip flops.  I liked this outfit because I really love that print and I was comfortable, yet still stylish!  

A photo posted by 🌺 Briana Lauren Isabela 🌺 (@brianalaurenbela) on May 3, 2015 at 7:57pm PDT

Here is a good example of nailing your active wear accessory game. I was killing it this day in all black with my lululemon grey track jacket (super comfy and the moisture wicking is fantastic for those days when you're cold, but still kind of hot and sweaty if you know what I mean) and my hot pink Diversity scarf.  The scarf is very large, so it kind of needs to be the center of attention.  So offsetting it with neutrals and pulling my hair back was perf.  Also, my Lucky Brand Om earrings are my staple.

A photo posted by 🌺 Briana Lauren Isabela 🌺 (@brianalaurenbela) on May 2, 2015 at 8:34pm PDT

First off, how cute is this collage I made?! Sorry to toot my own horn, but I was particularly excited because this was my first full day at lululemon since we opened! Here I'm wearing the same pants as the first picture (I call them my mermaid pants!) but I was super coordinated.  I have on my lime green Elevate tank, the same jacket from the previous photo, and my oh so perfectly matching Nike Free Runs.  I got a lot of compliments that day, especially "oh cool you're so coordinated!" with my response being, "I have to coordinate my outfits because I'm not coordinated in any other possible way."  Funny, but true.  This outfit was head to toe lululemon, but you'd be surprised how much effort it takes to put something on other than all black.  You do actually have to think about it.  I call it, stylized comfy.  But it's still stylized!

This is just a taste of my awesome outfits and my continuous obsession with buying lululemon clothes.  The fever has just begun.  So I plan to post more of my work outfits and what makes them fashionable! Have you tried lululemon clothes? What is your favorite? And if you haven't I encourage you to try it out!! But a fair warning, once you start wearing lulu, you legit won't want to wear anything else!! Thank god it's my job! ;)

XO, Briana

Disclaimer: I am not being compensated for this post.  I really, honestly just love my job and the clothes that come with it!

Valentine's Day Style

Hey everyone!! So even though I will be pathetically single for Valentine's Day this year (again) I decided to stay with the spirit and put together some cute outfits!!  Basically, I'm living vicariously through everyone who will be actually doing something on the 14th besides what will most likely be me and my cousin killing a couple bottles of wine.  So take this as an, "if I was doing this, this is what I would wear" kind of thing.

So if I did have a fancy date, this is what I would put together:

Fine Valentine Dining by brianalaurenbela 

Red swing dress / Christian Louboutin high heel shoes / Kate Spade pink handbag / Diamond bracelet / Blue Nile earrings / Tarte mascara / Deborah Lippmann nail polish, / Star necklace

Since I'm always itching for a reason to dress up, what better venue than a fancy restaurant?!  I know it's soo cliche.  How creative right? (#sarcasm) But really, that's the most common date for a reason! Great food, great conversation (and great clothes) always make for a good night.

I based this look around its focal point; the dress.  I accented it with a simple pair of pumps, a flirty clutch, and lots of diamonds.  They don't have to be all real diamonds, but you get the idea,  Very classic, very chic.  For hair and makeup I did a styled ponytail, big lashes, and light pink nails.  Too much makeup won't look good against that bright red dress so I think a simple face is enough.  Maybe a swipe of lipgloss ;)

The next outfit would be suited for a different kind of date.  One where we stay in and watch some romantic movies, eat some chocolates, and cuddle.

Flirty Night In by brianalaurenbela

Boden pink top / Rag & bone jeans, / Dita von teese lingerie /Chiara Ferragni glitter shoes / Bao Bao by Issey Miyake vegan purse / Henri Bendel strand necklace / Pandora bead charm bracelet / NARS Cosmetics pink blush / Benefit eyeliner

For a night in, I paired a cute pair of boyfriend jeans with a pink slouchy sweater and pair of cheeky little flats.  Add a super fem bra to give it a sexy factor and minimal jewelry; a longer necklace and simple bracelet will do.  Bring along a cute tote bag to stash all of your favorite movies and snacks. For hair and makeup, sweep those locks into a side braid and keep makeup simple with  nice blush and swipe of black liner.

