BACK TO SCHOOL: A BEAUTY DISPLAY

Ok, so maybe I got a little bit carried away with the postings today but that's just how I am. You might as well just get used to this kind of behavior. Sometimes I give you nothing, and sometimes I give you too much. I promise I'm not a crazy mentally unbalanced girl. Ok, maybe just a little bit, like any other creative person. There's just too many things going on inside our heads! I actually have something really cool planned for tomorrow. You guys are just gonna have to stay tuned if you don't want to miss it. 

Anyhow, back at the ranch. Like I mentioned on my last post (uploaded just a few seconds ago), tomorrow I have to do another visual display project for my visual merchandising class. The purpose of the project is to create a beauty display utilizing things that we can find around our bathroom. With this in mind I headed to Anthropologie on Lincoln Road to find some cute little girlie bathroom stuff for my project. Here's some of the items I'm using. I'm not showing you everything because, like I said before, I want the end result to be a surprise. However, you do get the feeling of my idea by looking at these images. How exciting! #iloveprojecting (projecting: the action of engaging in girlie crafty projects). 

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BACK TO SCHOOL: ACCESSORIES DISPLAY PROJECT

Hello there dear friends! Yes, I know, I'm a terrible friend. One that comes and goes, and sometimes just simply disappears for days without giving any signs of life. For those of you who don't know, I'm back to school. This is precisely why I'm in Miami. I'm studying fashion merchandising at the Miami International University of Art & Design. I started school in April and it's been quite an amazing learning experience. Sometimes we're wise asses and we think we know everything, but the truth of the matter is that we don't. These past 5 months I've learned more than I expected. This is also why I sometimes go M.I.A. Not enough time for everything, or maybe I just need to organize myself a little better (ok, I admit it! maybe I should just stop watching show marathons on Netflix). 

Anyhow, I wanted to share with you a project I did last week for my visual merchandising II class. This is my favorite class because it challenges my creativity and I love that. It can only make me better. The purpose of the project was to create an accessories display using things that we could find around our kitchen, or the supermarket. We had to come up with three different ways to display the same accessories, using the same props. Here's what I came up with. Hope you like it. Let me know which one's your favorite (if you have one). 

Tomorrow we have another project. I get so excited with projects. I'm a project snob. Tomorrow in class we have to create a beauty display using things that we could find around our bathrooms. For this I went to Anthropologie to get myself some cute little bathroom stuff (so girlie). I'm preparing another post to show you some of the items and props I'll be using. I'm not showing you everything because I want the end result to be a surprise. I think you guys are gonna like it.

So my dear friends, enjoy the rest of your afternoon, and until next!

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OUTFIT POST: SAILS UP! ALL THE WAY NAUTICAL!

Goooood morning everyone! I do hope you all enjoyed a most wonderful weekend. I know I did. In general, last week was just a great week for me. Monday, Tuesday, and wednesday I had classes. Thursday I spent the day at the beach with my family from Guatemala who are vacationing in Miami, it was such a beautiful day. Friday I took my aunt for lunch at Mariposa inside Neiman Marcus at Villages of Merrick Park (I had the steak frites that was absolutely divine). Saturday I did homework and then hung out with some of my favorite people in Miami, and Sunday I had brunch with my Miami family. My best friend came for two days to visit her sisters (my Miami family), and so you can imagine the fun we had. 

Now let's focus on today's topic, which is my all the way nautical dress I bought at Anthropologie a couple of months ago. I have to say something guys. When I bought this dress I thought that perhaps I had gone a little bit too far with the whole boat thing. Quite frankly I never thought I was gonna make use of this dress so much. So it happens that I've worn it several times since I bought it, and every time I wear it I get complimented by everyone. It's definitely a winner. This only proves that sometimes we just need to set aside all fear and follow our hearts. Be bold, be brave, be daring. Step outside the box you've been living in all your life and try new things. Spice up your life. 

In professional terms (I should start expressing myself more like a fashion industry person), this would be a novelty print, a line, halter dress with a draped top and pleated skirt. It is specially flattering for girls with triangle shape bodies like me (heavier on the botton than on the top), or girls who need to create the illusion of a more defined waist by adding some curves to their cylindrical or rectangular shapes. It's perfect for a morning of shopping or brunch with your favorite ladies on a hot day of summer. It really is a beautiful feminine dress for women with quirky, free spirited personalities (also very girlie). If you're not the type of lady that feels comfortable wearing novelty prints like these, you can always try to look for a dress that has a similar shape in a color that is harmonious with your own personal coloring, either way you'll look and feel fantastic.

