Accents are hot, even hotter x2

Hola Fashion Loves,

During college I have really come to love nail polish.
I never truly got to play around with nail polish too much as a baby fashionista as I went to private Catholic School and we had uniforms, which meant "NO NAIL POLISH".

This whole not being allowed to wear nail polish during defining fashionista moments meant that I had to find other ways to express myself through fashion and beauty. Luckily, I was reintroduced to the greatness of nail polish by my very good friend Care--she taught me the importance of the accent nail and drove me and other bff CC to paint our nails as bonding sessions throughout our freshmen year at the University of Maryland. Nail painting became a sort of ritual that we did every now and then to catch up, gossip, and bond. Today this ritual continues-- my roomie Becks and I will go out and buy nail polish while we are bored and go back to out apartment to paint our nails and bond. She and I love to try out new colors, and love dressing up our ring fingers accent nails.

During my winter travel, I visited my bestie Theana, who I have known since 1st grade, and I saw her sporting not one, but two accent nails, one one her ring finger, the other on her middle finger-- I instantly took a liking to it, and had to try it! There is power in numbers, and two accent nails is super hot.

When I got home back East, the next time I painted my nails, I tried it:

Accent Nails

I  used Sephora by OPI in "Keep Me on My Mistletoes" for the two accent nails, and Revlon Colorstay in "040 Provence" for the other nails.

"Keep Me on My Mistletoes" & "040 Provence"

So try out this new nail trend for the start of 2013, its different and fashion forward, and fun-- what's more to love? Plus, you will look hot.

Love, J'Adore, Amor,

Gabriela Mercedes

Fashion Friday: Look-at-Me Coats

It's Fashion Friday!
Make any day fabulous in a look-at-me coat, like I did today visiting our Nation's Capital. Have a great weekend dolls!

Love, J'Adore, Amor,

 Gabriela Mercedes

Things I Adore: Boutiques I ❤: Ambiance San Francisco

Noe Valley Loaction on 24th St, SF, Calif.

Ambiance is group of boutiques in San Francisco, California that I absolutely love and adore. It has always been a temptation of mine ever since they opened their Noe Valley location which is just minutes away and a short walk from my family home Noe Valley. I have even been caught coming out of this boutique red-handed with my purchases by my Uncle Tom when I promised to save money while working as an intern for Sephora USA in the Summer of 2011-- he even sent a picture to my mom-- but my purchases were so worth it!

A ring and a fedora were the purchases in question:

Ambiance's first location was in the iconic Haight-Ashbury District and now has locations in the Marina, Noe Valley, and the Inner Sunset. Ambiance has helped me, and other Bay Area fashionistas look chic day to day and for various occasions-- my high school graduation dress was a Free People frock found at their Haight-Ashbury store, and this past holiday season, as I was in town visiting family for Christmas, I was on the search for my new college graduation dress.

I did not end up finding the perfect dress to tackle the humid Maryland spring-- But I did find various other things that I could not simply leave the boutique without. As I said, their Noe Valley location is dangerously close to our family home in San Francisco, so after when I got the call to come meet my mother on 24th Street, I ran up there to shop at Ambiance. These were some of my finds:

Coat by Tulle , Leopard Ring, & Sweater by Fate

Noe Valley, and 24th Street has been my playground since I was a little girl and still is to this day as a young 20-something about to graduate college in the spring. So in between getting coffee at Starbucks, eating brunch at Toast or lunch at Barney's, it's a no brainer to shop at Ambiance either before or after!

What can it be CC?

I highly recommend Ambiance for your fashion needs if you are in the City by the Bay; it has classic and vintage inspired pieces that are truly one of a kind that  are perfect for any type of fashionable woman; a wide variety of jewelry, shoes, handbags and other accessories also are available to enhance your apparel purchases . It has been a family favorite of mine, and is perfect for gifts that you can't find anywhere else-- especially where I currently live on the East Coast. Over the holiday I bought one of my very best friends, CC, her 21st Birthday present here, and I cannot wait for her to see it! She is going to adore it!

So check it out fashion dolls!
ambiancesf.com


Love, J'Adore, Amor,

Gabriela Mercedes

2013: Roar in the New Year

2013, its finally here, we survived the end of the Mayan calendar and now we are moving onto a new year and age where fashion is taking direction from a joyous and celebratory time: The Roaring 20s.

Marchesa Spring 2013

My prediction with the upcoming release of Baz Luhrmann's film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and Downton Abbey being flung into the world of the Jazz Age, 1920s fashions have come into the spotlight once again and will be a driving force in fashion this upcoming year. Expect airy, sheer fabrics such as chiffon, artfully beaded and sequenced apparel, Art Deco patterns, dropped waistlines and longer necklaces for 2013-- hints of these trends can be seen on Nicole Miller and Marchesa's Spring 2013 runways.

I have already seen beautiful pieces in stores and have witnessed  the change over of shorter statement necklaces to longer playful ones in my travels this past holiday season in California. It's truly remarkable to see the changing of fashion trends right before your eyes.

Yves Saint Laurent 'Cabas ChYc' Emerald Leather Tote Bag

Another major trend this year is the color green. My personal favorite color, conjures up images of Scarlett O'Hara and represents nature, freshness, endurance and harmony-- which is just perfect for the start of the year. You can incorporate this color in your accessories such as scarves, statement leather bags in emerald, outerwear such as a peacoat or trench coat, and party dresses for your special occasions throughout the year-- by following this trend you shall surely turn heads in 2013s "it" color especially finding pieces that are reminiscent of the 20s.

