October 19, 2015October 21, 2015 styledbylyricLeave a comment

Step Into Fall

Sooooo, if I haven’t made my love for fall fashion clear enough yet, today is the day. I’m taking on fall footwear–which is where love turns to pure obsession. You see, there’s this small corner of the fashion world where all magical things come true; where leather meets gold meets sequins meets basically anything you could possibly imagine if you look hard enough. Some call it a shoe department. I call it my happy place.

I know what you’re thinking–how original, a woman that loves shoes. But truth be told, I find nothing more crucial in an outfit than the shoe selection. You can have on a $25,000 outfit, but if you put on the wrong footwear I want nothing to do with ~~you~~ it. Footwear is the binding element in a person’s wardrobe, so stop scrimping on the good stuff & start making better decisions. The time is now.

Thus, today I’ve compiled a quick list [with prices & click-through links] of my top ten favorite fall footwear fashions. These are the perfect pieces to add to your closet this season to help finish off those nearly perfect fits with ease.

Lace Up Ballet Flats: the perfect day-to-night addition. These flats are chic yet practical for a busy day at the office to a night out with friends. Team them with dresses, denim, pants…they’re limitless. Tip: rock a light mist of bronzer on your feet to make them really pop.

My favorites: here, here & here.

Loafers: legitimately my biggest weakness this Fall; loafers are the perfect shoe. Truly. They’re feminine & sexy, but structured enough that you can take your Monday meetings by storm, but also have a hot makeout session with your Match.com date later. Tip: always go pointed toe.

My favorites: here & here.

Oxfords: this season the oxford is on fire. This is the one & only shoe I will allow a client to choose in a metallic hue. Why? Because they’re amazing & your wardrobe will reach new heights with such an interesting choice. Tip: still stay minimal; silver, rose gold, gold & white only.

My favorites: here & here.

D’Orsay Flats: the perfect outfit companion, d’Orsay flats go with literally everything; denim, pants, skirts, shorts…you name it. & the cut will make you feel sexier than ever. But selecting the right fit & color is the key to nailing this footwear find. For Fall, stick to cranberry, candy apple red, black, grey, taupe, nude, & blush hues. Tip: work them in before wearing them out–nobody likes bloody heels.

My favorites: here & here.

Cut-Out Booties: take your ankle boot addiction to the next level [what, you don’t have one?] with this season’s style shift. These geometric statements are the best way to draw attention to your stems & feet, without compromising comfort. Tip: watch your leg-to-ankle-ratio; ankle booties can cut you off, so make sure they’re highlighting your thinnest part & not taking away from it.

My favorites: here, here & here.

Platform Sneakers: I know, you can’t even believe I’m going here right now, but I am. There are some serious competitors out there this season that are subtle, but loud enough to add some pizzaz to your wardrobe. & if executed properly, I say GO FOR IT. Plus, who doesn’t love a middle school throwback? Tip: this look is strictly daytime//casual//fun. Don’t try to turn it into evening wear.

My favorites: here & here.

The Pump: even with wild fall weather, a sturdy, simple pair of leather pumps is all the doctor ordered. They’re timeless, practical & always make sense on an otherwise busy day//week//life. I usually opt for the most extended pointed toe I can find to elongate my legs. Life tip: have at least one pair of nude & one pair of black pumps on hand, at all times.

My favorites: here & here.

The Ankle Bootie: ~~not to be confused with booty~~, the ankle bootie is a fall wardrobe staple & has been around since what seems like the dawn of time. However, it’s time to switch it up a bit & not duplicate those black or tan Sam Edelman Petty Boots that we’ve all been sporting for like five years now [no offense Sam, I have like 35 pairs of them, xx]. This fall, throw a leopard print or fringe pair on or purchase the blush pink pair; spice it up somehow to differentiate you from the pack. It’s one thing to love a cut & style of shoe && want to wear the shit out of it for years to come [that’s also a great investment decision], however, keep it fresh & current when given the chance.

My favorites: here & here.

