Friday Fun: Summer Festival Ready!

chicago summers by missrockcouture featuring a racerback shirt

My dear readers,

First and foremost, sorry for being MIA for such a long time. Since the last post, I’ve dealt with a loved one’s preparation for and recovery from surgery, a move halfway across the country from Los Angeles to Chicago, the drama of the move, and getting used to a new city. So I apologize for not updating more as everything was chaotic for the first few weeks here! But, this blog will be like a well-oiled machine now!

You'll be glad to know that I’m in love with Chicago. The weather doesn’t beat LA though, but I do love the people’s appreciation of good weather here. I’ve been enjoying numerous street fairs/festivals since the warm weather arrived. It’s a great way to mingle, discover the city, and have fun!

Well, here’s what I’ve been wearing lately! What are you doing this summer?

ps. Don't forget the sunscreen!

With hearts, 

Janet

H&M racerback shirt

Wildfox couture Friday Night Shorts

Proenza Schouler PS1

Ray-Ban Wayfarers Matte Brown (the link is to a green one)

Eugenia Kim fedora 

Madison Harding wedges

Nars Thakoon nail polish in Kollary

Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50

THURSDAY THROWDOWN: NOTORIOUS BIG x LANA DEL REY

NOTORIOUS BIG x LANA DEL REY by missrockcouture featuring dannijo jewelry

Alexander McQueen loose racerback tank top, £155
Sequin skirt, $120
Pamela Mann sheer black stocking, $14
Black heel sandals, $142
Jones New York gold plated jewelry, $50
Dannijo jewelry, $545
Ariella Collection faux pearl jewelry, $68
Tom Ford lip makeup, $48


I love love love mashups, especially when it involves Notorious B.I.G. This recent mashup of Lana del Rey and Notorious BIG, BORN READY TO DIE, is pretty good, but it can't beat the one with the xx from a while back... What's your favorite mashup?

Anyways, in the midst of listening away, I got inspired by what I'd wear if I'd ever go to a concert where these two would be performing...I know, impossible! I'm seriously in love with Dannijo's necklace...so statement and so colorful/whimsical. I'd definitely wear red lipstick if I'd ever meet Lana del Rey, which brings me to Tom Ford's lipstick in the perfect red shade. Enjoy the set!

Happy Listening!

With hearts,
Janet

LOOKBOOK: Purple Lipstick Inspiration

LOOKBOOK: Purple Lipstick Inspiration by missrockcouture featuring gold plated bangles

Au Jour Le Jour vintage shirt, £113
Mango leather jacket, £70
Lace shorts, $35
Alexander McQueen platform heels, $1,513
Elie Saab gold clutch, $857
Zadig Voltaire gold plated bangle, $1,680
Tom ford sunglasses, $390
Violent Lips lipstick, £11

I recently became a fan of purple lipstick. I was a little hesitant since my previous encounter was with a really purple shade that made me look very gothy and angry. I shied away instantly. However, I recently tried Clinique's a different grape and was pleasantly surprised. It's more of a berry shade that really looked natural on my lips, complemented my skin, and brightened my teeth. Did you know that purple shades of lipstick make your teeth brighter? Hooray for good news! Anyways, I love Clinique's take on purple and how the lipstick also makes my lips feel moisturized and was just the perfect amount of creaminess. LOVE! Anyways, here's what I'd wear with purple lipstick! Would you wear purple lipstick?

Happy Purple!

With hearts,
Janet

How to wear NEON

How to wear NEON by missrockcouture featuring long sleeve tops

So this spring's trends seem to include neons, perforated design, and pastels.

Here's two great casual looks that encompass the trends. The striped pink Sonia Rykiel top is perforated and neon. It also looks utterly comfortable. I'm also loving the Gorjana accessories like their bracelets and neon clutch. Proenza Schouler outdid itself with the coral PS1. It's GORGEOUS. I'm totally in love with Wildfox Couture so I couldn't pass up including the cute sweater.

Happy Neons!

With hearts,
Janet

Sonia by Sonia Rykiel long sleeve top, £249
Wildfox Couture neon shirt, €145
Black legging, $36
J Brand skinny jeans, £220
Giuseppe Zanotti stiletto heels, $556
Zara high heels, $90
Proenza Schouler leather handbag, $1,225
Gorjana leather jewelry, $175
Gorjana leather wrap bracelet, $55
Gorjana leather jewelry, €45
Amos, $170
Amos, $170

Flashback to the 90's

Flashback to Elementary School by missrockcouture featuring floral shirts

I recently thought back to elementary school and somehow felt like I had more style back then. Weird.

Anyways, I remember playing dodgeball in overalls and this minty floral tank top. The best part of the outfit were the shoes. They were saddle shoes that perfectly match poodle skirts of the sixties. Now this was the nineties before you all worry that this blog is written by a senior citizen. These shoes had chunky heels and I can't believe fifth graders were allowed to wear them. It was really the first time I loved fashion, realizing how many girls showed up the next day with shoes like mine.

