Birthday Celebration

Hello Glam & Sassy loves! October is my absolute favorite month. As soon as Starbucks posts Pumpkin Spice everything on the menu board, I am ready to pull out my Uggs, light candles that smell like I baked an apple pie, and pretend it is actually fall weather outside in Southern California. The other and REAL reason I love October, is it is my birthday month!  (Insert whoo hoo!)  This year I had the best birthday ever!  Perhaps one of the most important outfit decisions we make every year is what to wear to the celebration of our special day. To my fellow Libras out there, you know how indecisive we can be at times, needing to weigh all the options, and before you know it, the aftermath is a stack of clothes on the bed. It is well worth it, however,  when you show up to your party looking this Glam & Sassy.

Nothing II Wear:

Isn’t it funny how we complain we need more closet space for our clothes and are also convinced we have nothing to wear?  Interestingly enough, there is a boutique in La Jolla, CA that is named after this phenomenon. Owner and clothing designer, Summer Albertsen, dresses southern California ladies and the fashionistas who visit our coastal town in the best designers, including her own label, Elizabeth Estaire. Don’t worry if you don’t get to La Jolla because you can check her store out online ! It was at her shop that I found my perfect anchor piece for my birthday outfit. These red jacquard lace shorts are a must have! The pop of color was a nice change from all black and were a fun and flirty alternative to my go to jeans or a dress.  They also allowed me to twirl around on the dancefloor without concern of giving any peep shows. Make sure to rock these fabulous shorts with sky high heels for a look that elongates!

My Birthday Suit:

I styled my jacquard shorts with a black bustier that I got at Nordstrom. I love the design detail of a chiffon neckline that shows just the right amount of sexy without being trashy. The fabric stretches and it zips up the back. It is not an ideal top to get out of by yourself so I made sure that wasn’t going to be an issue (wink wink)   Relax!!!  I was staying at my bff’s so I knew I would have assistance at the end of the night…especially when the end of the night is actually the next morning. Party girl problems.

 

Libra Love:

It was such an amazing birthday as I mentioned thanks to my bestie who also happens to be my Social & Digital Media Manager, Robyn Balliet, owner of robynballiet.com . She has done an incredible job in building brand awareness, increasing my followers, thus increasing my sales.  From the moment I arrived at her door in Beverly Hills, she had balloons, flowers, gifts, champs, cake with a sparkler for a candle, dinner plans and dancing with the rest of our crew. And this went on for THREE days! It was so much fun and you can check out more fun pics on my IG account (Instagram.com/glamandsassy ) and follow Robyn at ( Instagram.com/robynballiet).  I was 100% spoiled and I loved every minute of it! So a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all of you lovely, loyal, charming and charismatic Libras! I hope you had a wonderful bday too and let’s make it most Glam & Sassy year ever!

 

 

 

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Essentially Perfect

Hello Glam & Sassy loves! I just wrapped up showing the W by Worth Fall collection and styling 6-7 clients a day for 7 days. What I found to be most interesting wasn’t the more outrageous pieces that the ladies loved, but rather, what they all needed. The essentials.  So I started thinking about my own essentials which are, in no particular order, my dog, strong Italian coffee, working out, good music, family, friends who are like family, and anything pink. I add to this list whenever I discover something that makes me as happy as unexpected chance meetings.  For fall fashion, however, the list is a bit more universal and includes clothing every Glam & Sassy girl should have as part of her repertoire.

Staying Skinny:

I am pretty active.  Going to the gym is part of my daily routine and I also strive to hit 10,000 steps a day and dance whenever no one is watching, or even if everyone is, I don’t care. But I am good at it. So maybe that’s why.  The essential wardrobe skinny is actually in the form of a turtleneck. When I moved to beautiful, warm southern California from dreary, cold New Jersey, I was quick to donate any and all winter clothes. Now I realize we DO have a winter here, which happens when it reaches a chilly 60 degrees, so I need to replenish said clothing . This skinny turtleneck is perfect to wear alone and comes in so many yummy colors.  It is also a great layering piece under a jacket, sweater or poncho. Which brings me to my next item…take a guess!

