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

Blogger Sample Swap! So Fun!

Hey Guys!


I participated in a blogger sample swap hosted by Yvette @ Classic Glam Blog (classicglamblog.blogspot.com) & it was so much fun! 





I just received my samples in the mail from the lovely Abi Jane @ Lilly Limes (lillylimes.blogspot.com) and am so excited about the goodies she sent. Check em' out!

Can't wait to try these products, especially the nail hardener/base coat, Esmalte! I've been checking all of my local beauty supply stores and have not been able to find it. Thanks so much Abi Jane!!

The best part about this experience was meeting and interacting with new people in the blogging community and getting inspired by their creativity!

Have a happy weekend!!

XOXO,

Moni

Fab Find Friday! 5 Reasons I'm Using Noxema + Ode to 90s Slang

-This stuff works!-

Hey Guys!

Remember this 90s Noxema Icon?!

For those of you that don't know I'm borderline obsessed with everything 90's (excluding some elements of fashion- but hey nothing is perfect). From its music, to its TV shows, movies and artsy vibe, the 90's was da bomb. And yes, as an ode to the 90's this post will be sprinkled with 90's slang and terminology. You're welcome. ;-)


Anyway, back to making this a beauty post. This summer, a friend of mine experienced sunburn and I recommended Noxema to help soothe her burnt skin.  At the mention of Noxema, I felt all old school and nostalgic memories of 90's Noxema girls splashing the smiling faces over sinks came to mind. Now, Noxema girls were the originators of excessive face splashing commercials. These new millennium Neutrogena girls are just bitin'. So, I decided to buy Noxema and see if it was really all that.

                                                                                         

Here are 5 reasons I think Noxema is Dope:


1. It's great for normal to combination skin! I have combination skin and think Noxema works really well. It doesn't dry out my "dry spots" yet doesn't neglect my oily T-zone. It provides a perfect balance for my skin and it leaves my face feeling fresh, clean and never tight or dry.
2.  Its smell! I'm actually a big fan of minty scents. I feel like they are rejuvenating and refreshing and Noxema is both. Sometimes my face needs a boost, especially when I wake up and the menthol in Noxema delivers. I also like the subtle minty tingle.
3.  It's inexpensive. I felt like slapping myself once I realized that I've spent hundreds over the years on department store cleansers and/or the pricier drugstore brands and they never really worked for me. They were just like yeah, whatever. Noxema works better for me and it's like $4 a jar!
4.  It doubles as shaving cream. Yup, that's phat! I hate shower clutter so the fewer items in the shower, the better! Word.
5.  It's excellent at providing sunburn relief with it's cooling menthol and soothing moisturizers. For best results, refrigerate the jar first then apply. 


So, are you down with Noxema yet? Give it a try!


Peace Out.


XOXO,
Moni

OOTD: Lime, White & Blue + Special Appearance from an 80's icon!

Hey Gal Pals,

I kept my look pretty cas today - mixing fun colors (lime & turquise blue) with staple solids (b&w). 

Check out the specs below: :-)

Blazer: Express

Shirt: Old Navy

Necklace: Charlotte Russe 

During our lunch break today, my friend Rachel and I decided to have some fun with fake mustaches. Random, I know, but how could you resist these?!?

During our lunch time festivities, I noticed that I held a striking resemblance to an 80's icon!

Any guesses? Take another look. HINT: He also has a blonde mustache!

 If you guessed Hulk Hogan, you're right! I couldn't help but embody the Hulkster wearing this blonde mustache! LOL

Hope you're enjoying your day!!

XOXO,

Moni

NYC Restaurant Week & Weekend Looks!

Hey Gals,


This weekend I met up with a dear, old friend and we celebrated NYC's restaurant week by dining at Primehouse, a fab steakhouse in Gramercy. It was so sweet to spend time with a great friend over good food!


I've also included some shots from one of this weekend's outfits. I added some splashes of yellow to teal green pants and a navy/white/green striped shirt.


Check out the photos below. ;-)

If you're in the NY area and love beef, I would definitely recommend this restaurant! It has a classy, upscale atmosphere and the food is excellent!

Friends Forever! I love to catch up with dear friends. Jen and I have known each other since high school and have remained close over the years. Friendships are one of life's many treasures and I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life! Check out her sleek chic look in all black and gold accessories. She is a class act! While I, on the other hand, came into the restaurant in my python print dress and two braids in my hair looking like a major hippie - free spirit. LOL

Weekend Look: Splashes of Yellow!

Shirt: Marshall's 

Necklace & Bag: Strawberry

Pants: Conway

Enjoy your day!!


XOXO
Moni

Trend Alert: Cobalt Blue is the New Mint Green!

Happy Weekend! 

One of the colors that is hot on the scene is cobalt blue. It's one of the major color trends of fall/winter. I would even dare to call it the next season's mint green! 

Check out my cobalt blue wish list below. I'm especially into the lapel blazer, gold cuff and Marc Jacobs hobo. Which ones are your fave? :)

XOXO 

 Monica