Guest Blogger: Outfit Post: Chevron + Neon

While I am on vacation, I've asked several of my favorite blogs to guest post for BAD. I'm such a fan of their sites so I'm excited to share them with you! Next up is Elspeth from Elle Bow Room. She's a Carolina girl with fabulous style and an amazing wardrobe filled with a mixture of high and low pieces. I'm constantly inspired by the outfits she puts together. Trust me, they never disappoint. Including this one she's chosen especially for you readers......

Hello Bedazzles-After-Dark readers! My name is Elspeth, and I am a personal style blogger! I am so excited and thrilled to guest post for Nikki while she is on a little getaway.

My obsession with chevron is nothing new. If you follow me on Instagram or 'Like' my Facebook page, you know this. If you've visited my blog or Instagram, you also know that I love handmade clothes. My mom and I have collaborated on many pieces, including this tunic and dress, to create unique fashion. I design, and she sews. She is a fantastic seamstress {she even made her own wedding dress!}. I'm currently trying to persuade her to start a personal business and take orders {it's not working}.

One of our latest creations is this chevron skirt. I fell in love with the fabric first, and decided that a print so large would be best as a pencil skirt. I'm very girly, therefore I require bows. Mom had this skirt done just a few hours after we bought the material. The gray and white pattern goes great with brights, so I went for neon!

What I'm Wearing:

skirt: homemade

blouse: Theory

purse: Tory Burch (similar)

platform shoes: Via Spiga (now on sale)

necklaces: House of Harlow & Monogrammed

earrings: kate spade

watch: Michael Kors

bracelets: David Yurman (blue topaz & amethyst & gold buckle), Cartier,  Hermes, Derng

rings: David Yurman (rose quartz {smaller version} & stack & pave), Cartier, my onyx class ring

Hope y'all enjoy some chevron too! Thanks for letting me visit!

Guest Blogger: Summer's Must-Have Sandals Under $75

While I am on vacation, I've asked several of my favorite blogs to guest post for BAD. I'm such a fan of their sites so I'm excited to share them with you! Next up is Ashley from Pursuit of Shoes. She's no stranger to BAD (her first guest post is here) and yes, I'm still envious of her shoe closet! Here, she's got some fabulous {and affordable!} summer options for you.....

Oh, hello from Pursuit of Shoes! While Nikki is off on a fabulous tropical vaca, I'm dreaming of summer and shoes (obviously). Summer means sandals, sandals and more sandals! Here are a few fabulous options that won't break the bank:

{Zara plaited sandal & studded sandal - $49 // Sam Edelman Gigi - $65// DV by Dolce Vita Archer - $69 & Ilana - $54 }

A good neutral colored sandal will be your summer closet's best friend! You can wear them with anything and everything. I also believe everyone should own a pair of Sam Edelman 'Gigis'- they are the comfiest, basic sandal out there. Psst... Did you know the DV by Dolce Vita 'Archer' is one of Kim Kardashian's favorite sandals this season?!

Thanks Nikki for letting me share my favorite budget friendly sandal picks!

Guest Blogger: Haute Child in the City's Summer Loves

While I am on vacation, I've asked several of my favorite blogs to guest post for  BAD. I'm such a fan of their sites so I'm excited to share them with you! First up is Chelsea from Haute Child In The City. A Carolina girl and a new mommy, she enjoys anything J. Crew and reality TV. Here she shares what she's lusting after this summer.....

Hi there! Chelsea here from Haute Child in the City.  Nikki so graciously asked me to fill in for her while she's off on some fantastic vacay and I am more than honored to try to fill her shoes.  So without further ado, here are some of the trends and looks that I am lusting over this summer.

Nautical Trend

[Shirt: JCrew Talitha Blouse/Skirt: JCrew No 2 Pencil Skirt Seersucker/Wedges: DVF]

JCrew has a lot of great options for this look right now.  I tend to be attracted to the not-so-blatant nautical (read: stripes and seersucker rather than graphic anchors), but all of the pieces that JCrew has right now are just so perfect to full of this look regardless of which side you lean toward.

High-Low

Or the fashion mullet...

I honestly really adore this trend.  You can find this trend in anything from tops, to skirts, to dresses.  It's something that you can dress up or dress down and look totally with the now. 

Brights

[Thakoon for NARS nailpolish/MAC lipsticks/Kate Spade Essex Scout Bag/Manolo Blahniks via Love Maegan]

I find that the bright trend, for me at least, it better expressed through accessories.  I am loving bright lipsticks, nail polish, purses and shoes.

Beach Chic

Honestly, there's nothing better than a good panama hat and a beach bag.  Maybe I'm just lusting for time in the sand and surf, but this season I've found designers embracing more fun and trendy looks for a day at the beach.

