best & worst from the 2014 ACMs

The ACMs were full of surprises last night. From Taylor Swift rocking a crop top to Miranda Lambert debuting her hot new bod, the event did not disappoint. My favorite part of award shows, as for most women, is seeing what all of the celebrities wear on the red carpet. Here are some of the best & worst from the 2014 Academy of Country Music Awards:

 

My absolute FAVORITE of the night was Taylor Swift. I am loving the black & white color blocking and the crop top is a plus in my book. LOVED IT!

My second best dressed of the night was Carrie Underwood. I mean, seriously, can she get anymore flawless?! I love this flapper inspired gown with fringe detail. GORG as always!

Hunter Hayes rocked the show when performing his new single “Invisible” and also rocked the red carpet. I love the simplicity of his outfit choice last night. 

Of course, this precious couple made my list! Miranda Lambert & Blake Shelton melt my heart at every award show, but this time Miranda Lambert stole the show debuting her hot new bod. Looking good girl!

WORST DRESSED — need I say more?! Frankie Ballard, you missed the mark here buddy. You look like you belong in a Liberace band!

Overall, I was pretty satisfied with the show. I did feel that many stars played it safe, but better safe than sorry I suppose!! Who were your favorites last night? I would love to hear them — Comment below!

fashion friday: headscarves

Headscarves will be turning heads this spring! I’m not gonna lie. I’m super obsessed with this trend. It is quite ballsy, but I’m ready to take the risk! Are you?!

Headscarves have popped up on the runways of Marc Jacobs & Stella Jean as well as having been seen on celebrities like fashion blogger Courtney Kerr, Rihanna and Nicole Richie for quite some time now. Below are some of my favorite looks with this spring 2014 trend:

               

The look is truly effortless and makes any plain white tee look super chic! If you are like me, you have no idea where to start when putting on a headscarf. No worries!! Below is a link to step by step instructions courtesy of the new show, The Fabulist, that airs on E! Mondays at 8:30/7:30c.

“5 Steps to Tie The Perfect Headscarf”

Head in the right direction this spring with a headscarf to complete your outfit! Also, don’t forget to connect with me on Instagram, Pinterest & Twitter. Links can be found at the top of this page —  I would love to hear from you & what you are loving right now. Stay fabulous dolls!

fashion friday: spring in my step

Spring is near & my heart couldn’t be happier. But let’s be honest, my toes are even more happy about the transition in weather. THEY WILL BE FREE! I can wear bright-colored sandals, printed Keds, gladiators, wedges and my infamous must-have Rainbows. The possibilities are endless, but make sure those toes are painted please! Nobody likes bare piggies!

This spring is taking a throwback by trending 90s style. Being a 90s gal, this is right up my alley! Below are some of my favorites from the 90s that I definitely plan on bringing back in my style this spring:

 

If you don’t know what any of these treasures are, I’ll be praying for you. At the top are the adorable Jelly shoes. I literally wore these almost every day and my mom bought me every color! They are super affordable too.

Underneath are the comfortable Birkenstocks. These are a HIT this spring. It seems as though I have been seeing them pop out of the woodwork for weeks now. They cost between $100 – $140 on average, but I promise you they LAST FOREVER and you will get your moneys worth.

Lastly are the Keds. Taylor Swift herself has made these babies popular in recent years and once again, they will be springing in my step. I love how affordable they are and the many print varieties. To top it off, my favorite designer is Kate Spade and she has an exclusive line with Keds right now. I died.

If you click on the pics, I have provided links to where you can find these gems. Join with me this spring & take it back to the 90s.

PS – Most of my style inspiration comes from my Pinterest. Feel free to follow at http://www.pinterest.com/brandiwelk/ 🙂 Have a great weekend dolls!

fashion friday: overalls

Born in 1992, I consider myself a full blown 90s kid all the way. I still remember the style trends with converse, frilly ankle socks, faded high-waisted jeans, the dreadful scrunchies and my absolute favorite, OVERALLS! I cannot even begin t describe to you all how excited I am that my favorite past time is trending this spring.

