Soho Celebrations & Boho in the Bronx!

Hey Lovelies!

I recently met up with a couple of my favorite ladies for a post Birthday dinner celebration. I really wanted to capture a sophisticated outdoor garden ambiance to enjoy the weather while the remnant of summer is still here. We went to David Burke's Garden in Soho on Grand Street and it was exactly was I was looking for. Great, classy feel, amazing eats and a beautiful garden area. Check out the pics below:

Delectable dinner - delish burger and jalapeno fries followed by decadent dessert and coffee. Sorry no pics of dessert, we literally devoured it upon its arrival. This is why - ricotta donuts with raspberry, chocolate & caramel dipping sauces, drunken brownie with a robust bourbon-ish cream sauce, and strawberry cheesecake shortcake. Yeah.

These are my darling friends, Pauline & Ellen! We had such a fun time filled with love & laughs, the perfect combo!

Pic of me outside of the restaurant after dinner. Good thing this leopard/floral romper was loose cuz my tummy sure was full!

 After dinner we perused through the trendy streets of Soho and came across this swanky jewelry boutique off of West Broadway.

Yes, please. :-)

I tell ya, everything about this West Broadway neighborhood is very fufu-lala. Check out this showy furniture showroom below. And, furniture shopping at 9:30pm? Sure, no problem. 

Yeah, so like this is the automatic "blogger mode" pose I've acquired from taking SO MANY pics for my blog. I mean, just point a camera at me and this is what happens, seriously. Don't believe me? Check the first full length pic at the beginning of this post. SMH

Blazer & studded belt: Express

Romper: Conway

Necklace: Charlotte Russe

Boho on the scene!

 On my day off, I went to visit my mom in the "BX" Baby! And yeah my last name is Lopez, and yeah, I'm from the Bronx, but I'm not from the Block if ya know what I mean. Wait, I don't even know what I mean, I'm just a sucka for word play.  Anyway, check out my Boho girl whirl. See, a sucka for word play.

 The Boho look is one of my faves. It's easy, fun & relaxed - what any day off should be!

Dress: Express

Necklace: Gift

Purse: Vintage

No big deal. Just me chillin like an ex-villain showin off some Boho mojo.

What trend gives activates your "mojo"? Tell me in the comments below! 

XOXO,

Monica

Statement Necklace Challenge!

Hey Guys,

Since I had so much fun linking up with Marionberry Style for her pattern mixing challenge last month, I thought I'd join in on the fun this month too! Her Statement Necklace Challenge was right up my alley. I mean, I've been head over heels happy about great statement piece since I was a kid. I used to spend hours playing dress up with all of my mother's chunky stone necklaces and layered pearl necklaces. So, instead of wearing one of my own statement pieces, I thought it would be fitting to raid my mom's jewelry cabinet! And check out the gem of a necklace I found!

This earth colored, turquoise beauty instantly caught my attention. I usually associate turquoise with spring/summer looks, but mixed with the brown and blue hues, I can definitely see myself rocking this as a fall piece. But, as it turns out, my mom is also very fond of this necklace, so it is not mine to rock this fall. :( In fact, she is only lending this to me for this post and I have to return it to her after! Hilarious! I may have to pull out the old "daughter charm" and see if she'll let me keep it! LoL

Thanks again Marion for a fun, creative challenge!

XOXO

Monica

The Bordeaux & The Beautiful!

Hey Sweets!

Are you all on board the "bordeaux boom" that has hit hard this fall? I sure am! Bordeaux is also referred to as burgundy, maroon, plum, deep red, etc. Whatever you call it, there's no denying that this deep, rich hue is hot right now. I've even heard that bordeaux is the new black! I know, I know, we've all heard it before, blue is the new black, purple is the new black, even red is the new black. Now bordeaux? Well, yes! I'm super psyched about this ultra chic, ultra rich color. In fact, I was so inspired by the richness of this color, I decided to trade in my blonde ombre hair for a deeper auburn hue! Check it out below along with some of my fave bordeaux pieces for fall:

Before: Ombre Hair

After: Bordeaux Inspired Auburn Hair

What do you guys think?!