Outfit Post: Sherbert Punch

Sweater: H&M (recent)

Jeans: Old Navy

Shoes: Zara

Sunnies: Vintage

Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Weekend! It's so nice to have some time off... We've spent the weekend with my family at our beach house in NC and our vacation continues on Wednesday when we leave for Puerto Rico!!

Be sure to check in this week for a slew of Guest Posts from some very lovely ladies! Here's to a 4 day week! xoxo

Video: The Great Gatsby Trailer

It's here! Finally! The trailer for the new "The Great Gatsby film" was just released. I had to tell myself to "breathe" over and and over again while watching it. And I will be watching it non-stop until it premieres in December 2012.

Baz Lurmann is a creative genius. No - a Cinematic Einstein if you will. The music selection? Ridiculously amazing. Jack White & Jay-Z for a movie set in 1922...? Brilliant. The clothes, the glitz, the glamour, the darkness. Fabulous. All of it. It's like I've stepped back in time into AP English and my love affair with the book has started all over again (not to mention my heart still beats for that blonde haired DiCaprio). Christmas cannot come soon enough. You're welcome! xoxo

image via The Guardian UK

Oufit Post: GiGi New York Clutch {and promo code!}

Clutch: GiGi New York All in One Bag c/o Shut Up I Love That Shirt On You

Top: Target (last seen here & here)

Skirt: Zara (recent)

Shoes: Sole Society

Watch: ASOS; Bracelet: The Stylist LA; Sunnies: H&M

Nails: Sinful Colors "Summer Peach" & "Pink"; Lipstick: Revlon Wild Orchid

Last month, I won this fabulous clutch on Shut Up I Love That Shirt's blog. I've been carrying my prize, the GiGi New York All In One Bag, non-stop. It's the perfect "Date Night" size - enough for my lipstick, camera, phone and a few other necessities. My favorite part are the special details like the tassel zipper and the gold initial monogramming.

Right now, use the code DARK on either GiGiNewYork.com or GraphicImage.com for 20% off your order!! Don't forget the monogram...! Happy Tuesday! xoxo

Weekend Pictures [collage style]

This weekend was filled with bittersweet goodness. This summer, the city of Angels will be losing 2 great families as they journey down different paths in different states. We're so excited for their new adventures but so selfishly sad that we won't be seeing them everyday/weekend. They're truly special people who have filled our lives with joy, love and friendship. This weekend was the last time everyone could be together before summer trips and moving vans interfered with plans. So we celebrated. We celebrated the community and relationships that God has provided at a time when everyone just needed each other. Billy & I will forever count them as close friends who made a significant impact on our lives. We will miss you guys more than you know... xoxox!

Our Farewell dinner consisted of delicious Mexican food - including homemade flautas, my mom's margarita punch recipe and bubbly.

Last week was all about shoes - including my latest Sole Society purchase - Quinn Printed Wrap Wedge.

The Loteria Grill at the 3rd Street Promenade FINALLY opened - we met some friends there for fried queso, jalapeno margaritas and enchiladas - if you haven't been - you MUST go. Check out their locations here

Some of my recent purchases - a fabulous neon bracelet via the Stylist LA and a major score from H&M.

Aloha Friday Blog Hop

Thanks to Elizabeth at Port Of Thoughts posting on my Facebook page, I am now participating my first ever Blog Hop! Another big thanks to Selena at A Little Piece Of Me for hosting!

I'm such a huge fan of getting to check out new sites and blogs that I haven't come across before. It's a great way to get your name out there and gain some new readership - especially if you're a smaller blog! Plus I love discovering inspiring women to follow.

I've included the linky list below so you can check out the other bloggers who are participating. I hope you join in on the fun (click here for directions) and follow a few back as well. Happy Friday!! xoxo

In ♥ With This: Eva Longoria at Cannes Film Festival 2012

O.M.G.... Eva did you...? Why yes, I think you did.You just shut. it. down. At the Cannes Film Festival no less. (Which just might be your strong suit) Your oh-so-lovely Marchesa gown had me at hello tulle. The gorgeous embellishments, the pale lavender shade, the intricate embroidery. I mean it can't really get more stunning than this - show stopping. Oh, did I mention this look literally "Wow's" from every angle?

Why, yes. That is an open back. And no. I will never fall out of love them. Well played my friend, well played.

images via (one, two)

Fashion Editorial: 'Hotel California' in Marie Claire Italia May 2012

Happy Hump Day! We're having gorgeous and amazing weather here in Southern California - and of course I'm stuck inside because it's a Wednesday! So while I'm dreaming of frolicking around in the Cali sunshine, here's a little fashion editorial to get you in the mood for summer.

A gorgeous Heather Marks turns heads as a redhead beauty wearing gorgeous 60's inspired pieces. Bonus points for it being California inspired and from an issue of Italian Marie Claire. If Mad Men and Los Angeles had a love child - this would be it. Enjoy! xoxo

all images via Fashion Gone Rogue