yolauralikesbeauty

Fashion

Pop of Red | Brunch Attire | Birthday Outfit #3

Fashion, OOTD + OOTN0

One of my close friends said I couldn’t truly celebrate my birthday and end my birthday weekend without going to brunch. We decided to go to a poppin’ brunch spot in Miami to make sure my 22nd birthday was done right.

This was my first brunch and I had no idea what to wear. I look through my closet and decided I could keep it simple with some neutrals and dress up the outfit with particular clothing styles styles and cuts and a pop of color.

A ruched skirt was perfect because it can be paired with virtually any top. I love to wear strapless tops when I want to spice up a simple outfit. Red is my favorite color and I didn’t have a chance to wear it on my lips this weekend, so I opted for a red lip and red heels ?

The outfit felt a bit incomplete, so I went with a statement necklace to tie it in all together.

Top: Ross
Skirt: Charlotte Russe
Heels: Charlotte Russe
Clutch: Gold Soul LA
Statement necklace: Beya

I’m so glad I wore this; I was able to stuff my face comfortably and dance lol.

What’s your ideal brunch outfit? Do you like keeping it simple or are you a lil extra like me lol?

Be sure to share your thoughts on my posts with me in the comments below or on my social media pages: yolauralikesbeauty on Instagram and Facebook; yolauraisfierce on Twitter.

Thanks for reading ?

Floral Pop | Date Night Look | Birthday Outfit #2

Fashion, OOTD + OOTN0

Round 2 of my birthday celebrations were spent with my boyfriend ?

We went to a new Miami hotspot and had a fabulous dinner. We walked quite a bit, so I planned for that and wore an outfit that would keep me cool in Miami’s infamous humidity and my feet happy.

I decided to go with a top that would be the core of the outfit. I was randomly in Ross and came across this floral top that wrapped and tied at the side. It was perfect enough to go with whatever bottoms I was feeling that day. I’m also very picky with prints, so this was right up my alley.

Top: Ross
Jeans: Ross
Purse: Calvin Klein
Shoes: Target
Necklace: Greek gift from my boyfriend ?

I think this is perfect for a date, including that nerve wracking first date. It’s casual, but dressy enough. The top is dressy enough to pair with even slacks, but the ripped jeans bring it down to Earth. The shoes are ideal if you want to glam up your outfit without sacrificing your feet. The simple jewelry helps tie it all together and keep the outfit simply glam.

I wish I would’ve had the peace to wear something like for my first date (I was too nervous lmaooo)!

What do you think of the floral trend and how do you rock it? How do you feel about this outfit for a date night?

Be sure to share your thoughts on my posts with me in the comments below or on my social media pages: yolauralikesbeauty on Instagram and Facebook; yolauraisfierce on Twitter.

Thanks for reading ?

Classy Bodycon Glam | Family Dinner | Birthday Outfit #1

Fashion, OOTD + OOTN0

It was my birthday last weekend and that’s why I’ve been a lil MIA ? For my 22nd birthday, I celebrated non-stop with my family, boyfriend and friends. It was amazing!

I planned cute, affordable looks for each occasion and I thought I’d share with you!

This first look was for my family dinner. We went to Cheesecake Factory…there was no fighting ?

I thought this outfit would be perfect because Cheesecake Factory isn’t a fancy restaurant, but I still wanted to dress for the occasion and be a lil glam and extra ✨ bodycon dresses are all the rage now, so I thought I’d give it a try!

Dress: Forever 21; $9.90
Shoes: Ami Club Wear; $16
Diamond choker: @shoptornasol on Etsy; $6
Earrings: Steps NY; $3 for a pack of 3

My favorite part of this look was finally being able to wear and pull off the color peach; it’s the one color I’m intimidated by. I think the key to rocking colors you’re afraid of picking the right shade. This is more of a pinky peach and I feel great in pink, so it’s my perfect shade of peach.

With this look, I was able to fit into the restaurant’s vibe and casually slaying everyone in sight ?

How do you feel about the bodycon dress trend? What do you think of the color peach and this overall look?

Be sure to share your thoughts on my posts with me in the comments below or on my social media pages: yolauralikesbeauty on Instagram and Facebook; yolauraisfierce on Twitter.

