Cozy & Casual in Georgetown

Oh how I love fall!  I'm beyond excited to whip out my favorite cardigans and binge drink pumpkin spice lattes like a totally basic chick (#sorrynotsorry).  What do you guys like most about fall? I love feeling the crisp air against my skin and watching the leaves change color.  I know it sounds cheesy, but it's all so magical to me.  

Anywho, I've styled another cozy look for you guys today on SS.  I centered my outfit around a fab long tank from Velvet Heart.  I've featured them on here several times already, but if you still feel unfamiliar with their brand, you need to check them out stat!  Their designs are effortlessly fashionable so you'll ooze casual cool on the daily with zero effort whatsoever.

I paired my tank with grey skinnies and threw on a chunky knit on top for extra warmth.  To finish things off, I wore boots to match and a incorporated a pop of animal print by wearing new Freyrs sunnies.

Fabulous fall-friendly boots:

Skinnies:  Theory via TJ Maxx (similar) || Shoes:  Steve Madden (old) || Tank:  Velvet Heart || Sunnies:  c/o Freyrs || Cardigan: Saks Fifth Avenue (similar-ish)

Shot by the wonderful Sung Shin.

Early Morning Feels

Sharing part 2 of my shoot with D. Fabio with you guys today on SS - woke up at 5 AM to shoot this look with him back in Frisco.  BTW, If this tunic looks familiar, it's because it should - I featured it here not too long ago on the blog!  Anywho, I styled a fall-friendly look for my latest.

I paired my tunic with a cozy cardi and suede over-the-knee boots for a cute but comfortable ensemble.  The boots were a definite splurge on my part, but I get serious wear out of 'em every year so it's all good.  Yeah, I pretty much justify all of my big purchases with cost per wear rationalizations, ha.  Plus, I bought them at Neiman Marcus while they were having a big gift card promotion so I got a good $300 or so back.  Keep an eye out for perks like that (ex. triple points, gift cards, etc.).  They have 'em quite often so make sure y'all take advantage. 

More affordable OTK boots that still slay (all under $75):

A close-up shot of my cardi courtesy of Viva La Jewels.  If you're a fan of crochet, you need to pick this baby up stat!  I love draping it over my shoulders because I'm all about easy layering! To see how I wore it in a girlier outfit post, clicky.

Tunic:  Amiclubwear || Boots:  Stuart Weitzman || Cardi:  Viva La Jewels || Necklace:  c/o J Wholesale

Photos by the fabulous Daniel Fabio.

My Latest e.l.f. Beauty Haul: The Skincare Edition

1.  Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths (20 for $3):  I'm straight up obsessed with these cloths! I'm not into wearing foundation everyday so they're not a part of my daily routine, but when I have a performance or photoshoot, I always make sure to wipe my face down with these babies pre-shower to remove everything thoroughly.  Rating: 5/5.

2.  Exfoliating Scrub ($5):  Personally, I prefer St. Ives' apricot scrub, but this works pretty well, too. If you want something on the gentler side, I recommend trying this face wash out.  You can technically use this product daily, but 2-3 times a week is ideal in my opinion.  Tip:  Remove your makeup and cleanse your face first!  Rating: 4/5.

3.  Hydrating Bubble Mask ($14): I read quite a few negative reviews about this product online so I was afraid to try it at first, but I actually really liked it.  It was effective, easy to use, and super lightweight!  Tip: a little goes a long way so don't go too crazy.  Apply a thin layer onto your face and watch it all bubble up (for 5-10 minutes or so) before washing it off.  Your skin will feel really clean and soft afterwards.  Rating:  4/5.

4.  Eye Refresh ($3):  For $3, I'm totally on board.  I don't know if there are any long term improvements yet, but this item feels hella good on my eye area - cooling sensations FTW.  I love using it first thing in the morning.  It helps with puffiness for sure!  Tip:  keep it in the fridge to up the cooling factor.  Rating:  4/5.

