Buenvenidos a Miami!

Prior to visiting Miami, I envisioned hot vigilantes like Dexter slinking around and catching Michael Westen-like characters  performing covert operations. I watch too much t.v. In case you didn't see earlier posts, I went on a week vacation including three days in Miami and a four day Caribbean cruise. 
The first day was spent soaking up the sun and both my innate curiosity and need to shop led to Monica and  me walking six miles round trip to locate the shopping area in South Beach where plenty of people asked, "So where are you from?" Apparently, no one is from Miami and I wondered how they spotted us, the tourists, so easily. After uploading these photos, I came to the quick realization of how pale I was and how I must have stuck out among the bronzed, hot bodies surrounding me!

It was difficult for me to pack for the cruise beyond this first outfit I wore boarding the ship. I usually have issues dressing for warmer weather, but I was happy and comfortable with this striped tank, which I tied and paired with a pair of high waist denim shorts. 

[top from Papaya, shorts from Urban Outfitters, sandals by F21 and sunglasses by Rayban]

Monica, my partner in crime, wore so many fabulous printed frocks throughout the week

The hotel we stayed at the first night.

(Ship photo from the port in Cozumel)

We found an anchor at the mini golf area on top of the cruise ship. So fitting with my outfit!

Monica, Rachael and Katie



The guys took advantage of all the cutesy, frozen drinks available

The cruise went to Key West and Cozumel, but Key West was the highlight of my trip. We signed up for a morning bar crawl that began promptly at 10 a.m. By 11 a.m., I was skipping around town with my frozen alcoholic beverage and calling/bothering my mom while she was at work and making friends with locals and their cute dogs. More photos from Cozumel and our last couple days in Miami will come later in the week!


And check out this new online boutique, High Gloss Fashion and get 25 percent off using the code, 25GRAND! Woo!

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday Questions!

 

(sneak peek photo from my vacation! More to come on Monday!)
[top by wildfox, shades by rayban, sandals by f21, shorts by levi's, bag marc by marc jacobs]

I don't normally do two posts in one day, but I couldn't resist answering these questions below in this week's questions! I get so fired up about photography related questions!

1. What technology do you use in blogging? (computer, camera, video camera, tripod, etc...)

I use a Nikon D700, Nikon D90 as back up, old ass Macbook, a tripod on occasion and a variety of lenses.

2. What computer and online technology do you use? (blogging system, photo storage, photo editing tools, etc..)

I use Photoshop Cs4 and Bridge for storage and editing. I upload my photos to Flickr as well. I would like to start using Aperture and not use Bridge anymore to cut back on my workflow time. It takes me too long right now and isn't very efficient. Your thoughts on Aperture if you use it?

3. What is your process for taking pictures?

I always like a simple photograph with some nice compositional elements like lines and perspective that draw your eye into the focus of the photo. I don't really think of themes to go with my outfits. I just like a sidewalk with cool buildings behind for the most part. I also make sure to do detail shots, full body shots and wide angle shots. I like to try to include a variety, permitting I don't look stupid in them. I typically feel uncomfortable after awhile and can't continue to pose and do cute stuff like my friends Tieka of Selective Potential and Kim of eat.sleep.wear are so naturally good at (that's why I love to photograph you two!) I'm quick and efficient with the photo sessions and don't find it necessary to spend too much time once I get what I need. I also don't edit a whole lot. I fix the light and color if it's off and that's typically it. Since I took classes in photojournalism, I take the same approach with my outfit shots and others I photograph. I want them to be honest reflections of what I saw in the viewfinder of my camera.

4. When it comes to backdrops for your photos what do you consider? Do you scout locations or shoot the same spot daily?

It really depends on how much time I have. I'd like to do different locations--mostly urban settings, but sometimes I don't have time to make trips to places or the photographer who's helping me doesn't have time. I'm lucky right now because my apartment is awesome with natural window light so that if I have to, I can take my own photos indoors if the weather is bad or I can wander around inside and outside my building for cool locations. But I definitely prefer to hit up downtown areas and do them on sidewalks or in front of cool buildings.

5. If you could splurge and get one new piece of equipment what would
you be buying? 

Ooo!! this one is easy. I want the 85 mm lens. It's the most perfect lens.


Visit Modly Chic for links to other bloggers who have answered these questions!

Zine Style Queen Winner!

