Tag Archives: H&M

Crazy Week + New Hair Mashup

Posted in Personal Updates by

This past week was Hell.  My styling site (www.urbandarling.com) got a makeover, but unfortunately the transition did not go smoothly.  It looks great now, but initially crashed and was down for several days, which was incredibly frustrating.  In addition to that, I had a major health scare and was stressed out of my mind awaiting catscan results, which thankfully confirmed that I’m a-okay.  In the midst of it all I was having a bit of breakdown and finally decided to chop my hair.  It’s been longish forever, and I’d been debating on going shorter and blonder.  I loved my long hair, but was honestly tired of seeing the exact same hair day in and day out for nearly a decade!  Since summer is coming, I figured now is the time.  I loooove the cut, but I’m having second thoughts about the color.  Of course that can always be changed, and that’s the fun thing about hair – it’s easy to tweak as desired.  What do you think?  Love it or hate it?  I debuted the new look last night at a Marciano event at The Americana in Glendale.  I love that mall, but since it’s outdoors, the whole experience would have been soooo much nicer in warm weather!  Instead it was cold and rainy, which is very unusual for this time of year in So Cal.  Anyway, I love Guess and I love Marciano, and the beautiful Marianna Hewitt of La La Mer was hosting.  My darling assistant Purely Jessica came along, and we sipped champagne and got our hair done, so all in all it was a fun night out.  Just hope next week is a bit more low-key and relaxing!

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Get The Look

Sweater: H&M (old) / Scarf: Cynthia Rowley (old) / Bag: Henri Bendel / Jeans: Guess / Heels: Sam Edelman

Foolproof Outfit Combo: Crop Top + Full Skirt + Heels

Posted in Outfit Inspiration by

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Some outfit combinations are “foolproof” – i.e. the styling has been tried and tested time and again the look simply works.  I love this kind of outfit, even though the combo itself is nothing new, because you know it’s going to look good, and you can still put your own spin on it with the details.  I’m going to start posting these foolproof combos on a regular basis, and decided to start with a current fave.  The crop top/full skirt combo popped up a while back, and I’ve LOVED it ever since first spotting the look.  In fact, I remember styling a very similar look for myself as a pre-teen in the late 90’s, for my middle school graduation party!!  It was a giant midi length tutu skirt (in black) with a baby pink cropped tank and cardigan.  I remember my mother did not like the outfit, but I thought it was awesome, and definitely unique in my small suburban town.  Anyway, the look has been going strong, but I wouldn’t say it’s played out just yet.  Midi skirts and crop tops are still trending, and I’m not surprised because it’s easy to make these pieces work for you.  The key with a big, full midi skirt is to make sure it sits high on your waist at the narrowest part (typically above your belly button).  That way the skirt ensures waist emphasis and flares out from there, creating a nice curvaceous line for your lower body.  Equally as important, your crop top will not actually bare that much skin, because the skirt has you covered 😉 You don’t want more than a few inches of skin peeking out, and certainly not your belly button…Noooo low slung skirts with drop tops okay?!?  That’s not the modern (or decent) way to rock this silhouette. I always recommend topping off this look with heels (unless you’re super tall) because otherwise the midi skirt can stunt you, and of course heels are the more sexy, feminine choice.  Avoid an oversized bag with this look and stick to something ladylike and demure, like a mini bag or a minaudière.

Get The Look

Crop Top (bralette): VS Pink / Midi Skirt: H&M / Heels: Izabella Rue by ShoeDazzle / Bag: ALDO / Sunglasses: Toyshades / Earrings: Forever 21 / Necklaces: Vintage

