Best and Worst Dressed at the BBMA’s

Last night’s 2013 Billboard Music Awards didn’t disappoint in terms of fashion and as expected, there were great big hits and major misses.  Who made your lists?

Best Dressed #1 – Jennifer Lopez

J. Lo has been rocking Zuhair Murad at nearly all of her recent red carpet events and why wouldn’t she?  She’s found a good thing, why bother changing it?  With a gown dripping in gold and a deep plunging neckline, she smartly kept her accessories to a minimal.  No one can do a nude lip and smokey eye like Jennifer Lopez and her face, once again, looks flawless.  Her hair is fine, although I kind of want to scrunch the roots a little….I love when her hair has some body!

Best Dressed #2: Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez is proof that a breakup can do a girl good!  The neon accents on the Atelier Versace gown are on-point and the peek-a-boo swoosh shows enough skin without overdoing it.  However, I’m not really feelin’ her silver Jimmy Choo shoes and would have loved to see her donning these Sergio Rossi All Over Strass Pumps instead.  That said, the messy pony and cat eyes are absolute perfection!

Best Dressed #3: Taylor Swift

Gomez's BFF and country crooner Taylor Swift easily pulls off the short hemline on this blue sequin Zuhair Murad, balancing it with long sleeves.  Gomez and Swift must have done their shoe shopping together because I’m not a fan of her sandals either.  They feel too heavy for the ensemble.  I found another pair of Sergio Rossi’s, the Sergio Rossi Strass T-Strap Sandals that are just as glam without the weighty platform.

Worst Dressed #1: Z LaLa

First off, I’m not even sure who this Z LaLa person is.  Seriously.  I had to Google her.  Second off, I don’t care if you’re Z LaLa or Lady Gaga or Nikki Minaj.  When you wear a costume down a red carpet, all I think is, “what is this poor girl hiding from?”  I can tolerate costumes on Halloween and even during performances, but when your real life is cause to don a costume, it just makes me sad for you.

Worst Dressed #2: Nayer

When the best looking thing on the red carpet is your dog, well Nayer, you may need a new stylist.  And actually, why exactly did you bring your dog?  I’m an animal person and am certain that the poor thing didn’t want to be there.  I don’t really even have to say anything about the outfit…we all know a hot mess when we see it.

Worst Dressed #3: Miley Cyrus

I’ve actually really enjoyed watching Miley Cyrus come into her own in the fashion world.  She’s taken some risks that have paid off.  Sadly, this crocheted harlequin patterned Balmain onesie isn’t one of them.  Fortunately for her there were the above two fashion-tragedies or she would have taken home the dis-honor of Worst Dressed at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards!

Enjoy an “oasis in Manhattan” at La Bottega!

The weather is finally warm enough allowing us to spend some quality time outdoors, including dining at one of the best outdoor dining spaces in Manhattan, La Bottega at The Maritime Hotel.  Celebrating 10 years of satisfying the palettes of New Yorkers, their lush outdoor patio provides the perfect space to dine and enjoy a refreshing drink like the Afternoon Cruiser, Summer Sunburst and The Porch Swing. 

And no worries….if you don’t live in NYC, La Bottega has graciously provided the recipe for The Porch Swing, a cocktail sure to impress your friends.  Bottoms up!

The Porch Swing

1.5 oz. bulleit bourbon
10 mint leaves
1 oz. ginger simple syrup (to make in-house: heat sugar and water in a saucepan with shaved ginger chunks until sugar dissolves; let cool and strain)
1 oz. lemon juice

Shake all ingredients well and pour over ice in a highball or large rocks glass.

 

La Bottega provides a perfect space for an evening out!	Of course, one should never be partial to a little day drinking either!

This Week’s Instagram Moments!

Who else loves capturing moments of their life and sharing them on Instagram?  Below are my moments for the week, but be sure to follow @247style on Instagram.  Feel free to comment below with your Instagram name – I love checking out followers pics!

Whish products are made with organic ingredients and free from all the nasty things we sometimes see in our beauty products.  This Body Butter is fab!	Thanks Marshalls!  Because of you, I’m rocking a hot elbow patch!  ♥♥♥
These outfits were from the Cropped Tops and High Waists post. I love all of them, but the pink lace top and high-low skirt with Sergio Rossi sandals make my heart skip a beat!	I adore the mix of stilettos and distressed boyfriend jeans.  These Guess pointed toe shoes are such a soft pink color, they’re practically a neutral.  And my vintage Vogue picture is amazing!

Chic Western Boots for Summer

I’m such a sandal girl in the summer…actually, any shoe will do as long as it’s one that I can’t wear in the winter (you know, there’s always a fear of frostbite here in the Midwest).  That being said, even I can’t deny the hotness of these Bryan Blake boots.  Ummm can I just say, ~swoon~!  They’re so hot in fact, I would probably even forgo my regular summer fare (once in awhile) to wear them. The chain-mail A1502 Western Boots retail for $595 at Jildor Shoes.

The black pair would be perfect with leggings and this cute graphic tank for a rocker chic vibe.	On the other hand, I would feminize the camel pair with this red floral print dress.  Perfect if you’re heading to a Lady Antebellum concert this summer!

I love opinions!  How would you don these boots this summer?