Thanks for reading ?

Typical PAMM Photo Shoot | Last of Summer Fashion

Fashion, Glamshoots, OOTD + OOTN0

My lovely friend Reyna (@reynanoriega_ on Instagram) invited me to Pérez Art Museum this past weekend. We’re both creatives, so it’s no surprise that she pulled out a camera and I followed along lmao. You can guarantee 2 things with creatives: they’ll always be late and there is always a camera involved.

I was feeling myself and this dress that’s perfect for the summer to fall transition. Here are my favorites from the impromptu shoot:

Now for the best ones lmao:

Dress: Jimmy Dress from Laura’s Boutique (no longer available)

Sandals: Gladiator sandals in cognac from Charlotte Russe (no longer available)

Earrings: Forever 21 (no longer available)

Bracelet: Beya

We all need creative friends that we can collaborate with. Thanks Reynaaa ❤ check out her photography page: rsnphotography on Instagram.

Be sure to share your thoughts on my posts with me in the comments below or on my social media pages: yolauralikesbeauty on Instagram and Facebook; yolauraisfierce on Twitter.

Thanks for reading ?<<<<<< ;<<<<< t;<<<< gt;<<< ><< p>< /p>

A Style Guide for Spain

Fashion, OOTD + OOTN, Travel0

Tapas, wine, siesta, repeat.

Probably my favorite tapas in Spain. It’s from La Cantina Mexicana in Seville. Miss this place so much!

 

I hate wine lol, but visiting Bodegas Portias Grupo Faustino was cool!

 

Spain sounds like the ultimate vacation destination, doesn’t it? It has a very relaxed culture and lifestyle. Same goes for its attire.

 

Before embarking on the voyage known as study abroad, my professors made it seem like Spanish fashion was very formal and unforgiving of crop tops and shorts. My professors even told us the tale of how some girls on a past trip wore crop tops and were approach by Spaniards for prostitution services ?

 

My professors also said that everyone in Spain rocks high-quality clothing and that’s apparently obvious. You know that’ll for sure burn a hole in your pocket ?????

 

Fake news: Spain’s attire is actually pretty chill.

 

I must admit that no one really wore crop tops and short shorts; people opted for longer, flowy and breathable articles of clothing. Everyone was well-dressed everywhere I went. I fitted right in because I overdress for everything lol.

 

It wasn’t over-the-top, though. You most likely won’t feel out of place clothing-wise. Just dress a bit nicer than you usually would. If you’d wear shorts and a t-shirt, make it the nicer pair of shorts you own and a t-shirt that flatters you. Maybe wear pants instead. If you want to remain comfy and not dress up, consider some accessories to spruce up your look. Spaniards are the master of the comfy chic look.

 

My top recommendations for clothes in Spain are flowy tops and dresses (it’s HOT and you need something light and airy), comfy pants (ripped is okay!), shorts and skirts that aren’t too short and comfy walking shoes (those cobblestone streets are unforgiving).

 

 

I brought this flowy top that was dressy enough for a night out in the shopping district and light enough so I wouldn’t suffocate from the Spanish heat ? Spain has a very dry heat, so bear that in mind — even at night! Also, these sandals were cute, but not comfy enough for a long day of walking, just a relaxed outing.

 

 

This sleeveless maxi dress was flattering, kept everything in check and was ideal for the Spanish heat in Madrid ?

 

 

My go-to comfy pants were these ripped jeans I picked up at Ross. They are a very high-quality denim and paired so well with many looks. Prior to study abroad, I researched if ripped jeans were appropriate (my professors got me paranoid lmao) and I found out they’re very popular in Spain. Also, these are my comfy sandals. If I’m not feeling sneakers, I wear these.

 

Tell me: doesn’t this look like the set of a DJ Khaled video?! It’s actually the Real Alcázar de Sevilla lol ?

 

My next look with jeans was for Plaza de España, where they shot a Star Wars movie! (Don’t be fooled; I’m not a fan of the franchise nor have I seen any of the movies lmao)

 

Seville was a bit chilly that day, so be sure to bring outerwear! I recommend a heavier jacket, like a rain jacket/ coat, and something lighter like a cardigan. The rain jacket is convenient for rain and colds, unexpected days. The cardigan is light enough to complete a look without feeling uncomfortably hot or tie around your waist just in case you get chilly. If it’s very cold, you can layer them!

