Blah Blah Blonde: A Miami Fashion Blog by Erika Thomas

blue/white/translucent

Posted on May 3, 2013 by e

We’ve had a rainy week so I was beyond thrilled when I woke up this morning to see the sun shining. Then it hit me that it is not only sunny out but REALLY REALLY HOT. Getting dressed this morning I knew sleeves had to be tossed by the wayside and hemlines needed to creep up a tad. I love mixing classic pieces like this pencil skirt and blouse with modern accessories like these white pumps and clear clutch.

Side note, I’m loving this Essie manicure I got last Saturday that still looks FLAWLESS! I need to find a South FL nail salon as great as the one I hit in DC. Suggestions welcome.

On moi: Ann Taylor sleeveless blouse, LOFT metallic pencil skirt (similar), Tildon sandals, clear clutch, Ann Taylor bracelet, H&M sunnies.

Posted in fashion, frugal fashion, miami, outfits | 2 Comments

modern suit

Posted on April 17, 2013 by e

Let me start by saying I never in my life envision a time where I will ever wear a traditional suit. Like a formal pant suit or skirt suit, no never. I DO however love the tailored look of matching separates, such as the printed shorts and blazers all over the fashion world as of late. It’s just not my thing, I would feel completely alienated from myself in a full on suit. I’m too casual, and any suit I’ve ever seen is so corporate and stuffy. For me, it’s not realistic to buy suit separates, but it is totally sensible to pair items I already own, like this black blazer, with some tailored black shorts.* And voila, we have the closest I will likely ever get to wearing a suit.

*I realize these are probably a tad short for most offices (maybe even mine), but it’s hot and it’s Florida and I did squats last night, so oh well.

On moi: Gibson blazer, Alexander Wang silk top (old, newer style here), J Crew shorts (old, similar here), LOFT sandals (sold out, similar here), Olivia + Joy handbag (old style, similar here), Lolindo necklace c/o, ebay sunglasses.

Posted in fashion, frugal fashion, miami, outfits | 5 Comments

florals, for spring.

Posted on April 16, 2013 by e

I have a bit of a shorts addiction and I saw these bright green ones and had to have them. Paired with other shades of green and blue, I feel oh-so-springtime and can also stay cool in this crazy Florida heat. This floral cap was my first Moda Operandi experience a few months back and I love it so much- Taylor Tomasi Hill even featured it in a spring trends post for Harper’s Bazaar, so I feel like I made a smart choice.

On moi: MSGM Floral baseball cap, Forever 21 basic knit tee in teal, essential pocket shorts, Rebecca Minkoff Covet Satchel (only available in this color scheme now), Sam Edelman mint sandals c/o, mirrored-lense aviators, Bulova watch c/o, Essie nailpolish.

Posted in fashion, frugal fashion, miami, outfits | 1 Comment

the little things

Posted on April 12, 2013 by e

Today I have to say the weather is AMAZING! Breezy, sunny, and just impossible to resist. At lunch a coworker and I went to the park and decided to take a few photos… and then just relax in the grass for a little while. It’s the little things like that which put me in a great mood all day. I swear, 30 minutes of relaxing in the shade by the shore is probably more effective than therapy! As long as the weather cooperates I plan to be outside for the next 2 days. I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend and can manage to get a little fresh air these next few days. Happy weekend!

On moi: Rodarte for Target lace cardigan (eBay, similar here), Potter’s Pot loose shorts from Etiquette boutique (old, similar here), Roberta Chiarella bib necklace (c/o), Forever 21 cami (literally have them in every color), sunglasses & sandals, Ann Taylor clutch (old)…similar here.

Photos by Sara Ayala

Posted in fashion, health, miami, outfits, well-being | 1 Comment

leather cap/printed denim

Posted on April 10, 2013 by e

Lately I’ve been trying to mix up my look, and that includes wearing some of the things I’ve bought that I generally forget about when I’m rushing around in the morning. I gravitate towards black and white and since that’s one of the easiest color combos I have to say I tend to buy a lot of it. I was gifted these jeans and I must say, they fit quite comfortably and they stay fitted throughout the day rather than getting baggy. There’s a sale right now buy 1 get 1 half off, so if you are so inclined you should check them out.

Ever since seeing the leather baseball caps on the runway models at Herve Leger this past fashion week for FW2013, I was in love and immediately ordered one, which I promptly had shipped to my mom’s house so I could wear it upon arrival one weekend. I know, it’s the little things.

I’m thinking of changing up my hair so a hat seemed to suit today. I really can’t bear how long it’s getting but I’m going to wait a few days in case this is one of those weird hair spells that I will get through by the weekend.

On moi: Leather baseball cap (I feel so bad it’s real leather, that’s so unlike me), Express Stella cropped jeans (c/o), Fringe purse (similar), Old Navy tee, Gucci sunglasses, Black pumps.

Posted in events, fashion, miami, outfits | 3 Comments

black/white/blonde

Posted on April 3, 2013 by e

I have a skirt obsession lately, but in lieu of buying new skirts I figured it’s just as effective to layer tops over dresses to achieve the appearance of a skirt. A skater dress is perfect for this because its cut to be fitted on top and flow at the bottom, perfect for t strategically placed top or cardigan, such as the lace cardigan I wore over this same dress in blue. What can I say, when I find something that works I scoop it up in every color!