Cuddle Time:

This is not something I want to do if I am trying to fall asleep, but once in a while, like taking a nap in a freezing cold hotel room, I am all about it . Throw on a cozy W by Worth poncho with leggings and look super chic without even trying. Let’s be honest, there are days we all wish we could stay wrapped up under our blanket. When you wear a luxurious poncho, “essentially” you are.

Feel like a Champion:

Just like there’s nothing a little lipstick can’t fix, the same is true of our favorite jeans. Find your right fit and when you slide them on, you will feel like you are on top.  My absolute obsession is Frame denim. Although I currently prefer dark, any wash can be dressed up with a sexy top and heels. You can also just keep things casual until you see how much you really like them. If you find yourself wanting to be in them from day to night, then you may have just found your match.  Which of these essentials are perfect for you this season to be Glam & Sassy?!?  I’d love to hear your comments and also check out https://www.instagram.com/glamandsassy/ for more must have looks!

 

 Click it and Get it Guide:

Skinny Turtleneck

Poncho

Skinny Jeans

Summer Love

Hello Glam & Sassy loves! Summer is, without a doubt, my favorite season.  I live in southern California where we enjoy summer almost year round and I purposely landed on the coast when I moved here. Give me sun, give me water, give me seventy degrees every day and I am one happy camper…or “glamper” since these well manicured hands have never pitched a tent. The best thing about summer fashion is one piece dressing. It is easy and effortless the way it should be when something is right.  Here are three of my must have outfits for this season that I love.

A Quick Romp:

The romper is the rebel sister of the sundress. It is bold, fun, flirty and sexy…sounds like the perfect catch to me. And let’s talk summer color, shall we?  Nothing is better than a bright burst of hot pink!  It just seems to scream “let’s party!”As I am writing this, I realized I just described myself, so I think I better buy this one from Adelyn Rae at my happy place, Nordstrom! It is so me and it is so perfect for an afternoon summer soirée !

Hands on Skin:

This wouldn’t be the sexiest season of the year if we didn’t bare our bodies. That’s the reason for hitting the gym on the reg so slip into a sundress that shows off those shoulders, girl.  Lucky for us, Off the Shoulder is trending now and it is trending hard.  I love this dee elle dress and would style it for both day and evening  by changing up the heel and adding some sparkle.  You will stay cool and look chic at the same time. This flowy fabric begs to be touched.  The only thing softer than the material is your skin so expect to be caressed in this dress.

Dress a Mesh on the Floor:

What other time of year can you wear mesh as a dress besides summer? This style from W by Worth is actually two dresses in one.  Here is your Glam & Sassy clothing budget lesson for the day…take the price and divide it by two and you’ll realize that you can’t afford NOT to get it! This shift dress can be worn alone or with the mesh overlay. The mesh dress can also be worn separately as a bathing suit cover up.  I can picture it now and I hope you can too. It is as hot as summer itself…and very Glam & Sassy!

 

Click it and Get It Guide:

Adelyn Rae Romper

dee elle Off the Shoulder Dress

W by Worth Mesh Dress

 

Adorn Yourself

Hello Glam & Sassy loves! One of the best things about working in fashion, besides the clothes, is the wonderful ladies I meet. It also helps being in southern California, where my friend is getting her nails done next to a women who designed couture bedazzled jackets for Beyonce’s Formation tour and season two of The Royals, and, being the fabulous friend that she is, put her in touch with me. That is how business gets done in the Hills of Beverly.  We connected on social media and she saw my Glam & Sassy blog and I saw her gorgeous jewels! It was a match made in Instagram heaven! I  had the pleasure of meeting with Victoria Natkin Goodman of VNG Jewelry and chat about fashion, drink tea and, of course, play dress up !

