#OOTD: Elephants On Parade (Feat. Amazon Fashion, Joeoy)

After spending a couple days with John in the sun shine state (a post about our mini vacation coming soon), I have to say that it was nice to come back home to the 'Burgh--even though it's miserably cold and snowing. However the Sunday prior to my vaycay, I was so happy to see that the sun was shining and the temperature was almost 60, so I decided it was the perfect opportunity to style one of my latest pieces from Amazon Fashion's, Joeoy, and head down to the city for some fun in the sun. So, my mum and I did just that, and headed to Station Square to peruse the shops and grab a bite to eat at Houlihan's.

Sweet Simplicity

As I've stated in some past posts, even though I'm not back on campus yet, I've really been enjoying styling some casual campus looks recently. And since I was back in one of my favorite places to be downtown, and the weather was absolutely perfect, I figured why not rock a fun spring look. So for my mum and I's lunch outing, I chose to wear this adorable crop top, compliments of Amazon Fashion's, Joeoy, paired with some dark skinny jeans, red chucks, and my ever trusty Chloe bag. 

The reason this shirt from Joeoy caught my eye isn't only because it has an adorable elephant pattern, but also because I liked the darling pocket detailing. I also have to say that this crop top is made very well from thick cotton, meaning you can't see marks of where your bra is through it, even though it is fitted. I also liked the way this top fit me, unlike some crop tops that I have  styled in the past, this one wasn't overly cropped and just showed the right amount of stomach. 

To stay true to this top's fun and casual feel, I chose to pair it with a pair of dark skinny jeans and a pair of red converse. The reason I chose these dark blue Levi's, is because I liked the contrast that they added to the white of the shirt, opposed to a light wash pair of jeans, which I feel would have washed out the top. I also like how these jeans complemented the black elephant pattern of the shirt as well, adding a nice balance to this look.

To further accessorize this outfit, I chose to pair it with some simple gold hoops, my Ritani ring plus my ring stack, and my motty grey saddle bag. The reason I chose a simple bag and jewelry is because I did not want to over shadow this top with a bunch of flashy pieces, I also thought they just simply wouldn't mesh well. I also wanted to stick to a strictly casual look because it was a Sunday after all, and that's the one day of the week when I am all about kicking back.

One Last Look

What are some of your favorite looks to kick back in? I'd love to chat about it in the comments below, or you can tweet me about it at @StarkRavingChic! Have a great relaxed look that you just wanna show off? Feel free to tag me in a post or on your Instagram story at @StarkRavingChic. Later, Babes!

Xx, Bree

P.S. In case you haven't heard, I am now a proud member of rewardStyle and LIKEtoKNOW.it! Meaning you can shop straight from my Instagram feed when you click here or here. Don't know what LIKEtoKNOW.it is all about? Learn more, here!

International Women's Day: Working Girl Style (Feat. SheIn)

With my blog rapidly approaching the two year mark, I feel that it is only natural for me to start covering some bigger topics on here. Of course that doesn't mean discarding style and beauty posts all together, but simply combining them with some more serious current events. And in my first step towards this, I have decided to partner with my long time sponsor, SheIn, and put together this style post/style guide comprised of some of my favorite office outfits I have received from SheIn for past sponsored posts, in light of International Women's Day.

What is International Women's Day?

Though I am sure many of you already know what International Women's Day is (the only way I figure you do not is if you happen to live under a rock, and I say this because it has been all over the news lately), I'm just going to take a minute to highlight what this day is all about. You see, International Women's Day first started back in 1909, and was originally called International Working Women's Day, and now takes place on March 8th every year. More over, the reason this holiday started was to commemorate the struggle for women's rights, and to remind all of us how important women truly are to society.

And as I mentioned earlier, this year International Women's Day has been all over the news (well, at least here in the United States, I can't speak for other countries) due to many of the negative feelings towards our reality TV boss and his chosen cast--erm-- presidential cabinet members, leading many of us ladies to exercise our right to peacefully protest in today's cause which has been dubbed "A Day Without a Woman". Though I won't post my personal political views here, I feel it is pretty clear in my earlier statement, I can say that I will, unfortunately, not be at the protest in downtown Pittsburgh, nor will I be at work in my office today for that matter. And in case you're wondering, this is due to a surgery I had on my foot yesterday. (Don't worry I'm fine, I just can't walk for a few days and am no longer able to surf when I get to Florida for spring break Friday morning *sobs*.)

