#OOTD: Attractively Active (Feat. Terry Jolo Brand + Calia)

If you've been reading my blog for awhile (or follow me on Instagram and Twitter) you probably know that I absolutely hate going to the gym. Now don't get me wrong, I do enjoy exercise in the form of going on walks, hiking, and dancing but the gym, eh not so much. Ironically enough, my visual merchandising job at Dick's Sporting Goods requires me to edit photos of active wear as well as wear it on the occasions that I have to help with a set at a store, and with that being said I actually own a ton of active wear, even though I hardly ever style it when I'm not on location for work. However, in the light of trying new things this year, I decided to give the athleisure trend a whirl and decided to style some of my pieces from Calia for this post. (And I gotta admit, I really did enjoy styling my yoga pants--cute and comfy? Yes please!)

Perfectly Plum

For this look, I decided to once again try a monochromatic outfit, only instead of this outfit being all black, I decided to pair up different shades of purple. The reason I am particularly digging this trend so much is because there are just so many ways to experiment with it! For instance, come warmer weather, I would love to play around with some pastels and tights (under shorts particularly). However, for this more winter weather compatible look, I chose to style my workout top and moto tights by Calia along with my ever trusty furry purple vest from one of my favorite South Side boutiques, Terry Jolo Brand.

My longtime readers may remember one of my first collaborations was with the local shop Terry Jolo Brand, back in 2015. (Woah, it's been that long already?!) However, during that collaboration, Terry, was kind enough to give me this vest and ever since it has been one of my favorite pieces in my closet. The cool thing about this vest, and all of Terry's clothing for that matter, is that they are made in house at her South Side boutique, and each garment is a limited addition, with no more than one in each size made. The reason I decided to style this vest with my active wear is because I felt the vest dressed them up a bit and really gave this outfit an athleisure feel, I just adored how perfectly this vest matched the rest of my outfit as well!

Speaking of the rest of my outfit, I'm sure you're curious where I got this kick-ass workout apparel right? Well my answer to that is Chelsea Collective! Now, I have to admit that even though I work for the company (In case you didn't know, Chelsea Collective is owned by Dick's Sporting Goods, and is actually the apparel that I work the most with for the merchandising team.) I still have to say that Chelsea is a great store for women who have an active live but still want to look chic, even at the gym. Chelsea Collective specializes in athleisure, meaning all of their pieces transition well from the gym to whatever it may be that you are doing after (or before) your work out. The core part of my outfit (aka, my top and moto tights) are by Calia. This essential Calia top is so incredibly comfortable and very soft. The material is also quite flexible so I could see where it would be a great workout piece. Then my pieced moto tights are just so incredibly chic! They seriously blend two of my favorite things: the moto style pant and comfort. Whats not to love? (And I gotta say, these tights look killer with my booties from SheIn!)

Lastly, the finishing touches I added to this outfit were a simple pair of gold earrings and a gold cuff from Victoria's Secret, along with my gold cat eye sunnies from Forever 21. The reason I chose the earrings and the modern cuff, is because I wanted to keep this look laid back and did not want to over power it with overly bulky jewelry. And as for the sunglasses, I just felt their rose gold tinted lenses were the perfect piece to completely this monochromatic, purple ensemble.

One Last Look

What are your thoughts on the athleisure trend? Let's chat about it in the comments below or you can tweet me your thoughts at @StarkRavingChic! Have an active wear outfit you just would love to show off? Feel free to tag me in your an Instagram post or your Insta Story at @StarkRavingChic. Later, dolls!

Xx, Bree

P.S. If you would like to learn more about Terry Jolo Brand, you can read my article on the boutique here. And if you've never been to Chelsea Collective and want to check it out, their Pittsburgh Location is at the Ross Park Mall right by Nordstrom, and you can click here to see some of their cool up coming events.

#OOTD: Climate Compatibility (Feat. Rocksbox + SheIn)

As I have said in the past (and in almost all of my winter posts) I really, really, hate the cold. Though sometimes I think it can be pretty, such as when the trees and ground are covered in that white fluffy stuff, but if you ask me, the cold weather is the worst when we don't even have snow or sun. However, this past weekend one of those factors were eliminated and we actually had some sun here in the 'Burgh, making going out a little bit more bearable. So since I was more that ready to get out of my house (because I was definitely getting a case of cabin fever) I took the opportunity to head to downtown Sewickley to walk around a bit and stop some of my favorite shops.

Cold Weather Comfort

Even though I hate the cold, I actually hate being stuck indoors even more. However, I generally do not do outfit of the day posts that involve my winter layers because generally I'm too bundled up to be stylish. But this weekend, that changed when I finally had the opportunity to style this coat, which I received as a Christmas present from John's mum. So, when I took to a day of shopping in town, I decided to style this fleece and suede coat with a simple striped sweater, a pair of skinnies, my favorite booties from SheIn, and my latest Rocksbox set!