The Choker Factor:

In the haute couture jewelry world, uniqueness and quality are essential. Victoria’s breathtaking showroom was filled with one of a kind pieces handmade from vintage jewels. Necklaces sparkling with Swarovski crystals, blingy belts, and accessories and jackets that Victoria made for Queen Bey’s VIP inner circle! Amazing! My favorite was the leather chain link that I could style as a bracelet wrapped around my wrist, as a lariat, or a choker.  Victoria gave me one as a gift which I wore out that night in LA. I had on a Free People draped jersey tube top so wearing my new VNG jewelry as a choker was a no brainer. A choker has the ability to transform a 4 into  7 and instantly ups the sexiness factor of any women. Needless to say, I’ll be rocking this as a choker quite often.

 

Cuff Me:

When the lovely Victoria welcomed me into her home, the first thing I noticed were her fabulous set of cuffs. Wow,such a great way to make a statement ! When I slipped them on, they felt as amazing as they looked and I immediately felt more Glam and definitely more sassy! Something else that I learned while visiting with Victoria, was her involvement with Beyonce was through the Bey Good giving back program. Beyonce donated 30 tickets the Vanguard Learning Center to her tour in LA. Victoria also does charity work with children at this center so they collaborated.  With something as hot as these cuffs, it is no wonder it captured the attention of such a hot celeb.

Fit for a Queen:

Are there any Royals fans out there? No, not the basketball team (or is it baseball???) It is a TV series on E!  The VNG Jewelry designs for this show are absolutely perfect for royalty and adorning yourself with these luscious stones would make any commoner feel like a queen.  Victoria will soon be off to London to begin designing for the upcoming season, and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.  You can check out her gorgeous gems on Instagram @VNGjewelry and here we are together during a fun photo shoot and looking very Glam & Sassy.

 

 

 

 

Versatile Blogger Award

Hello Glam & Sassy loves! I have been nominated by the beautiful Rahma from Glamorous_Etoiles for the Versatile Blogger Award.  I am very honored and this is my second award nomination.  It means a lot to know that I have such amazing followers who enjoy reading my style tips with a Glam & Sassy flair! I thoroughly enjoy sharing my fashion expertise with you and appreciate all of your likes and comments. So, thank you again, Rahma, for this nomination.  Here is how it works…

Rules:

1.  Display Award
2.  Thank the person who nominated you
3.  Share seven facts about yourself
4.  Nominate up to 10 other bloggers

7 Facts About Me

1. I love dancing and have trained for several years in ballroom and latin dance, but you can usually catch me moving to any song anywhere
2. My biggest pet peeve is drivers who drive under the speed limit in the left lane. I may live in California, but I am very much still a Jersey driver…so speed up or move to the right so I can pass, please.
3. I am not a sports fan, but I enjoy going to live sporting events especially if it’s in the good seats:)
4. Can you guess my favorite color? Hint:It’s pink!
5. I cherish girl time with my  besties.
6. My happy place is Nordstrom.
7. I believe that if you ever feel like NOT going out, put on some lipstick and heels and you will instantly feel Glam & Sassy!

And the nominees are:

1. Alexa Make’up & Beauty
2. Lynne’s Recips Trails
3. Lash Eyed Beauty
4. The Luxe Lookbook
5. Me, Myself and Everything Else
6. mommyteacherfashionista
7. vivlaViv
8. howlynnaful
9. thefword
10. 50 Shades of Vanity

I hope my lovely nominees have as much fun with this I did! Thank you again for following and reading! Tell your friends, follow me on Instagram @glamandsassy ( I follow back!) and have a Glam & Sassy weekend!

 

Breaking Up

Hello Glam & Sassy loves!  We have all been through it. The dreaded break up.  Whether you were the break up-er or the break up-ee, it is never easy at the time.  Luckily, we eventually get over it and it makes for a good story at parties.  My worst break up was the equivalent to the episode of Sex and the City when Berger breaks up with Carrie on a Post It note. However, instead of a post it, mine was via text. At 8am. Right before I was boarding a flight from CA to NJ. So not only was I devastated by the blindsided dumping, I also had to suffer in silence on a 5 1/2 hour flight as to not have my row mates think I was some crazy chick AND with no communication to the outside world.  I mean, if there is ever a time a girl needs to cry to her bff or get anti heartbreak advice from  mom, this was it. It was so awful at the time, but now, I laugh about how pathetic it was and here I am blogging about it!  Just as relationships reach their expiration date, so do some items in our closets.  Keep reading for a few looks that are ready to be kicked to the curb.

