How to Develop Your Inner Beauty-Advice from a Fashionista

By Elma B.

“Outer beauty attracts but inner beauty captivates.”-Kate Angell

What is inner beauty? 

We often hear about the importance of having “inner beauty” but what exactly is it? Inner beauty has to do with what is not visible to the naked eye immediately but what becomes apparent after the person starts to speak, e.g., personality, intelligence, integrity, grace, charisma, and politeness. In another words, inner beauty reveals that a person is funny, intelligent, compassionate, and strong.

I will attest that it is important to take care of yourself physically, i.e., eat healthy, exercise, wear sunscreen, etc.; however, it is equally important to take care of your mental health, i.e., what is dubbed as “inner beauty.” 

So, how to develop your inner beauty? Here are some suggestions:

1.  Seize the present. Many of us dwell on the past of what could have been or wait for the “better and brighter” future. In turn, we miss out on the present without taking the time to enjoy and savor the little pleasures in life, e.g., having your hot coffee and reading a newspaper/favorite magazine in the morning, the long hot shower after work, etc. 

2. Spirituality matters. Some of us are more religious than others and some are not religious at all. Whatever your stance, there are options like meditation to calm your inner banter, going on a long walk in a park to enjoy the marvelous nature or just watching the sunset in silence. The spiritual aspect helps to calm your anxiety and countless of thoughts that your brain has to process after a long day/week. 

3. Focus on the positive. Avoid complaining and being negative, and partaking in activities like gossip and making negative comments about others who are not around. The negativity will only kill your enthusiasm and in turn will extinguish your inner beauty. Almost everything that happens to you, there is a positive and a negative side; focus on the positive, and think of the lessons learned from every unpleasant situation. How am I better off as a result? How am I wiser? 

A few words of wisdom: 

I often write about fashion, and I wanted girls and young women to understand that beauty is not all that meets the eye. There are so many more important layers to beauty than just physical appearance. Inner beauty is what makes you a wholesome person in the long run. Practice fist on nurturing your inner beauty and then taking care of your physical appearance; after all, how you look on the outside often reflects on how you feel on the inside. Until next time fashionistas, stay beautiful, xoxo.  

Me

p.s. For the fashionistas, my outfit dissected: sweater from French Connection; purse from Salvatore Ferragamo; sneakers from Hogan; boyfriend jeans from Rag and Bone; t-shirt from Zara. 

Top 5 Things to Do in Central Park

By Elma B.

One of my favorite places in New York City is Central Park. It is a perfect place to escape the city’s busy streets and the overall concrete jungle.  Below are 5 reasons why the Central Park is my second favorite place in New York City:

Me enjoying,  in style,  the Central Park

1. The zoo. There is a zoo in Central Park with beautiful seals, so make sure to visit (especially with children) the zoo on a sunny day.

2. Runner’s paradise. If you are a runner, there is not a more beautiful place in the city to go for a jog to clear your mind. 

3. Photographer’s/producer’s paradise. The greenery makes it a perfect place for a photo shoot or a film shoot. 

4. Picnic away. Amazing place to have a picnic with friends; there is a plenty of space just make sure to pick a picturesque spot to complete the mood. 

5. Relax your mind. I love to meditate or a read a good book, and on a sunny day the Park’s setting allows for your mind to relax and enjoy the nature that surrounds you. 

There you have it fashionistas, 5 reasons the Central Park is a must when visiting New York City, especially on a sunny day. As for my favorite place in New York City, find out HERE.  Until next time, signing-off from New York City, xoxo. 

p.s. Outfit dissected: coat, French Connection; bag, Louis Vuitton; sneakers, Hogan; scarf, Alexander McQueen; pants, Zara; and necklace Swarovski and Gucci trinkets. 

Spring: New Season, New Beginning

By Elma B.

Spring–the season where days become longer, the dresses become shorter and the smiles become brighter. It is the season of rebirth, rejuvenation and renewal. The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and flowers are blooming. We shed the winter’s heavy clothes, and slip into our sandals and airy dresses. 

Some people see the new year as the opportunity for new beginnings, perhaps for you, your new beginning is the spring. So, change your look (new wardrobe, new hairstyle, etc.), your eating habits, fitness routine, and start planning your exciting summer vacation. Spring gives you a perfect excuse to start working on the best version of yourself. And as for love, do not settle for anything less than butterflies. 😉 

Until next time fashionistas…xoxo.

p.s. Outfit dissected…

jacket, vintage; dress, Free People; turban and necklace, Forever 21; bag, Long Champs; and sneaker-wedges, Isabel Marant.

10 Trendy Ways to Wear a Turban: HERE.

My Top 5 Spring Must Haves

By Elma B.

Spring–the season of new beginnings, warm weather, and short skirts and dresses. It is time to shed those layers fashionistas. Here is what is trending…in my closet…

1. Jean jacket. One of my favorite pieces for the spring (and even for the breezy summer nights) is the jean jacket. The jean jacket is a timeless piece that goes almost with anything. 

