#OOTD: Lovely Layers (Feat. SheIn)

December 23, 2016 by Bree Fesh in Personal Style

As many of us here in the 'Burgh know, it's that time of year again where the temperature is dropping rapidly, leaving us with frigid cold weather. The most recent weather happenings have been tons of snow, freezing rain, and a below zero windchill factor. For some ungodly reason though, this is the type of weather that John likes best. So of course while he was here visiting, I sucked it up and (attempted to enjoy) enjoyed the cold weather with him. However, I have to admit it's not all bad because even though I find the winters here to be my own personal Hell, I have to say at least I get to have fun with my wardrobe by dressing in layers.

To beat the cold this past week was quite the task honestly, from dodging freezing rain and bone chilling winds, most people would have probably would have preferred to stay indoors. Though I am normally one of those people, while out gallivanting with John I didn't get to stay in much. Luckily for me I thrifted this incredibly warm wool coat by Ralph Lauren during my last trip to the Red, White, and Blue Store and also received this adorable blanket scarf from my sponsor SheIn!

All Wrapped Up

While my beau and I were out in Sewickley this past weekend enjoying some dinner and coffee afterwards, the one thing I was dreading was the walk to and from the car, and then from the Sewickley Hotel to Crazy Mocha. And I've decided the weather man was not kidding when he described the weather as an "arctic blast"! However, to be prepared and keep warm on this dreaded walk around town, I decided to pair my new scarf and thrifted coat with an L.L. Bean cable knit sweater, leather gloves from my new affiliate/partner Saks Fifth Avenue (more coming about this December 31st!), some Levi skinnies and Bare Traps Combat Boots (and of course an extra warm pair of socks!).

However, to layer for the freezing cold and remain looking stylish wasn't quite an easy task for this shoot. Normally when I'm not doing and outfit of the day article, I don't worry as much about matching my coat, scarf and sweater and simply focus on how to keep warm. But obviously for this shot that wasn't the case. To style this coat I decided to pair it with a cream colored sweater just to break up the dark colors of the coat, scarf, and gloves. In my opinion this light color sweater really gave this outfit the pop it needed.

Then to actually style my scarf, I honestly spent about 10 minutes strategically wrapping it just right so the sweater would show. But I also decided to add a little more detail and pair this extra warm and cozy scarf with my Hermes Pop H Necklace. I just though the red lacquer of the necklace stood out great against the cream colored sweater and complimented the reds and burgundys in the scarf perfectly.

Lastly, since you know I hardly go anywhere with out a pair of over sized shades, I just feel like my new sunnies from Forever 21 deserve an honorable mention in this post. The reason I loved these sunglasses isn't only because I scored them on sale for five dollars, but because I loved the unique shape of the frame and the rose colored lenses.

One Last Look

What are some of your favorite ways to look stylish when the weather outside is frightful? Let's chat about it in the comments below or you can tweet me at @StarkRavingChic! Have a photo you want to show off? Feel free to tag me on Instagram at @StarkRavingChic. Keep warm babes!

Xx, Bree

#OOTD: Baby It's Cold Outside (Feat. Boho Tribe Collection)

December 16, 2016 by Bree Fesh in Personal Style

As I've mentioned in a few of my more recent posts, I am headed back to school next month for the Spring 2017 semester. Though I will not physically be on Point Park's campus until fall due to my job at DSG, I am enrolled and will be taking online classes, including *drum roll* my internship as a Style Guru at CollegeFashionista! So you will be seeing me (as well as some of my other fellow Pittsburgh Style Gurus) darting around the city taking photos with notebooks in hand, all semester long. And who knows, if I bump into you downtown and love your style, I might ask to feature you in one of my articles for CollegeFashionista!

So with that big news out of the way, I also have another exciting blog related announcement, which is that for this post I have partnered with the local jewelry shop Boho Tribe Collection.

Boho Tribe Collection

One of the many unique things about Boho Tribe Collection is aside from being a local online and pop up shop, the whole company is actually the brainchild of my coworker, Laura Bonucchi. I met Laura this past summer when the DSG store support team was out at the store in McCandless Crossing, setting the floor and merchandising the mannequins for fall. During this time, Laura and I worked together and got to chatting about my blog and that is when I found out that she ran a small jewelry business of her own. Well since then, Laura reached out to me and asked if I would like to collaborate and of course I said yes!

So how did Boho Tribe Collection get started you ask? Well back in 2015 Laura had hit a rough patch in her life and began to practice yoga. During this time, she noticed that yoga really helped her get through that hard time and made her feel exceptionally better, so after this realization Laura decided to become a yoga instructor. Also during this time of soul searching, Laura also decided to begin making jewelry. She began making small things such as simple bracelets and necklaces but began to get more passionate about her craft and went on to take a class at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts for metal working.

After perfecting her skills in jewelry making, Laura was still working as a yoga instructor and had many friends who owned yoga studios. So she began selling her jewelry in these respective studios due to them being a hit with her friends and clientele. Then in September of 2015, she set up shop at her very first live event, Fit Fest, that took place in Newcastle, PA. She has since went on to do a live shop at Wanderlust Yoga Retreat, and launch her brand's website, Boho Tribe Collection, in May 2016. Laura even has more live shops coming up soon, but I'll give you the details on that later in the article.