When I was shopping for groceries last week and received the email that I won the Zine Style Queen Contest sponsored by Blowfish, I did a little dance and screeched, promptly calling attention to myself. And I've been waiting to do an e-announcement where I can make less of a fool of myself, but still convey that initial excitement..so..YIPPEE! 

As the winner, I get to do editorial work for Blowfish's new e-zine, Fashionography and a feature on Nylonmag.com! I'm beyond thrilled for this opportunity. The combination of writing about fashion, interviewing designers and other influencers while working with Blowfish is a dream! Expect some updates along the way!

Guest Post: Vogue Vintage

Katelyn of Vogue Vintage is guest blogging for me today! Check out her cute outfit with the shoes I let her borrow.

Awhile back Andrea asked if I would like to meet up for dinner and to exchange a bag of clothes. Food and a brand new bag of clothes to experiment with? Dur. What time? 

Something not so ideal right now are open-toed platforms but despite the mounds of snow, I could not resist wearing these Jessica Simpson heels before giving them back to Andrea. The thick soled platforms complimented my 1970s vintage skirt perfectly. I love vintage inspired looks and often turn to fashion icons like Jackie O for wardrobe inspiration. Though, I highly doubt we would have seen the former first lady in shoes this tall, you get the idea. Something as simple as a retro pair of shoes can help inspire an entire look or alter the way you feel in an outfit. Today, I felt like pretending we didn't have snow and played a 1970s Rachel Berry indoors. 

Guest Post: Money Smart Fashion

I'm on a Caribbean Cruise and Grace of Money Smart Fashion is the fabulous guest post blogger today!

Dress- LOFT $3

Sweater- J.Crew $40

Tights- F21 $6

Hat- F21 $7

Shoes- Aldo $60

Jacket- Express $23

Belt -Express $20

Total Outfit: $159

Well hello there! I'm Grace from Money Smart Fashion. As you may know Andrea is off this week to enjoy a cruise (lucky!) and she's asked myself and a few other bloggers to hold down the fort while she's gone. So don't you try any funny business.

When Andrea asked me to guest post for her I was incredibly excited, and instantly panicked. The first thought that came to my mind was " what the hell am I going to wear?" You see, back on the first of the year I decided to give up shopping until my last credit card was paid off in March. This little challenge put the kibosh on the possibility buying something new. I racked my brain for quite some time before I remembered this little gem that I picked up just before Christmas. I'm not really a dress person, but this baby spoke to me. It may be a few sizes too big, but it was $3. Yes you read that right $3 dollars. How could I refuse?  Clearly, if I could refuse it or anything clothing-related, I probably wouldn’t even have credit card debt. But I digress…

 I don't normally plan my outfits in advance, but I knew that I wanted to wear something that spoke to Andrea's style. Andrea has a knack for taking something girly and giving it some edge, which is exactly what I love about her, that and she is a Michigan State Spartan (Go Green). Therefore, this outfit was a no brainer.

So what do you think? Is it a little “Andrea-esque”? You can be honest. I’m still trying to figure out how to wear dresses.

For more about me, my outfits, my finances, my SSF(super-saving fiance), and pictures that don't involve only my left side, stop by my blog and/or follow me on twitter!.

Guest Post: eat.sleep.wear

I'm off on a Caribbean Cruise! Enjoy the splendor that is Kim of eat.sleep.wear.

Hi friends!! I am Kim from eat.sleep.wear. I am so so happy to be blogging for Andrea today. She is such a beloved friend and when she asked me to guest post for her I knew what I wanted to do. She recently came to visit me in Philly and was wearing this fabulous sweater from American Apparel. Cleary it's slouchy chic nature called my name and I bought the same exact one with her! I am so happy I did because it's perfect for the dead of winter. So i had to style this up in a little remix with her. I also can't get enough of these orange shorts. Winter can't stop me!

These photos are from a trip I took out to the suburbs to hang out with my fam. If you follow me on twitter, you will know I'm constantly making weekend trips to visit family, friends, and other bloggers! Speaking of trips, I hope to be seeing lots of friends and new faces at fashion week next month including my beloved Andrea. She is so great!!! But you all already know that ;) Feel free to pop on by and say hi on my blog eat.sleep.wear  or on twitter to tweet chat. Xo, Kim

[sweater and socks by american apparel, boots by calvin klein, shorts from uo, scarf from anthropologie, sunglasses by marc by marc jacobs]

Guest Post: Pretty Shiny Sparkly

I'm on a Caribbean Cruise and the gorgeous Kristina of Pretty Shiny Sparkly is kicking of the guest posts for the next week!

