Winter Vacation

My parents informed me that we will be going on a "surprise" vacation after Christmas, and the suspense is overly distracting, mainly for one reason... what am I going to pack? Ughhh all I can think about is a beach right now.

I am going to have to at least buy a new bikini to start! Vix anyone? The results of my findings will be posted soon..... how am I supposed to stay focused for finals?!

My obsession this week: the perfect layering bracelet!

Marc by Marc Jacobs has been having a wonderful season, in my opinion they have been coming out with some of the cutest accessories a girl could ask for! A zebra iPhone case, mouse flats, but most importantly bracelets. I have found my favorite bracelets this year in the Marc by Marc Jacobs collection; the Turnlock Collection. These bracelets come in all varieties: silver, gold, rose gold. Chunky chain, small delicate chain, bangle. I absolutely love these bracelets, and here's why: layering bracelets is one of my favorite ways to accessorize, especially gold. These bracelets are so classic, and work with everything including your gold watch, your outfit, and your rings, and the other bracelets you have on your wrist! Once I bought my share of these bracelets, its been hard for me to take them off!

Because I have a small wrist, I chose to buy the "Small Turnlock Katie Bracelet" in both rose gold, and gold. These are perfect together, and also perfect to stand on their own! However, I did try on the "Classic" size, and the bangle and they were stunning too; I heavily recommend buying these if your wrist can handle a bigger bracelet! Also mixing metals and sizes is encouraged with this collection and it looks great!


The Classic Turnlock Katie Bracelet (in rose gold)

The Small Turnlock Katie Bracelet (in gold)

The Turnlock Bangle (in rose gold)

Cyber Monday?

So I've been getting all of these emails today about "Cyber Monday" and I am a little confused...... Is this a tradition or is this Cyber Monday's first year? To be honest, this is the first time I have ever heard of Cyber Monday, and almost every store online is 25% off! Ah this is crazy! Time to buy your holiday outfits and gifts for your family and friends! Start shopping!

Although I am thankful for Cyber Monday, I am kind of upset that I already spent all of my money last week on online stores. I would have waited to purchase these items today if I had known about "Cyber Monday" therefore, I will shed one pitiful tear on this occasion. Poor Ari.

White Jeans After Labor Day?

I have always been a true follower of the rule "no white jeans after labor day" I mean its taboo: to wear white jeans after the summer has passed. I've realized its an east coast thing though: no one will be caught dead wearing white jeans in the fall or the winter. Once I got to college, things were different. There were so many people from California running around in white jeans and boots in the middle of a snow storm. It occurred to me that just didn't understand this rule, or that maybe, this rule did not exist on the west coast. But, in my mind however, white jeans just don't work with cold weather; it just looked so damn tacky!

Recently, I have had a revelation..... These Rag and Bone/Jean "Grand Prix" jeans make me change my mind about white jeans in the winter. They are just so cool and different, especially the white color. I mean these jeans have a black leather panel and stripe down the side, so they aren't completely white.... right? This "motocross" style, especially the Rag and Bone one, is getting really popular really fast (especially because of the leather detail too) and I can't help but love it. I like this trend; it's kind of boyish and bad ass, especially paired with booties and a cool jacket. I just jumped on this "motocross" boat, or shall I say car, and purchased my first pair of white jeans for the winter. Basically, these jeans are just so damn cool that they are the one and only exception to this rule... so don't expect me to wear any of my white jeans, or to not shake my head any time someone walks past me in white jeans!

Eye. Shadow.

Now that the holidays are here, gifts, gifts and more gifts is on every store's mind. This is when one of my favorite things comes out: make up gift sets. You get such a good deal on make up because it is all combined together to make a perfect gift for a makeup lover. However, I just buy them for myself.... I mean whatever, it's hard to pass up a good deal, especially on eye liners. Sephora has so many new and interesting gift sets; however, it is Bobbi Brown that kills it this season with her new "Caviar and Oyster" collection. Yes, the makeup is just as luscious and luxurious as the name sounds. The packaging, the compacts, the colors, and down to the name of each set is unique and rich, and absolutely gorgeous! They make perfect gifts, but even more perfect gifts for yourself to look good for the holidays! I recommend every compact made in this collection; it is all based on what you like to wear a lot of: blush, eye shadow, lip stick and what not!

