Editorial: Prickly Thorn, but Sweetly Worn

Hey guys, it's time for another editorial on SS.  I'm beyond pumped to share today's post with you guys - it's the first of three fabulous shoots I did with the incredible Jared Wolfe in his new studio in Alexandria, VA.  His work is always amazing, but these shots are my favorite by far!  I can't wait to show you guys the rest!  Stay tuned for lots of awesome things to come.

I'm wearing so many of my favorites in today's post.  I told you guys all about my boots HERE a while back so let's skip that and start with my new statement necklace courtesy of JWholesale!  I can't even begin to tell you guys how cute this piece is. I own a bajillion of their baubles, but this takes the cake, and it's even cuter in person!

My new dress is from Gentle Fawn.  You guys should be familiar with them already - since I've featured them on SS several times in the past - but if you need a refresher, they're all about steeze (style + ease).  Their designs are effortlessly fashionable and ooze quality with their fabrics and construction.  I seriously want everything they sell! Have you guys come across their brand in stores yet?

Other fabulous tunic-dresses for your browsing pleasure (under $75):

Shoes:  AMICLUBWEAR || Necklace:  c/o JWholesale || Dress:  c/o Gentle Fawn

Shot by the amazing Jared Wolfe.  To book a session with him, hit him up here.

Look for Less: Gianvito Rossi Velvet Ankle Boots

Alright guys, I'm sure you all have seen these fancy schmancy boots somewhere at one point. They've been trending hardcore in the fashion world so I pretty much see celebs and stylesetters wearing 'em left and right online or in print.  Rossi's Brandy ankle boots are available in blue, gold, and black for a steep $1,075.  Now, if you have the money and want to splurge on these boots, feel free to do so, but for those of you who want the look for less, I've found a solid alternative for a fraction of the price.  

Amiclubwear sells a super cute pair online for $29.25.  They were originally $64.99, but they're currently on sale so y'all are in luck.  I got the olive colored ones, but they're also available in royal blue and black.  Here are some important details for you guys!  They're made of a velvet texture and have a pointy toe with a side zipper closure (just like the originals pictured above).  They have a chunky heel with a cushioned footbed and are approximately 4" high.  I got them in 6.5, and they fit me perfectly!  No need to size up or down - these are true to size.  

These boots seriously look exactly like the splurge pictured above, especially from afar.  Personally, I wouldn't drop the cash on the designer version, but that's because a., I'm not a millionaire, and b., I'm probably only wearing these in the winter - the weather kind of sucks here (lots of snow and whatnot) so they'd most likely get ruined.  I'm curious to hear what you guys think though.  Would you go for the splurge or the steal?

Teaming Up with Trollbeads for V-Day

I'm super pumped to partner up with Trollbeads for my latest post!  They asked me to style a fabulous Valentine's day look, and I, of course, happily obliged.  I don't know if you guys remember, but a while back, I featured this dress as a find-of-the-day.  Lucky for y'all, it's still available online, and it's even MORE affordable than before. 

For those of you interested, it's currently on sale for $22.50, which is a total steal because it was originally $57. The textured mesh & cutout front ooze sexy, but the length balances everything out. You're showing a tasteful pop of skin up top, and everything else is modest so you're still keeping it classy.  The straps are adjustable, and the waistband stretches so you'll look amazing AND be comfortable all night.  I mean, does it really get much better than that?

Other affordable LBDs for your browsing pleasure (all under $50):

Let's take a closer look at my fabulous accessories.  LBDs are like blank canvases begging to be adorned so jewelry is an absolute must.  I wanted to look elegant so I went with simple but classic baubles to elevate my ensemble. I'm wearing Trollbeads' espresso noir bangle + matching earrings and carrying a gorgeous clutch from Lily Rain.

A close up shot of my earrings.  These babies are currently on sale for $69 so run, don't walk.  Take advantage of their discounted prices now so you have a killer v-day gift ready to go in your arsenal. Let me know if you guys have any questions!  Leave me a comment below or shoot me a message at sensiblestylista1@gmail.com

Up your clutch game:

Dress:  ASOS ($22.50) || Clutch:  Lily Rain (similar) || Jewelry:  c/o Trollbeads || Shoes:  Qupid

Shot by the amazingly talented Sung Shin.

