Best Dressed: 2013 Cannes Film Festival

The 2013 Cannes Film Festival occurred a few weeks ago and of course, the celebrities didn't disappoint on the red carpet. There were fantastic arrays of styles and common trends such as colorful gowns with embellishments and classic black and white looks. Hairstyles were exquisite and make up was either minimalistic with all natural tones or a pop of red lip. There were so many great choices but I narrowed it down to my absolute favorites, and chose two overall best dressed celebrities for the entire week of the Cannes Film Festival. 

Here are my best dressed choices!

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Marion Cotillard in Alexander McQueen

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Kirsten Dunst in Michael van der Ham 

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Emma Watson in Chanel 

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Lana del Rey in Lena Hoschek 

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Eva Longoria in Atelier Versace

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Freida Pinto in Sanchita 

And now for my absolute favorite overall looks from two beautiful women: 

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Nicole Kidman definitely stepped up her red carpet wardrobe for the music festival. I think a lot of people kind of gave up on her red carpet style has been spiraling downwards for the past couple of years. She totally shocked the world in girly and fashion forward pieces from Valentino, Dior, Valentino Haute Couture, and L'Wren Scott.

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Zhang Ziyi is what I like to call a fashion risk-taker. I love her eclectic choices and her romance with embellished dresses. She can be elegant and lovely, or fun and flirty with her style. She wore looks from designers Elie Saab, Giambattista Valli Couture, Christian Dior, and Chanel.

So, who do you think was best dressed?

xoxo

Aya's Graduation Gift Guide!

I am thrilled about this post, because it is dedicated to the many desirable items that I would absolutely LOVE to have. Since I graduated from college a few weeks ago, I decided this would be helpful to my friends and family who are not quite sure what to get me as a present! No need to worry about what to shop for, this is a guide to help you refrain from stressing out about what to buy! 

Any of the things listed on the post would be such a delight to own, so thank you to everyone in advance! For friends and family, please email my sister Dania at dandoon02@gmail.com if you have chosen what to get me. 

That way, no one buys repeat presents!

Each of the item names are listed below the picture, and there is a direct link attached to each item name just in case you are ordering online. I have also included my sizes as well. 

And if for some reason this is still difficult for some of you, gift cards would be extremely appreciated to the following places: TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Starbucks, any Nail Salon, Urban Nirvana, Target, Kohl's

Here you go! :) 

XOXO 

Stella and Dot Lillith Fringe Necklace - on sale for $69!

Stella and Dot Gold Renegade Cluster Bracelet in GOLD - $59

Romwe "Sequined Mouth" White T-Shirt - $31.99

{available at romwe.com; size small}

Steve Madden Whitneyy Wedges - $99.95

{available online, belk/dillard's, size 8}

Prada "Candy" Perfume - $62

{available at Sephora Stores}

Michael Kors Metallic Glam Studded High Top Sneakers - $195

{available at BELK stores; size 8}

Paris Eiffel Tower T-Shirt - $26

{available at etsy.com; size small}

Marc Jacobs 384/S Sunglasses - $340

{available at Solstice stores}

Grace Coddington's Memoir - $23.43

{available at Barnes and Noble stores}

Magnetic Coin Bracelet - $19.99

{available at target stores}

Bead Earring - $7.99

{available at target stores; would love ANY color!}

Vince Camuto Janet Drawstring Bag - $178

{or at select BELK stores}

Hodde Necklace - $18

{available at Aldo stores}

Vince Camuto Rose Print Blazer - $169

{available at DILLARD's; size 6}

Best Dressed: 2013 Billboard Music Awards

There wasn't much red carpet hype going on at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards last night, but nevertheless, we did have some great fashion choices. The celebrities that usually go all out in capes, wacky hairdos, and spiky objects attached to their bodies actually toned in down a notch. So to sum it up, there dress choices were very tasteful and classy for the awards show. 
Here is my best dressed list!

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Selena Gomez in Atelier Versace was my best dressed for the night. She was effortlessly beautiful in this white gown and I loved the neon accents brightening it up. The high neckline slit going down to the exposed leg was sexy for the young singer/actress and she couldn't have chosen a better gown. 

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Emmy Rossum in was girly and sleek in this surprisingly Zuhair Murad number. The polka dot sleeves made this dress fun and the black intertwined it with sexy yet not too overbearing.  

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Taylor Swift in Zuhair Murad. Sparkles and Zuhair Murad are the typical dress choice of T.Swift but But the actual surprise was her color choice - a vibrant blue that she usually never chooses. She won the night not only in awards but also with this electric mini dress. 

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Nicki Minaj was daringly stunning in Versace. Another surprise on the red carpet since we're so used to her wearing something out of the ordinary. It was a nice change for her to clean up so well and the voluminous hair brought this look together. 

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Hayden Panettiere in Halston Heritage was a classy and chic look. The petite-framed actress looked long and lean in this beautiful black number and the vintage Hollywood hairstyle was a fantastic look.

It was All Yellow.

So it's official... I'm a graduate! This outfit post was from last weekend post graduation. I had a splendid weekend and loved that family came into town for my big day! The weekend was filled with tons of festivities... from graduation, to a celebratory dinner, dessert eating and Mother's day breakfast. Afterwards we spent our Sunday relaxing on Lake Murray... and we thought it was a perfect photo opportunity!