Unfortunately, until I received this coat from John's mum, I hadn't had a suede coat for years because after college round one, I finally retired mine. So needless to say, I was thrilled when I received this gorgeous gift! Now, the reason I love this coat so much isn't only because it is from John's mum, but because I love (and always will love) the style of it. I always adored the tan and white contrast for these classic coats, and in my opinion, they should be a winter staple piece in every girls closet, due to the fact suede and fleece coats will always be incredibly chic and simply look timelessly stylish. The other reason I love suede and fleece coats (this coat included) is because they are so incredibly warm! Which is perfect for me due to the fact I never really want to sacrifice style for warmth.

To style this coat, I decided to pair it with a simple maroon and tan striped sweater, some light wash skinnies, and my tan suede booties from SheIn. The reason I chose this casual, crew neck sweater from Macy's to pair with this coat, is because I liked the contrast of the maroon of the sweater with the white fleece, as well as how the tan stripes matched the tan of the coat. And the reason I opted for my tan suede booties from SheIn, is due to the fact they matched the look and are incredibly comfortable, which was great for all the walking I was doing.

Curious about the ring stack? Get all the deets about my Ritani diamond ring and how I styled it, here!

Lastly, the jewelry I decided to pair with this outfit were the pieces from my most recent Rocksbox set. This set featured this cool Jenny Bird Raya Choker, this Wanderlust + Co triangle ring, and this absolutely gorgeous Trina Turk Geo Hinge Cuff! The reason I chose to style these pieces with this outfit is because I felt that the gold looked lovely with my tan coat, and the choker worked perfectly with my crew neck sweater.

One Last Look

What are some of your favorite winter staple pieces? I'd love to hear about them, so let's chat in the comments below or you can tweet me at @StarkRavingChic. Have a photo of your kick-ass coat that you'd like to show off? Feel free to tag me in a post on Instagram or in your Insta Story at @StarkRavingChic! Later, babes.

Xx, Bree

P.S. Pssssst! If you love the jewelry I styled in this post as much as I do, you can try Rocksbox for a whole month 100% FREE when you sign up using my promo code "starkravingchicxoxo". Don't know what Rocksbox is or how it works? You can learn more about it, here!

Valentine's Day Date Night Style Guide

Wow, I can't believe that it is already February! It seems as though the year 2017 is just flying by and soon enough we will be celebrating (and styling for) Christmas all over again. But of course we have all the fabulous holidays in between to style for as well, and as I'm sure you know, the next big one is no other than Valentine's Day. Personally, I'm not much of a fan of the holiday itself, however, if it gives me an excuse to dress up I'm totally down! So whether you are strictly only celebrating Galentine's Day this year (like myself since I won't be able to spend the actual holiday with John) or are getting all dolled up for a night with your sweetie, this style guide features some of the best trends for the holiday date night.

 

Blue Valentine

For this first look, I chose to style a simple, blue velvet, skater dress. The reason I chose this look is because this adorable and flirtatious dress is perfect for the girl who would like to have her own twist on a Valentine's Day look. Due to the cool color, you'll be sure to stand out within the sea of white, pink, and red dresses. This dress is also a great choice due to the fact it is made out of velvet, which is a style trend that is still going strong this year, and not to mention since it is so soft to the touch, this material definitely screams, "let's cuddle"!

To add some extra shimmer to this otherwise simple dress, I chose to pair it with this Kendra Scott, Candice Cuff, and this Loren Hope, Sylvia Necklace. The reason I chose these two pieces is because they give a bold feel to this dress. The necklace is a perfect choice to add some drama to the neckline of the dress, and the cuff simply balances the statement necklace out, making this duo a perfect pair.

To further accessorize this cute skater dress, I chose to go with this gorgeous gold and white envelope clutch. The reason I chose to style this clutch with this blue dress is because much like the jewelry I chose, this clutch just adds some extra flare to this simple outfit.

To finish off this first Valentine's Day look, I decided to keep it simple with a matching pair of velvet, royal blue pumps. I made this choice simply because I felt the core accessories alone should be simple and elegant, and let the secondary accessories (such as the jewelry and clutch) really take center stage.

 

Pretty In Pink

For this next look, I decided on a more traditional color choice, and opted to style this pretty, pink shirt dress. The reason I chose this dress was because I liked the romantic and feminine color of it, as well as it's slitted sleeves which is a huge designer trend this season. I also liked this dress' high neckline giving it a soft but sophisticated feel, which would make this elegant dress the perfect go to option for a girl with a more traditional style, who also has a flare for romance. 

For this outfit's jewelry, I decided to go with these low key Kendra Scott, Alex Earrings in rose quartz. The reason I decided to pair these delicate earrings with this dress is because I did not want to pair this pretty dress with over the top jewelry. Where these pretty little gems are perfect because they add just the right amount of shine. 