Gray Area:

In our closets, much like relationships, there shouldn’t be any unknowns.  If you are wondering if a particular top has seen better days, then it is probably time to retire it.  Also, if any formerly white tees or tanks are looking dull, please replace with a crisp new version.  Anything that has lost its luster just isn’t worth taking up valuable real estate in your closet. I love this poly peach tank from W by Worth styled with destructed denim and wedges. The fabric feels so amazing on my skin and the color is “Optic White” with a brightness that shines!

Finding the perfect match is reason to celebrate!

Sole Mates:

Sometimes in life, no matter hard you try to repair something, after a while you realize you just have to bid it adieu. The same goes for shoes. If heels are worn down or soles are scuffed beyond their red recognition, to the goodwill they must go. I know it is difficult when you are so attached and they are oh so comfortable, but comfort isn’t reason enough to keep something in your life.  And who knows, your old footwear faves may find a new owner that is happy with them.  See, you did something good for someone else and now you have an excuse to bring home the ones you have been eying up for weeks now. My all time favorite shoe is the YSL Tribute .  They are perfect with everything from denim to dresses, desk to dancing. As every mate should be.

YSL shoe porn

Use it or Lose It:

The rule of thumb is if you haven’t worn something in a year, the chances that you ever will are slim. The reasoning behind this is, if it made you happy, you would’ve enjoyed showing it off by now. Life is too short to waste time thumbing through your closet through undesirable clothes.  To avoid this in the future, purchase investment pieces…classically chic fashions that are made well and that you will be able to wear year after year.  Some basic must haves are a versatile blazer, an all occasion dress, and flirty top to style with your favorite jeans.  Stay tuned next week for my blog on those essential items. Breaking up is hard, but looking Glam & Sassy is the reward… and the best revenge.

Kiss my Glam & Sassy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dancing in the Desert

Hello Glam & Sassy loves!  If you are a music lover like I am, you probably know it is that crazy time of year when amazing bands, international DJ’s, A list celebrities and wanna be flower children head to the California desert to dance and party for three days straight.  Then do it all again the following weekend. Yes, I am talking about Coachella and in addition to the fun and festivities, there is also another F word going on there, and that is of course, fashion. After experiencing this phenomenon, I wanted to impart my survival tips to you so that you skip the learning curve and do it right the first time.  What you wear is as important as what you don’t and what you bring can make all the difference in whether you can make it though this marathon of music.

Head to Toe:

You are going to be outside. In the hot sun. For hours. You are going to be doing a lot of walking and a lot of dancing.  Did I mention the amount of walking haha? Then before you can say “it’s dark out and I haven’t eaten yet today”, it will be night time and the party is still going strong. This past weekend, the biggest headliners of the event didn’t come on until 10:30pm, so dress prepared for a very long but very fun day.  Depending on your age and your style, your outfit can range from hardly any clothing to something more, let’s say, Glam & Sassy. What worked best for me was my fave Hudson denim shorts paired with a flowy tank top by Ella Moss, and booties.  Another variation of this look is to rock floral Converse kicks. Whatever footwear you choose, be sure it is not only cute, but comfortable. Nothing spoils a good time like feet that hurt after the first few miles of walking or hours of dancing.  Sandals are an option too, but wear them at your own risk which means you can’t get mad at every clueless chick that steps on your perfectly pedicured toes.  If your hair is long, channel your inner hippie and pop in a few braids.  When the sun goes down, the wind can kick up. Tie a pretty bandana around your neck to protect from all the desert dust. This is a popular item at Coachella, and if you forget yours, you can pick one up at the General Store on the grounds. They even come in pink. Guess which color I got?

Grab a cute bandana to protect from the desert dust.

