SHOP LOCAL: Leyton’s

Tucked away in a mini-mall on Coolidge Highway is a hidden fashion gem. Leyton’s of Oak Park is a fashion-forward boutique that offers trendy and affordable pieces. This fashion hot spot is a one-stop shopping experience – styling you from head-to-toe in apparel, shoes, handbags, jewelry, hats, belts, scarves, etc. For the woman on the go, this is certainly music to her ears. Another stellar aspect of this boutique is the wide variety of styles they offer – from classic to edgy and casual to formal – allowing you to effortlessly mix and match to your liking.

photo 1

photo 2 photo 3

With summer fastidiously approaching, I’m on the hunt for the perfect summer essentials – shorts, maxi dress, romper, high-low dress, bold patterns, black and white. Luckily, Leyton’s fulfilled all my aforementioned style needs and then some! With that said, I’ve styled my favorite looks and trends suitable for every occasion: casual chic, weekend chic and date night chic.

CASUAL CHIC

 Shorts are the ultimate summer style staple. They are perfect for a day at the beach or just strolling around the city. In choosing a pair, opt for floral and/or pastels to brighten up your wardrobe. The level of casualness is determined on what accessories you style it with – a clutch will dress it up a notch.

photo 2

From L-to-R:

 (L) Skull shirt – $20.90, Floral Shorts – $15.90, Basket Weave Envelope Tote – $50.90, Brocade Flats – $24.90

(R) Tank Top – $10.90, Shorts – $15.90, Mixed Fashion Magazine Photos Clutch – $32.90

WEEKEND CHIC

Bright, bold colors and patterns are beautifully displayed in a maxi dress or a playsuit. Either option is ideal for an afternoon at the art museum, lunch with the ladies, or shopping and a daytime stroll in the park. They are also fantastic transition pieces for day-to-night (suitable for dinner and a cocktail).

photo 2

From L-to-R:

(L) Color-Block Maxi Dress – $23.90, Necklace – $14.99, Studded Tote – $43.90, Brocade Flats – $24.90

(R) Romper – $23.90, Scarf – $7.90, Over-Sized Envelope Clutch – $32.90, Brocade Flats – $24.90

DATE NIGHT CHIC

Black and white is all the rage for this season and what better way to display it than a night out on the town? Whether you wear it to a “T” following suit to the color palette or add a splash of color to the B&W chroma scheme, you will definitely turn heads in either one of these outfits!

photo 1From L-to-R:

(L) Double Slit Maxi Skirt – $16.90, Fake Leather Top – $29.90, Necklace – $14.99, Bracelet – $14.99, Black Heels with Gold Studs – $46.90, Black Fringe Clutch – $84.00

(R) High-Low Dress – $23.90, Necklace – $14.99, Cutie Necklace – $2.99, Turquoise Clutch – $28.90, Bracelet – $14.99

980851_10151636057144153_1133996925_o

As an added bonus for shopping at Leyton’s, make sure you enter their Instagram “Strike a Pose” photo contest in order to win a gift certificate to the store. To enter the contest, you need to: follow @shopleytons on Instagram, post a photo of yourself sporting your Leyton’s purchase and hashtag #Leytons to your photo. Contest ends June 19th, which means you have a couple of days left to enter. Quite frankly, it’s the perfect excuse to come check out this super chic store!

Leyton’s / 23101 Coolidge Highway / Oak Park, MI / 48237 / (248) 546-6260 

xosusan1

Team-Up Thursday: Battle of the Stripes

Team-Up Thursday: Battle of the Stripes

Bb dakota
shopruche.com

Betty barclay
$155 – johnlewis.com

Bardot striped top
$38 – bardot.com.au

River island
$38 – riverisland.com

Marc by marc jacob
mytheresa.com

Acne skirt
farfetch.com

Moyna
shopbop.com

Kate spade crossbody
bloomingdales.com

Lulu guinness
luluguinness.com

Kelly wearstler
kellywearstler.com

Warehouse zebra print scarve
$34 – warehouse.co.uk

Vero moda
$28 – houseoffraser.co.uk

xosusan1

What To Wear Wednesday: BravoBravo! 2013 Edition

What’s black and white and glamorous all over?
And no, it’s not a zebra in Chanel. It’s you, if you’re planning to attend BravoBravo! 2013 on Friday, June 7th at the Detroit Opera House. Since it’s inception in 1999, the annual DOH’s fundraiser for the arts is touted as Detroit’s most sophisticated party of the year.  Enlisting local businesses – restaurants, artists, musicians – to showcase at the gala, will be a fabulous feast for the mouth, eyes and ears, all in the name of a worthy cause.
This year’s theme is Black and White: Elegance and Sophistication. In regards to dress code, think cocktail dresses and evening wear in the aforementioned color theme. Opt for a monochromatic look in your preferred hue or make a stunning appearance in a bold, black and white pattern print. To add extra oomph to your glamourous ensemble, accessories are key – think bling and metallic hardware (the shinier the better). Stud adornments are HUGE this season, so sporting a sleek studded heel or studded clutch will catapult your look to runway chic tenfold. But, if you’re one who LOVES primary colors, plan on expressing it via statement jewelry and if need be, shoes and handbags. Personally, for a more cohesive look to obey the theme, try to save the color burst for jewelry.
Plan on bringing an appetite and a desire to dance the night away in your chicest black and white attire at one of the hottest galas in Detroit!
What To Wear Wednesday: Bravo Bravo 2013 Edition

