My top Oscars Red Carpet Dresses of All Time

Who is ready for Oscar Sunday? 

The Oscars is one of the most watched red carpets in the world next to the MET Gala. Time after time the Oscars has blessed us with numerous fashion forward moments, like who could forget Charlize Theron’s glittering Gucci gown from 2004, or Björk’s Marjan Pejoski swan dress? Growing up, I would sit in my room like I was attending the award show and judge all the outfits like Joan River (RIP). In honor of the ceremony being this Sunday I will be doing the exact same but not before I share what I believe were the greatest Oscar Red Carpet moments. If you are ready for some iconic looks read along. 

Gwyneth Paltrow Ralph Lauren 1999

Not only did Gwyneth Paltrow cement her status as an award-winning actress, but she also cemented her status as a style icon in the making.

Julia Roberts in Valentino, 2001

I’ll never forget it and neither has the fashion world, Julia Roberts in her vintage Valentino gown for her first-time Oscars win for Erin Brockovich. 

Charlize Theron in Gucci, 2004

Charlize Theron’s glittering silver Gucci gown is a prime example that less is often way more on the red carpet. Despite its simple shape, it’s one of the Oscars’ most memorable dresses in history. Theron looked the part of a true Hollywood movie star with a touch of sensual elegance. 

Lupita Nyong’o in Prada, 2014

 There was something truly magical about the Prada dress that Lupita Nyong’o wore to the Oscars in 2014. First off, the pale sky blue color was such a great match for the actress, and a shade you don’t see too often in Hollywood. She looked like a real life Disney Princess.

Halle Berry in Elie Saab, 2002

My obsession with Elie Saab begun in 2002, when Halle wore this iconic dress that not only shaped history but is part of infamous memes. Halle wore this beauty while accepting the first best actress award for Black woman. #HistoryintheMaking

Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior Couture, 2013

Yes, she fell going up the stairs to accept the big prize, but boy did she sure look fabulous doing so. So simple, sexy, elegant and chic. 

Hilary Swank in Guy Laroche, 2005

This dress will FOREVER be my absolute favorite. In fact, my prom dress had the same midnight blue and backless design. If I could be a dress this is it! Classy, sassy with a little bit of assy.

Björk in Marjan Pejoski, 2001

When Björk wore Marjan Pejoski’s Swan dress to the 2001 Oscars, Joan Rivers said, “This girl should be put in an asylum” but this dress has been replicated, used in movies, and such an iconic moment in Oscar history. 

With Sunday approaching I look forward to some Oscar red carpet fashion moments. What was your ultimately Oscar fashion moment? 

Tips on how to afford Luxury Designer

Often times when we want to splurge on a luxury designer item we wonder how can I look rich without going broke? As someone who is pretty open about my weakness for designer handbags and shoes, I know a few tips on how to afford high end pieces. The most important thing to remember is that buying designer items is a luxury and not a need. Now it is perfectly fine to treat yourself, especially after an accomplishment or a life milestone but we have to remember to pay for our actual everyday needs first. Below are some tips to follow so that you can afford to buy designer without feeling guilty about it!

1. Save first

Make sure you are setting up a savings for the future before you invest on a designer piece. This means putting money aside for retirement, your long-term, and short-term goals and also paying all your monthly expenses. I like to balance between spending a big chunk of money and also saving a big chunk of money into my savings. I often times set a goal, for example if the bag I want is $2000, I have to at least have that amount in my savings after the bag is purchased. Always remember, your financial goals are more important than buying a designer handbag. 

2. Buy quality over quantity

Think about all the times you've purchased something cheap that after a few years fell apart or that looked like what you wanted but in reality did not. Completely not worth it right? It's better to buy the item you initially wanted than 5 items that kind of look like the item. Buying the designer style will actually save me money. rather than buying five look alike because in the end I will eventually splurge on the real deal. Additionally, designer will last longer than cheaply made items. Also keep in mind that many designer items if kept almost new count as investment pieces, that can be worn for years or resold. 

3. Wait for your "must-have" pieces to go on sale or buy from the resale market

Although classic pieces from designers rarely go on sale, if you are patient, you can find a lot of seasonal items with a classic vibe in the designer sales. Often times these sales will mark down the seasons colors that did not sell and you can achieve the look for less if you do not mind certain patterns, fabrics or color selections. 

