Club Fashionista Celebrates New Year’s Eve in Aspen

By Elma B.

We celebrated our New Year’s Eve at the Limelight Hotel in Aspen, where we were served with hors d’oeuvre and champagne in one room and had a live DJ in another. People of all ages, from teens to 50s, attended. The music was spectacular: a blend of house, hip-hop and rock. Right outside, there was a huge bonfire with a live DJ and a large crowd of young people; I was not brave enough to ring in the New Year under the freezing temperature and cold, see the photo below. The crowd was international, largely European and American, so it was fun to meet people from all walks of life.  

Most importantly, I had the time to reflect on 2014: I had a very blessed year with the exception of the passing of my beloved Medo (our adorable-black-curly poodle), who had been a part of our family  for 17.5 years. She taught me that our time on this planet is limited, that we all must age and that some of us (perhaps undeservingly) are born more privileged than others (Medo was loved to the infinity and beyond and led a “better” life than most people in the 3rd world do). Thus, enjoy every moment with your loved ones, do not take them for granted, and seize every opportunity to be happy. Happy 2014! 

Bond Fire Outside with a Live DJ

Wishing You a Happy 2014!

Skiing in Aspen: Buttermilk Good

By Elma B.

We decided to spend this holiday season in one of the most enchanting towns in the world: Aspen, Colorado. I could not wait for this trip, which I anticipate all year long. Aspen is a perfect to spend the holidays (and beyond) because it is cozy, full of interesting people and fun (from skiing to parties). 

Skiing in Aspen

Thus far, I have tried out all of the mountains (except Aspen Mountain), and I must say that Buttermilk is my favorite. It is the most junior but the paths span for miles and miles. The views on all of the mountains: Highlands, Snowmass and Buttermilk are astounding. You have a preview of the views as you ascend with the ski lifts of the white peaks of the Colorado mountains.

I will let you sneak a peak into my tripe thus far: from Chicago to Aspen with love! Until our next adventure, XOXO!

Ready to Go…

6am (My iPhone Photo): Flying Over Chicago

Sisters: On the Plane, Ready for Aspen

Buttermilk Good

Ski Lift View

Sisters on Ski Lift

View Baby 😀

After Ski Healthy: Kale Salad at Little Nell

The Power of Color

By Elma B.

When the weather is gloomy be sure to add some color to brighten your day. Living in London, admittedly, can be depressing because of the cloudy weather and the rain. My remedy remains adding color to my life whether it is with an acesssory like a fun hat or surrounding myself with whatever colorful. Tip: Go to a brightly lit museum or shopping center with abundance of colors to boost your mood during cloudy and cold winter days. I love to go to Selfridges or Harrods in London where there is always abundance of light and color. 

For the fashionistas, my outfit dissected: hat from Juicy Couture; coat from Zara; boots from Vera Wang; scarf from Burberry; purse from Louis Vuitton; and pants from Forever 21. Until next time, XOXO. 

Outfit Details

Outfit Details: Vera Wang Boots

Colorful Holiday Decorations in London

Color in Selfridges

Freshly Squeezed Organic Drinks

London Calling

Holiday Cheer in Selfridges

My Personal Story: From Fashion Conscious to Fashionista

By Elma B. 

Before Club Fashionista, my entire look consisted of very classic and risk-averse pieces, i.e. there was nothing out of the box or unconventional. Let’s just say that Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn were my go to guides for anything fashion. While I still adore both of them for their elegance and style, change can be refreshing and fun.

Me

What Change of Style Fits You? 

I suggest vintage and/or unusual accessories, which you can find in Forever 21 or Topshop, both of which are edgy and affordable. Statement accessories are a good first step to get outside of your comfort zone and start experimenting with style. Another great strategy for picking out unusal accessories is exploring consignment stores. Advantages: this is where you can find some vintage gems, which will ensure that you will not see anyone else wearing the same piece. After all, almost no one wants to be a copy; be original.

How to Pick Out Statement Accessories?

What I have discovered with fashion is that anything that stands out and is different from what you usually see in the window shops or in the stores is what you should grab. What is trending right now are animals like owls, long horns, or eagles, or flower necklaces (see my jewelry below).

My Accessories: Emporio Armani Purse and Forever 21 Jewelry

Booties: Juicy Couture

Until next time, stay chic and fashionable. XOXO. 

PERSONAL Review: When in London…

By Elma B. 

When in London…

My Review of the Victoria & Albert Museum: 

When traveling to London one of the iconic land marks is the Victoria and Albert Museum, which is located in Knightsbridge and conveniently only minutes walking distance from the enormous-luxury department store, Harrods. 

With Christmas and New Years around the corner, the Victoria and Albert Museum has superbly decorated its entrance hall with a red Christmas tree and a colorful Christmas ornament “chandelier.” 

Me with the Red Christmas Tree at Victoria and Albert Entrance Hall

Holiday “Chandelier” at V&A

Entrance Hall of Victoria and Albert Museum During the Holidays

I strongly advise you to visit Victoria and Albert Museum because of its breadth and width of exhibitions spanning from Asia to the Americas; in another words, it has something for everyone. One of my favorites is the Egyptian exhibition where you can see the ginormous columns (to give you a perspective, they make a human being look like a tiny dot) and pharaoh’s sarcophaguses from ancient Egypt. 

