Inspirational Pieces

By Amra B. 

With the summer fast approaching, and the warm weather already here in NYC, I have been gravitating towards easy pieces that can be worn everyday. Flat sandals, flowy dresses, and simple jewelry is what I wear most days when running to the meetings or enjoying the weekend walks around NYC. Also, I have been searching for some inspiration, and was able to find it in the form of jewelry – the ring and the arrow necklace, which I am wearing below; they both carry wonderful messages that help me stay positive. 

Debut: New Hair, New Beginnings

By Elma Beganovich

I have been wanting to change my hairstyle for a while, to create a new and fresh look for the summer. Thus, I went on a "hunt" and looked at hairstyles of various style icons. After much digging, I spotted a perfect summer cut: Brigitte Bardot's choucroute hairstyle (a sort of a beehive hairstyle with fringe-bangs and all of its teased, tousled glory). 

To help my look come to life I found two amazing hairstylists at Arrojo NYC (@arrojonyc): Corrinn (cutter) and Eve (colorist). These two astonishingly-talented young stylists made my look come to life. Corrinn (@corrinndoeshair) did a pristine job with shaping my bangs and Eve (@thehaircolorexpert) colored the tips to make sure that my hair was one glistening color: chestnut brown. I would highly recommend these two ladies to anyone who lives in (or visits) New York City; the salon is located in Tribeca. 

For the fashionistas, I am wearing an H&M dress and hat; Yves Saint Laurent fringe bag; and Chloe sandals; haircut with bangs by Corrinn and chestnut brown color by Eve. There you have it fashionistas, my complete look and some of my daily style inspirations. Until next time, stay fresh and fabulous, xoxo form the Big Apple!  

New York City: Best of Central Park

By Elma Beganovich

One of my favorite places in this bustling and busy city is the Central Park. There the city's noisy is drowned out and one can enjoy some spectacular scenery, from a myriad of flowers to the waters of Jackie Kennedy Onassis reservoir. We took advantage of the gorgeous weather this weekend, and did this amazing shoot on the Upper West Side. I wanted to share the beauty of Central Park in the summer with some spectacular views of Manhattan in the background. Below, I am wearing a dress from H&M, Stella McCartney sunglasses, and sunglasses from Stella McCartney. I opted for a barefoot look since climbing on the rocks in heels is probably not such a good idea. :) Enjoy the scenery and the vivid color hues of Central Park in the summer, until next time, xoxo from New York City! 

Mirrored Sunglasses

By Amra B.

I have been searching for the perfect pair of mirrored sunglasses to combine with the seventies style pieces I am currently obsessed with for this summer. I love mirrored sunglasses, but found that many ones out there have an overly futurist design and don’t compliment the seventies vibes of my summer wardrobe. I finally was able to locate these perfectly shaped mirrored sunnies, and have been wearing them almost every day.

Top Picks: Summer Sunglasses

By Elma Beganovich

Recently, I made a trip to New York Botanical Gardens, about half an hour outside of Manhattan, and I must say the trip was well-worth it. The New York Botanical Gardens are a true oasis and make a perfect get away from the bustling city to gather your thoughts while enjoying the surrounding green serenity. 

For my day getaway, I picked-up a perfect pair of sunglasses (my favorite cat-eye) from Sama Eyewear. The Blake glasses are quite cool because the sides are gold pleated (24k gold). I would recommend Sama Eyewear because of their high quality and ultra sleek design. For the rest of my ensemble, I am wearing a black fringe skirt and flower crown from H&M, Chanel boy bag, and lucky love tank top from Urban Outfitters. 

So fashionistas, when planning your summer getaway, always take the time to pick out your perfect summer glasses, which will make you feel "oh so chic." Until next time, stay fabulous and beautiful, xoxo from New York City! 

