Unless you've been kidnapped and placed under captivity for a government science experiment, you may have heard of a little Netflix show from this summer, called Stranger Things. Like almost everyone else, I, too, binged the series in about a day, and fell in love with the 1983 Indiana set and costumes. I wanted to do a post that captured that super 80's feminine vibe from Stranger Things, (without buzzing my head like Eleven, sorry not sorry) so I decided to go the Nancy Wheeler route and give you guys my interpretation of her style. And on a sidenote, I not only like the show because everyone does, I like it because it's such an ode to my boy, Stephen King's work, (the parallels are so uncanny they most likely are deliberate, so bless).
I started this look with this glorious, G- L- O- R- I- O- U- S, that is, top from Topshop.Guys, I LIVE for finding really outstanding and unique pieces like this. It's a gorgeous off-white-knit Victorian style blouse, that's super comfy and simply eye-catching— plus I can totally see Nancy sporting this to a family Christmas party. Next, to capture that 80's vibe even more, I knew I had to go with something corduroy, so I chose this brown button down skirt from Brandy Melvilleto really ground the look. Next, I decided to keep it super simple but detailed with black accessories: black suedeJeffrey Campbell wedges, a black Marc Jacobsshoulder bag, this killerASOS double buckle belt (quite reminiscent of 1983 Indiana, I'd say), and finally, a sleek black ribbon tied around a low pony. Maybe not the ideal outfit to go monster-hunting in, but I think Ms. Wheeler would dig it.
Although briefly mentioned before in my September favorites, one of my fashion philosophies is as stands: go about my day to day, dressing as if I were a character in a Ryan Murphy pilot. Sounds silly maybe? Oh yeah, it's ridiculous. But what a cool way to think about fashion and these universes that Murphy has created in shows like American Horror Story and Scream Queens. For my next Halloween-inspired look, I took a hint from the Chanels (bless), and thought up my own version that actually proves to be pretty wearable. (On a sidenote, Karl Lagerfeld is probably cringing at the fact that this American TV show is giving a bizarre connotation to the name of Coco's fashion house, lol....but I digress..).
I call this look my own version because I kept the colors minimalistic and dark (typically like the rest of my wardrobe), mostly because, you won't see me galavanting around in pink pom poms quite like the Chanels, so this is my mod, dark, fall version. It all starts with this dress. I purchased it around Halloween last year from American Apparel, (it's on sale right now so I suggest you take a gander), and I'm so enthralled by the softness of the fabric and the sharp-edge cuts— a quality I thought fit very well into the Scream Queens inspired fashion sense. Plus, it's crazy comfortable, so I would highly recommend checking this style out if you need a dress for your costume this year. Next, it wouldn't be a Chanel- inspired look without knee socks! These socks are from Free People, and they're super warm and excellent for transition weather to throw on with a skirt or dress and eliminate having to wear, dare I say, stockings.... Next, I added this maroony-gold vintage jacket (shoulderpads and all, thanks mom), and a maroon choker courtesy of Pacsun. And finally, this look would be no where near complete withoutthese amazing, I repeat, AMAZING Zara sandals. I actually spotted them on Miss Molly, creative director ofthe Lala, and couldn't resist getting a pair myself. Needless to say, I think this is an outfit that even Chanel would kill for. (Yay, puns).
Happy October, you guys! So for this month, I decided to do something a little different for my weekly posts... So as you guys may or may not know, I'm obsessed (like obsessed) with all things Halloween. It's my favorite holiday, always has been, and always will be. So for this October, I wanted to put together outfits inspired by various Halloween characters. Better yet, these looks could potentially double as modernHalloween costumes... AKA, nothing like the polyester tutus you get at the store.
First up, perhaps my favorite witches out there of all time (okay, probably my second favorite if we're including Macbeth's BFFS), The Sanderson Sisters. For this look, I wanted to keep it casual while still adding that Hocus Pocus flair. I started with one of my favorite new additions to my wardrobe: these insanely cool purple cords by Free People. They add just the right amount of witchy with the major-flared out bottoms, and are super comfortable and flexible. Up top, I wanted to off set the deep purple bottom with something flighty and glittery: this really awesome zip-up star top that I found at a thrift store over the summer (shout-out to Miss Lindz for eyeing this). To add one last bit of unexpected color, I went with a wine colored Pacsun choker, vintage clutch and Lolashoetique boots. Hopefully I'd be doing Winnie, Mary and Sarah some justice in this get-up.
Fun fact: the paper underneath these products is a fun newspaper movie print of the Grand Budapest Hotel, how cool right? Which brings me to share one of my major inspos when it comes to dressing: Wes Anderson! So much cool detail and color and cleverness... one of my main fashion principles is to dress like I'm either in a Wes Anderson movie or Ryan Murphy pilot. But I digress. September was a really beautiful month (it's my favorite month during the entire year.. because a) my birthday, and b) fashion week obviously). I was able to really shoot a lot of great things this past fashion month, explored my own personal brand even deeper, and helped creative direct some really freakin' cool upcoming Lala projects, including our brand new Youtube channel. What more could I ask for? Here goes the favorites of this past month...