So those would be my ideal date outfits for Valentine's Day.  However, seeing as though I will not have a date this year, I've put together two additional outfits for spending the holiday with the girls.

Dance Away V-Day by brianalaurenbela

Jonathan Simkhai cutout crop top, / Altuzarra faux fur jacket, / River Island lips skirt, / Alexander McQueen high heel shoes, / Lips purse, / Topshop necklace / Nars eye pallet, / Matte lipstick / OPI nail polish, 

If you plan on spending the night out dancing with your posse, a funky look is a must if you ask me. I put together a look centered around this adorable lip skirt (themed but not over the top is key!) doing mostly black pieces to make it stand out.  I paired the slightly flared skirt with a sporty crop top and a crazy little faux fur jacket.  I love this with a strappy patent leather stiletto, and the black lip bag mimics the skirt without being too "matchy matchy."  Top it all off with a spiked statement necklace and a bit of good, old fashioned sass and your good to go.  For hair and makeup, I stuck to voluminous "bed head" hair, a smoky eye, light pink lips, and silver nails.

Last but not least is the Valentine's Girls Brunch.  Everyone loves brunch, so why not celebrate the holiday with your best girls!  Here's an outfit I put together that is made for the ladies who brunch. Super classy and feminine, perfect for Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Brunch by brianalaurenbela

Floral skater dress / Tory Burch leather ballet flat / Kate Spade leather purse / Melinda Maria stacking rings  / Kate Spade crystal stud earrings / Too Faced Cosmetics cheek bronzer / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics pink lipgloss, / Marc Jacobs perfume

Again, I stuck to one main piece (in this case the dress) and worked my way around it.  For me, I like to look put together but still comfortable, so I paired a rather busy printed dress with a simple nude flat.  Keeping with the classic style, I added pearl earrings and some dainty stacking rings for the jewelry.  I picked a small cross-body bag to make it easy for carrying while adding a pop of color.  I kept makeup simple: just a bronze glow with a sheer lipgloss; and hair in a crown braid for a modern romantic touch.  (Also to show off those earrings!) Top it all of with a light floral scent.

I love all of these looks because they're all different in style but have the same romantic Valentine's Day vibe.  I often use Polyvore to make the outfits I'll always want to but never actually wear.  Which is unfortunate.  But I also use it to organize my thoughts when it comes to planning outfits with things I actually do own.  But I hope I was able to inspire you with these outfits or turn a light bulb on in your head as you remember "Hey, I have all of the things to make that outfit!"  This year, I'll probably be wearing what I usually wear, which is active wear.  But maybe it will be pink.  Who knows.

Regardless, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!  If you want someone to commiserate with, you know where to find me.  Or if you want to share your V-day outfit ideas let me know!  I'd love to see them!

XO, Briana

Obsessed: Falling For Fall...Maybe

Hey Everyone! Today's post comes to you from my Obsessed series, where I list a bunch of things I'm obsessing over at the moment!  This post's theme is all about Fall!  So here are 5 things I'm in love with and one, not so much.

Tie Dye

I've always loved me some tie dye.  Like all day 'erry day.  But I've always been a little scared to bring it into the fall, since most tie dye is made of crazy bright colors.  Finally, I've found a way to incorporate it into my fall wardrobe!  There are tons of cool tie dyes in dark color combos like black and gray, browns, oranges, reds, and dark blues!  The key is taking typical fall colors and picking your tie dye to match! Love it!

