Mode Haven

Island State of Mind: Vintage Tropics Inspiration

It’s been a while since I posted on here. In the past few months, I’ve been extremely busy with work, working on a new business venture AND helping plan for my brother’s wedding later this year. I also have been contemplating how to move forward with this blog, if I should continue, etc…. because I haven’t had the mental time to actually sit and write.

I did a bit of spring cleaning on some posts this week though, changed my layout and that has helped me feel inspired again. My main concern being that I wanted to make sure whatever I did put out on this blogsphere platform was relevant to both me and you.

In the next few weeks, I’m heading to Puerto Rico with friends to celebrate my 35th. I’ve been in an island state of mind since I booked this trip and am super excited, but haven't started shopping yet!! I've been more focused on working out and eating right but lately with all the new patterns and colors I see online and in stores, I'm ready to finally shop. Plus, I lost some weight so that's always a good reason to buy something new :-)!!

A year ago wearing bright colors was a stretch for me...now, I’m constantly on the hunt for prints in everything! I am really loving this top and skirt from TopShop and would definitely wear it together just like this! And these Coach sandals are another fave for me as I can see myself wearing these pretty much everywhere! This particular look might just be my b-day dinner look as I’m still not sure if I’m hitting a club on my actual birthday.

My main goal for any island trip is just hitting the beach everyday, laying in the sun and just having fun! I'll keep you guys posted on what my picks for this trip will be in the next week! Enjoy your day :-)!

Trend Alert: Bold Black & White Stripes

I've been shopping around the past few weeks and noticed tons of bold black and white graphics from designers like Marc Jacobs to retailers like H&M. Image inspiration from above is from the Marc Jacobs Spring/summer 2013 collection, which was full of dramatic black and white graphics! I loved every bit of the show and am not surprised to see stripes everywhere for spring! (If you haven't seen the show..see link above to view the whole collection)

I found tons of styles that are reminiscent of the collection at great price points. Perfect for the upcoming spring season, you can pair any of the styles here with basic blacks and white or bold hues like reds, oranges and bluesl! What do you think of my picks??

Getting in with Peplum: Peplum Tops to Wear Day & Night

You can usually update your wardrobe with a new tops, shoes or bags. This fall, I'm loving peplum tops as an updated option to wear with everything from denim to leather pencil skirts to wear day and night. Here are some of my fave picks from TopShop, Diane Von Furstenburg and Alexander McQueen at every price point!

Cute Fall Picks Under $50 to get you through Sandy!

If you're in the Northeast and stuck in the house because of Sandy, I'm sure you're experiencing cabin fever by now. We haven't been hit hard yet in my neck of the woods of NJ, but I definitely am feeling restless staying in like this. Everything is closed and all the Starbucks in the area have shut down. Safety comes first, of course, and as the wind and rain pick up, online shopping has become my beat the cabin fever remedy of choice. Later on I'll probably also try reading some magazines, watching movies on Netflix, as well as, trying to concoct my own version of a Starbucks latte while I have the time. If you're looking to do some shopping as well, I found some really cute items at $50 and under to check out. Enjoy your Monday, have fun shopping and stay safe wherever you are!!

Get This Look: Monica in Helmut Lang On Cover of Ebony Magazine

Happy Tuesday all! I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend! Mine was very relaxing, but its back to work again. I was glancing through the latest issue of Ebony on my way in to work today, with Monica and Brandy on the cover. The softness of the yellow dress on Monica and the heavy duty metal belt look really cool to me, so I had to see if I can find a look for less option. Monica is wearing a dress by Helmut Lang ($304) and Theory jacket ($398), but since it’s officially hot in the city I skipped the jacket and went with this dress from TopShop. It has a softness to it as well, and the high/low hem is perfect. www.Saboskirt.com has a similar belt to what Monica is wearing for just $38.00 which is a steal. I like to keep things minimal, so I accessorized the rest of my look with gold accents and clutch in a pop color. I think this look is so perfect for now and you can definitely wear this look to a number of places. Have a great day everyone!!XOXO!!