Beauty
1) Glossier Super Bounce- I think I found the secret to the fountain of youth guys, it's hyaluronic acid. I've been lately delving into serums (I spoke about one of my favorite ones from Youth to the People in one of my favorites round ups a few months ago), so when I heard Glossier was releasing some, I knew I had to try them out. The first one I picked up is Super Bounce, because I found that this one has a strong combo of elements that's reminiscent of my YTP serum, with an added vitamin B5. So far, I've been super impressed, and it's continued to pick up where my YTP serum left off, leaving my skin super glowing and tight everyday. I like to apply this after a swipe of my Milk Cooling Water, and following it up with Glossier's Priming Moisturizer.
2)Makeup Forever Mattifying Primer- So I've been in search (like on the hunt!) for a primer that keeps me matte all day. With the changing weather and my combination skin, I tend to shine up when the temperature fluctuates— so I knew it was about time I really read up on what to get. I came across this product on a blog of an old Bachelor contestant from Ben's season (yes, lol guilty), and she noted that this kept her face super super matte on camera. I decided to take the plunge and buy it, and was actually really impressed with the results— it really makes my makeup stick and stay dry throughout all hours from day to night. Would highly recommend for anyone with oily/combo skin, such a good find!
3) Colourpop Nillionaire- An oldie but goodie for this month! I'm a huge fan of Colourpop shadows as you may know, and I always seem to find a new way of using them. This time around, I've been loving a little bit of this shadow foiled on my lower lashline into my tear duct, it just gives a nice warm sparkle to any fall eye look— LOVE!
4) Tom Ford Gold Dust- My favorite new bronzer for fall! This powder is super light-weight, but still gives killer pigmentation for your contour. I love this particular shade because of it's shimmery gold sparkle that guarantees the coolest glow. Pro-tip, I also love using this with a Mac 168 brush, it really gets those perfect angles around your temple and cheekbones.
5) Diorshow Mascara 778- Fall has to not only be my favorite time of year because weather, clothes, food, Halloween, etc... it's definitely also my favorite time because... BURGUNDY MASCARA! Burgundy/ maroon/ wine are such big colors for this coming season, so weaving them in in unlikely ways makes for an absolutely glorious outcome. This burgundy from Dior just heightens any eye-look, and I'm just obsessed.
6) Love Bite by Kylie Cosmetics- To continue on that maroon/wine/burgundy train, I also hopped on the bandwagon purchasing Love Bite. My only complaint would definitely have to be that it needs reapplication every couple of hours.. but for this gorgeous purpley-wine color, it's so worth it!
Miscellaneous
7)EOS Shave Cream Vanilla Bliss- As a recent purchase, I knew I wanted to throw this in for all you dry-skinners out there as the weather is getting crisper. This baby keeps my legs super moisturized and never cracked, so I'd highly recommend if you're looking for something to smooth up with.
8) WHITE PUMPKINS - Random favorite, but I recently bought a bunch of these baby pumpkins for my all new-white room, and they're just too cute, so had to share.
9) Gonzo Platforms by Steve Madden- Not much to say here because, these shoes pretty much speak for themselves... but I'm obsessed and these will definitely be going dancing with me this weekend as I celebrate my 22nd!
Finally, clips from fashion week + shoots this month!
"The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief,
As you know, if you've read my blog for a while, one of my favorite things to do with clothes is to wear them in ways that they're not meant to be worn. Not only does it make the entire look more interesting, it also allows you to be more comfortable in a lot of ways— particularly in what I did here for my last September post. As the weather gets chillier, throwing on jackets for your night-out attire is a no-brainer.. but what about wearing a nice cozy cool graphic sweatshirt as a dress instead?
And, that's exactly what I did here with this ahhhhh-dorable Tees and Tank You 'Bitey Babe' sweatshirt, (seriously, how cute is this!). While throwing it on as a "dress," I actually also slipped a simply black jersey skirt underneath it. And pro tip, I actually also threw on a crop top underneath the sweatshirt, so that if I got too hot, I could take off the sweatshirt and wrap it around my waist. I paired the look with one of my favorite Pacsun chokers and these kickass velvet wine boots courtesy of Lolashoetique. Such a head-turning yet super simple look for a night out.
For this mid-September post, I thought I'd tackle one of this season's fall trends that has left a lot of individuals out there confounded: the baseball cap. While it seems simple enough, I do believe that it's actually not that easy— for example, how do you pull it off without looking like an actual ball player heading to the field?
With a little help from Tees and Tank You, I styled their "Don't DM Me" cap with this premise in mind. I started with what, in my mind, is an equivalent piece to a baseball style cap-- a ripped jean. These light wash babies are courtesy of Topshop, and I think they add just the right amount of edge to the entire look. Next, to femme it up a bit, I added this gorgeous lace top I purchased from BPa couple of years ago. It's simple enough in silhouette, but strong enough to balance out the cap in a non-baseball playing way (lol). To play with a little proportion, I added this long white vest from Zara, and finished the look off with my killer Ray-Bansand superstar Adidas.