Lucky for me, my mom just gave me 2 pairs of her old overalls. I almost died. They need a little bit of work and giving them the old grunge look, but they will be FABULOUS! Below are some of my favorite looks with overalls:

I cannot handle the comfortable cuteness. I mean seriously, who doesn’t like overalls?! You don’t have to put hardly any effort into wearing them. Sounds like a winner to me! Some places carrying overalls right now are Old Navy, Target, and Forever21. Your best bet would probably be thrift stores though. Plus, they will already have a worn look!

Be on the lookout for this precious trend this spring. I know I will be fixing mine up this weekend and will definitely post a how-to  🙂

fashion friday: trends for Spring 2014

I don’t know about all of you, but I am BEYOND READY for Spring weather. The bright colors, bare toes, flowers & sunshine . . . I need it in my life, as well as, the fashion trends that are coming with it. Last spring we saw lots of cutouts, lace and stripes. This year, it’s even better!

Below is what you and your wallet can look forward to in Spring 2014 —

• PRETTY PASTELS – This is by far my favorite. Pastels are so complimentary to anyone’s skin tone and also give a nice touch of purity to any outfit.
• WIDE-LEG TROUSERS – Bell bottoms making a comeback?! Close. This spring you can look forward to chic wide-legged trousers in linen and prints to wisp you away.
• TEA-LENGTH SKIRTS – Oh, I just adore!! Tea-length skirts are longer skirts that can be paired with a crop top or tucked-in blouse. Twirl away ladies!!
• CROPPED & BOMBER JACKETS – Look for cropped & collarless jackets to hit the stores soon. They will also have lots of prints to choose from. Also, the infamous bomber jacket will be making the scene. Pair either of these jackets with a nice pair of shorts or capris and call it a day.
• GLADIATORS – I think gladiator sandals will always be trending. Many runway models have been paired with these. Especially, knee-high gladiators.

Spring 2014 is going to be one for the books. You mean I get to wear pastels & gladiators?! I’m already super anxious!

Get your pocketbooks ready ladies & happy Spring shopping!

P.S. – I think tax-refunds come out this time of year for a reason. Go reward yourself for all of your hard work!!

fashion friday: finding the perfect sparkle for your body type

With 2014 right around the corner, that means every woman is in search of the perfect New Years Eve dress. Of course, this dress must include SPARKLES!! Sparkles are the ultimate go-to showstopper. But with that being said, that also means that certain areas of your body will be drawn attention to more than others. So, how do you know which area to bedazzle and which to keep basic? I think it’s best to approach this with taking into consideration your body type. If you’re a full-figured girl, you probably aren’t going to want to wear sequins from head to toe. Through my searching for the right NYE ensemble, I came up with a few tips for each of the five body types. This will not only ease your hunting, but also assist you in accentuating your hottest assets.

1) Apple – This is a woman with a chest and hips that are close to the same size, but your hips tend to be about six inches smaller than your chest. For this, I suggest your sparkle focus point be on the bottom half of your body. This will even out that small difference.

2) Pear – This body type is the exact opposite of the apple. With this, your hips are significantly wider than your shoulders which causes you to be curvy on your bottom half. There is nothing wrong with having hips ladies! Embrace it this NYE by purchasing a skirt has sparkle detail and pairing it with a basic top. This will not only draw attention to sexy curves, but also create the look of a smaller waist.

3) Rectangle – This is a woman where her shoulders, waist, bust and hips are around the same size. A woman with this body type can virtually get away with anything. Though, I do suggest creating the illusion of curves. In order to do this, you should buy a piece that will cinch the waistline. You can do this with a belt or peplum dress or top.

4) Inverted triangle – This body type is very similar to the apple shape, except instead of a subtle difference in your hips, they are significantly smaller than your shoulders. For women with this type, you absolutely do NOT want to put any focus on your shoulders. The last thing you want is to have the appearance of “man shoulders.” I would by a dress that flows outward on the bottom with sequin or glitter detail.