Styling tips: You can wear it on a casual day with pants/shorts or even can use it to dress down an outfit. 

2. Silk scarf. Scarves can make a neutral and low key outfit stand out. Also, in the summer, they are a perfect accessory to wrap-up your hair. Here are instructions on several ways to  wear a scarf.  

3. Boots. I know you may be thinking: “It’s spring, boots?” However, unless the weather is scorching hot, boots look amazing on bare legs with a dress or a skirt. 

Styling tip: opt for casual, i.e., no or low heel, suede boots during the day with your skirts and dresses. 

4. Statement jewelry. Just like a scarf, statement jewelry can make a low key outfit uber-chic and stand out. 

Styling tip: I suggest buying a large necklace and combining it with one that is more subtle, i.e., smaller and a lot less extravagant. Take a look below how I combined the two necklaces I am wearing. 

5. Radiant orchid makeup. This spring, radiant orchid is the “it” color. Experiment with radiant orchid makeup whether for your lips, eyeshadow or even nail polish. The color is understated and elegant. 

There you have it fashionistas, my top 5 spring must haves. What are your favorite pieces for the spring? Leave a comment below, we love hearing from you! Until next time fashionistas, xoxo. 

p.s. My outfit dissected: Tommy Hilfiger jean jacket; Balmain purse; Forever 21 jewelry; Ralph Lauren scarf; and Arden B dress.  

My Spring/Summer Makeup Guide: Top 5 Tips

By Elma B.

New season, new look. With spring slowly approaching, at least on the East Coast, you want to make sure to update your glamorous fall/winter makeup to light summer/spring makeup. In general, spring/sumer colors are a lot brighter and often lighter than fall/winter colors; hence, when choosing spring/sumer makeup, keep the color differentiation in mind.

Another difference between the seasons is the heavier texture of winter makeup, e.g., concealer, foundation and powder. After several consultations from makeup professionals from London to New York City, here are my spring/summer makeup tips:

1. Minimize the use of concealer, foundation, and powder. In the spring, and especially summer, there is more sunshine and heat. Consequently, you will sweat more and the heavy makeup will become more apparent than ever. The trick to wearing great makeup is to make it look as natural as possible. 

2. Drop the dark and heavy lipsticks. Pick-up brighter and lighter shades of glosses, lip-stainers and lipsticks. I suggest picking up a light lip-stainer from Sephora or MAC. 

3. Bronzer + highlighter. There is an art to contouring to give your face a multi-dimensional look.  How you contour the high-ligther and the bronzer depends on your face-shape. I suggest asking a professional at a Sephora store or at MAC to explain how to contour for your face-shape. I have included a basic photo illustration for contouring.  Make sure to use a large brush for the bronzer, and use a smaller brush for the highlighter. 

Contouring: Where to Apply Bronzer

4. Blend, blend and blend. To avoid obvious makeup lines (or worse yet discoloration), make sure to blend well. Even after you are one with applying makeup, go back and blend one more time to avoid unnatural color differences on your skin. 

5. Put on your makeup in the natural sunlight. Another tip to avoid looking fake, do your makeup in the natural sunlight whenever possible. The natural sunlight is what your makeup really looks like in the daylight and not under the bathroom lights. Often, makeup will look a lot stronger in the natural sunlight than under the bathroom lights. 

There you have it fashionistas and beauty queens, I hope you enjoyed my makeup tips for the spring and summer. Looking natural as possible is the new trend, so keep this in mind when applying makeup or buying new pieces. For more details, see our article on the top spring/summer beauty trends. Until next time, signing-off from New York City, xoxo. 

My Brigitte Bardot Inspired Look

By Elma B.

She is the French sex kitten who became a screen legend and a style icon; her iconic seaside style has been followed by many generations. Brigitte Bardot popularized the bikini, the “Bardot neckline” (the wide open neck that exposes both shoulders), and the chochroute hairstyle (a sort of beehive hairstyle). 

My look was inspired by Brigitte Bardot and her love for the South of France. I am wearing a sailor-like striped shirt (from Juicy Couture), a velvet navy head band (vintage), and simple pearl earrings (Swarovski crystals).

The Brigitte Bardot inspired hairstyle is best for long or medium-lenght hair. Make sure to try this look on sleek hair. I suggest using a teasing comb, bobby pins and a hair spray (I used “Big Sexy Hair Spray”).  What I love about the Brigitte Bardot hairstyle is that it is easy and fast to re-create. Here is a great tutorial on how to re-create Brigitte’s hairstyle. At the end, add a hair-band for that effortless chic look. 

I hope you enjoyed my beauty tips, until next time…signing-off from New York City, xoxo. 

Spring Fashion Trends: Outfit of the Day

By Elma B.

As the spring is right around the corner, we are more than ever ready to shed the layers and enjoy the sun and our light wardrobe. Then the question begs, what is trending this spring? Let me introduce you to some trends and some timeless classics that are easy and fabulous….