So, I set out to recreate this outfit and updated the overall to a clean modern jumpsuit. I paired them with friendship bracelets, which are making a huge comeback. And the outfit wouldn't be complete with an updated version of those saddle shoes!

So, what's your favorite outfit flashback?

With hearts,
Janet

Floral shirt, $60
Zero Maria Cornejo jumpsuits and romper, $395
Mango one piece jumpsuit, £50
Manolo Blahnik high heel sandals, $945
Lauren Ralph Lauren pointed toe high heels, $98
Friendship bracelet, $28
Bex Rox magnetic jewelry, £45
ASOS beaded jewelry, $21

Inspired: Death From Above 1979

inspired: death from above 1979 by missrockcouture featuring helmut lang jacket

Helmut lang jacket, $227
Tsumori Chisato jersey knit pants, $265
Dr. Martens wedge heel boots, $100
Wildfox Couture vintage style ring, $75
The Row square frame sunglasses, $390
Tom Ford lip makeup, $48
Essie nail polish

My best friend introduced me to Death From Above 1979 when we were in high school and the Canadian band was already defunct. This band is like a louder, grungier version of the black keys. Essentially, they are super awesome. I can't believe that I listened to this band while studying for midterms in college. It's perfect for tuning out the world.

Anyways, the boys got back together for SXSW last year, causing a RIOT. Still inspired by their music (listening to them as I write this), here's an outfit inspired by them. 

Happy listening!

With hearts,

Janet

image via awmusic.ca

Lacy Inspirations

I was really inspired by this picture of Taiwanese actress/singer Ella Chen covered with black lace. It's super pretty, evokes that same matador image from miumiu's campaign, and somehow seems so fierce! Love it!

With hearts,
Janet

Lacy Inspirations by missrockcouture featuring boatneck tops

Prada silk dress, £1,550
Lace tank, $17
Pringle of Scotland boatneck top, $154
Oscar de la Renta lace skirt, £1,189
Jason Wu floral print shorts, $795
Sam Edelman high heel pumps, $124
Alexander McQueen stiletto boots, £595
Valentino studded handbag, £899
Nina Ricci lace handbag, $1,650
Alexander mcqueen clutch, $525
Dolce Gabbana zipper wallet, $725
Effy Collection white gold earrings, $675
Chanel glass necklace

Weekend Lookbook: St. Patty

St Patty LookBook by missrockcouture featuring zippered tote bags

Madewell top, $35
Current/Elliott cropped jeans, $185
Chloé zippered tote bag, $2,695
Elizabeth and James knuckle ring, $275
Elizabeth and James drop earrings, $175
Yves Saint Laurent lipstick, $32
Ruthie davis shoes

Happy St. Patty's, everyone! Today, everybody's blessed with the luck of the Irish, so how about putting some gold into your look. No more worrying about tracking down leprechauns! I loved The Beauty Department's gold leaf manicure tutorial and it's absolutely PERFECT for St. Patty!

Eat, drink, be merry AND STAY SAFE!

With hearts,
Janet

Inspired: Yeasayer

Inspired by Yeasayer by missrockcouture featuring skull jewelry

Music has pretty much been playing in the background of everyday of my life. This soundtrack has changed its course so many times but Yeasayer will always be one of my favorite bands. It's original, the lyrics are beautiful, and there is just something artistic and real about their performance. Anyways, this outfit is inspired by the group. From their album design and stage persona, comes these badass supernova embossed shorts and Betsey Johnson's almost dragonfly wing appearing boots. The bag and coat is totally from the music. And hence a revelation, I think that Mary Katrantzou's coat is the total perfect embodiment of what Yeasayer would be, in coat form. Yes, that's a pretty weird statement.

So check out this video: (LOVE IT!)

#87.1 - YEASAYER - No need to worry / Redcave by lablogotheque
#87.2 - YEASAYER - 2080 by lablogotheque

Happy Listening!

With hearts,
Janet

Fresh Face Friday: Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser

Clarins by missrockcouture featuring Clarins beauty products

Clarins beauty product, $21


I absolutely love skincare. While I've found many things I love like moisturizers and serums, I was on a search for an awesome cleanser. I never really knew what an awesome one would actually be like. Usually, the reaction is meh! ~ there's really no noted reaction. So I decided my cleanser would clean my face and make me feel special. I've tried a lot of cleansers and that takes a while because big bottles pretty much last forever. 


