My favorite May event, Preakness at the Piazza, is just days away!! I’m having such an amazing time in Spain but I’m so excited to wear my beautiful hat I bought in Madrid, watch the race, and support the MS Society! I’ve put together some ensemble inspiration and if you don’t have your tickets yet, get them here! I’ll see you all on Saturday in your Preakness Style!
Author Archives: Lauren Mantilla
Preakness at the Piazza
Preakness at the Piazza, Philadelphia’s most stylish event, is this Saturday so I’ve pulled together some inspiration for you, darlings! I’ll be there in support of the MS Society and look forward to seeing you all there in your most stylish race ensembles. There are still tickets available and the forecast calls for sunny skies! xo L
*I’m issuing a disclaimer for this post, I had a FIELD DAY on Asos.com with all of their amazing dresses and yes, clearly I’m lusting over a midi-length hem.
The dresses can be found at ASOS, Erin Fetherston, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, or BCBG. The hats/fascinators can be found at Macy’s, Nordstrom, Hats in the Belfry, ModCloth, and House of Fraser.
Warby Parker’s new Spectrum Sun collection + a Perfect Pout
Ciao darlings! I’m so excited to announce the launch of Warby Parker’s Spring/Summer 2014 sunglass collection Spectrum Sun. And what pairs better with stylish sunnies than the still-going-strong bold lip? So I’ve paired each new Warby Parker style with a vivid lip shade to create five looks that are ready for days of endless sunshine!
Warby Parker has distributed over 500 million pairs of glasses to people in need.
For DEAN, an orange red lip emphasizes the awesome green lenses.
For MINNIE, classic tortoise shell gets an a modern twist with a fluoro pink pout.
For HALL, these super girly sunglasses deserve an equally girly light pink lip.
For PIPER, channel your inner Audrey Hepburn by pairing these chic black frames with a gorgeous red lipstick.
For DOWNING, accentuate these cool blue lenses with a pop of coral.
Fall Beauty Trends with Neiman Marcus
Ciao darlings!
I have some pretty exciting news: I’m thrilled to announce that I have recently teamed up with Neiman Marcus KOP (!!!!!!) to bring you all the latest trends and exclusive sneak peek into their spectacular events! To kick things off, I couldn’t be more excited to share these gorgeous Fall beauty trends with you. And what better way to celebrate than with an amazing beauty event with some of my favorite products?!
As we officially bid adieu to Summer, we haven’t quite settled into Fall temperatures, and as much as we’re all craving to pull on our boots, snuggle into sweaters, and sip pumpkin spice everything; the weather is not quite on the same page. This is the perfect moment to put the hot pink lipstick to rest until next summer and transition into the fabulous shades of fall.
For eyes, transition into more muted shades with depth, like purples, grays, and neutral metallics in titanium, vintage gold, and pewter. It’s all about making a statement with eyeliner, be it the blackest black liquid liner or a sexy smudgy jewel-tone eyeliner. Eyebrows are still a focus for Fall, looking more groomed and providing the perfect frame for a slightly more dramatic eye. Take the time to find the perfect shade and best product for your brow shape. Thinner or very light brows should try a powder or pencil 1-2 shades darker and for fuller, darker brows, try a gel to hold the hairs in place and add a little color.
For lips, both ends of the spectrum are on trend for Fall. If you choose an eye look from above, the perfect compliment is an über nude shade of lipstick. If you’re in the mood for a more pigmented pout, any of the deeper reds and gorgeous plums will certainly fit the bill. Matte lipsticks are the most popular this season, whatever the shade, so ditch the gloss. If you need a little moisture, try dabbing on a little balm to keep lips hydrated without super shine.
For nails, I’m fully giving you permission to match your lipstick! Yes, I said it. It’s a bit of a retro custom (reminds me of my Nonna, who always had a manicure that matched her favorite lip shades) but this season’s modern hues keep nails looking luxe and polished (nail pun!). There are so many fun trends for nails, try experimenting with shape or length, a little glitter, matte finish, or try a dual-toned mani!
Diner en Blanc Philadelphia: What to Wear With Your White
Diner en Blanc has arrived! So many details go into preparing for this glamorous night of white revelry, don’t overlook the most important one! Wearing white can be uber fabulous but also presents its own special dressing dilemmas: sheerness in undesired places, the unforgiving hue, etc. I teamed up with local Philadelphia lingerie boutique The Hope Chest to bring you all the basics you’ll need for your blanc! All the numbered items can be found at the boutique located at 1937 Chestnut St or The Hope Chest’s online boutique.
Looking forward to seeing you darlings tomorrow night! xo L
Summer’s Top Trends at Per Lei
Summer Trend: Neon [Trina Turk shorts; Lilly Pulitzer tote, model: Jackie Seigler.]