[ vintage fur jacket | thrifted paige premium denim jeans | madden girl shoes c/o modcloth | rebecca minkoff bag c/o shopbop | forever 21 necklaces & ring | vintage monet bracelets | michael kors watch ]

Hey Blonde Bedhead readers! I'm Kristina of Pretty Shiny Sparkly and I'm super happy to be blogsitting while Andrea's on her fabulous cruise (so jealous, by the way, but I'll get over it). PSS is about my ramshackle way of heralding the return to femininity - in life, in beauty, and more importantly, in style.

This outfit is kind of a funny one because when I first stepped out of my bedroom and did sort of a "ta-da!" motion to my boyfriend ("HB") who takes my outfit photos, he had a very puzzled/confused look on his face, paused for a second... 

And he said, ever so lovingly, ever so tenderly....

"You look like a New York City prostitute."

Mildly horrified, and okay, laughing, I changed out of the black resin jeans (which, admittedly, did look a bit like pleather and thus a bit like a prostitute) and threw on a pair of plain ol' skinny blue jeans. I jokingly told him this post should be titled "You Look Like a New York City Prostitute" but he advised against it. Hmmm.

The shoes are my favorite part of this entire outfit. Because a girl who has a blog called Pretty Shiny Sparkly can't pass up glitter shoes when she sees them, can she? And these "Pick of the Glitter" heels from Modcloth make me feel trendy and feminine at the same time, which is always a good thing.

Thanks and be sure to check out Pretty Shiny Sparkly, follow me on Twitter, and follow on Bloglovin! 

xoxo 

Kristina

Goodbye Snow!

I'll probably be in Miami by the time you read this! I'm off for a week with friends on a Caribbean Cruise so after this post, expect guest posts from a handful of amazingly stylish bloggers!

Tieka came to visit me this weekend and of course we started our day with taking outfit photos followed by shopping and eating. It's just what we do. Both of us found some cute things for spring or in my case, for my cruise!

Before Tieka arrived, she told me she was bringing me an army green and black romper to borrow. I swear she was reading my mind as I was currently trying to think of what to put together for a military inspired outfit for a video I was creating for Wanted. So I styled this with my new Wanted boots and wore it out for our day of shopping. 

[romper c/o urban 1972 and borrowed from tieka, belt by kimchi blue, tights by merona, boots c/o wanted, leather jacket by gap, faux fur cowl scarf by bebe]

And this is what the romper looked like on its own:

One of the photos I took of Tieka. To see the rest, visit her blog, Selective Potential

Kat and Andrea: A Dress Challenge

[dress by stop staring borrowed from Grace Boutique, heels by kelsi dagger, sash by american apparel, gloves by deena and ozzy, hairpiece from f21]

Sometimes when I visit stores I hope I could borrow dresses, wear them and return them, much like celebrities get to do for red carpet events. I wasn't on my way to any fancy event, but one of my favorite local shops, Grace Boutique, let Kat of Kitty Corner and I select a dress to style. Kat came up with this idea and so we teamed up, headed over to Grace and despite our very different styles, we came to agreement on this lovely leopard print dress. It was the perfect mix of my style and hers. The leopard print spoke to me while the style and silhouette of the dress enamored Kat.

I styled mine with black nylons, black pumps and moved the  detachable bows to the back of the heel. I also added a sash and a pair of long gloves. I wanted to make the dress more edgy, but once I started playing around with things in my closet, I liked something a little more glamorous.

Gorgeous Kat!

To see how Kat styled it visit her blog, Kitty Corner. (I took her photos!)
*Photos of me by Melik Angus

Orient Automatic Watch Giveaway!

Thanks to Orient, a sweet watch is up for grabs! Orient carries a variety of watches likes the one below to this particular model, CTD0T004W or one of my favorite designs, CETAC005W. Just leave a comment with your email address to enter! Giveaway is open to U.S. readers only. For an additional entry, post a link to Facebook or Twitter to share the giveaway with your friends! The giveaway will close on on Thursday, January 27 at 9 p.m. EST. Good luck!