Before the graduation ceremony, my parents surprised me with the yellow studded Michael Kors Hamilton bag that I have been DYING for! I was so thrilled and excited that they got it for me... definitely the best present I received! Thank you mom and dad! xo

F21 blazer | Aldo necklace | JBrand Jeans | HoH1960 earrings | Tory Burch sunglasses |

 BVLGARI bracelet | Michael Kors bag | Jessica Simpson wedges

Best Dressed: 2013 MET Ball

CHAOS TO COUTURE was the exquisite theme for the 2013 Met Ball {gala}. 

The punk trend was the focus of this year's costume institute at the Metropolitan Museum and all of our favorite stars could not have wowed us more in their punk rock 'dos, fierce makeup, and extravagant gowns. The punk era had such a significant influence in high fashion back in the 1970s and for 2013 they wanted to make a comeback with it and celebrate the eclectic fashions from the timeless era. 

If there was any night to take risks in the fashion world, the Met Gala is the night to take them. 

Some celebrities went way over the top - dying their hair white or wearing a table centerpiece on their head (just to name a few) and others took a high enough risk yet still kept it tres chic. 

There were a numerous amounts of fabulosity on the carpet, 

but here are my best dressed picks from the 2013 Met Ball! 

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Anne Hathaway in vintage Valentino

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Blake Lively in Gucci 

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Rooney Mara in Givenchy Haute Couture 

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Taylor Swift in J.Mendel

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Kate Bosworth in Balmain 

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Gisele Bundchen in Anthony Vaccarello 

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Carey Mulligan in Balenciaga

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Amber Heard in Emilio Pucci 

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Minka Kelly in Carolina Herrera 

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Kate Mara in Delpozo by Josep Font

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Allison Williams in Altuzarra 

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Olivia Wilde in Calvin Klein Collection 

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Giuliana Rancic in Falguni and Shane Peacock

Kate Young for Target

The other day, I walked into Target for my usual shopping visit, and to my surprise I came across some super cute leopard print bow-tie booties. 

Knowing Target usually carries shoe brands like Mossimo and Merona, I knew this couldn't be a piece by either of the brands. I look up and come to see an advertisement above the shoes about a new collaboration that Target took on. Naturally, I got really excited because I am always so thrilled about Target's brilliant collaborations. 

Their newest collaboration, Kate Young for Target, made its debut on April 14th.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Kate Young, she is one of Hollywood's leading and most influential celebrity stylists - styling the wardrobes of familiar names such as Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams. She began her career in fashion at Vogue Magazine working closely with fashion muse Anna Wintour, and eventually made a name for herself. Today you can catch Kate Young working alongside major designers in the industry like Derek Lam and Jason Wu and assisting in their fashion shows. (Lam and Wu also happened to have Target collabs as well). She is also an expert in styling for Red Carpet events - which we all know I love and adore!

Her Target collaboration is based around one of America's favorite formal, black tie affairs. That popular affair being the Prom... every high-school girl's dream event. This collection fits the prom perfectly; she gives pieces that have flirty colors, girly patterns, and exquisite lacing and beading. Kate Young's collection presents us with formal and semi-formal attire - something that Target hasn't given us before. It's a nice change because Target's store itself does not provide us with floor-length dresses or even semi-formal dresses for such fabulous events, but now that Kate has arrived... the worries of finding that perfect prom dress is over... and as always, Target sells it to us at a magnificent price point.

Here are some of my favorites from the fantastic collection:

Naya Ankle Bootie with Bow - $44.99

{the first thing I saw in her collection!}

Peplum Dress in Rose Print - $49.99

Crystal Stones Necklace in Gold - $19.99

Drop Waist Dress in Cosmo Pink - $49.99

{also in purple}

Neema Pump with Flame Detail - $39.99

{also in black}

Jumpsuit in Black - $79.99

Yellow Beaded Shift Dress - $59.99

Structured Envelope Wristlet in Tan - $19.99

{also in yellow and black}

Evening Dress with Back Bow in Cream/Black - $89.99

{all photos belong to Target.com}

And of course, with a Target collaboration comes a sick premiere event for it!

Kate Young made her event into a pink prom themed party... which is quite fitting for the collection.

 So here are some of the most fashionable celebrities rocking some of her pieces!

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French model Constance Jablonski wearing the Peplum Dress in Rose Print and actress Kate Mara wearing the Yellow Beaded Shift Dress, Wide Epoxy Star Bracelet in Jet, and the Black Patent Box Frame Clutch. 

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Actress Michelle Williams wearing the Cream Satin Blazer, Black Satin Shorts, & Polka Dot Print Long Bodysuit, and designer Jason Wu with Kate Young, wearing the Polka Dot Print Long Bodysuit under the Black Strapless Bow Dress.

I was honestly surprised to see Target bringing back another collaboration so soon, since Prabal Gurung's collection made it's debut in February. My only concern was that it was not advertised very well - I didn't find out about this collaboration until I walked into the store! If only I knew about it sooner, I would have gotten my foot into Target the day of the debut. They could have utilized television commercials, magazine advertisements, and social media more.

 Nevertheless, I'm still excited about the collection and I'm also excited because with Target coming out with new collaborations within a two month period, this means another possible collaboration may make its way to Target shortly...!

What do you think about this collection?

xoxo