Color Infused

Sweater: Target [SALE!] // Jeans: Current/Elliott // Shoes: c/o Sole Society // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff // Necklace: c/o InPink // Belt: Target // Watch: Kohl's // Bracelet: c/o HelloFab // Lips: Milani Sangria

I love spicing up an otherwise neutral outfit with bold and colorful accessories. I'm not typically drawn to anything without a 3 inch+ heel, but I immediately fell in love with the color of these Sole Society flats and had to have them! They are the perfect addition to any wardrobe-- especially since they are the Pantone 2014 Color of the Year: "Radiant Orchid." 

Thanks for reading!!
xoxo,

Bold Accessories

Striped Top: Old Navy // Poncho: c/o Kiki La'Rue // Jeans: Current/Elliott // Shoes: Franco Sarto [similar] // Necklace: c/o Chloe & Isabel [Multi-strand Signature Torsade Necklace] // Mittens: Lands' End

If you read yesterday's post, you know how hard it is for me to wear bold colors in the winter. For some reason, it just seems like they should be saved for the spring and summer. That's why I like to purchase bright accessories (like these lavender gloves or my pink Hunter boots) to add a pop of color to my otherwise neutral palette. I am also dying over this gorgeous necklace from Chloe & Isabel--it's my new favorite! It's the perfect necklace to bling up any outfit!

Please follow along with Fashion Flirtation via Bloglovin and Facebook!
xoxo,

Holiday Gift Guide: Accessories [Under $100]

1. Statement Necklace // 2. Embellished Scarf // 3. Calf Hair Gloves // 4. Lip Stain // 5. Sequin Coin Purse // 6. Holiday Nail Polish // 7. Leopard Gloves // 8. Crystal Earrings // 9. Pink Wallet // 10. Bow Belt

If you've read my blog even once before, you know that I am a lover of anything sequined, sparkly, and pink, so of course today's Holiday Gift Guide includes all of the above! These are some of my favorite accessories of the moment [under $100--except for the Tory wallet!] that I'm sure any girl would love to find under the tree on Christmas morning. So make sure you add these to your Christmas Wishlists... [And if your man is anything like mine and can't take a hint, just buy it for yourself and have him wrap it! ;]

xoxo,

How We Wore It: Floral

Happy Friday! I hope you all had a fabulous 4th of July and hopefully you are enjoying a long weekend and don't have to work today.

Fashion Flirtation's Five Friday Faves:

1. Food for Thought: What I Plan to Teach My Kids About Bikinis by Katilda. And to be completely honest, I don't agree with her 100% on this, but it is a very well post and gives some great insight!

2. Looks I Love: CaraLoren in a pant suit. For real, can she get any cuter? Every time I see her photos, it makes me want to purchase a pant suit. 

3. Inspiration: Brittany Fuson Paper. Okay, this isn't a blog post, but how can you not be so inspired by Brittany's amazing sketches? I'm dying over all of them, and even the luggage tags are so cute! Head on over to her site and check it out. She is amazing.

4. If You Need a Laugh: This video about social media that Story of My Life posted! [There are a couple of swear words in this, so be aware.]

5. Beauty Tips: Twist Me Pretty. If you need any ideas for your hair, head on over tot this site. This girl is amazing at doing hair, and has tutorials for all of her hairstyles! You can purchase the Hairstyle Handbook HERE.

Today, I am teaming up with some lovely bloggers to bring you a "How We Wore It" segment. I have always loved these, because it showcases different ways that you can style a trend. Today we are showing you how we styled florals, which is a definite must for summer. I love this trend because you can literally wear it on any part of your body, and it is going to look fabulous. Floral tops, floral skirts/jeans, floral hats, floral scarfs, floral shoes, etc. They all look great, so don't be afraid to try it!

Check out Love Me, Dani Marie, A Beautiful Heart, and Jessica Jean Blog for some fab looks! [And PS, I took these photos before I cut my hair! :]

Top: Forever 21 // Skirt: Target // Shoes: Charlotte Russe [old] // Necklace: Wild Butterfly Boutique c/o // Clutch: HelloFab c/o // Sunnies: Forever 21 [old] // Bracelets: A-Thread c/o [on sale!] 

If you haven't entered the $300 J. Crew gift card giveaway or the Essie giveaway, you'd better hurry and enter! Both giveaways end on Monday!

