August 9, 2016August 9, 2016 styledbylyricLeave a comment

Autumn Is Calling

I know I know, with the Summer heat still blasting your skin, it’s hard to imagine that shortly the temperatures will drop with the leaves & boom! Fall will be here. But it’s true & I can’t freaking WAIT. I’m already drooling over 2016 Fall items & color palettes & need to share them with you all…like NOW.

Thus, here are my favorite looks, items & colors from the coming season’s portfolio. Brace yourselves, it’s gonna get good.

Don’t Choke: one of the best, & slightly nostalgic pieces I’m loving this Fall is the ever-familiar choker. No, not the weird, wannabe barbed-wire ones [although I see those everywhere & basically hate them], but rather the metal, chic pieces that actually exist & are actually really cute. Take your usual layered necklace situation & majorly upgrade it with one simple addition. Or, for a bolder look, wear just the one, but make it chunky & loud. Not too sure you’re ready to go back to the early 90s on this one? Try a simple leather piece & tie it up. The best part about this accessory is there are tons of options & tons of price points, so the possibilities are pretty endless.

Velvety Goodness: I know it seems like we’re basically just throwing back to your middle school days this Fall, but in all honesty, it’s like all the weird items we hated then, came back & said, “We want vengeance.” & I mean…they kinda got it. Velvet is back & PISSED; ready to show the world she can & she will. My favorite pieces are light pastels, light weight, & neutral. The louder hues remind me of a weird scene in Eye Wide Shut or something [not cute]. The trick: fit is everything; drowning yourself in a velvet ensemble is not the goal & is not a good look on anyone. Ever.

Hood Rat: one of the best pieces this Fall is the hoodie–yes, I said it. The freaking hoodie is here. Hi comfort, nice to see you again. Styling this look is key; it takes layers & accessory additions to assure that you don’t just look lazy & hungover. Note: regardless of what you add, this look is still relatively casual. I don’t recommend hitting your next interview or business dinner in this fit, but for a quick bite or drink with girlfriends…#perfection. A few of my favorite styling tricks with this look [to up the ante]: a front tuck, layered, with heels, or under a blazer.

Moto Psycho: the moto look is here to stay, no matter how hard you try to remove it from the fashion repertoire. This season, however, it’s coming out everywhere; jackets, denim, handbags…everywhere you look, you will see slight nods to moto style & I can pretty much guarantee you’re gonna like it. My favorite pieces usually pertain to the lower half of the body, as well as layering pieces, but there are seriously cool looks I’ve found that will undoubtedly inspire my edgier babes.

Pierced Purses: this Fall is bound to produce some of the best handbags I’ve seen in probably the last decade. No joke. The absolute love of my life being the Septum bag [as I’ve grown to call it]. Pierced purses are basically any handbag that looks like it spent a few minutes at a piercing parlor. There are so many different styles, colors, metals, materials…but one thing is universal among them–they’re cute as eff.

Fall Flavors [no pics just a breakdown]: aside from amazing Fall items, comes amazing Fall colors, & this year finally has a few new hues in the mix. Pink meets yellow meets “pumpkin spice” and even makes friends with nudes & florals. Yes, florals, in Fall…WHAT. Just be sure to keep them mild & breezy, kinda like the weather, ya dig?

So whether these styles suite your fancy or you choose to pick your own favorites this Fall, make them yours. As I always preach, customization & fit are everything to identifying your own personal style. My blog is simply here to inspire, not to force. Pick pieces you love physically & visually, because everything else would just be a waste of your time & money.

& remember, Happy Hunting.

xx.

March 21, 2016March 21, 2016 styledbylyricLeave a comment

Spring Fling.

Every year, Easter Sunday sneaks up on me & I’m left to pull out that over-worn, very tired floral number that makes me look weirdly large in areas that I’d rather not mention. I refuse pictures the entire day & usually go home feeling completely frumpy & annoyed. Thus, this year I’m prepared & hoping to prepare all of you babes to #ditchthefrump & pull together an unforgettable look that will leave you feeling confident, beautiful & focused on the true meaning of this special day & the people you’re sharing it with.

Whether you observe the holiday or not, this Sunday marks the true beginning of Spring. We’re talking cute sandals, fun dresses & all the pretty pastels. Not ready to make the switch from Winter layers, just yet? Start small. Ditch your heavy coat & opt for a denim jacket instead. Replace your all-weather boots with an ankle boot or sneaker. Add transitional colors [such as soft blues, blush pinks & nudes] to your cold-weather looks. These simple switches will ease you into the new season without stress or confusion.

So grab yourself a handful of Cadbury Mini Eggs & get ready for this week’s Master Class: Spring.

