Sofia Vergara Clothing Line Blogger Style-Off

The title says it all. A style-off! How fun is that? I love competitions where I don’t have to sweat and that mostly involve shopping! The challenge was to style Sofia Vergara pieces from her new spring collection. We were given a $200 Kmart gift card and sent on our way to get our “style on”. Admittedly, the last time I entered a Kmart was when I was about 12 years old. So I skeptically previewed the collection online before accepting the challenge. To my surprise, Kmart had seriously stepped up their game! So, I accepted the challenge and headed over to my nearest Kmart…

And that Kmart didn’t have her clothing collection. So, I went to the Kmart in the neighboring city and it ALSO didn’t have the collection. At this point I was wondering if this collection was just a figment of my imagination. Finally, after some phone calls to various Kmart’s in the city I hit a gold mine. Well, just a store that happened to carry two racks worth of her line. But hey – at this point I’ll take what I can get! A little disappointed but I dove in head first. I was pleasantly surprised to find that all I needed was a few racks to assemble fabulous outfits! It was certainly worth the hunt! Who would have thought these gems would be hidden away? I love that she has practical pieces that make it easy to put outfits together. Plus her accessories add just the right amount of trendiness to keep the look updated. Take a lesson from me, go ahead and venture out and experience her line for yourself. You may be surprised at the treasures that await you. Try it out here: http://kmrt.us/SVerBShop

Outfit #1:

For when I’m feeling casual.

What I’m Rockin’ From Sofia Vergara:

Open-back cardigan

Animal print nude heels

“Besos” (aka kisses) necklace - I’m obsessed with this necklace. I wore it all weekend.

Outfit #2:

For when I’m feeling a little more serious and sophisticated.

What I’m Rockin’ From Sofia Vergara:

Blue and white printed blouse

Orange pendant
Gold hoop earrings
Black lace booties

Outfit #3:

For when I’m feeling fun and flirty.

What I’m Rockin’ From Sofia Vergara:

Yellow and Gray Blouse

Orange pendant
Gold hoop earrings
Animal print nude heels

Disclosure: Sofia Vergara items were provided to me for free. I selected the items that I wanted. No items were chosen for me. Also, my opinions are (and will always be) my own.

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to follow on Google Friend Connect (Click on “Join” on the right), “Like” on Facebook, Tweet me on Twitter, follow on Bloglovin, and even see my random photos on Instagram (@StyleOfIris)!  

A Pink Remix

As you might know from this post, I am absolutely in love with the brightness and spunkiness of my pink jeans and all the wonderful memories it conjures. However, when I first got them I got remarks such as, “Where will you wear that to?” and “How many outfits can you come up with that color?” and even “You think you’ll even wear that more than once?” O ye of little faith, not only do I wear my pink jeans more than once, I probably wear them too many times.

Vivid and bright colors may seem daunting at first for pairing into every day wear. The colors appear wild and untamable. They mask all the other pieces in your closet and you worry they won’t play nice with your pastel colored cardigans. Fear not, taking control of these feisty ensembles only takes a little practice and a little daring.

Fashion Tip: Treat your vibrant bottoms as neutrals to help you pick out a top. Don’t be scared to use floral patterns, prints, and stripes. These will perfectly complement your colored jeans. If you want to take it a little easier pair with solid colors and layers. Start with three colors in your outfit until you are an experienced tamer. Then go wild!  

What I’m Rockin:

Jeans – Celebrity Pink Jeans via Macy’s

Outfit 1

Shirt: Old Navy

Shoes: Charlotte Russe

Necklace: Beya

Watch: Bijoux Terner

Belt: Forever 21

Sunnies: D&G

Outfit 2

Safari jacket – Old Navy

Blue Blouse – Marshalls

Cocktail ring – Forever21

Nude pumps – Target

Necklace – Beya

Outfit 3

Floral Blouse – Forever21

Scarf – Bijoux Terner

Pastel pink pumps – Qupid

Cross bracelet – Charyli, Winter Park

Bracelets (assorted) –Forever21


Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to follow on Google Friend Connect (Click on “Join” on the right), “Like” on Facebook, Tweet me on Twitter, follow on Bloglovin, and even see my random photos on Instagram (@StyleOfIris)!  

My Birthday Wishlist!

My Birthday Wish List by styleofiris featuring high heel boots

Mango zipper jacket
£70 - mango.com

Mango jacket
£35 - mango.com

Mango jacket
£35 - mango.com

ASOS high heel boots
$63 - asos.com

Necklace
$42 - baublebar.com

MANGO - NEW!
$50 - mango.com






President’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and Leap Year month are what comes to mind when thinking of February. But for me, there is another special event. My birthday! This year we are heading back to Miami for a fun-filled (and hopefully relaxing) weekend in South Beach. I’m thrilled because I am in serious need of a vacation.

