From Brunch to Bottle Service | Creating a Look For the Brunch That Lives On Past 3 PM

We all know that sometimes, when you're having a little too much fun at brunch, you lose track of time. Especially when bottomless mimosas are offered well into the afternoon.

How many times have I been at a brunch literally the entire day, didn't realize I'd be out for that long, but still have plans at nighttime? Too many to count. 

What I've learned, is that on weekends it's simple: you gotta be prepared. I never really dress down for brunch anyway, but there definitely is a fine line between going to a brunch knowing you're coming straight home after, versus having an open day filled with potential for spontaneity. 

What To Wear To Brunch When You Have No Idea What Time You'll Be Outta there:

HEELS. They add that extra flair any outfit. Plus, you're sitting most of the time, so no complaints that your feet hurt! You'll thank yourself later when you decide to hit up your favorite nightclub. 

A STATEMENT BAG. Another effortless and simple way to dress up an outfit without really trying.

A GLITZY TOP OR SIMPLE MINI DRESS. Either can be appropriate for an all-dayer into a nighter.

This is a lil something I put together that is super appropriate for a "started at brunch, now we here" kind of day. A gilded satin crop top (obviously), loose black pants, nude heels, a vintage sparkly gold star bag (cue the KiraKira app), and my mom's massively perfect gold and ivory starfish earrings from the 80s. 

This is the kind of look that can be so easily transformed from day to night. But of course you're going to need to bring some things with you in your bag to truly complete the look so it's appropriate!

BAG ESSENTIALS - THE STUFF YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR LOOK FROM BRUNCH TO BOTTLE SERVICE READY

EARRINGS. An effortless and non-bulky accessory to pack along with you for the day to re-vamp your look.

MASCARA. Lashes start getting bleh after like... 8 hours. Do a couple more coats to bring them back to life.

MINI PERFUME OR ROLL-ON. A must have.

PRESSED SETTING POWDER. Again... need I say more?

LIPGLOSS. I always go with lipgloss vs. lipstick because I think there's something super flirty about a little shine. 

From popping champagne at brunch to champagne showers at the club... just do a little light preparation before brunch, and you'll make an easy transition from your different degrees of partying. Cheers!

Photography by: Bryan Blair

How to Fashionably Roll Out of Bed for Brunch Without Looking Like You Just Did

A lot of Sunday mornings, the last thing we all think about is getting dressed up no matter how bad brunch is calling our names. It's one extreme or the other: you end up skipping out on a fun time with friends because you're too lazy to put together something cute, or you're wearing sunglasses, last night's makeup, baggy clothing and sneakers to somewhere you probably should have tried a little harder for. 

Especially if you're an avid bruncher, a more casual look is probably preferred most of the time. Don't get me wrong - I live for getting all dolled up for brunch. But I am always down for comfort. I've found that it's about embellishing the casual with a good heel or some really great accessories.

One of my recent favorites? A loose twill striped button down shirt tucked into distressed shorts or jeans with a cute scalloped bralette peeking through. Add heels and you're set. 

It's about making it look very effortless and chic. It's about a touch of sexiness, a hint of not caring so much, and a sprinkle of just caring enough.

I found this cute shirt at Urban Outfitters that gave me a really beauty vibe... yet in a way reminded me of pajamas or a men's button down. It truly was the perfect "roll out of bed in style" type blouse. 

I really kept everything super simple and just added heels and some dainty gold accessories from Silver Queens LA. While it may not be the most comfortable heel, one that has a platform sole and sky high heels is the the style that is going to take your casual ensemble to next level chic.

I think that the "I'm just going to roll out of bed and head to brunch" attitude and feeling will always exist. It's part of what makes brunch such an appealing option for how to spend your weekend. However, especially if you're brunching in a major city, dressing up is always going to be the more appropriate choice. 

The trick is to simply make it your own and add those fashionable finishing touches to a super toned down look.

Photography by Emma Lynn Cinema

A Very Mary-Kate & Ashley Circa Early 2000s-Inspired Brunch Look

Growing up, I was literally the world's biggest Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen fan. As a 90s kid, who wasn't? Everything from their movies to books to style was something I looked up to so much. I still watch their old movies to this day because it brings back such nostalgic memories for me. 