 

Back it Up:

Almost as important as bringing your bootie shaking dance moves to Coachella, which you will definitely need at the DJ Mustard, Jack U, and Calvin Harris stages, you should  bring a few other essentials I considered to be my survival kit. Although you can’t bring water or any liquids through security, you can buy once inside.  My advice is to buy as many as you can carry as you will realize in the dry desert air you will end up needing it faster than you can arrange to get it.  Not to mention the other dehydrating activities you may engage in.  Bring a lightweight back pack you can use to stock up on water bottles and you will always have your own oasis at your fingertips.  Also, throw in a sweatshirt or button down in case the temperature drops at night.  For the record, I did not camp, I mean come on, have you met me, and even if you haven’t, I think you can guess that anyone writing a blog called Glam & Sassy is not the “roughing it” type.  That said, the bathroom situation is less than desirable, although they were definitely better in the VIP section.  Either way, hand sanitizer is a must as well as properly timed trips to the restroom.  You don’t want to have to run to the ladies room as soon as the beats drops and miss out on the energy and excitement! After all, that’s what you came to experience at Coachella, and there is nothing quite like it!

Back packs and braids. Coachella must haves!

 

Make your Rounds:

There is so much happening simultaneously at these festivals, and there is no way you will be able to see and do all of it.  Download the Coachella app and decide who you must see and walk around in between and check out the other performances.  Between the loud music, the flashing lights, the rowdy crowds and the extreme weather,  you may find yourself in sensory overload.  Take some time the next day to regroup, recharge and recover…and then go and do it all again! It is the Glam & Sassy way!

Booties and sneakers are essential Coachella footwear.

 

 

Coachella by day.

 

 

And by night.

That’s a Wrap

Hello Glam & Sassy loves and Happy New Year! Is it really 2016 already and did this holiday season fly by for you as it did for me?  I had such a wonderful December….an amazing wedding in Hawaii (not mine), a lovely Christmas with family and an epic NYE with friends.  I wanted to share some of my looks with you and also what I am looking forward to this month in fashion.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

This is going back a few years but do you remember this movie?  It took place at a beautiful beach resort, Turtle Bay, and this is where my friend’s wedding was.  I am pretty sure we stayed in the same beachfront cottage as the fictional character, Sarah Marshall.  It was so fantastic to look out at the ocean every day! Even though the wedding was in Hawaii, it was definitely not a casual affair.  Everything from the flowers, the food, and the entertainment, including a live performance by the hip hop artist, Future, was over the top! For this occasion, I wore an embellished black cocktail dress with patent leather black heels that I can dance in all night.  After working in fashion for so long, this is rule number one that I tell my clients:  Look fabulous. Feel fabulous.  What is the point of looking good if you aren’t comfortable enough to enjoy it?

Background by Mother Nature. Dress by Nordstrom.

 

Christmas with the Cousins

I am Italian. There are two things we have a lot of at holiday celebrations: food and cousins! My family is all over the country, so it is really special when we are together in one place.  A great way to commemorate such an occurrence, is matching hoodies for all!  It started as more of a joke, but once we were all together and decided to put them on, I saw the perfect photo opp!  Very red and festive! The perfect sweatshirt for Christmas!

Sometimes you have to be Glam & Silly !

Twice the Sparkle

So by now, you may have figured out that I like to sparkle! Anything that has sequins, crystals or beads seduces me into needing it in my life.  The desire to shine  is what makes us all Glam & Sassy.  It doesn’t have to be head to toe…..unless it is New Year’s Eve (or Vegas!) NYE is my “Fashion Week” of nights out and time to totally bring on the bling! There is no such thing as too much, so I wore a mesh dress completely covered in silver sequins. That still wasn’t enough to satisfy my craving so I stacked bracelet upon crystal bracelet and wore three tiered crystal earrings. We were ringing in the New Year at Avalon Hollywood and my outfit inspiration was the disco ball! What do you think? Mission accomplished?

Stacked arm candy is yummy!

My outfit inspiration for the evening.

Stand out in the crowd with sequins.

Now that is January, I am so excited for what lies ahead!  I will be working as a stylist with a luxurious  clothing line out of New York.   More on that company and it’s gorgeous Spring 2016 pieces  in my next post so stayed tuned!  I will continue to personal shop for my clients and build relationships in this amazing blog community (love you all!)  The other great thing about January is the terrific sales! Hitting the sale racks really is the best way to beat the post holiday blues!  So let’s go!  Have a Glam & Sassy 2016, everyone!

