#OOTD: Looking Through the Kaleidoscope (Feat. Amazon Fashion, Joeoy)

This past Friday, I was absolutely delighted to be back on my old stomping grounds in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. The weather was just so incredibly nice that it just seemed silly not to take advantage of it, and I have to say it was just so great to get outside for a bit and get some fresh air (while it lasts) after being cooped up in my office all week. However, the real reason I was strolling around the Boulevard of the Allies was not only to enjoy the lovely weather, but because I actually had a meeting with my admissions counselor at Point Park University about getting me ready for classes on campus this fall. 

Distinctive Determination

As I am sure many of you have assumed, I am absolutely thrilled to be back in college! However, I'm even more thrilled to be heading back to campus and that I will once again be calling downtown Pittsburgh home for another 6 years (FYI, I am going for my doctorate). With that being said, I have to say that visiting Point Park's campus really put me in the mind set and has gotten me even more excited! Considering this made for an all around perfect Friday afternoon, the beautiful weather just added to my already high spirits, so I decided to wear this darling, boho shift dress from my sponsor, Amazon Fashion's Joeoy. 

The reason that I just adore this bohemian shift dress, is because of its colorful patterns and fun nature. This dress is a perfect choice for both spring and summer due to its casual appeal and vivid colors. I also love this piece because it is light and comfortable, meaning that even during the dog days of summer this dress would be a great choice to keep you cool. To style this casual dress, I chose to simply pair it with one of my favorite brown totes and a simple pair of brown sandals. Though I do love dressing up, I have to say I am totally stoked to start styling some more casual college looks in the upcoming months!

To add some finishing touches to this casual look, I decided to pair this bohemian dress with a simple, hemp choker, and my grandmother's gold hoop earrings. The reason I chose these pieces is because much like the dress, both of them are fun, chic and casual! I also took into account that if I wore a longer necklace (think my Kendra Scott Drop pendant) that it would either get lost in the design of the dress, or take away from the tie-neck detailing.

One Last Look

What are some of your favorite cute and casual looks for class? Let's chat about it in the comments below or you can tweet me at @StarkRavingChic! Have a favorite chic yet comfy look that you want to show off? Feel free to tag me in a post or on your Instagram story at @StarkRavingChic. Later, babes!

Xx, Bree

P.S. Love some of the items that I didn't link to in this post? Don't worry, I got you, just head over to my LIKEtoKNOW.it page and click the corresponding Instagram image for this post to shop this entire look. 

The Importance of Home (Feat. Modern Map Art)

As I'm sure you've all noticed, I have been gearing up for my upcoming trip to see John for our mini spring break vacation. And even though that is the main thing I am anxiously awaiting, I am also super stoked because once I return, I will be taking on a different type of project, and that would be completely revamping my room (and wardrobe, but more on that later in the next few months). With that being said, though I will still predominately be posting articles about style and beauty, I am excited to announce that in the upcoming weeks my blog will be featuring some more lifestyle and travel pieces too! So, to kick it off, I'm thrilled to share my latest collaboration with the California based company, Modern Map Art, and show you guys the lovely map I received from them. And the map is of no other than my beloved hometown, Pittsburgh.

Modern Map Art

For those of you who have not heard of the company, Modern Map Art, allow me to give you a brief overview. The company began when the site's owner, Jennifer, returned from her honeymoon last year where she was fortunate enough to travel all over the globe. This experience gave Jennifer so much inspiration that she decided to combine her love of travel and her interest in maps into one, and that is how Modern Map Art was born. And I have to say that these nostalgic map prints are an absolutely great decor piece.

Home Is Where The Heart Is

As I have mentioned in some past posts, though I adore travelling and know that eventually I will probably call another city home, Pittsburgh will always hold a special place in my heart. This little city is the one where I spent my childhood, earned my education, and ultimately found my start. This place has shaped me more than I could ever explain and for that it will always be a piece of me, which is why I was so happy to receive a print to commemorate the love of my hometown.

The reason I liked this print so much isn't only because it is a map of my hometown, but because I loved the elements of the city that Jennifer highlighted, specifically the three rivers which are colored gold. The reason I liked this touch wasn't only for the pop of color, but for anyone who is familiar with the 'Burgh, you know that we love our black and gold, which are the colors of our beloved sports teams. I also like how modern yet simplistic the map is, making it an interesting conversation piece when I have guests over. The only thing that I wish was included on this map, would be just some markings as to where the major landmarks are (e.g. Point State Park, PNC Park, Heinz Field, and the inclines to name a few) but perhaps that is just due to my love and nostalgia of the city that I have called home for almost a quarter century. But don't get me wrong, that doesn't make me love this print any less.

