Bay Area Fashionista

Comfortable summer maxi dress

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion  tagged mansur gavriel / outfits / petite / saint laurent / summer 2016 / vince camuto by

affordable petite maxi dress how to style a maxi dresspetite maxi dress for summer blogger mansur gavriel lady bag with petite maxi dress

Pictured: Earrings: Ippolita / Sunglasses: Chanel / Lipstick: c/o Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Rosa / Necklace: old, similar here / Dress: Vince Camuto (wearing petite, also comes in regular sizes-under $100 and avl in 6 colors!) / Bracelet: Kendra Scott / Nail Polish: Chanel Canotier / Handbag: Mansur Gavriel / Shoes: Saint Laurent

One of the most difficult things to find when you are 5’4″ or under, is a maxi dress which does not need shortening! I always have to factor in the cost of alterations when I look at long skirts or dresses. So, when I spotted this petite summer maxi dress, I was thrilled! No extra costs! Love that!

It is always nice to have a lightweight, breathable maxi dress for the warm summer months. I love this dress, which happens to come in both regular, and petite sizes, for the summer. It is lightweight, and extremely comfortable. The style is simple, so it can easily be paired with a variety of accessories. It can also be paired with heels for a more dressy, summer look. I prefer to wear it casually with espadrilles. It can also be topped with a hat! Yes!

The ruched waist adds a little bit of style to the dress, and also gives it shape. I love this dress so much, and the fact that it is petite!  I am thinking of adding it in black, and indigo, to my closet. It comes in six different colors! The darker colors such as merlot and black, will be great for transitioning into fall. The dress can easily be topped with a denim jacket or a scarf in the cooler autumn months.

 This summer maxi dress also comes in regular sizes, so if you love it and are taller than 5’4″ the dress is available in six colors for you too! Love that! It can be found online in both petite and regular sizes here.

Creed Royal Princess Oud edp review

 in Beauty / Fragrance  tagged creed / fragrance reviews by

creed royal princess oud edp review

Pictured: Creed Royal Princess Oud edp

Creed is one of those incredibly iconic perfume houses which instantly commands respect. When I learned they had come out with an Oud fragrance, I was intrigued. I have been wearing Van Cleef and Arpels Precious Oud for a few years now, and I love it. So the thought of Creed making an Oud fragrance caught my attention.

Van Cleef and Arpels Precious Oud fragrance is pure, heavy, and warm. It is as luxurious as a fragrance can possibly be. I expected something similar from Creed Royal Princess Oud edp, and I was surprised, in a  good way, to find a light version of Oud in Creed’s perfume.

From first spray, Creed Royal Princess Oud edp offers a spicy zing which is refreshing. Since I am accustomed to Oud perfumes offering a warm fragrance experience, to smell something light and refreshing, was a downright shock! A very good shock 🙂

Creed Royal Princess Oud edp is a woody floral which offers a spicy overtone from the Patchouli. The overall fragrance experience is light to medium, and since Creed uses pure ingredients, the scent lasts all day long. Love that!

Top Notes: Bitter Sicilian Bergamot, Rose, and sweet Violet

Heart Notes: Jasmin essential oils, Vanilla Absolute essential oils, Patchouli, Iris from Tuscany

Base Notes: Benjoin Siam, Mysore Sandalwood, Regal Indian Oud and Styrax

This is a beautiful scent to wear in any weather. Since it is lightweight, it can be worn in warm weather during the spring, and the fall. With the spicy Patchouli, floral notes, and soft oud scent, it works well in cooler weather too.

If you are looking for a heavy Oud, or a pure Oud scent, I would recommend Van Cleef and Arpels Precious Oud which can be found online here. If you love a spicy woody floral, then Creed Royal Princess Oud edp is the perfect scent! It can be found online here.

Top 10 handbag trends for fall 2016

 in Handbags / Trends  tagged cross body bags / fall 2016 / runway trends / satchels / shoulder bags / street style trends / tech gear / winter 2017 by

top ten handbag trends for fall 2016

My five favorite handbags from the top 10 handbag trends for fall 2016 from top left: box bag / snakeskin black shoulder bag / mini bag / saddle bag / circle bag

The fall 2016 fashion season is upon us. Stores are starting to stock their shelves with the very best from the fall  2016 runways, and this means it is time to think about the top 10 handbag trends for fall 2016.

The fall 2016 runways gave us many fashion trends to think about for the upcoming cool weather season. The 1970s are still in full swing, and neutrals are the new color palette. Pops of autumn hues such as burgundy, navy, dark mustard, and hunter green will add dimension to our charcoal, black, and white ensembles. Texture, embellishments, and flowing silhouettes will shape the way we put our outfits together. Best of all, our handbags will complete our looks; showing the world how fabulous we really are. Because let’s face it, you are never fully dressed without a handbag, and a bright smile!

There are some handbag trends for fall 2016 which are continuing from last season, and there are some which are emerging for now, and the fashion future. Whichever handbag trend catches your eye, you are sure to find at least one trend in fall handbags to suit your own personal style. So, without future adieu, here are the top ten handbag trends for fall 2016.

Graphic Dimension

Cross Body Satchels

Circle Bags

Fringe, Tassels, and Embellishments

Saddle Bags with a 1970s vibe

Mini Bags

Snakeskin

Box Bags (Train Cases) and Camera Bags

Logo Prints

Smartphone Mini Bags

 

The size of one’s handbag has always been up for debate every fashion season. For the fall 2016 season, we are starting to see a shift from small and mini bags, to acceptance of large bags. As slouchy handbags make a resurgence in the background, signalling a possible rise of the hobo bag in future seasons, medium and large handbags are starting to move into mini-bag territory. So if the mini bag has become a complete bore to you, and cross body satchels put you to sleep, think about investing in a Circle Bag, a Smartphone Mini Bag, a logo fabric bag with vintage appeal, or a soft and slouchy bag such as this one by Proenza Schouler.

There you have it! The top 10 handbag trends for fall 2016. Which handbag trend tickles your fancy? I am looking forward to the Circle Bag trend, the continuing Saddle Bag trend, and getting back into logo fabrics. Perhaps a Smartphone Mini Bag would be handy to have around too.

Happy handbag shopping, and stay fabulous 😉