Spell seashell collection

Hi there!

I hope everyone is staying safe during our quarantine time. I know my few weeks staying in has come with its set of challenges like not having my work trips or being able to travel, but I know with our collective effort we will be back to normal soon! We are all in this together.

On a trip to Portland, OR some months ago I first wore my new seashell gown by Spell. This collection is truly gorgeous, and I’m especially obsessed because of my love for ocean anything and mermaids! If you zoom in you can see the seashell and mermaid details on this dress and so much from this collection available online only currently. I’m extra in love with the fact that it’s eco friendly fabric! My love of all things mermaid and ocean stems very much from my love of preserving the environment. Spell also just had a sale on their activewear (still going!) so I treated myself for my birthday tomorrow!

Stay safe and well. @Spell IG and other brands are also offering a lot of online workouts in their lives on instagram which then stay on stories and some post to their IGTVs for a free on demand workout. My faves have been @spell, @revolve, @nastygal, and @vaaris (just launched featuring equinox, pure yoga and other workouts on demand in IGTV). I’ve also created a highlight reel called “Isolation Inspiration” on my instagram @carolinasantosread or @carolinasantosread.fashion with quotes, workouts, funny memes and more to help during isolation:)

These photos were taken by my talented friend Sarah who is a photographer in Austin, TX. Her IG is @sarah_uftring.

xo,

Carolina

Joshua Tree Jumpsuit

Hi there!

On a recent trip to explore Joshua Tree I thought it was the best location to shoot my new Spell Designs Dahlia Jumpsuit! I ordered an XS and I’m 5’6” and it fits baggy but it’s supposed to be. We had fun shooting this look! It’s airy and breezy and transitions well into fall. It made me live my best gypsy life. I styled it with my new Soludo espadrille platforms from Nordstrom.

Xo,

Carolina

Embellished Tunics & Beaded Bracelets Boho!

Hi there! 

I am loving this embellished “Bali Golden Sun Dress” tunic from Free People and my new Great Eastern Imports mala bead bracelets of different crystals. I’m a lover of crystals for not only their aesthetic but the energy and healing properties they have. I have done a post before on their jewelry and we wanted to work together on another feature. The pieces they sent me are stunning! Reach out to them through their website or on Instagram @Great_Eastern_Imports is their page. You can even custom make your bracelets! They are a fantastic company and made right in Thailand.

Free People always nails it with their bohemian dresses and this is no different. I love the blush pink tone and all the embellished beading detail and puff sleeves. I feel like a princess in it!

Xo, 

Carolina  

Boho Ruffles and The It Bag This Season

In the Spell Designs City Lights Maxi, Arezzo wedges and a handmade straw bag from a boutique in Chelsea Market NYC. 

Hi there!

I’m back in Miami for work and loving the weather as always. We shot some photos in my current obsession dress: Spell Designs’ “City Lights Maxi.” I love that it’s bohemian, floral, has ruffles and tassels (see the back of the dress photo above), and super comfortable. It also transitions from day into night beautifully depending on the styling (throw on a wedge a night bag and some accessories to dress it up or wear it to the beach with flip flops and no makeup: it works so well either way). I’m also loving this handmade straw bag from one of my favorite stores in Chelsea Market NYC: the Moroccan imports store. The owner is lovely and his imports are beautiful and affordable!

Tassels, ruffles, florals, color, boho, straw bags and more are all in this season and I’m loving all those trends! 

Xo, 

Carolina  

A Boho Maxi Dress

In my Sayulita frill gown from Spell Designs, Aldo gold sandals and Chanel vintage bucket bag at the beach in Miami.  

Hi there! 

On a recent work trip to Miami where I took a couple days off to hit the beach, I wore my Spell Designs Sayulita frill gown that I’m completely obsessed with for spring. There are so many ways to wear a bohemian maxi dress this spring. Casual is how I styled it this time with my Aldo gold sandals and vintage Chanel yellow bucket bag and messy wavy hair. However, you could always go a more formal route with wedges or a chunky platform heel and a scarf or jacket and hair more formally curled to give it a night look, and more dramatic makeup. 

These colors pop, and fun vibrant colors are always in for spring as are florals, frills, and boho chic! 

Xo, 

Carolina  

Boho Cali Vibes part 2

In my Free People embroidered bell sleeve top with Old Navy flares Aldo studded ankle boots Balenciaga Mini city purse and Vigoss for Nordstrom suede jacket. Photographed at the Grand Central Market in Downtown LA. 

Hi there! 

Continuing with the LA theme, while I was out there I styled another recent Free People top (called the “embroidered bell sleeve top” from Nordstrom that I just love! I’m wearing it with a studded ankle boot, Old Navy flares, and a suede moto jacket from Nordstrom by Vigoss. I finished the look with my Balenciaga Mini City crossbody purse. I always love Grand Central Market in downtown LA and it’s food options including an amazing breakfast place called “Eggslut.” I love LA!

There are so many fun boho looks everywhere right now, and even in the cold you can style the tops with layers;). Stay tuned for holiday looks next up!

Xo, 

Carolina

Vintage Look with Updates

Wearing my TaschNYC Janis Joplin vintage tee (refurbished with the heart cutout and studded design by Tasch) with Old Navy high-waisted bell bottom jeans, Sam Edelman teal platform blue velvet sandals, and teal Topshop faux fur coat with YSL black medium Kate bag. Photography by Meghan Asselta.

