forever 21 and over

How many times have you blurted out one of the following replies when a stranger or not-so-close friend inquired about where an article of clothing you were wearing was purchased?

"I can't remember. I got it a long time ago."
"It's actually not mine...just borrowing it."
"It was a gift."

That's code for Forever 21. If you are reading this post, chances are you are probably over twenty-one. I sure am. So when is it a little too over 21 for a girl to shop at Forever 21? Never, really. It's what you choose that makes a difference (age appropriate, please).  Here's a roundup of three of my favorite categories to shop for at my local store:

1. bold solids
Solids are great for layering. Bold hues bring out the personality in any outfit. And who isn't into color blocking right now anyway?

Pair with: Navy linen blazer, camel wedges, stacked bangles, tote.

2. jewelry
Low investment trend add-ons. 

Add a touch of bohemian, victorian, or goth to any outfit.

3. stripes
Always in style, and never age discriminates.

Pair with indigo skinnies, gold belt, white tank, and sandals

Stay young, my friends.

feathers and tweed, yes indeed!

feather and tweed by fashionparadegirl featuring crossbody handbags

The 1920's fashion re-intro of feather and tweed is just so lady-ish and artsy. Above are some staple (and not so staple) items to help flaunt this style.

skirt- Lanvin
blouse- Oscar de la Renta
shoes- Vince Camuto
handbag- Malene Birger
ring- Roberto Cavalli
tights- Malene Birger
jacket- Revillon
clip- Dorothy Perkins
sunglasses- Tom Ford

Being a celebrity junkie and noticing the hair accessories (headbands!) from the 2012 Golden Globes last night,  I am quite content with my contribution to the trend:

Nordstrom: Tasha Headband

mixed elements

They say diamonds are a girl's best friend. I say, why not throw in the gold, silver and platinum too? Earlier this month, I was gifted the beautiful David Yurman Crossover Bracelet (thanks to my dear hubby!) which got me to realize how much I love mixing different metals in my jewelry.

Nowadays it is perfectly acceptable to mix gold (yellow and rose, but of course) and silver, as long as it's not done over-excessively. Take a look at  some of my favorite ways to mix it up:

dainty pieces- Although I am really big on chunky jewelry, my true love has always been classic pieces. Pair a bunch of delicate mismatched metals and there you have it... classy bling!

throw in the ice- It doesn't necessarity have to be real diamonds (but hey, a girl can dream!). Rhinestones and crystals rock a long way too.

statement ring- A cocktail ring is an equivalent of an abstract art piece. Make your way towards one that has various shades of metallic hues, strong structure, and catches your eye immediately.

mixed piece- When combining solid gold and silver, try to keep a versatile piece that already has more than one metal in its design. A two toned watch is a perfect bridge piece.

And, there you have it... jewelry etiquitte redefined.

burnt summer

As the last days of summer are approaching, I pay homage to one of my favorite hues of the season. A beautiful meld of red-ish corals and amber tints... classic but fresh.

linen ballet flat with jute covered heel

cat's eye silhouette

gradient shades

burst of orange

bohemian coral colored stones

rock n' rawr

Not too long ago I was invited to a birthday soiree for one of the most adorable gals I know. As if that wasn't enough reason for me to attend... it was also a girls night out plus a ferocious feline dress code! I was so there. Each one of the ladies meowed an animal print from their wardrobes to encompass one of the following three looks:

1. The dress. Wearing a leopard print dress embodies confidence and style. Tone it down with some neutral layering like a bolero or shrug and simple footwear or unleash your wild side by adding some additional color! Key is to be tasteful. Not tacky.

2. The scarf. A statement piece such as a scarf adds instant drama. The closer the print is to your face, the less you'll have to add more accessories to your look. This may be one of the easiest ways to wear a fun and daring print without over committing.

3. The blouse + denim. Simply trendy. Stay modern with the style of your top or blouse to avoid looking like you just stepped out of a safari. Seriously. Dark denim (especially a skinny jean) pairs well with a printed top.

rock n' rawr created by fashionparadegirl featuring animal print 

scarf it up, fashionably

One of my all time favorite accessories is the scarf. While endlessly organizing and reorganizing my closet, I have finally managed to store all my scarves and shawls together, in one bin (all 37 of them!). 

In the midst of organizing my scarves/shawls...

Many of you may stash away your scarves for the fall or winter seasons, but I believe they are a year round accessory. Here’s a list of some of my favorite type of scarves/shawls and how to wear them through out the year:

Infinity- The easiest scarf to wear. You don’t have to worry about tying it the right way or it sliding off. I like to pair it with almost everything! Layering with an infinity scarf gives any outfit it’s own personal style (kind of like a statement necklace). A knit for cooler temperatures and a crinkly cotton for warmer climates.  Oh, and it also covers any inappropriate cleavage if need be.

Pashmina- Every girl needs a good solid pashmina shawl.  Great for draping over bare shoulders and arms when you need that extra cover.  Or tie it up like a scarf with a cotton maxi dress. I like using mine as a layering  tool when traveling on an airplane. Beats those recycled blankets (if you’re lucky enough to even get one nowadays).

Animal print- Update a solid top or dress with a fun animal print scarf. These safari prints are a consistent trend in fashion. The key is to wear it minimally with neutral colors.

Silk- The smooth and lightweight texture of silk scarves are perfect for that finishing touch to your professional look any time of the year. Yet, it’s also flirty enough to add onto a summer dress or just let it hang with a simple tank and distressed jeans. Use a colorful or printed one as a headband.