Birthday Star // Turning 27 + Black Slip Dress

This week I'm celebrating another trip around the sun! My 27th birthday is Saturday, Aug. 17 and you better believe I'm escorting 26 out with a bang — stars in all. 

I wish you guys could see the subtle rainbow glitter on my dress. The sparkles take it to the next level, making it completely special-occasion approved! But whether you can see the shine or not, a slip dress like this one is the perfect blend of sexy and sophisticated. The double slits are especially flattering and fun.

I'm all for dressing up on your special day — whatever kind of day that may be. For me, a birthday outfit is an empowering way to celebrate and ensure you feel your best. After all, what's better than feeling like a star? And what better way to feel like a star than dressing like one? It's called confidence, baby...and sometimes clothing can make all the difference!

Full disclosure: I bought this dress three years ago, and although I loved it, I never felt fully comfortable in it. After wearing it once and shooting it for this post (umm can you believe how long my hair is?), I put it in the back of my closet and pretty much forgot about it. 

Now, three years later, I've developed more confidence in myself (and not going to lie, I also toned up and lost weight), and I was so excited when I put this LBD back on and felt incredible in it! What a feeling! It's THAT feeling you want to accompany you during any and all of your big days.

Photos by Antonio Owens 

[dress: & Other Stories (old, but I also like this one) // heels: Zara (old, but I also like these) // earrings: Ann Taylor (I also like this pair) //lip color: Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in "Backtalk" // balloons: Balloon Kings]

Every year I look forward to doing a fun, personality-filled birthday photo shoot with balloons. For me, it's the perfect way to celebrate a new year and make the milestone that much more memorable. This year, Antonio and I headed to Washington Square Park and arrived by 8:30 am on a Sunday in order to capture it essentially empty. 

And how about these balloons? Last year I was all for tonal, metallic vibes, but this year I was feeling rainbow, sparkle, and pizzaz! It just goes to show that no matter how "old" you get, you're never too old for whatever makes your heart sing. JUST DO YOU :) ...and if that means buying the rainbow balloons and parading them around NYC, then do it! And do it boldly. 

// SHOP DRESS //

Birthday Dress // metallic pleated dress + turning 26

No matter if it's your birthday or you're celebrating someone else's, the perfect party dress will ensure you feel sparkly, confident, and ready for anything. My 26th birthday is just around the corner (Friday, August 17), and this year I'm shining extra bright in metallic! 

I'm a planner, so I had this birthday dress picked out months in advance. But the one thing I couldn't nail down was the perfect necklace to go with it. I wasn't finding anything worthy in my own collection, so I turned to Red Carpet Rocks. The company, which is essentially Rent the Runway for jewelry, reached out to me just in time, and I totally lucked out by finding this stunning fringe statement necklace to complete my b-day look. 

The renting process was way simpler than I ever would have thought too. They hand-delivered my jewels the very next day. Three days later, someone came to pick up the necklace — I didn't even have to leave the house or deal with a shipping label! You can rent this exact same piece for yourself by clicking here. 

This metallic dress is just as fun to wear as it looks. It's shimmery, flattering, and totally twirlable. The fact that it looks like I'm wearing liquid metal is icing on the cake! While at first I struggled with finding a suitable shoe, a nude heel quickly became an obvious choice. After all, the last thing I wanted to do was upstage this standout frock. 

 Photos by Antonio Owens

[dress: Ann Taylor (I also like this one) // necklace: rented from Red Carpet Rocks (I also like this style to buy) // heels: Ann Taylor (similar pair here) // earrings: Juicy Couture (identical pair here) // eyeshadow: Urban Decay's Naked Smoky palette // lip color: Bite Beauty Liquified Lipstick in "Lotus Root"]

Every year, Antonio and I shoot special photos for my birthday. This year was no different, but we decided to kick things up a notch. I planned far in advance (I literally bought this dress in December knowing I'd save it for this moment), and we woke up at 6 am the day of our shoot. 

We traveled to Brooklyn and took these pics before Brooklyn Bridge Park got crowded. I especially love our shots in front of Jane's Carousel. For me, it was the perfect way to welcome a new age. I can't wait to see where 26 will take me!

