Tag Archives: June

Summer Style: Sexy or Sweet?

Every time summer rolls around, I find myself having the same fashion debate with myself.  But before we get into that, let me explain my thought process…

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A season already known primarily for how little one wears, it makes what few articles you do actually adorn yourself with all that much more important.  But summer is bigger than just bikinis.  Maybe not to men, but for you… it’s a season that evokes feelings of innocence.  Freedom.  Adventure.  No doubt all nods to your childhood, when all you needed were your friends, a pool, and a few stolen cigarettes (that none of you were ever brave enough to inhale).  But more importantly, remember how careless you felt about… well, pretty much everything?  Remember how good it felt to get wet and not care about your hair?  Or when the time that the street lights came on was more important than how shiny your face had gotten?  Because the only makeup you needed was your summer tan (those were still considered fairly safe to have then…).

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It was pretty amazing, right?

Life was simple.  “Calories” was just a weird word your parents used.  And boys were dumb.  And while maybe not everything has changed since then, most of us face a much different reality today:

Life is only as simple as you make it.  Calories are fucking evil.  And most guys are still generally pretty stupid.

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So with all the pressures our adult lives will no doubt bring- like bad dates, bills and cardio, why are we purposely doing the same thing to our style?  Why are we still rushing to grow up?  So what if we’re adults?  If there’s one way we can keep that young innocence about us, even if its just for a little longer, its through fashion.  I’m not saying you have to go all Lolita on everyone.  But maybe chill with your summer sexbomb arsenal for just a minute?  Stop thinking about whats going to slim what area.  Don’t worry about what Becky’s going to think.  And dress for the moment.  For summer.

For FUN.

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There’s a quote I heard once.  Maybe from the movie Vanilla Sky?  But I’ve loved it, as its one of the purest yet simplest truths I’ve heard-

“Never lose your childish enthusiasm and things will go your way.”

So why shouldn’t we apply this same theory to what we wear as well?  Why not reconnect to how it felt to get ready with the only purpose of attacking the day before us, and any adventure it might bring?  Sure, you don’t get a summer vacation anymore, but you do have days off.  So enjoy them with that same reckless energy.  Get all “young, wild, free” for a day.  Cause it will be back to Boss-mode and Spanx on Monday.

Liberata Dolce Summer Fashion 2016 heart shaped sunnies fashion stylist style bohemian boho

When I look at my own style, half of me wants to be the vampy bombshell, suggestively displaying each curve to provoke just the right amount of hysteria from the opposite sex.   The other half wants to be the innocent, girl next door type who’s down for anything.  You know who I mean- the doe eyed girl that loves ponytails, sundresses and America.

But what I actually am is somewhere right in the middle.  A perfect balance of sexy and sweet.  Provocative, but girlie.  What I wear is merely the determining factor in which direction I feel like going that day.  And when summer rolls around, the girl next door side just seems to win a lot more often.

Liberata Dolce Summer Fashion 2016 heart shaped sunnies fashion stylist style bohemian boho sexy sweet

And that’s where my original question comes into play.  Sometimes I have to remind myself that summer is supposed to be a season of fun, regardless of age.  A season of long, lazy days at the beach.  Cocktail filled nights with friends.  Steamy dates with boys.  And with all that, who has time to worry about much else.

So throw on some heart shaped sunnies.  Wear pink.  Dance.  A lot.  Makeout even more.  And give your inner Power Bitch a break.  Be the Badass Girl Next Door who isn’t afraid to get wet.  Or to lose a little control.  We both know you’re gorgeous either way.

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So go ahead.  Dive in.

Happy Summer Dolls…

X

Year 1: Come Out Swinging

June has always been a special month for me.

Not [just] because its my birthday month, but because I chose to launch LiberataDolce.com on the very same day.

Except I looked at it as less of a launch, and more of a birth.  The creation of an idea that suddenly came to life one day.  A reflection of myself that would share all the things that make me… me.

Who knew the life of a website could be so deep?

This site was a gift to myself to finally put into action all the dreams I had, and the dreams I wasn’t even aware I had yet.

And let me just say-

It has quickly become one of the most exciting and rewarding chapters of my life.

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It has also been one of the greatest lessons.  Especially seeing they were all self taught over a series of adventures, fueled by nothing other than hard work, commitment and passion.

That’s right.  Because we still live in a world that requires good old fashion drive if you want to be exceptional.  And while I’m not there yet, my arrival will simply be considered fashionably late.  And honestly, I’m not even sure where “there” is.  I just know its going to be amazing, and well worth the ride.

But above all, one of the greatest attributes I can credit many of these blessings to is so simple, yet SO crucial:

Character.

Become a person of your word.  All day, every day.  Commit to only what you can do.  But don’t ever not commit to something you’re simply scared to do- that’s the only way your talents will ever evolve.  But being a person of your word is without a doubt the most important attribute you will ever possess.  And once you commit to something, attack it with everything you have.

At the same time, know your value.  Your talent.  Understand what defines you.

And run with it in total confidence.

THAT is what will separate you from the mediocre.

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Don’t be afraid of your imagination.  Ever.  Your creativity is one of the most powerful tools you own.  Get lost in it.  And use it to your full advantage.  So what if everyone doesn’t get it right now.  I’m sure not everyone understood Karl Lagerfeld at one time.  Or David LaChapelle.  Many probably still don’t.

But do you think that ever stopped either of them?  Or more importantly- do you think they even cared?

Not.  A.  Chance.

If anything, it fueled them.  Because they knew they were creating something others couldn’t.  Seeing what others wouldn’t.  And what better possible way is there to brand yourself?

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Branding yourself is something only you can do.  Just like character, your reputation is ultimately something only you can control.  So control it wisely.  It will lead you to more opportunities than anything else.  ANYTHING.  Go out of your way to help others- you will be amazed at the kind of doors it will open.  Maybe not right away, but you’ll see.  At the same time, be cautious of who you give your time to.  Be patient, be forgiving, but don’t ever be a fool.

And with that, you have the observations and the lessons learned thus far during this adventure.

And the achievements?

Well, lets see…

Published Model.  Published Editorial Writer.  Featured Stylist.  Fashion Contributor.

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And trust me when I say that the titles will keep on coming.

So Thank You to everyone that has been a part of this experience.  To everyone who contributed.  To everyone who believed in me.

To everyone who made the first year at LiberataDolce.com THE year.

The year I came out swinging.

The year I set my own new standard.

The year I took nothing, and turned it into something.

The year I defined who I am.  What I want.  And how I’ll get it.

And if I could accomplish all I did, in one tiny little year… then I simply cannot wait to see what Year 2 has in store.

IF I’m willing to work for it.

So get ready dolls.  Or rather, stay ready.

Because I have a feeling we haven’t seen anything yet.

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