For my next accessory for this girly and romantic outfit, I chose to pair it with this gorgeous motty grey Chloe, Drew bag. (Which you'll be seeing me style in an upcoming outfit of the day as soon as it gets here!) The reason I chose to style the dress with this bag, is because I felt the neutral color of this purse wouldn't take away from the dress' elegant feel, and also because I just simply loved the earthy color combination. (Can anyone tell that I am more than ready for spring?) Lastly, to shop this bag, you can head over to Farfetch, but you can also shop other colors from Saks Fifth Avenue.

To put the finishing touches on this romantic look, I chose to style it with these pretty pink, feathered pumps. The reason I chose these heels is because they match the dress perfectly, but also because much like velvet/velvet detailing, feathers are showing up more and more as clothing accents this year, and I have to say it's a trend I can totally get behind.

 

 

 

 

The Main Event

This next look is definitely for the girl who wants to make an entrance. For this look, I chose this show stopping, red maxi dress. Other than the fact that I have an affinity for the color red, I also chose this maxi dress because of the fact it is a one shouldered dress and due to its sash, which are two style trends you will be seeing a lot of this year. This dress is perfect for the girl who is confident, has a fiery personality, and wants to be the center of attention. 

The jewelry choice I decided on for this outfit, where these gorgeous, chandelier earrings by Perry Street. The reason I chose these earrings is because I felt that they complemented this stunning dress perfectly due to the dress' gold accents on its shoulder, and because much like the dress, these earrings have a flare for the dramatic.

Considering this dress is all about standing out, I figured what better way to add some more shine to this gorgeous outfit than to pair it with this beautiful gold clutch. The reason I thought this clutch went perfectly with this dress is because even though it is a dazzling piece, it would not take away from the dress itself due to its small and compact size.

To finish off this stunning ensemble, I chose to use these beautiful gold pumps as the finishing touch. The reason I chose these heels was due to the fact that they matched the clutch perfectly, and in my opinion are the glass slipper to this outfit. Much like the dress, these shoes are bold and will command attention where ever they go!

 

 

Elegant Artist

This next look is the absolutely perfect style for the artisan woman. This look is a great choice for the artistic girl who wants to look stunning, as well as make a statement with her attire. I chose to style this beautiful black and white dress as a Valentine's Day look due to its romantic feel from its lace detailing, and due to its overall sophisticated look. I also loved the lace cutout detailing and capped sleeves of this dress, giving it a bit of a sexy, yet girly feel.

To further accessorize this outfit, I chose to pair it with these lovely Kendra Scott, Sophee Drop Earrings along with this gorgeous SLATE Rachel Stone Cuff. The reason I paired these two pieces with this lace dress, is because I felt that they complemented this artistic dress perfectly due to their shapes and colors.

To finish off this artistic look, I decided to pair this gorgeous dress with these strappy matte black heels. The reason I chose these leather pumps to go with this dress is because I thought that the crisscross detailing would be the perfect finish for this artsy look while staying true to its classy nature.

Whisked Away In White

The final look I styled is a bit of a twist for Valentine's Day, in which I chose to style this white mini dress. Though in traditional Valentine's Day color schemes we see white, not to often do we see people wearing it. So the reason I chose this dress though isn't because its a unique color choice for a date night, but also because of it's cut out detailing at the shoulders, which is yet another look straight from the runway. Due to this dress' simple silhouette, its great for most body types, meaning accentuates and flatters everyone's features. The cut out at the shoulders is also a great way to show a little extra skin, making this dress subtly sexy. This dress is a great choice for the modern girl who is always effortlessly chic. 

The jewelry I chose to style with this outfit are none other than these gorgeous Kendra Scott, Danielle Silver Earrings in white.  The reason I chose these earrings is because even though they are just white, they make quite the statement, just like the dress! These gems also make for some great monochromatic pairing, which is also a big trend for the winter of 2017.

To add a slight touch of color to an otherwise monochromatic outfit, I chose to pair it with this small, light pink shoulder bag. The reason I chose this bag is because it serves as a small touch of color and adds a bit of contrast to this all white ensemble, without taking away from the dress.

To complete this final look, I decided to stay true to my white color scheme and pair this chic dress with these sky high, white, sequined pumps. The reason I chose these white pumps is because I just loved the sequins on them! I thought that these heels would really complete the outfit as well as add a bit of sparkle. 

What looks will you be styling this Valentine's (or Galentine's) Day? Let's chat about it in the comments below or you can tweet me at @StarkRavingChic. Have a photo of your Valentine's Day duds? Feel free to tag me in your post or in your story on Instagram at @StarkRavingChic. Later, babes!

Xx, Bree

P.S. Psssssst! If you love the jewelry I featured in this post as much as I do, you can try Rocksbox for a whole month 100% FREE when you sign up using my promo code "starkravingchicxoxo". Don't know what Rocksbox is or how it works? You can learn more here!