Catwalk for a Cure fundraiser @ Shake the Tree is a post from: Miss Neira - Fashion, Beauty, Style

As I mentioned in last week’s post, the Catwalk for a Cure team hosted a fundraiser at Shake the Tree in the North End of Boston. We had a fabulous time and raised a good amount money going towards our big fashion show/silent auction in October for breast cancer research!

Shoe designer Zack Lo, jeweler Brelyn Spindel, clothing designer Candice Wu and bag designer Helena Grant from Kitchen Sink Bag were the amazing designers who showcased their work!

You can find lots of goodies in Shake the Tree (in Boston’s North End)

Catwalk for a Cure staff Bryan and Salvatore with
jewelry designer Brelyn Spindel & clothing designer Candice Wu

my lovely friend Jess and I! (FYI snake print dress is from H&M!)

Click MORE to see some more photos of the event!

jewelry design by Brelyn Spindel

Shoe design by Zack Lo

Bag designs by Helen Grant (The Kitchen Sink Bag)

Clothing designer Candice Wu (with her creation for last year’s
Catwalk for a Cure fashion show) she will also be one of the designer
for this year!

Jill (the event’s model) with Sean the blogger of Boston Mo

It was a very fun night! Stay tuned for another fundraiser coming up!

xoxo

Miss Neira

Shake the Tree & Catwalk for a Cure fundraiser is a post from: Miss Neira - Fashion, Beauty, Style

This goes for all you living in Boston.. (or if you are visiting)
On June 16th from 7:00-9:00 pm there will be a Cocktail Party fundraiser for Catwalk for a Cure at the Shake the Tree boutique in the North End. The event I’m coordinating will be in October, but until then we will have lots of fun fundraisers! The fundraiser is to help us with our big event on October 13th where proceeds will go to Susan G.Komen for breast cancer research.

Details of the fundraiser

-Free admission

-A portion of the night’s proceeds helps support breast cancer research through Catwalk for a Cure/Susan G Komen

-Enjoy a signature cocktail and delicious appetizers from Mare

-Meet shoe designer, Zack Lo, jeweler Brelyn Spindel, clothing designer Candice Wu, and bag designer Helena Grant from The Kitchen Sink Bag…get a chance to check out their fabulous work

-Silent Auction for a gorgeous Linnea Pelle Bag

Mingle in the North End and help us support a major cause! Bring your paper and plastic (and I don’t mean recycling!)

See you there =)

***If you are a blogger, please give a charitable donation by spreading the word on this fundraiser and Catwalk for a Cure. Thank you lovelies!

Winner of $100 Shopbop gift card & Memorial Day Love is a post from: Miss Neira - Fashion, Beauty, Style

Winner of the $100 gift card giveaway is Lei Ann (picked my random number generator)
I had the great pleasure of meeting Lei Ann last year and she is a darling (so is her blog)

Congrats girl! Spend it on the House of Harlow jewelry you wanted!

————————————————————–

Giuseppe Zanotti (Navy Striped Cork Sandals)

Happy Memorial Day!

xoxo

Miss Neira

Crystal Renn: Size 4 vs 14 is a post from: Miss Neira - Fashion, Beauty, Style

The fashion industry always seems to have issues dealing with weight whether a model is too skinny or too big, we are faced with the media scrutinizing models as young as 14 on their body image. For me, Crystal Renn was an icon for younger women in this industry. She had shown that you did not have to be a size 4 to walk on the most prestigious runway, and that there was more room for curvy shapes in an industry popular for always choosing stick figures.

Crystal Renn started off her career with anorexia, at 14 she had already become obsessed with her weight and starved herself to become the “thin” image. At 17 she discovered plus size modeling, it was something she knew could do well in, at the same time she could have her own body and not torture herself to change. “The gamble pulled off – when I was 19, Jean-Paul Gaultier used me in his catwalk show – I was a US size 14.” (Weight World) A size 14 and a beautiful one at that. When she appeared on Gaultier’s runway that was my first time seeing Renn, and I was instantly drawn to her confidence knowing she was the only one on that runway bigger than a size 4 and she owned it.

Renn in May 2011 issue of Tush Magazine

Summer 2010 issue

Today, Crystal is no longer a size 14, she stated her weight loss comes from working out more in the past year (which is something that she could barely do when she had to keep up with her plus size figure) Her weight loss sparked a whole lot of bashing online, her response: “It’s funny because if I, for instance gained the weight because I was listening to them, I’d be doing the very same thing I was doing when I started out in this industry. I was listening to others to decide where my weight should be and who I should be in general. And I refuse to do that again. It would be more hypocritical.”

“What I do object to is the pressure from others for me to remain a certain way forever. Who knows? In ten years’ time I might be a US size 14 again, and I would be absolutely fine with that too.”