Heeled Sandals: seems counterintuitive right? But the right strappy sandal [preferable with a block heel] can be the perfect staple to defy the elements of fall. With enough support & leather, just a pop of skin can handle the cooler temperatures without hypothermia or discomfort. But be selective, because rocking a sandal in October means you’ve officially committed to being a fashionista. Now own it.

My favorites: here, here & here.

The Rain Boot: although I’m truly not the biggest advocate of this trend, I know it exists & it’s important to touch on. The Hunter Rain Boot syndrome–we all have it ladies, so let’s just own it now. But that doesn’t mean we have to have 400 pairs of them. The rain boot is the perfect little cut of PVC piping that allows us to frolic in rainy puddles whenever we please, but it deserves to be styled properly, as well. Team yours with a great pair of denim or even some cute leggings & throw some jewelry in the mix. Just promise me you won’t go to dinner in this fit unless you live in Oregon or somewhere equally as wet. Rain boots are for rain, babes. Not sprinkles. Rain.

My favorites: here & here.

Fall weather doesn’t mean you have to compromise your cute outfit selections, it just means you have to get a little more creative & think outside of the box. The most essential part of styling an outfit is comfort–if you aren’t feeling your best, you probably aren’t looking your best. Always opt for choices that you believe in & feel great in.

It’s time to start digging your heels into the fall season, ladies. Ah! See what I did there?

Happy Shopping.

Xx.

September 9, 2015September 9, 2015 styledbylyric1 Comment

September Issues

Dutifully titled, September can bring about some serious issues in the wardrobe department. While the models are getting ready to kill it at NYFW this weekend & help point us in the right direction, we’re left to figure this shit out for now. The weirdness with weather, the confusion over which styles need to be ditched & which are still hanging around, the inability to choose between pastels or greys for an outfit…it can all be a bit frustrating.

But fear not, for today I’ve compiled a few of my favorite [& most convenient] ways to update your wardrobe & style those weird in-between-season outfits, to get you out of the house faster & sexier than ever — Fashion Week or not.

Let’s go.

Tip #1: learn to fully embrace layers. You don’t have to put those beloved shorts & skirts away just yet, just be sure to keep it Fall-appropriate. Add a pair of ankle booties, throw on a scarf, add fall focused colors to the mix…it doesn’t have to be blunt & in your face for it to be a transitional look. The key: bulk up your top layers & keep the bottom half simple. A few of my favorites…

Tip #2: color is ok. With Fall comes this weird misconception that all prints & colors must go, but I assure you this is the farthest from the truth. Instead, shift your focus toward the right colors & patterns; mix in a few Summer shades with neutrals & keep the tones in sync with one another. Hint: think fall tones — yellows, blues, reds, soft pinks, greens…

Tip #3: switch up your footwear. If you make but one change between seasons, let it be your footwear selections. It’s game changing & doesn’t have to be painfully difficult. Decipher which shoes you wore most often during the Summer & then find their Fall-focused counterpart. For example, my favorite pair of black & gold Summer sandals were recently swapped out for a delicious pair of black & gold Sam Edelman booties. This way my wardrobe isn’t completely compromised, but my shoes are appropriate for the shift in weather. Not a fan of boots? Opt for a pointed-toe flat instead. The broader your horizons, the less mess when finding a fit.

Fall Boot Favorites:

Fall Flat Favorites:

dorsay

Tip #4: change your color scheme. Whether you’re prone to vibrant makeup or not, Fall is a fun time to play around with different hues & step out of your comfort zone. From your nails to your hair to your makeup-this is the season to play. My go to switch-ups are oxblood & nude//blush lips, black, blue & taupe nails, gold & plum lids, & I usually ditch my bronzer for a soft blush. These quick changes are cheap & efficient ways of changing your look from Summer to Fall without much fuss. The trick: try, try, try again. You won’t find the perfect colors right off the bat, but once you do it’ll be show stopping. A little extra: if you choose a bold lips, go light on the rest of your face. fall makeup vamp lip

fall red makeu

Your personal style doesn’t have to be completely revamped with every changing season [& frankly it shouldn’t be], but tweaking small things here & there can make all the difference in the world. With Fall & Winter comes dark colors, warm sweaters, oh & my personal favorite: pumpkin everything. #imfemaleafterall. So soak it in & get prepared, because it’s here & your wardrobe so wants to be ready…

Happy Shifting, babes.

