Category Archives: Advice

Ask Lori: How do I Look Fabulous on the Beach?

Posted on May 13, 2013 | Leave a comment

Summer is coming!  I can´t wait and in anticipation, I pulled together some fun fabulous looks for my trip to the Canary Islands, since the weather was summery and beautiful there.

The key to beach dressing and looking fabulous is floaty, fun, bright, patterned and of course, keeping it casual.  Floaty dresses, scarves, yellows, pinks, and greens, and even denim can work when done the right way.

Tips: Try to put fun combos together.  Summer is all about that carefree attitude, so don´t take anything too seriously.  Make sure not to look too coiffed or overdone.  Dress up a basic outfit with chunky sunglasses, a bangle, or a hat.  For hair, beachy waves or a messy braid are great.  Blowout: not neccessary!

I hope you enjoy the pics of my friends and I and I hope they provide some inspiration for your summer looks on how to look fabulous on the beach!

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Posted in Advice, Beauty, Dresses, Fashion, Hair, Shorts, Swimwear, Tops

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What to Wear Wine Tasting: Part Trois

Posted on October 9, 2012 | 2 Comments

This past weekend, (in addition to it being my birthday) was our annual girls wine tasting weekend in the Rioja region of Spain.

The past two years, we´ve gone in winter, then fall, and this year we went quite a bit earlier, with almost summery temps, so below I have some ideas of what to wear wine tasting in warmer temps.

1.  A scarf or pashmina is always a good idea.  It can be windy even if it´s warm so you always want your neck to be warm.

2. Layers, layers, layers.  Although it might be warm and sunny outside, wine cellars usually keep a temperature of about 57 degrees farenheight, which is quite a bit cooler than the 75-85 degrees it was outside.  Because of this, I made sure to layer up so I could take off my cardigan and scarf outside, and put in on during the wine cellar tours.

Here are some pics from this year´s trip.  If you´d like to see previous posts on this, check out my 2010 Winter Trip and my 2011 Fall Trip.  Check out the Vinobus La Rioja website for more information if you would like to plan your own spanish wine tasting experience.

First I will start with my outfit, and a closeup of my new leopard flats.  Then, some group pics of all the beautiful girls-Desi, Brit, Heather, Lori, Elise, and Norma.

 

 

 

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Posted in Advice, Fashion, Travel

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Ask Lori: The Pleated Maxi-Dress…and How to Wear it!

Posted on April 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

One of my very best friends, MP, has asked me how she can get in on this trend: The Pleated Maxi Dress.  It´s an excellent question and below…some good news!

Shorts and talls alike can participate in this trend, hooray!  The pleated maxi dress is the newest hottest version of the maxi and I have three tips below to make sure you look fabulous if you decide to sport it.

1.  If you are short and at all bulky, make sure your dress has a waistline of some sort, otherwise you will just drown away in it.  These three below are some great examples of ones I would wear, being 5´2.

This one is perfect, got a waistline, a great spring color…you can find it Banana Republic.

This beige dress from Desire Clothing UK is fun because it´s belted, therefore shaping the waist.

This Kaboodle dress is unique because it´s got a waistline and it´s sheer on the bottom, which is a fun twist.

2.  Only if you have model like proportions should you try to sport a pleated maxi without a waistline. Otherwise you will literally look like a house.  See a few examples below that really…only the tall and thin can rock.  Short girls, avoid these!

This one from Halston is certainly lovely…but not for anyone with normal proportions.

This dress from ASOS seems like it has a small empire style waistline but in reality it doens´t, therefore, as we can see from the back it makes the model even look large.  Ladies…don´t try this one at home.  Unless your pregnant, in which case it´s quite stylish and comfy!

3.  Finally, I highly recommened, since this style of dress is quite covering and due to the pleats, has alot of material, you should try to stay away from anything long sleeved, high necked, etc.  You are already covering up your legs and you don´t want it to look like you are wearing a robe or mumu.  For example, these high necked  dresses are pretty in theory, but I think I´d would look like a grandma wearing it.  Try to keep your shoulders, neck and arms exposed when wearing pleated maxi´s.

Good luck, and get shopping!

DISCLAIMER: These suggestions are just my opinions…if you think something looks right, or feels right…go for it!

