Cuban American Bar Association Gala 2013

We attended the Cuban American Bar Association Installation Gala last night at the JW Marriot in Downtown Miami.
I love any excuse to get really dressed up! I had a dress all ready to go and picked out but...you know how sometimes something looks completely different when you look at it in another mirror? Yeah.  That dress didn't work out.

I instead wore this Rebecca Taylor Pleated dress that I had been wanting to wear  (now sold out, try this one or this one or this one) , and dressed it up with vintage Dior gold jewelry and a jewel Louis Vuitton monogrammed vernis Sunset Boulevard clutch. 

This event was really fun, and that's evidenced by my lack of pictures of the night.  Let me just tell you that a dessert bar with mini creme brulees and freshly made beignets is never a bad idea.

A big thank you to the firm of Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain, for our invite.

Click the link below for more!

Design Element: Monogram Mania

Monogramming and initialing is on everything these days!  It seems that it's really gotten a boost in the last year or so.  My monogram love affair initially began with the Louis Vuittion Mon Monogram service.  I am a huge Vuitton fan, and their chic pieces with painted monograms? I could hardly resist. I mean, I could resist because my wallet required that I resist, but you get the point.

Louis Vuitton Mon Monogram - Left: Image from Google Images from the LV website; Right: Image from PurseBlog

The downside to monograms / initialing is there is little to no resale value in your pieces.  I know that many of you invest in bags and later on, down the road, decide to sell them.  If you're initials are on something, it obviously diminishes the marketability of the piece.  That's really the only downside I can see to this trend!

The monogram necklace/ pendant has been a huge hit in the fashion blogging community.  I own the original Jennifer Zeuner initial necklace (you know, the one that Lauren Conrad has in a larger size) and there is not a day that I wear it where I don't receive 10+ compliments on it.  Below are some cute picks that are in line with this trend.

1. Jennifer Zeuner Swirly Initial Necklace in large and medium size ( I have medium, check out this post for a size reference).
2. Miriam Merenfeld Modern Initial Necklace
3. Acrylic Block Cutout Necklace 
4. Lisa Stewart Serenity Bracelet
5. Miriam Merenfeld Modern Font Monogram Necklace
6. Monogram Iphone Case
7. Sugar Bean Jewelry Single Stud Earring
8. Monogramed Clutch from Esty for $20 from Monkey See Boutique. Adorable! (Do you guys love this idea and look or what!?).
9. Old Navy Monogrammed Sweater 

And a last minute add-in that didn't make the collage:

Personalized Notecards from Esty shop Hedoe Paper!

PS: today is the last day to enter my Stella & Dot Scarf Giveaway. Yes, they make scarves!

OOTD: Over Accessorized

OOTD: Merry Christmas + Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM

I've spent the last couple of days with my family + my love. It was perfect.

I hardly ever wear red, but I thought it was the right time to break out these skinny jeans that I got at TJ Maxx.  They're festive paired with the sequined top!

If I'm sort of leery of a fashion trend, I test the trend out by picking up an item at an affordable store like Forever 21 or TJ Maxx.  I love the look of colored denim but truthfully did not break the bank on either the blue or red pair that I now own because I wasn't sure if I'd love the look on me.  

I kind of love red now. 

My lovely boyfriend bought the sweetest gift for me; the Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM.  I wasn't so much touched by what he got but how he got it...t and I love him all the more for it. :)

Enjoy the rest of your time off with your friends & family.

xo.xo

Nordstrom sequin small crystal bangle. 

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OOTD: Vintage Vuitton + New Vuitton

This vintage Louis Vuitton is an adorable shaped bag.  This crescent moon bag is chic and can be worn in a cross-body style. 

Jessica's vintage half moon bag by Louis Vuitton 

This is my Louis Vuitton Jasmine bag.  I've mentioned before, my love of LV Epi leather.  My Jasmine bag is a few years old already; LV has updated this style by tweaking the hardware and the shape (slightly) but they still make it.  They do not, however, make it in this beautiful blue color.

I've always loved the color of this bag!

Louis Vuitton Jasmin & Easter

Nothing to wear today!  Don't you hate that!?

Louis Vuitton Jasmin
I love the Jasmin.  One of my favorite top-handles by LV.
The new model now comes with a little key fob attached & the zipper is a lot larger.
Which style do you prefer?

Louis Vuitton "Animals" made from Louis Vuitton Purses + Accessories

A couple of weeks ago, my friend sent me this photograph of the store display at Louis Vuitton in NYC.

I love the idea of making little animals out of their own products!  A very creative way to entice shoppers.  Not that many of us need extra enticing to peruse LV, but genius nonetheless.

Pink Snails & Vuitton: Street Styled

Elephant Pendant by J.Crew
Wishbone necklace from Nordstrom