The End of the Holidays

Bustier [NastyGal].  Skirt [ASOS].  Pumps [DV by Dolce Vita].  Headband [Zara].  Necklace [Grams Closet].  Minaudiere [Natasha Couture…loving this sparkler].  Nailpolish [Essie in ].

       Hello!  Cheers to the new year!  It is now almost one week into 2015 & sadly that means its about time to take down the Christmas decor.  (Tear.)  As you know, I love the holiday season.  I love all of the great memories I have from holidays past & getting to see lots of friends & family.  Besides, who doesn't love a good excuse to get dressed up for a holiday party?!  (Raising my hand right now screaming meeeeeee!)
        These are just a few snapshots from a holiday party I attended.  Thank goodness my fav photographer is a fellow co-worker of mine & after a few sips of wine I was able to bribe her to snap some shots in between mingling.  Because if this perfect skirt & amazing headband weren't caught on camera, I would have been so sad!  (Thank you Courtney!)  Is it weird that I'm posing in front of an octopus mural?  Nah!  I live in the Florida Keys.  Dive shop next to a restaurant.  (Duh.)  Tots norm.
      Happy hump day friends.  

**Photos by Twist of Fate Imagery**

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Island Vibes

Tank [Zara]. Pants [Zara]. Sandals [Zara]. Clutch [Ted Baker]. Sunnies [Fendi]. //…loving these new bad boys…// Watch [Timex]. Bracelet [Stella&Dot]. Neck Candy [Cara]. Headphones [Frends].

    Guten Morgen!  Good morning from Germany!  No, these photos are not taken in Germany, but I am sitting in Frankfurt as we speak.  (Insert extreme emoji smiley face.  And maybe a plane & a cocktail!)  Living in South Florida, there is only one thing I look forward to for fall.  (And its not the leaves changing.)  Its our annual trip to Europe.  And I am soooooo happy to be here!
    These photos were taken a few days ago in the tropical paradise of the Florida Keys...aka down the street from my house.  Ha.  It may sound odd to most that I live in a vacation destination, yet I look so forward to packing up my scarves & winter garb to head to Europe.  Not a bikini or palm tree in sight.  I love where I live, but a change of scenery always makes for a good day…or a month.  Don't forget to follow Banqier & I's travels on instagram!  #lujueuroround3
    Auf Wiedersehen!  I'm off to Krakow!


~ All photos taken by my very talented friend Courtney Galantino!  You can check out this lovely lady's work through her Florida Keys based photography company Twist of Fate Imagery. ~


 

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Casual Style for the Florida Keys

 Tee: Victoria's Secret**Shorts: Zara**Necklace: Zara**Hat: Zara**Sunnies: Bottega Veneta**Handbag: Gucci**Watch: Diesel**Bracelets: Pura Vida & F21.

   I love dressing up.  But, living in the Florida Keys has had its affect on my style.  Heels & mini-skirts rarely leave my closet, nor get delivered to my door.  They have been replaced by Soludos & cut-offs. (Hence, my love for the Billabong Laneway short here, here, here & here.)  Living on an island doesn't mean I've lost my style, just adapted it to better fit my environment.  The comfort of loose tees & denim shorts are perfect in the sticky humid climate.  I still manage to "dress" my casual look up by accessorizing with chunky necklaces & funky handbags.  One of my favorite accessories for a sunny day?  A beautiful straw hat.  I find that I'm always on the search for the perfect one to block the rays.  Plus, it makes for a great touch to my ensemble when strolling downtown Key West.  Living on an island also gives me an excuse to have sunnies in every size, shape & color.  Have to protect my peepers!  So, I guess I would say that my wardrobe really doesn't suffer, it just calls for different online purchases than when I lived in the city.  Happy Thursday everyone.  

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The Red Fish Wall

 Tank: Volcom…Skirt: F21…Denim Shirt: Nordstrom BP…Moccasins: Minnetonka…Sunnies: D&G…Clutch: Zara…Necklace: Vintage (Mom's Closet!)…Watch: Diesel…Bracelet: Noir…& Studs: Nordstrom BP.

You know those purchases that you make that are just the best?  Pretty sure that this iPhone case is one of those.  Ha.  I absolutely love it.  Anyways, happy hump day everyone.  Hope you enjoy the fishy red wall.  Love, juju.

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Paradise

 Top: Kirra (lace version here)…Lace Bralette: Honeydew…Skirt: Nastygal…Sandals: Aldo…Necklace/Bangle: Vintage…Satchel: Ted Baker London…& Sunnies: Chloe.

        Colors, prints & sunshine make me a very happy girl.  And when I encounter colorful wall art, I feel the need to stop & capture the moment.  Living in the Florida Keys, this happens to me quite often.  Once you exit Miami & drive south on US-1 through the Keys, colorful wall decor adorns the outsides & insides of restaurants & shops, while barrels of shells line the roads & many of the buildings are covered in paintings of marine life (including our local K-Mart!)  The colorful walls give you the good vibes of Kokomo & make you feel as though you are completely in paradise.  Now excuse me while I enjoy a slice of key lime pie.

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A Nostalgic Christmas

 Dress: F21 (different version here)…Shoes: Betsy Johnson (also seen here)…Stacked Arm: H. Bendel & F21…& Headband: San Diego Hat Company.

   
           'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house,
         
            Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
         
            The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
         
            In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; (1-4; Moore, Clement C.).

    This is, perhaps, one of the most well-known pieces of literature.  I can still recite every line simply from childhood memories of my mom reading it to me annually on Christmas Eve.  The 24th is one of my favorite days of the year.  Attending the Nutcracker Ballet & my grams' annual Christmas Eve bash; playing monopoly with my favorite uncle; reading the Velveteen Rabbit; watching Home Alone with my brother; & admiring the festively decorated homes while walking through the lit streets of Winterhaven, are always my favorite memories of this night.
    Another great part about the holidays?!  Why glamming myself up for the parties of course!  This also gives me an excuse to wear heels & excessive amounts of sequins.  Lets face it, living on an island, most of my time is spent in sandals & cut-offs.  On that note, I hope you enjoy the photos of lights & yours truly.  And, mostly I would like to wish you all (especially those of you I won't be seeing this Christmas) a very very Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!  XOXO.

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Photo Diary of Europe: Bratislava

 Sweater: Lush…Denim: Fire…Boots: Steve Madden…Bag: R.Minkoff…Sunnies: Gucci…& Watch: Diesel.

     
      Welcome to Bratislava.  Yes, I know I have been back from Europe for two months now…but there were so many amazing places I visited that I have to finish sharing them!  On a side note, seeing as the current local conditions here in the Florida Keys are 80+ degrees, looking back on these photos helps me to reminisce the cold weather during this holiday season.    
      This evening, I shall finally be attending my first holiday party of 2013.  (Woohoo!)  I am excited to glam it up & pretend I don't live in Margaritaville.  Ha.  In the meantime, enjoy the photos of Slovakia & happy Saturday to you all. Cheers!

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