GRAY DAYS

Wednesday, December 2, 2015


Gray days just got a little less gloomy. The monochromatic trend of gray on gray has been a fashion staple for as long as I can remember.  Striking a perfect balance between the dark and sexy all black look and an all white fit, head-to-toe gray accomplishes a minimalist look that still has a super chic flare.  So how do we rock multiple shades of gray without appearing utterly dull and dreary? The key is simplicity.  Try incorporating no more than 3 or 4 different hues to maintain a consistent and polished ensemble.  Opting for a minimalist look, I rocked this stunning 2-tone gray dress from Wardrobe Worthy and added my metallic gray clutch to finish off the trio.  Keeping "the extras" to a minimum, a basic nude pump, sunnies and a few bracelets finish me off.  
So dare a little and step up your gray game this season. 

BLACK FRIDAY

Thursday, November 12, 2015

It's the season of dressing up and sharing good cheer at office parties, family events and cocktail gatherings. With all the holiday events beginning to fill up our social calendars, we begin to have the all-too familiar feeling that we have nothing to wear in our closets.  Adding a few new budget friendly pieces to your wardrobe this time of year makes RSVPing to all those invitations for gatherings a breeze.  For this holiday season inspired look, I opted for the OOO' La La Wide Leg Jumpsuit from Wardrobe Worthy.  This one-piece is the perfect classy, yet easy look for a dinner or cocktail party without the fuss of separates.  Keeping it dainty, pair with a solid ankle strap heel or stiletto and statement handbag to jazz things up a bit.  

To complete this look in classic Layllahstyle fashion, I teamed up with Trendlee to showcase this lovely luxury, authentic and pre-loved Chanel Chain Stitch handbag.  With the velvet exterior with chain detailing, this bag exudes elegance and is the great accessory for those holiday looks.  

In the spirit of giving, enjoy 5% off any Trendlee purchase using my discount code BAGLADY.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

If you know me, you know I live for a black and white moment.  The simplicity screams my name and I find myself pulling the color palette out on a daily.  With the fall weather setting in, light blazers are perfect to throw over almost any look for that added warmth that doesn't feel too heavy.  On the hunt for some new and funky blazers to add to my fall collection, this statement blazer from Wardrobe Worthy stole my heart at first glance.  With a rich satin collar and feather trimming across the bottom, this little number has the right about of chic, style and versatility -- the perfect combination.  To keep the look balanced, I threw on a pair of faux leather pants from Zara, a pair of oldie booties from Chinese Laundry, a simple white tee and minimal jewelry.  

For this look, I teamed up with Trendlee to showcase this lovely luxury, authentic and pre-loved Celiné handbag.  The classic shape and neutral colors makes this bag so easy to style.  Girls love a good handbag -- enjoy 5% off any Trendlee purchase using my discount code BAGLADY.  You can thank me later :-)

1030

Friday, October 30, 2015

Fall is our favorite by far and the most forgiving of all the seasons. With the weather not too hot and not quite too cold, you can practically get away with everything from layering, baring a little skin, sporting an open toe heel, or rocking a thigh high boot.  As the #1 fan of the All Black Everything club, Cari struts a Yves Saint Laurent dress with an added leather tie belt to snatch in the waist line.  We love pulling out this little trick when wearing flowy dresses that do our shape no justice at all. What better way to top the look off than with the signature Alicia Boot by Tony Bianco and the simple Lauren Clutch from Halston Heritage.  Kay makes a statement in a beaded crop top from Zara, copped last season during a cant-miss sale.  The key to the crop is not bare too much skin -- just a sliver around the midsection is plenty.  To keep is classy, Kay wore here BCBG high-waist trousers and the simple black Zara pump that seems to virtually go with absolute everything. 

 


Kay's Look: Top Zara | Pant BCBG | Pumps Zara

Photography Credit: Dimitri Crowder

WHITE OUT

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Who says you can't wear white after Labor Day? If you still believe in this myth, it's time to throw it out once and for all.  From season to season, runway show after runway show, countless designers show us that white isn't only approved for those warmer months.  When done right, white is amazingly fresh and crisp when worn when the weather turns a little chilly.  The key to rocking the cool tone in fall and winter is keeping in mind it's all about the fabric.  There's no place for summer's light and airy textiles like linen and seersucker in the cooler months.  Instead, we're pulling out the leather, heavy cottons and polyester for these looks to keep it fall-chic while still rocking white.    


Cari's Look: Jacket  H&M | Tank Old Navy | Shorts Her Kloset | Heels Jimmy Choo | Shades Target

Kay's Look: Jacket H& M | Tank Old Navy | Pants BCBG | Pumps Steve Madden | Shades Target

Photography Credit: Dimitri Crowder




A SIMPLE GIRL

Friday, October 16, 2015

We're simple girls -- we mostly dress in black because it's easy, we drink champagne because it sits well and we love very hard because it feels right.  There is so much beauty in simplicity -- although an acquired taste, for those who embrace the idea that less is more, truly understands the power of minimalism. To get dressed doesn't mean to over dress.  In fact, the most basic and clean looks are actually the most refined and elegant.  Sticking to solids, staple pieces and clean lines helps create a cohesive look without the fuss.  For us, we believe that dressing should be half your audience and half your personal style, that's why we create looks for the simple chic city girl.  

Going for an all black moment is a classic move, and with the simplest color palette of them all, you really can't go wrong here.  For these looks, we started with the "Want to Wear" item first.  With every outfit we identify the item we are most interested in wearing and build the entire look around that piece.  Whether it's a statement jacket, a cool pair of pants, or a funky necklace, the key to simplicity is to identify the primary piece and pair with more basic items to give the look balance, while focusing the attention in one main area.  

