Meeting Synderela at Caravan Stylist Studio

First of all I’m completely in love with the name Synderela. I was introduced to this fairytale inspired brand at the Caravan Stylist Studio event. Don’t get me wrong this Synderela is not your typical maiden in distress. According to the brand's profile she’s ambitious, courageous and rebellious.

Essentially the name is a perfect reflection of brand’s identity which borders on naughty and nice.

Check out my favorite picks for their collection below!

 I loved the vibrant bright colors of these Syn skirts. In fact open front skirts are one of the biggest trends right now.

 You can never really go wrong with lace. I would pair this dress with a leather belt and perhaps add a statement necklace.

This black dress was one of my favorite pieces from Syn. The neon stones on the bottom of the delicate sleeves were a brilliant addition.

I've always been a fan of sequins so naturally this gold sequin dress was another one of my favorites. There's nothing quite like sequins to make you feel like a princess or in this case a modern day Synderela. 

Check out Synderela's:

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My Favorite Picks From the DANA-MAXX Collection at Caravan Stylist Studio

At the Caravan Stylist Studio event I was introduced to DANA-MAXX, a women’s contemporary ready-to-wear clothing line. The brand caters to strong, edgy and feminine women which is definitely the kind of girl I am. What makes the DANA-MAXX look distinct is their use of brilliantly positioned architectural elements and bright colors. I couldn't resist trying on the above faux fur piece from their Fall 2012 collection.

Check out my favorite picks below from their Spring and Fall 2012 collections!

 

One of my favorite things about this dress was the signature DANA-MAXX cascading sleeves. Aside from the structure the design on the fabric made this look very unique.

What I love about this dress is the way the nude colored sleeves compliment the bright coral color. It's definitely an unexpected addition which is why it works so well!

Again, I'm in love with the sleeves! DANA-MAXX is obviously known for her beautiful sleeve design and this look is the perfect example. Everything works in this piece from the color, structure and pattern design.

I've saved one of the best for last as this look completely blew me away! I loved everything about it from the shiny metallic like pattern to the form fitting structure. The addition of the pockets completely takes the cake.

DANA-MAXX is officially one of my favorite designers and hopefully one of yours after reading this post!

Check out the DANA-MAXX:

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My Favorite Picks from the Taylor Dress Collection

I had a chance to preview the new Taylor Dress collection at the Caravan Studio in NYC. I’ve been a huge fan of Taylor Dresses ever since I discovered the brand at a Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week event a few seasons ago. Their dresses can be described as classic and feminine. The style is very similar to what Audrey Hepburn or Jackie Kennedy would wear. They've taken old classic glamor and seamlessly turned it into perfectly tailored modern looks. The dresses don't reveal too much but the classic cut will definitely make you feel sexy. 

Check out my favorite picks from the new Taylor Dress collection below.

Bright coral is my favorite color which is why I loved this piece so much. I would include a black belt to cinch the waist and you're all set to go with this dress.

This is the back of the polka dot dress that I have featured in the first photo. The overlay of the delicate flower material on the polka dot fabric really makes this piece stand out.

Another one of my favorites was this long black wrap dress. This classic piece gives you the opportunity to pull a minor Angelina Jolie one leg out look if you move the material in the front when you pose for a photo.

This yellow and gray frock is very mod chic. I would pair it with sheer stockings and blue heels. 

Royal blue is my second favorite color and that's partially why I love this dress so much. What makes this look stand out is the plunging neckline design. It's a perfect example of the brand's classic style with a hint of sexy.

Last but not least another one of my favorites was the above multicolor print dress. It kind of pays homage to the 70's in a modern way.

Check out the Taylor Dress:
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Caravan Stylist Studio Event

I was invited to visit the incredible Caravan Stylist Studio located right in the heart of the fashion district in NYC. The goal of the studio is to showcase and support local designers. Their mission is shared with www.savethegarmentcenter.org and both strive to encourage more production in the USA when possible. 