DRESS: Anthropologie

SUNGLASSES: Forever 21

NECKLACE: Vintage

SHOES: Massimo Dutti

If you'd like to learn more about my personal styling services, you can email me to info@mcacquaroni.com 

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OUTFIT POST: HOW TO WEAR A 1940'S RETRO INSPIRED ROMPER

Good morning guys! We're halfway thru the week so you should be happy. When you least expect it it's already Sunday and you're having a hangover from all the weekend's partying woohoo. 

Yesterday I shared with you the details of my retro inspired romper or like my friend Hans says, shorteralls, whichever suits your fancy best. Today I'm showing you the complete look. The "shorteralls" are Leifnotes from Anthropologie, shoes are from Massimo Dutti (most comfortable heel ever), necklace is vintage, sunglasses are from Stradivarius (I Think), and the fedora I bought at Scotch & Soda. Like I mentioned in the outfit details post, I would love to wear this outfit with an actual vintage or vintage inspired turban and retro looking Prada sunglasses. Wouldn't that be awesome (red lips, cat eyeliner, and massive amounts of mascara of course). 

This outfit is specially flattering for those women who wish to create the illusion of a curvier figure. Why? Because it has an hourglass silhouette (defined waist, loose bottom, and volume around the shoulder areas). Also flattering for women with a triangle shape body because the sleeves help to create the illusion of a more proportionate figure. In overall a very feminine, womanly, but also playful look. 

Hope you like it! Have fun creating outfits yourself. Remember, you never know who you might end up inspiring with your own creativity. Believe it or not there's always someone watching you. 

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OUTFIT DETAILS: 1940'S RETRO INSPIRED ROMPER

You guys want to know why I decided to start these outfit details posts? Here it goes...

Most of the time people pay way to much attention to celebrities and famous bloggers lives, what they wear (meaning brands), where they are going, what they are doing, and how they are mix and matching their clothing to copy or imitate or to simply find inspiration to create their own outfits or fantasize about having a different kind of life. This is perfectly fine, I do it myself too, but how often do we really take the time to appreciate what makes a piece of clothing or accessory or shoe so special? When do we pay homage to the little details? If there is something my mother taught me when I was a little girl it is to appreciate even the smallest of details because they are what set apart something average from something spectacular. Sometimes I go inside high end designer boutiques to literally dissect each and every piece of clothing just to marvel myself. I love to feel the fabrics and appreciate each and every sartorial detail because that is in fact the integrity of piece. That is exactly why I fell in love with fashion, not because I wanted to be surrounded by luxury and labels, but because I fell in love with the integrity of clothing, the little details. 

Ever since I moved to Miami and started school again I've been feeling a new wave of inspiration and creativity flowing inside of me. Don't get me wrong, I love my native Guatemala, it is the most beautiful country but I guess I just needed a little change. When I came here I noticed all my clothes where mostly jeans and in neutral colors (don't ask me why, I was going thru a phase). I looked boring and I was boiling (of course). So I decided to go shopping for colors, and prints, and everything short. Now I get excited when I dress in the morning, a feeling I had lost. Now I feel feminine, and girlie, and sexy, and all things good. One of the pieces I bought on my shopping expedition is this floral print romper from Leifnotes that I bought at Anthropologie (my happy place). Reason I love it so much is because it's design and cut has a 1940's retro feel to it, and we all know I love retro. Take a look at the little details around the sleeves and you'll understand what I'm talking about. Wait till you see it on me. This time I thought it would be interesting to wear it with my Scotch & Soda (my other happy place) fedora but I would love to find the perfect turban to wear with it (and retro looking Prada sunglasses). If anyone knows where I can find one let me know. Meanwhile enjoy the little details and stay tuned for the complete look coming later on.

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THE LOOK: BUSTIERS AND HIGH WAISTED SHORTS

Ok guys, just as promised earlier today. Here's the bustier and high waisted shorts complete look. If you didn't have the chance to look at the outfit details post click here to find out where I got all these lovely pieces. 

Enjoy the rest of your afternoon!