 

 

Here’s a glimpse of some outfits on the trip. They’re appropriate, comfy and stylish!

 

 

Here are some from a night out! Don’t feel like respecting a culture’s usual attire sacrifices the ability to look and feel good.

 

My rules also apply to men! Instead of the dresses — unless of course that’s your wave and you wanna keep riding it ? — opt for the same, light and airy pieces and nicer looking items.

 

 

Take Adrian for example:

 

And don’t focus on Erica’s facial expression ?

 

I hope this guide helped! I kept it as relaxed as Spain’s attire. You know I had to be strict with my Moroccan Style Guide because the dress code is very conservative and many people don’t know how to follow directions ??

 

Let me know if you’ve been to Spain and how your experience was! If you can shopping in Spain; they have such cute clothing stores!! These are my favorite:

 

 

 

Be sure to share your thoughts on my posts with me in the comments below or on my social media pages: yolauralikesbeauty on Instagram and Facebook; yolauraisfierce on Twitter.

 

Thanks for reading! ?

A Style Guide for Morocco: Do’s and Don’ts

OOTD + OOTN, Travel0

I would’ve never imagined in my wildest dreams that I’d have a chance to visit Africa! It still feels surreal and I’ve been back home from study abroad for over a month and a half now lmao.

In Chefchaouen, the Blue Pearl. Yes, everything is blue!

Morocco is an interesting country, very different from America and even Europe. Something heavily stressed by my tour guide was attire, behavior and respecting customs.

As a visitor to a foreign land, you must respect that respective culture’s beliefs, values and customs. Disobeying these laws of the land can result in an uncomfortable time. You can be approached, possibly harassed. You can be scolded. Also, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not appreciating and respecting the culture.

Morocco is pretty hot, so it can seem challenging to dress conservatively without suffocating or sweating too much. My biggest recommendation is wearing light fabrics and loosely fitting clothes. Morocco does get breezy, so light clothing will definitely make the heat bearable. As for shoes, wear something comfortable. If sandals are comfortable for you, go for that. If not, opt for sneakers. You WILL walk plenty. Wear a hat too and lather on some sunscreen. Comfort over style!

CONSERVATIVELY MOROCCAN

Conservatively Moroccan? Conservatively Moroccan.

My group was instructed to dress conservatively. Conservative meant no bottoms shorter than knee length, nothing too revealing and nothing too tight.

We so cute ?

Do wear native prints.

One way to dress is with prints and colors popular in the said country you’re visiting. Get the gist of how locals dress. What many people dubbed on the trip as “African pants” were a hit amongst the women. It looked appropriate paired with a solid tee. Pinterest is your friend. Be wary of cultural appropriation, though ?

My friend Pilar is a blogger and a lowkey model. She describes her experience with study abroad on her Instagram and blog. Check her out ?

As for men, one way to go is with wearing those prints in a shirt. A button up shirt with a solid tee under gives a a culturally and climate appropriate look.

Ma boi Vince is a photographer and videographer. He posted about his study abroad experiences, so check out his site and Instagram ?


Don’t wear sacred clothing items and accessories.

If you’re concerned about cultural appropriation, be mindful of what articles of clothing carry sacred meanings. Stray away from that. You can show appreciation for a culture without violating meaningful items.

The prints and styles pictured above are culturally sensitive and allow you as the tourist to be a bit more emerged into the culture. It’s a fun way to show appreciation. Many locals showed approval of these looks and smiled encouragingly. Many of us bought these items at thrift stores or from small vendors in Seville, Spain. Some people on our trip bought pants like these while in Morocco!

CONSERVATIVELY AMERICAN

It’s very easy to tell when a tourist is American and that isn’t necessarily a good thing. That carries the implication of being culturally insensitive or depicted as a fool. If you don’t feel comfortable going with the Conservatively Moroccan look, consider wearing what you wear back home in a way that’s culturally appropriate.

Do wear knee length shorts and normal fitting tees.