French Connection 1920s Inspired Dress

So channel your inner flapper, wear feathers, glitz its up, go out there learn the Charleston, listen to Big Band music and swing your way into 2013!

Love, J'Adore, Amor,

Gabriela Mercedes

Its Fashion Friday!

Happy Fashion Friday, from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Swimwear 2013!

Lisa Blue Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swimwear 2013

Budgetista: How to find Summer 2012 Trends at Reasonable Prices

Hey Dolls,

So let's get down to it. Being on a budget is not a five star trip to Cabo San Lucas.  I know that all too well going into my 4th year of college at the University of Maryland-- Go Terps!

And it scares me to think that this time this year I am going to be real person, a real adult, or as my friend A says a "big girl". In between looking into big girl jobs and networking, plus figuring out how to pay for student loans, saving seems to trump indulging and buying the latest fashions. I find it hard for me not to want to buy up the whole entire mall on an outing, but there are ways to budget your money and be fashionable.

So here's my quirky side, and me coining the term budgetista. My first tip to becoming a budgetista is to put half of your paycheck in savings for emergency-- this may include fashion emergencies, but this is relatively for urgent dealings. Or if half is too much, put $50.
Next, shop at Tj Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls-- you can find awesome designer apparel here!
Outlets are good too, especially if there is no tax, one of the perks of living on the east coast in Maryland, is the closeness of a no tax state:  Delaware  and  no tax on clothing state: Pennsylvania.


I just recently went on an outing with my sister Baby J, to the Gettysburg Outlets, and the local Marshalls here locally in Maryland. I found many reasonable prices for the seasons hottest looks. Here's what I found:

Blouse by Double Zero

I have my sister to thank for finding this gem at Marshalls. She had remembered me mentioning how peter pan collars were making a major comeback into the fashion scene, and when she saw this on the racks she presented to me, and I instantly fell in love. Not only does this blouse have a peter pan collar but incorporates to other hot trends: sheer and hi-low. Triple threat? I think so. What makes the blouse the total package is the price. This emerald eye-catcher was only $12.99.

Shorts by 1st Kiss

Another awesome find were these ethnic patterned shorts. I loved the Native American/ Aztec type print, and thought it was a perfect design for the summer. I was so dismayed when I couldn't find them in my size, but what can you do? These shorts were marked as $14.99.

G by Guess Sandals

These sandals are the ultimate summer sandals if you want a little pop of neon or color, and want to be subtle. The extreme of a bright color paired with a muted neutral is a classic example of opposites attracting and living in perfect harmony. Buy yourself some fun for your feet for only $24.99.

Anne Klein Bag

So I have been obsessing over Anne Klein accessories for a while now, from riding boots to bags-- so when I found this bag just hanging out in the purse aisle, I thought it was so cute. Playing off the whole color blocking trend, or  as I like to call it "Piet Mondrian, walking art", this bag is super chic with its use of neutral colors and cute lion cut out. Get a twenty dollar cut in price by purchasing this bag at $39.99.

Bracelet by With Love From California

If you want to be rocker chic and incorporate studs into your outfit without breaking the bank look into these cute bracelets from With Love From California. I thought they were perfect-- one, because I love friendship bracelets, and two, who doesn't love chunky chain jewelry. I found these bracelets at a Pac Sun Outlet Store in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania for $8.99.

Bracelet by With Love From California

So get out there ladies and shop, save and most importantly look fabulous being a budgetista.

Love, J'Adore, Amore,

Gabriela Mercedes

Paris Fashion Week 2012: Haute Couture

Favorite from Versace

Hello les amoureux façon,

Bonjour!
Fashion Week for Haute Couture collections has just wrapped up this past week in the city of lights, with a full new lot of extravagant fashions from the worlds best designers.

Favorite from Versace

My bid for best collection was Versace. This collection won my heart over because of the eye catching flowing gowns, and classic Hollywood hair that got updated with a blowout. The pieces in the collection had Mediterranean chic vibe with a youthful exuberance.

Icy Pinks at Versace

Green at Georges Hobeika

Highlights from Haute Couture Fashion Week are icy pinks, reds, yellows and greens. These can be seen in the Versace, Alexis Mabille, Valentino,Georges Hobeika, and Chanel. 

Intricate Detail at Valentino

These colors were present in these various collections and were executed exquisitely with details stitched expertly in each piece. 

Yellow at Valentino

Red at Valentino

Also big this Fashion week were the windswept looks from Versace with the exposed "Jolie" leg that Angelina Jolie made famous at this past year's Oscars. Sheer fabrics and sheen materials were also definitely heavily represented as well.

The Jolie at Versace

As for hair, two styles stuck out to me: parted up dos and classic hollywood styles. My award for most artistic addition to a collection would have to go to Giambattista Valli with his use of butterflies and face nets.

Giambattista Valli

Jean Paul Gaultie

My favorite single piece as a whole would have to be Jean Paul Gaultier, with a revival of the roaring 20s. I love the art deco blocking of the shoulders and the neckline. The reinterpretation of a flapper headband is also fabulous. This seems fitting to bring back the Jazz Age since the F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby will be brought to the silver screen in the future.

Check out the rest of the collections by searching online, these were some of the main trends that I saw and loved.

Au revoir!

Love, J'Adore, Amor,

Gabriela Mercedes