At the studio I had chance to meet with some of the most talented local designers like Taylor Dress, Dana Maxx, Marti, Synderela and Eliza J to name a few. I'll have individual blog posts with my favorite picks from their Holiday collections coming up. 

I was also lucky to take home a few designer goodies. You'll see me wearing some of them during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in a few weeks! 

Thank you so much Caravan Studio for having me. I had the most amazing time meeting everyone and previewing the Holiday collections.

Be sure to visit their Website, 'like' on Facebook and follow on Twitter!  

Check out more about Caravan Stylist Studio in the video below.

My Outfits for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami

I had a lot of fun picking out my outfits for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim a few weeks ago. Since Miami is known for bright colors I decided to stick mostly on trend and wear vibrant pieces like the above Laundry by Design dress that I paired with cat eye sunnies. I decided to keep the accessories very minimum for this look since the dress was already so busy.

My most favorite look to wear was this Audrey Hepburn meets Greek goddess inspired piece. It wasn't quite on trend with bright color but I think it worked quite well and made me stand out even more. I wore my favorite cat eye sunnies and a crystal statement necklace.
 
My second favorite look to wear was this coral mini dress with long train in the back. It's definitely a popular trend right now that I'm absolutely in love with. I paired the look with a blue statement belt and shoes. Coral and blue are such striking colors and 99% of the time can work really well together.

While I mostly stuck with dresses for this trip I decided to wear this yellow and blue romper which can probably be considered the quintessential attire of Miami. Again, I kept the look very simple with just blue pumps because the romper was already so decorative.

Which look did you like best? Comment below!

Miami Swim Week 2012 Cover

Here is a fun photo I took at the OMG Photo booth at the Lifestyle Retreat Lounge in Miami during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim.
I'm the unofficial Miami Swim Week Cover girl! How cool?!

Filming for MARY KAY at the Lifestyle Retreat Lounge

Alina Fayer and Lawrence VonRumpf

I had the incredible opportunity of being styled by Celebrity Stylist Lawrence VonRumpf who was part of the MARY KAY Glam Squad at the Lifestyle Retreat Lounge in Miami. After styling my look to portray a "jet-setting socialite" we ended up filming for MARY KAY Cosmetics.

To complete my "jet-setting socialite" look he added a mini headscarf, statement necklaces, chunky bracelet and a clutch purse.

I was really in love with all of the accessories he let me wear for the style segment. I  couldn't resist snapping a picture with my matching bunny i-Phone.

Filming the segment for MARY KAY was so much fun. Being in front of the camera is one of favorite things to do when I get opportunities like these. There is nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of lights, camera, action!

The second part of the segment was filming with celebrity make-up artist Marissa Nemes who literally turned me into a life size doll with the flawless makeup she did using MARY KAY products. 

New Shopping Obsession: DITTO.com

I’m absolutely obsessed with a new e-commerce store for sunglasses and prescription eye wear called DITTO. I was first introduced to them at the Life Style Retreat Lounge in Miami. In the photo above I'm trying on the Melrose sunglasses by Elizabeth and James that you can currently find on DITTO.

What makes DITTO unique is the fact that you can try any glasses you pick by using your webcam to create a 3D virtual image that you can turn in 180 degree angles.

As you can see above I virtually tried on the Chloé and the Elizabeth and James sunglasses. I definitely liked the Chloé sunglasses better on me!

They have a great selection of sunglasses which include Elizabeth and James, Chloé, Ray Ban, Derek Lam and Jason Wu to name a few.

Check out the video below to see just how fun and easy DITTO makes online shopping for glasses. 

The Lifestyle Retreat Lounge 2012

One of my favorite events during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim was the Lifestyle Retreat Lounge at the Shelborne Hotel in Miami. Also known as the LRL, the invite only lounge provided a relaxing sanctuary for press, celebrities, industry taste makers and models. Guests had the opportunity to sample products from participating vendors and get pampered with complimentary hair and makeup.

