Rain, Rain : Stay Away

Floppy Hat: American Apparel, Neoprene Bomber: Valentino, Black Dress: Beacon's Closet, Black Booties: Sam & Libby, Location: Union Square Park, Photos: Elena Baltzoglou

If you're wanted a lot, be there a little, if you're wanted a little, don't be there at all.

Yes this is a phrase I often tell my girlfriends when it comes to the perils of dating in New York City but I also think it applies to the tumultuous weather we often experience here in the concrete jungle. 

Originally from California, a state where the weather NEVER changes moving to a place where that is truly the only constant was/is a constant struggle. I have now lived here for an entire year refusing to buy an umbrella. Instead, I used my handy dandy felt hat and neoprene bomber jacket which curiously repelled the crying sky wonderfully. 

PS: follow me on snap chat @kell_menow

This is a classic kellmenow fit: short dress (obviously thrifted,) paired with an upscale item and black booties. Always black booties. Don't they go with everything? *hint there is only one correct answer* 

las vegas glam

Here is my spin on a glamorous weekend in the city of sin. From my go-to hot spots including: restaurants, pools, and of course night time debauchery. Currently, I am in NYC where the weather is slowly taking a turn for the dreary, and I was more than happy to put myself in the mindset of my former west coast self.

photo by: mymodernmet.com

My favorite hotel in Vegas is  The Cosmopolitan. Known for being uber chic and ultra sophisticated, it's definitely a place I would hang my hat.. or in this case heels! Who does breakfast? I've always thoughtpeople who eat breakfast every morning really have their lives together. Thankfully, Vegas is all about brunch. I opt for a hidden gem, Jaleo. Jaleo is best known for it's Spanish avant-garde dishes and whimsical intimate style. In being an overall creative being, the interiors of the restaurant are just as important to me as the taste of the food and Jaleo does not disappoint on either. Intricate use of shapes, colors, and light fixtures give me major heart eyes!

photo by: jaleorestaurant.com

Given the magnificent interiors of Jaleo, conveniently located within The Cosmopolitan, my brunch look has to be worthy. 

Brunch Look

Sandals: Ivanka Trmp

Dress: Missoni Sport

Gold Necklace: Aqua

Bag: Rocco by Alexander Wang

Maybe it's just me, but being in Vegas is very much like living in a fairytale, one of artifice that is. What do fairytales call for? Multiple outfit changes. After brunch, it is time to hit the scene poolside. My personal favorite pool? MGM Grand @ Wet Republic. Why? It's enormous and has the dopest stage of all the outdoor venues. Given my predilection of music, live music especially (because Vegas,) this is the spot to be. 

photo by: mgmgrand.com

Poolside Attire

Bikini: WOW Couture 

Heels: L.A.M.B.

Oversized Hat: American Apparel

Necklace: Happiness Boutique 

Earrings: Bauble Bar

Vegas and epic nightlife, were there ever two words more synonymous? My love of dancing and electronic music make evenings in this desert memorable (or not, depending on what you're going for!) I have themed these three outfits in terms of zig zags, bright colors, and body con silhouettes because nothing says Las Vegas to me more than that. The evening dress is no different. You can catch me transitioning between indoor and outdoor fun (because girls love options) with XS @ The Wynn Encore

Evening Digs

Dress: Herve Leger

Heels: L.A.M.B.

Clutch: 80s Vintage

Earrings: Bauble Bar

I hope you enjoy my take on Las Vegas glam, I look forward to hearing your thoughts! If you have any ponderings at all about these restaurants or hotels or pools or want book your next stay, check out Las Vegas Hotels! 

XOXO

My other favorite F-Words: Floppy, Funky, Faux & Fun

Floppy Hat: American Apparel; Faux-fur Frock: RAGA; Stone Necklace: Madewell; Gold Necklace: J.Crew; T-Shirt: Old Blink-182 Band Tee; Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs; Jeans: AG; Maroon Suede Heeled Booties: Vince Camuto; All photos by: Kristine Constantino

Nothing says "Winter's coming.." quite like faux fur and suede booties paired with hats that cover the entire face. 

A question I routinely get asked about my outfits is: "How do you put it all together?" The answer is unfortunately very unequivocal and simple, unlike most everything else in life. There is no sorcerous ritual, no closet computer (a nod to Cher), it is as easy as picking a statement piece and working from there. My humble opinion is that each outfit needs a statement piece, sometimes even more than one. This piece can be any article of clothing or accessory, as long as it draws in the eye, is more captivating than other parts of the outfit, and reflects your fun personality to some degree. Example: My faux-fur creature of a jacket.

Now to the funky & fun: Something about floppy hats is intrinsically 70's to me. The age of funk. I searched the world over for an excellent floppy hat. I always came up empty until I was in LA, happened to have consumed a few too many mimosas, and stumbled into an American Apparel in Manhattan Beach. Not exactly a recipe for making stellar purchases (I also bought $18 sunscreen), but when you know you know.  

Suede, the fabric of November, December, January. Don't let anyone tell you different, you heard it hear first. Maroon goes as well with gold in the festive months as Marc Jacobs does with creative direction for Louis Vuitton year-round. A match so perfect, you cannot imagine what one is like without the other. You don't want to either. 

Cheers to turning our backs on 2014 and looking forward to 2015. A quote from one of my favorite authors:

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

— C.S. Lewis