Hi there! 

Continuing the vintage band tee trend (I love how versatile a great rock and roll band tee can be) we recently photographed another t-shirt from the TaschNYC vintage repurposed tee collection. This one was a Janis Joplin tee with custom heart cutout and studded detail in the back. All the tees have been custom redesigned in some way which I really love. I styled this with my Old Navy high-waisted Bell bottom jeans (a recent sale score!) and my Topshop teal faux fur jacket. Edit: this is not avail so I tagged a more recent one in another funky color (there are many colors avail)! I finished the look with my new Sam Edelman teal velvet platform sandals (later edit: when that one was sold out I added a more recent link here) and my YSL medium Kate bag. I felt right out of the 70s with this look; a little boho rock and roll vibe!

I also worked with TaschNYC in the past with some of their gorgeous dressy looks including a beaded purple dress I had a blast shooting in and walking the runway in. They have some fun casual wear as well as formal ladies clothing!  

Xo, 

Carolina

The 70s Look

In my new Spell & The Gypsy Collective "Sayulita top" and Old Navy high waisted bell bottom jeans styled with my favorite platforms and Kate Spade Gold Coast purse.  

   Hi there! 

The weather in New York has been getting a little bit colder slowly, and this breezy look is perfect! The off the shoulder top is a floral boho number called the Sayulita Top from Spell & The Gypsy Collective (Spell Byronbay), and the high-waisted bell bottom jeans are a recent Old Navy clearance steal for $14! The 70s retro look is back in style and with my love of bohemian style, classic rock, and gypsy wandering it couldn't be more up my alley. I am also wearing my amethyst necklace I got at Sugar Momos in Big Island, Hawaii that I blogged about in the spring. I finished off the look with my favorite oldie but goodie platforms and Kate Spade Gold Coast shimmer purse. 

My hair was recently done in a balayage and we styled it wavy, which really works with the look as well. More in my Instagram @carolinasantosread to find out hair stylist details from my hair modeling shoot.

Xo, 

Carolina

Free People and Fall Nail Art

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 Free People Movement drifter pant and white flowy top, Aldo booties, Zara vegan leather jacket, Urban Outfitters beanie, and Chanel purse. Photography in Brooklyn by Francisco Graciano.

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Free People floral corduroys and slouchy top, Aldo booties, and Rebecca Minkoff fringe purse.  Photography in SoHo by Francisco Graciano.

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For outfit credits please see photo above.  Photography by Francisco Graciano.

Hi there!

For today's blog entry I wanted to talk about how much I love Free People.  Free People is a clothing store chain that to me captures the essence of the style I love.  They combine rock and roll with festival and traditional hippie fashion that can either be rough around the edges or girly.  It's not too fussy or contrived, and the pieces I buy from Free People I find to be timeless.  Check out my Free People Me (#FPMe) account under Lina7, where I've styled a lot of other Free People pieces in my wardrobe.  The fact that this brand allows for consumers who may or may not be bloggers or stylists to style their FP wardrobe and post on the FPMe app is genius.  There you can see how other people styled the pieces you are wanting to purchase and get ideas about fit and styling beforehand.  Free People also holds events for Free People Me stylists a few times a year.  I've been invited to rooftop dinners, yoga sessions, and scored dress benefits.  You guys seriously rock.

If you look at my images above you'll see a few "oldy but goodie" favorites.  The first image has some Free People harem/slouchy pants (called "The Drifter Pant") that I wear day to day or to dance class or yoga styled with my Aldo studded booties, Free People baggy white top, and my Zara blush vegan leather jacket I talked about in my last post.  I finished the look with my hair naturally curly, a berry lip and cat eye, and an old Urban Outfitters black beanie that is a fave of mine once it starts to get colder.  My quilted chain strap Chanel is a classic and goes with any outfit. The Free People pieces in that outfit are versatile from the yoga room or dance floor to a casual stylish day look.

The second two photos include my Free People floral corduroys from last year (their actual name is the "FP Printed Cord Skinny") that I will be re-wearing this season styled above with the same Aldo booties and Free People top. I completed the look with my natural curly hair and my Rebecca Minkoff fringe black cross body bag I scored at last year's sample sale.  This outfit is casual and comfortable with a bohemian and slightly edgy vibe that I just love.

Did you know Free People is the same company as Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie? Well now you do.  All 3 of those stores have a similar aesthetic but a slightly different target demographic.  Anthro and Urban have insanely beautiful stuff too, and Anthropologie has some great sales.  I'm currently eyeing a coat at Anthropologie!

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Nail Art done by Marie Nails (Nolita location) for a recent print shoot showcasing fall runway nail art trends. Photography by Prime Content Studio NYC.

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Another fall nail art trend for my recent print shoot.  Nails by Marie Nails (Nolita location), photography by Prime Content Studio NYC.

In the above two photos you'll see a couple of fall nail art trends that were seen on the fall runways this year.  The former of the two photos is a spin on the black and gold as well as glitter trends (I am obsessed with the detail in the leaf nail, they are wizards at Marie Nails).  The latter photo is a spin on the paint trend as well as red and black seen on runways such as Desigual (the Barcelona designer famous for mixing things up).  Which one's your favorite? They are both gel nails with nail art design, and they lasted a really long time.  My favorite was the black and gold because I had never had studs on my nails before, and I absolutely loved how it looked.

Xo,

Carolina