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Posted in Advice, Dresses, Fashion

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Concurso H & M and Harper´s Bazaar

Posted on September 18, 2011 | 2 Comments

H & M is working with Harper´s Bazaar to find the ´Most Elegant Blogger in Spain´.  That´s obviously me!!!! So I need to post me, wearing a look with one trend purchased from the H & M fall line.

If I win, I will be featured in the magazine and get to create a look for H & M.   Before I can show my look, of course I must add my personal definition of elegance.

ELEGANCE: To me, being elegant is being classy and sexy.  You want to show a little skin, but not too much.  Mystery is elegance.  Elegance is pairing expensive with inexpensive, new with old, day with night, making just the right combinations.  See below for my visual interpretation.

 

 

I am wearing a beige dress from H & M (vestido beige de H & M).  The dress is great because it incoporates zippers, which I feel is a look right now, and it´s covering at the top but short to show a little leg. I paired the dress with a blue Cole Haan purse, Jimmy Choo snakeskin shoes, bracelets from Blanco, a vintage ring from my grandmother, Dior Sunglasses and blue nail polish from Kiko.

BREAK IT DOWN:

Dress: H&M, Front and Back

Shoes: Jimmy Choo

Bag: Cole Haan

Bracelets: Blanco

Ring: Vintage, from my grandmother

Sunglasses: Dior

And of course, nothing completes a ´Most Elegant Blogger from España´ look, than a glass of champagne. Cheers!

 

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Posted in Advice, Dresses, Fashion

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Ask Lori: Find Me Shoes!

Posted on August 1, 2011 | Leave a comment

When my friend Amy sent me a pic of this brightly colored, patterned dress and asked me to find shoes to match it, I immediately accepted the challenge.  The BCBG Max Azria dress is pictured below.

Now it may be hard to tell from this picture but the stripes are actually green and NAVY not black, which makes this dress extra hard to find shoes for.  The belt is also bright yellow.

Where to begin?  I figure with this dress we have two options:

Option 1:

Pick something trendy, tall and nude to match your skin tone to call attention to the dress and not the shoes.  Tan or nude wedges or platforms would work. Obviously anything too elegant is a bad idea, as this dress is fun, loud and youthful.  Make sure the shoes are fun but simple, having anything too patterned or textured won´t work.  See below for a few ideas.

Chloe Platform

Vince Camutto Wedge

Option 2:

Go big or go home! This dress is bright and bossy, find something even brighter and bossier! Sometimes when put to an extreme, clashing can be kinda cool.  Try to find a hot pink, bright fuschia or orange to chime into this dress´s bright vibes.  I would stay away from bright red, you don´t want to look too Christmas like!

Jeffrey Campbell Garrett Pump

DVF Zia Platform Sandal

So you can go with either option…the safe, nude option or the crazy, bright option…good luck Amy!

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Posted in Advice, Dresses, Fashion, Shoes

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Things I LOVE: Chapter 2

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

This sandals from Zara are perfect for summer. I like them because you can wear them in the daytime or night, they can mix and match with a variety of options.  So cute!  Love them!

Side note: the blue nail polish is of course, from fan favorite Kiko

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Things I LOVE: Chapter 1

Posted on July 4, 2011 | Leave a comment

Here we are heading full force into summer and it´s high time I filled this blog with things I LOVE here in the fashion world for some summer fun!  Things included will range from clothes, accessories, swimsuits (perhaps restaurants or bars if I wanna get real crazy!) that I see out and about, in stores, on friends etc.

So to start off today I want to share a hat I found in H and M the other day…I love it!  It matches perfectly with one of my Fashion New Years Resolutions to wear more hats!  (Remember, I´m not a model…please focus on the hat only lol)

This hat was a great deal at only 7.95 euros.  I love the leopard touch!

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Ask Lori: ´The Maxi Dress´and How to Rock It

Posted on May 31, 2011 | Leave a comment

It´s everywhere this spring…the maxi dress. For those of you who aren´t hip with fashion lingo, the maxi dress is a long, ankle length dress that is meant as casual wear.  So in other words it´s long but it´s not evening wear or a fancy gown.

I personally love this trend. I used to think you had to be tall and thin to pull this trend off but that is not the case! You just have to find the right one for you.