WearMe Pro: Win Your Very Own SHADESBOX!

Alright guys, it's time for free swag!  I've partnered up with WearMe Pro today on SS to raffle away one SHADESBOX to a lucky SS reader.  If WMP sounds familiar, it's because it should; I featured them HERE not too long ago.  Just in case you need a refresher, click on the aforementioned link. You'll see that each box comes with 3 sunglasses, and it's retailed at $29.99.  I can pretty much guarantee you'll love whatever fabulous designs they send you.

As always, entering is super easy.  All you have to do is follow WearMe Pro on instagram via rafflecopter below. There are bonus entries available to increase your chances of winning so make sure you take advance.  Open to residents of the US + Canada, this giveaway closes on January 30th. Good luck, everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Flaunting DVF Florals

Man, I'm really missing warm weather right about now.  I'm seriously freezing my butt off in Maryland.  I kind of wish I could turn back time and go back to Florida!  I definitely wouldn't mind spending a few extra days there.  I didn't take many outfit shots during vacay - this is actually the only one - BUT I snapped a bunch of travel photos so stay tuned! I'll be sharing them all on SS very soon.

I'm all about florals for today's featured look.  I bought this gorgeous DVF dress online at Last Call back in November for *prepare yourself* $49.10 (!!!!!).  Are you clapping for me right now? Because you totally should be, ha!  In all seriousness though, I was beyond THRILLED to discover this find.  

This is my first official DVF piece, guys!  I've always been a huge fan of her printed wrap dresses, but as y'all probably know, her collection tends to be on the pricier side so I refrained.  Hashtag self-control FTW!  So naturally, when I saw this fabulous dress available online for a fraction of the price - it was originally $245.50 - I snatched it up without thinking twice.

My parents and I were going out to dinner at a fancy schmancy place in Naples so I decided to dress up for the occasion...not that you ever need a reason to dress up, but you know what I mean.  We had reservations at HobNob, a high-end American bistro, and I was super excited because they had glowing reviews on Yelp.  Turns out, the hype was totally warranted.  I was beyond impressed with their food, and I can't wait to tell you guys more about their noms in my travel diary!

Anywho - sorry, I totally got sidetracked - for my outfit of the night, I accessorized with a matching clutch and beige platform heels to elongate my legs.  I ordered these shoes on AMICLUBWEAR's website, and they're surprisingly comfortable.  I say "surprisingly" because they're like 6" high.  I'm actually a pretty big fan of their shoe collection.  They carry a ton of different brands, but my favorites are Privileged and Qupid.  If you're interested in purchasing these heels for yourself, you can buy them here.  They're currently on sale for $12.99 (originally $34.99) so you're in luck!  Have you guys found any bargain buys recently? If yes, make sure you leave a comment below telling me all about it.

Dress:  DVF via Last Call ($65) || Shoes:  Amiclubwear ($12.99)

Cute Alleyways in Georgetown

Soooo, funny (but not so funny) story about this outfit.  Sung and I finished shooting it fairly quickly, and I was super happy because the photos looked bomb, BUT while we were walking back to his car, I tripped and completely ripped the skirt to shreds.  It was SO sad! My right heel tore the entire bottom off. You guys have no idea how bummed I was.  It was one of my absolute favorites so I was nearly in tears, BUT luckily ASOS still had my size in stock - and they were on sale for $20ish - so I just bought another one.  I totally lucked out!

Anywho, today's featured OOTD was actually something I wore to a cool event in DC.  Diet Coke threw an awesome party at Longview Gallery a few weeks back, and this was my outfit of the night. I've been going to way more events as of late!  I've been having a blast making new friends and exploring more of the DMV.  I'm actually thinking about covering more events on SS.  Is that something you guys would be interested in? Make sure y'all leave me a comment below with your thoughts.