Conclusion:  Yes, to answer my question above, e.l.f. does get the job done.  I don't usually like to drop huge amounts of moolah on make-up, but I'm all about splurging on skincare.  I have no problem dropping $50+ on a solid night cream. So, suffice it to say, I was skeptical when I first received my e.l.f. goodies in the mail. I gotta give them serious props though because the aforementioned products are pretty legit.  If you guys are looking to try a new affordable skincare line give 'em a go.  I, for one, am excited to try their night creams out next!

The Plaid Shirtdress aka Wearable PJs

I don't know about you guys, but comfort's hella important to me.  I don't care how good I look, if I'm in pain, I'm changing.  End of story.  You could gift me the most amazing designer heels, but if my feet are hurtin', I won't ever wear them out... butttt I will look at them and admire their beauty, ha.  

Now, this all leads me to today's OOTD.  Talk about comfy, this dress (courtesy of Velvet Heart) is seriously the softest thing you'll ever touch.  The piece itself is on the looser side, but that's why the tie belt's there, to help you shape your figure.  If you prefer a more relaxed silhouette, simply toss the belt aside.

For today's look, I styled the dress with a drape vest for extra warmth and threw on a silver statement necklace to up my accessory game.  To finish things off, I wore tall embellished boots courtesy of Hush Puppies.

 A closer look at my dress sans vest!  

Dress:  c/o Velvet Heart || Boots:  c/o Hush Puppies || Vest:  Banana Republic Factory Outlet (similar) || Necklace:  J Wholesale

Shot by the wonderful Sung Shin.

Stitch Fix: Mad for Plaid

Alright guys, today's post is hella short because life's just kind of crazy right now - I'm prepping for my last doctoral comp, and I'm feeling mad underprepared so every day's a serious struggle.  Please send me positive vibes so I can get through it all, hopefully with passing marks, ha.

Anywho, for today's post, I decided to share a look that I styled for Stitch Fix in SF a while back (if you missed my trip recap, click here) - they sent each influencer from their tastemaker event a plaid shirt to style!  I paired mine with my favorite faux-leather skirt and tied it to highlight the small of my waist.  Since it's fall and everything, I threw on suede OTK boots to combat nippy weather and wore a drape vest on top. How would you guys wear this shirt?

Side bar:  If you're looking to up your style game, give Stitch Fix a try for reals.  Their clothing's quality, and they throw in cute outfit cards to help you style fashionable everyday looks for your convenience (!!!) Your package is tailored to your wants and needs so I can pretty much guarantee you'll love whatever fix you get.  You're welcome in advance.

Shop my look:

Editorial: Dress to Impress

Partnering up with the incredible Jared Wolfe today on SS for a fun editorial.  I'm so beyond excited to share our first collab with you guys.  For today's post, I styled a classy going out look featuring a fabulous floral number courtesy of Stitch Fix.  

I styled the dress with a simple gold choker and carried a studded clutch to add a bit of edge.  To finish off my look, I threw on matching heels.

Other fabulous going-out dresses, all under $50:

Dress:  c/o Stitch Fix || Clutch:  Handbag Heaven || Necklace:  J Wholesale || Shoes:  Qupid (similar)

Shot by the incredible Jared Wolfe.

How-to Stay True to Yourself

As much as I enjoy fashion-forward attire, I will always love classic style.  I'm sure you guys know this already, but I personally enjoy keeping things simple, clean, and polished.  I'm not trying to make a big in-your-face statement on a day-to-day basis.  I mean, my blog's name is Sensible Stylista after all.  Runway pieces are totally gorgeous, but honestly, how many of us could (or would) actually wear them daily? 

Even if I could afford to deck myself out in high-fashion garb all day err day, I wouldn't because it's just not me. You don't need to purchase trendy new pieces each week and spend a fortune on your wardrobe to look good. What's "hot" in the fashion world may not necessarily work for you, and that's totally ok.  Who cares if "x" and "y" are trending?  Wear what you want and be hella confident about it all because at the end of the day, your happiness is most important.  Trust me, if you feel good, you'll look good.