Knee length shorts and a tee that is not ill-fitting keeps you within your comfort zone and doesn’t disrespect Moroccan tradition. This tee isn’t too tight and doesn’t emphasize the body.

Women can dress the same way. Shirts shouldn’t be short and if they are above the waistline by any chance, pair them with high-waisted jeans.

Do layer clothing and tie long sleeved shirts or jackets around your waist.

Bringing a jacket or long sleeve shirt to layer is also helpful and a comfortable way to travel. If you feel like you might get cold or that your outfit needs extra coverage, you have easy access to it. Also, it can complete the look and make it more within your comfort zone. It’s better to have an extra layer of security just in case.

Do wear long dresses.

Ladies, consider wearing maxi dresses too because they surprisingly provide a lot of comfort and fresh air! Maxi style dresses can have a slit, and I think that’s appropriate because when you’re walking, it won’t be too revealing. Showing your legs isn’t disrespectful, and it’s another way to stay cool! Just be mindful that it isn’t a slit that shows your waist.

Knee length dresses are also acceptable and appropriate. As long as you don’t go high above the knees, you’re in the clear.

Do not wear short shorts, skirts, strapless shirts, revealing shirts and inappropriate dresses.

Aside from drawing unwanted attention to yourself, wearing revealing outfits is not accepted within Moroccan culture. Some girls on the trip made this mistake and it was uncomfortable to watch how locals would interact with them because of it. Men would try to huddle them or women would give disapproving looks. If you can wear it clubbing or can’t wear it around your grandma, don’t wear it in Morocco!

HATS AND HEADDRESSES
This was something I was hesitant about, but locals encouraged it. They eagerly tried selling head scarfs and hats to any tourist that walked by.

Do wear hats and headdresses sold locally.

If you’re considering wearing a headdress, I suggest that you buy it from the locals and ask them how to wear it. You would be giving back to the culture you’re partaking in and learning how to appropriately rock the look.

They even taught my group how to wrap the headdresses in multiple ways to fit in. It was pretty interesting and the locals helped you even with head garments you didn’t purchase from them.

My friend Cathy is a model and singer. She looked amazing every day and posted about it, so go check her out on Instagram ?

 

Do not mock the hats and headdresses and wear it to ridicule the culture.

As long as you wear the item while being mindful of its tradition and don’t violate any sacred meanings, you’re in the clear ✅  Wearing these headdresses to fit a stereotypical look is wrong; learn and respect the culture rather than looking like them to make a joke out of it.

What do you think of my friends’ and I’s style in Morocco? What do you think of my tips, and would you visit any part of Africa soon?!

Let me know how you feel about these style guides and if you’d like more!

Be sure to share your thoughts on my posts with me in the comments below or on my social media pages: yolauralikesbeauty on Instagram and Facebook; yolauraisfierce on Twitter.

Thanks for reading! ?

Summer Shopping @ Goodwill | Mini Clothing Haul

Fashion0

Let me get something off of my chest:

YOU DO NOT NEED TO BUY A NEW WARDROBE FOR EVERY SEASON ?

Trends are changing so quickly nowadays that there’ll be something new once you pick up that one time you were eyeing. Just buy what you know you’ll use even when it’s out of season.

However, I do think that if you feel the need to revamp your wardrobe quarterly, a thrift store or secondhand goods store is a great and viable option. That’s what I decided to do; it’s been a while since I’ve shopped without it being for a specific occasion.

I hit up a new Goodwill in my area. It was breathtakingly organized, beautiful and calm.


The beauty of Goodwill and thrift stores is that it’s full of hidden treasures. I only checked two racks and picked up a pile of clothes to try on. I had to stop myself from checking other racks or else I’d buy the whole store.

I’m not one to care about name brands, but if you are, you’re in luck. I saw Levi’s, New York & Company and Ralph Lauren to name a few.

The other beauty of these places is that you find vintage pieces. The trends our relatives wore are being cycled back into the fashion whirlpool. Why not the OG item in top notch quality instead of the severely over priced knock off? (I’m looking right at you, fast fashion stores ?)

With that said, I picked up some trendy and vintage items:

This was my “trendy” item lol. I’ve been into striking blouses and shirts that need to be tied somehow. I also love the charcoal, satin look. It was only $4!