      

[Left: Free People | Center: Urban Outfitters | Right: San Diego Hat Company via Zappos]

Cynthia Rowley

I love this woman.  She totally gets me.  And every time I'm at Marshall's or TJMaxx and I run across the store to see a super cute dress, it's usually Cynthia Rowley.  I have several pieces by her, and I plan to buy even more.  Her dresses are cute colors and classic silhouettes, but still have that "chill girl" vibe.  Plus she uses tie dye! ;)

[All dresses by Cynthia Rowley]

Deluxe Sample Size

The three magic words when it comes to makeup? Deluxe Sample Size.  I love these samples!  I'm the kind of girl who'd rather try a bunch of things, than spend the same amount on one thing.  Lip gloss for example: I'd rather have 3, .10 oz lippies than one .18 oz one.  So I buy sample sizes!  Plus, you can get the same item for like a third of the price.  It's great if your bad at commitment to makeup haha and also if you just want to try things out!  Who wants to spend $20 on a lip gloss and then hate it? No one.  I actually just got Sephora's Give Me Some Lip limited edition lip sample set and I love it!  I got 5 different products for the price of about one full sized one!  And one of them actually is full size!  Can't beat that; I'm obsessed.  Oh and did I mention their perfect for travel?!

 [All sets available through Sephora]

Headwraps

So I know headwraps aren't exactly "new" but they are to me!  I've just discovered them recently and I really love them!  I bought a knitted gray one and I really want them in every color!  Super cute for bad hair days, or if you just want that bohemian style!

  

[Top left: BP. Nordstrom | Top right: Urban Outfitters | Bottom: I Wear The Headdress]

Printed Leggings

Printed leggings have become my go to wardrobe staple.  I've always loved wearing leggings because they are super comfortable and when you have them in basic colors they go with everything!  Recently, I started wearing printed leggings on a regular basis and here's what I love about them.  One, they are super comfy.  Two, they come in all different kinds of prints and yes, including tie dye!  Three, you can get them for great prices at places like Ross and Marshall's!  Four, you have endless options!  Wear them with a shirt and a vest, or with a cute basic dress!  Hurray for fashion and comfort!

 

 [My leggings: Hot Kiss from Ross | Bottom left: Boohoo | Bottom Right: Glamzelle]

What I'm NOT Obsessed With

Everything Pumpkin.  I'm sorry.  Sue me; I don't like the taste of pumpkin.  And believe me, I've tried.  A lot.  It's actually a funny story.  Since I was a kid I always loved the smell of pumpkin pie.  Every Thanksgiving I would take in the glorious scent of dessert.  Then I would grab a slice of pumpkin pie, anxiously awaiting the equally wonderful taste.  And then I was sorely disappointed.  I just don't like pumpkin.  All fall I will enjoy the pumpkin scented candles, while steering clear of the Pumpkin Spice Lattes and other pumpkin flavored things. End rant.

[Photo Credit]

XO, Briana

Happy Birthday America!

So as you well know, yesterday was the 4th of July!  Hurray America!!  So naturally, my family had an old fashioned, American BBQ.  There was tons of food, games, and laughter, as there is at most of my family get together.  Also, as always, I had to dress up!  Independence Day and Memorial Day are really the only times when I feel confident no one will judge me for looking like an American flag.

I have to note that this is my new favorite dress.  It's probably the most flattering dress I've ever worn, hands down.  The ruffles are girly, but draw attention to my smallest part, and the petal style skirt covers my middle problem area.  It's the perfect length: right above the knee.  Honestly, if I wear anything much shorter I look hoochy, since I'm literally all legs, haha. Plus knee length is forever classy!  Then the sleeve is just enough to slim my arms and adds a really cute detail to the neckline!  Basically, I could go on all day about how much I love this, but you can see in the picture just how adorable it is!