I love seeing my clothes in a new way, and I encourage everyone else to do the same. Start with basic color combinations, like black and white, and see where your creativity takes you! I like to re-organize my closet from time to time and pair things together to try new outfits and see pieces in a different way. I love getting every penny’s worth from a piece, even if they are inexpensive items such as this dress, which was about $12!

On moi: Ann Taylor shell (old, similar style at LOFT), Forever 21 skater dress (sold out, similar styles here and here), Danielle Nicole Alexa Tote (c/o) (only available in this style now), Gucci sunglasses, Tildon Risa sandals (my new obsession!).

Posted in fashion, frugal fashion, miami, outfits, well-being | 5 Comments

keep it neutral

Posted on April 2, 2013 by e

I’ve decided to make April a productive month, so yesterday and today have been quite busy. Eating better, exercising and really toning up (trying to), spending quality time with my boys (husband and doggy) and remaining positive and happy. I’m sure by mid month I’ll have a mental breakdown but for NOW I am really enjoying it. This morning I got up early, ran with my dog, chatted with my sister a bit before 8am! (its her birthday), had a healthy and balanced breakfast and was at work on time. While this may seem like a typical day for many, I am always letting the dog out for a quick pee, grabbing a granola bar and running out the door, getting to work 5 minutes late even though I live a few blocks away. So this morning was extra special, you see.

I hope everyone else is having an exciting April so far!

For all of you on Instagram, I have an exciting contest to share from the maker of the earrings I am wearing today, Melinda Maria jewelry. You can enter to win your favorite piece from her collection (up to $350 in value) with a few easy steps:

1.Follow @MMJewelry and @Nordstrom on Instagram

2. Go to Nordstrom and take a photo of your favorite piece from the Melinda Maria collection

3. Tag @MMJewelry and @Nordstrom in the photo and hashtag #MMatNordstrom for your entry!

The contest runs until June 1st, and three winners will be selected and named on the @MMJewelry instagram account on June 2, 2013. Good luck!

On moi: Ann Taylor ruffled sleeveless shell (old, but similar here), The Limited cashmere cardigan (from HIGH SCHOOL!) similar, Old Navy jeans, Forever 21 sunglasses and sandals, Parazul tote (c/0), Melinda Maria Alex Stud Gold/Moonstone earrings (c/o).

Posted in contest, events, fashion, frugal fashion, miami, outfits, well-being | 2 Comments

spend v. steal: white pumps

Posted on March 28, 2013 by e

White heels are all over the place–on editors, bloggers, models, and regular everyday folks like us in cities all over the world (thanks to global streetstyle photogs for sharing that!). Celebrities and fashionistas like Rihanna (in Wang’s Spring 2012 style), Emma Roberts, Solange and Jessica Alba have been wearing white pumps to take their latest looks to the next level of chic. Designers like Christian Louboutin, Lanvin, and Alexander Wang have incorporated white heels into their latest collections and runway looks. And while there is a magical feel to the Alexander Wang pumps, their price tag leaves me feeling less than magical. This Tildon sandal (from the junior’s department!) offers the same modern attitude without the price tag inflation. While they aren’t Wangs, they will see you through Spring (and most likely the span of trendy white heels) without denting your finances.

Alexander Wang Lovisa Python Effect Pumps, $525

Tildon Risa Sandal in White, $70

Posted in fashion, frugal fashion, outfits | Leave a comment

patriotic in vintage lilly

Posted on March 26, 2013 by e

Today was one of those “grab whatever you can and hope it works” kinda mornings, where I hit snooze 3 or 4 times and only managed to grab an apple and chug some hot water with lemon for a fast breakfast. And go figure, I was still late to work. This skirt was an eBay find, and because it makes me feel a little bit like Marcia Brady I’m calling it vintage.

If any of you are feeling like helping me out with a few seconds of your time, I am participating in a fashion contest here in South Florida to be the Style Setter for the Town Center at Boca Raton, a nearby shopping mall. I’m in the race with two other girls and would love to win & share my style through the mall. If you’d like, you can vote for me here: Town Center at Boca Raton.

On moi: Lilly Pulitzer skirt, ebay, Gap classic button down, Forever 21 blazer (similar), Old Navy shoes, H&M sunnies.

Posted in contest, events, fashion, miami, outfits | 1 Comment

royal blue + lace accents

Posted on March 20, 2013 by e

Apologies up front but I left my camera at home today. While taking pictures for Instagram I really started to like what I have on so, here I am posting iPhone pics even though I should know better. Today we welcomed SPRING back to Miami and boy oh boy is it a hot one. Even wearing this light cardigan was toeing the line of overheating, but my office is cold so it ended up coming along for the day.

Has anyone been digging into their closet and trying to re-envision their wardrobe in a new way? I haven’t worn this cardigan in LITERALLY a year or more and this skirt is actually a dress that I wore to polo a few months ago and also with a denim vest recently. I love a skater style dress/skirt because I feel like its such a flattering look and leaves a little more breathing room than a bandage which easily looks horrible and ill-sized. I encourage you all to embrace the skater skirt if you haven’t already, there are some really affordable options to test out the trend, such as here, here and here. I love layering over dresses to give them a new look, and I actually did it recently with a shift dress I always wear: shown here with a striped sweater on top, and many many moons ago where I simply accessorized with a statement necklace.

On moi: Forever 21 dress, Behnaz Serafpour for Target cardigan, H&M sunglasses, Zara flats.