crop tops & high waists

I gave in.

At first, I wasn't feeling this look: crop tops and high waisted skirts/bottoms. I thought it was borderline trashy to show your stomach, and mainly I avoided the look because I don't have the smallest figure ideal for this style. But... one day I was wasting time perusing the aisles of Marshall's and after spotting a super cute colorful crop top with a cut out back (double-duty!), I decided to give it a go.

Turns out: it didn't look so bad! What makes it work is that the part of your stomach that's bare is the smallest part. I paired the top with a high waisted skirt that flows over my hips/tummy, accentuating my waist and flattering my curvier curves. I'm a believer now that this style can be flattering on different body types when styled correctly.

Fast-forward two weeks: I've become a little more comfortable with the look and have managed to wear it out and about without being completely self-conscious. At this point, I'd only wear a crop top with a high waisted skirt. Some people pair crop tops with skater skirts (short, flared skirts) or high waisted shorts, but I don't think those options would be as flattering for my body type and shape.

This is the original outfit from Marshall's:

Since I broke the crop top seal, I've picked up a couple other ones to add to my wardrobe... all from the same place, actually.  I randomly stopped into Abercrombie & Fitch (because I had a sneaking suspicion they'd have them) and BOOM. Crop tops everywhere. I haven't shopped there in a while for a couple reasons: 1) Their clothes are cut way too small for me and 2) I kind of outgrew the California dreamin' graphic tee phase. However, I was pleasantly surprised with what I found. Lots of feminine, pretty lace tops and floral pieces perfect for summer style.

Here are the three tops I snagged that day:

Rylie Crop Top, A&F, Similar Style, $38
Don't have a full body pic, but I wore this top with this floral maxi skirt.

Natasha Crop Top, A&E, $28

Natasha Crop Top, A&F, $28
Wore this one on the 4th of July with the white skirt from Marshall's and a red striped scarf

As the summer days get warmer, I am excited to try out new variations of this look. Here is some of my current inspiration...

Friend In Fashion

Bedazzles After Dark

Vanessa Hudgens, E! Online

Lupita Nyong'o, Handbag.com

Kaley Cuoco, Reveal

Free People

Is this something you'd try? Do you have a favorite crop top and high waist look for summer? Do share, please!

Oscar Recap!

The Oscars aired Sunday night (as I'm sure most of you know) and per usual, the only thing I really paid attention to/cared about was the Red Carpet.

There were a couple looks that were absolutely spot on perfect.
Some looks were pretty, but were expected and boring safe.
Finally, a handful of choices were... um... poor.

Here are the looks I feel compelled to share my thoughts on (in no particular order):

Sandra Bullock looks stunning in this navy gown. The draping is perfect, and
her side-swept wavy hair is gorgeous.

Penelope Cruz looks like she's going to a college toga party. I think I wore that
outfit once to AEPi.
 

I love Jennifer Garner, but she's wearing a lampshade from a thrift store. Not to mention,
that color is totally washing her out.

Pretty color, but this dress is way too stiff. Not surprised JLaw fell getting out of her car.

I like the sheer quality to the outer layer of this gown, but the top of
Charlize Theron's gown looks incomplete.

Lupita Nyong'o is Cinderella. Am I right?

More side-swept hair... and this gown with a plunging neckline is
absolutely gorgeous. Kate Hudson nailed it.

Matt and Camila are everything. 

Anne Hathaway stole part of Epcot for this dress. She should give it back.

Channing looks hot (always) and damnit, Jenna Dewan Tatum just popped out
a kid in the past year, didn't she? Not fair. Love the champagne gown!

Another champagne gown on Cate Blanchett and it is DIVINE. She looks so regal!

I love this blue Alexander McQueen on Amy Adams. The color is gorgeous
against her fair skin tone! Hair up and minimal accessories - she let the dress do the talking!

Why was Ashley Wagner at the Oscars? 

I love  a very pregnant Olivia Wilde in a tummy-hugging black gown! Gorg!
And her fiancee Jason Sudekis is also looking sharp in a tailored suit.

Anna Kendrick is my spirit animal, but this dress is absolutely wrong. 

Emma Watson is flawless Perfect gown. Perfect low ponytail. Perfect red lip.

Jared Letto has beautiful ombre hair. Like, it's really pretty. 

Photo Credit: CBS News

Did you watch the Oscars Red Carpet? What was your favorite and least favorite look!?

The Bold and the Beautiful: Brows

I'm a firm believer that eyebrows matter.

Sometimes I see people who have over-waxed or gotten a little too happy with the tweezers... and honestly, they run the risk of crossing the fine line over into trashy-town. Thankfully, it looks like the trend is moving away from barely there brows.. and I think it's for the better.