Top Sumner Picks: Chic Everyday Jewelry

By Elma Beganovich

I have been looking for beautiful and chic yet everyday jewelry that can add a touch of elegance to my outfits. I stumbled upon this amazing online boutique, Swasey Fashion, that handcrafts and sells unique pieces made of precious metals on the West Coast! I want to provide you with some tips on how to style jewelry to make your look effortless and chic. 

Styling Jewelry Effortlessly: Dos and Donts

What’s in My Gym Bag

By Amra B. 

Many of you have been asking for a post about some of my favorite beauty products; however, since summer is coming up, and many of us are working on getting into shape for the bikini season, I have decided to share some of my favorite gym goodies I take with me to a workout session each day.  

 

Top Summer Picks: Quilted Koala

By Elma Beganovich

I have been looking for a perfect summer bag, which is very light to carry and soft to the touch, and I think I just discovered something great: Quilted Koala! I stumbled upon this beautiful online boutique and thought the duffel bags would be perfect for summer weekend getaways and even my everyday workouts.

Below, I am ready for my late spring/early summer getaway to escape the bustling and noisy streets of New York City. The duffel bag I am wearing is perfect to take on any road trip: light (easy to pick-up), extremely roomy and made of fine quality material. The fabric is beautiful and the design is colorful and joyful. Also, since I workout everyday, this bag is perfect to take to your pilates or yoga class; it can easily fit change of clothes, your makeup bag, and even your tennis rackets. 

There you have it fashionistas, this is definitely one of my summer favorites! (Outfit details: denim dress from Zara; floppy hat from Forever21; sandals by Fendi; and duffel bag from Quilted Koala.) Until next time, xoxo from New York!

50s Glamour: How to Get the Look

By Elma Beganovich

As you probably know by now, I am a huge fan of the Old Hollywood era, e.g., the glamour of Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Natalie Wood have been a huge source of inspiration. I have realized that I am more of a fan of the '50s, where ultra feminine styles, like synched waists and midi-skirts, were at their peak. Below, I am channeling my '50s Golden Era of Hollywood look with a bit of a modern twist by adding a white backless bodysuit, which are all the rage this season. 

I am wearing: skirt from Zara; bodysuit from H&M, heels by Louboutin, cat-eye glasses by Stella McCartney; and vintage bag by Salvatore Ferragamo. There you have it fashionistas, what era inspires your everyday style? Leave me a comment, love hearing from you! Xoxo from New York!

Unique Jewelry Pieces

By Amra B. 

I have been on the hunt for special gold pieces that compliment my summer wardrobe. I like to invest in jewelry that I can wear every day; I love special pieces that stand out on their own but are easy enough to combine with other accessories. My new gold rings and bracelets manage to add enough drama with intricate details without being too overpowering for every-day wear. I also love how they can easily be stacked up together for a more dramatic effect, or worn on their own when in office or out-and-about in the city. 

Glam Sunglasses

By Amra B. 

One of my favorite summer accessories are the sunglasses; I have collected them over the years now, but can never seem to get enough of different shapes, colors, and sizes.  Although, I am usually the one to wear large oversized sunnies, my new ones are smaller but equally chic. 

Perfect Pair of Sunglasses: Spring/Summer 2015

By Elma B.

I have been on a search for a fabulous pair of black sunglasses that could easily be match with anything, whether with my white t-shirt and black tights on my way to the gym or with a long floral dress on my way to a meeting. And I believe I found a pair...

How to Look Glamorously Chic: Summer Edition

By Elma Beganovich

After attending many evening rooftop parties around New York City, I wanted to share with you some styling tips on how to glam-up for those unforgettable summer soirees. After watching many My style inspiration are the '60s and '70s ever-glamorous Bond girls like Honey Rider, Domino, and Solitaire. Without further ado, here are some tips on

How to Look Glamorously Chic: Summer Edition 

Get the Look: Boho in SoHo

By Elma Beganovich

During the warm spring and hot summer days, I am a fan of casual and comfortable clothing that give me room to breathe yet are beautiful and chic. A style that encapsulates all of these qualities is definitely boho-chic, and where better to show off the look than in the New York's artsy district of SoHo. 