Gingerbread Neutrals

The pieces Laura was kind enough to give me for this article are actually the two gorgeous pieces pictured earlier in this article. These two pieces are the Inner Peace Boho Stacker and the Antiqued Feather Necklace. To style these pretty pieces, I paired them with my New York & Company fringed sweater, a pair of my Kendra Scott Earing a simple pair of brown fleece leggings (leggings are pants), and my brown boots from SheIn. The reason I chose to style them with this outfit is because I felt the browns and tans played off the color of the necklace and bracelet set very nicely.

The reason I chose the Inner Peace Boho Stacker as well as the Antiqued Feather Necklace was honestly because I just knew that they would match my Kendra Scott earrings perfectly. I also had a feeling that they would style perfectly with this sweater (man do I love being right!). And lastly these two pieces, in my opinion, make the perfect pair due to their perfect color combination.

Upcoming Boho Tribe Collection Events

Now that you've seen how beautiful and well-crafted Boho Tribe's jewelry is, I know you're dying for me to tell you when Laura's next pop up shop will be and when it's taking place! So here's the info you need to meet Laura and shop her awesome jewelry:

Beer + Yoga Holiday Brunch at Brew Gentlemen
December 18th, 11am - 3pm

Address:

The Brew Gentlemen
512 Braddock Avenue
Braddock, Pennsylvania 15104

Join us in the taproom for a special Holiday Edition of Beer + Yoga! We're bringing back Sunday class... for one day only. Beer + Yoga + Brunch + Live DJ.

Class is only $10 (plus Eventbrite fee) and includes a complimentary 5oz beer following the class, as well as live beats from DJ Craig Bittner. Following class, Brassero Grill will be testing out their new brunch menu for all yogis.

All experience levels are welcome. Spaces are limited.

Pittsburgh Yoga Expo

Date & Time
Sunday, January 22nd, 2017
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Location
Pittsburgh Opera
2425 Liberty Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15222

All are welcome to join in and watch yoga demonstrations, participate in yoga workshops, and learn about local yoga studios.
You now have the option of attending in the morning only, afternoon only, or All day!
The workshops are included in the entry price.
Bring your own yoga mat if you plan to participate in the workshops.
Be sure to wear clothes that you are comfortable moving in if you plan to participate.
There will be vendors selling food, clothes, and other goods. Bring some cash if you are interested in supporting these local businesses.

One Last Look

So everyone, who's going to the Beer and Yoga Brunch at Brew Gentlemen this Sunday, doesn't it sound like a blast?! In addition, what are some things that have helped you get out of a hard time and has now flourished? Let's talk about it in the comments below or you can tweet me at @StarkRavingChic! Later babes.

Xx, Bree

#OOTD: That '70s Show (Feat. Make Me Chic)

December 14, 2016 by Bree Fesh in Personal Style

Admittedly, I have never quite grown out of the phase of wanting to play dress up and probably never will. All throughout my teens and now even in my early 20s, I have constantly been experimenting with different styles and fashion genres. Whether it be different hair colors (and cuts), makeup looks, or fashion trends, my look is ever changing and my closet is always completely over flowing. In my opinion, there are just so many different options to style I can't just commit myself to one look; frankly, that would be incredibly boring.

With this being said, when my most recent collaborator, Make Me Chic, reached out to me and asked if they could sponsor a post, I jumped at the opportunity when I saw this dress on their website. Though it's not my "usual" style (Though in all fairness what is my usual style anyways?), I've been wanting to style something with a retro feel and was thrilled to have the opportunity to do so.

Make Me Chic

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the online retailer Make Me Chic, let me just tell you a little bit about this company before I dive into my outfit details. Firstly, until recently I had not heard of them either, however my skepticism was put to rest when I discovered that they are actually a sister company of my beloved and long time sponsor SheIn! And much like SheIn, Make Me Chic sells contemporary clothing for a fraction of the price that you would normally pay at a mall, but also like SheIn there is no sacrifice in quality. So after speaking with their one representative Anna, I was incredibly excited and could not wait to style my new dress.

Totally Far Out

I'm sure most of you remember, I have had quite the fascination with styles reminiscent of the 1970s this year, what can I say, I think it's making a big comeback! The reason this is, is because I just feel that the whimsical styles of this era really add a touch of fun to anyone's wardrobe. I mean what's not to love about bell bottoms, flowing sleeves, and big hair?

With this in mind, that is why I chose this gorgeous maxi dress from Make Me Chic to style. I just loved the the way this dress was cut as well as it's asymmetrical pattern, including the the faux belt detailing that gave this garment the illusion of having an empire waist, which I thought was a very interesting detail that I initially overlooked, but it just made me love this dress even more. I also loved the long flowing sleeve on the right side of this garment, to me it gave this dress a soft and pretty look which balanced it's empire waist, ultimately giving this piece a true '70s feel.

I also have to say, much like SheIn's clothing, I felt that this dress from Make me Chic was very well made and lived up to it's sister company's standards. However, I was initially a little worried because quite honestly the dress didn't look great on the hanger, but man, once I slipped it on, I fell in love with this piece and thought it looked absolutely gorgeous! The material is also very soft to the touch and feels nice to wear. And really, this is by far one of the most comfortable maxi dresses I own.

Lastly, to further style this piece, I chose to rock my chunky square necklace that was compliments of Bijoux USA Jewelry, as well as newest bangle by House of Harlow 1960. (Which I purchased from my most recent jewelry set, compliments of my sponsor Rockbox.)

One Last Look

So babes, have you ever heard of Make Me Chic and what are some of the styles that you've been experimenting with lately? I'd love to hear! So let's chat about it in the comments below or you can tweet me at @StarkRavingChic. Have a photo that you wanna show off? Tag me on Instagram at @StarkravingChic!

Xx, Bree