One More Night

Hello Glam & Sassy loves! Are any of you a night owl like me?  I am sooooo not a morning person.  I have to ease into my morning and I make it a point to not schedule my client meetings or events until at least 10 am.  This gives me ample time to play on my phone i.e. social media and emails (while still laying in bed), drink coffee, go to the gym, and then I am ready to work the next 8-10 hours. I am at my best later in the day and at night. So as you can imagine, I have some late nights working, as well as playing.  Here are some of my fave outfit ideas for your next night out!

Jump Right In

Jumpsuits are the perfect go-to.  They are an easy way to look put together AND  be comfortable. Sure, you can rock a one piece during the day, but glam it up with a sparkle belt and lots of gold accessories and you can make this your party outfit too.  Your covered up legs will thank you when you step out in the cold.  I love this one from Eliza J at Nordstrom.

Heavy Metal

Hot trend alert! Metallics! Nothing says I am here to party all night like the shine of a metallic dress. Even the color tones are champagne so of course you are meant to enjoy a glass (or two) while wearing it! Dresses are always my fave way to show up at an evening event and this DVF long sleeve style is perfect for Fall/Winter. We can go back to showing off our shoulder and biceps when they are tan again in the spring!

 

Leather Weather

A leather jacket is a must in any climate.  It is durable and looks just as good paired with jeans as it does your sexy LBD. The temps in LA get down into the 50s at night, and although that may not sound cold if you live in Canada, or the mid-west, or the northeast…ok just about anywhere BUT southern California, trust me, it is! Those nights, I love that I can throw on my black leather jacket over just about anything.  If you prefer, there are faux leather jackets that are just as fabulous, and less of a worry if you are in a crowded bar and just know you are going to get spilled on before your long night of fun is over.  If you are one the doing the spilling, be sure to Uber home. It’s the Glam & Sassy thing to do.

Click It and Get It Guide

Eliza J Jumpsuit -Nordstrom

DVF Metallic Dress-Bloomingdales

Faux Leather Jacket-Zara

Fall in Love

Working in fashion for many years, I can confidently say that most women are enamored with the rich colors and cozy fabrics of autumn. I had to get out of my current residence in Southern California and go to New York City , to remember , in the rest of the country, women are no longer running around in tank tops and open toe heels (as I was the day before my flight).  It was a refreshing change in mid- October to think about wearing sweaters, booties, and gasp, a coat! If you are interested in my go-to looks from now until March (of course you are!), keep reading to check out the pieces I am currently in love with.

Monogamy in the City:

In a place where the unofficial uniform is head to toe black, my first day in New York was a stylish monochromatic look starting with the perfect black pant, button down and this season’s on trend pointed pump.  Another day I wore black printed denim with a black top , open black cardigan and black booties.  I do not ever believe that ANYTHING is the ” new” black. Not gray, not army green, and certainly not orange haha. Black is always my one and only  to which I will always be true.

 

Falling for You:

This is the time of year we get to enjoy all of the gorgeous colors on the trees, especially on the east coast. The Pantone Fashion Color Report mimics this rich blend of golds and reds.  It is epitome of the season and I love to style my clients in different shades and hues of their favorite earthy tone. Digging neutrals?  Pair a cozy cashmere sweater in Honey with a dark brown pant. So yummy! In the mood for merlot? Wear a darling navy pleated skirt with a burgundy side tie blouse .  Don’t forget a skinny belt or printed tights to pull it all together.  This fabulous look is one that you, and everyone else, will fall for!

All Tied Up:

Scarves are on trend which is perfect since we need them to keep the chill out and the warmth in. Already have your “it goes with absolutely everything “neck adornment but not sure how to tie it? Check out this helpful how to video and you will know more knots than there are days till spring…and you’ll look Glam & Sassy each and every one!

 

Click it and Get It Guide:

Sam Edleman Pointed Pump

Vince V-Neck Sweater

Urban Outfitters Side Tie Blouse

Ann Taylor Stripe Scarf