I was actually undecided about trying this one because I never looked into Clarins. But, upon finding out that most of the ingredients here are natural (Katafray bark extract, tamarind fruit acid, shea butter, gypsophila extract, and South African polymnia) and not much else, I was pretty much sold. I'm a huge fan of natural beauty products because what could be more damaging than putting on dangerous chemicals when you're trying to preserve and enhance your skin! So I excitedly tried it and was not disappointed at all. I felt squeaky clean but didn't feel taut nor did I see any patches of dryness, which usually appear after using other cleansers. I loved it. Admittedly, I was pretty skeptical trying it because I wondered how much it could do, but it exceeded my expectations.


Honestly, I look forward to these nightly face washing routines because it's just the best time to let go of everything stressful from that day. Wash that stress away!


Happy face washing!


With hearts,
Janet

SXSW 2012: let the music beat through your heart all weekend long

SXSW 2012 by missrockcouture featuring cotton skirts

Wildfox Couture graphic tank
$87 - coggles.com

Long top
€35 - placedestendances.com

Wildfox Couture cotton skirt
$123 - wildfoxcouture.com

H&M denim jean shorts
£20 - hm.com

Jeffrey Campbell suede lace up boots
£100 - harveynichols.com

Olsenboye back pack bag
$30 - jcpenney.com

Wildfox Couture chain jewelry
$138 - asos.com

ASOS wide brim fedora hat
$45 - asos.com

Olsenboye plastic sunglasses
$15 - jcpenney.com

Sun care
$25 - walgreens.com

Shop Women's Sandals > Roxy Tide Sandals - Women's at Jacks Surfboards
$22 - jackssurfboards.com

Too Hop to Handle Water Bottle
$23 - modcloth.com

It's always be a dream of mine to go to all the summer music festivals. But alas each time I make plans, something always come up. But my best friend is going to finally make it to Coachella this year. I'm so excited to live vicariously through her. First on the festival lineup: SXSW! I wish I were able to go! I'd love to see Theophilus London and miniature tigers!

Anyways, I decided to style the perfect outfit to wear to SXSW.

With hearts,
Janet

Goldfish Inspired

Goldfish Inspired by polkadotcouture featuring yellow tops

I was following my usual morning routine, which includes feeding these little goldfishes that live in a pond and cleaning their humble little abode. Amidst my little task, I spied upon this little goldfish choking on an earthworm. I don’t know about you, but that grossed me out so much. The little dude just swam around with half a worm sticking out of his mouth. Anyways, that might’ve been a little too much information…but in the end, my fearless mom pulled the fish out of the water, pulled out that worm, and tossed him back in. He was dandy and none the wiser. But, I became inspired by the goldfish, with his silvery and deep reddish orange scales and total fluid grace in the water. Anyways, those inspirations of gold and glimmer led me to create this sets featuring two outfits for two different occasions using the versatile color that everybody looks good in. Besides, spring is already here and this color works incredibly well. The first look is perfect for a picnic with friends while the second is for a soiree at night that might require a more pulled together look. Being able to use one color scheme for a whole day chock full of activities just makes everything a bit easier.

Alexander McQueen bodice dress
£2,795 - harveynichols.com

Modstrom yellow top
€60 - welikefashion.com

RED Valentino scalloped shorts
£244 - farfetch.com

Giuseppe Zanotti ankle wrap sandals
$1,150 - intermixonline.com

Leather booties
€400 - youheshe.com

Chanel chain bag
consignofthetimes.com

Olsenboye back pack bag
$30 - jcpenney.com

Manya Roumen 18k jewelry
$9,680 - maxandchloe.com

Oh Where Will My Paycheck Go?

Oh Where Will My Paycheck Go? by polkadotcouture featuring genuine leather handbags

Genuine leather handbag
£1,429 - farfetch.com

Balenciaga oversized handbag
£1,225 - matchesfashion.com

Proenza Schouler suede shoulder bag
$1,595 - lagarconne.com

Alexander Wang duffel bag
$875 - alexanderwang.com

Reed krakoff handbag
$1,090 - mytheresa.com

Alexander McQueen gold handbag
£1,265 - matchesfashion.com

Lace Heels

I was on instagram the other day and saw the most stunning lace heels. I then was compelled to google the shoes and learn more about them. It was like I found a treasure trove of the most amazing shows ever. For me, it would seem that lace shoes would be hard to design because I would try to avoid having them be kitschy or appropriate for only weddings since lace usually conveys Victorian era daintiness to me…

Well on my search, I found this one that was just sheer awesomeness because it seems to be edgy enough just from being high tops.

via link


and these were the pair that started my quest:

via link

But that search led me to a list of shoes on polyvore that were based on those keywords and although some of them weren't exactly the "lace" I was thinking of, these shoes are in their own right all sorts of amazing!
Like this one from open ceremony:


and this Jeffrey Campbell one (I absolutely LOVE Jeffrey Campbell!):



and Christian Dior's take:



So, if you're free today, do what I did and ogle these shoes and start imagining your fantasy shoe closet ;D