Bordeaux Wish List

Peplum - this color has a little bit of an edge to it, so I love that the peplum adds femininity to balance it out.

Bordeaux Leather Pants - 2 words - YES PLEASE. 

Wedge booties / Platform Shoes - I'm a sucka for a wedge and a platform! I mean, who doesn't want the style, comfort & versatility that these thick soled shoes offer?

Purse - O.M.G. THAT purse! The color is pure decadence. Love! 

Hats off to this hot hat! Nuf said.

Viva Glam Mac Lipstick - I just bought this lipstick and think it is absolutley phenomenal! It's not too dark, so you don't look goth and it works for a variety of skin tones. That lipstick paired with bordeaux nails and you're ready to rock it out!

What are your Bordeaux faves?

XOXO

Monica

Mint Green, Polka Dot Peplum, Bridal Shower & More!

Hey Everyone!

I'm a very strong believer in celebrating the people you love. And, recently I was able to celebrate one of my dear friends at her beautiful bridal shower! For the occasion, I paired a mint green form fitting skirt & a polka dot peplum and added stone/nude pumps, a mint purse & accessories. Check out the look below!

The combination of the mint skirt and polka dot peplum made me feel ultra feminine.

Sometimes I cringe when I post my posey poses. This was one of those times. LoL

Goofy giggles? Yeah,that's more like it!

Top, skirt, necklace & purse - Charlotte Russe (what can I say, they had a super sale!)

Shoes: DSW

Awwwwwwww.......

Just look at me and my darling, dear friend Gina at her shower! I just love this gal! We've known each other for about a decade and have been through the brunt of our lives together. Very cool that she is getting married to an amazing man & that she is so abundantly blessed. She also has great fashion sense and is a super savvy shopper. Check out & follow her Facebook page Gina & Ko!

 They say the devil is in the Details, but I say it's Jesus in the Details. The amount of time, thought and care that went into putting together this decadent candy bar had to be inspired by something good. :-)

Cake, chocolate, lollipops, gumballs, caramels - oh friggin my!

And check out the fresh centerpiece bouquet with pearls that was at every table (upper left corner).

After the shower, I spent some time with my oldest, dearest friend and her niece who is pictured below. This beautiful little buttercup just did not want to open her eyes for these pictures!

 So I begged, pleaded and even tried to open her eyes myself but NOTHING!

Until FINALLY, her eyes were opened, and I was so pleased, I gave her a big squeeze!

Is it just me, or do I sound like a children's book in my captions above the kiddie pics? LoL

OMG, now look at what I posted below. It's this kind of amazing, kind of horrifying pic of me and my original BFF that she dug up. It was taken at a movie theater photo booth and I was like 14 years old. We confidently sported these futuristic sunglasses on our heads and did not care that it was night out! We got the metallic futuristic inspiration from the Puff Daddy/Mase/Biggie Video Mo' Money, Mo' Problems. LOL!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO,

Monica

OOTDs featuring New York City Style, West Village Wanderings and Cuban Cuisine!

Hey Lovelies,

I'm like so behind on my posts! I'm eager to share some of my OOTD's and fun moments with you guys, so check out some recent looks from a couple of my recent city adventures!

Stylin in the Street

Hello blue, green & yellow! My friend and I were fooling around after work one Saturday night and snapped some fun shots in Midtown in the 34th Street area.

It's me and the taxis! I betta move out the way! One thing about NYC taxis, they will run you over and honk after. LoL, no seriously.

Blurry shot, but I thought it was a fun one! Boy, I'd make one awkward Rockette!

Oh hey, it's just me posing in front of a random office building. I thought these pics were pretty cool except for the fact that I couldn't remove my flash eye from them! SMH 

Creds:
Pants: Express
Peplum Top: Charlotte Russe
Neckalce: Ebay (I seriously love Ebay!)


West Village Wanderings

My dad and I took off last Friday and spent the day wandering the West Village. We posed for pics, ate at a quaint (yet delicious) Cuban spot on Christopher Street & indulged at a delightful gelato spot on Bleeker Street.

