Holiday Style On the Go

Alexandra-Evjen-Favorites-0016web.jpg

This post is in collaboration with Drybar.

The holidays are a busy time of year. Essentially, your normal life is put into hyperdrive with family photos, parties, shopping, cooking and traveling being added into the mix. If you have a 9am to 5pm job there really isn't a lot of time to change for those happy hour cocktail parties or Christmas parties let alone time to plan what to wear, shower and re-do your hair. I've partnered with Drybar to show you that you don't have to worry about your hair or outfit this year. Within an hour you can look amazing and get pampered at the same time.

View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave
View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave

Here are some simple steps to Holiday Style on the Go:

View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave
View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave

1| Choose a work outfit that you can either dress up (i.e. switch out the top or switch out the bottom) or that incorporates holiday colors and can be altered with accessories. I have two examples for you:

View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave
View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave

A. Dress up your basics - I started with a simple black pencil skirt and a button up shirt. All that I need to change with this outfit is my top and shoes.

View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave
View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave

B. Style your holiday color - I started with a basic, organic cotton red dress from Synergy Clothing. I simply just need to take off my blazer and belt, change my shoes and add some sparkling earrings.

View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave
View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave

2| Make your appointment with Drybar. Just hop online, choose your location and then choose your appointment time. They even have an app you can download so that you can do it all from you phone.

3| Head over to Drybar and get pampered! When you walk in they greet you with a beverage of your choice, some snacks, fashion magazines and they are always playing awesome movies. I watched Four Christmases and Elf while I was there. THE BEST!

View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave
View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave

4| Choose your hair style from their Drybar menu. They are all named after fun cocktail drinks. I asked my mixologist (a.k.a. hairstylist) if I could create my own cocktail. I would call it a mix between the Mai Tai and Cosmo Tai.

5| Relax and enjoy the hour of bliss.

View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave
View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave

6| Change into your holiday outfit.

View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave
View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave

Outfit A - Changed my top and shoes. Added red lipstick.

View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave
View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave

Outfit B - Removed my belt and blazer. Changed my shoes. Added some earrings and red lipstick.

View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave
View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave

7| If you need a gift for the party, grab a gift card or some of their amazing styling products.

View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave
View More: http://sarahbelgray.pass.us/ave

8| Go party, and get ready for a lot of compliments!

Photos by Sarah Bel Portraits.

For more holiday style inspiration, check out my holiday style guide with Ebay. 

Epiphanie Brand Film Release

epiphanie2014.jpg

In 2010, I was asked to style Epiphanie Bag's fall campaign. It was one of my first projects as a stylist, and I was so thrilled that Maile Wilson took a chance on me. As the years went by, Maile continued to ask me to help by contributing to Epiphanie's blog and doing some virtual styling for other campaigns. A couple of months ago, Maile asked me to style her fall 2014 line of bags, and I thought we would continue to do our virtual styling routine. A week later she emailed, and said, "No, I want to fly out there and have you style it in person and assemble a team of talent. I trust you, and I know you're the right person for the job." Her validation and confidence in me has meant the world over the years, and this lookbook project was one of the biggest honors to be a part of. I'm so thankful that she saw something in me at the beginning and has continued to support me in my path as a stylist.

Check out this video created by Ale Vidal with an amazing team of talent behind it, and make sure to visit Epiphaniebags.com to see her latest collection.

Campaign film for Epiphanie - a line of stylish camera bags for women. This film captures the spirit of the brand and the girl that carries an epiphanie bag like she carries her heart - full of adventure. 

Film / Direction by Ale Vidal www.imaginaledesign.com

Video Assistant - Matt Hail www.matthail.com Styling by Alexandra Evjen www.avestyles.com Hair by Jenny Strebe www.theconfessionsofahairstylist.com Makeup by Stephanie Neiheisel www.snmakeupartist.com Assistant - Audree Lopez - www.simplyaudreekate.com Modeling by Agency AZ Styling Assistant - Alyssa Hodson

Clothing provided by Frances Vintage and Shop & Apparel

Location provided by The Clarendon Hotel

Photos to come on Wednesday!

Editorial Blink Shoot

jt8c0569-editblog.jpg

This past weekend I had a the privilege of leading a styled shoot for photographers from all around the country attending Blink Conference. I centered the concept around contrasting color. Check out a snippet of the pin board below. Screen Shot 2014-11-11 at 8.32.42 AM

With big hair, a bubble gum pink backdrop, a killer model and some bold clothes you really can't go wrong.

jt8c0484-editblog

Bright green, black, gold and white were all colors that went will with the pink back drop, but they also pop in natural settings.

jt8c0540cropblog

I jumped in front of the camera once or twice to show off some sequins and my "This is my party dress" tank from Junk in the Trunk Vintage Apparel. You can pre-order your tank or sweatshirt starting today!!! Click here.

jt8c0443blog

Big thanks to Ryan Walsh Photography for these photos and Savage Universal for the seamless backdrop.

Hair and makeup by Miriam Kenly and Jaclyn Cipolla from Leidan Mitchell Salon. Styling and art direction by A.V.E. Styles.

Look 1: Black off-the-shoulder top from Junk in the Trunk Vintage Apparel, tulle skirt from Lulu*s

Look 2: Faux fur coat from H&M, gold pants from H&M

Look 3: Green jumper from H&M

Look 4: Sequin jacket from Anthropologie, tank from Junk in the Trunk Vintage Apparel, and pants from Macy's.

Pinterest 101 Class with Bloguettes

Pinterest101-1.png

We all know that Pinterest is a mega force in the social media world. In fact, it's the 3rd largest social platform and it's only 4 years old (Facebook is 10 and Twitter is 8). Pinterest is also responsible for 43% of e-commerce referral traffic. That's a BIG slice of the pie for being only four years old! If you are a small business owner or blogger looking to have a strong social presence you definitely need to be on Pinterest, but what to do with your account is another question. How do you grow a following? How do you get people to repin your images? How do you get traffic back to your site? Those are the questions everyone is asking, and those are the questions I'm going to answer at my Pinterest 101 class with the Bloguettes.

Be there! Register here!

Date: Wednesday, November 12th Time: 6pm to 8pm Place: Wela Creative Studio (7147 E. Rancho Vista Drive, Ste. B37 in Optima Camelview) Cost: $35

I hope you can make it! It's going to be a lot of fun!

Black & Tulle Skirt

Alex_Oct-2014-12web.jpg

Sometimes you just have to put on a big, fluffy skirt and twirl. I promise it'll make you feel so pretty. Alex_Oct 2014-22web

 

I adore this pale peach tulle skirt from Lulu*s. I have already worn it playing dress up with Elle (seriously), and I have worn it out with a basic black turtleneck. This one from Adea is perfect because it resembles a dance leotard and creates the look of a ballerina without coming across as a Halloween costume.

Alex_Oct 2014-6web

You could easily dress this skirt down with a chambray shirt or a crisp white button down. Ballet flats instead of heels would also be a smart choice if you don't want to look fancy.

Alex_Oct 2014-16web

You would think that wearing a tight top and a girly skirt wouldn't be the most comfortable outfit, but on the contrary, it's one of the easiest, most comfortable and elegant outfits I own! I think I might be wearing this outfit for the holidays. What do you think?

Photos by Michelle Herrick

Get the look: Skirt, top, shoes