TWENTY

/ 1. Topshop Dress / 2. Anthropologie Belt / 3. Birthday Cupcake / 4. Illamasqua Lipstick in 'matte warm pink' / 5. Asos Heels /

When it comes to birthday celebrations, I either love to go all out, or super simple. Since going to college, my birthday always falls on the first official weekend back at school, so my celebrations are more low-key and focused on being with friends and remembering to celebrate before the workload gets heavy. This year, I turned 20. Two decades old deserves some celebration in my book, and the pieces above certainly seem as if they would make turning twenty feel as fabulous as everyone says it is supposed to be. With a perfectly feminine, yet simple, light pink party dress, sparkly belt, understated heels that pack the interest in the gold ankle bands, a lipstick that adds just the right amount of pop to your pout, and a cupcake to celebrate, this is my ideal twentieth birthday look to ring in my twenties and bid adieu to my teens. 

How did you celebrate your twentieth birthday? Any advice for my twenties?

Dress Up

When it comes to red dresses, and kind of red pieces in general, I'm always back and forth. I seem to love red on other people, but aside from a red lip, I usually stay away. While I'm not one to shy away from colors, red for some reason is one color that rarely shows up in my wardrobe. Maybe it's the fact that it's such a bold color, or that sometimes is over-powering on my pale skin, but every time I attempt a red garment, I end up leaving without it. This Topshop 'Florence' crepe dress is next on my list to attempt, though. Though completely red, it seems as if this specific red may be a hue that might actually work. In it's fairly simple silhouette, but with the interest of a bit of skin around the midriff, the red is easier to take in, while still making the bold impact that it obviously does. 

What do you think about red? Love it or hate it?

Palm Beach

     Dress: Forever 21//Necklace: gift from Austin, TX, Ring: H&M//Watch: Michael Kors //Heels: Sam Edelman//Phone Case: Vera Bradley

For a photoshop final project, I focused a lot on the style of Palm Beach, Florida throughout the decades. Although I have never been there, this outfit with a combination of cremes, whites, golds, and a pop of color in the lipstick and the landscape--although here, in the form of a decorative wall mural, reminds me a lot of what Palm Beach would be like. When it comes to wearing head to toe monochromatic, it is key to play up textures. From the snakeskin on the shoes to the lace on the dress, there is an interesting detail throughout the outfit. And, in a simple shift style with loose long-sleeves, this is the perfect dress to wear in the Texas summer for a wide array of occassions.

Dress Up

I have found through examining collection after collection that when any garment--or lipstick-- is executed in this punchy fuchsia, I instantly love it. Aside from the obvious color infatuation, with it's slightly larger short sleeves, drop waist, full skirt, and knotted bow, there's no doubt what the reason's were for being drawn to this dress. This Giulietta party dress from the Pre-Fall 2013 collection was based around 1960's silhouettes and Breakfast at Tiffany's (when asked to keep Tiffany's & Co. in mind). While the dress is fairly simple, but still feminine, I appreciate the way in which Sofia Sizzi styled this particular look. With an un-fussy hairstyle and with basic black accessories in the shoes and frames of the model, this amazing dress is worn just how you would feel it was supposed to be. 

Denim on Denim

{Forever 21 shirt, GAP jeans, Banana Republic shoes, Michael Kors watch, Bracelets from random venders, and Revlon's "Orange Flip" lipstick}

If there's anything that I have realized about versatility lately, it's that a denim shirt can be just as versatile as a classic plain t-shirt. I have always thought that by pairing a denim or chambray button down with jeans is a casual look that manages to look effortlessly put together in the most fabulous of ways. While usually suggested that one article of clothing is kept in a lighter wash to form more contrast, I decided to take the lighter route all the way but created contrast with the boxiness of the top, patches on the jeans, and a pop of bright lipstick.

{Current favorite nail style: Revlon's "Minted" tipped with gold}

Birthday in Black

{Dress: RACHEL Rachel Roy, Watch: Michael Kors, Bracelets: Random stores in NYC and TX, Shoes: Steve Madden, and Revlon's "Orange Flip" lipstick}

I leave to head back to Syracuse for my Sophomore year today. Though my birthday is a week from today, I celebrated last night with my family while I was still at home. This dress is great for an event or celebration. With it's sparkly skirt and ultra interesting top that sort of reminds me of a combination of a vest and suspenders, and with a skinny strap along the spine, this is a piece that really feels perfect for a special occasion. By adding a bright orange-red lip and a couple random bracelets, this otherwise all black ensemble still has a colorful aspect, as well. 

Sunday Sunflowers

{Forever 21 dress, Madewell oxfords, Michael Kors watch, and Essie's "Tart Deco" polish}

With the summer heat being almost unbearable sometimes, there is nothing that seems less appealing than clothes that stick to your body. For a warm Sunday I threw on this fun and loose dress with a graphic sunflower print and great details like one black button and a sheer panels. Pairing it with menswear style oxfords and bright pink lipstick add finishing touches to an otherwise fairly simple style.

Leather + Lips

{Topshop vest, Forever 21 dress and necklace, Michael Kors watch, Chanel lipstick, and Madewell oxfords}

I have always lusted after the fact that a leather jacket can add that instant "cool factor" to a look. In deciding to try and vary my wardrobe staples and try options that I would otherwise just admire, I took action and found this great (faux) leather vest from Topshop. I love how it has a bunch of hardware all over it and because it's a vest, it's great to throw on over girly dresses like this one from Forever 21 (that has lips printed all over it), or to layer over a sweater in cooler weather. 

Tweet Affection

{GAP kids jacket, Zara dress, Michael Kors watch, Jessica Simpson heels, "Orange Flip" lipstick}

When I saw this dress at Zara, there are many reasons of why it ended up coming home with me that day. From it's contrasting collar and ribbon around the waist to it's pastel colored swallow print and light yellow color, I knew it was a win. With a pair of neutral heels and a favorite old denim jacket, a swipe of a great pop of color for lipstick brightened up the look overall.

Lipstick Jungle

There is something that I have always loved about lipstick. I love the way that it can instantly make even your simplest of outfits feel fashionable and can lift up your mood with one smooth swipe across your lips. Of course, there is nothing chicer than a bright red to bring out your inner French gal, but with so many amazing shades and finishes (matte, shiny, even the ombre trend) there are an endless number of possibilities that can make your day feel fancier just by adding some pop to that pout.

1. Sequins and red lips are the ultimate combination

2. Love the sparkly headband with the lipstick.

3. The perfect tomato-y red

1. A bright, almost neon, orange that doesn't overpower her outfit

2. Pop of color

3. Not orange, but would look great here!

With two days left until I board the plane back to Houston, Texas, I am definitely going to pack my new assortments of lipstick (including: Revlon's "Orange Flip" and "Cherry Ice"and Chanel's "Boy") and experiment with incorperating them into my wardrobe more often.

Kisses!