January 25, 2019January 25, 2019 styledbylyric4 Comments

Reunited & It Feels So Good

WE’RE BACKKKKK. Can you believe it?! Three years, people. That’s longer than most of our clothes lives in our closets. But we’re here and we’re ready to crunch out some new content for our tried and true Lyric followers out there.

But this year, we want to shift the focus on to our readers. What struggles do you have when staring down the barrel of your wardrobe? What frustrates you when getting ready? Do you dress for yourself or others? Do you need help organizing your closet and why? Do retailers provide enough variety for you? Do you suffer from body image issues? If so, how do you deal with them while searching for new pieces? Are you ever overwhelmed by trends or social media fashion suggestions?

All of these topics and more are the life blood of Lyric and our message, but we want to hear directly from readers as to why they seek out resources such as ours. So go ahead babe, let it ALL out in our comment portion, because we’re ready to get 2019 going and get back to BIZNASSSSS.

May 18, 2015May 18, 2015 styledbylyric3 Comments

Shamp Champ

If your life is anything like mine you get to enjoy about 5 minutes a day to yourself, usually consisting of a self-to-self convo about life while in the shower. But actually allotting some time to deep clean my hair with lavish products …well that’s just a distant memory of the 90s, when Spice Girls were my everything & painting my nails daily was my biggest stressor. The thought of taking an hour long, hot bath [pre-California drought might I add], is something I can only dream about now.

~~LIFE BE CRAY.~~

But there is hope; I’ve got the game changer. I pawn it off to every single one of my clients, friends, family members, & strangers on the street that have stressful lives & want to still feel kempt & beautiful. & ladies I am here to tell you, the secret to end all secrets, the cure all for hectic ass lifestyles, the product to end all arduous morning routines is… dry shampoo.

Noooooo, I’m not super slow on the draw. I’ve known that this magic fairy dust has existed for years now, but it’s time to identify which ones actually work & which one’s just make you feel like you’re working on your Summer dreads. Because there’s nothing worse than finding a product that you think will help your cause, only to have to spend another two hours returning it because it sucked.

So here are my top five dry shampoo evaluations, to help your day run that much smoother & keep your hair on fleek [that’s a thing, right?].

#5: Although not my favorite dry shampoo, Not Your Mother’s is definitely a contender. With an amazing smell, this baby will take the oils out of your hair & bring your roots back to life. Revives hair for about 24-48 hours.

Downside: for someone with long locks like myself, I had to use nearly half of the bottle to achieve a cleaner look & it left my hair feeling weighed down.

#4: Umberto’s dry shampoo is so light weight it feels like you’re spraying pixie dust in your hair. It’s truly residue-free & freshens your hair. Not to mention, it’s only $9.

Downside: for thicker hair like mine, I needed a product with a little more oomph. Better suited for babes with fine hair.

#3: I loved Drybar’s dry shampoo. The smell is heavenly, it lifts oils out of hair & contains zero sulfates or parabens [hugely important for ladies with long hair]. The product is amazing for those who want quality & a solid brand. Not to mention, my color-treated babes can safely use this product without hindering their fresh dye job.

Downside: $22 is a serious investment for someone like me who uses a bottle every two weeks. & at 3.4oz, I’ll need to be buying in bulk.

#2: TRESemme’s dry shampoo was the first I ever tried & I have been loyal ever since. The price is right, I love that it’s clay based [lifts oils without stripping] & it helps add serious texture to lifeless hair. Sometimes I’ll use this product after a fresh blow-dry just to add consistency & volume.

Downside: their [supposed] 4.3oz sized product has me buying it every single week.

#1: Klorane Dry Shampoo is the first brand I’ve found that truly makes my hair feel healthier, given it’s oat milk base. I love that this brand comes in tinted formulas, eliminating the fear of going grey if you use too much. Many other dry shampoo’s can create long-term damage [drying, stripping of good oils in the hair, etc.], but Klorane focuses on healing hair, while eliminating the need for daily washes.

Downside: although Klorane certainly does it’s job, I had hoped for a stronger scent. Removing oils is the goal, but I would’ve liked to have had a fresh scent to top it all off [enter: morning-after in Vegas, smoke-filled locks].

So the next time you find yourself running out the door with your seven screaming kids, your kale smoothie spilling all over you, your dog barking at the neighbor, & you remember that you’re out of gas before your next appointment, at least you’ll know that your hair game is strong & you can take that #selfie that your tween daughter wants to take, as if nothing in this life phases you. Because girl, you got this.

I hope all of you beautiful, mad, wild, hectic goddesses are having a wonderful Monday.

Happy Shampooing.

Xx.

March 2, 2015March 2, 2015 styledbylyric1 Comment

Forget That. Get This.