Astr sheer maxi dress
nordstrom.com

Topshop
nordstrom.com

Yves Saint Laurent peep toe platform pumps
farfetch.com – for Tender Birmingham

Versace patent leather sandals
farfetch.com – for Tender Birmingham

Valentino pumps
farfetch.com – for Tender Birmingham

ALDO patent handbag
aldoshoes.com

xosusan1

What To Wear Wednesday: Fringe-worthy

Summer’s just around the bend and accompanying it will be quintessential care-free, bohemian days and Boho-chic style. In a nutshell, Boho-chic is all about being effortlessly cool in a vintage, casual style. Welcome the free-spirited season with a touch of fringe for a classic approach to Boho-chic style.
Fringe-worthy

Team-Up Thursday: Floral vs. Tribal

Team-Up Thursday: Floral vs. Tribal

Alice Olivia silk dress
$450 – oxygenboutique.com

MSGM circle skirt
shoplesnouvelles.com

Jimmy choo pumps
bergdorfgoodman.com

Vince camuto necklace
vincecamuto.com

House of Harlow 1960 turquoise jewelry
shopthetrendboutique.com

Betsey johnson
betseyjohnson.com

Blu Bijoux mint jewelry
maxandchloe.com

Juma
ahalife.com

xosusan1

What To Wear Wednesday: Tribal Weekend Warrior Chic

Summer is fastidiously approaching and so is my desire to break out my warmest weather wardrobe – regardless of Michigan’s fickle climate. What better way to welcome deliciously balmy, sunny days than with energetic, vibrant tribal prints?
I’m drawn to this Topshop tribal print dress because of its stunning geometric pattern and bright, bold citrus hues. It looks fabulous either styled elegantly and edgy (L to R).
To make it elegant yet trendy, pair with a sleek white jacket and strappy sandals or heels. If possible – as an extra style bonus – try to find pieces with pops of color(s) of the main item being showcased (i.e.- lapel trim, clutch, shoes). By doing so, it instantly sophisticates the look and makes it more polished. This outfit is perfect for daytime  – luncheons, bridal showers, weddings- and evening events – date nights, cocktails with the ladies, soirees.
If edgy is up your alley, metal hardware adornments are key (i.e. – chain purse strap, studs on shoes, zippers, layered necklace).  Opt for boxier shapes and darker shades for the ultimate bad-ass chic style. This style is also versatile for day and night – lunch dates, concerts, painting the town black!
Whichever style is clever, summon in summer with a stylish dance of global graphics!
Tribal Weekend Warrior Chic

Topshop bubble dress
nordstrom.com

Chalayan neon blazer
net-a-porter.com

H M biker jacket
$45 – hm.com

Giuseppe zanotti sandals
$1,440 – harrods.com

Jimmy Choo black strappy heels
bergdorfgoodman.com

STELLA McCARTNEY crossbody handbag
$840 – brownsfashion.com

Sass bide
sassandbide.com

Betsey Johnson bow necklace
betseyjohnson.com

xosusan1

What To Wear Wednesday: Punk Rock Chic

The worlds of punk rock chic and Hollywood glamour collided on the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual Costume Institute Gala in New York City on May 6, 2013. Starlets embraced the culture clash by hybridizing metal spikes and studs with luxurious gowns.
For “What To Wear Wednesday,” I’ve decided to honor this year’s theme, “PUNK: Chaos to Couture.” You can’t get any more punk rock chic than red leather pants – the side zips scream rocker cool!
The look on the left is more on the glam side while the look on the right is edgier.  The key to keeping it glam is through feminine adornments and details. A sleek stiletto will always swank up an outfit. Along with delicate jewelry pieces and light, sheer materials. To achieve an edgier look, think the opposite of the aforementioned. Opt for  heavier materials, chunky adornments and masculine details.
Regardless of style, don’t forget to incorporate the S trilogy: skulls, studs and spikes- quintessential punk rock chic!
Punk Glam

What To Wear Wednesday: Cobalt Blue Is the New Black

I’ve decided that cobalt blue is the new black for spring. The chicest way to sport this trend is in the IRO ‘Ashville’ Blue Leather Jacket. I am absolutely infatuated with this bright, bold jewel-toned blue beauty!  My favorite facet of this supple leather find is the adjustable side buckles that let you refashion the fit to your liking.
It looks flawless and uber chic dressed up or dressed down. Pair it with a pastel pink pencil skirt and a black & white striped crop top for an ideal spring look. This is a fantastic transitional outfit from day to night. Wear the jacket fully zipped during daytime for a conservative, corporate-friendly style and unzipped at night to exhibit a flirty flash of peek-a-boo midriff for fun.
Add it as a finishing touch to  jeans and a flowy tank top. Tis a perfect outfit for any daytime activity –  running weekend errands, brunch, shopping, etc. In like manner, it’s suitable to transition for an evening out. Trade your sneakers for stilettos and swap out handbags – to glam up either look – a rhinestone clutch for play and large black tote for day.
Cobalt Blue Is the New Black

What ToWear Wednesday: White Tuxedo Jacket – Printemps Style

I’m currently obsessing over white tuxedo jackets and floral pants for spring. The combination of the two is a sharp, refreshing style for the season of bloom.
The classic white tuxedo jacket is a quintessential transitional wardrobe piece that should be hanging in every fashionista’s closet. I raved about it this past winter  for its glamorous finesse of imbuing a dash of chicness and fresh flair to an outfit. The aforementioned attributes are applicable, continuously, for each season.
I chose to pair the white tuxedo jacket with daffodil yellow and mint green because they’re two of my favorite hues for spring. The yellow floral print pant has minimal pops of green that become strikingly visible when styled with a matching mint green top. Additionally, styling it with mint green accessories – high heels, jewelry – help amplify the color pop effect. FYI- this is a fabulous fashion tip to emphasize the slightest hint of a color’s presence.
White Blazer - Printemps Style