Photography by Lee Britto (contact at Lmbritto30@gmail.com)
Jacket: H&M (similar here ); Sweater: H&M ( Similar style here); Earrings: H&M (Similar style here); 

Shoes: Nordstrom Rack (Similar Style here)

There's a very good reason why woman love the fall.  Besides the fact that we are tired of sunburn, sweating through the little bit of clothes we are wearing, and never being able maintain a hairstyle in the humidity, we want to go back to our world of trench coats and chunky sweaters.  I'm sure fall has all kinds of global and environmental benefits, but its greatest accomplishment (in my very expert opinion of course) is its incomparable trends.  I live for an amazing pair of boots and an over sized sweater.  Love is actually an understatement;  I quite possibly live and die for them.  For MONTHS I impatiently waited for it to be appropriate for me to throw on this sweater and coat combo.   

It's funny how life works.  I remember my mom trying to force me to wear turtlenecks as a child and absolutely hating it, but in reality my mom was a trendsetter far ahead of her time.  She always gets a good laugh watching how I now am so in love with all the trends she couldn't pay me to wear back then. This particular sweater caught my eye immediately and I knew I had to have it.  While working one Saturday, a woman came into my store with it on and I almost chased her down to get the info on where she snatched this up from.  Ironically enough, she got it from my job lol.  Rather than wait until I got off to order one, or maybe think it over and make sure it was not an impulse buy, I decided to trust my gut and run to the fitting room and order it.

Why wait?  Life is short, buy the sweater girl.  What's your favorite fall trend?

Some Things Stay The Same

Photography by Lee Britto (Contact at LMBritto30@gmail.com)

T-Shirt (H&M Similar here); Jeans (H&M Similar here); Blazer (H&M); Earrings (H&M); Shoes (Aldo similar here); Bag (vintage)

As I get older my style changes in every different direction.  One day we are wearing colorful tights ( yea I don't see myself doing that again) the next day I'm all about skater skirts and court heels.  Although my style tends to be unstable the one trend that always remains for me is the timeless graphic tee.

Every season I go through my closet and get rid of all the clothes I don't ever see myself wearing again ( check out the H&M's clothes donation program, it's a great way to make room in your closet and to get a discount on some new things), but I never see get rid of my graphic Tee's.  They are so so versatile and there are so many different ways to wear them.

For this specific look, it was dress down Friday at work and I wanted to be able to add a little comfort to this graphic Tee but still keep my look a little polished.  I'm a firm believer that a blazer can bring a little class to almost any outfit.  Give it a try!! Try digging up an old graphic tee you haven't thought of in awhile and add a blazer and a cute pair of heels and you got yourself a look!!

So next time you clean out your closet hold on to those graphic tee's just a little bit longer.

Casual Friday's and Other Such Ramblings

Photography by Lee Britto ( Contact at LMBritto30@gmail.com)

Top: H&M (an oldie but tons of cute options here,  here, and here ); Jeans: Gap ; Heels: Target; Watch: Marc Jacobs; 

I try really hard to come up with elaborate and creative outfits, sometimes it's easy and other times it's just a bit too complicated.  On those days nothing tops a pair of good ole jeans and a cute top.  This particular top, I was eyeing at H&M for quite some time.  Although it is currently sitting in my closet awaiting another spin around the town, I still have plenty of plans for it. 

I keep a little side gig at H&M ( I mean the discount alone is reason enough to stay forever) but I typically only buy things that are on sale.  It's kind of a running joke at work that if its over $20 Camille's not buying it.  I could be offended but, hey;  they are absolutely correct.  Thats why this top in particular caused a lot of back and forth in my mind.   In the end after the 800th time of putting it on hold so that I could think it over I decided a gals gotta treat herself.  That is also my mantra for any of the other purchases I probably had no business making.  You only live once so why not live fashionable ( feel free to replay any of these mantras in your head next time your trying to make a decision at the register about if you need to make this purchase or not). 

For this look I decided to keep it simple.  It was dress down day at work and I wanted to keep it as modest and casual as possible.  I decided to pair this top with my work tote and a simple pair of tan heels.  I can't wait to wear it on a weekend and really play with all its capabilities.

A Beautiful Mistake

Photography by Lee Britto (contact at LMBritto30@gmail.com)

Blouse: Zara (Similar by Mango); Blazer: H&M ( Similar by Boohoo); Hat: Forever 21 ( Similar by Halogen); Shoes: Aldo (Same on Amazon ); Bag: Celine ( Similar by Aldo ); Earrings: H&M

Sometimes outfits happen accidentally, and the result is a beautiful mistake.  I have been out for 4 nights straight (which is way out of character for me because I am pretty much a grandma), and my little fro did its best to hold up through the dancing, sweating, manipulating, and being slept on.  So this morning when I woke up and looked in the mirror my hair was on its final leg.  It was EXTREMELY dry and felt like a brillo pad, but it was Saturday and sunny and there was no way I was staying in the house.  Typically when this happens I find a scarf and tye my hair up under an elaborate turban, but today I really felt like wearing it out and having a more polished look.  Unfortunately for me, my hair wasn't on board with those plans.

As I stared in the mirror and tried to figure out what in the world I was about to do, I happened to see my black wool hat that has been sitting in a corner in my room for about 2 years now.  I've never worn it and have had no idea how to, but today was the day to give it one last try.  I should also share that I have the largest head ever and I barely ever wear hats because, well, none of them ever fit this noggin.  Luckily today, all the stars aligned and the odds were forever in my favor.  I decided to keep the look clean by adding my favorite black H&M blazer and a white blouse from Zara.  I figured I would wear my embroidered black Aldo mules.  I got them on sale and have been obsessed with them all summer.