My thoughts? I have been struggling with a weight issue my whole life. My body was made to always be curvy, and its not always something I am proud of. I have to work harder to keep myself fit, and sometimes I do have to walk past a cupcake (and then get really really angry) But there are women out there who are just the opposite, and we seem to over look them. There are women desperately trying to get curves, fast metabolism and genes gives them a hard time to achieve a look they want. We look up to magazines and blogs to fuel our inspiration for style, we work hard to create a certain outfit, or look and at the same time we try to achieve “the body” we see in photos and TV. At 22, my struggle with my body image is still there but I learn to embrace the fact it will go up and down, and I am ok with it. Crystal Renn is only 24! who cares if she hasn’t decided what her body’s natural size is,  she’s still a young woman learning, and someone who will never be 100% satisfied(who is?)

You learn every day to love certain parts of yourself. Whether you are a size 2 or a size 18, there are many things that are beautiful about you (and let’s face it there are things you want to change) No magazine, blog or celebrity can tell you are too big or too small.  Ultimately, it’s how YOU feel at the end of the day, and that’s all that really matters.

Your thoughts?

xoxo

Miss Neira

Happy Monday is a post from: Miss Neira - Fashion, Beauty, Style

Taking a little break from my blog to write my college thesis is actually giving me withdrawals! Seeing all your messages after my posts has always been a highlight of my day, so I can’t wait to be done with school and finally take care of my blog more (a.k.a my baby) If any of you have finals coming up, you are graduating or you are almost done with school.. good luck!! and congrats While I take a break from my thesis, I have a few cravings I stumbled upon.. maybe it will satisfy your fashion tooth, even just a little.

Yes I have given in to the temptation of THE ROMPER. Usually deemed unflattering, but if you
take time to find ones tailored to your shape (and good fabric) you will love it too!
NASTY GAL Blue Lagoon Romper $48.oo

While I usually promote “the higher the better” mantra, there is nothing
cuter than a sweet wedge with a pair of jeans or a sundress (for those days where
you gonna walk.. a lot!)
GoMax Frasia Wedge by Lulus $32.00

I just recently purchased a white Spring jacket, how lovely would it be with a
pretty pink silk scarf..like this one!
Hand painted silk scarf on Etsy by Liga Kandele $28.00

I will be back soon!

xoxo

Miss Neira

Catwalk for a Cure (casting call) is a post from: Miss Neira - Fashion, Beauty, Style

As I mentioned in this previous post, I will be the event coordinator for the 2nd annual Catwalk for a Cure!

Catwalk for a Cure is a breast cancer charity fashion event supporting The Massachusetts Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure raising money for breast cancer research and education. We are working very closely with Komen Mass to put on this event on. The event will consist of a cocktail hour and silent auction and culminate with the fashion show. The fashion show incorporates local and professional, as well as student designers in the Greater Boston area looking to showcase their fashions for models, breast cancer survivors, “boston celebrities” (news anchors, editors etc.), and business professionals (doctors, surgeons etc.).  The show will be  on October 13th, 2011 at The State Room located in Boston, MA from 7-11pm.

Looking for FEMALE models to walk our runway in a one-of-a-kind dress created by a designer in Boston, MA. This is for experience and charity, NON PAID

Criteria
Female
5’8+ in heels
ANY age

please email CHRISTINA.CFAC@gmail.com AND LILLY.CFAC@gmail.com to schedule an appt.

I heart Montreal is a post from: Miss Neira - Fashion, Beauty, Style

On March 13 I had the best time celebrating my birthday in Montreal with the boy! I have never been to Montreal, not even Canada! so I had blast spending a weekend away from a cold Boston to..well..a cold Montreal.I love how similar it was to Boston, a little bit more experimental with fashion but had the same old fashioned vibe.

Click on MORE to continue reading and check out more photos!

Sugar pie a.k.a foodgasm

Me and the hubz

coat: Theme// shoes: Charlotte Russe// bag: ASOS

(sigh) Is Spring coming soon?!

A pretty LBD from C.Luce, cosmo and mussels! (happy birthday to me!)

Have you been to Montreal?! How was it?

xoxo

Miss Neira

West coast meets East coast (Christen Mitchell Styling) is a post from: Miss Neira - Fashion, Beauty, Style

I have the pleasure to have such an amazing guest post on here! She is not only beautiful, but quite intelligent, fashionable and I would be delighted to go in and borrow steal her closet =) Fashion stylist Christen Mitchell is sharing some alternate ways to enjoy Boston weather with a mix of LA style!

Continue reading for some fabulous photos and tips!

Hi Miss Neira readers! I was so honored when I was asked to do a guest post here and super excited to share my unique style with all of you. I am a Boston-based personal wardrobe stylist that works with personal clients to update their wardrobe as well as music groups and other artists as an image consultant. I have always been an artist and thus into fashion as an expression of art.

A little background about my style. I have been living in Boston for almost two years, but before that Colorado, San Francisco, Sydney and Minneapolis. Even though I am a native Minnesotan, I’ve spent a lot of time bopping around different parts of California. My travels to warmer climates have absolutely influenced my personal style and I tend to take on a more modern Bohemian feel in my wardrobe. What I love about my stuling is that it allows my personal aesthetic to constantly be evolving. I never feel boxed in by my style. The most important fashion motto I live by everyday is: “No matter what you wear, rock it and make no excuses!”