My next piece was this sweater that’s a cross between “trendy” and “vintage”. I love the off the shoulder trend, but it’s been a hassle as of late because my tops always rise up ? I get what love with this item: tastefully showing some skin and denim. This was only $4!

Now that I introduced my love for denim, this outfit will make sense. I’m obsessed with how good these 2 denim washes look together. I’ve never worn denim-on-denim before, so now is my chance. The top was Levi’s brand and cost $5. The skirt was $4.


Issa look ?

So are you convinced to visit your local Goodwill and thrift shops for some very affordable, trendy summer fits or nah??

Be sure to share your thoughts on my posts with me in the comments below or on my social media pages: yolauralikesbeauty on Instagram and Facebook; yolauraisfierce on Twitter.

Thanks for reading! ?

Happy New Year | Holiday Looks | Updates

Beauty, Fashion0

Good evening and happy New Years! I hope that you all had a great holiday season with your loved ones. Unfortunately, the holidays are pretty much over and everyone is back to their grind, but there is some positivity to that. We can embrace new opportunities and delve into things we kept putting off. It’s silly to wait for a new year to begin new things, but sometimes that construct of newness is motivating.

I’m guilty of waiting until the new year to do new things as well. I hope to really expand this blog and begin a YouTube channel. I learned a lot about myself and what I want during 2016 and I feel more confident to chase it. With that being said, let’s get started and talk about my holiday makeup and looks!

Thanksgiving 2016


This is beyond overdue, my apologies! For Thanksgiving, I figured that I would dress nice and practical. A loose dress was ideal for me because I could eat without restraint and not feel like my clothes were eating me instead by the end of the night. I purchased this dress at Forever 21 for $15! I have mixed feelings about Forever 21 now, but I think that you can find nice and affordable items if you sit and look through their site. Their website is shifting towards Urban Outfitters vibes, if you ask me ? anyway, this dress was super comfy and I recommend it!

Now, onto the star of the show: those knee-length boots! These boots are the most exciting part for me. I got these for $33 including shipping @ Lola Shoetique! If you have an Instagram, you know that Lola Shoetique is THE place for shoes. Well, that’s what they and influencers want you to think ? I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of these boots. They were originally $50.

Lola Shoetique has a 50% off tab on their site with really nice shoes. I was lucky enough to find them in my size because the shoes featured there are usually really tiny or very large. I’m a size 8, a fairly common size. The boots felt so nice and sturdy, so I would definitely buy from them again.

Lola’s prices are okay — I honestly expected it to be more expensive. They’re not totally out of reach, which is nice because they ship fast and feature really trendy shoes. Their clothes are really expensive in my opinion, though. I’ve yet to try them.

One last thing that I like about Lola Shoetique is how each shoe tells you what size the model wore and whether or not the shoes run big. I think that’s extremely helpful and it’s the first time I see a brand do that. Props to you, Lola!

As for makeup, I basically threw on all the matte browns in the Morphe 35O. I was going for a nice, warm, brown smokey look, and I think I achieved that nicely. It was soft, but really completed my look.

One last thing: my highlight was beaminnnnnnnn’ ✨✨✨

The stars of my makeup:

  • Morphe 35O Eyeshadow Palette
  • L.A. Girl Pro Coverage Illuminating Foundation
  • Wet N Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder in Precious Petals
  • Ofra Cosmetics x Kathleenlights Miami Fever Liquid Lipstick

Christmas 2016

Christmas is the one holiday I over dress for without shame or thinking about it twice. I just love to be all glam and take pictures by the Christmas tree.

I also picked up a dress from Forever 21 for Christmas. It was on sale for less than $10!

I was really feeling oranges and red this holiday season! My Christmas dress’s color was very similar to my Thanksgiving dress.

I love open-back outfits. They really do it for me. That’s one part of my body I feel comfortable showcasing at all times. I have a couple of spots on my back, but I don’t find them unappealing or anything like that.

These shoes were also on sale! They were $13 with free shipping on Charlotte Russe’s website on Cyber Monday. They’re the first Valentino-inspired heels I like. They were surprisingly very comfortable and easy to walk in. I’ve really been into tie up heels and sandals. I think these could even be paired with slacks to spice up an office outfit!