Since this kickass skirt is only available in size 4 on ASOS, I wanted to link you guys to other fabulous styles they carry!  Here are a bunch I've been lusting for:

Also, for those of you interested, I featured this skirt HERE a while back.  Click to see how I first wore it on Sensible Stylista.  If you want to see more of my remixed looks, click here.  I have an entire section dedicated to 'em in my gallery section.

Skirt:  ASOS ($22) || Bag:  YSL (look for less) || Jacket:  Ann Taylor Factory Outlet (similar) || Top: BCBG (another cute crop) || Necklace:  JWholesale || Shoes:  Aldo (similar-ish)

Photos by the amazing Sung Shin!

Sensible Stylista x Amazfit: Be Your #BestSelf

I'm beyond pumped to partner up with Amazfit on SS because, as you guys know, I'm ALL about healthy living. Today's post is all about me being my #BestSelf!  Amazfit recently launched this inspiring campaign on instagram - they'll be covering different topics of Wellness each week so make sure y'all follow along.  For those of you wondering, the topics are as follows:  Move Your Best, Eat Your Best, Work Your Best, Feel Your Best, Sleep Your Best, and Be Your Best.  I'll be filling you guys in on how I stay on top of my game all day, err day.

1.  Move Your Best:  I don't even know where to start with this prompt because I'm so damn passionate about it. Exercise does the body, mind, AND soul so good - I literally hit the gym anytime I feel even the slightest bit of stress coming on.  I'm an extremely anxious person by nature so fitness & meditation play a huge role in my life.  I stay in shape by smashing T25 on the daily and doing Tae Kwon Do + cardio (either running or ellipticalling) several times a week.

 2.  Eat Your Best:  Eating healthily is an absolute must if you want to look AND feel good.  People say you build your abs in the kitchen for a reason, you know!  I know it's tough to muster up the motivation to cook when you're tired from work, school or [insert whatever it is that stresses you out], but there ARE easy meals you can throw together that'll both taste delish and nourish your body.  

I, personally, meal prep on Sundays so I have food ready to go when I'm in a rush. I like to pre-cut veggies (for omelettes) and cook up a giant vat of pasta sauce for quick lunches and dinners.  I also sometimes make spicy korean-style chicken and enjoy it with a side of brown rice + quinoa.  For snacks, I make yummy smoothies on the daily - simply blend your fave fruit with greek yogurt and milk. If you want to sweeten your drink up, simply add a smidgen of honey.

3.  Work Your Best:  I'm an incredibly ambitious and driven woman so working hard is a given; however, not only should one work hard, one should strive to work SMART.  I'm a huge fan of making lists because they help me stay on track, which ups my efficiency tenfold.  

In fact, the first thing I do in the morning is write a giant to-do list.   I write down everything I need to accomplish by the end of the day (big and small) and number my tasks in order of importance.  Then, I assign them to appropriate time frames.  I tackle the harder tasks in the early morn or early-late evening because my mind's most focused then.  I usually fade around 2-3 PM so I avoid doing anything that requires a substantial amount of brain power because like I said, it's all about focus. If you don't have a clear had, it's going to take you 3x as long to complete something.  Why waste your time?

4.  Feel Your Best:  In this day and age, it's far too easy to get caught up in the stresses of life.  Do yourself a solid, and take a breather.  Watch your favorite TV show, get a massage, or go shopping with your friends!  I mean, I hate to use this motto, BUT you only live once.  Plus, the break will help you refocus so you rationalize it that way, ha.

I like to spend quality time with my loved ones (friends, family, and of course, my precious furbaby). Daisy, my 5 year old maltese pup, is seriously the love of my life!  I could seriously spend hours playing with her.  Her sweet eyes just melt my stress away!

 5.  Sleep Your Best:  As a blogger, I'm pretty much glued to my phone and computer, but I make a point to put it all away at least 30 minutes before bedtime so I can squeeze in some good ol' fashioned reading.  I've always been a bit of an insomniac, but I've found that turning off my electronic devices pretty much solved that issue.  I also make sure to remove all my makeup, apply night cream, and lotion my bod.  What can I say? I'm a stickler when it comes to my beauty regimen.  