Weekend Shopping Look: Khaki & Neon Color Combo

TGIF Everyone! It’s going to be another great day weather wise and a perfect weekend for shopping or just to be out and about! Lately, I’ve been gravitating towards neon mixes with khaki color, so wanted to come up with an idea on how to mix the two this weekend and this is the result! I love the pieces here because it’s a perfect mix of edgy and preppy! This look is simple and not over the top yet still makes a style statement AND is comfortable enough to go shopping or be out and about in! Have a great weekend all!!

Summer Florals

Floral prints are continuing to move forward and I’m really loving the options for this summer! Check out my finds …these are great ways to incorporate floral prints into your wardrobe. All you need is one piece or you can even mix and match larger prints with subtle floral details!!

Bangles, Bracelets and other Trinkets

Happy Thursday all!!

Trying to up my game in the accessories department! I recently lost all of mine, so now have to build up my collection again. I'm especially looking for more in the bracelets and ring categories. Now that I have to start over, I figured I'll go with more refined pieces that have interesting aspects to it. These are images of ideas on what I'm looking for. Some pieces are bold, some delicate and some edgy...which is just right for me...I have different aspects to my personal style that work with each!

See here for more of my accessory inspirations!

Most of the places I will check out are listed below. Forever 21, actually has great accessories at really great pricing...TopShop and Asos have more higher end designs at a higher price point than Forever 21, but still not too expensive. Bauble Bar has great pieces for work, every day and special events.

You can check out their accessories at the following links.  With Bauble Bar, you have to create an account for access but the account is free and takes no time to set up.

Forever 21here

TopShop here

Asos here

Bauble Bar here

 

Enjoy your day!!

Old School Kicks - Rocking Acid Wash Jeans

I was in H&M just now …looking for some old- school style sweatpants when I came across acid wash jeans like these from Top Shop. Mind you, I haven’t worn acid wash jeans since back in the 80's, when I was in the fourth grade but every time I see a pair, it brings back memories of when I did. Mine were black acid wash like the ones above and I always wore it with my No Pain, No Gain sweatshirt and white high top sneakers…lol! It was my favorite outfit and I remember these jeans vividly because the first time I ever tried to do my own laundry I ended up bleaching the jeans and the sweatshirt by accident and ruining it. I was really upset about that! Anywho, I’m in my 30’s now, know how to do my own laundry ( :-) ) and my taste’s have changed since, so here’s how a grown up me, would rock them now on a night out with friends! I like a sheer blouse and pumps like this to dress up the jeans and give it a more grown up feel. I really like the shot of cobalt blue on the Zanotti pumps as a surprising pop of color. I’m also really into oversized envelope clutches now and as always cocktail rings, cross pendant necklaces and red lipstick completes my look!

What Your Shades And Lipstick Style Say About You! ( According to Me :-) )

Let me just say this is my theory based on observation only. That said, here is my theory on shade styles! When out and about, the three main types of shades I see are retro styles like wayfarers, glamazon rounds frames and sporty aviators. 1. The wayfarer wearer wants to look cool above all else, takes a nod from Old Hollywood starlets and wears red pouts with classic silhouettes like trenches, slim jeans, riding boots and such. Starlets that come to mind for this type of sunglass wearers are Gwen Stefani, Anne Hathaway and Dita von Teese. 2. The round glamazon wearers are usually done up from head to toe; hair, nails everything, eyes are usually played up with makeup so light pink/rose lips top off their look. Starlets that come to mind for this type of sunglass wearer are Jennifer Lopez, Kerri Hilson and Eva Mendes. 3. Last but not least, is the aviator wearer, she has a more laidback vibe and is very confident au naturel. She wears very little makeup…maybe gloss here and there and on a daily chooses comfortable looks over high fashion. Celebs that come to mind for this type of eye wearer are Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Beal and Michelle Rodriguez. There you have it! In a nutshell my brief but (somewhat) thought out analysis..lol! I tend to be all three at different times but for the most part, I prefer the classic retro/ wayfarer shapes with a red lip…what’s your shade style?