5) Hourglass – This is every woman’s dream. This woman embodies the perfect balance of bust and hips while having a small waist. Talk about having it made! I suggest picking a dress that is more form fitting to show off that awesome body. Work it girl!

Whether you are rectangle like me or fabulously hourglass, pick a sparkly dress right for your body and go into 2014 with a BANG! Good luck & happy hunting ladies!

I would like to extend a special thank you to my idol, Chelsea Krost, for featuring this post on her blog. To check it out, go to www.chelseakrost.com.

fashion friday: must-have boots

Boots with heels. Leather boots. Boots with the furrrrrr. Whatever your fancy be, it is essential to have a pair a boots that speak volumes. There are so many options, but which is right for you and your wardrobe? And affordable for that matter?

Trending right now are ankle booties, boot wedges, and combat boots. I, personally, think everyone should have a pair of each kind. But, then again, I’m a shopaholic and will never have enough options. I decided to investigate to find my favorite of each trending type with a designer pair, as well as, an affordable pair. Let’s face it, not all of us can afford $10,000 Louboutins.

ANKLE BOOTIES 

Perfect for that night on the town paired with a cute dress. I find these good for the lady who doesn’t like too high of a heal. Plus, I love the western flare!

                

Alberto Fermani – $445           Mossimo Supply Co. – $35

BOOT WEDGES 

These are perfect for those girls that have a hard time walking in heeled boots. I love seeing these matched with jeans and a blazer!

                    

Elizabeth & James – $400                        Soda – $34

COMBAT BOOTS

These are by far my favorite trend right now! They add edge to any outfit and look especially good with distressed jeans and a t-shirt.

          

Alexander McQueen – $1,295        Steve Madden – $130

This day in age, it doesn’t take a million dollars to look fabulous! I suggest taking advantage of online deals and definitely look around before settling on one style. Happy Hunting dolls!

black friday fuss & feathers

‘Tis the season for your sweet tooth to engage in sugar overloads, family time, endless Christmas tunes and Black Friday adventures. It seems to be the topic of conversation these days . . . “Where are you going on Black Friday?” or “What deals have you found?” This day in age, if you don’t camp out the night before with your Thanksgiving dinner in hand, then you aren’t going to see any deals. According to CNN Money, individual shoppers shelled out on average $423 during the Black Friday weekend in 2012. Total spending over the four-day weekend reached a record $59.1 billion. That’s absolutely insane!

I don’t know about you, but I’m not about freezing my butt off to buy a toy or waiting in line to find deals for my family and friends. I turn to ONLINE SHOPPING, which by the way, I find to be one of the best gifts from God. You can not only take your time shopping, you can even do it in your PJs. Sounds like a winner to me!

Ditch the Black Friday fuss!! This holiday season I’m featuring one of my personal favorites on the gift-giving list this year, CoCoFeathers. A dear friend of mine, Corrie, crafts these beautiful handmade feather earrings and accessories. From football themed feathers to fabulous feather headbands, she makes it all. She even does custom orders! Now, I don’t know of any department stores that would be willing to do that. Below is a little bit more information about her & her cause:

“Hi! My name is Corrie Lail and I am from Pensacola, Florida. I’ve recently married the man of my dreams and we currently live in Orlando. I give my husband all the credit for inspiring my venture into jewelry making. During a time of personal uncertainty, my husband, Matt, gave me the freedom and encouragement to explore my creativity, something I’ve felt that I’ve never really let myself do! I started making feather themed earrings and realized that it was something that I loved to do. I finally found a creative outlet that I had a passion for. Naturally, I chose the name CocoFeathers; combining my childhood nickname with my newfound passion.”

