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Real People, Real Style: Bikini Babe

By Kirsten|November 9th, 2011|Real People Real Style|

Several months ago, I introduced you to the ridiculously fun and totally customizable bikini brand, Mikini Bikini. The line was a big hit with you lovely ladies, so I asked the beauty behind the brand if she’d like to let us in on her own personal style secrets. Lucky for us, she obliged and now the bikini babe (and newlywed) is gonna share what makes her style so chic.

Name: Christina Iaquinta Stuber

Wearing: Club Monaco dress (bought this for my wedding shower – it’s my wedding colors, grey and yellow!), Lucky boots from TJMaxx (Found these last month and have probably worn them 5/7 days each week!), Crossbody from Banana Republic (“just because” gift from husband when we first started dating 5 years ago – I still love it!) Rhinestone necklace from Pinky Otto (gift from my Momma).

Occupation: Co-Founder of Mikini Bikini, Buyer for TJMaxx and Marshalls

Hometown/Current Town: Hometown: Bridgeport, WV; Current Town: Boston, MA

1. I would describe my style as: Casual luxury. I dress how I feel, and a lot of my pieces come with a story or memory!

2. I can’t leave the house without: RayBans and my wedding ring.

3. Based on wardrobe alone, if I could live in any time period, it would be: The 60’s would be amazing – mini skirts, skinny jeans, and fake eyelashes, what more could you want?

4. Best/biggest splurge (worth every penny): I try to find good deals on every-day wear, and tend to splurge on my more “timeless” pieces. My biggest splurge this year was actually for my husband – a Breitling Navitimer watch.

5. Best fashion advice I’ve ever received: If you wouldn’t wear it in front of your father, then don’t wear it!

6. Biggest fashion pet peeve (a trend that just needs to go away): High-waisted jeans.

7. What I would tell my 13 year old self: Oh geez – I only can pick one thing?! Some of the items I wore were just absurd. Like a mini skirt that was cow print, or these knee high boots that looked like moon shoes.. and I had this belly chain that I thought was really cool. Even formals, I wore 2-piece dresses! I’d do it all again though – you have to experiment in order to find your true style later on.

8. Weirdest beauty trick that I swear by: I sleep with my hair in a high bun. When I take it down in the morning, it has lots of volume!

9. Don’t care if it ever goes out of style, I’m going to keep wearing: long hair, ha! I’ve never had my hair shorter than shoulder length.

10. I would love to trade closets with: Lauren Conrad

Fun fact: Red cups from Starbucks make me ridiculously happy!

Now go customize your very own Mikini Bikini for your next “escaping the arctic” trip.

xx,

WhyDid

Photo courtesy of UbranoPhoto

Why Did You Wear That: There Are No Words

By Kirsten|October 25th, 2011|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

I know there are a lot of you out there who are still scratching your pretty heads wondering, “What the heck am I going to be for Halloween?” Been there, sister. Perhaps you don’t feel like spending a ton of cash or you don’t want to be one of 30,000 naughty nurses. Either way, I may have the costume idea you’ve been searching for. Last year, I opted for something a bit different. The costume wasn’t so much a costume as it was a little creative thinking and arts and crafts time. I had a striped dress. I had red shoes. What the costume really needed was a steady hand and some pancake makeup.

That’s right. I was gonna be a mime. Um, hello? A mime is genius. It prevents you from having to talk to anyone if you don’t feel like it. Just pantomime yourself in a box and walk away. Genius if you ask me.

So have I sold you on this costume idea? Here are three things you will need (and can find easily). For the face, Google images of mimes and find a big mirror with lots of light and make yourself comfortable. P.S. I do not recommend drinking wine while applying mime makeup… not that I would have any experience in that. Hey, worse comes to worst and you can’t get your makeup right? Draw on a mole, find some candy cigarettes and you’re a sexy French girl.

1. Guess Kaycee Dress, $89, 2. Banana Republic Knit Beret, $24.50, 3. Betsey Johnson Sonya Suede Chunky Pump, $139.95

You can’t see me, but I’m pantomiming my sign off.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Come On Ride The Train

By Kirsten|May 17th, 2011|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Never would I have imagined that I’d be a “commuter” at any given point in my life. I remember scoffing at the folks who took the LIRR (Long Island Railroad) into work everyday in New York. The only thing I’d ever used the LIRR for was to attend a baseball game (I think?) or to escape an especially creepy Hamptons House. So, to be one of the “commuters” now is a bit of an adjustment for me, but as I’ve mentioned… my life is a whole lot different than it was a year ago. I chose a backyard and awesome house over the glitz and convenience of a city. Besides… there is only one real city in the U.S.

While working from home does have its perks (Golden Girls marathons, dog on lap, wine for lunch), it had the following effects on me:

My brain was starting to atrophy from lack of stimulation.
I had nothing to complain about on “the list.”
I had not bothered to straighten my hair or apply makeup for over a month.
My nickname became “Rapunzel.”
I was like an anxious puppy when my fiance returned home and our sleep schedules were no longer in sync.

That is why I took an incredible job opportunity when it presented itself to me. That and mama likes nice things. So, yes, this is what has been taking my precious time away from you. I spend my mornings and evenings on the Caltrain. While this does give me lots of time to write and just be quiet, it also gives me lots of people watching. People are weird. I’ve seen people straighten their hair, clip their fingernails, and take their dogs into the restrooms on the train. Why don’t I just drive you ask? Because I lived in New York for the last five years. I don’t like to drive.

In Northern California, it feels like it is perpetually spring. Not the sunny warm bird chirping can’t wait to put on these sandals spring. I’m talking about the phew the snow just melted but there’s still always a chill in the air spring. Therefore, even when it’s sunny, it’s still always a little bit cold. Layering is a necessary skill for survival here and a transitional wardrobe is a must. Quite honestly, all of this seems unfair to me. My mom has better weather in West Virginia right now… I want my money back.

1. Rick Owens Lilies Asymmetric Jacket, $705, 2. T by Alexander Wang Jersey Pocket Tee, $76, 3. Etoile Isabel Marant Hight Waisted Denim Mini Skirt, $255, 4. Love Quotes Hand Knotted Fringe Scarf, $88, 5. Banana Republic Colorblock Market Tote, $120, 6. Loeffler Randall Matilde Flat Boots, $695

All aboard.

xx,

WhyDid

Girl Crush: Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

By Kirsten|March 23rd, 2011|Celebrity Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

My what big eyes you have… I’ve loved Amanda Seyfried since she played the dopey Karen Smith in Mean Girls alongside Lady Lohan, herself. So what a perfect choice she was for the storybook turned mega movie, Red Riding Hood, released earlier this month. With classic fairytale features, they couldn’t have cast a better beauty for little Ms. Hood.

It doesn’t take much for Amanda to look lovely. With gigantic green eyes, perfectly porcelain skin, and hair that dreams were made of, it would really be hard for this stunning starlet to look bad. Her red carpet style is simple, understated, and very sexy. She knows her legs are her best feature and she isn’t afraid to show them off (smart girl). During her downtime, Ms. Seyfried can be spotted around town with dog, Finn and her signature sunglasses. Her style is always effortlessly chic.