Day Seven // Dark Blue

It's been heating up quite a bit here already, though I can't seem to pull out my short sleeves yet. [To be fair, I still wear long sleeves 60% of the time in the summer anyway. Call me crazy, but I just like them better?] I am a huge fan of patterned shirts, especially stripes! You'll probably be seeing this shirt a lot, because it's one of my favorites.

When it comes to the accessories, I have to reiterate what I said yesterday: make sure the accessories are the same color or theme. It is probably the most important part of the outfit. If the accessories are wrong, the whole outfit is wrong. In this outfit, I tied in the purple/red color from the flowers on my shoes with the same color hat. With the pop of color on both ends of the body, it ties the whole look together. It's also important to remember that the colors of your accessories compliment the colors of your outfit! [Other than that, my only other huge accessories "no-no" is to not over accessorize. If you are wearing a chunky necklace, wear stud earrings. If you are wearing bold, statement earrings, don't wear a necklace--or if you do, wear a dainty one. Over accessorizing by wearing big earrings and a chunky necklace, can ruin an entire outfit. And it takes away from your gorgeous face! Accessorize in moderation, ladies, and make sure to spread out those accessories!]

Top & Bag: Marshalls; Pants: J. Crew Factory; Hat & Shoes: Forever 21

Day 7 of the Blog Every Day in May challenge: Things you're most afraid of.

To be completely honest, I am kind of a baby. I'm afraid of the usual: spiders, snakes, scorpions, murderers, etc. Basically anything that can harm me. But what I am most afraid of is the unknown. The dark--you never know who or what is out there. [Someone or something who might hurt you?]  The future--you never know what might happen. [Will you lose your job? Will you get in a car accident? Will one of your family members pass away?] Your actions--you never know the consequences of an action. [Will you cause accidental harm to someone because of your actions?] And not knowing, scares me to death. It's honestly something that I think about--probably more than the average person. And, much to my demise, I watch way too many murder investigation shows, and freak myself out to no end!

What are YOU most afraid of?

[Linked up with: My Thrifty Chic 

AND Plane Pretty and High Heels & Training Wheels]

xoxo,

Day Six // All About the Accessories

Let's just talk about my new, amazing blog design! I needed a change, and it was perfect timing since I just recently changed the name of my blog to Fashion Flirtation. The talented Rylee Blake designed my blog for me, and I am so obsessed with it! If any of you are looking for a new blog design, she's your girl! Feel free to explore all of the new additions to the blog, and check out Rylee's personal blog too if you have a chance! [Please note: the Currently Craving tab on my side bar is still under construction.]

**ALSO: One of my outfits was featured on Plane Pretty's Sunday Style link up and I am so excited about it! Check out the other looks, and share your Sunday Style with other readers as well! :] **

Okay ladies, so today I want to talk about accessorizing! I am absolutely obsessed with accessories, and I think accessories are more important than the outfit itself. With this outfit I wanted to show you that accessories can make or break an outfit. In this case, I wore all white, but what really made the look was the pop of color in the shoes, bag, and earrings. It's important to remember that all of your accessories should have a similar theme or color. [I chose pink in this outfit, but you could also wear accessories in different neon colors and it would look great!] 

Anyway, there are so many pieces of this outfit that I am completely in love with! I just got these amazing shoes, and they have been on repeat. I have seriously worn them 3 of the 5 days I've had them. And these earrings-- how great are they? I won them in a giveaway from Ivory Lane, and I am so excited about them! [So excited that I actually won a giveaway!] And of course, you all know how much I love these HelloFab sunglasses...

Top, Bag, Belt: Forever 21; Pants: Charlotte Russe [similar]; Shoes: Shoe Dazzle; Sunnies: HelloFab; Earrings: Loren Hope via Lilac Bijoux

Today is day 6 of the challenge is: How would you answer the question "what do you do" if you couldn't answer with your job?

On an average day, I spend an unreasonable amount of time getting ready in the mornings [or any time I'm going somewhere], I drive as much as I can [I seriously love driving--it helps me think.] I snack more than I eat real meals [My niece and I literally ate an entire bag of Pirate's Booty the other day], and I blog as much as I can. I love writing and I love planning my fashion posts! I am a model on most days, and my photographer is the cutest! I am a wife [who makes H's lunches every morning], I am an assistant [to my brothers, who I swear make me run errands for them at least once a day], and I am a closet dancer [who performs for other drivers on the road and at stoplights!] And that is what I do on a daily basis!