However, all of my negative political feelings aside, I chose to be positive and have partnered with SheIn for this special style post today. The reason this post is a bit different than my "style guides" is because not only does this post focus on attire for us ladies who work in the corporate world, but also because it is focusing on some of my personal favorite office looks that I have received from SheIn over the past two years. And to me, this post is serving as my own personal recognition of International Women's Day and to showcase how proud I am of my own femininity. 

Boldly Business Savvy

Outfit Links: Earrings, Dress, Shoes

This pencil dress is by far one of my favorite spring pieces for work and play. Though this dress works great for the office, it also works great for after work happy hour due to its bold pattern and sleek shape, think of it as a classic piece with a modern twist. To style this dress, I simply pair it with my "Elle" earrings in cobalt by Kendra Scott, due to how they complement the blue of the dress along with some plain black pumps. (To read my original post about this outfit, click here.)

Monday Meeting in Maroon

Outfit Links: Earrings, Necklace, Cuff, Dress, Alternative Dress, Purse, Shoes

For this sweet office look, I chose a more traditional silhouette with this simple swing dress. However, though this dress has a simple design, it is actually quite fashionable due to its chic geometric, color blocking. To style this dress, I generally wear some pearl or opal earrings, a simple tassel drop necklace, a cuff bracelet, my black clutch from SheIn, and some simple black pumps. The reason these accessories work with this dress is due to the fact they add some extra shine without being over the top. (To read my original post about this outfit, click here.)

Polished Professional 

Outfit Links: Earrings, Hand Chain, Necklace, Top, Skirt, Shoes

This next outfit is one of my favorite summer looks. The reason why I adore this blouse and skirt combination is because it is just sweet, simple, and oh so feminine. This is actually one of my favorite outfits of all time simply because it makes me feel pretty and is totally classic. To style this look, I paired it with my Kendra Scott "Lauren" earrings, this Perry Street "Morgan" necklace, this adorable hand chain by Gorjana, along with some simple white sandals. I just love this look paired with these jewelry pieces because they are every bit as pretty and classic as this look. (To read my original post about this outfit, click here.)

Teachin' To The Choir

Outfit Links: Earrings, Bracelet, Necklace, Sweater, Skirt, Shoes

Though this entire outfit was not from SheIn, the velvet booties certainly are, and SheIn actually has many similar pieces for those of you who may want to shop this look! However, this look, is a great fall look due to it's fun color pairings. Though the sweater and skirt are neutral colors, I added some depth and color to this look by pairing it with these cobalt blue earrings, this Perry Street Necklace, and of course these burgundy velvet booties! The reason these pieces work together is because they each add a pop of color to this outfit as well as complement each other. (To read my original post about this outfit, click here.)

Bookstore's Best

Outfit Links: Earrings, Cuff, Necklace, Sunglasses, Sweater, Alternative Sweater, Dress, Alternative Dress, Shoes

This final look is actually on of my favorite versatile looks that I have posted about on here in the past two years. Though originally I simply showcased this dress on its own, I then updated the post with a second look, which is the one you see above. Though the dress by itself is not at all work appropriate, paired with this charcoal sweater, makes for a great work look, especially if your company partakes in casual Fridays like DSG! To style this layered look, I paired it with these Kendra Scott earrings, this arrow head cuff by Robyn Rhodes, topped off with this necklace by SLATE and some plain black flats. (To read my original post about this outfit, click here.)

How are you spending International Women's Day and what are some of your favorite outfits fit for the work place? I'd love to chat with you, so feel free to leave a comment below or tweet me at @StarkRavingChic! Have an awesome office outfit that you'd just love to show off? Feel free to tag me in a post or on your Instagram Story at @StarkRavingChic.

And one last note before I sign off, I just want to remind everybody that though I just had surgery, I am still headed on vacation with John for spring break, so I will not be posting here until Monday, March 13th! So though I will be absent from tomorrow through Sunday (I know, weird right?) I promise I will be back bright and early Monday morning, so stay tuned. Later, babes!

Xx, Bree

P.S. Psssssst! If you love the jewelry I styled in this post as much as I do, you can try Rocksbox for a whole month 100% FREE when you sign up using my promo code "starkravingchicxoxo". Don't know what Rocksbox is or how it works? You can learn more here!