If that sweet story doesn’t make you want to help a girl out, then something is wrong with you!! Please take the time to check out her gorgeous items at her Etsy store: www.etsy.com/shop/CoCoFeathers

Shop early with coupon code: BLACKFRIDAY to receive 15% off from now till Friday November 29!

fall into the season

Pumpkin candles. Cooler weather. Sweaters & Scarves. Football. The list could go on and on . . . I cannot even begin to describe to you my excitement about the upcoming fall season! Although, I do live in Florida where fall doesn’t officially come until October, my mind is already there and I wish my wardrobe was too.

The Fall 2013 season is trending with some of my favorite looks. From military inspiration to everyone’s favorite, layering, get your pocketbooks ready for a fabulous frenzy of fall looks for any fashionista.

10 essentials for FALL 2013:

1. CLASSIC PRINTS – Simplicity is best. Stick with prints like plaid or houndstooth. I mean, who doesn’t look good in houndstooth?! Roll Tide Roll!
2. EMERALD GREEN – I believe emerald green to be one of the most flattering colors on any woman. This color will be in the lime light this season!!
3. MILITARY-INSPIRED – Every woman loves a man in uniform. Why not try the look on ourselves? This season will be popping with khaki green over-sized jackets and slim pants.
4. LET OUT THE ANIMAL IN YOU – Don’t put your animal prints away just yet. Leopard & tribal print inspired pieces have been on the runway for quite some time now. Keep your eye out for animals hiding in your jewelry as well.
5. LAYERING – I absolutely love layering if it is done right. Especially with patterns. Find pieces that compliment each other and take a chance!
6. BOOTIES – The “it” shoe this fall are booties. Whether they are flat or heeled, they are sure to stay trending for a good minute. Plus, they look amazing with dresses!
7. PEPLUM – Peplum is one of the most flattering cuts on almost any woman. It achieves the perfect look of being curvy as well as slim all at the same time. This is a definite MUST buy item.
8. HAIR TRENDS – As far as hair goes, fall will be filled with low ponys, volume, sleek-straight hair, and as always, BRAIDS!
9. NAILS – The hot colors on the nail scene are purple, blood red, classic red, chocolate brown, gray, teal, burnt orange, metallics and my personal favorite, navy blue.
10. JEWELRY – Every outfit needs great accessories! Make sure and pick up some cuffs, bangles, geometric and chain inspired pieces.

Whether you are edgy in your style or pastel and preppy, Fall 2013 has a look for you. I already have my boots purchased & my pumpkin candle burning. HURRY UP FALL!!!

fashion friday: summer essentials

A Pensacola, FL summer is jam-packed with sandy beach visits, long nights on Palafox Street, Wahoos game shenanigans and of course, every girl’s not-so best friend . . . HEAT! We weren’t called the “Sunshine State” for nothing. (Although, that can be debatable these days!) With the high humidity and the urge to still look fabulous, there are some summer fashion essentials that every glamour girl MUST HAVE! It starts with a day at ole Pensacola Beach.

Make sure your closet has a few different swim suits that are flattering for your body type, grab your favorite shades, and NEVER forget the sunscreen. As bad as we all want to have sun-kissed skin, we also don’t want to look like grandma’s old leather bag by the time we’re 30.

For a night on sinfully sweet Palafox Street, cut-outs and crop tops are definitely hitting the scene. Play a little peek-a-boo, but don’t get crazy! Other haute looks for summer in Pensacola include maxi dresses, pastels, printed pants, fringe, high-waisted ensembles and WEDGES!

We have all heard that “diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” Yes, they are . . . but, so are wedges. Not only do they look killer with almost any outfit, but they are comfortable and virtually impossible to break your neck in! Summer in Pensacola is about living it up and letting loose with your gal pals.

Don’t let the heat get you down, remember to accessorize, and let your personality handle the rest!

What more appropriate than to feature a Pensacola fashion blogger?! The above stylish pics are from my good friend Taylor McLemore. She is always on point and my go-to person for fashion advice. Follow her on  instagram at http://instagram.com/taylorsmclemore.

Also, see my post from today featured in Pensacola’s local fashion culture magazine, FIVE magazine, at http://www.scribd.com/doc/161833429/FIVE.