Tips:

Find one that fits.  There is nothing sexy about a giant piece of fabric overwhelming your body.  Look for one that fits you correctly.  Usually ones with an empire waist or one that´s got a bit of shape, tighter on top until the waist or hips and slightly larger at the bottom.

If you are small or short, pair it with wedges or a fitted jacket to keep the look from swamping you.

If you are larger, find an empire waist (helps mask a bigger tummy) or flowing look to cover heavier thighs.

Be careful with: larger patterns (they can make you look larger) or horizontal stripes.  Also watch the length, tripping is no fun!

Stay AWAY from ones with long sleeves, or really any sleeves…because your legs are covered, these dresses are made to give coverage on the bottom and less on top.  Otherwise it will look like you are wearing a mumu.  Plus, the nature of these dresses should be floaty, fun and summery…if you wanted to be fully covered you´d be wearing a sweater and jeans.

See some great examples celebs have given us:

Jennifer Aniston ROCKS this one, it´s a bit more figure forming on top and loose on the bottom, just skims her curves.

This one that Vanessa is wearing is a bit dressier but she pairs it perfectly with a fitted jacket for some extra shape.

Nicole Richie proves that short girls can pull this trend off.  She also pairs hers with a fitted jacket but unlike Vanessa´s, this look is much more casual and looks great with flip flops!

Lauren Conrad looks great in her tie-dye look.  The tight lowcut fit on top balances perfectly with the floaty bottom.  She´s the perfect California girl.

Amy Smart´s two tone empire waist maxi dress makes her look super tiny.  This style can definitely help disguise a pear shaped body.

So go out, buy your maxi dress, and prance around feeling happy!

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Ask Lori: Leather Leggings…Hot or Not?

Posted on February 24, 2011 | Leave a comment

Leather leggings are totally hot…however only if you´ve got the right pair of gams to squeeze into them!

Inspiration:

Duff´s looking hot in her all black combo

Kim is definately a ´do´in this outfit

We all knew they´d look good on Heidi but not bad on Olsen and Rihanna either!

TIPS:

We all know celebs can rock em but…can we?

The answer is yes.  However you have to follow a few rules.

1. Make sure your ass is covered.   Treat leather leggings as if they were tights. Make sure your shirt or dress atleast covers most of your ass. Leather cameltoe is NASTY.

2.  You don´t have to be super tall or thin to rock this trend! Look at Kim Kardashian, shes got a hot curvy bod and she looks great in them.   However, heels always help in this department, or even low heeled boots.  Just make sure your legs are in shape and lookin´good.

3.  Be careful not too look goth.  Accesorize with a few girly objects or make sure to add some color in the rest of your outfit. Even Duff who is wearing all black puts some nude platforms on to make it seem a bit more girlish.  A colored shoe is always a great way to go, or something like Kim´s heart necklace.

MY PERSONAL ADVICE is to stay away from colored leather leggings.  Not pretty.

THIS EQUALS NO.   DON´T DO IT, PLEASE. No one wants to spot your cellulite from a mile away.

Also, buying pleather is fine, but make sure you don´t look like you are wearing plastic.  Forever 21 may not be the best place to shop for this particular trend.

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TREND ALERT: HATS IN BRASIL

Posted on February 15, 2011 | 1 Comment

It may be freezing here in Madrid but in São Paolo´s Fashion Week the runways were hot!  Apparently, there were tons of hats featured, which goes perfectly with my Fashion New Years Resolution to wear more hats.  See below for some highlights.

Hats were a distinct feature at the Fernanda Yamamoto and Andre Lima shows.  Materials include lucite, jewels, pretty much anything you can find, it can be made into a hat!  Now fashion means wearing elephants on your head!

I know these hats are a bit extreme but fashion is all about pushing the limits and we don´t always have to take it literally.  Take these ideas and interpret them into something less extreme.  Maybe since I enjoy the idea of feathers on a hat so I´ll stick some onto my fedora and call it a day.

For example, this black hat from Jemma Loveridge is perfect for the horse races this summer!  You get a little pizazz with the asymetrical shape and feathers but it´s not so over the top.

Another cool option is something like this fedora Mischa´s got on.  The polka dot ribbon is far from extreme but it´s something a little flashy to add on to an otherwise tame hat.

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Posted in Advice, Celebs, Designers, Fashion, Trends

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