2013 VS Fashion Show: A Discussion and Review

I haven't posted in a while so I'm gonna come back with something pretty basic with a bit of a discussion: the 2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. I am in college so yes, my roommates and I did watch this together in our living room. And we did have the typical conversation about whether the models create a negative and unachievable idea of body image in women. Our final consensus was that these women work hard by eating right and working out to keep their bodies looking like they do. Obviously not everyone can live their lifestyle because it's their job to look great but since their bodies are (as far as I am aware) natural, I believe it's something to admire and appreciate. I am 5'2" with an athletic build and short, muscular legs. Obviously the body of a Victoria's Secret Angel isn't something I can achieve in this lifetime. Yet I will also never be as smart as Albert Einstein or as revolutionary as Nelson Mandela, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't admire their work. I am NOT by an means comparing the work of a VS model to the impact Nelson Mandela had on the world, but they are representative of the same concept. Just because I myself am not capable of achieving something, that does not mean that I cannot appreciate the work of others.

While this is true for me, this may not be the same for everyone. I personally don't suffer from eating disorders or issues with self-deprecation so by watching the show I am not harming myself. In fact, seeing the success of others typically motivates me to eat well and live a healthier lifestyle. Not to  replicate their bodies, but to be the best version of myself. That being said, I understand how some people would prefer not to watch the show or see pictures of the models. If you are one of those people, I advise you to stop reading here.

Below are pictures of some of my favorite looks from the show. To be honest, I rarely look at the lingerie. I mostly look at the accessories and crazy ensembles added to their bra and panty sets. I really loved the Birds of Paradise and the winter themed segments but some of the simpler looks were great too. All images are from Zimbio.com.

Sorry there were so many! I hope you enjoyed this post. Please leave comments below I would love to hear your opinions on the concept of the show and the looks.

oxxo Leo.

Just A Half

I haven't posted one of my own outfits in a while so I figured I would share this outfit from right at the beginning of fall. The weather was just cooling off and jeans and a tee were perfect to go out in. I wore my Nasty Gal Youth Revolt Moto Vest, this patterned crop tee from Akira, dark jeans and Steve Madden spiked sandals. Pretty simple and comfortable for going out with the girls!

When my roommate took this picture for me she laughed because I wasn't fully smiling. I was trying to mix it up but I guess I failed. Oops. 

oxxo Leo.

Leo's Playlist: LORDE.

Now I know there's been a lot of hype surrounding Lorde lately. If you've been under a rock the past few months, I'll catch you up: Lorde is a sixteen year old singer song-writer from New Zealand who is incredibly talented. Her first single, titled "Royals" made its way to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 soon after its release. She has also been in the news for her unfiltered opinions of other artists such as Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, and others. Regardless of the buzz surrounding her interviews, her music is genius and the fact that she's sixteen and is already so impressive makes me excited for what she does in the future. Here are some of my current Lorde favorites:

Team

Ribs

The Love Club

Million Dollar Bills

Tennis Court

Bravado

I still haven't listened to her entire new album titled Pure Heroine but when I do I will definitely make an updated playlist!

oxxo Leo.

LOOKBOOK update: vol. 11

Random quick LOOKBOOK update because there's too many cute posts not to share! Enjoy:

Leather & Crochet. - Lua P.

Last Chance - Kristel D.

Amber Leaves - Anouska P. 

Flip It - J L.

Fried Daisies - LA F.

Walking down the street. -  Victoria T.

Daylight - Kristel D.

Invincible Is Just a Word - Amy V.

'Cause now I can't forget you - Emma M.

Let me know if you liked this post!

oxxo Leo.

An UGGly Discussion

I recently read a blog post written by two college girls on fall/winter campus fashion. In the article they stated that any outfit with jeans required nicer shoes and Uggs should only be worn with sweatpants. Excuse me?!? As a girl with a strict policy of not wearing sweatpants to class or other social occasions this seems very unreasonable to me. I have no problem with the appearance of girls who wear sweats to class or wherever, but I myself get too comfortable in them and would probably fall asleep in the middle of my Economics professor's half hour long digression into the paradox of the Giffen good. Does this mean that I can never wear Uggs? I only wear sweatpants at home or to the gym and I definitely don't work out in my Uggs. I recognize that they are not the cutest of shoes, but when there's a foot of snow on the ground and the temperature is 20 degrees or below they do a great job of keeping my feet dry and warm. All my Midwest girls know what I'm talking about... Anyways, I guess my point of this post is to ask when you think the appropriate time is to wear Uggs or what outfit you wear yours with. Or maybe you don't wear Uggs at all! Let me know in the comments section below because I'm curious to know if I am the only one struggling to accept this guidline.

oxxo Leo.