So is simplicity the ultimate form of sophistication as quoted by Leonardo da Vinci? To us the answer is absolutely.  So always dress well, but keep it simple.



Kay styles Halston's Enbellished Pocket Satin Tie Pant with a trendy sheer turtleneck for a little sex appeal that's still tasteful.  Finishing off the look, she pairs with patent leather heels from Target and handbag by Louis Vuitton. 


Cari bares a little midriff with this little number for a super comfy chic weekend look.  To give the outfit structure, Cari wears her long-lined blazer from BCBG and throws on a pair of Forever 21 tights to keep it easy.  A good heel always finishes a look just right, so Louboutin was the shoe of choice.


Cari's Look: Jacket  BCBG | Leggings Forever 21 | Heels Christian Louboutin | Handbag YSL

Kay's Look: Top Her Kloset | Pants Halston | Pumps Target | Handbag Louis Vuitton

Photography Credit: Dimitri Crowder


FEELIN' FRINGE

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

While we are often introduced to new trends, some just keep repeating themselves and refuse to die off.  Fringe is one of those trends that has never entirely been out of fashion -- in fact year after year, season after season, many top designers incorporate the shredded look into their collections. From leather jackets and skirts to shoes and handbags, fringe continues to show up everywhere we look and we absolutely love it!  Though the classic trend may seem a bit tricky to pull off -- it works great in moderation.  Keep in mind that fringe is a statement in itself; so pairing with more simple and classic items is key to a balanced look that doesn't scream "costume."  We've been rocking fringe for a while now, and although we sport it year-around, our favorite season to pull out the fringe is Autumn.  Teaming up for a Sister Sister shoot, we both picked out our fav fringe pieces from the closet and styled them up for these looks.  Are you feelin' fringe as much as we are? 


 Strutting away in a fringe mini skirt from H&M, Cari's keeping it edgy chic rocking thigh-high Tony Bianco boots and black sweater.


The fun thing about fringe is the natural movement it creates.  Sporting a distressed American Eagle boyfriend jean and sheer blouse, Kay's  finishing off her look with a faux leather handbag -- in fringe of course. 


Cari's Look: Top RVN | Skirt H&M | Boots Tony Bianco | Handbag Danielle Nicole

Kay's Look: Top H&M | Jeans American Eagle | Pumps Zara | Handbag H&M

Photography Credit: Dimitri Crowder



FASH-TECH

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Technology has opened so many doors for women of our generation -- and with an eye for fashion, women have entered this space and coined the term Fash-Tech Innovators.  Ok so I admit, that's the term we gave them, but highlighting those ladies in tech who are as stylish as they are brainy and accomplished is a must.  Women like Amber Venz Box, Co-Founder of rewardStyle, Sophia Amoruso, Founder of NastyGal and Marissa Mayer, President & CEO of Yahoo, know how to keep it stylish in tech.  Individually, Kay and I embrace the combination of fashion and technology through our own entrepreneurial endeavors.  As the CEO of tech start-up PostFav, there is never a dull moment at the office when I arrive wearing 4 inch Jimmy Choos and a monochromatic tailored suit.  Kay, creator of Kerri Alston Extensions, helps tell her fashion story through hair on social media.  Together we are sister bloggers, who have the joy of leveraging technology to connect with our amazing viewers through the web and social media with the click of a button.  It has been so rewarding to be able to share a little piece of us and something so near and dear to our hearts, FASHION, with each and every one of you.  



So meet us at the intersection of fashion and technology and let's get into these looks. Stripes -- so basic right? Well, we don't think so.  Instead, we actually find ourselves resorting to the simple yet massive statement style from time to time.  You know we love a classic black and white look and the versatility and infinite outfits we can put together with the help of stripes is a plus.  Personally, I find it so effortless and chic at the same time when paired with solids to give the look balance -- focusing the eye in just the right places.  Flipping this style horizontally, we went for twinning stripe looks and added our own individual flare as we always do.  I kept it clean and fresh with a white two-piece suit, while Kay dabbled into the color family and pulled out these amazing grey trousers.


Cari's Look: Top American Apparel | Jacket BCBG | Trousers H&M | Heels Christian Louboutin

Kay's Look: Top Colorfast Apparel | Trousers Vintage | Handbag Ferragamo | Heels Steve Madden

Photography Credit: Dimitri Crowder


BLACK IS BETTER

Friday, August 21, 2015

Black on Black is one of our all time favorite ways to dress. The look is sleek, elegant and super easy to style -- so really, what's not to love right?  Even though rocking black can sometimes be stereotyped as boring and bland, we totally disagree and live for an all-black moment.  When wearing the dark sultry hue from head to toe, there are just a few things to keep in mind to make sure your all black ensemble is super chic and stylish.  Play around with textures and fabrics, making sure your fabrics are season appropriate.  We really enjoy styling with leather, mesh, lace and silk and always seem to work a few into our all black looks.  Make sure the fit is tailored and slimming to keep the look modern and flattering and add subtle accessories for a little bit of glam.
 Dare to prove that black is far from boring. XO
 
Cari rocks the dainty Mariah body chain from MILQ USA
Kay's Look- Top Her Kloset | Skirt Helmut Lang | Shoes BCBG | Handbag Louis Vuitton

Cari's Look-  Suit BCBG | Shoes Christian Louboutin | Body Chain MILQ USA

 Photography Credit: Dimitri Crowder