Forever Floral: Spring & florals go together like sunshine & tanning oil–there’s simply no denying it or making it go away. However, this Easter, switch it up with a bolder statement. With a larger print you eliminate the predictability of a Spring outfit, while helping hide any Winter imperfections you have yet to work off. The key to owning a floral look this Spring is finding the unusual & unexpected. Here are some of my favorites:

floral romper

Just a Touch: can’t imagine decking your entire body out in pastels & florals? No problem here. Adding just a slight nod to the changing season is really all it takes to perfect a transitional Spring look. Throw suede into the mix. Swap out heavy knits for light ones. Try a silk scarf on for size. These simple, painless changes will help keep you sane in warmer weather months. Here are a few of my favorites that give just enough credit to the times, without overdoing it.

Denim Daze: one of the absolute best parts of Spring is all the denim options that open up–white, black, green, blue, skinny, wide-leg, flared, overalls, distressed…the list goes on & on. Get creative & play up your bottom half this Easter with fun options that you regularly wouldn’t rock. Whether you’re hosting, drinking, running the Easter Egg Hunt or simply chasing after your little ones all day, denim is the perfect candidate for this specific day. Here are my absolute favorite looks for ~~Easter~~ Spring 2016 & beyond:

Fem Footwear: one of the easiest ways to get your mind right about Spring is footwear. Take a favorite pair of denim, a white tee & add a delicious shoe…you’ve got yourself a fashionista dream. It doesn’t have to be complicated; even a sneaker can be feminine if executed properly. The key to owning footwear is confidence & size. More often than not my clients come to me & don’t know their true shoe size. Ladies, you can’t rock great shoes if you’re hobbling around in them. Take a peek at some of my favorite Spring footwear finds. Wild or not, these looks are show-stoppers:

Whether you’re celebrating Easter or simply need styling direction for the coming warmer months, my hope is that today’s master class taught you that taking risks is crucial in helping identify exactly what it is you like about fashion & don’t. A single outfit can be transformative; put you in an entirely different place & time. It’s storytelling. It’s powerful. & it’s a skill that I hope to continue to instill in my clients word by word, post by post, consultation after consultation.

Keep working at it, keep taking risks & have a beautiful Sunday with family, friends & a fierce outfit.

Happy Easter, all.

Xx.

February 2, 2016February 2, 2016 styledbylyricLeave a comment

Varient Valentine

Hi Babes. In case you haven’t looked at a calendar lately, it’s officially February. How this happened? I have not a clue. However, it’s here & you’re sure to find hearts & candies && rainbows wall to wall pretty much anywhere you go this time of year. But, never fear. I’m here to help with all things Valentine’s related, both coupled or apart.

Today, I’ve compiled my favorite Valentine’s Day looks for all my single ladies & my wifed-up babes, in hopes that we all don’t fall into the tacky trap that is February 14th. These purchases will see you through the other 364 days of the year, so you aren’t left feeling like the day after Disneyland, stuck with Mickey ears that you’ll never touch again.

The key to owning a themed holiday look: don’t be overly intentional. As humans we tend to choose the obvious choice[s], but holidays [whether Hallmark or not] like St. Patricks Day, Christmas, or even Halloween often lead us towards shades of green, red & orange. Pick other alternatives; they exist & long to be worn.

Here goes…

Really Red: should you still feel the urge to rock a red-ish ensemble February 14th, be unexpected with your look. Opt for burgundy, plum, or even blush tones versus a bright vibrant, traditional red hue. It adds a different feel to a worn out Valentine’s tradition.

[Shop this look]

Bold Black: whether you’re feeling anti or simply want to rock a sexier V-Day look, black is the best option. Add slight pops of color & texture; tulle, beading, reds, pinks, etc. to take this look to the next level & still feel Valentine’s Day-esque without all the hearts & kisses.

Baby Blues: not feeling the stark black vibe this year? Blue is a great alternative. Not quite as harsh, works on nearly every skin tone & still makes you feel the tiniest bit antiestablishment on this themed, snuggly day. The key to this look: stay classic; pencil skirts, skater dresses, wrap dresses, traditional necklines…keep it simple, but add a little spice with your jewelry.

Poised & Purple: the obvious Valentine’s Day choice is always red, however, purple is an incredible alternative. It’s chic, romantic, gives almost every woman a modern wardrobe lift & translates easily with all hair types, skin tones, & eye color. Oh & did I mention, it makes you look tan? #upgrade

[Shop this look]

Wintery White: one of my absolute favorite colors [year round] is white. It’s versatile, flattering, & so romantic during the Winter months. Oh & obviously it’s perfect for V. Day…was I not making that clear? ;] The possibilities are pretty endless with white hues: skirts, denim, tops, blazers, dresses, pantsuits, rompers, heels, etc., but I’ve narrowed my findings down to these four February 14th looks. Note: white with soft blues, pinks & nudes fit best together.