Xx.

January 19, 2015January 20, 2015 styledbylyric1 Comment

Alexis Russell

As you’ve probably caught on by now, I’m basically a slut for jewelry…in the nicest way possible. The more dainty & delicate the piece, the heavier I’m drooling//panting//doing whatever it takes to make it mine. [& yes, I react the same way over statement jewelry, but we’ve already done a few blog posts on that. Duh.] Thus, Alexis Russell has become my new love affair [sorry babe, I’m leaving you for fine, gold & diamond gems]. I legitimately find myself spending countless hours on her website, Instagram & Twitter, imagining all the ways I could style her pieces with my current wardrobe & for my clients. She mixes classic metals with edgy angles & shapes, & tops it all off with a perfect little diamond or stone. Who needs more than that? Oh & Brides-To-Be, she’s got a bridal collection, too. Oof.

Enough talk…just scope her stuff out for yourself. But grab a napkin, you’ll need it.

[Images Courtesy of AlexisRussell.com 2015]

January 13, 2015January 19, 2015 styledbylyric1 Comment

New Do. New You.

Fresh year. Fresh resolutions [do we still do this to ourselves?] Fresh locks. Wait, what? Yes. It’s time. A new hairstyle is a resolution you can actually conquer. So let’s talk on it for a second.

As a woman who has serious anxiety about chopping her locks, I am more than empathetic towards this topic. However, it’s a new year & it’s time to continue that whole becoming a bigger, better, more well-rounded human thing that we’re placed on this earth to do. [Did I just compare a haircut to evolution? Yes. Yes, I did.] So, in hopes to get you warmed up to the entire concept, I’ve broken down my favorite styles making headway [ha]. Let’s decipher how you can change your look this 2015.

Here goes.

1. Parted: don’t want to chop your hair off just yet? Fine. Then keep it fresh by switching up the direction, style, or shape of your part. A simple trick that adds major change with little effort.

Center Part

Soft Side Part

Diagonal Part

Deep Side Part

Zig Zag Part

2. The New Pixie: a pixie cut has always seemed heart-stopping to me, but this new, modern take on a classic [& once terrifying] cut could be just what the doctor ordered. Think Sienna Miller circa 2006, but with a little more styling ability. This cut is undoubtedly ballsy, but so chic & will be everywhere this 2015. The key to owning it: a good texture spray//gel//cream.

3. The Pony: no not the one you used to throw into place before gym class, but the new, intentional pony. Olivia Palermo is the queen of this look [see below]. It can be worn to events, coffee//lunch dates, running errands, picking up the kids…& is so easy to style. It likely won’t change your entire world this 2015, but it will make you feel like the chicest chick in the room. The key: finding minimalist hair ties to keep the look in place without taking away from it’s clean approach [Scrunchies anyone].

Loose Pony

Messy Pony

Curled Pony

Tight Pony

4. The Soft Ombré: a softer version of the ever-overstated ombré look that’s been holding on for about four years now [it was time to finally change this up], this look takes a more delicate approach to a once severe do. Switching up the color of your hair can change everything, given you have an amazing hairstylist that you know & trust. I recommend this look for nearly any hair type, & I promise, it will make you feel like an entirely new person, without all the effort. #whycantistoptouchingmyhair

5. Shoulder Length Everything: 2015 is going to be all about shoulder-length hair. Period. It just is. & to you babes who feel the need for mega change, this is the time to take the plunge & chop it off. Truth be told, this is probably my favorite style of the year & if I had the huevos to do it, I so would. This look screams I’m a mom, but I’m sexy as fuck, so deal with it [no, you don’t have to actually have children…it’s just at thing]. & did I mention it sheds serious minutes off your morning routine.

So when should you make all these changes you ask? Don’t worry, there’s an app for that, too. Oh wait, more like an entire study & article: Lunar Hair Chart. Seriously.

As a woman who is ridiculously attached to her hair, I vow to switch it up this year, so long as you’ll do it with me. Deal?

See you babes on the other side…ya know, the new you, new do, 2015 side.

Xx.