If you're constantly seeking the approval of others, you may as well just ask to feel like sh*t all day long. You can't please everyone - it's just a fact of reality.  There's always going to be someone out there who's hating on you - your style, your looks, your accomplishments, whatever.  You can't control what they think or say about you, but you can control how they and their words affect your emotions.  Wear whatever you want, whenever you want. Embrace yourself fully, and don't ever apologize for being yourself.  And if people give you sh*t? Tell them to go eff off.  You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.  Life's too short to deal with BS!  End rant.

[Back to today's OOTD, ha] I centered today's look around my new lace-up top from Velvet Heart.  I paired it with high-waisted skinny jeans to mask potential muffin top and threw on my fave black duster to up my layering game. I accessorized with animal print boots and reflective sunnies courtesy of Freyrs.  If you're looking for cute but affordable eyewear, make sure to check them out!  I really like all their designs - I own a bunch of different pairs, and I find them all flattering.  Plus, they offer free US shipping so there's that. 

Top:  c/o Velvet Heart || Boots:  Nine West || Jacket:  Sosie || Jeans:  Bongo || Bag:  YSL || Sunglasses: c/o Freyrs

 Shot by the fabulous Sung Shin.

Sensible Stylista Eats: Silver

Alright everyone, I'm super excited to tell you guys all about my latest food adventure with Justin (aka DCFoodPorn).  We went to Silver in Bethesda, MD last week to get our nom on for lunch.  I seriously felt like I had died and gone to food heaven! We got to try a bunch of different dishes - all of which were super delish.

We started thangs off with nomtastic drinks.  We ordered a Heath Bar milkshake (made with breyers ice cream) and a Beachbum cocktail (made with bacardi, blackwell rum, apricot brandy, pineapple, and lime).  We sipped on them while looking over apps.  Everything looked BOMB so it was a hard decision, but we ended up going with Creekstone Angus sliders and Tuna Tartare.  

DCFoodPorn werking it.

A close-up snap of our sliders!  They also have black bean veggie + wasabi salmon ones.

Our tuna tartare!  Marinated in a ponzu sauce with chunks of avocado, garnished with micro greens and dressed with lime peanut dressing - comes with a side of crispy wontons.  Available in a half + whole portion!

Then, we ordered 3 different entrees to share for our main course:  Caramel French Toast, Pan Seared Scallops, and Carolina Shrimp Picatta.  Sooo, let's just go in order.  If you're a fan of all things sweet, the french toast will blow your mind.  This plate of deliciousness was coated in maple sugar + salted caramel drizzle. 

The scallops were on POINT.  They were perfectly cooked and flavored with MD Bay seasoning, lemon garlic sauce, feta, cilantro and served on a bed of wilted spinach (!!!!) They came with mashed butternut squash and mixed vegetables.  I didn't take a photo of the shrimp dish, but that was also super nomtastic.  It was dressed in a scrumptious lemon garlic caper sauce and garnished with italian parsley - it came with the same side dishes mentioned above.  FYI, both of these fabulous plates were under 600 calories each.  I love that they offer a lighter menu here!

Conclusion:  I'll be back to try their other dishes soon!  If you live in the DMV area, head on over and try 'em out. Their grub is definitely on the pricier side, but remember that you're paying for quality noms.  A huge thanks to Silver for having us!  

How-to Rock Date Night Like a Boss: 3 Easy Ways to Slay

Alright guys, we're tackling date night garb today on SS - I've been getting several emails regarding the topic so I figured it'd be a good subject to blog about. Before we get into everything, I want to emphasize that these are NOT first date outfit ideas (that's an entirely different subject all together, and I'll be addressing that another day).  We're gonna talk about ways you can spice up your outfit game!  Sooo, let's get to it!