So whether you’ve got a sexy date planned with your special someone, or you just want to plop on the couch with some salty ass popcorn & pretend it’s another day, do Valentine’s Day justice with a small hint of style. Spruce up your winter robe, or go big & throw on a full pantsuit for your romantic dinner.

Whatever you decide to do, love on yourself this February. Because you’re wonderful, beautiful & your wardrobe thanks you for all the good decisions you’ll be making this 2016.

Happy V.Day babes.

Xx.

September 22, 2015September 22, 2015 styledbylyricLeave a comment

Surrender To The Season

Pairing a cute top with a cute bottom clearly isn’t rocket science. With all the help of social media & the [sometimes ridiculously dressed] mannequins at your favorite retailer, you can certainly find your way. But finding your way vs creating it–not one in the same. I’ve always explained to my clients that my brand doesn’t exist to simply throw clothes over your body & let you on your way. Lyric exists to create a space for elevated, inspiring outfits that help emphasize the user. & with the changing of the seasons, it’s the perfect time to update your look & get inspired by pieces that speak to you.

The time is now.

Today I’m taking on Fall 2015 fashion. We’re going to let go of those old ratty items that you swear you’ll wear again but never will & replace them with current, modern pieces that speak to you now, not you in college when you had a strict budget & a hangover before class. Yes, I still have my Santa Barbara Halloween 2007 costume, too, but it’s not taking up real estate in my closet anymore. You get the gist…let’s get to it.

Do: these boots.

Don’t: those boots.

Finding the right boot for your body type, leg shape, age, etc., can be difficult. But the one tip I will give you this Fall is don’t over do it. Knee high boots can be tricky & nine times out of ten only add weight to your legs, versus give them shape & definition. Instead, opt for a loose fitted ankle boot [heeled or flat, entirely up to you]. They give that sexy outdoorsy feel, without the restriction of all that leather. ~~& frankly, they’re just cuter.~~

Do: this denim.

Don’t: that denim.

You probably don’t need to be told that Fall is all about layering, however, layering properly is key. Heavy weighted items like denim can limit mobility & possibly your mood, so ditch that old millennial jean jacket you’ve been carrying around & invest in a light, soft chambray button-up instead. It’s versatile, pairs well with nearly anything & is the perfect layering piece for your Fall wardrobe.

Do: this vest.

Don’t: that vest.

This one was hard for me, seeing as I went through a full fledged fur phase, but trust me when I say that I too purged my closet of my tacky fur, so it can be done. Try something more mature this season, like a wool cape or vest [my favorites here]. It elevates your look, your maturity level & makes you feel less Abercrombie, more Bloomingdales.

Do: this handbag.

Don’t: that handbag.

Handbags are one of the most personal pieces in a woman’s closet. We all have our own style & eye for what makes up the perfect bag, but if you make only one adjustment this Fall make it this. Invest in one great, versatile, subtle bag that suits your lifestyle, but doesn’t scream I just left Vegas [on a Tuesday]. Aka, all those bedazzled, leopard print, studded ones you’ve been hoarding…they’re never come back around so let them go.

Do: these pants.

Don’t: those pants.

I’m not sure who decided that gauchos were ever a thing, but they should be shot. Too aggressive? #notsorry. Adding extra weight to a woman’s ankles, calves…legs in general, is not cute on anyone [even you, 6’3, 115lb model living in New York]. Now, give me a fitted, cropped pant–happy place. Clothes are worn to define, not to hide. As women, we tend to buy up a size or layer so much that we lose our shape & curves. Instead, we need to find the right pieces, that emphasize the right places & make us feel sexier & more feminine. Thus, this season, find yourself a great pair of black cropped pants & rock the shit out of them.

Do: this scarf.

Don’t: that scarf.

My last & final adjustment this Fall is to one of my favorite accessories–the scarf. The past few years, we’ve all drowned ourselves in heavy knit pieces, that although kept us quite warm, also suffocated our necks [& likely our outfit]. So this season try a new approach; opt for a silk, printed, light weight piece instead. Live in too cold a climate? Fear not. You can still pull out those great knit numbers, but leave them untied & flowing. It’s a simple styling trick that will take you from The Gap to The Runway in 5…4…3…2…1.

Personal style doesn’t have to be an overwhelming transformative experience. The smallest adjustments from season to season can help your look feel fresh & current without all the exhausting effort. This Fall, try one minor adaptation & see how different you feel. I promise it will be worth it.

Happy Fall, babe friends.

Xx.