Sequins and sunlight

(Priorities vest, Alice + Olivia sequin dress, J.Crew belt, Kenneth Cole boots, F21 glasses)

From that sharp bob cut she rocked in her "Umbrella" music video to the crimson corkscrew curls she sports today, Rihanna remains one of my all-time favorite celebrities who's constantly pushing the envelope, reinventing herself, taking risks. In the April 2011 issue of Vogue, she said,

"When I am putting looks together, I dare myself to make something work. I always look for the most interesting silhouette or something that’s a little off, but I have to figure it out. I have to make it me. I think that’s the thrill in fashion."

Rihanna has cobbled together looks that are inspiring and wildly creative, ones that make me think she's a kind of fashion genius. And then there are outfits that have left me confused or disappointed. But while another starlet strutting down the red carpet in a pretty LBD may look perfectly polished, Rihanna's never bored me with predictable style. So when I threw on this crazy ensemble - sequin mini dress, combat boots, a skinny fluorescent orange belt - I made sure to keep RiRi's words of wisdom in mind, daring myself to try and make it work!

The fuchsia philosophy

(Zara one-shoulder dress, F21 cardigan, H&M opaque tights, Sam Edelman boots from CUSP, Michele watch, Aritzia belt, Sarah Aghili giraffe necklace, London Manori leaf earrings)

































Photos by Catharine Acurso.

And so it continues with the long cardigan affair. This one, though, is in one of my current favorite colors - fuchsia pink. If you've followed my blog, even if only for a brief time, you've probably noticed that I adore color and I'm not afraid of wearing it! I love my blacks, browns, grays and neutrals, but if I see a top in tangerine orange or some other unapologetically bright shade, I pounce. I've realized over the years that many people, including the stylish and fashion forward, shy away from color. For some, it's a purely aesthetic choice. For others, it's an issue of feeling uncomfortable standing out.

I know everyone has their own interpretation of fashion; to me, fashion is exploring who you are, using clothes to help create an image of the person you aspire to be. Every single day, fashion allows me to dress like the kind of person I want to become, and I think this is why I wear color, because I want to be someone who isn't afraid to stick out a little and who embraces color in her life... especially fuchsia pink!

Nerd alert

(F21 glasses, vintage blouse, Priorities vest, J.Crew khakis, Kenneth Cole boots, J.Crew necklace, Melie Bianco clutch)

I was a nerd in school - braces, thick glasses, super short hair (courtesy of my mother, who insisted the long hair I coveted was too much trouble to maintain and that I should focus on my studies instead). But now that nerds are back in style, it's as easy as pie slipping back into that look. Of course, I've given it a bit of an update with Gossip Girl-inspired ruffles and pearls, a messy topknot and lace-up boots to balance out the prissiness. And I just don't think you can ever go wrong with a pair of glasses for extra oomph, even if they are non-prescription and cost exactly $2.80!

Yellow fever

(Katy Rodriguez, Diane von Furstenberg jacket, Kenneth Cole boots, F21 ring, Fallon earrings, Michele watch)

























Photos by Catharine Acurso.

Last year, I was browsing the racks at a Refinery29 sample sale in Los Angeles, when I unearthed this whimsical number from designer Katy Rodriguez, whom I've long admired for her knack of giving party frocks an edge. The first thing that drew me to the dress was not the exaggerated bow (although that was a close second), but its rich mustard golden-yellow hue. I love the chic all-black and neutral ensembles that I find so many stylish people wearing lately; the look is so classic, effortless and sophisticated. But I feel like life could always use a little more color - a dash of fiery red here, a burst of sunshine yellow there - so I try to incorporate as much as possible in my wardrobe!

Winter Kate

(Winter Kate by Nicole Richie cardigan, Low Luv x Erin Wasson cross necklace, TNA tee, F21 shorts, Gap belt, Tyrant Collection wrap bracelet, Kimski rings, earrings from Japan, Aldo boots)





















Photos by Max Bronner.

Lately, I've almost been embarrassed to go to work because chances are, I'm wearing this Winter Kate by Nicole Richie Jasmine cardigan. The breezy silk wrap with its feathery print embodies all I desire in a summer wardrobe - flimsy, unstructured pieces that keep you fashionably cool in the heat. I tend to toss it over every outfit, whether it's a tee-and-shorts combo or summery dress, for an instant style boost.

Also, check back here on Saturday for a brand new post as part of Society Stylist's "Little Black Dress Experiment" Tours America. I'll be representing my current hometown, Los Angeles, of course!

To be a Tyrant

(Farahbella dress from Pixie Market, F21 tights & flower ring & hoops, Zara belt, Wilfred blazer, GUESS? boots, personalized Tyrant nameplate necklace, Tyrant 5 chain fringe bracelet, Tyrant leather charm wrap bracelet, Kimski chain purse, ObscuredCouture rhinestone-studded glasses)

Photos by Catharine Acurso.

As a fashion blogger, I've been very, very lucky to come across some amazing individuals. Two of them include Ty and Brandon, the creative geniuses behind Tyrant Collection. They were kind enough to craft one of their signature nameplate necklaces for me. I love the modern simplicity of the design - a sleek, sterling silver rectangle with my name etched in capitals on the front. Their butter-soft braided leather bracelet with its dangling charms (a skull, a crown, a wing and more), which I wear wrapped around my wrist four times, has also become my talisman recently. Each hand forged Tyrant piece feels personalized and incredibly special. The proof lies in the fact that every single time I wear their jewelry, no matter where I go, people fall in love with it.