To complete the look, I discovered this beautiful deep v-neck white top with a long ombre fringe in this fun and fresh online boutique called Pleated Empire. I thought the figure flattering fringe top deserved a lot of attention since it is easy to dress-up for those summer soirees or your casual everyday strolls around the city. All of the photos were taken in SoHo, and I managed to capture some of the cast-iron buildings and the busy vibes of New York City (take a look below).

Outfit details: I am wearing---fringe top from Pleated Empire, a vintage skirt from Max Studio, sandals from Zara, vintage necklace, and Chanel boy bag. Until next time fashionistas, stay fresh and fabulous, signing off from the Big Apple, xoxo!

Striped Maxi Dress

By Amra B. 

Summer is almost here, and I have been eagerly awaiting to finally wear long-flowing dresses. A maxi dress is one of my favorite pieces for warm summer days; it is comfortable to wear, easy to combine with other pieces in my wardrobe, and looks simply beautiful on sun kissed skin. Although I am still waiting to catch some rays, I am already on the lookout for things to take with me on this year’s vacation; versatile pieces that can be worn day and night are definitely on the top of my list. 

How to Style Timeless Fashion Pieces

By Elma Beganovich

Apologies for being MIA and the lack of blog posts recently, I have been overwhelmed with a social blogging platform we are building (stay tuned to find out more!). With that said, after several requests, in this blog post I wanted to give you some styling tips on how to style timeless fashion pieces. I would say that timeless fashion pieces are the most important to own in any fashioinsta's closet because you can get so much milage out of every single one of the items. Without further ado...

How to Style Timeless Fashion Pieces 

Comfy and Chic Shirts

By Amra B.

My main go-to style for this spring has been a cotton shirt and a pair of skinny jeans. It is so nice to finally be able to shed layers of clothes, and take a casual stroll around the city wearing only my favorite denim and a sweatshirt. I have also developed an affinity towards fun t-shirt designs that can be paired up with a skirt just as easily as a pair of jeans.

Royal Blue Skirt

By Amra B. 

I know this post is a little overdue, but I have been waiting to find one of those amazing pieces worth blogging about. Finally, after some searching, I was able to locate a skirt that simply took my breath away; it is one of those garments that one cannot wear often, but once the opportunity presents itself, it is guaranteed to make you feel like a princess. 

How to Pick Out Timeless Fashion Pieces: Everyday Spring Wardrobe

By Elma B.

With spring upon us and summer being right around the corner, I wanted to share with you some style tips on how to pick out everyday pieces for these warm seasons. As I have mentioned many times, I have become reluctant to make purchases unless I know I can get a lot of milage out of a fashion item. So, how do you pick out those timeless pieces? Here are a few style tips...

How to Pick Out Timeless Fashion Pieces: Everyday Spring Wardrobe

How to Get the Look: Old Hollywood Glamour

By Elma B.

Recently, I saw Kiss Them for Me (1957) featuring the ever so dashing Cary Grant and the iconic blond bombshell Jayne Mansfield. The film showed breathtaking views of San Francisco  as it was in the late '50s and the impeccable style of Old Hollywood. I would definitely recommend the film for its charm, wit and humor. 

My outfit below was inspired by Old Hollywood, the synched waist, midi skirt, and cat-eye sunglasses, as I am a huge fan of the era and its elegance. What era inspires your everyday style? Leave me a comment below, I love hearing from you! Until next time, xoxo from New York City! (Outfit details: top and skirt from H&M, stilettos from Zara, bow-clutch by Salvatore Ferragamo, and sunglasses from Urban Outfitters.)

Timeless Fashion Looks: Stripes

By Elma B.

As you know by now, I am a big fan of timeless fashion--the style that no matter what the decade, you can sport the look and always seem chic and debonair. One such pattern that has caught my eye are the stripes--from the cultural icons like James Dean in the '50s and Brigitte Bardot in the beaches of the French Riviera in the '60s to 2015, stripes have withstood the test of time. 