If your weekend plans include a trip to the beach, the new Per Lei boutique in Sea Isle City, NJ has all the style you’ll need at the shore!
Per Lei, which means ‘for her’ in Italian, opened its first location in Media, PA in October 2007 with the aim to create a shopping experience all about the women that wear their clothes by offering an upscale shopping experience with an intimate feeling through convenience, selection and experience.
With the Memorial Day opening of the Sea Isle City boutique, Per Lei has now expanded to three locations including a second shore store in Avalon, NJ. So on a day that truly meant to be nothing other than a beach day, I took a little drive down to SIC to take a look for myself!
The SIC store carries all the upscale brands you’d expect to find at Per Lei including Lilly Pulitzer, Trina Turk, Tibi, Diane von Furstenburg, Free People, House of Harlow, Alice + Olivia, and Joe’s Jeans plus many more. With all these gorgeous clothes and accessories, I was inspired to shoot some ensembles featuring the hottest Summer 2013 trends.
Summer Trend: Printed Maxi [tbags maxi dress, model: Jackie Seigler.]
Summer Trend: The Palazzo Pant [Free People linen bomber; Ecru palazzo pant, model: Jackie Seigler.]
Summer Trend:Night White [Trink Turk top & short; Diane von Furstenberg clutch, model: Jackie Seigler.]
All images property of Lauren Mantilla. Use is not permitted without express consent.
Nautical themed accessories & beach house storage.
A bountiful bevy of bangles.
Diane von Furstenberg clutches.
Bleu Lab reversible jeans.
A beaucoup bunch of beaded bracelets.
Super colorful summer accessories.
Perfect place to store flip flops after a day at the beach.
House of Harlow sunnies & Rafe clutches.
Per Lei boutique in Sea Isle City, NJ.
I’d like to send a special thanks to Candice and Patricia for letting me come play in their beautiful SIC store! I had a fantastic time!
Visit Per Lei in Media PA, Sea Isle City NJ, Avalon NJ or at PerLeiboutique.com to learn about their Loyalty Program & Buy Now Wear Now Pay Later.
Bobbie Thomas ‘The Power of Style’ book giveaway
Click to enter to win Bobbie’s book: a Rafflecopter giveaway!
Bobbie Thomas has created a one-of-kind niche in the style sphere as a “professional girlfriend,” encouraging the use of fashion & beauty as tools to help the outside match the inside.
Most notably, Bobbie serves as the Style Editor on NBC’s Today Show and for seven years, she highlighted celebrity trends in her column “The Buzz” in In Touch weekly. Bobbie has been featured as a recurring correspondent and guest on a variety of E! Entertainment specials including red-carpet Emmy, Golden Globe and Academy Awards coverage, as well as co-hosting the Style Network’s Fashion Police.
For a peek into Bobbie’s book, click here for a PowerofStyleExcerpt & watch the video!
Click to enter to win Bobbie’s book: a Rafflecopter giveaway!
Giveaway will close July 3, 2013 at midnight.
Bloomingdale’s Willow Grove presents ‘The Makeup Date’
Hello Philadelphia darlings!
This Saturday I’ll be serving as MC at the Bloomingdale’s in Willow Grove for The Makeup Date. This is a very VIP event offered to special Bloomies customers and TSD readers, of course! It’s a fantastic morning that will include a runway showcase of all the latest Summer 2013 beauty trends, an opportunity to have a one-on-one with a makeup artist to experiment with a new look, and goodies to go: a limited-edition travel bag filled with deluxe samples. To reserve your spot for this ultra exclusive event it’s $25 which is then credited towards your beauty purchase.
So grab a girlfriend and come by Bloomies in Willow Grove on Saturday for a morning beauty and glamour!
The Science of Style
It is commonly thought that ‘fashion’ and ‘style’ are synonymous. And that’s just not the case. Clothing, jewelry, shoes, etc., can come in and out of fashion; to simply be fashionable is fleeting. Instead, I’ve always focused on cultivating a personal style that incorporates the latest fashions. True style isn’t a slave to the latest trends.
Personal style celebrates your independence of mind and unique point of view and is your very first impression to the world. An impression that conveys more that just vanity or frivolity, but professionalism and pride in oneself and their peers. A notion shared by Danielle Belardo, a fourth year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. Danielle spends her days alternatively in scrubs or in a white lab coat and as a girl who loves fashion, she is determined to bring her personal style to the (examination) table.
Danielle and her fellow fourth year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine, Vanessa Fabrizio, joined me in the city to bring some sartorial inspiration to their traditional medical uniforms. 
Scrubs are the most challenging, however, it’s all about the right accessories and color is one of the easiest ways to bring some personal touches to this hospital basic. Danielle’s favorite way of incorporating color is through her footwear, “Patients always comment on my bright sneakers. I love that a simple accessory can put a smile on their face”. Even simply adding bright laces to a more neutral shoe can add a bit of unexpected color.