Also, In case you haven't heard, I am now a proud member of rewardStyle and LIKEtoKNOW.it! Meaning you can shop straight from my Instagram feed when you click here or here. Don't know what LIKEtoKNOW.it is all about? Learn more, here!

Jolly With Julep: A Review

In case some of you did not know, awhile back I became an affiliate of the cruelty free beauty brand, Julep. However, I personally did not start using their subscription box service myself until last month, which is why this is the first time I am posting about them! More over, I am very pleased to say, unlike my last beauty review post, Julep is quite the little beauty box and I am very impressed with the products I have received. And since I did not have the opportunity to post last month's box (a combination of my February calendar being booked and wanting to make sure I wanted to continue the subscription after my second box), for this post today, I will be reviewing both my February and March Julep boxes. But before I get to that, let me tell you a little bit about Julep!

About Julep 

The company Julep began back in 2007 and is the brainchild of founder and CEO, Jane Park. Jane began the company with the vision that beauty should be a fun and fearless experience for all women. She highlights in her bio that all types of women are beautiful, whether you are the type of girl who commands attention by simply stepping in the room, or the plain Jane girl next door. And if you ask me, that is definitely a stance on beauty that I can back fully. So, what is Julep exactly? Well here's the scoop:

As I mentioned earlier, Julep, is a subscription box, much like my popular sponsor Rocksbox, that costs 24.99/Month. However, unlike Rocksbox, Julep is a beauty subscription box, is monthly, but the good news is you get to keep all the goodies that they send you. So lets see how it works!

First, much like Rocksbox, you simply take Julep's quiz so your beauty concierge can pick the right products for you. The quiz only takes about five minutes. 

As you can see above, you then just make a wishlist of products that you would like to try and then it ships right to your door for free! Not a half bad deal huh? Well it gets better because as I stated earlier, Julep is a 100% cruelty free brand, meaning none of our furry friends are harmed during testing. Also, all of Julep's nail polishes are vegan friendly, which is pretty sweet too. Now that I gave you all the deets, you're probably wondering what exactly comes in a Julep beauty box. Well wonder no more, because here are my reviews for my February and March Boxes!

February Box

Green Tea Konjac Sponge

The first thing I tried out of my February box is this green tea konjac sponge. The sponge itself is very soft and feels very nice to the touch, which is great because it is not rough at all on your skin. After using this sponge, my face felt very clean and refreshed.

April Boho Glam Nail Polish

Next up, I received this boho glam nail polish in "April" (you may recognize it from this Instagram post). I really liked this color nail polish because it is very bright and looks great on. This color is perfect for just about every occasion, and is also a great color for spring!

When Pencil Met Gel, in Sunset Gold

The last thing I received in my February box is this gorgeous gel pencil eyeliner. I first have to say I absolutely loved this color and that this eyeliner applies so easily. Once I get back from John and I's spring break vacation, I am hoping to do some fun makeup looks with it, as well as the other color liner I received in my March box! 

March Box

It's Balm, in Brandy Wine

So this lip balm/lipstick has hands down become my favorite color to wear! The balm also is very soothing for your lips and has totally kept mine from getting cracked and chapped from the cold weather.

When Pencil Met Gel, in Deep Raisin

This is the second color of eyeliner that I mentioned earlier, and much like that eyeliner this pencils color is very vivid and applies with ease. I really can't wait to combine these two colors for a bold, shimmering look.

Ange Boho Glam Nail Polish

This month, I received a cooler toned nail polish color, and absolutely adore it! The color is a bit darker than the photo but it still looks lovely on and is a great shade for fall or winter.

Sample Party's Over One Step Nail Polish Remover

Lastly, I received a sample of Julep's "Party's Over One Step Nail Polish Remover" and I have to say these little pads really do the trick and your nail polish really does come off in one swoop. And to top it off, it only takes 3-5 minutes!

Final Thoughts

After having Julep for two months now, I am happy to say that I will be keeping this service. I have been pleased with everything I have received from Julep thus far and strongly encourage anyone who is looking for a beauty subscription box to give Julep a try! And since I am one happy customer, you can expect monthly beauty posts about my new boxes. Pretty sweet, huh? 

Have you ever tried Julep and love them as much as I do? Let's chat about it in the comments below or you can tweet me at @StarkRavingChic! Later, dolls. 

Xx, Bree