Needless to say,  I strutted around the city all day feeling super chic, and all from a complete accident.

Bad Hair Days

               Photography by Lee Britto (for inquiries please contact LMBritto30@gmail.com)

Top: Forever 21 (Similar here); Pants: H&M (Similar here); Headscarf: H&M; Earrings: H&M; Sandals: Nordstrom Rack (Similar here)

If you have hair that grows out of your head (which I'm going to take a wild guess and assume you do) then I would guess it's safe to say that you probably have had a bad hair day or two ( or ten).  Although I will say time and time again that going natural was one of the best decisions I have ever made, it does open the door for a few more unexpected hair outcomes.  Natural hair has a tendency to do what it wants.  I could do my hair the same exact way every night and there is no real guarantee that it is going to come out the same as the day before.  But regardless of its inevitable unpredictability I still love it.

But, we still must discuss those days when I wake up and the bed head is so severe that there is actually no way I can go into society like that.  On those days using scarves to make turbans are crucial.  Those lovely light cloth scarves you can grab from any H&M, Forever 21, Aldo, anywhere; they are for so much more then keeping your neck warm.  I honestly don't know what I would do without them.  I have soooooo many scarves with different prints, colors, sizes, you name it.  And when I'm really in a bind I'll even use a tshirt or pair of tights to create a turban for my hair.  What I love most about them is that they are a great way to give a look a very bohemian and effortless feel.  Me being a little island gal I mean what is better then adding a cute bright turban to finish the look (or cover up the birds nest on your head)

What do you use on your bad hair days? Let me know in the comments below.

From Old to New

Photography by Lee Britto ( contact: LMBritto30@gmail.com)

Top: H&M; Jeans: H&M; Bag: H&M (very similar here); Necklace: Handmade Gift ( Very Similar here); Shoes: Nordstrom Rack ( very Similar here also seen in previous posts here)

Although I work in a clothing store part time, and am constantly surrounded by clothing I tend to have moments where, for reasons unbeknownst to me, I can't find a thing to wear.  I know we have all been there.  We search through every drawer, closet ( yes I have a few ), and still nothing.  Everything has already been photographed, or doesn't quite make your chakras feel all the way aligned.  This was the case the day I was supposed to attend the quintessential naturals tour and could not for the life of me find a single solitary thing to put on my body that made me feel flawless.  So after creating a giant pile on my floor I decided to hit plan B.  You may be thinking what's plan B?  Plan B is go in there and start thinking all the way outside the box. 

When in doubt, make an outfit.  No literally make an outfit people, create one,  tailor one, use your magic to make something new out of something old.  So I pulled out an old Chambray shirt and decided to play around with it ( and of course used the wonderful assistance of a great youtube video by Notorious Kia ). 

To recreate this look all you have to do is take any button up shirt and button it up to your chest until it is tight enough to stay in place.  Do not put your arms through the sleeves but instead use them to tie a bow underneath your chest.  This will create a super cute tube top look.  I personally would suggest an oversized distressed denim shirt to add to the relaxed feel of this look.  But most importantly, just have fun!!

What are some ways you restyle old pieces in your wardrobes?

From the office to the bar

Photography by Lee Britto (for all photography inquiries contact LMBritto30@gmail.com)

           

Glasses: Cole Haan; Dress: H&M ( Similar here); Shoes: Aldo ( Can be found here)

Personal style is extremely important.  It's like a fingerprint, it's what identifies you as an individual and separates you from everyone else.  There should be no space within your life where that style has to be stifled.  One of the main places in my life where I am forced to dull down my style would be the office.  Yes that 9-5 that we must show up at so we can continue to get the paycheck to buy all the things we love.

Well, I personally refuse to buy two wardrobes. You know one for play and one for work.  I mean, who has money for that, Not this gal!!! So when I shop for work clothes I always keep in mind that I want pieces that easily transition between the office and happy hour ( yes I actually use happy hour as my reference point when I'm shopping).  The pants I wore in this post are a perfect example of the type of clothing I buy that easily work in any situation.

This particular dress is a wrap dress I found on the sale rack at H&M, and I absolutely adore it.  Its super comfortable, has a secret sexy slit, and most of all is office appropriate.   Nowadays those are the requirements of most the pieces I buy; comfortable, stylish, sexy, and work appropriate. And to answer the question in your head,  I did wear this to happy hour right after work lol.

Pretty Palazzos

                                    (Photography by Lee Britto lmbritto30@gmail.com)

Top: H&M (Similar here); Pants: H&M (Similar here); Necklace: Aldo ; Sandals: Nordstrom Rack (Similar here)

Theres something about palazzo pants that I absolutely adore.  I don't know if its that it often hides the fact that I haven't had a pedicure in weeks, or that it provides all the benefits of feeling like your not wearing pants while preventing you from getting you arrested.  But whatever the reason is I can't get enough of them.  Last summer I got my first pair, and was a little skeptical they may look very "that 70;s show" but they were actually super cute.  So instead of getting just one pair I went ahead and decided to get two.

They tend to pair really well with a body suit or something a little more fitted up top to balance out how wide and flowy they are.  Although I got this particular pair from H&M ages ago theres a few cute pairs available here, here, and here.  If you want an outfit option thats boho, stylish, and hella comfy this is definitely a prime choice.