Trend Alert: Gold-Plated Accessories

Something that I've seen popping up a lot lately are gold-plated accessories, like jewlery, handbags, shoes  and belts. The little touch of shiny gold adds an interesting and luxe feel to your basics and you can mix and match them with tons of different outfits. 

Lupita Nyong'o rocked a gold-plated belt over her emerald green Dior Couture gown at the BAFTA Awards in February. 

One celebrity who has been rocking the gold plated belt long before it became a trend is Kim Kardashian. She wears them everywhere from red carpet events to the airport and knows just how versatile this simple accessory can be. 

Check out the affordable gold-plated accessories below. The wedges are my favorite!

1. Forever 21 Luxe Wedge Sandals - $36.80

2. Roxx Metal Plate Clutch in Salmon - $19.99

3. ASOS Leather Purse with Metal Frame Plate - $41.39

4. Haute & Rebellious Oversize Gold Plated Belt - $48

5. Forever 21 Luxe Stiletto Sandals - $36.80

6. Forever 21 Sleek Flip Flops - $8.80

7. See by Chloe Plate Gladiator Sandal - $345

8. Vince Camuto Stretch Linen Panel with Gold Plates - $42

9. Shoptiques Clutch Gold Black - $375

Are you loving this new trend? Do you have any gold-plated accessories?

Easter 2014 & Egg Bashing

Happy Belated Easter! I spent the weekend in my hometown with my family and boyfriend. We started out the morning by discovering some presents that the Easter bunny left behind. I got a red hot Michael Kors coin purse that I can use as an alternate wallet or a business card holder for my new job I'll be starting in May, and a pair of gold earrings. 

Later in the afternoon, we had all of our neighbors over to our house for an Easter tradition that my family has been doing ever since I can remember. We call it the egg bashing competition. This is how it works: everyone gets a hard-boiled egg, then you go up against someone, and bash an end of your egg with the other persons - one person's egg will break, while the other will remain untracked. Since there are two ends to the eggs, it's double elimination.

My brother usually makes the bracket, and this year may have been the largest bracket we've had, about 35. It's fun to watch since some people will try to use strategies, like hitting the person's egg when they're not looking or hitting it hard instead of lightly, but in my opinion, there's no strategy, it's all just luck. The champion gets bragging rights for the whole year until next year's egg bashing contest. 

I was out after only two rounds, so I clearly have no strategy, but the championship ended up being my brother's girlfriend, Caitlin, and my boyfriend, Jordan. This was Jordan's first time participating, but Caitlin ended up winning in the championship round. This year, everyone put in $1 each, so along with the bragging rights, Caitlin got $35 too. 

In the end, it's all just friendly competition and a lot of fun to have everyone over and laugh at the egg bashing. 

Do you have any Easter traditions in your family? How was your Easter?

Love It Or Leave It: Birkenstocks

Birkenstocks are making a comeback, and no, this is not a joke. Those chunky, strappy, and usually very comfortable sandals have been seen on runway models and fashionista's feet lately. But personally, I just think they're ugly, so I say leave it. 

I'm not a big fan, but I think this fad won't last too long. I'll give it a little more than a year, but I just don't see it sticking around for much longer than that, and I don't think it will catch on nearly as much as high-waisted shorts or fringe bikinis. They made a short appearance over the summer in 2013, but probably won't really catch on until this summer. 

Growing up in Florida, it's naturally a sin to wear socks with sandals, and that will immediately show a red flag for tourists, but that seems to go along as part of this trend with some Birkenstocks.

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen were spotted rocking their Birkenstock inspired leather sandals with socks.

1. Kate Spade New York Open Toe Flatbed Sandals - Attitude - $198 

2. MICHAEL Michael Kors Flat Sandals - Sawyer - $110

3. MICHAEL Michael Kors Flat Sandals - Sawyer - $135

4. Birkenstock Flatbed Sandals - Arizona 2 Brand - $130

5. Stuart Weitzman Flat Sandals - Freely Doublestrap - $325

6. Rebecca Minkoff Studded Flat Sandals - Talia Too - $250

7. Birkenstock Flat Sandals - Arizona - $130

8. Gentle Souls Open Toe Flatbed Sandals - Skip Rock Camo - $280

So what do you say about Birkenstock-inspired sandals? Love it or leave it?

Favorite New Brand: Bourbon & Boweties

I was introduced to the amazing Bourbon & Boweties brand in December by my brother's girlfriend. The brand specializes in bangles, more specifically wire bracelets with beautiful stones. I fell in love with them as soon as I saw them because they're so fun and unique, but still super chic. 

So far, I have four bangles - sherbet orange, teal, red and purple - but I'm looking to expand my collection even further (hopefully this weekend when I go back to Tampa!). The bangles usually range from $28-$48 depending on where you purchase them.

Most of their items are only available via boutiques and some online stores, but I think they're working to start selling from their own website. The brand is still relatively new, but it's definitely growing super fast! You can look up local retailers on the Bourbon & Boweties website. 

You can wear one at a time or create an entire cohesive stack. I love how versatile they are and I've already had a lot of compliments on them. They're chunky and gaudy, but amazing!

I recently shot a shotgun for the first time last weekend, so now I feel like I'm deserving of the shotgun shell bangle! It's so unique and unlike anything I've ever seen before. (Pictured below)

Have you heard of Bourbon & Boweties? What's your favorite new accessory?