Studs & Stripes & Velvet, Oh My!

If you have read even a few of my posts, you have likely gathered that LA is my favorite place, and the Beverly Hills Hotel is my favorite place within that place. [It did make my list of the best pink palaces after all!] It’s a must stop on my itinerary every time I visit. Beyond great food and drinks and a beautiful atmosphere, it also happens to be a fabulous backdrop for some of my favorite outfits – this being one of them! I decided to take on a lot of trends in this outfit, but it really was put together with no fuss or muss. Often times, the less you think about it, the better the look.

My leather jacket is a staple, something I typically always travel with, since it is so easy to dress up or down. Torn jeans, despite my dad’s opinion [every time I wear them around him he asks “do you need some money for new jeans?”], are fashionable so those also tend to be a staple in my closet. Another staple – a good nail polish! I love this one from Flora 1761, which is actually vegan. [I had no idea until a few months, when my pedicurist gave me a little nail polish education, what kinds of things are actually in them. Luckily, there are a lot of safe options out there, which look beautiful as well.] This shade is so rich and comes with a big bonus – it dries almost instantly. This is realy good for anyone like me, who doesn’t have a nail tech’s touch.

Now for the trends…can we say hello velvet. Actually I should say HELLOOOO velvet, to accurately fit how I feel about the trend. I am loving it, from head to toe, it is a gorgeous add-on to any outfit. These “cigar shoes” as I call them, with giant bows, are a winner in my book. They are like my own modern take on Dorothy’s red slippers. [Hence the title of this post. Get it?!] Black and white stripes have always been a look I have loved, but not one I have tried often, as large stripes like this can be tricky. But when I found this top, with big pearls on the sides, I could not resist. Tucked in it gives me some shape, while still letting me have fun with the large pattern. And lastly, my studded bag. Boy was this one a find! I use it constantly, since the pink is so nuetral, it has a removable cross-body and the studded flowers add a little zing to any outfit.

While it fit in so well in LA, and with that gorgesou Beverly Hills Hotel backdrop, I think this ensemble would be as lovely in any setting. Fashion should be fun, so play with it! And tell me, what trends are you loving right now?