 I am also a huge fan of buying gently used or pre-owned designer handbags from consignment sites like the RealReal, Fashionphile and Rebag. The resale market is much like buying stocks, when the "it" trend is tiny bags you can easily find totes at a cheaper resale price and vice versa. My first designer bag was a Celine luggage tote from the RealReal for half the price and in great condition, and though it is not an "it" bag right now I highly believe the style will come back and I still receive lots of compliments when I wear it. Also, consignment softens luxury’s impact on the environment, and I can approve of that. 

4. Save for the big-ticket items

For the past few years, I have started to take my time with my big buys, I often research and think about what I am going to buy for months. Not being such an impulsive buyer has actually saved me money and now I actually wear what I buy instead of having it in my closet for display.

5. Stay away from fast trends

Stay away from expensive things that are overly trendy. If you want to achieve the look but not invest in the item for long term use depend on stores like Zara and H&M. If you are going to spend a ton of money, it should be on timeless pieces with neutral colors to maximize the wear. 

6. It's not a competition

Buy what you like and what you can afford because you like it and not for anyone else. Don't get caught up keeping up with the Jones or with the social media influencers because they receive these products for marketing purposes and for free. You should always buy something because you love it not because of what anyone else thinks about it.

7. Mix it up

There's nothing wrong with wearing a $10 dollar tank top with a Chanel handbag. Absolutely nothing. Determine what your style is and mix it up. Not everything you wear has to be super expensive. I personally like to splurge on bags and shoes but will never pay more than $50 for a pair of jeans. It’s perfectly okay to have a mix of high end brands with pieces from Zara in your wardrobe, it's called balancing. 

In the end, when it comes to expensive handbags or other high-end fashion purchases, as long as you are doing it the right way, occasional splurges are allowed. Just be sure that the important stuff comes first.  There is nothing wrong with splurging from time to time as long as it doesn’t hinder your financial goals.

Welcome to MAYAMI:Wynwood

MAYAMI Mexicantina & Bar (127 NW 23rd Street) is the newest "it" place to be in Miami. Brought to us by the same people that opened El Patio, the location is a 10,000-square-foot Mexican-inspired indoor and outdoor restaurant and lounge that gives off total Tulum vibes with the mix of the artsy Wynwood neighborhood. Mayami is open for dinner, happy hour and brunch from with different operating hours, depending on the day of the week. Though, the place says it closes at midnight, the waiters pass out the tabs at 11:30, music is cut off and lights are turned on as a way to have all guests leave by midnight and have no one lingering around the premises.

From the outside the location looks like a simple restaurant in the middle of busy Wynwood but once you walk in, you become teleported to a Mexican temple. The restaurant is lined with stone sculptures, wood carvings, traditional mural paintings, with the main focus being the ziggurat-shaped ceiling replicating the inside of a Mayan Pyramid. The space mixes the nightlife feel of El Patio with a restaurant by featuring an expansive pyramid-shaped bar, multi-level Terrazas, stages, and numerous VIP booths. 

Mayami menu is filled with Mexican-inspired dishes like guacalote, queso fresco and tacos with various proteins alongside larger dishes filet mignon. Meals can be paired with creative cocktails using Mexican ingredients. My favorite of the night was a surprisingly, easy-to-drink Mezcal-based cocktail, shaken with 400 Conejos mezcal, corn syrup, lime juice, real agave azul and egg white, served with a hibiscus salt rim. 

Though this place is my new it place to drink, dance and smoke hookah, the food needs a lot of work. There was nothing wow or even tasty that I tried and was actually very disappointed in the presentation and lack of ingredients used to cook. I always find that Mexican cuisine should always remain as true to it's natural ingredients as it can. When you start to alter the dish and replace traditionally ingredients the flavor gets lost in translation.  Overall, I would rate this place a 8 out 10 just taking points off for the food and early dismissal. 

The importance of social media monitoring

Whether a small new business or a world wide known brand, there is a huge importance on knowing what individual's are saying about your brand online. 