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OUTFIT POST: HOW TO WEAR A BUSTIER AND TULLE SKIRT

Ok guys, just as promised. I procrastinated for a little while buuuuut here you have it, a complete outfit look. Yet another narcissistic post about me. I kind of wanted to stop with the narcissism which is why I started doing the outfit details posts but you guys asked for it, and of course you're wishes are my command (not all though, I'm not getting naked). I'm telling you, moving to another country is not easy. In Guatemala I had a cool background for my outfit posts and I also had a team of incredible professionals working with me on my Mademoiselle Red posts but now that I moved to Miami I have to start from zero all over again. It's ok, no biggie, we did it once, we'll do it again. Ain't nobody got no time to be afraid of new challenges. I have faith that God will lead me to the right people and when I least expect it I'm gonna be working again with amazing creative people. 

By the way, I can't believe my necklace flipped around in most of the photographs, sorry for that, photographing oneself is not easy. Anyhow you get the point. Also, In case you didn't get to see the outfit details post click here. 

Bustier: Anthropologie

Skirt: Anthropologie

Necklace: Anthropologie

Shoes: J.Crew

Sunglasses: Vintage

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BEAUTY IS IN THE DETAILS: HOW TO WEAR A BUSTIER AND A TULLE SKIRT

For quite a while now I've been infatuated with bustiers. I think that if worn correctly they can make you look beautiful and feminine and since now I've been experimenting with my girlie side I'm even more infatuated with them. 

Back in Guatemala I could never wear a bustier, mostly because its nearly impossible to find a bustier there, and then there's a whole lot of other cultural reasons that I just won't get into right now (boring). Anyhow, the fun good news is that now I live in Miami (yei! The sunshine city) where I can wear a bustier whenever I want to wherever I want. Which is exactly why the other day while I was hanging out with my friend Michelle at our happy place (Anthropologie of course) I couldn't resist myself and bought a gingham bustier and the most wonderful high waisted tulle skirt. 

Now, remember girls, the most important thing you need to keep in mind when wearing a bustier is to pair it with something high waisted. I mean if you have a flawless, flat, fatless, fit abdomen then forget this but if you're like me and the the rest of the women in the world, then try to keep this in mind. Otherwise don't go saying I didn't say so. Also if you're a petite girl you might want to try wearing a skirt that is not as full as this one. Very full skirts can make you look a little childish when you're petite, unless of course this is the look that you're aiming for. However, if you think you can pull it off and it makes you feel beautiful and happy, then by all means go for it, be fearless, I admire a woman with an adventurous spirit. 

I know that some of you have been asking for complete outfit looks (meaning me wearing them), which is why today I'm finally modeling for you (woohoo!). I try to keep you guys happy, you know that. However, you're still gonna have to stick around for the second post of the day because right now it's all about the little details. 

Enjoy guys! Stay beautiful! 

Skirt: Anthropologie

Bustier: Anthropologie

Shoes: J.Crew

Necklace: Anthropologie

Sunglasses: Vintage

I can't wear to wear this for Sunday brunch! 

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SHADY LADY

What type of shady lady are you? Which is your style? Vintage, romantic, femme fatal, urban, hipster, girlie...

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STYLE BY RED TEST KITCHEN: INSALATA CAPRESE EGG SANDWICH

Ok so I'm not turning into Julia Child any time soon nor I intend to turn Style by Red into the next big food blog so let's forget about that fried chicken with jalapeño coleslaw sandwich I told you guys I was gonna do, maybe I'll do it someday but right now let's just stick to what I'm good at (not really that good but I do my best) which is simple, healthy cooking. 

A few months ago I moved to Miami and for the first time in my life I'm living completely by myself which has turned out to be quite a challenge when it comes to cooking because everything I buy goes bad, plus every time I go to the supermarket I suffer from anxiety attacks because there are so many things and I have no idea what the hell to buy. In a perfect world I'm a graphic designer, web developer, photographer, journalist, and an experienced chef (amongst others) but in this world I'm just Maria Cristina a creative soul who wishes she knew how to do everything and stresses about it all the time. 

Anyhow, I'm not gonna share with you any new and exciting recipes, I just want to document with images (not so many words because we all know I suck at words) my own personal adventures in kitchenville. 

I'm starting the Style by Red Test Kitchen posts with today's breakfast which was insalata caprese egg sandwich. I tell people I could live out of mozzarella, arugula, pasta, and tomatoes (and of course olive oil and white wine), I'm so Italian. It looks big but let me tell you I'm already hungry and I ate perhaps an hour ago. Yes, I'm a big active girl who needs feeding. 

I hope you guys feel inspired! 

Et Voilá!

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