Posing in the Street. 

I opted for a comfy casual outfit for our day out, a side braid & a straw fedora for some shade.

Pics of the amazing Cuban cuisine & gelato. We dined at Havana's on Christopher Street. For apps, we had beef empanadas & shrimp stuffed plantains. My dad ordered the paella and I ordered the pernil (pork) with yuca and rice & beans.  We topped off this decadent meal with pistachio and coffee gelato from L'Arte fel Gelato on Bleeker Street. 

Check out the cool cultural wall art at Havana's on Christopher Street!

*Overall, it was a great day!*

XOXO,
Moni

Sizzling Summer Fun: Sunday Salsa Dancing in Hi-Low Dress!

Hope you're all enjoying your day and soaking in the last bits of summer! 

Summer is my absolute favorite season and August has always been a bittersweet month for me since it's my birthday mid-month (yay!) then I feel like it all downhill after that. I mean, the next season is called "fall" for a reason, right? Too corny, lol? Anyway, I've been really putting effort into enjoying every summer moment and have a few fun pics to share from my sizzling salsa dancing adventure last weekend.

Salsa Sunday!

I celebrated a dear friend's going away party last Sunday and what better way to celebrate than dancing?! We went to Iguana's located on West 54th St. in NYC for salsa dancing and lots of laughs. Not really in that order although some of my moves were laughable. And, I'm Puerto Rican, sheesh!

Check out the hi-low dress I wore for the occasion!

Fun dress? Check. Fancy feel? Check. Awkward pose touching gross city gate? Check.

Ahh. I love this fringe purse. I think fringe is timeless. My mom bought this purse for me like 15 years ago and I was all like "Ma, I'm not a cowgirl," in my teenage tone and she was all like, "Monica, fringe is always in style."  Moms are always right. Shhhh...don't show her this post!

I laugh at this pic because I was trying to be all "bloggy posey" and SO many people were passing by and kept looking like, what is she smiling at? This is NY, no one smiles on city blocks!

So, yeah. This is me salsa dancing, flailing arms, awkward moves and all. To think, I thought I was cute! LoL. Salsa lessons, here I come. But, I have to say I was quite impressed that my dress had a certain Latin charm. Check out homegirl in the pic behind me, we're sorta twinsies, no?

Any fun adventures in dancing you'd like to share? Feel free to share in the comments below!

 XO

Monica

Oh, the Creds!

Dress: Marshall's

Necklace: Charlotte Russe

Purse: Vintage (always wanted to say that - lol)

OOTD: Romp Your World!

Happy Fun Friday!

I really like to take advantage of my office casual Fridays and wear something cool, comfy or fun and this romper is definitely all of the above! I paired it with a beige mini blazer to cover my shoulders and keep it office appropriate. I accessorized with a studded belt, spiked bracelet & feminine earrings and necklace. I also included a few pics without the blazer below, you know, for after work hours. ;-)  Which look do you like best?

Thanks for stopping by & I hope everyone has a funtastic weekend and enjoys the remainder of their delightful summer weekends!

The blazer adds a touch of chic, no?

I added this pic because I got a kick out of this candid shot. I can be very dramatic at times and thought this was a funny capture, even though my face looks ridiculous. LoL

Again with the dramatics. I don't even remember what was so funny!

Here's my trying to be cool shot. LoL

Romper: Conway

Blazer: Old

Belt: Express

Shoes: Nicole

XOXO,

Monica

Pattern Mixing: Polka Dots & Python!

Hey Gals! 

I'm so happy to be linking up with Marionberry Style for her trend of the month post: Pattern Mixing!

I'm really very new to this trend and have to say, I was somewhat skeptical, but after several attempts of mixing and matching (and some strange looks from my husband) I think I've found a winning combination - Polka Dots & Python! 

This is not a combination that I would normally put together, but I thought it would be fun! Once I chose the patterns, I added splashes of persimmon and coral to help bring the outfit together. I wore this look to work today and received some compliments! Thanks Marion for the post idea! I'm looking at my closet in a whole new light! 

Check out my look below and tell me what you think! 

 

XOXO,

Monica