There are countless ways to style stripes; my personal favorite is with red or orange but for this look (see below).

Maxi Lace Dress

By Amra B.

One of my favorite types of dresses for the spring and summer is the maxi; they are easy to wear and always look flattering. Additionally, a maxi is great for dressing up or down with just a change of accessories; I wear my maxi dress to the beach with a simple flat sandal or flip-flops, and dress it up in the evening with high heel sandals and statement jewelry. 

Spring 2015 Fashion Trends

Elma B.

Now that spring has officially arrived, I am more than excited to shed the winter layers and show you my fresh spring looks. In this post, I wanted to share with you some of the latest Spring 2015 fashion trends and provide you with some style tips for this season.

Spring 2015: What's Trending in Fashion

Your Style Guide on How to Match Colors for SS15

By Elma B.

Fairly recently, I have been paying attention the color coordinations in various fashion shops like Intermix, Bergdorf Goodman, and Bloomingdales to better understand how to match colors. I noticed that in Intermix (on the Upper East Side in New York City), there was a flow to the colors that were paired together; it was playful, fun and even artistic. Thus, I wanted to share with you how to stylishly match colors this spring and summer.

Your Style Guide on How to Match Colors for SS15:

Golden Strappy Sandals

By Amra B. 

With the summer around the corner, and spring already here, I have been on the hunt for the perfect flat strappy sandals. I wanted something that is comfortable, practical to carry in the bag and change into while out and about, and classically stylish enough that it can be combined with almost anything in my wardrobe. I found the answer in my new golden Bessie sandals; they are the kind of shoes I don’t want to take off despite the early chilly spring temperatures in New York. 

Studded Sandals

Amra B. 

To commemorate the first warm day of this spring, I reached out from my studded sandals I had stored away last fall. Although, the weather was still not nearly as warm as it should have been, I thought that visiting the MET (Metropolitan Art Museum) would be the perfect occasion to wear some pretty footwear. I had missed the feeling of dresses with bare legs, and having the “fancy footwear” made me feel just like one of the characters from Gossip Girl; who could forget the daily school lunches on the steps of MET while deciding who was the ultimate school “queen?”

Style Tips: Winter to Spring Transition Pieces

By Elma B.

This weekend was the first time in a long time that it was truly warm (in the 60sF, about 17C) so I took the opportunity to wear sandals. I still stuck to a cozy and warm cashmere sweater. To complete the spring look, I wore white pants and white sunnies. Complete outfit details below...

Charlie Chaplin: My Style Icon

By Elma B.

I have always been a huge fan of the the Charlie Chaplin era, particularly the style from his iconic films The Tramp (1915) and The Modern Times (1936). The legendary films were dominated by wide legged pants and bowler hats. I added my own modern twist to the look by including these wide legged overalls with polkadots; white sneakers, all the rage this season; and a simple white tank top. (Outfit details below...)

My Style Inspiration: Charlie Chaplin

5 Wardrobe Tips for Winter to Spring Transition

By Elma B.

Recently, it came to my attention that it can be difficult to dress for the spring transitioning period because while wanting to shed the winter layers and adopt the spring colors, you still want to keep cozy and warm. Thus, I wanted to provide you with 5 wardrobe tips for winter to spring transition.

5 Wardrobe Tips for Winter to Spring Transition   

Bowler Hat

Amra B. 

I am a big believer that a hat can make even the dullest outfit instantly more interesting. I own many hats and usually like to wear the floppy bohemian kind; however, I feel that this recently purchased bowler hat is a great (fresh) approach to my otherwise constant choice of bohemian accessories. 

Spring 2015 Fashion Trends: Boho Care-Free

By Elma B.

As a sequel to my previous post on style tips for the music festival season, this look was also inspired by the bohemian and care-free vibes. I wore a gold dress (inspired by... 