Dress: City Chic at Nordstrom Rack | Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction | Necklace: Amazon 

After our huge dinner of hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, etc (I could go on for days!), it was time for dessert! My dad and I decided to make what I like to call "boozecicles," which in layman's terms is an alcoholic popsicle.  Perfect for a hot summer day!  This is the first time we made them, so they were a little on the strong side, but I think with the proper tweaks in the recipe they would be perfect! (And they were delicious, regardless.)  Here is a general recipe of the special patriotic ones we made. I've name them the "Red, White, and Booze" Boozecicle:

Red: Strawberry Daiquiri Mix, White Rum, Sprite

White: Coconut Rum, Sprite

Blue: Blue Curacao, Sour Mix

They are super easy to make too.  I mean, if I can do it, I can guarantee anyone can (#cantcook).  All we did for the six we made was poured the ingredients for each color into separate cups (or you could just do one at a time) and mix them as if you were making a drink.  Then we poured about the same amount into each mold.  To do the stripes, we popped them in the freezer for a bit in between until they were frozen enough to keep the colors separated.  There's not really an exact science to it.  It's more based on your preferences!  Keep your eyes out for more "boozecicle" recipes this summer!  I plan on making different ones for different occasions.  When I make them, I'll post the recipe!  If you make these or try your own, let me know!! I love to see what everyone is up to! :)

Hope you all enjoyed your 4th of July!

XO, Briana

K. Nicole Couture {Fashion February}

Hurray for Fashion Week!! I know I'm a  little behind on posting these, but I've just been so busy collecting stories! So keep your eyes open for all of my Fashion February posts!!  My first Fashion Week, which was this past September, I attended shows as an intern and enjoyed the experience of a lifetime!  This time around, I got to go as a full-blown fashion blogger!!

First on the itinerary was the K. Nicole Couture fashion show!! Thanks to my good friend Angela, I got an invite to the show, plus was able to bring my friend Emma with me!  After having a conversation with my new PR friend, Eduardo, I was able to score an interview with the designers!! [Thanks again Eduardo! You're the best!]

But first, some background on the designers!  K. Nicole Couture is designed by this fabulous duo, Kera Anderson (right) and Nicole Styer (left).  Based in my hometown of Philadelphia, PA, the girls met and became friends at Nicole's clothing and accessory store, N.R.S. Boutique located in Center City Phila.

Snapshot from their show, courtesy of the K. Nicole Instagram page!

The Interview

So I got to sit down with the girls for a quick, pre-show chat! First I asked about their collection.  They told me they are really inspired by the fabrics and textiles they find and mixing and matching them together. They're also both really excited about outwear for spring.  When I asked, both responded with jackets and coats, particularly the classic trench. [By the way, I couldn't agree more!] Nicole said, "We're really heavy in this collection on coats, and that's what we really started with." Seeing as this was not their first time showing a collection, I asked if the process has become easier.  "It was definitely harder at first," said Kera.  "We're definitely learning from the first time around, still ironing out the best way to go about everything," Nicole added.  I was also really curious to know more about how they became a team. Kera told me, "She had a piece, a dress hanging in her window and I just had a different vision...  So, we just re-tweaked the dress she had already done and it came out fabulous!"  Lastly I asked if they had any advice for young designers. Nicole told me, "Just really stay true to what you want to do.  Don't compromise too much on your vision." Duly noted girls!!  

The Collection

Can I just say, I absolutely loved this collection.  I definitely saw the outerwear influence, especially in some of my favorite pieces.  The feel was a mix of Victorian meets classic meets a little bit of 70s.  The construction was impeccable and there was a modern twist to all of the looks.  Overall, I felt the collection was cohesive and beautifully done! Here are my top five looks!

Check out previous collections and more on the K. Nicole website!

What I Wore

As I'm sure you know, I switched my outfit a good twenty times before deciding.  There are still a few things I would have changed, but time is precious. So I went with this look, inspired by my Kate Spade bag!

Cardigan: Saks Fifth Avenue | Blouse/Skirt: American Eagle | Belt/Necklace: Target | Bag: Kate Spade

The After Party

After the runway show, we got to hang out with some super cool people!! I got to see some old friends and make some new ones!  The music was great and so were the drinks!  It had even started snowing during the show, so a bunch of people took advantage of the scene, including us!

I had an amazing time at this event!  I feel truly honored to be able to spend quality time with the designers, who were super excited that I was from Philly btw, and they were so nice! Truly inspiring for a young aspiring designer such as myself.  I can't wait to see what they have in store for us at future shows!

XO, Briana