A little 90s

Hi guys!

While spending some time on the East Coast with family I decided to shoot this Free People Rolling Stones t-shirt dress on the CT shoreline. We had some unusually warm January weather and my family and I went to our favorite local beach for a walk. I styled this awesome t-shirt dress with red moto jacket from Zara (no longer avail but this Blank NYC one is amazing) and my Spanx black vegan leather leggings, and combat boots.
Everyone loves a little grunge sometimes, styled in the right way. I’m loving all the combat boots everywhere. These look like the Givenchy ones but are a dupe from a little boutique in Paris. I recently bought a similar pair with buckles and a small heel in white, too. Check out my LIKEtoKNOW.it page for this look linked with alternative price point dupes as well as the actual items!

Who said staying warm couldn’t look cute, too! This look would also pair well with coat and a beanie.

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  

Vintage Eyelet for fall

 

Hi there! 

I am still hooked on the eyelet thing, and I find eyelet tops for fall very vintage inspired and boho as well as slightly preppy. I love this one I found on Etsy that has a turtleneck and a frilly cuffed sleeve and ties in the back. It’s a little folky as well! To modernize the look I styled it with a great skinny jean and an oldie but goodie over the knee riding boot and my little Ferragamo bag.  

I’ve also really been loving the bow scrunchie trend lately and since eyelet and lace are girly and vintage I also wore my Free People floral bow scrunchie in my hair to keep the look soft and girly:)  there’s so many ways to style this trend though, I’d even edge it up with a moto jacket or keep it comfy in a grandma oversized sweater or cardigan!

Xo,

Carolina  

LA Vibes

      

Hi there! 

I am in sunny Los Angeles working and playing for a few weeks and thought Venice Beach would be the perfect backdrop for this Free People “Magic Mystery tunic!” I love how it has a boho 70s vibe with bell sleeves so naturally I styled it with my Old Navy high waisted jeans and my hair down and a little frizzy! This top is also available at Nordstrom which was where I scored it from! I finished the look with my Aldo studded moto boots and vintage Chanel chain strap tote bag.

Peace and Xos, 

Carolina

Howdy Cowgirl!

In my Free People "Ribbons and Rows" dress, vintage belt and cowboy boots with stars, and tan tights. Photography by Francisco Graciano. 

Hi there! 

I've always had a thing for Western chic outfit details, such as pairing a cowboy boot with a dress, but I became more fond of the style and lifestyle once I started dating Francisco a few years ago, since he's originally from San Antonio, Texas. 

I'm not the only one into this style, however, it's a huge trend! How do I like to style my cowboy boots? With a dress, and a braid, or a flannel and jeans or even a peasant top and cutoff shorts. My new cowboy boots in this look were a vintage find (I love the metallic star detail and that they are shorter than the more common cowboy boot) that I paired with tights and my Free People "Ribbons and Rows" dress in royal blue. I love the neckline texture of the embroidery and beading. It looks Native American, and there's nothing more American than that. The slight ruffle detail on the sleeves and skirt of the dress are right on trend for Spring too! 

Recently I've been seeing ruffles, stars, metallics, and country chic everywhere, and I wanted to piece together an outfit showcasing those trends. My belt is also vintage but the same gold buckle design is everywhere at the moment from smaller boutiques like 12th Tribe to larger department stores like Nordstrom.  There's also a similar boot to mine currently on sale on FreePeople.com! 

Giddy up for some weekend fun! 

Xo, 

Carolina

How to Wear Liquid Metallics & Pleats

In this look I styled a Zara gold pleated a-line skirt with Free People Prima ballerina top and Kate Spade "wish" espadrille wedges. Photography by Francisco Graciano.  

Hi there!​

Recently on the NYFW runways it was all about liquid metallics ​to me. It's one trend I knew I had to incorporate into my wardrobe but the look seemed hard to pull off. In these two ways of styling this skirt (see photos below for my more casual version in Miami recently for daytime) I show you how I styled it because, well, I'm here to help!

