Dive Into Sexy Swimwear

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Express. All opinions are 100% mine.

Back in November, Express rocked the runway here in Miami with a runway show to showcase their new spring collection. Checking out the women’s swimwear on Express.com, I’m especially loving the solid bright colors and the prints. All swim suits have removable padding in the tops and the bottoms fit smaller to size for moderate back coverage.

They have all your popular swimwear styles like the monokini, string bikini, and strapless and halter bikinis. I picked out my favorite style currently available, it’s a two piece in the most perfect shade of pink. The flirty ruffles are such a cute detail and I really like that it’s only a single ruffle on bikini’s bottom instead of going with three tiers of ruffles like the bikini’s top. This weekend I’ve been dying to go to the pool or South Beach since the weather has been in the 80s.

If you’re not signed up for Express e-mail you should definitely get signed up now for a chance to win one (sweepstakes rules) of ten $200 Express gift cards. 

Ann Taylor Upgrades

I remember shopping Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft with my mom when I was kid. She’d always go to get business casual clothing for work there, so I always associated Ann Taylor as a store that’s just not for me. On a visit to Boston I happened to be working an event attached to a mini mall and I popped into a Ann Taylor Loft out of sheer boredom. I instantly realized my oversight of Ann Taylor may have been a mistake after spotting quite a few things I needed in my closet. I was on a self-imposed shopping ban after one too many swipes of plastic if you know what I mean. I will forever regret not getting a hat I saw there and convinced myself not to buy. I’ve been to many a Ann Taylor since, and have even sent friends and have never seen any hats at all. Figures right.

Ann Taylor has recently opened a concept store (new marketing which I think is totally working for them) in Aventura Mall in Miami and Glamour magazine was there to cover the event. After wrapping my shoot with Glamour downtown, I headed back up to North Miami to attend this event. They had the grand opening staples such as a DJ, champagne (or a choice of Perrier with lemon) and hors d’oeuvres but they also had a great sale offer of 30% off your entire purchase. I bought the bracelet I’m holding above. Sidenote: I had just done some damage upstairs at Zara while waiting for the event to start (drawback of always being early). I love the clutch/the shoes up above, all the jewelry was spectacular and of course the knits cozy.

This is the outfit I wore for the streetstyle shoot with Glamour downtown by the way. Minus the hat, I wore my Spirit Hood because it was colder in the morning, once it started heating up I couldn’t wear it anymore. In anticipation of this fact I had my hat with me. I’m a big fan of headwear and I’m usually wearing something on my head. Speaking of streetstyle. I’ve added a page to the site specifically to post up pictures of people I photograph because sometimes I don’t get enough photos to do an entire post. I’ve just added one of the shopgirl from this event and I’ll be adding one of these two lovely girls I shot at J. Crew tonight.

Happy New Year by the way, this is my first post of the new year. Haha that it’s of an event that happened last year. I’m still sort of back logged on posts. I didn’t have time to make a New Year specific post nor was I a big fan of those look at my outfits throughout the year posts that seemingly everyone was doing. That’s what archives are for. Just sayin.

P.S. – The photos of me were kindly taken for me by Alex Markow the photographer working for Glamour that day. Such a nice guy, thanks for your help again if you read this *hugs*

Happy Holidays

rawr, you better have a good holiday!

I’m so grateful for all of you that read my blog!  What’s your favorite holiday activity? I myself like baking, so I’ll be making more Christmas cookies so I’ve already eaten the last batch. Woops.

P.S. – Random picture is random haha.

Wearing:
Urban Outfitters Reformed Alyson Long Skirt (I bought on sale for $19.99, now it’s $9.99!)
Lace top left with my things on a photo shoot
Forever 21 cross necklace
Spirit Hoods Full Leopard Hood

Express Rocks The Miami Beach Sidewalks

Hope you guys had a fabulous Thanksgiving/Black Friday. This has been a jam packed week with my birthday (22nd), the holidays, my store, etc. I’m finally getting a chance to post my photos from the Express event I went to recently. Express had a runway show to showcase their Spring 2011 collection. To make this runway show unique they also had fashion photographer Greg Kadel simultaneously shoot the campaign. I for one can’t wait for the campaign to launch so I can relive the moment so to speak. The show was styled by Samira Nasr and shot by well-known runway photographer Dan Lecca. I arrived early (I don’t run on Miami time, when I say 15 minutes it’s 15 minutes ugh) so I was able to see the run through and the set up of the lights. They had to be very specific about the lighting because they had to shoot for the campaign.

I was invited to take photos from the press pit but I decided to just take photos from the side of the runway. My photos would be better from the press area (lights would be dead on) but I’m always really nervous being there since photography is just a hobby for me and I’m now learning how to use my camera etc. Anyway in the gallery below you can see some photos from the event. The VIP after party was held at Soho Beach House Miami. It’s a private member club for people in film, media etc. It’s simply gorgeous. Everyone was so kind and I definitely want to thank Express, @ExpressLisaG (on twitter) and Nikole from Brand Link Communications for giving me the opportunity to attend. I’d love to be a regular haha if only right. Since my camera takes HD video you can be sure I took a quick video of the final walk through.

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My H&M x Lanvin Interest

I am still on the fence about this collection. Even after seeing the full lookbook and the video I still don’t know how I feel. I think I definitely need to see the pieces in person to judge quality etc. Dresses range from $149 to $249, all women’s shoes are $99, and women’s coats are $149 to $349. I’ll say that I’m disappointed in the price points because after all it is H&M and this stuff will more than likely fall apart after awhile. It seems that the majority of the items I’m digging are in the $199+ category.

This is the cheapest clothing item that catches my interest. $49.95

Jacket $149

Dress $199

Dress $199

Dress $199

Coat $199

The last two dresses are questionable to me for fabric reasons. I mean if I was going somewhere that warranted me wearing this style dress my go to wouldn’t be H&M. I think I may end up passing on this collection, but like I said I’m undecided. What do you guys think?

Photos and price breakdowns from both The Cut & Fab Sugar