After finishing up my past few consults & conversing with my clients about their major needs//wants out of this industry, I’ve concluded that people love a good deal. & bargain shopping is at an all time high. As much as we all love designer brands & high-end everything, it’s not realistic for the average human to spend $1,000 on new Jimmy Choo’s or a great handbag. One day. But not every day. So for those other 364, I’ve decided to help a babe out.

Today’s post is for my bargain shoppers who want a great product [or five] without the all the guilt. I’ve selected a few of my favorite 2015 shoes & found [reasonably priced] comparable products that you can purchase instead, without lacking quality. Capiche?

If there’s one thing I want my clients to learn through Lyric, it’s that personal style does not have to cost thousands of dollars; find pieces you love, that work for you & forget the rest. Thus, I’ll be doing a Forget That. Get This. post every month with my favorite bargain finds, to prove that personal style can be incredibly affordable & fun.

Today’s focus: SHOES. Let’s get started.

Forget That: Stuart Wietzman Nudist Single Band Sandals, $398

Get This: Mossimo’s Pamela Heeled Sandal, $29.99

Forget That: Sergio Rossi Mermaid Cage Booties, $1,895Get This: Zigi Soho Duran Bootie, $79.95

Forget That: Pour La Victoire Camila Lace Up Sandals, $265

Get This: Impo Tanny Sandal, $39.95

Forget That: Joie A La Plage Sable Two Band Sandals, $125

Get This: Joie Sable Flat Sandal [nearly the same sandal], $64.95

Forget That: Joie Dalton Suede Booties, $325

Get This: Crown Vintage Rita Booties, $39.95

Forget That: Derek Lam 10 Crosby Campbell Wedge Sandal, $295

Get This: Crown Vintage Rebecca Wedge Sandal, $39.95

Clearly these are very small examples of a much larger concept; seek & you shall find. In this case however, ask me & I’ll seek for you; if you have any questions about a specific product & are on the hunt for a similar but price friendly version, shoot me an email [see contact tab for details] & I’m more than happy to help!

Happy Hunting, babes. & remember, don’t just buy it because it’s designer.

Xx.

September 22, 2014September 22, 2014 styledbylyricLeave a comment

Runway to Realway

It’s easy to find yourself “oohing” & “ahhing” over New York Fashion Week; all the Instagram posts, fan pages & [my personal favorite] the fashion blogger/vlogger outfits flooding the streets of NY…it’s intoxicating. NYFW is a global event that seemingly stops time; for those eight magical days people of all ages & backgrounds are allowed [& enticed] to fall madly into the entire experience & give their full attention.

But the real question is: what the hell does it all mean?

I watched the unbelievable Ralph Lauren show in Central Park this year. I drooled over Whitney Pozgay’s joyful collection & fabrics. & I nearly passed out over Oscar De La Renta’s pastel//floral//heaven of a show. But even I felt overwhelmed & lost about some of the designers direction & focus. So I’ve decided it’s time to break it down; make sense of these fabrics & textures & sometimes downright weird fashion trends, so you can feel confident & realway-ready for the Fall shopping scene.

I will be breaking down NYFW’s Spring 2015 collections into the four major compartments I saw most prevalent. Here goes…

1. Progressive Pastels: shocking, I know. Spring pastels. BUT, this year’s runway shows provided a few fresh takes on what we deem “pastel” & not. For example, we saw plenty of ashy grays, granites, blacks mixed with bright colors & metallics, leaving room for interpretation & creativity within your Spring wardrobe. Designers also added some wild pops on color: tangerine & vibrant yellows to offset the standard Spring color wheel. My personal favorite however: dusty lilac. Be still my heart. The reality is pastels aren’t going anywhere, so get those steamers ready in 2015, because you may find that your closet is already full of amazing “re-do’s” for the Spring season.

[Here are a few of my favorite looks c/o the Oscar De La Renta SS15 Show]

2. A Nod to Nature: a fresh take on a classic concept; designers coerced the old standby “floral” concept to become a simple statement. Designers allowed these once busy floral patterns to stand alone with graceful & simple prints, mixed with delicate fabrics & styles. Both dark & light backdrops with beautiful foliage on jackets, skirts, tops…it was truly artwork. I remember feeling as if last year’s Spring concepts were too neon & hectic, so this elegant change makes me more than excited. Although designers definitely gave a major nod towards femininity at this year’s NYFW, they also played into androgyny with a sexy edge. Never have I seen more darks mixed with lights & bright patterns mixed with ominous backgrounds. So perhaps I am saying once Spring 2015 rolls around think botanical garden with a lot of thorny rose bushes. Ya dig?