To be honest, growing up and throughout college, I wasn't much for decor, I always kept my living space very plain and simple, with barren walls and minimalistic furniture. Perhaps that is because I never felt as grounded in my life as I do now, but as of recently I have definitely acquired an appreciation for small, decorative house plants, as well as meaningful trinkets and art. And though my room is far from where I want it to be (Yep, there is a revamp post coming as soon as it is done!) I felt decorating my one completed wall with this modern map print was a great start! To style this print, I placed it on one of my dressers and surrounded it with a few of my favorite knickknacks (if you can't tell, I really like elephants) and honestly I love waking up every morning and looking at the outline of the city that has molded me into who I am today, it's truly a great feeling.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I am very happy with my print from Modern Map Art and would highly recommend doing business with them if you are looking for a map of one of your favorite cities or a custom creation to decorate your home.

Are there any cities that you have a special connection with? I'd love to chat, so tell me all about the place you call home in the comments below or tweet me at @StarkRavingChic! Have an awesome photo of your hometown or city that you wanna show off? Feel free to tag me in a post or on your Instagram story at @StarkRavingChic. Later, babes!

Xx, Bree

Spring Break Style Guide

Woooh! I don't know about you guys but I am more than ready for spring break. Admittedly, this is mainly because I can't wait to head down to Delray Beach and visit John, but also because after working so hard this semester thus far I am ready for a little rest and relaxation. Though assuming many of you are like me, just because you're on break doesn't mean you're going to stop styling and looking you best, so in light of this mini vacation I've decided to share some of my favorite style trends for spring break 2017!

Love this bikini? You can get it and other awesome pieces for 25% off when you use my promo code "starkravingchic25" at checkout!

Shimmering Siren

Okay, so I'm sure this is a bit of a no brainer for spring break (especially if you're headed to a beach destination) but I figured it wouldn't be right not to add two of my favorite bikini trends of the year to this list! The first being wild patterns and lots of adornments. The first bikini I chose is actually one I will be modelling and featuring on here from my sponsor, Swim Classy, after my spring break vacation with John. The reason I chose this bikini is because I love the sequined and beaded detailing. If you're the kind of girl who loves to be the star of the show, there will be no missing you in this dramatic duo! (It also works great under a netted dress--but more on that when my outfit of the day post goes live.)

To add a little extra shimmer to this bedazzled bikini, I decided to pair it with this gorgeous layered necklace by Nakamol.  The reason I chose this necklace to style with this bikini is because I felt that the layered gold chain would complement the swimsuit's silver sequins perfectly. I also loved the extra details of the round drop pendants, which are perfect for adding just a touch of extra sparkle.

Just in case you need a bite to eat after you hit the beach, it'd be wise to have a cover-up handy. So the reason I chose this see through cover-up is because much like the necklace, I felt this cover-up's gold accents would complement the bikini's silver sequins very well. The other reason I chose this see through cover-up is because I figured if you have on a statement making swimsuit, why on earth would you want to cover it up completely? (Also a huge trend this season is actually see through outfits, meaning your unmentionables have just become mentionable!)

To complete this look, I stayed true to this outfit's gold accessories and chose these simple metallic slides. The reason I chose these sandals is because I liked the way they complemented the gold in the cover-up, and also because they are simple and not too over the top. The reason why I wanted a simple pair of shoes is due to the fact though this is a show stopping outfit, you still would be styling it at the beach so comfort is most definitely key!

 

 

Beach Bum Babe

For my next beach look, I decided to style something for the more sporty girl, and chose this simple triangle, color block bikini. The reason I chose this swimsuit is because I loved the color block on the top and because of its over all practical design. Though I adore the first suit, it is definitely more suited for lounging and sipping cocktails on the beach, not so much for the girl who likes to go out and swim in the ocean! This bikini though is perfect for that due to its simple design and extra support top. (Note that this bikini isn't a halter but is instead designed like a bra, therefore preventing a possibly wardrobe malfunction.) 

Next up for this outfit, I chose to pair this swimsuit with these sporty black shades. As I covered in my last travel essentials post, sunglasses are a must for the beach. The reason I chose this pair though, is because I thought that their sporty vibe matched the look of the bikini perfectly.

The cover-up option I chose for this fun bikini are these simple netted shorts. The reason I chose these shorts is because I liked the fun and flirty vibe they gave to this cute swimsuit, and also because athleisure is HUGE trend this year, and these shorts just fit the bill perfectly! These shorts are perfect for grabbing a quick bite to eat on the boardwalk after a long day full of fun in the sun at the beach. 

Lastly, to complete this sporty look, I chose these fun, laser cut, gladiator sandals. The reason these sandals are a good fit for this outfit is due to the fact they are lace up, which gives these shoes a very athletic feel and completes this look perfectly.

 

 

All Things Yellow

One huge color trend you will be seeing this spring and summer is a whole lot of yellow. Personally, I'm in love with it and am ready for a much needed pop of color! For this outfit I chose to style this gorgeous sundress. The reason this dress was my pick is because I love its shape as well as its lace and laser cut detailing. This dress would be the perfect choice for a lunch date with your ladies or your sweetie at a quaint, uptown restaurant. 