The best way to share this idea with you is through images. I take daily pictures of my outfits and I have spent the past week in LA so I was able to take a few warm weather images for a little Spring inspiration. However, since the cold is still lingering in Boston, I thought I’d include a few cold weather outfits as well.

The Fall-Winter Look

Winter can get dreary in the Northeast so if I don’t have a pop of color on my nails to keep things funky, I make sure to get color in somewhere else. Cold weather doesn’t mean you have to rotate between naturals. Don’t hide your colors in the attic waiting for the Spring.

I love everything in maxi length. You might think that maxi skirts are not for cold weather but you’re wrong. You can layer long-underwear if if’s that cold and no one will ever know. But most importantly maxi skirts like maxi dresses are easy while looking elegant and modern at the same time.

In the dead of winter I get really sick sporting my huge North Face jacket, so I work on layering instead. Here I am layering an H&M plaid shirt with my fur west and canvas army coat. It keeps me extremely warm and offers an alternative to your basic Winter outwear.

Shorts are not just for summer. I wear these every season. By layering tights or patterned leggings underneath, I get a whole new use out of some of my summer gear. They can be a nice alternative to the nighttime skirt and boots combo that everyone gravitates towards in the winter.

I love just keeping it simple by pairing black jeans and a white t-shirt together, but then amping it up with a funky sweater. Patterns are going to be huge in the coming seasons so grab up those Navajo prints when you see them. Also, if you’re really looking to go bold I love this fully sequined jacket. Remember with something like that, let the coat do the walking, you don’t need to over do it with tons of jewelry or complicated hair.

The Spring-Summer Look

You’ll see me in these shorts a lot. They are actually my dad’s old Levi jeans that I’ve cut into shorts and rolled myself. Since the shorts are baggier and more masculine, I like to keep the top and hair feminine. That’s why you’ll see me in a top where you can see some of my lace bra or that shows a bit more skin. Also, heels with these shorts are always a great addition when changing from day to night.

I am also often in cropped shirts. Not only will you see this length a lot in the coming seasons, but it’s a great way to compliment anything high-waisted, maxi, or that gives you more volume on the bottom like a pair of boyfriend jeans.

Lace is another trend I am really excited about. I like to wear brightly colored lace bras with shirts that are baggier or that have an interesting cut where it’s nearly impossible to wear a normal bra underneath. This way if the bra is visible, it looks purposeful rather than like you just forgot to wear the right bra. It also adds am element of unexpected and playful sexiness. My favorite by far is Hanky Panky.

The 70′s had some amazing fashion trends. Again the maxi comes into play. The reasons I love the maxi dress go far beyond comfort (although that is a major factor). While a simple solid color maxi is very elegant, this style in a bold or colorful floral pattern is on the top of my list for this Springs and Summer because they are a great statement piece all on their own. Everything else can be simple and understated when wearing this sort of dress. They come in about every different cut so try on a few before deciding you don’t like this idea. I promise you’ll be presently surprised with how sexy and feminine a dress like this makes you feel.

The Accessories, Hair & Nails

We Love Colors is a post from: Miss Neira - Fashion, Beauty, Style

Many of you fashionistas already heard of the awesome tights by We Love Colors, and if you haven’t get on their website stat!  I don’t do jeans (yes I love me some tights and leggings) and as long as I have a variety of textures, colors and styles there is never a need for denim for me! I went up to Montreal, Canada for the weekend (I will have photos in an upcoming post!) and I had a chance to wear my new colorful tights with my favorite shoes. I love the way the maroon complements the browns and nudes.

I’m wearing the Nylon/Lycra Microfiber Tights in Maroon

hat: Sonia Rykiel for H &M// dress: Forever 21// booties: Chinese Laundry

The best part is complementing them with shoes. I love them!
They are super comfortable, very flattering and the color selection is fabulous.

Follow WE LOVE COLORS on Twitter
Like WE LOVE COLORS on Facebook

Do you own a pair of tights/leggings from We Love Colors?!

xoxo

Miss Neira

The Best Bath Store is a post from: Miss Neira - Fashion, Beauty, Style

With Spring just around the corner (fingers crossed) and the snow from previous storms begins to melt, we start thinking about sun kissed, smooth and fabulous skin! Were not going to cover up anymore with dreadful coats so why not take care of it the best way you can. I had the awesome opportunity to try some products from The Best Bath Store. A small business in Woburn, MA  all of their products are cruelty free and are committed to using 100% green power. The second I saw that they had a coffee scrub, I was more than happy to try it out.I have had dreams of IV infused with caffeine attached to my body so coffee for yummy skin?! yes please!

Benefits of a Coffee Body scrub

• Caffeine has a diuretic effect, which helps speed fluid on its way, reducing the telltale puckering and puffiness associated with cellulite (LIVESTRONG)
• Tightens up vessels which results in a smooth appearance temporarily
• Supercharged with magnesium and Vitamin E
• Exfoliating, stimulating and let’s not forget the smell

They have so many different products to try, and if you are a product junkie you will love them! From toners, bath bombs to hair care!

Check out their website!

xoxo
Miss Neira

p.s obsessed with their coffee scrub I need to mention it twice