Florida Winter

Posted on February 18, 2016 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Even though I was born and raised in New York, if the temperature drops below 65 degrees here in Florida I’m not happy about it. Sure, the cute boots, jackets and sweaters come out to play but so does the ashy skin, terrible colds and not so fun morning routines. I digress. This outfit was from a couple of weeks ago when it was a freezing 39 degrees! My sister in New York would kill me for even uttering those words since she has to deal with below zero temps. I decided my newly purchased missguided booties could come out to play along with one of the only pair of jeans I own. The boots are currently sold out but many different brands have almost the exact same style (they are very trendy this season) and Ill link them below as usual. The quilted down jacket is via spiga, button up shirt dress is forever 21 and the jeans are from free people purchased at you guessed it, marshalls. Heres to hoping for some relief from the “winter” woes soon. Enjoy!

XOXO -Ari

Missguided Boots (in case they come back in stock + other color options)

Same exact boots, Public Desire

Shirt Dress

Via Spiga Coat

Worth the picture still…

Posted on February 1, 2016 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Although this post may be a bit delayed I still wanted to share a small moment with me and my sister and co blogger Gwen. She came to visit Florida for the holidays and per usual we didn’t get as much blogging or pictures as we would have hoped due to actually spending time together like normal people. It’s sad to say most times these perfectly curated and set up photos are what people post to show how much of a “good time” they are having. In reality they aren’t present in the moment and just experiencing everything from behind a lens. On this day we went to a Lakeridge winery (beautiful location close to home) and sampled some amazing wines. My outfit was inspired by this cool denim buttoned overall dress purchased from Forever 21. I wanted to keep everything else lady like and in proportion so I went with an old navy basic striped round collar shirt, nine west black patent leather booties, asos frilly socks, urban outfitters sunnies and my neutral Kate Spade chain link purse with my signature puff ball accessory. Links to items can be found below. Don’t forget to spend time with your loved ones and appreciate the non-picture perfect moments in between.

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Forever 21 Denim Overall Dress

Asos Jonathan Aston Socks

Urban Outfitters Sunglasses

XOXO- Ari

Hot new shit (drugstore edition)

Posted on January 26, 2016 by itsapplesandorangesblog

The drugstore is a bad place to be when you’re just “looking” around. During my trips to Target, CVS and Ulta, I spotted a few new products. My eyes would literally light up every time I saw the word “new”. Here are the items uI brought home with me…

From left to right: Garnier SkinActive Micellar cleansing water, Essie Gel Setter top coat, Maybelline Master Precise Skinny eyeliner, Biore Pore Penetrating Charcoal bar, Pixi Glow Tonic exfoliating toner, Maybelline Lash Sensational luscious mascara, L’Oreal Brow Stylist definer and Real Technique Miracle Complexion sponges.

So far I have only tried the Garnier Miceller water, the L’oreal brow stylist definer and the Essie gel setter. The Garnier Micellar water is gentle and removes all of my makeup without any stinging or burning, also it does not leave any residue. I don’t have a firm opinion on the L’Oreal brow stylist yet (I need to apply it with a full face of makeup. And lastly the Essie Gel Setter is a no light gel like top coat. I absolutely love it! My nail color has lasted for about 5 days without chipping!

I would be more than happy to review any of the other products as well, any one in particular you guys would like to know more about? Let me know in the comment box down below.

I’m really excited to try the rest of these products (especially the real techniques sponges) and cannot wait to report back to you all!

Find these items at Drugstore.com, Ulta.com, Walmart.com, CVS.com, Target.com along with any other drugstore in your area.

xx, Gwen

Twitter Fingers

Posted on January 18, 2016 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Now although we don’t condone bullying or violence, this epic line from the 2015 Drake hit “Back to Back” stands alone as a clever jab in the now infamous Meek Mill feud. When I saw this genius t-shirt on ASOS I knew that it had to be mine. I love a crisp white shirt with black lettering (as Ive featured many here before) because It can be paired with so many items and are a cool way to incorporate some humor and or fun into your wardrobe. You can rock this t-shirt in a sporty casual capacity as I did with sweat pants, Nike roshe run sneakers, and a vans beanie for a pop of color. Another cool way would be with dark jeans, heels and a sharp blazer for a smarter look. This look is youthful, fun and perfect for those off days where you just want to relax. Links to exact items down below!

