Be Mine :: red dress + red coat + polka dot heels

Red for Valentine's Day is sooo original, right? Well, if you style it MY way it is! Don't just "wear" red, be a SHOWSTOPPER in red. How? Sport the romantic hue in twofold!

A monochrome look is fresh and vibrant. While a red dress is pretty, a red ENSEMBLE turns heads. This is the dress I layered underneath my coat. It's pretty on its own but come on, it just KILLS when paired with a red hot statement coat to match. 

Making a chic topcoat a part of your look is actually pretty brilliant. You may be thinking, "But what happens when I go inside and have to take it off? My outfit will be ruined!" No young grasshoppers, you are one WITH your coat in this instance (aka do not remove it). Here my outer layer acts as a blazer or a light jacket if you will. This trick works especially well for me because I'm always cold. See? Brilliance! 

Aren't these heels fun? There's nothing I like more than elevated basics with a creative twist, which is exactly what these are. Yes I COULD be wearing simple black pumps, but would they look as whimsical and unique? Of course not! Elevated basics always win. 

Blush and pink is a fabulous combo that has been rocking street style blogs all over NYC. So to answer your inevitable question, yes, it can most definitely be worn year round and not just for V-Day. I know I know, I was hesitant at first too, but look - it's so charming! 

To break up the monochrome effect just a tad, and to show that I actually have a shape amidst this sea of red, I added a fancy little belt. I love this piece because it requires zero effort yet instantly polishes my look. 

This necklace is such a unique piece. My mom picked it out and I just love its geometric look and totally modern aesthetic. Without being overwhelming, it makes an incredible impact. And let's be real, whoever thought to put pearls in squares is a true pioneer!

Pink is my jam so I decided to throw another dash of it into my look by swiping it on my lips in the form of Urban Decay lipstick. My shade of choice? "Obsessed," which is a completely fitting name. On my eyelids I gave myself a light smoky eye using Naked Smoky. 

Photos by Ryan Kathleen Greene 

[dress: Ann Taylor (old but I also like this one) // coat: Ann Taylor (I also like this one) // heels: Ann Taylor // belt: Ann Taylor (old, similar here) // purse: Ann Taylor // necklace: Cara Couture // earrings: Kate Spade // gold knot bangle: Kate Spade // silver & rose gold cuff: Ted Baker // amethyst bangle: David Yurman // gold link bracelet: Stella & Dot // heart tag bracelet: Tiffany & Co.] 

Valentine's Day is almost here and you know what? I'm pumped! I know some don't consider it a "real" holiday but who am I to say no to endless amounts of chocolates, flowers, and shades of pink?! I absolutely adore Feb. 14 and yes, partly because I get to wear as much pink as I want and no one can tell me otherwise. But seriously, I love creating romantic date night looks and getting all dolled up. And who can blame me? I mean, red is SO my color ;)

SHOP ::

Simply Smitten :: blanket scarf + black jeans

With Valentine's Day upon us, I wanted to style a themed look that could work for both day & night and wasn't too over-the-top festive. I settled on this outfit and I absolutely LOVE how it turned out! In fact...I'm simply smitten :) 

How amazing is this blanket scarf? I've seen identical styles EVERYWHERE this season. Seriously, This plaid pattern is THE trend of the moment. I love the colors and how they effortlessly pop against a neutral background - depending on your mood you can easily play up any of the bold hues. For Valentine's Day I decided to highlight the red by wearing red heels.

A cream sweater is one of the most versatile pieces you can own. I treat it as a blank canvas and just layer colorful pieces around it. It's SO easy to put together a fashion-forward look when you center it around a classic item like this. 

Black jeans are universally chic. This pair is my favorite because of the distressed knees. I put on these pants and I instantly feel cool - in these pics I even have the sunglasses to prove it ;)

These are my power heels. I get loads of compliments whenever I wear them and as soon as I slip them on they make me feel super stylish and chic! This footwear may seem like a bold choice for such a casual outfit but that's what makes them fun. I'm all about those unexpected elements - THAT'S what makes a look original. 

I have a wide array of sunglasses. There's the pair I turn to when I'm feeling chic and fabulous, a pair I wear when I'm in a boho mood, and even a retro pair that transports me to a different era. But my Ray-Bans are classic. I know I can turn to these babies for any occasion - there's just something so effortlessly cool about a sleek pair of Rays. 

A gold bar necklace is the perfect understated accessory. It's also perfect for layering! 

I went with gold eyeshadow and a bare lip for this look. The gold adds a warmth to my face and my lipstick is subtle yet impactful. I didn't want to be too dramatic with my makeup because this look needs to work during the day as well as during the evening. 

Since this scarf is so colorful and fun, I couldn't resist bringing out some more of its beautiful hues. A cobalt purse is such an easy way to pack a powerful punch of color.