Exhaustion Intoxication Shopping

I've read on a few blogs now that some people tend to shop while drunk and make some very interesting purchases that they don't remember the next day. Now, I don't quite have this problem but I suffer from a condition very similar, hence Exhaustion Intoxication Shopping. On nights when I've been up for hours working on homework or studying, I often allow myself to get distracted online shopping and investigating whether or not the latest object of my affections is worth the splurge. So tired and wanting to go to bed, I decide that I've invested so much time looking into the product that I rationalize the purchase. Then I cave and buy whatever I've been lusting after lately even though I know I shouldn't.
This condition has resulted in a few pairs of Jeffrey Campbells and countless items of clothing. For example, last night's purchase was a $92 pair of American Apparel Disco Pants. Yes, I know I am 5 years late getting on the disco pant train, but let's be honest a good pair of shiny black disco pants never really goes out of style. Perfect for winter as the weather is starting to get too cold for basic leggings, I am so excited to get my pants in the mail. Fingers crossed that they fit properly and I don't seriously regret the decision I made last night at 2 am when I was delirious and sleepy. Wish me luck!

oxxo Leo.

Pattern Play

SHHHH!! don't tell anyone but it's actually OK to mix prints... Pattern play is one of my favorite ways to have fun with fashion.
Mixing prints can be really fun, but also tricky. Here are some things to keep on mind when trying out patterns. When mixing prints, try to mix one print with another of very different quality. For example, mix a noisy print with one that is relatively calm, or mix a large print with a small print. This contrast is enough that the patterns won't clash and be overwhelming. If this is too large of a leap for you, start out small and try some separates in the same pattern and work your way up to pairing different patterns.

Here are some of my favorite looks featuring pattern play or patterned separates for inspiration:

I don't know about you but all the different combinations make me want to start digging through my closet for crazy prints I can mix together. Hope you enjoyed this post! Please take a minute to subscribe to this blog using your email or through bloglovin! Thanks!

oxxo Leo.

*All of the images in this post are from pinterest and do not belong to me*

Hot Fuzz

I've noticed recently that Nasty Gal is bringing the 90s back with great furry clothing. I am broadening the fuzzy furry category to include velvet because it's a great trend and also really 90s. Being a 90s kid I remember having little velvet dresses and loving them, and thanks to this new trend, I can start wearing them again! After finding some great pieces from Nasty Gal I extended my search and am including some of my other favorite fuzzy pieces. Check it.

It all started out when the American Retro Marjo Faux Fur Coat from Nasty Gal caught my eye. Shag, ombré, and pastel all in one jacket? I am in love...

I love this dress by Nasty Gal. The Sky High Velvet Dress comes in this beautiful icy blue color and features a key hole front and a open cross-strap back.

Next is the Velvet Web Dress by Reverse from Karmaloop. Again, I'm a sucker for a good pentagram strap detail and the texture of that crushed velvet is too pretty.

Tops that look like they're straight from the 90s! On the left is the So Clueless Fuzzy Tank by Nasty Gal and on the right in orange is the Grace Crop Top by Bitching & Junkfood. Get me some platform sneakers and I honestly can't think of a better way to feel like I'm back in the 90s...

I feel so strongly that I need to have this sweatshirt on my body and in my closet. This Oversized Sweater in Furry Fabric by ASOS is too perfect. Minimal in color and design, yet extreme and outlandish at the same time. I just can't get over it.

These two dresses are so cute and fun, throw on a few accessories and they are perfect for a night out. On the left is the UNIF Nightcat Dress from Karmaloop and on the right is the Evil Twin Filthy Habit Velvet Dress from Nasty Gal.

Last, we have the Isabella Sweater by Bitching & Junkfood from Nasty Gal. I love the off-the-shoulder design and surprising detail: this sweater features little white pom pons around the wrists! Too cute!

Hope you liked this post with a little blast from the past! Don't forget to leave me comments down below and take a minute to follow me through bloglovin or your email. Thanks!

oxxo Leo.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I am in the process of reworking my blog and making it better and one addition is bloglovin! You can now follow me through bloglovin by clicking on the title of this post :)

oxxo Leo.

follow me and comment!

I would love to have more followers and hear what kind of things you guys want me to post about! Click the follow button and leave me a comment about what you want, what you think of my blog, or anything at all! I would love to hear some input from the rest of the fashion world. Thanks!!

oxxo Leo.