My Daily Dose of Inspiration: 

Street Style Tips for Coachella 2015

By Elma B.

Although I have never been to Coachella, I have been observing over the years the fun, flirty and illustrious street style of many of the festival's music goers. I even saw that the style in many high street shops was inspired by Coachella. Thus, as the festival fast approaches, I wanted to share my style tips for this fun and bohemian music festival. 

Style Tips for Coachella 2015

Me: Outfit Inspired by Coachella 

Ripped Jeans

By Amra B. 

Spring has finally arrived to NYC, or so it seems, and I am finally able to shed all the layers and enjoy the feeling of a simple combination of jeans and a cotton shirt. One of my favorite spring pieces is the ripped cotton jean; I wear them most often probably due to their power to make me look and feel great at the same time (rare occurrence in the fashion world indeed). 

My Travel Diaries: What to Expect in Jamaica

By Elma B.

As I mentioned to you in my previous blog post, I want to share with you what to expect when in Jamaica. I know that summer is coming-up and that many of you are planning your ultimate summer getaway. So, if the Caribbean, and Jamaica are on your mind, here is what to expect...

Before the storm on the white sand beaches in Negril

Denim Dress

Amra B. 

I have always been a huge fan of denim, but what has particularly caught my eye for spring 2015 are the denim dresses. Dressy yet laidback, denim dresses are super easy to wear and can be combined with almost anything in my wardrobe. They look great with blazers, sweaters, coats, and leather jackets (see below). 

SS15 Fashion Trend: High Necklines

By Elma B.

Buttoned-up high-collared looks dominated the runways this spring season, and turtle neck dresses were all the hype on countless of catwalks, including Prada. While this look is atypical for the Spring season, high necklines are surprisingly manageable to wear during the warm weather. Take a look how I styled the high neckline look in Negril (Jamaica) below:

Sunsets in the Caribbean

By Elma B.

One of the most beautiful times on the islands of the Caribbean is watching the sun drop below the ocean's horizon. I wanted to share with you this spectacular moment. I suggest waiting on the beach with your cameras to capture this awe inspiring moment, like I did with countless of other island's visitors. As you can see below, I was on a lagoon, so I could capture Jamaica's greenery and dazzling emerald waters.  

Navy Blue Dress

By Amra B. 

Maybe it is the fact that its sunny outside, or that the calendar date has officially struck “SPRING,” but I simply could not wait to show off some of the spring pieces I acquired recently. Yes, it may be a tad bit cold in NYC to wear a mini dresses, but for the sake of this shoot, and the sunshine outside, I decided to pretend that spring had finally arrived and parade my navy blue dress with no tights and all. 

SS15 Fashion Trend: Sporty Minimalism

By Elma B.

As I have written in my previous posts, minimalism has been dominating the runways and high street shops for the Spring and Summer fashion trends. What I enjoy even more than minimalism is the laid back sporty look. It is not only chic but comfortable and breezy, perfect for the warm spring and hot summer days ahead. 

How to Style the Sporty Minimalist Look:

Spring in Paris

By Amra B. 

Photos Théophile Cormillot

There is nothing like spring in Paris, and I made sure to take advantage of the beautiful weather to go sight see with my little cousin. Our day started near Louvre, where we met and grabbed a bite to eat in one of the nearby restaurants with the best view of the museum. My friend, Théophile, joined us and was kind enough to share some hidden gems only locals knew about. Théophile, is an art and museum buff, and shares many of the most beautiful secret spots across France on his Instagram.

Treasures of the Caribbean: Jamaica

By Elma B.

Having recently had the pleasure of traveling to Jamaica, I wanted to share with you some travel tips in case you make it to this majestic part of the Caribbean, where the waters are emerald blue and the beaches are covered with soft white sand. All about Jamaican life, my personal travel story...

Teatime in Paris

By Amra B. 