Right around the '99-'03 stage was the time when MKA really were killing it with their outfits - they truly embodied every authentic and stereotypical '00s trend. These were my glory days. Pretty sure you'd be lying if you said you didn't dress like them, too! 

Recently, everywhere I go I've been seeing a lot of the same trends come back. Of course, my (still) MKA-obsessed self is more excited than ever. I don't care what anyone says - the late 90s and early 2000s fashion was the best and it should just come back forever! Okay, maybe I'm just biased... but I know I am not the only one who thinks so!

With that said, I wanted to create a brunch ensemble based off of one of my favorite Mary-Kate and Ashley styles - a very hip, Oriental-style look.

Back when they were just kids as well as teenagers, they took touches of that style here and there and made it their own - you know, with black chokers, cross body bags, light wash denim and tiny-framed colored sunglasses.

I went into Urban Outfitters and to my pleasant surprise, a ton of their new stuff instantly gave me all the MKA feels. I saw the Kimchi Blue Kiki Zip-Front Tank and knew this was the piece to create a whole look from! 14-year-old Mary-Kate & Ashley would approve of it, but it is still modern enough that it could really be worn any day now.

I fell in love with the front zipper and the intricate detailing and design of the top. It screams "Mary-Kate and Ashley would wear this!" Not to mention, it's a crop top - my favorite style top since '97. Still going strong!

The next step was the bottoms. While I could have easily paired this bold top with a pair of black skinny jeans, I went with some looser fitting high-waisted "mom shorts" to really accentuate the 90s vibes. A crop top and high-waisted anything, really is extremely "in" in LA and is a go-to for any brunch!

Of course I finished off the look with a Riccova choker (because obvvvviously) and some chunky heels to take the look from super casual to a look that was a bit more elevated...literally.

I am such a 90s kid and I love that styles I was wearing and looked up to 15 or so years ago are coming back and they can totally be modernized. Isn't it funny now though that these shorts I'm wearing fall under the category of "hipster?" All the hipsters can line up and thank Mary-Kate and Ashley for setting the trend. Bet you'll never think of a crop top and mom shorts combo the same.

And that my friends, is my ode to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Catch me at brunch, with a bellini in hand while reading an old MKA mag or two re-learning the trends I used to follow so religiously. It may be a little challenging, but if the Olsens can solve any crime by dinner time, then I can definitely come up with more ways to incorporate their "old school" early 2000s style into some more dope brunch looks.

Photography by Emma Lynn Cinema

How to Dress for Festival Season Even If You're Not Attending Coachella

Festival season is here! With Coachella only days away, it has been total festival vibes everywhere! The spirit and excitement of Coachella gets everyone in that boho-chic mood, but the only downfall is that tickets not only sell out fast, but they're astronomical! Plus, if you're not located in the SoCal area, that's a whole other expense in itself. But... that doesn't mean you still can't dress for the occasion!

Part of the fun of festival season is dressing up for it - Coachella is basically its own holiday. So, just like you would dress festively for any other, it's only appropriate to bring out your best boho-chic attire and strut like the Coachella babes do!

Don't get me wrong, if you're not a total bohemian or hippie style girl sometimes shopping for the perfect festival-inspired look can be difficult. But what I've learned is that simple pieces truly do go a long way! I recently went to Urban Outfitters and Forever 21 to score an affordable and totally Coachella-approved look.

My entire look is actually really simple: a Zippered Denim Skirt from Forever 21, the Out From Under Suzanne Strapless Bodysuit a pink Classic Bandana from Urban Outfitters around my neck. Side note: I am so happy that the bandana trend is back! 

The strapless bodysuit gave the look a super summery feel - totally appropriate for those desert hangs. The denim skirt and bandana added the perfect festival-esque touch that fits the part, yet isn't overdone for an average week. 

I made this look a bit more "Brielle" style and paired it with my favorite Steve Madden nude heels.

Whether you're heading to Coachella or not this year, it's always still fun to take part in all the festival fun. And hey, if you pick the right pieces, you can style it in different ways all year round. I don't know about you, but I feel a very boho brunch coming on in the future...

Photography by Emma Lynn Cinema