1.  Make a statement with kickass accessories.  Don't be afraid to go all out! It is night time after all. I treated my LBD as a neutral canvas and dressed it up with edgy pieces for fun (to see more photos, click here).  If you're afraid you're gonna overdo it, just keep a few things in mind.  Sidebar:  I'm all about wearing whatever the hell you want so if YOU love your look, don't second sh*t.  I'm simply sharing tips with those of you who want some extra help.  Now that we got that out of the way, let's get to it!

a.  If you're wearing a bunch of vibrant colors together at once, don't mix metals.

b.  Bold jewelry + simple outfits = optimal combination

c.  Wear ONE statement piece at a time.

d.  Take your bag + shoes into consideration when thinking about your accessory game.

2.  Grow an inch...or 5 with sky high heels.  Confession: I totally have a thing with height - I've always wanted to be super tall, but that didn't quite work out for me, ha.  Luckily, I can "grow" as much as I want with fashion!  Yay for visual illusions.  Here's how I pull off my trickery.  

First, pick out a killer maxi dress that's sexy as hell but drags like nobody's business.  Then, pair it with 5" ankle-strap heels for max comfort + security.  The straps are hella important because they'll keep your shoes ON your feet.  You won't have to worry about them slipping off and (inevitably) making a fool out of yourself by falling flat on your face.  Lastly, make sure your dress still grazes the ground a slight bit so no one sees how high your heels actually are!  To see more snaps from this look, click here.

3.  Rock BAMF cut-outs.  I don't know what it is, but there's just something mad sexy about showing unexpected bits of skin.  Pass on the "traditional" plunge neckline + backless cut and experiment with something different to mix things up!  Try wearing pieces with cutout waists, arms, and necklines.  To see more from this look, click here.

Uniqlo x Tastemade Food & Fashion Event

Alright everyone, I'm super pumped to tell you guys all about my latest adventure.  Last Friday, I covered Uniqlo x Tastemade's fashion & food event in DC.  It was a really fun (and delicious) shindig in honor of their Tyson's Corner grand opening.  I'm all about Uniqlo so I'm beyond stoked that they're here.  Fellow DMV-ers, make sure y'all head on over to VA this Friday to get your shop on. Anywho, without further ado, let's take a look at some behind-the-scenes snaps from the event. 

Katsuya Fukushima (the head chef at Daikaya) prepping ridiculously nom chicken ramen for the crowd!  Hands down, the BEST ramen I've had in the DMV.  The noodles were chewy perfection, and the broth was to die for.  I was worried it'd be salty, but seasoning was really on point.  If you're in the area and you want solid Japanese food, head on over to Daikaya STAT.

They also served delish karaage sandwiches to peeps!

 

A special shout out to all the fab bloggers who came out to support! Pictured:  As It Happens, Diego Downtown, and Anchyi Adorned.

In addition to all the yummy noms, Uniqlo handed out free shirts + tanks (!!!!) Y'all know I'm a huge fan of free swag!  Anywho, I hope you enjoyed today's blast.  To follow more of my adventures, add me on snapchat (my handle's @sensiblestylist) and on instagram.  I just started using stories, and I'm officially addicted.  

Feeling Fancy in Lace

Pumped to partner up with Chaser again on SS for today's OOTD.  I was feeling mad girly so I styled a feminine look for you guys.  I centered my latest around a fabulous lace mini dress and paired it with a chic drape cardigan for a simple yet polished ensemble.  I accessorized with a dainty layered necklace and carried my new Chloe crossbody to match.

Other fabulous lace minis (varying price points):

A closer look at my necklace courtesy of J Wholesale.

I don't mess around when it comes to shoes.  These gorg heels are everything - super cute yet comfortable!  

Cardigan:  c/o Chaser || Dress:  c/o Chaser || Shoes:  c/o Stitch Fix || Necklace:  J Wholesale || Bag: Chloe

Shot by the wonderful Sung Shin.