Style | Blonde Latte | A Lifestyle Blog by Rachel Gilner

Archive - Style RSS Feed

Style | UCF Alumni Mixer

August 13, 2012 in Style with 5 Comments

Last week I attended my first UCF Alumni mixer in San Francisco! The event was hosted with a few other southern schools; Vanderbilt, FSU, UNC, W&L, Georgia Tech, USC, SMU and UVA. In addition to wearing a name badge it was encouraged to wear your school colors!

I loved meeting other San Franciscans from Florida, I really felt at home talking to everyone. I even met a girl who lived in my old neighborhood and an Eta Kappa ZTA! I felt so proud being a Knight knowing that so many of its graduates are now working for Google, Microsoft, Zynga, and starting their own businesses! Let go Knights!

On another note… I bought a new sheer black top with gold buttons a few weeks ago for this very occasion…

Sheer black top from Forever 21 (Forever 21)
Yellow leather belt by Betsy Johnson (Nordstrom Rack)
Skinny jeans by Joe’s Jeans (Saks Outlet)
Black and gold booties by Tory Burch (Bloomingdales)

How do you wear your Alma mater’s colors? Tag me on Instagram @therachelg

XOXO Rachel

The Spice Girls Were Amaze During The Olympic Closing Ceremonies

August 12, 2012 in Style, Things I Love with 2 Comments

Photo: NyDailyNews.com

I was pretty disappointed when I didn’t see the Spice Girls at the Opening Ceremonies of 2012 London Olympics…that all changed tonight! Being on the east coast has never annoyed me more than the anticipation and 3 hour delay of seeing this performance.

The Spice Girls are apart of every “20- something” girls memories. No matter how much time goes by you will always be able to spit out the rap in Wannabe, and look back on the dance you and 4 of your friends made up in middle school to Spice Up Your Life. Am I right or am I right?!

Posh was wearing a stunning black gown by Giles Deacon with beaded detailing. The high-low hem really showed off her spider legs. 38 years old and 4 kids later …

Scary went with a more daring look by wearing a sequin bodysuit by Zuhair Murad. Love her shoes and hair but it looks like she’s ready to take the ice in the 2014 Winter Olympics. 37 years old and 3 kids later…

My runner up tonight (only because im partial to pink) was Ginger. She wore a reinterpretation of the now infamous Union Jack minidress by Susan Neville. The dress had Britain’s national flag emblazoned on a bustle at the back of her red dress – SO CUTE and a golden tiara that I could have lived without. Geri was always the most festive I think. 40 years old and 1 kid later…

Sporty went with a more gown up version of “sporty spice” wearing a jersey tank and side slit pants. I am very pleased to see crystal belt accent! The shoes are meh, but what do you expect? 38 years old and 1 kid later…

Last but not least, my all time favorite Baby Spice! She looked fabulous in her signature pink dress by Maggie Cooke. I loved the deep V neckline and sequin shoulders. Plain and simple, I want to be her. 36 years old and 2 kids later…

Although I am sure they didn’t actually sing, they looked damn good. I decided I am going to be a Spice Cougar for halloween this year!

What do you think about the Spice Girls performance at the closing ceremonies?

XOXO Rachel

Style | What To Wear During The Olympics

August 6, 2012 in Style with 0 Comments

When I think of Olympic style, I instantly channel 4th of July, being the patriotic citizen I am. I spent more time debating what to wear to an opening ceremonies viewing party than I did to go out for my birthday…I went with William Rast skinnies, a white and navy stripped sweatshirt by Joie, and a red and white polka dot scarf.

I love themed outfits for occasions so why not for the Olympics? Red, white, and blue can be difficult to pull off without looking like Uncle Sam or a firework. Remember subtly patriotic is key.

It has been super easy to find Olympic themed apparel online and around town. Gap’s Olympic Vintage T’s collection has great shirts for men and women. I love their London red jersey tank so much I used it in my look.

Change your pants, shoes, grab a coat and your out the door!

I love that the first look is casual, i’d 1/2 tuck in my top and wear the clutch as a cross body bag. The black belt ties most of the pieces together, while the gold Revas are just plain champion

Tank by Gap.com $24.94
Shorts by Hollister $15 (sale)
Clutch by ASOS $23.20 (sale)
Shades by Ran Ban
Flats by Tory Burch $165 (sale)

Transforming this outfit to evening is simple by grabbing a blazer and jeans.

Jeans by 7 for all mankind $109 (sale)
Boyfriend blazer by L Club
Boots by H&M $34.95

Tip: Invest more in staple pieces such as jeans, shoes, and handbags. You will wear them 100 more times than an Olympic tank.

Tag me in your Olympic themed outfits on Twitter and Instagram @TheRachelG

XOXO Rachel

Fridays Find: Jewels, Hats, & Flats

July 27, 2012 in Friday's Find, Style with 5 Comments

In addition to my cute summer flats I showed you yesterday, I got a few more great finds at the Union Street Sidewalk Sale and Market Street.

I spent under $150 between Forever 21, H&M, Jes’t Jewels, and Ambiance!

These are from Ambiance in San Francisco, they carry such a great assortment of accessories, shoes, and apparel. I instantly fell in love with this store when I moved here.

Green envelop clutch: On sale for $24
Stripped boyfriend tank: On sale for $8
Collective Concepts romper: On sale for $25 (I have been wanting this for months! It is originally $89!)

This is a combo of Forever21 and H&M

Sheer black high-low top with gold buttons: Forever 21 $17.50 (Perfect for the UCF Alumni mixer next week)
Bright pink cropped sweater: H&M $24
Light blue tank: H&M $5.95 (maybe to go under the cropped tank)
Black sparkle heart and green button earrings: Forever 21 $3.21/ea.
Stackable bracelets: Forever21 $9 (see detailed image above)

The last shop I made my way into was JES’T JEWLES! I have been hearing about this gem for months from fellow bloggers and it surpassed my expectations! Heres a great article from Mag’s Rags to Riches on them!

Summer style fedora: On sale for $9

I love the jewel detailing, it adds a feminine touch. Theres even a little crown button!

I hope you enjoyed this weeks Friday’s find! Remember theres always a sale….

XOXO Rachel

My New Summer Flats Arrived!

July 26, 2012 in Style, Uncategorized with 5 Comments

Earlier this week I took a day off for some R&R to go window shopping (and shopping) with my friend Kristin. We got off the train and immediately went into HD Buttercup, the most amazing furniture store of all time. You all know my secret lover Z Gallerie, well imagine his slightly older brother.

We then went on to window shop things we cant afford, drink a few splits of champagne, eat nachos, and shop. Perfect day right?!

Image: @KGoetterman

I got a few goodies, including 2 pairs of bright summer flats at the Aldo sale. If your interested in snagging a few pairs, they are still offering an extra 30% off the entire store, including sale items! I was super bummed to hear they were going to have to be shipped to me the fun part of shopping is opening your goodies and doing a fashion show right when you get home, right?

Anyways, they have arrived! They are slightly to small so ill need to exchange them for a larger size (I read online they wont stretch out to much and are super uncomfortable, yay).

After I exchange them Ill let you now how they feel and how I will incorporate them in my wardrobe the rest of summer! I dont own many pairs of Aldo shoes, are they as uncomfortable as the reviews said?

XOXO Rachel