All Black... what else is new?

So I literally fell off the face of the [blogging] earth, but I'm trying to get back on. I actually do have a lot to share, but often too busy (or lazy) to do it, so please bear with me as I try to get back into making this a habitual thing. I have nothing cool to say for my outfit below, so just continue to scroll down the page. Thanks!

I made the choker, the top is vintage, the skirt is from Zara...

Handbag by Vavvoune, shoes are from Zara...again. 

Pics by Siobhan Allaeddini (using her iphone btw)

DIY Custom Vase

Had the lovely opportunity to "turn an old vase into something beautiful" with Carol's Daughter. Take a look. Learn something new. Try it yourself. DIY.

Carol's Daughter on Youtube

Music by: HZ Mass

a piece of work

Me by Matthew Miller 

A couple of months ago, I submitted my photo and my fashion story to Matthew Miller of Daily Fashion Project (whom I discovered on Instagram) and fast forward to last month and here's the wonderful piece of work he created. I'm so grateful to be a part of Matthew's infamous collection of fashion illustrations known as the Daily Fashion Project. Check out more fashion stories captured through his artwork on dailyfashionproject.com. 

Thank you so much!!! xoxoxox

8 Cool Ways to Wear a Scarf...

Oh, and by scarves, we mean vintage ones... Just kidding, but seriously. After an afternoon of playing dress up, drinking tea, and playing with my friend (and wardrobe stylist) Naomi's dog, we decided to finally get down to business (in other words, SCARVES)!

We know all of you tend to have these things just laying around (like literally), so why not make use? We've decided to share with you a couple of ways we actually like wearing them... not just for fun, but because they're plain awesome. This is New York, so we GOTTA get crafty and by the way, we're not limiting this craftiness to just New Yorkers (if you happen to live in the 'burbs or an island somewhere random, that's cool too).

1. The Turban

Although we've seen this style done many times over, do you ever really get tired of it? We think not!

Use a large scarf. Fold into triangle. 

Bottom of folded piece should be at nape of your neck and tie towards the front. Wrap and tuck under loose pieces and...

Voila! A pretty turban... especially great for bad hair days!

(If these directions are hard to follow, you can always find a how-to video on google, haha)

2. Wrap-Around 

(aka the traditional way, except it can be used to replace a necklace)

Ummm, yeah... this is pretty much self-explanatory. 

Just wrap & tuck under.

I happen to wear them like this on a daily in place of a necklace.

3. Layer-up 

Start with tying one around your neck (cowboy/western style).

Choose another one that compliments the first and stack it on top of the other. 

Blazer - Bum-Cake Vintage

Looks great with a blazer or even a leather moto jacket. You can even take it a step further and add a 3rd or you can maybe twist the 2 scarves together before wrapping around your neck to give it a necklace look/feel. 

4. The Headband

Why not? 

Twist/fold the scarf (depending on how wide you want it) and wrap around your head... secure it by tying it or tucking it under (like shown above). For a more cutesy femme sort of look, you can tie into a bow. 

Since I wear my hair natural and it tends to get messy, I'll just tie a scarf like shown above when I'm lazy and don't wanna deal and tie my hair back in a loose ponytail. Boom—call it a day. 

5. The Necklace

This obviously works well with thinner scarves. You can always twist a regular wide one though to make it thinner. 

Literally just tie into a knot or bow just as Naomi demonstrated above. This is great because you can make it as tight or loose as you want.

It's definitely a statement piece and you can wear it to dress an outfit up or to add that extra "oomph"... Naomi's rockin' it with her awesome harem pants x sheer blouse x strapped heels x chic Jackie-O style glasses. 

6. Belt It

Tie it around your waist—feel free to let it hang loose or...

Tie it in a bow/knot. 

Letting it hang loose is a little too "gypsy" for me, so I wear it in a bow or even a knot. I don't wear much jewelry, so a belt is needed. 

Love this scarf? Check it out

7. The Bow tie

This is a pretty easy and quick way to add a bold piece to your outfit as well (we're referring to the pics below--the one above is just the type of scarf you'd start with).

Tie it as you would tie a bow (kinda like shoe laces, if that makes sense). Make an edgy outfit more formal with this bow tie (the way Naomi styled it)--badass, but still classy.

 Great part about this style is that it replaces a necklace as well. Oh and it's also lookin' very MJ "Smooth Criminal" in the best possible chic way ever. Naomi rocks.
Love this scarf? Check it out

8. The Bracelet (a charming arm)

Listen, if you're into wearing a lot of crap (not really crap, but ya know) on your arms like I do when I'm feeling froggy (and by froggy I mean fantastic), why not add a scarf? Wrap it around your wrist and tie into a bow or knot. Bam! You gotta scarf cuff? Or bracelet. 

In conclusion, scarves are cool. Scarves are fun. Scarves are fearless. Scarves are easy. Oh, and did I mention they're always laying around somewhere, so they're super accessible. 

For more from Naomi Mirando, check her out at nrmstyles.tumblr.com or email her at nrmstyles[at]gmail.com or follow her on IG & Twitter @nrmstyles

Like some of the scarves you saw? Check out what Bum-Cake has: SUPER SCARVES

And... The End. 

Earth Day(s) Continued...

As you all know, Earth day was Monday, but I like to think of it as a week instead—meaning I will be sharing a few eco-friendly brands/places that you all should check out. Recently, I had the chance to work with MerelyMe, an eco-conscious clothing, jewelry, and accessories brand based in NYC and I must say, I love their products!!! Not only are the designs boho chic yet sophisticated (how I like it), but they're made of 80% recycled paper and fibers. Oh, and they even package & ship the items in recycled/re-crafted paper that looks pretty enough to keep... totally not joking. Anywhoo, I'm modeling the handcrafted linen sunflower hair pins, with pearl drop earrings, a reversible leaf top, a ring made of recycled paper, and a re-purposed silver chain necklace with paper beads (shown above)... I absolutely loved the entire shabang, but I kept the earrings, which happen to go with everything. 

Art...

I recently had the opportunity to work with Stephanie Guttenplan—a super cool photographer (and talented web designer), who shot me in this early 90's gown. To make a short story even shorter haha,  the darkness of this photo is what I really love—kinda creepy in a beautiful way. 

Check out more of her amazing work here. 

Power to the Prints Part II

As you can see, it's another print party...woo-woo! Truth be told, printed garments are just so underrated—they don't receive enough credit for their awesomeness and sadly, people can be so intimidated by them (for like, no reason)...UGH! Take a look at what's above... 2 lovely printed blouses paired with great stuff...2 lovely blouses that can be swapped with each other and still look great with the remaining items... that's not all—wanna dress up those looks a little more? Pair them with pumps and voila...magic. Plus, both blouses are under $25 each, which means they're affordable...Yayyy.
Click here for the one on the left... Click here for the one on the right. 

Power to the Prints Part I

Soooo spring is pretty much here (well, sort of), but that doesn't mean you have to put all your winter blouses away (at least not the ones that are sort of lightweight)... Spring 'em up a bit by pairing them with light-colored pants, skirts, or jeans (see examples above). Don't you just love printed pieces...specifically blouses?! If not, please get with the program. Oh, and the above blouses can be swapped with one another and they'd still match the other items nicely—only $25 & under for each blouse... better grab 'em up—you can wear them all year round!!!

Click here for the one on the left...Click here for the one on the right! 

Coming Soon...

A new collection will be launching this week.... Smitten by Bum-Cake. Keep a lookout... I'm excited!

shot by: jamil smith

models: yaa opare & chelsea regan

mua: lauren durojaiye

styled by: me (christiana)