This Summer, Skin is In! How to Wear a Crop Top With High Waist Bottoms

If one thing is certain in the Summer of 2013, it’s that skin is in, this time around being done with a classic twist.  Gone are the days of midriff tops barely covering your chest, paired with jeans cut as low as possible.  Instead of Samantha Jones, this trend is more of a lovechild between Carrie Bradshaw and Charlotte York.  Look for pieces that when combined, use just an inch or so of your own upper waistline skin, to create a chic colorblocked look.  Be careful with one-piece looks as the cutouts won’t always fall exactly where you want them to.  A cute cutout dress will look far different on me, 5’3” with a J.Lo booty, than it will on Gisele, her long legs propelling her into the clouds at 5’11”.  Separates allow you to manipulate the look a bit, assuring a proper fit.

Check out the below cropped top with high waist options.  Adorz!

Look 1: A perfectly sweet feminine ensemble perfect for date night.

• Topshop Lace Crop Top, $52, Nordstrom
• High Low Maxi Skirt, $35, Oasis
• Sergio Rossi Strass T-Strap Sandals, $995, Shopbop
• Nugaard Designs Mother of Pearl Wrapped Spheres, $35, 24-7 Style

Look 2: Headed out with the girls?  This will do just fine!

• Topshop Mesh Yoke Crop Top, $40, Nordstrom
• Kate Young for Target® Satin Shorts, $29.99, Target
• Vince Celeste d’Orsay Suede Pumps, $350, Shopbop
• Calico Juno Mod Glam Earrings, $40, 24-7 Style

Look 3: A sportier look that’s far from casual.

• Topshop Stripe Mesh Sleeve Crop, $40, Nordstrom
• Topshop Moto Joni High Waist Skinny Jean, $72, Nordstrom
• Madison Harding Pickford Lizard Embossed Pumps, $231, Shopbop
• Island Designs Multi-Hoop Glitter Earring, $15.75, 24-7 Style

Say Goodbye to Ring-Around-The-Hair with Maddyloo Hair Ties!

Here in the Midwest, we’re once again buzzing with optimism as Mother Nature is promising a week filled with sunshine and warm temps.  As a woman with long hair, I already know what this means for my week’s hairstyles: primped properly and down in the morning; ponytail or braid by late afternoon or evening.  I love the warm air, but it’s frustrating because once I decide to don a pony or braid, I know that inevitably I’ll develop the dreaded “ring-around-the-hair” and my style for the remainder of the day or evening has been determined…unless I want to go through the process of a straightening or re-washing (which I never do).

Let’s face it though, ring-around-the-hair is so last-month.  This month, I’ve had a heart full of help with a Maddyloo Mini Heart Box, full of their game-changing hair ties.  Their cute elastics easily keep hair in place, without a dent or crease after removing.  Perfect for work or the hundreds of errands I run during the day, allowing me to take my hair down (literally) and re-style later on, dent free.

The heart boxes make perfect (and appreciated) gifts for this time of year: Bridesmaid’s gifts, graduations and of course birthdays or “just because.”

And if you’re like me, a start-with-my-hair-down, end-with-it-up kind of girl, these bands and headbands, that literally come in a slew of colors and combinations (solids, stripes, tie-dye, camo, animal print, and more) make for the perfect bit of wrist-candy, looking far better as a bracelet than your traditional elastics. 

Be sure to follow Maddyloo on all of their social media networks as well: Twitter – @maddyloos; Facebook – /maddyloos; Instagram – @maddyloos

One of Maddyloo’s Tie Dye Pack Options.  $6.	Maddyloo Zig Zag options are right on point for the season. $6.

**Maddyloo has also appeared in Star Magazine, Glamour, Us Weekly, Seventeen and more!

Sample provided for editorial purposes.

Instagram Moments!

Take an even bigger peak into my life by following @247style on Instagram!  Now you can earn 24-7 Style cash just by using Instagram!  If you’ve done any shopping at 24-7 Style, tag @247style in your Instagram posts with the item and earn reward dollars redeemable at 24-7 Style!  You can also earn by reposting any of our pics and of course tagging @247style.  Leave a comment with your Instagram name…I’d love to check out your pics!

This is what I look like after writing all day…if I only I could capture a headache!	From the recent Flip Flop post…such cute sandals!

Maxi dresses, red toes and gladiator sandals…summer staples!	On one of the first really nice days of spring, I made sun tea, grabbed Bazaar and enjoyed the outdoors!

Sewing infinity scarves!  So cathartic!

DIY: Emily Blunt’s “Mohawk” at the 2013 Met Gala

With a theme like “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” you were certain to see some eye-catching looks at last night’s 2013 Met Gala.  Emily Blunt, donned in a black Carolina Herrera front keyhole gown, turned heads with her hot-pink eye makeup and edgy twisted mohawk updo. 

For Blunt’s punk rock look last night, celeb hairstylist Laini Reeves said, "I wanted to pay homage to the theme of the evening, while still managing to keep her look not too over the top.”  She created the soft Mohawk using KMS® California Hair Care.  Here’s the step-by-step:

Step 1: First, Laini began by applying KMS® California TAMEFRIZZ® taming creme ($15.50) to wet hair. She then blew the hair dry and pulled it into a ponytail that started on the top of her head.

Step 2: Then, Laini sprayed the hair with KMS® California HAIRPLAY® makeover spray ($17.99) to keep it smooth. Next, she braided the ponytail, secured the end and roughed it up a bit to give it a smoother, less structured look.

Step 3: Laini then took the braid and pulled it forward, securing it on the front hairline, giving it the appearance of a braided Mohawk. She finished the look by spraying KMS® California HAIRSTAY® maximum hold spray ($16.99).