Social media monitoring is the act of watching a brand or business’s online engagement through reviews, mentions, questions or complaints towards them. More importantly, social media monitoring extends out to posts that mention the business or brand without tagging them directly. These posts do not come up in the page’s regular network notifications, which is why it is important to set up social monitoring tools to avoid bad comments and reviews. A few weeks ago, I mentioned the importance of social listening, which is when the brand or business just takes an overall look at customers wants and needs through research to make future marketing decisions. But monitoring takes listening a step further by responding when they need to. Therefore, monitoring involves more human effort, filtering, which needs to be set up, and time. 

Moreover, there are a number of metrics to monitor and track but some have more significant, such as mentions, customer sentiment, reviews, hashtags, and competition. The easiest way to stay in concurrence to the social media conversation about your business is to track all brand mentions the company receives on all social media platforms (including social media profiles on Facebook, Yelp and Google, all of which have native reviews). Many companies use social media monitoring to focus their attention on which posts are worth addressing, especially negative reviews. Using the hashtag metric allows brands or businesses to get a feel for how their targeted audience perceives the company. Another metric that companies monitor is observing their competition, to discover the ways in which the competitors are having more success than, and when to apply the same tactics. 

As mentioned, social media monitoring involves the tracking of online brand mentions and the subsequent responding of them. Monitoring keeps a business or brand on top of messages before they might become viral for the wrong reasons. They also help maintain a positive brand image among consumers and identify potential influencers. When choosing the right monitoring tool, a company needs it to cover all the networks that they are presently on and hopefully all in one space. Some apps that allow social media monitoring focusing on social customer care and maximizing the value of a brand or companies’ campaigns are Hootsuite, which oversees all of social media management and marketing while creating a one-stop shop for brand's social media marketing needs, and social mention which allows the monitoring of social, video, blogs and more, by just entering the search term and the tool pulls up everything that is being said about it. Ultimately, monitoring social media is a strategy that is critical for any brand or company whether small or large. 

Endless Summer

          

Who is ready for an Endless Summer getaway? This past week I was fortunate enough to spend my 31st birthday at Universal's newest resort: Endless Summer Resort. I wanted to share my overall experience and review on the resort, so if you are interested and were thinking of booking this resort read along. 

First and foremost, let's talk about how NEW everything looks and smells which is always a a big perk for any resort with such a vast amount of occupants. As soon as you walk into the lobby your temperature is checked and a colored armband signifying each day is given. Currently, there is no pool or hotel hopping due to Covid measures but the shuttle to the parks and CityWalk are functioning with spacing precautions. The resort has two towers (Dockside & Surfside) for the time being the only rooms available are on the Dockside towers. The lobby has great modern beach décor with a Starbucks and Sunset Lounge attached. This side of the resort is known for it's great sunset views, so don't forget to grab a drink and enjoy the view from the Sunset Lounge.

We booked a double queen bed room with a pool view and I was highly impressed with our room. If you have ever been to any Margaritaville resort, the rooms and décor are very similar with the relaxed beach themes. I slept like a baby all three nights and have zero complaints about the room. The bathroom is filled with great lighting, a spacious shower and the most beautiful mint floor mosaic I have ever seen. 

The pool area must have been my favorite with its heated pool, speakers underwater and the sand. Looking out into the water definitely makes you feel like you are washed away in a resort on a tropical island. The pool does not go deeper than five feet and is huge, so it makes it a great place for kids, families and those who just want to relax and get some sun. The bar is open for drinks but if you want to get some snacks or lunch, you have to go to the lobby market, where you can order and take your food to eat poolside. Overall, this is a great value resort for both families and those who want to get away for some time. I will definitely be making another reservation to visit very soon. 

Why create video content

Social media platforms are constantly evolving to provide authentic social interactions and engagement, which, as a result, social media engagement has become a vital part of any marketing strategy. Currently, there is an importance in creating content that stands out and using videos in social media marketing has a huge importance in engagement. Though video does not fall into the traditional social marketing, videos can be used throughout all platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or even a blog post. It is not too hard to see why videos are so popular these days and anyone headed towards digital marketing careers should incorporate video into their content in order to remain competitive. Videos are a versatile and engaging content format that consumers like because it is entertaining and engaging, allowing marketers a potentially huge return on investment (ROI) through many channels.