To accessorize this look I chose to style it with this cute little clutch. The reason chose this clutch is because even though it is yellow, it's a much more vibrant yellow than the dress which adds a nice contrast for this monochromatic look.

To complete this yellow ensemble, I chose these adorable yellow and navy pompom pumps. The reason I chose these pumps is because they match the pale yellow of the dress almost perfectly, and because the navy strap and the pompoms complement the yellow, and break up the outfit a bit.

 

Sea Side Stripes

For my next outfit I chose to highlight two big trends on the runway for spring and those would be one shoulder blouses and loads of stripes. For the first part of this outfit, I chose this chic, one shoulder, choker blouse. The reason being is because its fun, casual, and subtly sexy. The reason I'm loving the one shoulder trend is partly because I'm definitely a 90s chick at heart, but also because it's just such a great way to show a little skin while still being modest. This blouse would be absolutely, perfect for a seaside brunch with your besties.

Speaking of seaside brunch, one thing you can't go without for this occasion is a chic pair of sunnies! So I decided to pair this look with these gorgeous aviator sunglasses, just to add a touch of glam.

To add stripes to this look, I decided to add these chic, striped, gaucho pants. The reason I chose these pants is because I loved their earthy tone which is perfect for a causal day strolling along the boardwalk. These pants are also great for warm weather due to their light and airy material, which is perfect for keeping you looking and feeling cool for a warm, breezy day by the beach.

To put the finishing touches on this outfit, I chose to pair this relaxed and casual look with these simple tan sandals. The reason I chose these sandals is because they match the pants well and add a simple chic touch to the outfit.

 

In A Cinch

In this next look, I decided to showcase yet another runway trend from this season and that would be waist cinchers. Though we normally don't think of waist cinchers as being something to wear over clothes, they can actually look quite chic when paired with the right garment! For this look I chose to use this simple white dress, due to the fact a patterned dress would be much too busy paired with a cincher, and I also chose white because I felt this outfit would be great for afternoon cocktails, so I wanted to keep it light and casual.

To give this simple look a little shimmer, I decided to pair it with these gorgeous Perry Street,  liberty drop earrings as well as this etched arrow necklace by SLATE. The reason I chose these pieces is because I liked their steampunkesque charm and felt that they complemented the waist cincher I chose for this outfit.

The cincher I chose to pair with this look is this gorgeous, brown, satin finish waist cincher. The reason I chose this cincher is because I wanted this look to have a nice earthy feel for the beach, and I also felt that a black cincher with this white dress would have to harsh of a contrast for this spring break look.

To complete this look, I chose to add these tan, over the knee peep toe boots. Again, since I wanted this outfit to have an earthy vibe, I decided to I keep true to my neutral color scheme when pairing these boots with the rest of this outfit. The reason I loved these boots was that the have a soft feel to them which complements the dress perfectly and I also really like the wood detailing of these boots' heels, which is a also a nice touch to this earthy outfit.

 

 

 

The Bold Shoulder

For my final look I decided to style this off the shoulder, ruffled sleeve blouse. The reason I chose this blouse is because much like the one shoulder trend this season, off the shoulder is also a huge look for this season. The reason I liked this blouse so much though, is because of it's dramatic sleeves and the bow at its bust. I felt that this blouse would be perfect for a stroll along the boardwalk with friends, but would also transition perfectly for a night out on the town. The reason this is, is because of this blouse's fun and flirty feel.

To accessorize this cute and flirty top, I decided to pair it with these bold sunglasses. The reason I chose these shades if because I loved the pop of color that they added to this outfit.

To add a little more depth to this outfit, I chose to pair it with this Frida Collar but Jenny Bird. The reason I chose this piece is because much like the sunglasses, this necklace adds a nice pop of color to this bold look. I also chose this necklace because though bare shoulders are all the rage this season, bare necks are not. So this piece adds color and balance to this look.

For the bottom half of this look, I chose to pair this blouse with this cute, denim pencil skirt. The reason I chose this skirt is because I wanted to stay true to the top's playful feel, without taking away from it, so I thought this simple, denim pencil skirt would do just the trick! Due to this skirt's casual look, this bold blouse actually dresses up this skirt a bit, which is a perfect balance for each of them. And much like the blouse, this skirt is also a great piece that transitions well from day to night.

Lastly, to finish off this look, I decided to pair these fun pompom sandals with this outfit. The reason I chose these sandals is because like the other accessories, they add just the right amount of color to this look and would be a comfortable, but stylish choice for a day (or night!) out.

What are some of your favorite spring break looks? Let's chat about it in the comments below or you can tweet me them at @StarkRavingChic! Have a rockin' outfit that you just have to show off? Feel free to tag me in a post or in your in your Instagram story 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!

Also, In case you haven't heard, I am now a proud member of rewardStyle and LIKEtoKNOW.it! Meaning you can shop straight from my Instagram feed when you click here or here. Don't know what LIKEtoKNOW.it is all about? Learn more, here!