I love the idea of metallics functioning as a neutral to soften the look and not make it so edgy, so in the nighttime look above (which can easily be a daytime look too) I paired a cream cutout top from Free People (it's called the "Prima ballerina top" and it's available now in many colors) with a Zara pleated a-line liquid metallic gold and tan skirt. ​I finished the look with my Kate Spade gold wedge "wish" shoes that are oldie but goodies. Francisco and I even laughed at the spontaneous Marilyn moment I had with the subway vent gusts of wind as I was standing near one.

​In the look below I styled the same Zara skirt with an older H&M black mesh cutout crop top fave and my recent Maypol gold flat espadrilles from TJMaxx for a more casual sporty daytime look. 

My advice with metallics is to ​mix and match. For example a band tee with silver skirt and ankle booties or a gold jacket over a black look for a pop without looking like you're from outer space. Have fun with it! :)

Xo,​

Carolina​

In this look worn on a recent trip to Miami (look at that view!!) I styled the same Zara skirt with an older H&M crop top and my Maypol gold espadrille flats. 

The movement in the skirt is spectacular! 

Yoga, Meditation, & Free People

Sporting my new Free People Karma tank from their FP Movement line while doing some yoga. 

In my Free People Karma tank. Photo by Francisco Graciano.  

On a nature walk with Francisco.  

On a nature walk on free time between sessions.  

Goodbye beautiful Sky Lake Lodge Shambhala retreat center! Until next time. Find more about their programs at www.skylake.shambhala.org or follow their IG @skylakeshambhala.  

Hi there! 

I've just returned from a fabulous Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) weekend retreat at Sky Lake Lodge meditation center. It gave Francisco and I the opportunity to take time away from the busy city to do yoga, meditate, and reflect to de-stress and cultivate Mindfulness as we transition into fall. Sometimes weekend adventures I find to be just as valuable and exhilarating as a long vacation. 

On this retreat I wore my new Free People movement line "Karma Tank" (shown above and now on sale) amongst other FP Movement and Free People pieces. Another item I purchased recently and used on the retreat was their meditation spray, a part of a whole new beauty line they are now selling in stores and online. I was first introduced to their new body products and newer FP Movement pieces at a "Movement is Free" yoga event I was invited to and attended a few weeks ago in SoHo.

Check out some photos from that fabulous event below! Thank you to the FP corporate team for the wonderful event (your events are always the best)!  

Xo, 

Carolina

Our yoga setup before class

My snapchat posts included this one wearing FP Movement "Amanda Tank" and holding up one of their newer pants.  

I love this spray to focus the mind and spirit. 

The mantra they had displayed at the event! 

Some goodies I walked away with and am loving!  

Florals & Transitioning into Fall

Wearing my Free People Tree Swing Sleeveless Printed Top as a dress (because I have a short torso don't judge me), Gap espadrille wedges in a plum color with matching plum Louis Vuitton Mini alma bag. Photography by Francisco Graciano.

Hi there! 

Florals for fall are certainly not anything new, but this particular Free People dress (called the "Tree Swing Sleeveless Printed Top") in the cranberry color is such a fun piece that transitions from summer into fall.  Now that in New York the temperatures are starting to cool down a little, I paired it in my look above with my Gap plum colored ankle tie espadrille wedges (an oldie but goodie from years ago) for a warm daytime look, and at night I threw on my black leather motorcycle jacket from Bebe (another oldie but goodie from years ago that gets better with age) for some warmth.  I can't wait to layer it this fall with leggings or over the knee boots and a jacket and scarf!

I have to let you in on a little secret.  I usually shop at my neighborhood Free People Upper East Side location or online, but I snagged this dress at Nordstrom Rack on sale and paid a third of the price while this dress is still full price in store! Major score.  So if you're interested in it look there too as well as on the website/in stores.

 As always I am a proud Free People (FPMe) girl.  Find me on the Free People app as "Lina7" to check out other ways I've styled Free People looks that may not be on the blog.  Check back with me next week to see a Free People Movement line top and accessories I purchased after attending a Movement is Free event in SoHo with yoga, juices, the debut of their skincare line, and some new FP Movement pieces for us to shop.  

Xoxo,

Carolina

Here's a look at the details of the dress so you can see the clasp at the clavicle and the purple and green within the floral pattern.