6.  Be Your Best: When all that's said and done, a cute outfit helps me put my best foot forward.  As a musician and personal style blogger, I'm all about expressing myself.  Like Rachel Zoe eloquently said, "style is a way to say who you are without having to speak."  Nothing makes me feel sexier than a fabulous LBD, especially when I want to show off my bod.  Isn't it a great feeling to reap your rewards? I mean, what can I say? All that clean eating + exercising definitely pays off! 

Are you guys striving to be your #BestSelf?  If yes, how so!  Oh, and for those of you wondering, in each and EVERY one of the photos above, I was wearing the Amazfit Moonbeam.  It's the lightest and most comfortable activity tracker on the market.  It tracks your step count, active calories burned, distance traveled as well as your overall sleep quality (light sleep, deep sleep, awake times).  

The ceramic core tracker is water resistant up to 3 feet for 30 minutes, and it can be worn in the shower, while swimming (casually), doing dishes, and the like.  A single charge lasts for about 10 days. There are 8 accessories available, 6 different wristband options and 2 necklaces.  Let me know if you have any questions!  OH, and I'm currently hosting an awesome giveaway with them on here so enter STAT!  10 lucky winners will score activity trackers worth $80 EACH.

Stand Inside Your Love

Man, it's REALLY freaking cold outside!  PGH winters are straight up brutal so my mom and I are totally hibernating inside our warm and cozy home.  We got a little bored though so we decided to do an impromptu shoot indoors.  I centered today's post around three new fabulous closet additions:  my trollbeads bangle (with all new charms), my slouchy beige knit, and huge platform pumps (both from AMICLUBWEAR).

I wore my sweater dress as an off-the-shoulder piece.  This particular item has thigh-high slits so if you're looking to wear this baby out, you're definitely going to want to wear leggings or pants underneath.  It's really a fabulous color though!  It goes with everything and oozes sophistication.

Other fabulous sweater dresses under $50: 

A closer look at my Trollbeads bangle.  Their Winter Wonder collection is seriously goals.  If you're looking for a fabulous last minute holiday gift, head on over to their store STAT!  They seriously carry something for everyone, and pretty jewelry's usually a pretty good bet for ladies of all ages.  Let me know if you have any questions or concerns! I'd be happy to lend you my expertise.

Shoes:  AMICLUBWEAR || Dress:  AMICLUBWEAR || Bangle:  Trollbeads

Amazfit Giveaway: 10 Lucky Winners Will Score Activity Trackers!

I'm so beyond excited to partner up with Amazfit for a special giveaway today on Sensible Stylista. In honor of the new year, and in honor of your best self (their current campaign on IG), they've generously offered to give away 5 black equators & 5 white moonbeams - each worth $79.99 - to SS readers.  

The Equator and Moonbeam both track your activity, calories burned, sleep quality, and can even be programmed to alert you of incoming calls.  They're the lightest and most comfortable trackers on the market. and their ceramic cores are water resistant up to 3 feet for 30 minutes.  Therefore, you don't have to worry about taking them off for showers, dishes or the like.  Also, a single charge lasts about 10 days so you don't have to worry about it dying on you every couple of hours.

As always, entering's super easy.  All you have to do is follow Amazfit on instagram via rafflecopter below.  Bonus entries are also available to up your chances of winning so make sure you take full advantage.  Open worldwide, this giveaway ends on February 3rd!  Good luck, everyone.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Top 10 Highlights from 2016

Alright guys, it's time for my annual highlights post.  I can't believe 2016 has officially come to an end.  Man, time really does fly!  I'm so beyond grateful for all the amazing memories I've had this year, and I'm excited to see what 2017 has in store for me.

1.  Traveling to Frisco for the Stitchfix Tastemaker Event.  This was an amazing experience for more reasons than one.  I'd been a fan of their clothing already for quite some time so I was thrilled when I received their invitation.   They flew me out to California for an all-expenses-paid trip to learn about the ins and outs of their company which was totally awesomesauce. I got to stay in a luxe hotel, eat ridiculously delish food, and spend quality time with the most incredible group of women. Anddd on top of it all, I met my bf here so that pretty much makes this the best trip ever.