I feel like my makeup was the finishing touch. I used glitter for the first time and it was surprisingly successful!

The stars of my makeup:

  • Anastasia Beverly Hills Master Palette by Mario
  • J. Cat Beauty Rockin’ the Night Sparkling Powder in Gold Road
  • L.A. Girl Pro Coverage Illuminating Foundation
  • Jeffree Star Cosmetics Skin Frost in Peach Goddess
  • Lena Lashes Michael Liquid Lipstick

New Years 2016

I decided to be more “trendy” for New Years. I’ve been eyeing black see-through and mesh tops for a while, but I was always skeptical because I didn’t feel comfortable wearing a bra with it and that being clearly seen through the shirt. I didn’t like that look for myself and I didn’t have a thick enough bandeau to work with that shirt. I couldn’t find one either.

I came across this top in a random sale at Charlotte Russe’s website sometime in the first week of December. It’s was only $6 with free shipping!!

I thought it was perfect because I love crop tops and stripes. The top came with that black part that didn’t require my bra to be exposed. I got a looser fitting top because I prefer loose tops with tight bottoms or tight tops with loose bottoms.

Not my picture! It’s from the store’s site.

My heels were also a steal. I got these trendy, clear heels for only $23 (including shipping) from Ami Clubwear online! These surprised me a lot like my Christmas heels. They were comfortable and sturdy. I was concerned that clear heels wouldn’t be sturdy or well-made because I assumed the straps would be too thin.

And my makeup was also surprising to me! I tried out a new product, the e.l.f. Studio Matte Lip Color. A good friend gave it to me for Christmas and I fell in love. She gave me four colors and they’re all amazing. They are creamy, super pigmented, extremely long lasting, non-drying and comfortable. I ate and drank frequently on New Years and these didn’t budge at all!! In this picture, these are my lips at the end of the night without retouching the lipstick!

Granted, these lipsticks transfer because they’re not a liquid lipsticks. That doesn’t bother me. If you line your lips, these lipsticks don’t feather or slip and slide on your mouth.

The stars of my makeup:

  • Anastasia Beverly Hills Master Palette by Mario
  • Rimmel London
  • Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Pearl
  • e.l.f. Studio Matte Lip Color in Berry Sorbet

******

One of my resolutions for this year is to be more fun with my outfits. I get scared to rock certain looks or wear certain things. I’ve been told that I make risky and interesting fashion choices, but I want to take it further. I want to make these decisions and feel comfortable about it. I also want to document them better!

I hope you enjoyed this recap! Expect more this year. More blog posts and Youtube coming up!!!!

Thank you for reading. Please subscribe and follow me on Instagram @yolauralikesbeauty ?

Online Shopping Appreciation – Purses

Fashion0

This deviated from makeup, but I do think purses are apart of beauty. I automatically feel like I look ? if I’m using a cute purse. 

Since I dedicate this blog to drugstore/ affordable beauty options (with random high-end products), I think it’d be fitting to mention an affordable product — purses from China.

I’m an online-shopping-aficionado. I’m always on the hunt for deals and steals, and online shopping caters to that. I’m always on the eBay and Wish apps looking for cute accessories. I’m always looking for purses because I honestly want one in every color and style. My mother has countless purses so definitely that learned from her. I inevitably got it from my momma.

Purses from China may seem like an odd and shady description, and I get it, but it’s literally that. These purses are very low-priced and shipped from China. No, they’re not all terrible quality. Yes, you get what you pay for, but for $5 or so, you seriously can’t expect much or complain.

 Black from Wish. Pink right from eBay. White  from Wish. Yellow right from eBay. All faux furs.

I love these purses because they’re stylish, they get the job done and they’re in really cute colors. Lately, I’ve had a knack for small purses. It forces me to only bring the essentials with me when I go out.

My point with this post is that there are many treasures online waiting to be shipped to you from China. Don’t let the shipping time (2-4 weeks) or very, low prices fool you. I do admit that sometimes online shopping from China can be deceiving, but that’s why I read reviews before purchasing something ?? 

Comment below what you think of my purses or how your online shopping experiences with eBay or Wish have been!