As a kickoff to my bday weekend I decided it would be fun to compile a birthday wishlist. While developing this list, my  Christmas Wish List  came to mind. Then, I thought – wait just one darn second, Santa Clause didn’t get me anything on that list! That sneaky little --. Anyways, after my initial shock I realized that may have been my fault. I guess that wishlist would have required Santa Clause to take out a loan on his toy factory. Okay, lesson learned. To increase my odds on gift receiving this time around, I made this wishlist a lot more practical and  based on things that are currently on my “things to buy when I run into some extra cash” list. I love that this wishlist includes both classic pieces that I can style a million different ways and trendy accessories to keep it updated and fresh. I’ll keep you posted if anything appears this weekend!

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to follow on Google Friend Connect (Click on “Join” on the right), “Like” on Facebook, Tweet me on Twitter, follow on Bloglovin, and even see my random photos on Instagram (@StyleOfIris)!  

Last Minute Valentine's Day Inspiration

Need some last minute inspiration for tonight? Don’t have time to go out shopping for a new outfit? Reinvent your Little Black Dress (LBD) for a sure hit on Valentine’s Day!

Romantic Evening

You are ready to be swept off your feet like a true fairy-tale princess. It will be a romantic evening with the love of your life (or the flavor of the month, whichever you prefer). 

Fashion Tip: Blend sweet, classy, and sexy.  Remind him why he loves to brag about you to his boys but also why he wants to take you home to mom. Slip a satin or silk shirt over that LBD and pair with sparkly shoes for some sex appeal that’s not over the top. Add an air kiss and a wink and he will be yours all night long.

Girl’s Night Out

You have no plans to sit at home sulking over a tub of ice cream. You and your girlfriends find Valentine’s the perfect opportunity to let loose, show your spunk, and maybe even run into the future hubby.


Fashion Tip: Time to try out your favorite trends! Your friends will truly appreciate your fabulous outfit. Express your style and fierceness by complementing the LBD with eye-popping accessories. Leopard print, chains and big cocktail rings are all fair game. This is not the time to hold back. Celebrate love, even if it’s love between you and your best girlfriends!

What I'm Rockin':

Dress - Express 

Romantic Evening:

Gray belt - Forever21

Purple blouse - A'gaci

Black Glitter Pumps - Love Culture

Purple necklaces (assorted) - vintage

Cocktail Ring - Forever21

Girl's Night Out:

Gold chain necklace - Filthy Magic

Leopard Pumps - Charlotte Russe

Cocktail Ring - Forever21

Assorted bracelets - Nordstrom Rack

Happy Valentine’s Day!! Don’t forget to follow me on Google Friend Connect and “Like” me on Facebook!

Guest Post: How a Miamian Stays Warm in NYC

I am very excited to introduce to you the wonderful Cristina. She has been a big supporter of this little blog since Day 1 and the best editor in the world. She is the reason my posts are legible and fun to read! She inspires me to be a better writer every day. Now she's coming out from behind the scenes to share some of her fashion tips! Enjoy!

Dressing for winter can be challenging, especially if you spent the majority of your life in a tropical climate and what you learned about winter you gleaned from fireplace-lit rom-coms.

Here’s the hard truth: A light throw over a tube top won’t keep you warm and buying an all black winter wardrobe because you’ve never had to match mittens with scarves with boots with coats just isn’t fun. I learned this the very hard, very frigid way.

You see, after spending almost my entire life in the palm tree paradise of Miami, I up and moved to New York City, where I experienced my very first winter ever. It was cold. I shuddered. I slipped on a patch of frozen ice and fell. I sunk into snow that was actually an inch of snow on top of mud. I cried.

But! Winter thawed and in the few blissful months of summer, I worked hard at cobbling together a wardrobe that would actually warm me up. I only somewhat succeeded.

Now, six years later, I think I finally have the basics of a winter boudoir that doesn’t leave me a frumpy, frozen, teary mess. And, dear readers, because Iris Focused on Fashion loves you so much, she has asked me to share my list with you.

So here it is, including when to splurge, how often to buy, and when to go wild:

-     A stack of tank tops and cardigans, different colors. You’ll want to wear these under and over long sleeve sweaters, blouses, shirts, even dresses. Buy ‘em cheap, buy ‘em snug, and buy ‘em often. 