Paris was absolutely perfect; I got to spend time with people I love, enjoy amazing food, visit some of the best museums in the world, and enjoy the loveliest cup of tea in hotel Le Bristol. My friend Théophile took me to this wonderful spot that resembles the interior décor of Versai; there is beautiful art, lovely white marble floors, and a piano that plays for guests while the are enjoy tea from the prettiest porcelain cups.

Style Hacks Every Girl Needs to Know for SS15

By Elma B.

From beach waves to sun kissed tans, I always admired the casually beautiful beach look. With the relaxing beats of reggae music and the sound of the waves subtly hitting the shore, the the Jamaican life inspires the effortlessly beautiful beach look. I wanted to provide you with style tips for this warm season, whether you are laying out on the beach or roaming around the blistering hot streets of New York City...

Style Hacks Every Girl Needs to Know for SS15:

Spring/Summer Fashion Trend: Gingham

By Elma B.

I am a huge fan of the lighthearted and romantic Old Hollywood era of '50s and '60s, and thus I was thoroughly delighted to see gingham all over the Spring 2015 runways. In fact, my entire beachy gingham look was inspired by the South of France native Brigitte Bardot, and her white linen check dress worn on her wedding day in Paris. Of course, I adapted the look to the modern 21st century woman whom demands something chic and elegant for everyday. 

Below, you will see I picked out a gingham loose fitting dress, white huge sunglasses (inspired by Audrey Hepburn's Oliver Goldsmith white sunglasses in the 1960s classic How to Steal a Million), and all white tennis shoes. Aside from gingham, all white sneakers are all the buzz this season. I suggest snagging a pair because all white sneakers are not only comfortable but match with absolutely anything! 

Green Parka

By Amra B. 

I had the most wonderful time in Paris…Meanwhile, however, I had to shoot beautiful NYC in all its glory this morning before I officially started this week. Today, I am still feeling a little bit casual from my trip and have dressed in my green Parka and leather jacket I wore all around Paris. Although spring is almost in full bloom in France, NYC still feels cold and so I am back to layering.

Sexy Spring/Summer Fashion Trends

By Elma B.

I am currently enjoying the white sand beaches of Jamaica and its marble blue waters. The ambiance made it perfect to share with you a timeless fashion piece that is both comfortable, beautiful and a bit sexy. I am a huge fan of understated pieces with a bit of flare and that je ne sais quoi touch...and the jumpsuit embodies both. 

How to Style a Jumpsuit for Work & Play: 

Fashion Trends for SS15: Groovy '70s

By Elma B.

I am throughly enjoying my vacation in the Caribbean, where it is around 80F/30C while New York City is still covered in snow. I wanted to seize the moment and showcase a bit of the 1970s flare that has inspired countless of runways this season. 

How to Put Together a 1970s Inspired Look:

Fashion Secrets: Textures & Fabric Manipulation

By Elma B.

Recently, I found a magnificent board on Pinterest that is all about textures and fabric manipulation techniques used for surface creation. What I have realized about fashion is that a secret to a great ensemble is not just the design of the pieces one wears but rather it is equally about the fabrics that make-up those very pieces. So, the question begs, how does one decide which fabrics to choose when picking out wardrobe pieces?

Fashion Secrets: 

Tips on Picking Out Fabrics & Textures

Me

How to Pull Off the Safari Look

By Elma B.

One of the timeless fashion looks that never seems to go out of style is the safari ensemble. Its creamy brown colors and soft greens make it possible for almost anyone to pull off the look. For those of you (like me) not inhabiting the exotic lands that entail the African safari, here are some styling tips on how to pull off the look... 

                African Safari--How to Pull off the Look:

Over the Knee Boots

Amra B.

As the last of winter draws out in NYC, I am taking the opportunity to wear one of my favorite pair of boots - over the knee flat boots. They are one of the most practical boots I own as I can dress them up and dress them down while staying perfectly comfortable. I particularly love wearing them with mini dresses and love how they show off just the right amount of skin in winter.