1. Black lace. You can never go wrong with a black lace dress, which has all too well been used as a signature piece by Dolce & Gabbana. Black lace has has often portrayed the raw beauty and the dolce vita of Southern Italy. 

2. Hats. The spring weather makes it perfect to accessorize your outfit with a chic hat, whether you are dressing-up or casual. I suggest paying a visit to Forever 21 or Zara to pick out trendy hats.

3. Booties. Short booties with a slight heel are perfect for the spring. I love to combine them with dresses, shorts or pants. They can easily make your outfit look effortlessly chic.

4. Cardigans. Long cardigans will go a long way during the breezy spring. Styling tip: wear a belt over the cardigan to give yourself shape. 

5. Colors. Feel free to play around with colors. The spring does not have to be all about the pastels. Wear colorful pieces and feel free to tone down the colors with neutrals so your outfit is balanced and effortless. 

There you have it fashionistas, I hope you found my styling tips helpful. Signing-off from New York. Until next time…xoxo. 

Never Go Out of Style: Timeless Fashion Trends

By Elma B.

I am a huge fan of timeless looks because a year from now, you can wear these pieces and you can look at the photos without that painful thought, “what was I thinking?” What are some timeless pieces to complete your look and store in your closet for years to come? Here is the scoop…

Firstly, you must purchase quality. For a piece of clothing to last, look at the fabric composition and the way the piece was sewn. Thick and rich fabrics are a huge plus. Pieces sewn together neatly with straight lines are another check. 

Secondly, some pieces that are timeless: jean vests; leather (now pleather) pants; white collared shirts; and black stilettos. Below, I am wearing pleather pants from H&M, white blouse from Tory Burch, jean vest by Free People, the Louis Vuitton speedy, and pumps by Betsey Johnson. To match the theme of the classic and timeless outfit, I am wearing pearl earnings.

Lastly, stick to neutral colors. The goal of the timeless look is to look subtle yet elegant and chic. You can make a strong fashion statement with neutral colors and understated pieces. For instance, I picked out black, denim, and vanilla. 

Confessions of a Fashionista: The Price of Beauty

By Elma B.

Jane Fonda has been asked how she manages to look so fabulous and beautiful at the age of 75; her consistent answer: a lot of time and a lot of money! When I was 15 years old, I used to look, with enviable eyes, at the models on billboards and magazines; I thought that these girls simply woke-up looking flawlessly and that somehow the rest of the people I knew were just “normal.” What I did not realize was that “beauty” required hours of work and lots of professionals involved. For instance, Victoria’s Secret supermodel Adriana Lima spent 12 hours when shooting for Vogue Spain in June 2010. In another words, looking “flawless” required a lot of professionals, including make-up artists, hair stylists, photographers, graphic designers, and fashion designers, and a lot of money (to pay for the people on the set). Did I mention the cost of personal trainers and plastic surgeons?

In fact, my make-up in the photos below required around 45 minutes, e.g., toner, primer, bronzer, highlighter, and concealer. On top of the hours spent make-up, I take very good care of my skin on a daily basis: I use Lancome’s scrub, toner, face and eye serum, and moisturizer; and I eat food filled with nutrients (e.g., fish and fresh fruits and vegetables). In another words, “beauty” as we see on billboards, magazines and TV requires a lot of dedication, passion, hard work and money.  I advise you not to feel badly about yourself and to think twice before purchasing a product that a “flawless” model is advertising because that image does not exist. It is fantasy meant to sell you a product; the model and her reality could not be farther from the fantasy selling that product. Until next time fashionistas, signing-off from New York City, xoxo. 

My Story: Up-Close and Personal

By Elma B.

“Knowledge comes from learning. Wisdom comes from living.”-Anthony Douglas Williams 

You have seen many of my photos and read numerous of my stories on travel, beauty and fashion tips but in this post I will let you to get close and personal to my life story…

Club Fashionsita Girls in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum

I am a huge advocate of higher education, for many reasons, including opening your eyes to a whole new world with various perspectives, myriad of cultures and giving you the ability to analyze different opinions. However, what higher education, and especially extensive amount of higher education, does not allow you to do is gain real life experience. Theories are theories that are beautifully summed-up in books but play out very differently in reality. While I still strongly advise everyone who has the opportunity to obtain a four year degree, I advise you to live– to gain real life experience outside of the university bubble. While my university years are behind me, I am still in the process of learning a lot about life and the wonderful (and not so wonderful) people I brush shoulders with everyday. Until next time…signing-off from London. 

Outfit dissected: boho floppy-hat from H&M; tiger red dress from Custo Barcelona; leather jacket from Zara; cashmere black scarf from Ann Taylor; speedy from Louis Vuitton; black opaque tights from Worlfords; and black tennis shoes from Hogan.

Club Fashionista Girls in Victoria and Albert Museum

Windy in London