I, personally, am an eye liner junkie! I don't really wear makeup; my face can't hold too much makeup with out looking like a plastic doll. Therefore, I never wear make up during the day, and at night, I wear a little bit of bronzer, blush, and lipstick. My eyes, however, is where I can get somewhat creative with make up; I always seem to get compliments on how I do my eyes so it's about time that I share! Conveniently two amazing gift sets just came out for the holidays that help with my kind of eyes!

The Laura Mercier Mini Light Eye Pencil Collection: The the perfect set of all the colors I like, copper gold, emerald, blue with a slight shimmer to real glam up your eyes perfectly for your holiday parties!

This is sold as Sephora! I heavily recommend buying these; they are a great deal, and perfect colors. The pencils are smooth and easy to apply!

Bobbi Brown's "Rich Caviar" Compact from the Caviar&Oyster Collection is my personal favorite. I like nice, nude colors with a hint of shimmer. With this compact, you have the option to go either smoky or neutral!

 So how I apply my eye makeup is to start with the eye liners first. I start my top eye liner with a nice copper-brown, or greenish- brown eye liner and make a medium- sized line on both eyes. Next is the bottom liner, which I used two colors. I like to put a thin line of gold under my eye line, the part below the eye lash line. Then I put thin line of a darker green, blue or brown on the regular part you line (the area above the eye lash line.) Be careful to not over do it with the liners, if you are like me and cannot handle a lot of makeup! Next is the eye shadow, I usually pick a medium golden, bronze-ish brown and   apply my eye shadow while also blending the eye liner so it looks smooth and perfect! Last step: finish with your favorite mascara (both top and bottom lashes.) And there, Viola! Perfect eyes ready to go for any night occasion! Parties, Christmas, dinner, happy hour; whatever, whenever you're good to go!

Enough Said.

Thanksgiving Break!

What me and my friends are gonna look like over break! Hahaha just kidding, but this is probably one of my favorite breaks: my best friends, turkey, no school.... ah! so excited! Time to party with my girls!

Aspen for the weekend! Will not be blogging until Sunday

It's Thanksgiving Break and Bob is taking me to Aspen for the weekend! I am one lucky girl!

Who needs a martini tonight? I sure do!

It's been a long week. Reward yourself with a great (and strong) cocktail; and look seductively sassy while drinking it!

Sequins! Sequins! Sequins!

The holidays are approaching, and what better way to dress up in sequins! Sequins are the "it" look this holiday season; they glisten, they are glamorous, and this year they come in every aspect of clothing. Whether you're going out to a bar with your friends, or you're dressing up for a fun party, sequins are the go to accent piece for your outfit. I love sequined dresses, they are probably my item to buy during the holiday season, however, recently I have been really into sequined jackets. Long haired girls beware! Make sure to keep your hair in some kind of bun, or else your hair will get stuck in all of the sequins..... It's not fun, I have spent countless minutes of my night where me and my boyfriend will try to get my hair untwisted from the sequins! So if it happens to you... don't say I didn't warn ya!

On the other note, the real talk of the sequins this year are sequined pants. They are newest edition to the sequin trend, and to be honest, I am loving the look! It's a "dare to be great"situation when you wear those pants... kinda Michael Jackson-"rock with you"-esque. However, if you really pull these pants off it will be a great success! I can see a pair of black sequined skinnies paired with a blouse, a blazer, and pointed-toe pumps, and a great clutch. But that's just my opinion, I'm sure there are many other ways to style sequined pants!

Here are my favorite sequin finds so far this season!

This vest is to die for! I am obsessed with Catherine Malandrino's Sequin Moto Vest

Sequined Crop Tops are getting popular too! I am loving Rag and Bone's Zip Sequin Crop Top

Maison Scotch's Sequin-Lapel Blazer makes a normal blazer all dolled up!

Generation Love FauxLeather and Sequined Cardigan

Rebecca Taylor Sequin Jacket

Alice and Olivia Frankie Sequined Dress (the ultimate cocktail dress)

Dolce Vita Katia Sequined Dress

Ali Ro Sequined Scoop Back Dress (love the backless style with sequins!)