[Some of my favorite floral concepts c/o the DVF SS15 Show]

3. Whimsically White: Labor Day is no longer a determinant of fashion & who can wear what, when, how, & why. White is ready all year round & this year’s NYFW proved that it takes no prisoners. It’s counterpart? You guessed it: black. The two seem to be nearly fighting each other throughout some of the prints from this years’ shows. With lush, creamy whites & beiges come dark edgier, leathered black fabrics & pieces…it was pretty damn sexy if I do say so myself. Not to mention designers definitely played up the Winter to Spring transition throughout many of the their looks, making our lives that much easier when the time comes. Don’t get me wrong, black & white weren’t the only color pairings making major headway, they threw in some military greens, peach, reds, flannel prints & some really beautifully vibrant blues to mix up the matchy-ness. So when Spring 2015 rolls around think “What Not To Wear” except, break all the rules.

[Here are some of my favorite examples c/o the Rodarte SS15 show]

4. B is For Boyfriend: much like the past two seasons, the boyfriend look is here to stay. With blousy button-ups, oversized denim [both pants, jackets & dresses] & plenty of flannel print, this year’s NYFW proved that comfortable can still be sexy. Designers selected gender-neutral prints & shapes, toning down the ever-expected Spring femme styles & creating versatile over-sized pieces. Not to mention the lack of sharp heels on the runway; it seemed as if designers wanted to give their models a break this year [ha, lets be real]. More shows debuted sandals & sneakers than they do in their Summer months, or so it seemed. So my take on the coming Spring season is “less is more”. Sometimes simplicity & comfort can be the sexiest of things; throw on some sneakers, pop on some lipgloss & be ready for your day.

[Here are a few examples c/o the Jason Wu & Rag & Bone SS15 shows]

Although we’re slowwwwwwly moving into the Fall season, Spring will be rearing it’s shiny little head shortly there after & I want my babes prepared & [more so] excited to find new pieces that fit your wardrobe & style. The above are just tools to help navigate the endlessly interesting, but complicated world of fashion & runway. I hope they helped! Now get busy window shopping…there’s so much more to see.

Xx.

May 2, 2014May 2, 2014 styledbylyric6 Comments

Five Things

I had a reader ask me an interesting questions yesterday: If I only had five items in my wardrobe what would they be? Building a fresh wardrobe can be expensive without focus & vision. I want to pin-point the five things every woman should have in theirs, regardless of their age, size or color, that will make you fashion forward & ever-ready for whatever the day holds without breaking the bank. Let’s do it…

1. Dark [or black] Denim; dark & black denim take any outfit & crank it up a notch. It helps hide problem areas in the legs, it transitions easily from day to night & frankly, it just looks more polished & put together. I recommend a wide-legged dark blue wash, which makes any woman’s legs look 10 miles long & a skinny pair of black denim, which thins out your legs & makes for a fashion-forward look.

2. A Good Blazer; I say “good” because these trending cropped, neon blazers aren’t exactly what I mean [however, they are fun for Spring & Summer]. Today we’re talking staple pieces that will never fail you & a fantastic NEUTRAL blazer will always have your back. Personally, I choose blazers that hit me directly at my hip, allowing the top I choose to layer it with to peak out from underneath [from the rear view]. Style has a lot to do with creating definition & texture to your outfits & showing that you know how to layer & work pieces together gives you a leg up. As far as colors go, stick to whites [my personal favorite], creams, blacks & taupes, as these will transition easily throughout your entire wardrobe.

3. The Perfect LBD; Little Black Dresses are life savers when you’re mid-panic attack before a first date or night out with friends. They’re slimming, versatile as ever & pair with basically any shoe, jacket, hat, etc. The best part of an LBD is how much freedom you have with styling them. There are basically no rules or limits with accessories, pops of color or even hairstyles. My favorite way to dress up this look is with a huge statement necklace, a blazer & a great pair of heels. The only concern you should have with this wardrobe staple is fit; if you don’t feel beautiful in it, it’s not the right one.

4. A Mega Necklace; this doesn’t have to mean a large necklace, but rather a piece that you gasp over. Personally, my knees tend to give out over big, gold, layered necklaces [or layering your own few favorites], but you could also fall madly in love with a simple drop necklace or beaded number. Whatever your piece is, be sure it holds longevity & can transition from piece to piece in your wardrobe. No outfit is complete without accessories; they are what bring an outfit together & help define your look.

5. The Perfect Handbag; this is the icing on the cake for every single look, every single day. Finding a bag that will move fluidly from look to look can be hard, which is why I recommend staying within the neutral family; black, taupe, grey, nude, or even lavender or periwinkle. You want the most wear from your purchase so be sure you will love it a few seasons after you buy & more so, that it works with your lifestyle. I know personally I often carry my iPad with me, alongside a laundry list of other things, thus a tiny handbag just isn’t an option for me, so I opt for totes & satchels more often than not. But be sure to be practical with this wardrobe selection, as it will see more wear & tear than anything else in your closet.

If you buy nothing else this season than these five key items, I promise you will feel confident & ever-ready for your day. As fun as shopping is & as addicting as it can be to keep adding pieces to your wardrobe, a true fashionista only needs a handful of great pieces to speak volumes for her style.

Happy Hunting, megababes. Xx.