I hope you all had an amazing weekend!!

[Today I am linking up to #YOLOMONDAY, Anything and Everything Tuesday Blog Hop, aaaaand Hunters of Happiness, Plane Pretty, Here's to You, Mrs. Robinson]

xoxo,

MELI MELO GETS TROPI-COOL FOR SS13

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

On set at Meli Melo SS13

There are worse things to be doing than hanging out at Kensington Roof Gardens on a warm Friday morning in September so when Meli Melo asked me to just that, I was hardly going to refuse was I? But I was also interested to see what the handbag brand beloved of the likes of Olivia Palermo was up to after they arrived at an exciting new creative direction. Meli Melo bags are lovely- very simple and elegant and not covered in the blingtastic branding which can really de-chic the loveliest leather good. But until now they have mostly been about classic navy and tan. As you'll see from my behind-the-scenes images from the SS13 look book shoot (the reason for my being at Kensington Roof Gardens, by the way) there are still those staple shades but interspersed with popping neon and lovely matte snakeskin as well as some fun styles like the camera bag. The brand's creative director and founder is Melissa del Bono, she was hard at work alongside photographer Lisa Linder and stylist Tamara Rothstein on the day of the shoot making sure the new vibe came across just right among the excitable flamencos and jungle greenery. She was kind enough to do this little interview though which sheds some light on Meli Melo's new direction and her general approach to designing fabulous handbags, it's a tough job but someone's gotta do it...

FJAL: Your SS13 collection is quite bold compared to previous collections; can you tell me why you decided to experiment with more colours and prints?

Melissa: In the past I have concentrated on the beauty and grace of the Meli Melo girl but this season I really wanted to embrace their bold sides. I chose colours and prints that empower women, depict confidence and show control and combined these with classic and stylish shapes true to the Meli Melo look.

FJAL: How do you start thinking about a new collection? Do you travel to get inspired?

M: I am always thinking about the next step and what I can add to our collection, inspiration never ends. I have travelled a lot and draw upon my Italian heritage as inspiration too as well as looking at vintage fashion, art and other cultures.

FJAL: Do you look at what other designers are doing? Do you care about trends?

M: No not really.
FJAL: Do you always design with yourself in mind? Like "I need to want to carry this bag"?

M: Yessssss!!! I do that, it comes out of necessity and desire for beautiful things
FJAL: Your SS13 look book shoot was at Kensington Roof Gardens, why did you choose this location?

M: I had been there before for an event and remember thinking "Wow I feel like I am transported into another country"... It has that exotic and warm feel to it which married perfectly with Spring /Summer’s vibes that me and the stylist Tamara Rothstein wanted to achieve.

FJAL: What was the message you wanted to get across with the SS13 shoot?

M: The message I wanted to depict was that our girls can still maintain their strong and powerful personalities without losing their elegance and beauty.
FJAL: Meli Melo has lots famous fans already. Who's the ultimate Meli Melo
girl- whether a celebrity or just a kind of girl you imagine when
you're designing?

M: I epitomize Diane Kruger, she is ultimately so chic and understated, she has this timeless beauty about her which translates in all her dressed down or glam looks.

FJAL: What's next for Meli Melo? Do you think you will ever go beyond bags?

M: I am currently looking to expand my range to include men's bags and develop our children's range further. I think with the constant development of technology a range of various cases and covers for
gadgets and gizmos would be great!

We already have a fab Ipad case that belongs to the Thela family for our Spring/Summer collection next year that will add a touch of glamour to any 21st century girl.

FJAL: What's in your handbag? (see picture)
M: All the essentials really... my Butterfly shaped Celine Sunglasses are a must! I also have my diary with a Mont Blanc pen to keep my busy schedule in tact and my Lancôme Nutrix cream that repairs and instantly brightens my skin which is perfect when I'm rushing to meetings.

What's in Melissa's bag?

Melissa models one of the new bags for SS13

MELI MELO SS13 SHOOT

Breakfast on set

All the bags ready to be shot

Camera bag 

Stylist Tamara perfects the look

Model Shannon strikes a pose