Beso mi mucho

So in love with statement pieces such as the "impact" collar from Beso Beso Jewelry

It makes you feel that punk rock edginess but still simple and soft enough to wear subtly during the day.

This "killer" piece drew me into their brand and opened my eyes up to a lot of their precious jewels

Beso Beso Jewelry handpicks all the gemstones they use as well as hand craft each individual piece "for badasses and sweethearts alike". 

The LA-based brand is constantly dreaming up new jewelry concepts and putting out monthly collections. Beso Beso is currently working on a new re-branding concept as they continue to grow.

You can check their  Instagram here

Like their facebook page

& 

Shop at www.besobesobyluka.com

The Bags of Summer

Summer time bags must be Bright & Fun Colors, have Funky & Trendy Prints, be Beach Friendly, and able to hold all your summertime essentials... these are just a few of my favorites.

Cleobella Mexicana Clutch

This is my FAVORITE. Cleobella's handcrafted pieces straight out of Bali are impeccable. Each is handmade to perfection and comes in 15 different colors for any mood you're in. This little gem is an a must have. check out their Instagram or place your order at www.cleobella.com

Banago Totes

These hand-woven beach totes come in several awesome prints and are the beach bag essential. You can purchase these beauties at Nordstrom, but take a peek at their website www.ilovebanago.com to watch an awesome video on how they make their wonderful art. 

Joie Louisa- Louisa Tote in Aqua

I love the versatility of this tote a lot. You can totally take this to the beach or a weekend getaway to the Hamptons or even use this as a fun tote to carry all your essentials while thrifting in the East Village. Check out their website at www.joie.com

Brahmin Shopper Tote in Salsa

I stumbled upon this brand by accident and this is for a more sophisticated take on a summer tote. Perfect for carry the "bag within a bag" concept as well as a trendy airport carry-on. Brahmin makes this in several different colors as well as another print in Aztec.. all can be found at www.brahmin.com

Keeping it Casual

Nothing is more comfortable than a maxi dress, and better yet one with a sultry little slit. Today I chose to keep it simple but edgy, being it was 90 degrees out, I opted for a light cotton maxi.

These Kelsi Dagger heels are everything.

Absolutely perfect for casual work day or a night out on the town. Plus they are super comfortable so you barely feel like you're even wearing a heel.

I am head to toe dressed in pieces I purchased from Suite 201 in Ridgewood, NJ

Nombre Grey & White Stripe Maxi Dress

Blank NYC Oversized Denim Vest

Kelsi Dagger Heels

Meet the Newest Kid on the Block: Danielle G uizio

The Raddest Chick I've Come to Know is Danielle Guizio, this girl loves burritos, overcame a cancer scare, and branded the hell out of herself. She's making moves and she's moving fast. Her brand launched June 12, 2013 and I had the privilege to interview the super down to earth rising designer...but first peep her launch video, which made me fall in love.

What are the biggest influences in your designs?

DG: "Simply, our every day life. I get inspired by an array of places, people, music, and past and present eras. Just walking the streets of New York City and visually observing the way of life and fashion from Uptown to Downtown gets me super inspired. I also like to take notice to common interests, for instance my All Day I Dream About Burritos tee, I've been posting for years now on the Internet about my sick and sorry (and kind of embarrassing) Chipotle obsession. I see an entire following of people that respond and share that same exact interest with me. I love that because the way I look at it is like, "Oh sweet, I love this design and I want to wear it real bad and I know my mexican food cult will fucking drool over it as well." "

How did you come across branding yourself and what's the journey been like this far following the launch?

DG: "Creating this brand is something I've wanted to do since I was younger. When I was 10, I had this little book that I used to rip out shirt and pant clippings from magazines, cut and glue them onto the pages of exactly how I wanted the outfits to look instead. It's pretty odd to think about, but I guess it all kinda sorta makes sense now. In college I took business classes that helped me better understand the ins and outs of becoming an entrepreneur, from the risks to the rewards. More recently, I was faced with a serious cancer scare that really put everything in life into perspective. Thankfully after months and a surgery later I received the news that I'm healthy and cancer-free. That chunk of time taught me that life truly is short and if there are any goals you want to achieve, start working towards them today. The key turning point is when you realize that you want it more than you're afraid of it. I was tired of spending all my time thinking "Well..what if..", so I gathered up my ideas and turned them into actual things. The day I launched my line basically felt like I built up a whole shit load of courage/confidence, closed my eyes, ran off the deep-end diving board, held my nose, and hoped for the best. Everything is going extremely well so far and I'm so stoked for everyone to see what is to come!"