Tying scarves is not my forte. In fact, I really struggled trying to figure out a way to make this scarf look good. I ended up Googling "how to tie a blanket scarf" but gave up on that as well (I guess following directions isn't my forte either). So I turned to my fool-proof strategy - just doing the old fashioned loop around. It works like a charm every time. But the cool way to do it is to leave one side longer than the other of course! 

These earrings. I'm obsessed. End of story. 

Photos by Dan Harper

[sweater: Ann Taylor // jeans: Gap // heels: Ann Taylor (I also like this pair) // scarf: Ann Taylor (identical version here) // purse: Kate Spade (I also like this one) // sunglasses: Ray Ban // earrings: Alexis Bittar // necklace: Kevia (similar here) // watch: Fossil // amethyst bangle: David Yurman // beaded blue bangle: Alex & Ani // heart tag bracelet: Tiffany & Co. // lipstick: Clinique's 'Bare Pop' // blush: Nars' 'Orgasm']

This is my kind of everyday look. Lately I've been gravitating more towards pants and I've really learned to appreciate a flattering pair of jeans. But of course I had to add my own touch of style by pairing a regular weekend outfit with totally fabulous statement heels! Some things never change and that's okay too :)

SHOP ::

Your Most Important Accessory :: haircare w/ TextureTame

Let's talk hair! I know I typically don't touch on beauty a whole lot on my blog, but I want that to change. After all, it's not just the clothing items that make an outfit - your hair and makeup serve as some of the most important accessories in your arsenal. ...Which leads me to a brilliant product called TextureTame!

Now it's no secret that I have wildly curly hair. Some wish to have curly hair of their own, but let me tell you firsthand, it is no walk in the park. Controlling my curls (or taming the beast as I like to call it) is a challenge I face every day. Curly hair is unruly, unpredictable, and completely frizzy pretty much 24/7. So when the lovely people at Dermstore contacted me about TextureTame, I KNEW I had to give this "miracle" product a try. I mean, the online reviews for TextureTame speak for themselves! Guys, people RAVE about this product, I'm not kidding! I was super honored to be able to give it a whirl myself. 

When I received my TextureTame kit, this is what I saw. The package comes with three different products and thus requires three steps (Step 1 is done once every three months, step 2 is done once a week, and step 3 is done daily). I'm super low maintenance when it comes to my hair (I actually don't use ANY products), but the result you get from these three steps are pretty spectacular so it's worth the extra time. 

Before we get to my "after" photos, let's just take a closer look at my frizziness, shall we? I mean look at it, it's SO obvious, right?! And mind you, this is clean, freshly styled hair. I did not sleep on this hair and this is not hat head; this is completely natural frizz and it's present every single day. Ugh - I couldn't wait to eliminate it for good! 

In order to complete the TextureTame process, you'll need a shower cap (used in step 2), a comb, and a hair tie (I used a hair tie to keep all my hair in the shower cap). Once you have the below items, you are ready to start changing your life! 

Wow look at that - magic! I obviously straightened my hair in addition to completing the three-step TextureTame process, but hey - my hair has NEVER been silkier! Guys, this is only after ONE treatment too! I mean seriously, do you see even one hair out of place? Didn't think so ;) 

 Step three in the TextureTame process is my favorite. First of all, this stuff smells amazing, and second, the "finish" step can be used on wet or dry hair and it's what'll keep your strands super soft and smooth. I use it every night now and I wake up to completely controllable, frizzless hair! Dream come true!

Now let's take a closer look at my new locks - the difference is crazy, right? The secret to TextureTame is that it calms your hair by penetrating the hair shaft, reaching the cortex of your hair and attaching the missing hydrogen molecule, which in turn stops your hair from getting poofy. Genius, right? 

TextureTame is exclusively sold at Dermstore and they were nice enough to give me a special link for my readers to enjoy this set at 30% off. If you suffer from crazy frizz and dream of one day having celebrity-worthy locks, then I suggest you give this a try ASAP! For my fellow curly-heads out there especially, this product is pretty much a must-have! 

Photos by Ryan Kathleen Greene 

[shirt: J.Crew // jeans: Gap // sneakers: Thrifted Converse All Stars // necklace: Ann Taylor (I also like this one) // earrings: Kate Spade // watch: Fossil // bangle: Alex & Ani // makeup: Urban Decay's Naked Palette // lipstick: "Iced Amethyst" by Revlon]

After looking at my "before" and "after" pics, it's pretty obvious that the proof is in the pudding. I've never seen my hair look quite as controlled and healthy and I couldn't be happier with my results. What I really love about TextureTame is that each product does its own thing. 

Step 1 eliminates actually treats your hair by sealing the water-loving hydrophilic bond within the hair shaft permanently. 

Step 2 locks in moisture and completes the bond sealing process. In short, it ensures your hair stays smooth and unsusceptible to the weather. 

Step 3 is your finishing touch. This lightweight, leave-in styling serum delivers shine by smoothing the hair’s cuticle without weighing it down. 

Frizzy-haired ladies, help IS out there! I am living proof of it :) 

**This was a sponsored blogpost. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

SHOP ::