Photography by Jessica Kircher  

Winter To Spring Transitional Style

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The weather in So Cal has been kind of crazy lately.  Just two weeks ago it was cold and rainy and even snowing in some parts.  Now our high is peaking close to 90!!  Overall though, spring is easily So Cal’s most beautiful season.  Once the weather levels off, temperatures tend towards ideal (70-ish) with a warm spring breeze, and of course flowers are blooming everywhere.  The foliage here is not to be beat…even the weeds are pretty, lol.  During this season it’s not quite warm enough for summer clothes, but a lightweight knit would do perfectly.  I spotted this slightly cropped, oversized sweater at H&M a few weeks ago and knew I had to have it…I love the silhouette and the embellished neckline! Here I paired it with a (super old) printed maxi and some wedge gladiator sandals that I’ve had for years and absolutely love.  The jewelry is by JewelMint (i.e. cute and affordable).  This look was shot strolling around my local neighborhood at the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains…

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Photography by Jessica Kircher

A Little Bit Boho

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My style isn’t super boho, but I do love flare and wide leg jeans, so I’m pretty thrilled they’re back in style this spring.  Truthfully, I wear them regardless, and as previously mentioned, I wayyyyy prefer flares over skinny jeans.  People tend to think that short girls shouldn’t wear wide leg jeans, but that’s totally bogus.  Yes, I usually have to have them hemmed to the right length, then I throw them on with wedges, and I actually look taller.  Here I styled a pair of high-waisted, wide leg 7 Jeans that I’ve owned for years.  I paired my jeans with a cropped fringe tank, a printed scarf, a floppy hat, a bucket bag, and of course wedge sandals.  Obviously I live in So Cal to be wearing this outfit right now!  All the elements come together in a way that’s fresh and modern, but of course with a nod to 70’s style.

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Photography by Jessica Kircher

Ladylike With An Edge

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I’m a big fan of feminine, ladylike style.  I think there’s something very sexy about  embracing womanhood and dressing to show it off.  That being said, I’m not personally super girly.  I love a curve hugging peplum or a big full princess skirt, but I can’t go all out fem because it doesn’t suit me.  I’m a little bit more rock and roll, so there has to be some edgy element to my look for it to feel right.  If I had styled this outfit with single-sole pumps and a delicate necklace, it would look more traditional, and possibly more “on trend”.  But if there’s one thing I really don’t believe in, it’s dressing to look like everyone else.  I’d much rather go off trend and wear something that complements my unique personality.

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I absolutely adore these mega platforms with the black flame detail.  First of all, I’m super short, and shortie looooves her platforms.  Plus these are just bad ass aren’t they?!  They’re Scene by ShoeDazzle so I got them for a phenomenal price.  My tote on the other hand, by Ted Baker, is the epitome of ladylike.  I like the way the two pieces complement and contrast at the same time.  The slim fit black pants are by Ann Taylor.  Ann Taylor makes good quality, great fitting pants and I swear by them because almost every style comes in petite, so I don’t even need a tailor!  (They also come in long lengths for taller gals.)  The hot pink peplum was an H&M sale score.  I’m obsessed with the color and generally like peplums for the curve accentuating effect.  The amazing Swarovski crystal necklace was my very first BaubleBar purchase (years ago) but it remains one of my favorite necklaces to this day and people often comment on it.  The one point I’d like to make about this look, is that the easiest way to wear a voluminous peplum top is to balance out the proportions with something slim down below, like skinny jeans or a pencil skirt.  Don’t go for full and full, because it’s a lot harder to pull off (unless you have the proportions just right).  So there you have it, some outfit inspiration for the day.  Happy Saturday everyone!!  Xo

 

“I Got My Red Dress On Tonight”

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I scooped up this little red dress at H&M just before the holidays last year.  I fell in love with the silhouette, especially the asymmetrical hem that’s cut higher on the sides and longer in the back.  It’s fun and flirty and feels like the right kind of dress to go dancing in!  It’s also the perfect dress for a Valentine’s date night.  I added a black patent belt for additional waist emphasis and kept the other accessories to a minimum.  I absolutely adore the shoes – metallic gold film strip heels by Paper Fox by ShoeDazzle…could they be any cuter?!  I finished off this look with a classic quilted bag, for an outfit that’s equal parts chic and sexy.  How do you plan to get wrapped up in red this Valentine’s Day?  Share with me in the comments ❤ ❤ ❤