Sponsors and partners of the event included: Daily Front Row, Monster Energy, Rica Swimwear, MARY KAY, Blo Bar, OMG Booth, Miss Fanatic, Go Charge Now, BabylissPRO, Ditto Eyewear, Set, Mokai, Dr. V, Sweet and Tipsy, Whispering Angel, Tasti d’Lite, Chateau D’Esclans, Fifty Pounds Gin and Heineken.

The first thing that I did at the lounge was get my hair done by Blo Bar. My stylist recommended bouncy curls to compliment my style that day.

 As you can see the curls were just what I needed to complete my Miami chic look.

Next, I had a chance to get my makeup done by celebrity makeup artist Marissa Nemes who was part of the MARY KAY Glam Squad that day. Of the products used on me I was lucky to keep their new Lash Love Waterproof Mascara and NouriShine Plus lip gloss in Mango Tango. I've never tried MARY KAY products before but after using these I'm definitely a fan!

Alina Fayer and Lawrence VonRumpf

Right after getting my makeup done I was styled by Celebrity Stylist Lawrence VonRumpf who was part of the Mary Kay Glam Squad. The look that he created for me was called the "jet-setting socialite". I'll have more details about it as well as filming for Mary Kay in a following post.

Another great sponsor of the LRL lounge was DITTO Eyewear which is a new eCommerce site selling a curated collection of designer eye wear. The site gives you an opportunity to virtually try on the sunglasses you select.

Whispering Angel Rosé Château d'Esclans provided delicious wine for guests. It was just what I needed after a fun day of being pampered and filming at the LRL lounge.

With my wine in hand I went on to try the Black Russian Revolt treats by Sweet & Tipsy. They were served in mini cocktail glasses which made them even more enticing to try! The verdict was they were really yummy and I wish was having some right now as I write this post...

Tasti D Lite served delicious treats which were just 70 calories.

Rica Swimwear gave a fierce presentation of their new 2013 Spring/Summer collection which I'll have more details about in a later post.

Thanks again to the Lifestyle Retreat Lounge for inviting me. It was truly one of the highlights of my time at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim!

Oakley’s 2013 Women’s Swim Collection Official Launch Party

I was invited to the official launch party for Oakley’s 2013 Women’s Swim Collection during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim. The event took place at Hyde Beach in the gorgeous SLS Hotel South Beach. It was hosted by the Trimera Group and featured a fashion show with a guest DJ. 

Unfortunately I didn't make it in time for the fashion show but I did get a chance to see one of the featured 2013 Oakley swimsuits on display.

The weather that night was so warm and serene. The wind was calmly blowing the palm trees that surrounded the pool. There is nothing quite like posing by a palm tree in Miami. 

Between hanging out with my friend and mingling with guests I had a chance to kick back and relax for a little on the spacious SLS Hotel lounge chair.

There was even a huge mirror on the wall which provided a perfect DIY photo opportunity. The atmosphere at the event was like something out of a dream that included beautiful decorations, people and of course the 2013 Oakley swimsuits.

Before leaving the party I couldn't resist posing next to the giant rubber ducky by the pool.

About:

Oakley was created for world-class athletes, those who see the limits of possibility as just another challenge. Their dedication drives us to look beyond the conventional ideas of industry standards. It’s in our DNA to identify problems, create inventions, and wrap those inventions in art. And simply to make things better than anyone thought possible.

Visit www.oakley.com to see more of their selections. 

Grecian Style Photo Shoot at the Marseilles Hotel

One of the perks of staying at the Marseilles Hotel in Miami was taking advantage of its beautiful décor like my hotel room's hot tub surrounded by pillars. My look that day was Audrey Hepburn meets Grecian Goddess. Naturally a photo-shoot was in order when I realized that my outfit matched the Greek style pillars and surrounding decorations. 
 

The Marseilles Hotel is an original Miami Beach Art Deco style boutique hotel with typical architecture and design features of the 1940's.

Click here to check out a detailed post about my stay.