-     Tights, stockings, leggings. These are an easy way to liven up your outfit (and get out of wearing pants every day). Start out with basic colors (black, grey, navy) and then add on as your budget allows and get crazy with it! Play with patterns, bright colors, and contrasting materials – all for a few bucks. You will one day find an outfit to go with those wine colored fishnets. Trust.

-     Scarves: This is a must have. Your ears will sting, your lips will chap, your chest will freeze. Buy them wide enough to cover your neck (and then some) and stock up. They are relatively cheap and add a splash of personality to your outfit, especially if your outerwear is a solid color.

-     Coats: Bust out the credit card, block out an afternoon, and make friends with the Macy’s sales assistant. Depending on the severity of your winter season, I suggest at least one, knee-length solid color coat (made of a heavy material) with a detachable hood.  The fun is in the details: buttons, stitching, pockets, belts, zipper hardware, and lining. 

-     Footwear: Boots, boots, and more boots. Your feet need to stay warm and protected when the wind brings with it icy rain, hail, snow, or a hellish combination of any of the above. Stock up on rain boots (splurge, you need a sturdy boot that will last years), leather boots in different heel heights (the elements are not kind to suede), and wedge booties for weather appropriate but still-fashionable nights out.

-     Accessories: Gloves, mittens, hats, earmuffs, leg warmers, knee lengths socks. Get them all! Neon green, bright and plaid, flirty and feminine. And buy multiples - you’ll lose them on the subway on the way to work.

Fashion tip: Think of winter as a safe zone for fashion. People are cold and shuffling about with eyes downcast. They won’t see if you’re wearing a horrendous eyesore of an outfit – so experiment! Layer on different colors and materials and strip them off during the day, play up accessories people see (earrings, headbands, mittens), and make everything big and bold. Most importantly, have fun. It is a winter wonderland, after all.

Cristina is a writer, editor, and jellybean-lover living the dream in Brooklyn, NY. If you ever see a girl in a sundress trudging through a snow drift in Prospect Park, you’ve found her. Follow her at twitter.com/imogenesanchez.

Valentine’s Day Picnic

Candlelit dinners, Godiva chocolates, and sparkling wine - you guessed it, Valentine’s Day! But why do we always associate that special day with an evening out? To switch things up why not try a Valentine’s Day picnic instead? I’d like to try this concept, so here is my official Valentine’s Day picnic outfit. The flirty heart shaped pockets, soft pink undershirt, and floral sandals give it a hint of festiveness without being overly done. It’s soft and sweet! Plus, it’s one of the most comfortable outfits I own. Lookin’ flirty and comfy sounds like a win to me!

What are your plans for this Valentine’s Day?

Fashion Tip: For a fun Valentine’s Day look, incorporate some hearts to your ensemble. Give it a special twist by grabbing pieces that have them in unexpected places like pockets, tights, and headbands. But most importantly, have fun with it! It’s Valentine’s Day after all! 

(Me and the Hubby)

What I'm Rockin':

White Blouse: Old Navy

Pink Blouse: Target

Skirt: Forever21

Sandals: Bliss Boutique

Necklace and Bracelets: Gifted

Ring: BeautyTease

Fashion Love at First Sight

Love at first sight. That’s what happened when I saw this silky feminine dress. In fact, I put it on and the girls in the dressing room (who I didn’t know) quickly complimented me on the dress and told me it was “the one”. Not only did I have an instant love for this dress but everyone could see that we were meant to be together. It was in the perfect location for first loves. Breezy palm trees, Caribbean blue waters, and romantic colonial structures – it was Key West, FL. So, I quickly grabbed the last size small and took it home ready to begin our fashionable relationship. I waited several weeks before going on our first date. I knew it had to be magical.

Then, our special day arrived. On January 26 I went to the Charyli Grand Opening in Winter Park. It was the perfect outing. Surrounded by beautiful (and affordable) clothing, friendly people, and even some great appetizers! What more could I ask for? I can’t wait to go back and hopefully find some more “loves at first sight”! For now, I’m already planning my next outing with this beautiful dress…maybe Valentine’s Day?

Fashion Tip: Not sure what to pair with your brightly colored dress? Go for nude colored shoes or in my case a soft pink. It’ll always work and it’s a simple rule to follow! 

(Me and the amazing photographer Andi Mans @AndiMans  at the Charyli Grand Opening)

What I'm Rockin':

Dress - DejaVu

Shoes - Qupid

Purse - Marshalls

Bracelet - c/o BeautyTease