What is your longtime goal for your brand?

DG: "World domination. No, just kidding (kind of). Ok uh anyways......I find it important to always remain true to your brand's philosophy by not hoping on the band wagon and caving in to trends or mimicking others for the sake of a buck. It's important to me to stay loyal and passionate and also work my ass off each day (See Also: HU$TLE HARD LADIEZ). Remember that nothin' good comes easy!"

Sneak peek into what we can expect fall 2013?

DG: "It's a little teeny tiny secret but I promise it'll make you feel like the coolest gal in the room." 

Naturally I had to have the "Daddy Luvs Me" Cutoff, and it is killer. Super soft and fits perfectly (I ordered a small) it goes perfect with your favorite pair of cut offs or tucked in a maxi skirt or even some edgy boyfriend jeans. Danielle's personal style is so unique and she is definitely an urban style icon. Keep an eye out of Ms. Guizio it won't be long before homegirl is a household name. Best of luck to her and her new brand.

You can get your fix of DG on her website, www.DanielleGuizio.com

Add her on Instagram and Like her Facebook Page

Beach Day

Beach Bag Essentials Today:

Beach Read & Moleskine Journal

Blue Life Tunic

Lovecat Denim Shorties

RayBan Aviators

Pacifica Coconut Water Cleansing Face Wipes

Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunblock (protect your skin girls!)

NARS "Deep Throat" Blush

Smith's Rosebud Salve & Blistex SPF Chapstick

MAC Mascara  & Benefit's "Fake Up"

Bath & Body Works Body Spray "Twilight Woods"

simple and comfortable beach look

summer is here.

Featured as Moda Muse of the Week

Today I was featured as the Moda Muse this week for Modabound. 

I had no idea what this company was until I received an email explaining, 

"If you're not really familiar with Modabound, it's essentially a fashion Ebay for college girls to "shwop" (shop + swap) with eachother. For example, if you want to sell a maxi dress that you don't really wear anymore, you'd upload a picture to the website for girls in your network to see, and include sizing info, if it's gently worn, it's brand, and the price you'd like to sell it for. Then if someone wants to buy it, they message you through the sight and you meet up to exchange." says Blair Hirak, the company's social media marketer.

This is an awesome concept and I feel it's more direct with what you're looking for unlike Poshmark which is the worst app I have on my iPhone. 

Check them out at www.modabound.com

Instagram @modabound

And like their Facebook Page

Janna Appelstein: The Modern Egyptian Goddess

Janna Appelstein is the "eye" behind the Eye of JA, an incredible modern jewelry brand she created herself "by accident".

Janna was a natural born creative, she sat in her room cutting up old tshirts to make all different designs. When she ran out of tshirts she found an old box of buttons and charms while rummaging through her sister’s room, alas she was creating little masterpieces again. It was when she decided to hook fabric through some beads; she then stumbled upon a new style of ring making. She was gaining attention fast from her classmates at school when next thing she knew she was making them and giving them away. She started frequenting Bazaar Star Beadery in Ridgewood, NJ and found inspiration to take it up a notch with her signature hand chains.

Janna walked into Gypsy Warrior’s original tiny boutique in October 2011 wearing her very own hand chain, she caught the attention of both owners in which they asked where she purchased such an amazing piece in which she replied, “I made it”. Instantly, she began reproducing for Gypsy,  shortly after her designs were being sold and currently making about 50 custom pieces for them at a time.

After meeting with Janna, I fell in love with all of her creativity. in every single piece she creates, she adds a special touch; a tiny detail to make it more personable..like a small feather or evil eye perfectly etched into or dangling from a clasp. Janna loves the concept of a "modern goddess" playing up the ancient Egyptian timeless art while still remaining contemporary. Eye of JA is actually a play on the Egyptian sun god Ra, using her initials in place. 

Her jewelry is incredible from every single piece I had the privilege to try on (and purchase) I fell in love. The body and head chains are what I tended to gravitate to because it made me feel like I was Cleopatra or at least a distant cousin. Eye of JA jewels are a summer must-have for me, nothing dresses up tanned skin and a bikini more than some gorgeous body pieces not to mention all of the metals she uses are perfect for all different hair colors and skin tones. 

As for new collections, Janna says "she's making it up as she goes along" her free-spirit and creative brilliance is etched into every piece she makes. She currently is making bridal pieces for Kleinfeld's in Manhattan as well as appearing in the Henri Bendel trunk show this July. Janna Appelstein is the next big thing, you can find her pieces here at Eye of JA also her instagram @eyeofja