Moreover, videos are accessible to anyone with internet access, both to watch and to produce. In the last year, videos have grown popularity due to their connection, demonstration of personalities, brand awareness and engagement. Videos are one of the best ways to get up close to your audience and give them a real glimpse of what you or your business are all about. Statistics show that about more than fifty percent of world watches videos online every day, and social media videos generate up to twelve thousand percent more shares than texts and images combined. These numbers represent why video content marketing is significantly important. The key is to think beyond profit and product show and show the audience something about the brand, or offer some valuable information through creative content. 

Additionally, videos give anyone creating content the same reach, influence, and opportunities previously enjoyed only by large corporations and media companies. Video marketing allows users to reach a larger audience with very little cost. Whenever users feel none inspired by their own content creation, joining discussions or groups allows ideas to flow and be shared among other content creators. Discussions are meant to keep learning and expanding through the sharing of shared interest or goals, for example a user can join a video marketing discussion to get ideas for new projects or learn tips for starting out. Ultimately, videos on social media is proving to be the most powerful business asset for gaining new followers, growing your brand, and driving sales. 

Why skinny jeans are dead

Recently, a Tik Tok trend went viral discussing how Gen Zs want to cancel the wear of skinny jeans, but as a Millennial, I might have to to agree with them. There is no doubt that when skinny jeans first grew popularity, they were a revelation. They accentuated the butt, elongated your legs, and were high-rise, so before you attack me, here are my reasons why. 

Yes, skinny jeans were once an outfit stable but let's be real, skinny jeans now just make me look lumpy, stuffed and overexposes my body's problem areas. Not to mention that skinny jeans have largely been non-existent on the runways for several seasons now, and no matter what I pair them with, the proportions somehow always just feel all wrong. Another factor that led to the demise of the skinny jeans is the dreaded jeggings. As soon as they started to mix the denim with too much stretch, it just became trashy. Yes, the fabric is extremely comfortable but, so are sweats. Not to mention, that the materials you find in your typical pair of skinny jeans or jeggings is unrecyclable and deeply bad for the planet. 

Now I know, I am not the only one that feels this way either. The truth is, as we get older and our bodies change, showing off our curves or wearing tight clothes is no longer a big priority. I am now in my thirties, and I worry more about feeling sexy rather than showing too much. I prefer to invest in feeling comfortable rather than being in some tight jeans. Sadly, Millennials need to move on from their skinny jeans phase and begin to buy bootcuts, straight legs, wide legs and baggy styles which are classic alternatives to swap out your skinny jeans with. 

*See examples below

Social media marketing opportunities

As I have mentioned there are several marketing opportunities on social networks like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and many more. Social advertising can be used to convert strangers into customers by using content created for ads that show up on Facebook, Instagram etc. Unfortunately, a lot of companies and small businesses are still are not tapping into the opportunities that social media presents. As times change and technology progresses, businesses need to use such marketing opportunities to reflect the trends of their targeted audience. Every business should consider social media marketing to bring in further success. Ultimately, the shift in the use of social media has completely changed the objective of any successful marketing plan, the following are examples of marketing opportunities provided by social networks.

There are several marketing opportunities like having increased exposure, creating increased traffic and attention to a business or brand, helps improve sales or services, opportunity to grow a fan base that include loyal customers, and creates opportunities for partnerships with fellow brands. Every social media network has different opportunities for marketing, therefore, it is critical to understand what the objective is and use them properly. Using social media network allows businesses to gain research and information that can be beneficial to understanding their audience, through the use of ads, likes and polls businesses can gain market insight. These tools grant the ability to measure conversions based on posts on various social media platforms to find the perfect combination for generating revenue.

Another opportunity granted is the ability to save money as social networking marketing is cost effective. Social media marketing is the most cost effective aspect of marketing for any business whether big or small. Almost all social media networks offer free profile creation and any advertising done through them are half the price of traditional marketing plans, therefore the investment is cheaper compared to traditional marketing. Not only is it cheaper but it is less time consuming than regular marketing tactics. In fact, just six hours per week can be enough to generate increased traffic. In the end, any company that devotes at least an hour a day to developing their content and marketing advertising strategy may start seeing the results of their efforts fairly fast. Ultimately, there are several marketing opportunities on social media networks that every company should either invest time or money into. 