Gwen Stefani

See what I'm saying?

The good news is that full brows are "in" for fall. They're sultry. They tell a story. They draw people in and bring attention straight to your eyes. Think of Brooke Shields a la her Calvin Klein days. Sex. Pot.

Brooke Shields

We're seeing this bigger, bolder brow on our favorite celebs as well:

Diane Kruger

Camilla Belle

Chloe Moretz

Keira Knightley

Sofia Vergara

This goes for men as well:

Mr. Beckham, himself

R. Patz

I've always been on the bolder brow bandwagon. I have a thick head of hair, so for me, I didn't really have a choice but to the go with the fuller brow flow:

How do you do your brows? Do you like to keep them a little fuller in the fall? 

(p.s. This article in Elle gives some fabulous tips on shaping your brows to achieve the perfect arch!)

Until next time,

GJU

Photos: Glamour

Coachella Trend: The Bra Top

The Coachella music festival took place the last two weekends, and with it came an array of hippie-inspired garb. One trend I noticed quite a bit was the bra top. Sometimes referred to as a bandeau, the bra top is an emerging trend this season. Often paired with high-waisted skirts or shorts, bra tops show some skin without being too risque for walking around in public.

Some celebs rocking the bra top at Coachella include:

Vanessa Hudgens

Julianne Hough

Katy Perry

Fun Fact: Selena Gomez recently wore the same Dolce & Gabbana floral bra top to an event promoting her new movie Spring Breakers. The real question is: Who wore it best?

Selena Gomez

Here's how some top designers are showing bra tops in their collections:

Versace, Proenza Schouler, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Carven. 

Retailers seem to be embracing the bra top trend. Want one for yourself? I found a bunch of options just for you if you want to try it out for yourself :)

Forever 21, $11.80

Urban Outfitters, $29

Top Shop, $16

Pac Sun, $26.50 (oh hey, Kylie Jenner! Kendall and Kylie
have a line at Pac Sun, apparently)

So.. is the bra top something you would try? I would maybe try it out once it's warmer... and I'd probably pair it with a high-waisted flowy skirt, a la Vanessa Hudgens. My inner hippie loves that look on her!

*photos from Elle.com, Glamour.com, The Honesty Hour, HollyWire.com

Red Carpet Review: Golden Globes 2013

Award season is in full swing, ladies and gents! Last night, the Golden Globes red carpet did not disappoint. There were hits, misses, and other questionable choices I can't even begin to categorize. 

For today's post, I've pulled and reviewed some of my favorites and least favorites. Do you agree with these choices?

Let's start off on a positive note. Jessica Alba looks stunning in this coral fitted gown. Her red lip
and old Hollywood glam hair are perfect. I could do without the furry clutch, though.

J.Lo... just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

The slit on Lea Michelle's dress is pretty high up there! And she seems a bit too tan for the middle
of January, don't you think?

George looks dapper, per usual. Stacy Keibler looks like an armadillo. I've seen better.

Emily Blunt can do no wrong in my eyes. This dress fits her perfectly, and the side
cut outs are on trend, but not overdone. 

It's nice to see young actresses dressing their age on the red carpet.

This dress emphasizes how small Giuliana's body is in comparison to her head.
She looks like a bobble head... and I'm not sold on the lacey collar.

Hayden looks absolutely gorgeous in this mermaid style gown. 

Halle Berry, what happened?

I love that Jessica Chastain chose this pastel color dress. It's gorgeous against her pale skin
and red hair. However, something about the fit of the dress is sloppy. 

There's a lot going on here. Too much, maybe. Sparkles, feathers, fluff, mesh, updo... 

Pretty color, but Julie Bowen is being swallowed up by this gown. Way too big!

Lucy Liu is wearing my parent's old dining room wall paper.

Lena D. looks drab. I hate to say it because she's so sweet... but between the brown color
and the prom-like style, it's just boring.

I can't put my finger on the one thing that doesn't work here. Kerry looks gorgeous, but something's off.
Maybe her hair should be up off of her face? Maybe the mesh on the bottom should be shorter?

This dress makes Nene Leakes look bigger/wider than she needs to look.

T. Swift needs to take a steamer to this dress immediately. Otherwise, it's nice to see her
step out of the champagne-colored feminine dresses, and go with something more bold.

Sienna Miller's two piece ensemble scares me. Also, I applaud her for the natural
make up... but there needs to be a pop of color somewhere. A red lip would look
gorgeous on her!

Her expression says it all. Not good.

Now THIS is what the Golden Globes are all about. Amy Adams is sheer pefection in this blush
mermaid style gown. Her hair is perfect. Her make up is perfect. Work. It. Girl.