Ginormous Egyptian Columns

Another one of my favorites is the China exhibitions with all the giant statutes of Buddha. With all the light marble, the exhibition rooms are gems on their own. 

Inside the Victoria and Albert Museum (The white marble in this exhibition was sublime)

Outfit Dissected: 

For the fashionistas, my outfit: Stuart Weitzman suade boots; H&M faux-fur vest; checkered Zara blazer; Bali purse; and Wolfrod tights. Fashion tip: mix and match luxury brands with high street brands, which makes the best combinations and is not as harsh on your credit card. 

Stay warm and fabulous, until next time, XOXO. 

Outfit Details: Bali Purse and Forever 21 Jewelry

Country Style is City-Chic

By Elma B.  

Ranch style clothes perhaps best fit in the country but I decided to dabble and wear some in the heart of London: Mayfair. I mixed and matched an Aztec print jacket, with fringe boots, a pleather camel-colored dress, boho jewelry and then add a classic style and shaped purse. 

Me and My Outfit Inspiration

My outfit dissected: Forever 21 jacket and rings; Salvatore Ferragamo purse; Urban Outfitters fringe boots; Ann Taylor cashmere scarf; and Wolford stalkings. (KIKO and Lancome cosmetics.)  

I hope you will enjoy the streets of London as much as I did.  Until next time, stay warm and cozy fashionistas. XOXO. 

Club Fashionista in London: My Street Style

By Elma B.

The weekend: time to reward yourself and indulge in your past-times. For me, it is not a matter of going to spas or having a manicure/pedicure; rather, I like to roam around the streets, enjoy whatever the season has to bring and wonder into an occasional museum. It feels refreshing to observe the hustle and bustle on the streets during the weekends, whether I see the tourists or the locals hurrying along to get to wherever they are going. 

ME (My Outfit Dissected: Burberry Quilted Black Jacket & UGG Avondale Studded Boots)

Also, I want mention in this post that life has its way of not giving us what we want on our first, second, third and perhaps fourth time. As a result, many of us are discouraged and most (unfortunately) give up on our goals. I want to say do not; in fact, some of the most famous “failures” include Michael Jordan, Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, and even Albert Einstein (see the photo below). In fact, it is not getting knocked down but our ability to stand back up that determines our future. Lastly, if you see that one course of action is not working, adjust your plan of action; with persistence, you will find a way to your goal. 

Famous “Failures”

(For the fashionistas, my outfit: Burberry scarf and jacket, Salvatore Ferragamo purse, UGG boots and leather and cashmere lined gloves, Wolford stalkings, and KIKO lipstick and eye shadow.)

Until next time, signing off from London. XOXO. 

Outfit of the Day: Christmas Cheer in London

By Elma B.

Christmas Cheer in London

One of my favorite times of the year in London is during Christmas and New Years. The streets are filled with cheer, the enchanting Christmas decorations bring out the inner child in just about everyone, and a myriad of people visit London just to check of their Christmas wish list. We have had luck in that the weather has not been terribly chilly and the fierce and freezing winds have not yet arrived to London. 

Outfit Dissected

For the fashionistas, I decided to stay warm by playing around with lots of different layers. In the photos, I am wearing a dress by Guess Marciano, leather jacket by Zara, faux-fur vest from H&M, baby pink-cashmere Burberry scarf, brown stalkings by Wolfrod,  Louis Vuitton speedy, and brown suede boots by Stuart Weitzman. My make-up: Keiko lipstick and MAC eyeshadow. 

Fashion is on the Street: London Street Style

By Elma B.

Dear fashionistas,

I am back in London! The city is filled with holiday spirit as I see people bustling through the busy streets and the lovely Christmas decorations all throughout Picadilly. Also, it is not as cold yet so it makes it easier to maneuver through the streets and enjoy the festive mood. 

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”-Coco Chanel

Indeed,  Coco Chanel was right, fashion was not exclusive to the runways and the soirees, for the enthusiasts fashion  was everywhere; and every occasion from pajamas to our street style, we throw an eye on the design and on anything aesthetic that woos us. In sum, our inspiration for everything fashion derived from pure passion.

My outfit dissected: leather jacket and pleather and suede pants: Zara; headband: Forever 21; boots: Burberry; cashmere black scarf: Ann Taylor; and purse: Emporio Armani. Until next time…XOXO. 

Traveling: a New Perspective

By Elma B.

“One’s destination is never a place but a new way of seeing things.”-Henry Miller. 

Traveling is one of those enriching experience that can barley be summed-up in words. I hope to pick-up gems, e.g., language, culture, food recipes or attitude,  from every country I visit. I suggest, whatever your budget, to travel frequently because possibilities are endless: new love, new food, new way of life, etc. Below are photos of me at Washington D.C.’s Dulles International Airport. Where am I heading? Stay tuned to find out…XOXO!

Outfit dissected: Zara Aztec shirt and black tights; Stuart Weitzman boots; KIKO lipstick; Longchamp bag; and Burberry jacket. 

Me

Dining at the Airport