Melissa Jill's Style Session

I mentioned Melissa Jill in my last post, so I'm sure you're already aware of what an amazingly talented photographer she is. Well, she needed some new photos for her website, so she asked me to help create some looks for her photo session with our mutual good friend, Gina Meola.

We had an absolute BLAST! Melissa really wanted to portray her every day style this time around since I helped glam her up for some photos with Promise Tangeman last year (click here to see last year's session).

Melissa wanted to also show off her cute dog Dixie (one of Wendy's bff's). So, we put her in some colored corduroys, which are very hot this season. Melissa found her purple pants at Ann Taylor Loft. Love 'em!

To make sure we showed variety in her photos, Melissa wore a patterned skirt and complementary cardigan.

I thought her cute watering can was too perfect of a match not to take some shots with it.

Lastly, Melissa really wanted to wear her boots with faux fur because those are her comfy shoes in the fall and winter. So, with a bright top and earrings, we made a fun casual outfit perfect for looking cute while taking Dixie for a walk. =)

 Click here to see more photos of Melissa's photo shoot on Gina's blog.

Kiera & Jay's Style Session

Now and again I get the pleasure of styling love birds for their engagement pictures. Kiera and Jay are two beautiful people getting married in the spring of 2012, and they hired me to get them ready for their engagement session with Melissa Jill.

Kiera and Jay really wanted to have their photos show two different things they love - nature and music. This is such a great thing to think about before a photo session because you can make sure your location and clothing reflects those things. People want to look at photos and see the person they know, AND you want to make sure you're as comfortable as can be in front of the camera. So, regular hang out spots are great location options!

They chose an outdoor location nearby and The Mint, a local club where Jay DJ's. Obviously, these two places (nature and a club) are VERY different from each other, so we made sure their outfits reflected that. All of the clothing was pulled from their closets, which was great because there was already a love affair with the clothing before I got there. =)

First stop was the beautiful outdoors. Jeans are something Jay and Kiera both feel very confident and relaxed wearing. I made sure the washes were different from one another as well as the shape. We selected a sweet lace top for Kiera, and accessorized her with some gold, long necklaces. (If you didn't see my recent post on gold, check it out!)

For Jay, we found a dress shirt that had stitching that complemented Kiera's shirt. The pattern on the button down is wide enough so that it doesn't dance on camera.

And now onto the club, The Mint! I'm headed out there this week, and I can't wait to experience it!

Jay usually rocks a button down and jeans when he goes to work, so we stayed true to what he likes to wear, and chose a classic black shirt with a favorite pair of jeans.

For Kiera, we chose one of Jay's favorite dresses of hers. Obviously, Kiera has an amazing body, and rocked this dress like nobody's business. We accessorized it with black accessories to complement Jay's shirt. I also encouraged her to add the patterned pumps, and I'm SO glad she did. It gives the outfit a touch of spice, no?

It's so great to see their love come alive in these photos, and I'm so glad I had a chance to work with these two! To see more photos from this shoot, visit Melissa's blog.

It's in the family

I come from a loud, big Greek family. We are the total stereotype with generation after generation of the same names. We have the Nick's and Nicole's, and there have been three generations of the name "Alex" except Alexander was turned into Alexandra when I came along. ;) We roast the lamb every Easter, my yiayia totally had plastic covered furniture throughout her house and did I say we're loud?

My cousins are like my brothers and sisters, and my cousin Steph and I are two peas in a pod. We may be six years apart, but we both have loved dance and fashion since we could talk. The rest of my family members are SERIOUS athletes - that kind of skipped me.

Steph definitely got the tall beauty genes in the family - growing to be 5'9" and drop dead gorgeous. So gorgeous that she has been a signed model since she was 16. Yesterday she shot me a note telling me she was on the front page of RueLala.com modeling Sachin & Babi, and today you can see her modeling Betsey Johnson. (If you've never heard of RueLaLa, go sign up and tell them I sent you (alexandra@avestyles.com). It's just as good as GILT, and they sell men's, women's, travel and home decor!)

One day us Vailas girls are going to do a shoot together! Until then I can't wait to see what Steph does next!

Golden Bits

Gold has made its way back onto the fashion scene stronger than ever. It's so strong that home interiors have also embraced it once again as well. I love it because gold looks WAY better on olive skin than silver. WAY better! haha! I'm ready to jump head first and buy a gold dress or top, but if you're hesitant to love this metallic start with bits and pieces.

Check out my shiny little finds...

Items: ZARA gold top, Marcia Moran Gold studs, Hammered 7 Band Gold Stacking Set, Stella & Dot Pegasus Necklace, Gold french manicure, ASOS ballerina flats, Bando gold scarf

Phoenix Epilepsy Walk

Fashion is an industry that I love to be a part of, but something that means more to my heart are the relationships in my life. This blog is my place to share my passions, and something, or rather someone, that I fell in love with over three years ago is my adorable niece, Claire. She's the most beautiful little girl full of all of the sweetest smiles, chatter and joy. Claire and I have an addiction to Nick Jr. and the Disney channel. We also love the beats of Justin Timberlake and Beyonce. Claire always wears cute outfits, and I credit my sister-in-law, Nicky, with her taste.

But Claire also faces more challenges than the average three year old because at five months old she was diagnosed with epilepsy. I didn't know anything about epilepsy until she was born, and something that I quickly learned was that there is NO CURE for it. There are many drugs on the market prescribed in hopes that they will help seizures subside, but there is still no cure because the brain is SO incredibly complex scientists still know very little about it.

The average person is untrained in how to help someone who experiences a silent seizure, and many treat those who battle with this disorder differently - lacking compassion and respect.

So, to make a difference and fight alongside Claire, I'm participating in the Phoenix Epilepsy Walk put on by the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona, which is an organization that CAN help make a difference as long as they have the proper funding.

I would LOVE to have you walk along with me! We can talk fashion and all things style while we make a difference in people's lives including Claire's. Sounds like a perfect combination if you ask me. =) This is a non-competitive walk on Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 8:00AM to 9:30AM at Steele Indian School Park (300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012). You can register with Team Claire Bear by clicking here.

And most importantly you can donate to the Epilepsy Foundation by clicking here.