Ladies, when it comes to your hair, don’t view it as a hindrance. View your hair as an opportunity! Vanessa finds that braids are fantastic options that are simultaneously practical and visually interesting. For example, adding a braid to your everyday look can create a not-so-average-pony. Braids will also last through long shifts and keep bangs or pesky layers out of your face. To add some color to Vanessa’s fishtail braid we opted for an orange tie instead of a neutral tie. For Danielle, I created a simple twist following her hairline.
As a professional, you want to put your best face forward and when it comes to your beauty routine remember to stick with the basics. Make sure to keep your skin looking its best by adhering to a regular skincare regimen. Healthy, happy skin requires less makeup, especially foundation and concealer. As a makeup artist, makeup that looks great for hours isn’t about caking on as much as possible to “last” throughout the day, it’s about using the right products in the right places.
For both Danielle and Vanessa, I used a small amount of foundation best suited to each of their skin types only in the most necessary areas. The goal for their makeup was to keep them looking fresh, well-rested, polished, and professional. My favorite trick for making eyes appear more awake is making your eyelashes the focal point. If they need to be curled, do not skip this step, it is crucial! Look for mascaras that are long-wearing or flake-free, if your mascara smudges or flakes throughout the day that darkness could be mistaken for dark circles under your eyes. Also using a light eyeshadow to highlight the inner corners of your eyes and along your browbone reflects light and draws attention the shape of your eye. For a bit of color on your cheeks and lips that will keep you glowing throughout your shift, try a duo lip & cheek stain.
Though most of the time, Danielle and Vanessa wear white coats over their professional attire, these stylish med students have found that infusing their work wardrobe with their own personal touches, does not go unnoticed by both patients and supervisors alike. In fact, a large study done at the Medical University of South Carolina showed that patients were more likely to trust and have confidence in their physicians who made an effort in their appearance, preferring physicians who were more “dressed up” (76.3%) versus physicians in casual wear (4.7%).
In the above photo, Danielle and Vanessa chose ensembles that illustrate their personal styles and how to transition outfits suitable for the hospital to a look that works for a casual cup of coffee with friends or running errands. Vanessa chose printed pants, classic ballet flats, and a brightly colored cardigan to show her self-proclaimed “preppy” style. “I find it easy to incorporate my classic and preppy style into an appropriate hospital wardrobe. My style reflects professionalism while also being fun and current” Vanessa explains. Don’t be afraid to bring color to your professional environment. It can be easy to get lost in a sea of grays, blues, and black. Just make sure the item is a proper length, fit, and fabric for a professional setting and you’ll be sure to beak up the monotony!
Danielle opts for pieces that are distinct and likes to blend in current trends. She chose a striped skirt as the focus of her look and added a sheer button down blouse plus very comfortable boots. What’s key about Danielle’s look is choosing just one piece to stand out while keeping the other parts of the outfit more subdued in color and more classic in shape. Danielle feels that the ritual of choosing an outfit is a great start to her day, “Fashion is an art similar to how medicine is an art; I admire designers who take chances and think outside of the box, just as I admire my attending physicians who are inventive and innovative in their field”.
To take her outfit from day to night, Vanessa swapped her print for faux leather and added a sleek pair of booties, a jacket, and a bit of evening sparkle. Danielle gave her boots the night off, put on her favorite pair of pumps, and chose a lace top to complete her after hours ensemble. By using a few key basics in their current wardrobes these savvy med students did an excellent job of demonstrating how to stylishly create looks that are work for the hospital, casual plans, or evenings on the town. Danielle and Vanessa each have their own personal style yet they both understand the importance of their image in their professional environment.
Thanks so much to Danielle and Vanessa for being great models, opening their closets, and sharing their personal experiences, words, and time!
The Beauty Breakdown: Favorite Summer Haircut
There’s no denying long, healthy hair is always a style ‘do’. But lately, I’ve seen more celebrities trimming their tresses and opting for a more fuss-free length. And I’m loving it! It’s so fresh and much easier to manage, especially for beach-filled weekends and balmy summer nights.
One of the greatest parts about this cut is that if you’re tired of your long locks this length is just as versatile. It’s also a great style for all face shapes and hair textures: curly, straight, textured, smooth. For finer hair, this style offers tons of movement and body and for thicker hair, the length still provides weight that makes hair more manageable. I also love that it can be styled with blunt bangs, a soft side-swept fringe, or just long layers. So if you’re in the mood for a little summer switch-up, take a cue from the bevy of beauties below!
Emma Stone
Rose Byrne
Christina Hendricks
Nicole Richie
Heidi Klum
Kerry Washington
Olivia Palermo
Annasophia Robb
All images courtesy of Google.
The Style Darling 