How to take #OOTD pictures

How many times have you scrolled through Instagram and seen girls take these awesome #OOTD pictures? If you follow me, then you know I love posting mirror OOTDs, so much that I have a highlight dedicated to them. When it comes to actual OOTD pictures, you do not need a glam squad, or a professional camera to get a really great shot. I wanted to share 10 of my personal tips to getting an Instagramble shot of your OOTD. 

FIND A LOCATION

I like to take all my outfit pics in front of plain white walls. This keeps the focus on my outfit, keeps my feed cohesive, and allows my outfit's colors, textures and details to pop. It seems like a lot of effort but it is actually not, look around your neighborhood and you will notice how many plain white walls there are. Often times, I will be driving to work, the mall or home and notice so many spots for OOTD pictures around me. When all fails, I like to use my garage door as the background. 

LIGHTING

Even if you have your entire picture, pose, props and outfit planned down to the details, lighting can make or break the shot. Natural light is best for #OOTDs and selfies too. I like to have the light in front of me and try to avoid having too many shadows on my face. Another factor is choosing the right time to shoot your shot to avoid being too bright or full of those unwanted shadows. 

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Often times, people ask me how do I pose so naturally, and the truth is that for every good picture there is about ten silly faces. Nailing just the right pose can be hard. I like to practice in a mirror so I know which poses work best for each outfit and my body type. Try to remember the poses that make you look and feel your best. Learn your best sides and most flattering angles. For example, I am only 5 feet tall and have very wide hips, so I avoid pictures that are straight on, I like to angle my hips and rest all my weight on the foot not facing the camera. Another tip to elongate your body is to create triangles, whether with your arms or legs. 

HAVE SOMEONE HELP

People are usually surprised to know that a lot of my pictures are taken by my mom, dad, or my bestfriend. Often times, what I like to do is take a pic of them first, lining up the shot exactly how I want it to look. I show them the picture, we swap places, then it is easy for them to recreate the shot easily. This comes in handy when you want an exact shot done in a certain way. Often times, I show an inspo picture at the same exact spot to make it even easier to recreate. Another tip, is having whoever is taking your picture talk to you to achieve those cute effortless candid's. My bestfriend will say things like walk, twirl, look left, and make me laugh, to achieve different shots. It might feel ridiculous at the time, but a laugh makes for a great picture. When in doubt go for a hair flip. Trust me, anything is better than a forced smile or an unnatural pose.

SET TO SQUARE

If you plan to upload your #OOTD directly into Instagram, use the square option on your phone or take the picture with enough space to crop it into a square. That way you’re sure to have all the details in your final shot, because how many times have you had a great shot but you have to choose between your full head or your shoes. 

TRY DIFFERENT ANGLES

Is your straight on picture just not working? Try taking some from a little above or a little below. Different perspectives make a huge difference. Recently, I have started to flip my iPhone upside down when I want to look taller, or I am trying to achieve that perfect kick picture. 

TRY SITTING DOWN

There is no rule that says the picture has to be standing up, so try a seated pose from time to time. I especially love them because they make my legs look longer, if I pose my legs slightly towards the camera. 

TAKE A TON OF PICTURES

Have whoever is taking the pictures keep snapping all while you’re making small, slight movements. This will give you a nice variety of pictures and poses to choose from. How many times has your body looked amazing but you smile is a little off? To avoid this, make small changes with every click, this gives you more options to choose from. 

DONT FORGET DETAILS

Do no wrap your mini shoot without getting a few pics of your jewelry, bag, and shoes so you’ll have even more gorge feed. Recently, my bestfriend took an up-close of my top and the shot was gorgeous. 

EDITING 

Once all the hard work is done, the fun process begins. I personally love editing my pictures and playing with the different colors in the shot. The reality is that no matter how great a camera you use, no lens is better than the human eye. Therefore, I like to use either Lightroom, Snapseed, or VSCO to enhance my pictures, which also helps you create a cohesive aesthetically pleasing feed. About a year ago, I learned how to make my own presets in Lightroom, which makes editing a 1, 2 step. Once I select the pictures I like, I import them to Lightroom and simply apply the same preset to all, which makes it easier to narrow down to the ones I want to post. 

I hope my tips can help any girl or guy, who often struggles to create OOTD content. Let me know if you have your own tips and tricks, I am always looking for new ideas.