Double Duty

Yes, I re-wore an outfit; no shame. I wore this crop top and skirt combo on vacation with my mother in Florida in May and again in July for a day in Chicago with my friend. They were the only two people I know who saw me in this outfit and I obviously cleaned it in between, therefore no shame. I have had this skirt for years and had only worn it once before this summer. It is patterned with brush strokes of various colors and a black scalloped stretch waste band. It is by Love Ady but I believe I bought it at Lord & Taylor. I wore it with a crop top that I bought online from boohoo.com and you can see it in my post here.

The first time I wore it, I wore my Shoe Cult by Nasty Gal Zealand Sandals (reviewed here) and my hair up since I was on vacation and lazy. Laziness also contributed for my exposed bra straps, and honestly a little bra strap here and there doesn't really bother me.

My mom and I had some fun at the shops on the bay where we got ice cream after dinner. The wind was blowing under the guard rail and puffing up my skirt like a mushroom and my mom thought it was pretty funny so she snapped a pic. Don't worry I had spandex shorts on underneath!

The second time I wore it, I wore it almost exactly the same way, except I switched out the Zealand Sandals for a brown pair by Dolce Vita that I bought online from Free People 4 years ago. This choice was purely for comfort since I knew I would be walking miles around the city all day. I also wore my hair down and sans necklace. Sorry this picture isn't the greatest of the outfit, but the city sure is pretty. It looks like we're standing in front of a painted back drop, it was that nice of a day.

Re-wearing outfits isn't for everyone, but I if no one sees them, then why not? I hope you enjoyed this last outfit post from summer, as it is now October and cooler weather will (hopefully) be on its way! Summer is being a stubborn bitch and it was 80 degrees today and I am ready for sweaters, boots, and jeans! Finger's crossed that my next outfit post will be a fall look. Check back soon!

oxxo Leo.

Leo's Playlist

I currently have a lot of ideas for fashion posts all jumbled around in my head but for the time being enjoy a music post! Just some random songs I've bee enjoying this week:

Today's favorite is Talk Dirty feat 2 Chainz by Jason Derulo. I think the song is supposed to sound jazzy and swanky, but it also has a little Bollywood sound to me, like a snake charmer. It's pretty cool and watching Jason Derulo dance isn't too bad either ;)
(Caution: the song gets pretty dirty when 2 Chainz raps and this isn't the clean version)

This song was free on iTunes this past week (and still currently is) and has been stuck in my head since I got it. It's The Mother We Share by CHVRCHES

I've been obsessed with Lorde lately and Bravado has been my favorite song. I like the slow parts of the song, like the beginning, and then the beat comes in and gives the song a totally different feel.

Stumbled upon this song randomly after looking at model Cailin Russo's instagram and learning she also sings. She is featured on this song called Say You Want Me by Super Groupie.

I've always loved I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston but lately it's my ultimate feel good song. I feel like I'm in the 80s and just want to put on a jean jacket and some leg warmers and go dancing down the street like I'm in a music video. Fortunately I am able to resist the urge...

Look in the tabloids and Miley Cyrus is all you hear about. Girl knows how to make headlines, whether you think that's a good thing or not. I especially like the DJ Scooter Twerk Remix feat. Jay-Z of We Can't Stop. Definitely the best song to (attempt to) twerk to haha

I covered a few genres with these six songs, so hopefully you liked at least one of them. Let me know in the comments which is your favorite and if you'd like more music posts in the future!

oxxo Leo.

Nasty Gal Swimwear Now On SALE!

Prepare for next summer or your next vacation and invest in some swimwear from Nasty Gal. Especially on vaca a girl's gotta look hella fly in those pictures! These are mostly one-pieces since a lot of bikini bottoms made it to sale and not the tops, but every girl needs a good one-piece or monokini. Check out my faves on sale below:

Starting with my favorite, the Betty Swimsuit, only $84.

Next, we have two crochet options, the Poetic License Crochet Swimsuit and the Ten Times Teddy Crochet Swimsuit, each $118.50.

The Lost Marbles Swimsuit is only $30! The Flamingo Swimsuit is currently $82.50 and features a great plunging neckline. Both suits have a t-strap back detail.

The only featured bikini, the Miami Squeeze Bikini by Minimale Animale has great mesh details and a exposed zipper. Now $110.

Cutouts on cutouts on cutouts.... the Supernova Swimsuit (a Nasty Gal original) and another Minimal Animal the Vice Swimsuit, $63.75 and $86 respectively.

Lastly, my other favorite the Ziggy Stardust Swimsuit by Lolli Swim. The heart details are so cute and original. This color is my favorite and costs $120 at Nasty Gal. But get ready, you can also get this suit from Karmaloop in pink tie dye for ONLY 39.95! That's 75% off people...

I expect all you ladies to look rockin on the beach now in your cute swimwear. Check out the full price options they have at Nasty Gall too, because they're pretty sweet.

oxxo Leo.