American Woman

 This Fourth of July, rather than launching bottle rockets and lighting sparklers, my two friends and I embarked on a cross country road trip from Dallas to Vegas. Pictured sites include the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX, Petrified Forest in New Mexico, and the Grand Canyon.

On Wednesday, the fourth, we arrived at the Grand Canyon. Amongst the masses clad in hiking gear, fanny packs, and cargo shorts - my two friends and I rocked our flag bandanas, geometric patterned silk pants, and Hendrix style 60's-inspired tunic. We may have been out of place during our impromptu photo shoot, but we had so much fun snapping pictures and capturing the gorgeous back-drop.

All pictures were taken by me... My good friend Amylee also captured some great ones at the Cadillac Ranch outside of Amarillo, TX. (I'll feature those cool shots later). If you happen to be heading out west from Texas and love amazing installation art, be sure to stop by the Ranch. The piece was created in the 1970's and still stands today in all its glory - glowing with neon spray paint left from fellow "artists" (tourists). We left our mark in neon pink duct tape. Check it out below!

Amy Lee and Kristen looking cool and put together in spite of the crazy wind on the Ranch.

 

Row of Caddys.

And we left our mark!

 

At sunset somewhere out in wild west Texas, I began snapping shots at a gas station. 

Candids are so great. On road trips, most girls I know would wear nike shorts and ts, but when your friends are gorgeous AND they wear pretty dresses that match the color of the rich Texas soil - your photos are going to turn out beautifully! 

Thanks girls, for being good sports and not ever being camera shy on the trip.

 

 Below Kristen is rocking my OneTeaspoon shorts that I've been oh-so-excited about. I originally wanted the "Trashwhores" - excuse the name that is actually what they're called... but I settled for the Original ZZ's - and I'm SO glad I did. The high cut on each side of the shorts is something to get used to, but these are STATEMENT shorts and are extremely high quality at a relatively low price.

 

"And she walked along the desert path with the wind in her hair and the sun at her back.."

Hope your Fourth was as wonderful as ours :)

Enjoy L.

Desert Storm: 5 Pieces 5 Looks

Desert Storm: 5 Pieces 5 Looks by lela-christiana featuring white tops

Missoni poncho top, €121
Miss Selfridge white top, $50
Ecote chiffon maxi skirt, $89
Cut off shorts, $88
L space swimwear, $58

Road Trippin: the art of mix & match to expand your wardrobe

Road Trippin' by lela-christiana featuring high heel shoes

Missoni fringe poncho, €121
Tie front blouse
Duffy sequin racerback tank, £100
Blazer, €95
Ecote long pleated maxi skirt, $89
Genetic Denim distressed skinny jeans, $198
Cutoff shorts, $88
Patagonia shorts, $49
L Space bikini swimwear, $58
NIKE waffle shoes, $100
Frye shoes, 278 CAD
Nine West high heel shoes, £49
Zara studded sandals, $129

Before I enter the real world and become a stuffy grown-up, I figured I would have one lash hurrah with my girlfriends and embark on a cross country road trip.

Although I typically would bring a U-Haul along for the ride to cart my belongings,  (especially considering I am not only packing for a vacation but for the relocation to New York) my good friend driving has informed my there is only room for one suitcase.. Ah! 

When packing for a long (in my case indefinite) trip, it is important to pack very versatile items that can easily be mixed and matched and transition well from day to night.  

In the collage pictured above, I tried to capture Grand Canyon-meets-Vegas-meets-New York City. My favorites include a pair of ultra destroyed denim shorts by One Teaspoon, a  dip-dyed red ombre chiffon maxi skirt by Ecote, and a vibrant bell-sleeved Missoni poncho. 

The following posts will picture the items mixed and matched. Expanding your wardrobe without buying any new clothes is easy! Just use these tips... 

1. Think like a fashionable French woman. 

When discussing fashion with my fabulous French friend, I asked how Parisian women, like herself are able to afford being so damn trendy every day of their lives. She told me that unlike American women who wear their favorite outfit and then tuck it away since too many people saw her in it, French women wear their favorite items of clothing multiple times a week, but in different ways. 

A French woman will think, "I love this (insert favorite item of clothing here) so much how can incorporate this into my weekly wardrobe every week??" As opposed to an American woman who will think, "I love this (insert favorite item of clothing here) so much what special events could I wear this to?" 

2. Utilize the basics

Be sure to have quality staple pieces like a fitted blazer, skinny or strait leg jeans, a white blouse, and leather boots. Sometimes basics can be worth the splurge. 

My very favorite leather boots are pictured above in the collage; Frye Engineer boots are timeless, can be dressed up or down, and transition well into any season. 

A quality blazer can be worn with jeans for a casual day-to-night look, can be dressed up and feminized by a pretty pleated chiffon skirt, or be sexed up with short lace shorts and strappy heels. 

3. Use the Color Wheel

It is useful to remember these three color combinations that will make almost any look visually pleasing and editorial-worthy. After all, summer is the season for color. 

First is the analogous color scheme. These are colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel, like violet and cobalt blue. This pairing is most pleasing to the eye and very easy to do. 

Second is the complementary color scheme. These colors are opposite one and other on the color wheel, like tangerine and turquoise blue. This makes for the most eye-catching look, therefore it is important to not over-accessorize for fear of overpowering the entire ensemble. 

Last, is the monochromatic color scheme. This color scheme consists of different variations of the same color, like lilac and violet. To avoid monochromatic overload, pair the color combo with white or black. 


Be sure to follow my site as I travel from Dallas to Vegas!
Photo journal of the trip to follow. 

L. 

Before Night Falls: Day to Night Chic for Cheap

Before Night Falls: Day to Night Chic for Cheap by lela-christiana featuring tribal skirts

Hedonia crop top, £40
Topshop cropped blazer, $110
Tribal skirt, £60
Zara heel sandals, $80
Tusk leather bag, $118
Amanda Rudey blue jewelry, $100
Anton Heunis long drop earrings, $198
Lizzie Fortunato Jewels disco jewelry, $102

I love the idea of pairing warm tangerine tango with icy cobalt. 

Both colors are so starkly bright but in two very diametrically opposed yet perfect ways - making the pair ideal for warm summer weather, especially when paired with a crisp white blazer. 

For a sexy evening summer look, pair a blazer and cropped top with a bright mini skirt and heeled sandals. Add flashy accessories in complementary colors and VOILA! 


The look pictured above is affordable and very versatile. Every piece is under $200 (what a find!) Personally, I have had great luck at Zara. Their online store offers fashion forward pieces mostly under a $100 price point.  


I can attest to the functionality of this outfit idea. After a long stressful day of work, nothing sounds better than cocktail hour with the girls. But sometimes (and if it's my friends and I - oftentimes) one cocktail turns into four cocktails, which can lead to a full night out. And who wants to wear their drab work wear to the club? Not I. 

So to spice up my work-day wardrobe, I swap my work-appropriate pencil skirt for a flashy mini skirt and bold jewelry. Hence, incorporating the top portion of my work day outfit into my night time look. This concept saves time, money, and space in my bag. Try it out!


 L.