One word: bodyyyyyysuits. I already expressed my love for them in my last post, but I couldn't go another without styling this adorable lace one from Pacsun(I love it so much I'm considering getting the same one in another color). September is all about transitional dressing, so I think they're such a secret weapon when it comes to the changing season and weather. While they can act as a tank top, they also cover enough of you to keep you warm throughout the chillier days.
Happy freakin' fashion week, ladies and gents! This is officially my 4th anniversary working in these fashion week games, and what a ride it's been. I actually don't believe I've ever told the story of how I got into the entire fashion world-so gather round children, I will briefly recap the story here...
I like to call my entrance into the industry not as an accident, per say, but it's best described as I "fell in backwards".. lol. It was during our freshman and sophomore years of college where we lived next to the old Mercedes Benz tent at Lincoln Center, so what else would a curious bunch of 18-year-olds do? Well, we would get dressed up in our best suits and ties and just hang out around the venue... pretending to say hello to celebrities we didn't know, but they ended up thinking we knew them (looking at you Paris Hilton, DVF, and Queen Anna Wintour). Stay tuned for the Lala's Youtube Channel launch to hear the full story. Fast forward a little time, and I met the first journalist who introduced me to the industry, started taking pictures for her, and the rest is history.
If there's anything I learned here, curiosity did NOT kill any cats.
"Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under 't."
[Macbeth I.V]
Be sure to keep posted on my Instagram, Snapchat (@alanna_martine) and Twitter to follow along with shows and events I'll be attending!
Cheers, xxoxo
P O S T // S C R I P T
As you may or may not have heard, the Lala has announced it's Youtube Channel launch for Monday, September 12th. I just wanted to say that I can't wait to share with you guys what we've been working on all summer, and this is just the beginning of something so smart, so cool, and so inspiring for you Lala readers out there. Click here to subscribe, and watch our trailer below!
And above all, thank you. Because we couldn't have done it without you. X O X O
What a cool month it's been! I got to swim with Lindsey's blow up swans in the Adirondacks, galavant around Disney with some kickass magic makers, and above all, got to work on some awesome top-secret Lala projects (that we promise, are coming soon). I wanted to make this favorites about some of my favorite travel products I brought with me while I was away, so without further ado... you know the routine..
Beauty
1) Too Faced Hangover Primer- Talk about magic in a baby bottle. I got this little sample from Sephora from their point perks (BLESS), and it was the perfect on-the-go face primer I needed this month. It's really delicate, smells nice, and feels extremely light on the skin. Will definitely be purchasing the full size during my next Sephora trip.
2) Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Sand- Such a #TBT product, guys. This oldie but goodie is definitely one of my favorite face products of all time, but it was especially useful this month while walking around all the magical kingdoms of Disney (aka, lots of sweat and heat). I used this every day we were there and it's SPF protection was perfect to keep my skin burn-free and my shiney-ness at a minimum.
3) Gold Dust by Dolce + Gabbana- Um, the most pigmented colored eyeshadow in all of the land! This stuff can withstand anything. I reached for this as an all over the lid shade and I simply cannot get over the fact that throughout the over-100 degree climate, this color did not budge an inch. So so good.
4) Mac Prep + Prime Lip- I wore a lot of liquid matte lip colors this past month (definitely hoping to continue the trend this fall), and I found that using a lip primer like this one from Mac really makes a difference in all-day wear. It provides a really nice balmy base for a really stringent, matte color, and I really have been digging it.
5) Maliboo by Kylie Cosmetics- With that being said, this was the most reached for liquid lipstick this month! I'm obsessed with this nudey pink (I discovered that I think I like Kylie's line so much because of her colors), and it was certainly a go-to for during the day at the parks and going out in Orlando at night.
6) Mac 224 Brush- Looking back at all of my monthly favorites, I realized that I don't often include my favorite brushes, so I thought I'd start this month with the trend! First up would definitely by my Mac 224, I use this pretty much every day and it's such a great starter brush for anyone who's a makeup beginner. It's primarily for blending, but it could also be great to smoke out any colors in the crease. A must-have, fo sho.
7) Cle De Peau Hydro Clarifying Lotion- Ah, what a gorgeous product! So if you've been reading for a while, you'll know that I am obsessed with Bioderma, a micellar cleansing water that you can only buy in-store overseas, so I've been looking for products available in the US that are similar in concept. This stuff comes pretty close! It's really great to dab on your face right before bed or to freshen up in the AM.
8) The Righteous Butter by Soap and Glory- Part of my go-to plane regimen for sure! I just love this baby travel sized cream, not only does it smell freakin' glorious, it just keeps your skin smoother than ever when you're drying out from 30,000 feet travel.
Misc
9) My NEW VANITY !!! - So if you've kept up with my Instagram.. Instagram story.. Snap story.. all those crazy things, you'll know that I just redid my room (much needed, as this is the first time I'm actually purchasing furniture for me :: buh-bye Cinderella bed from when I was 7). All of the pieces I chose are separate (I didn't want a bedroom set), and will come with me to wherever I move next. The table I'm using as my vanity is the Micke desk from Ikea, and this gorgeous mirror was a steal from Homegoodsfor like 40 bucks. So OBSESSED.