// SHOP //

25 // Get Ready To Birthday Party

It's my 25th birthday and I'm celebrating in mesh! I decided to go with a black & silver theme for my special day this year, and of course I couldn't resist some b-day balloons - a birthday girl's best accessory ;)

Embellished heels with touches of metal drive this look home for me. While all-black is sleek, accessories are what make it pop. I especially love my strong cuff paired with modern panels of mesh - there's definitely a futuristic vibe there.

Fact of 2017: transparent clothes are in. I decided to test out the trend in my own way, and I have to say, I'm a fan. I felt sexy and powerful but at the same time, it still felt like I was covered up. And how about that see-through hemline on my skirt? LOVE. 

 Photos by Antonio Owens 

[top: & Other Stories // bra: & Other Stories (similar style here) skirt: & Other Stories (sold out, but I also like this style) // heels: Banana Republic (I also like this pair) // cuff: & Other Stories (I also like this one) // choker: Free People // lipstick: Urban Decay's Jean Michel Basquiat collection in "Exhibition" (similar shade is "Bittersweet")]

Thanks so much for reading, everyone. And to all my fellow Leo's out there - HBD!

// SHOP //

The Birthday Girl // fit & flare dress + jeweled heels

Yep, it's my b-day! And birthdays call for a fabulous birthday photoshoot. Getting dressed up for your special day (mine's August 17th) and walking around with balloons is SUCH a fun way to celebrate - it's definitely one of my MY favorites :) And I don't think ANYONE can resist a bouquet of balloons! 

This is a party dress if I've ever seen one. The bright color, flattering fit-and-flare silhouette, and endless versatility has definitely earned it a top spot in my closet. It's just so FUN to wear, and in a bold orange-red hue, it almost guarantees you'll be the center of attention at any fete! 

Keeping the party-spirit theme alive, these heels are literally a party on my feet! I spotted them and not only knew I had to have them, but thought debuting them for my birthday would be the PERFECT way to showcase them. I love that they're completely one-of-a-kind yet not too flashy. What a prime example of fun shoes that are neutral AND make a statement! 

Can't decide between gold and silver? How about both? I love that these chokers come as a set but can be worn individually too. And you all know how hard I've been vibing on chokers lately - so these were a perfect addition to my jewelry box! 

With gold nails, I decided to stick to a silver arm candy theme. It's hard NOT to layer these bad boys. 

I'm all about earrings that pop, and this fan-favorite pair of Kate Spade studs is a stellar choice when you want your earrings to stand out, but you also crave something classic. 

How about this makeup? Pretty amazing, right? I have to confess though, I did not create this magic. I actually got a full makeover from Sephora and had the pleasure of working with Ariela from Ariela Artistry. She definitely brought me out of my comfort zone with this look, but it turned out super cool! Do you notice the killer ombre effect? I mean seriously, the girl has skills! 

It's not your birthday without balloons! And for my birthday this year, I decided to go for a rainbow effect. So I chose a bright, solid-colored dress and paired it with balloons in every color - except the color of my dress. I love how it turned out! And you better believe I carried these balloons around with me for the rest of the night! 

Oh and I threw confetti around like a three-year-old too! You're never too old for confetti! 

Photos by Antonio Owens 

[dress: Ann Taylor (I also like this one) // heels: Banana Republic (sold out, but this is the flats version) // chokers: Kenneth Jay Lane (similar here) // earrings: Kate Spade // cuff: Ted Baker // heart tag bracelet: Tiffany & Co. // amethyst bangle: David Yurman // lipstick: Dolce Vita by Nars // eyeshadow: Too Faced chocolate palette] 

Birthdays are a pretty big deal to me. And I know not everyone is big on them, but to me, birthdays signify new beginnings - almost like New Year's Eve/Day. They're ultimately a celebration of life, a celebration of making it through another successful year, and a celebration of, well, YOU! 

And while birthdays are also a sometimes painful reminder of getting older, I choose to view them in a more optimistic light. Not everyone gets to celebrate a birthday each year, so for every one I'm granted, I am incredibly grateful! 

// SHOP //