America's Most Stylish Blogger Week #5: Tie-dye leggings

For our last challenge item, Bluefly.com sent each blogger charcoal tie-dye stretch leggings by Plan B. I don’t own anything like them in my closet, so the leggings were both a pleasant surprise and a bit of a challenge! With their tapered leg and contemporary fit, they turned out to be comfortable and fun to wear.

To allow the tie-dye leggings to take center stage, I made sure the other elements in my outfit were basic black. I layered a cropped leather jacket over a plain silk tee, then tucked it into a drapey wrap skirt. I picked out a few strong accessories to complete the look, including a pair of studded boots, a studded belt and a silver statement necklace. Against the solid black pieces, the unique pattern of the leggings is an unexpectedly chic twist!

I think the final look is young and experimental, giving off a N.Y. meets L.A. vibe. While the silver studs and tie-dye are fun, trendy details, the outfit is still sleek and polished. This is something I’d change into after work on Friday, an outfit for a spontaneous evening when you don’t have any plans except to have a fun time.

Please don’t forget to visit StyleList.com and Bluefly.com to vote for this outfit on America’s Most Stylish Blogger! I can't believe this is already the last challenge. I owe Bluefly and StyleList a huge thank you for allowing me to a part of this competition, and I'm so grateful to my readers and supporters who continue to vote for me and leave so many sweet messages!

America's Most Stylish Blogger Week #4: The plaid shirt

Although plaid shirts are enjoying a wave of popularity right now, I rarely wear them, mainly because I’ve yet to find one that I absolutely love. That was before Bluefly.com shipped each of us this Priorities plaid shirt in my favorite color—red! This was no ordinary plaid shirt. In soft, almost flannel-like cotton, the shirt features girly ruffle details and a very distinct pattern. It was plaid love at first sight!

Immediately, the shirt evoked to me images of the English countryside (the truth is I’ve only ever visited London, but hey, that’s what imaginations are for!). I wanted to do a modern take on that look, so I buttoned up a brown tweed vest over the shirt and pulled on a pair of dark jeans, then added a belt and boots to tie it all together. The outfit is a classic, comfortable look, but still very fresh and contemporary. I can easily see myself wearing this indoors, curled up by the fireplace on a cold day, or out on a Saturday afternoon Christmas shopping with the girls. And maybe—just maybe!—one day I’ll really have a chance to wear it in the English countryside!

Please visit StyleList.com and Bluefly.com where you can find out more and watch this week's guest judge weigh in on our outfits! And to my all old and new readers, thank you so much for supporting me in America’s Most Stylish Blogger and for all the kind comments! I will make sure to respond to each and every single one!

America's Most Stylish Blogger Week #3: The mini skirt

(All photographs by the amazingly talented John Erick Pabalan)

No color really speaks to me more than a lovely shade of pink. There's something so fun and deliciously girly about it, so I was delighted to find that Bluefly.com had sent over a Necessary Objects mini pencil skirt in just that color!

I scoured my closet for pieces that would balance out the va-va-voom vibe of the fitted, slip-on skirt. To put a modern twist on a classic look, I first chose a feminine cream blouse with a few cascading ruffles, then a short-sleeve collarless jacket with large gold buttons. Accessories, like black pointelle tights, simple lace-up oxford heels and an embellished cuff, completed the outfit.

I wanted to portray a look that was polished enough for work at a hip, young office, yet still downtown chic for grabbing after hours drinks with a friend. As any urban professional will tell you, comfortable pieces that can make a seamless transition from day to night are treasured finds! This Necessary Objects mini skirt, made of a soft stretchy poly knit, is definitely one of them and should be a staple in any working girl’s wardrobe.

Please visit StyleList.com and Bluefly.com to vote for this outfit on America’s Most Stylish Blogger! To all my wonderful readers and friends who have shown me so much support, I can't thank you enough and love every single one of you!

America's Most Stylish Blogger Week #2: Studded ankle boots

When I tore open the box from Bluefly.com and uncovered a gorgeous pair of suede studded ankle boots as our second challenge item, I was breathless with excitement! After all, it’s not every day you receive gorgeous Prada boots in the mail! The shoes’ ash gray color, rounded toe and serious sparkle factor were just screaming for a good party outfit, and I wasn’t about to deny them some fun.

I threw on a slinky, one shoulder mini dress in rich eggplant purple, one of my favorite fall colors, then added a gray faux fur vest to complement the boots. Several chunky pieces of jewelry—a huge gator ring, spike bracelet, rhinestone earrings and necklace—offered just the right amount of dazzle to my I-just-partied-with-the-band look. I love the idea of combining studs, fur and rhinestones—a fusion of edgy yet luxe details, very appropriate for fall 2009!

Each piece in the outfit is sophisticated and mature, yet still manages to retain a fun, youthful edge, perfect for that on-the-go girl in her twenties living it up in the big city! The studded boots take her from the office to the concert to the afterparty and then…to wherever else the night will take her!

If you like my take on the boots, please make sure to visit StyleList.com and Bluefly.com to vote for this outfit on America’s Most Stylish Blogger! Remember: you can vote once a day and each time you do, you'll be entered to win a $1,000 shopping spree from Bluefly! A big thank you and hugs to all my readers for their kind words and support!

America's Most Stylish Blogger Week #1: The boyfriend vest

Usually a boyfriend shirt or blazer or, in this case, vest translates into a laidback “I-just-grabbed-this-on-my-way-out-of-the-bf’s-apartment” vibe, but when I lifted the Priorities navy boyfriend vest out of the Bluefly.com box, I knew I wanted to dress it up. Los Angeles’s slightly cool fall weather called for a mustard yellow tweed skirt, ankle lace-up boots and just one extra delicious, over the top detail—a cascade of silk organza ivory ruffles.

The menswear-inspired Priorities vest is an incredibly versatile layering piece. Made of stretch gabardine, its lightweight enough for the warmer months, but perfect right now for pairing with fall-friendly fabrics. I added vintage pins on the lapel for a bit of sparkle, then tossed on a skinny belt for ladylike flair. The finishing touch? A pair of geek chic frames! An avid reader since the age of four, I used to wear thick glasses everywhere (very likely a result of reading under the covers way past my bedtime), but I’ve avoided them since the introduction of contact lenses. However, I wanted to embrace my inner bookworm with this look. Because hey, even four-eyed brainiacs can be geniuses in style, too!

Visit StyleList.com and Bluefly.com to vote for this bookworm as America’s Most Stylish Blogger!

And as a bonus for my dear blog readers, I had so much fun playing with this vest that I tossed it together with a few other outfits. I just couldn't help myself! Take a peek and tell me which one you liked best!