2.  My first solo news gig on Fox.  Getting invited to host Good Day DC's Valentine's Day segment was oodles of fun.  I had three gorgeous ladies modeling outfits that I curated from Adam Levine and Nicki Minaj's clothing lines in honor of the holiday, and I chose to go with three different vibes for the occasion.  See the full clip here!

3.  Collaborating with some truly kickass photographers!  I feel beyond blessed to have worked with so many incredible creatives this year.  From California to New York, I got to tackle all kinds of awesome projects with these amazing artists.  Here are some of my favorite shoots - I picked one from each and every one of 'em to pay tribute!

 Sung Shin || Andrew Bogard Photography || Jared Wolfe

 Dennis Christians Photography || Daniel Fabio || Armato Photography

Jiyang Chen Photography || Melanie Yu Photography || Rey Marques Photography

4.  Shenanigans in South Korea!  I spent the first week hanging out in Seoul and then hit up a bunch of cities down south for the duration of the trip.  I was there for a solid month playing recitals, working with brands, and exploring the country.  I seriously can't wait to go back!  I hope to visit China and Japan as well while I'm there next time.  To see more from my trip, click HERE and HERE.

5.  Breaking 75k+ on instagram!  You guys are the BEST for real.  I'd be nothing without your love and support.  I'm super pumped to announce that I broke a ton of records this year! My unique collective reach is now 500k+ (!!!) I'm so looking forward to the new year.  I'm going to REALLY push myself to think outside of the box and go out of my comfort zone to produce the best content possible.  

6.  Performing at the Kennedy Center + Strathmore Mansion with my awesome duo partner.  Alicia and I (aka the Ward-Kong duo) had a blast performing concerts all around the DMV this year.  As a Strathmore AIR (artist-in-residence), I had quite a few performances, but the aforementioned opportunities were by far the coolest.  

Now, on a totally unrelated note, I want to take a second to shoutout my girl, Natalie Draper.  I commissioned her to write me a work for one of my gigs, and she did a truly phenomenal job.  I'll be recording it later this year so y'all can hear it for yourselves, but she knocked it out of the park.  She's definitely one of the most talented composers I know, and that's saying a lot.  Keep an ear out for her name - she's going straight to the top!

7.  Vacationing in Naples, FL with my family.  There's nothing more important than spending quality time with your loved ones.  My parents mean everything to me.  They may drive me insane at times, but I adore them unconditionally.  This trip was a blast on so many different levels!  I mean, beach time is always a good time in my book, but Naples is especially awesome for foodies.  The restaurants here are stupid good.  Click here to see more from my trip and keep an eye out for part 2.

8.  Becoming a brand ambassador for Trollbeads.  I've worked with 300+ companies since I first started blogging, but I was EXTRA excited for this opportunity - I've been obsessed with their jewelry for years now so I wanted to list it as one of my highlights!  I have a ton of new exciting collabs coming up so stay tuned - lots of BAMF things to come this year!

Summer Florals ||  Pearl Accents || The [Not So] Secret Garden 

9.  Hosting the Uniqlo x Tastemade event in DC.  Delicious food from Daikaya, free clothing, and good company...I mean, what's NOT to like?  In all seriousness though, I had a blast helping Uniqlo celebrate their Tysons store opening.  Food trucks + me = dream come true as you can see from the photo of me chowing down on ramen.  To see more from the event, click here.

10.  Sharing my first professional fashion video on youtube.  One of the AMAZING photographers that I told you about earlier, Dennis Christians, took this awesome video of me in Bryant Park!  I've been wanting to get into YT, but I just haven't had the time, and you guys know me, I'd never half ass anything.  It's all about quality, and I gotta make sure I can give it 200%. Hopefully, I'll do more with it this year.  Music by the handsome and very talented bf, Flow Zen.

Anywho, that's 2016 for you guys!  Thanks for following and just being all around awesome.  I can't wait to take on 2017 with y'all.  Let's make it count and live every day like it's our last.  I know that was super corny, but I don't care.  Life's unpredictable so we gotta remember to take advantage of every damn second.  Cheers!