Friday, July 27, 2012

little mermaid


 1. top: Wildfox (click for other Wildfox + mermaid post)
2. corona + jacuzzi session.
3. having a mojito under a palm tree at The Roosevelt in Hollywood.

more photos on my instagram: @maria_charmed

"I must be a mermaid, I have no fear of depths & a great fear of shallow living." ― Anais Nin

“If you swim effortlessly in the deep oceans, ride the waves to and from the shore, if you can breathe under water and dine on the deep treasures of the seas; mark my words, those who dwell on the rocks carrying nets will try to reel you into their catch. The last thing they want is for you to thrive in your habitat because they stand in their atmosphere where they beg and gasp for some air.” ― C. JoyBell C.

Charmed, Fo Sho'

So I like to "rap"-- sue me. One of my favorite things to do is to put up the music all the way up and sing a Kanye West or Drake chorus amidst bumper-to-bumper traffic (101, you're wassup & bring out the best in me). Instead of worrying about fellow drivers gawking at me, I simply pretend I'm a rapper in my Accord--swerve! I can't take all the credit for my impromptu lyrical sesh last night (it took me 35 minutes, so, yes, I do somewhat have a life). Ever since Rachel Bilson released a music video in which she raps, I thought wow, she gets is. She really gets it. (side note: the other week I made doublemint gum wrappers as grills, just like Rachel). Sometimes, ALL us girly-girls want is...to ditch our sweet persona, and spit some mad lyrical game. Ya dig? I know it's obnoxious + poorly written, but, if it made you smile/giggle then I did my job. Without further ado, here's Tap

Tap- tap - tap - tap – tap – tap – tap – tap - tap
Don’t tap your last season shoes at me, son.
Tap- tap - tap - tap – tap – tap – tap – tap - tap
Put your finger on the map, & let’s fly at dawn.

Ya’ll can hang out at that hookah lounge.
Ya’ll can find me at the polo lounge;
And no I don’t drive a Lamborghini (swerve)
But I look better in Missoni (word)
It’s fashion week? I said, no, it’s fashion year.
My feline chillin harder than Karrrrl’s, dear.
Your style mad easy as ABC
My arm be swaggin that CdC
I never see no winter; say hi to Anna Wintour

Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap
I'm Charmed, fo sho'.
I ain’t no model, but damn right, I’m a blogga’.
Mad love to my girls, Dani and Stilleto!
Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap
That’s the sound of me typin' about the boss, Kate Moss.

PS: I promise to never write rap lyrics again. Like, ever. #Don'tUnfollowMe

me, with my Adam Levine-autographed cast. swerve.

Friday, July 13, 2012

vintage swimsuits

 photos courtesy of Vogue archives

1. Vogue, June 1, 1969, photographed by Bert Stern
2. Christy Turlington. Vogue, Feburary 1990, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier
3. Vogue, November 15, 1950, photographed by Clifford Coffin
4. Vogue, May 1, 1954, photographed by John Rawlings

 'Tis the season of swimsuits, and well, I'm getting a tad tired of the usual bikini. Instead, I've been gravitating towards retro-chic swimwear (photos 1, 3, 4) and glamorous one-pieces (photo 2). This Sunday I have a pool party to go to at the Hard Rock hotel in Sand Diego, and I have yet to find a winning bathing suit #dilemma--no really, it is in a girl's world. I wouldn't mind being amongst the few to sport a one-piece at Hard Rock, so let the swimsuit search commence!
Do you guys have any fun plans this weekend?

xo Maria

PS: follow me on Instagram: @maria_charmed
or  Tweet me: @CharmedShesSure

Monday, July 9, 2012

Armani Privé fall 2012 couture

 more photos via Vogue

Armani Privé models had their game (read: glam) face on with velvets, midnight-blue sequins, + veiled in crystal-edged face-coverings.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Black excellence, opulence, decadence ♪♫♬


Lyrics by Jay-Z

Moss + black fur + gold baubles = everything nice.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Charm Her: Spidey's Style

Hi Gents! It's been a minute since the last "Charm Her" / Men's post (click for previous ones), but I've made it just in time for your next Fourth of July fête.

As Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone make their promotional rounds for The Amazing Spider-Man film (anyone else excited + kinda-sorta-maybe dislike her for dating Andrew G.? meh.) I would like to take a moment to applaud their style-game-- more specifically the new Spidey's, because a) this skinny-mini is one dapper gent. on the red-carpet, and b) is Emma Stone's best accessory. Like the rest of the world, I first noticed him in The Social Network, and became an instant fan of this fine man.

I recently spotted a photo of Garfield in his Levi's (a staple!) completed with a blazer, checkered button-down, and Converse, and thought: boom--why can't more guys do this? It's so simple and versatile.

And so, I compiled a few of my favorite ensembles on Andrew Garfield, and even threw in a few affordable pieces you can purchase to emulate his style (fake a  British accent and you're good to go). xo's, fella's.

photos courtesy of stylebistrozimbio


 Get Andrew's Look:

Simon Spurr  Fused-Panel Checked Slim-Fit Cotton Shirt ($105 -- on sale from $525!)

 Ralph Lauren Black Label ($97.50 -- on sale from $325) 

Zara blazer with elbow patches ($69.99-- on sale from $99.90)

 Zara structured blazer ($79.99--on sale from $129)

 Carven Unstructured Cotton Blazer ($139 -- on sale from $695)

 Gucci Prince of Wales Check-Cotton Blend Blazer ($985-- from $1,970. Fine, this is pricey, but I had to include it--It's identical to the one he's wearing up there)

Levi's Vintage Clothing 1954 501Z Shrink-to-Fit Straight Selvedge Jeans (£215)

 Levi's Dry Selvedge Tapered-Fit Jeans (£70 --on sale from £140)

To sum it all up: invest in a pair of dark straight leg Levi's with more affordable shirts. As for suits, you can check out Zara.

PS: If you don't take advantage of the insaaane sales on Mr. Porter (bless his heart), you and I are different species, weirdo.