Free People Sequin Party Pants

StyleStalker GoldFinger Sequin Pants (personal favorite)

Blank Sequined Twill Jeans (love the pants, not what its paired with)

Roller skating anyone?

Acacia Swimwear

Crush on Collars

There is a new craze on embellished, jeweled, and sequined collars, and I am loving it! What awesome way to doll up your average button down! This new collar obsession is so feminine and frilly; and perfect for the holiday season! There are two ways to go about this trend: you can buy a collar necklace and wear it with a classic crew neck tee, or you can find a sequined button down!
I've been doing a lot of searching for this trend, and I haven't found that much; it's obvious that this trend hasn't blown up yet (perfect to get on it now! set the trend ladies, set the trend) Anyways, here are my favorite picks of what I have found in each category!

Collar Necklaces

Nakamol: Beaded Collar Necklace

Panacea: Metallic Beaded Collar Necklace

DANNIJO: Liliya Collar Necklace

Asos: Peter Pan Collar

Embellished Collared Button Downs

Nasty Gal: Crystalized Silk Blouse

Nasty Gal: Beaded Pocket Blouse

Maison Scotch: Sequined Collar Shirt

TopShop Find! Found this adorable romper on topshop.com when looking for embellished collars!

Diamond Collar Playsuit

Go try on a collared necklace or two! Also note that dolling up your collared button-downs can also be a really fun DIY project... just sayin'

DabbleDoll's Guest Writer: Helena Ilardo

Although this is my blog, I really value the opinions of everyone, especially family and friends! Therefore, I've decided to include a section of my blog devoted to guest writers! This week is my lovely sister, Helena Cignarale Ilardo! After spending a week in Paris and Amsterdam, here's what she has to say about the European street style that she encountered on her trip!

Street Style Strut

I spent the past week immersing myself in all that Paris and Amsterdam has to offer-- museums, monuments, pancakes & crepes, exclusive bars, and most importantly, shopping! Similarly to my sister, I too, enjoy the hunt for unique and special treasures that you cannot find at home. Therefore, while I was in Europe, I was on a quest to seek out the places that seemed almost unnatural for a tourist to gravitate too: open aired markets, vintage boutiques, tiny shops tucked away in secluded allies. Shockingly, I had no desire to wait in line for 45 minutes at the Louis Vuitton flagship store on the 

Champs-Elysées. 
While I only ended up coming home with tulip bulbs from Amsterdam, and a pair of vintage Chanel earrings from Paris, I highly recommend vintage shopping during your travels! Who knows what you can find, and it's pretty interesting that anything vintage always has a story before it is placed into your shopping bag. Here are my amazing vintage Chanel earrings I found while shopping; vintage Chanel, never a bad find! 

Even if I wasn't shopping, I was having a blast purposely getting lost in the streets with names that I was unable to pronounce like, Oudezijds Voorburgwal Straat or Rue Villehardouin. Each day, as I made my way back to the hotel, I made sure to take note of the street-style and trends that were hugely apparent amongst Europeans. 

1. Studs

2. Shades of Caramel

3. Leather Accents

Like these looks? Here are my picks to add some Parisian flare to your wardrobe!

Sam Edelman Studded Boots

VBH Studded Crossbody

Studded Bangles

Asos Caramel Skinny Jeans

Urban Outfitters Leather Peplum Top

Rebecca Taylor Leather Dress

****Have an opinion about life or fashion? Want to be a guest writer for Dabbledoll? Let me know!

Are Polkadots Tacky or Cool?

Yesterday I was on Shopbop.com when I came across this outfit. I like this outfit; it's fun yet classic, and has this sophisticated edge. The collar also looks like a bow from a far which adds a very feminine touch. However, once I deconstructed this outfit, I saw the blouse on its own: black and white polka-dotted. I started to ponder whether I would wear this blouse without the blazer; are polka dots tacky on their own? However, the outfit, as a whole, is really cool; there is no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't wear this outfit if I had the opportunity. But, this really gets me thinking, when to wear and to not wear polka dots. If you going to incorporate polka dots, be subtle like this outfit; incorporate one polka dotted item, and the rest of the clothing should be bolder solid colors. Polka dots are good, but always in moderation. Don't go crazy with polka dots, though, it could get very tacky, very quickly!

Like this outfit as much as I do? Check out Shopbop for the rest of the details!