Twitter Fingers Asos T-Shirt

Vans Beanie

XOXO -Ari

H&M Boho Chic

Posted on January 8, 2016 by itsapplesandorangesblog

For this holiday season I had the rare opportunity to see my sister and co-blogger! Since living in separate states can be difficult we always try and make the most of it when we do finally get together. This ootd post was taken on a random dirt road and I couldn’t be happier with the results! Make sure to also check out Gwen’s outfit from the same shoot for more rustic inspiration. The flowly boho maxi dress is from h&m and features a v-neck, tassled tie strings, a cinched waist and flowy ruffles and floral accents all around. It sounds like a lot for one dress but it looks beautiful due to the muted earth tones and meticulous placement of all of the dramatic parts. This dress (or something similar) can be transition from a casual day time event like brunch to a night out for dinner. I paired it with my Guess brown leather sandals and a top knot for a more off-the-cuff vibe. Links below and stay tuned for more pics from our family visit.

H&M Dress

XOXO- ARI

Target Find

Posted on January 5, 2016 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Just last week I was in sunny Florida spending time with my family and enjoying the warm sun, boy am I regretting coming back to New York. I thought I would lift everyone’s spirits (including mine) by posting some ootd photos Ari shot of me. We literally parked at a dirt road along the highway for these. Fun times…

This dress was an awesome bargain find in Target, at only $6.98 I had to grab it! I noticed the price before looking at the size tag, crossed my fingers and hoped it would fit me and sure enough it did! The universe was totally on my side that day. I paired it with my Primark low heel sandals and my Kate Spade small clutch.

I will also mention that the lipstick I am wearing is the shade “Brooklyn” from Ofra Cosmetics. I am obsessed with their formula and want to now buy every single color!

The dress is no longer in stock but I did find a few similar ones : Here, Here, Here

A goal for this year is to post more ootd, and to inspire women of all sizes that owning your look is what’s most important!

Till next time lovelies,

xx, Gwen

We are the champions…

Posted on December 21, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

As of lately I find myself leaning towards more androgynous or sporty looks. Though this may be a hindrance in the love life department, it is comfortable and very on trend. You can choose to go all out or just incorporate some sporty items in small doses in each outfit. Whether it be a great pair of sneakers or an oversized hoodie, this look is perfect for the colder temperatures and I love pairing it with ultra-sleek hair, a face beat for the gods and one feminine item (just to really distinguish myself from the boys). In this look I am rocking a champion brand t-shirt exclusive to ASOS. It is a size XS from the men’s section and fits great. I paired it with my h&m boyfriend jeans, timberlands and my go to trench jacket for a small cinch at the waist and hint at femininity. This look may not be for everyone and you could easily swap out the timberlands for booties or wear a skinnier jean depending on your comfort level. Links to items below!

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XOXO -ARI

Champion T-Shirt- Exclusive to ASOS

Timberlands

Hello From The Other Side

Posted on November 30, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Although we still have a month left in 2015 I can’t help but to think how fast time is going! It seems as though it was yesterday I was 13 years old and day dreaming about what life would be like when I was this age. As we enter into this holiday season it’s important to keep in mind positivity and never to take anything, especially time for granted. I experienced a lot of ups and downs this year and I can only hope next year will bring about similar life changing experiences. Here is yet another outfit of the day, and cheers to many more for next year! Links to similar items below.

Shirt Dress- Forever 21
Denim Button Up- Primark
Bag- Kate Spade
Puff Ball- Amazon
Timberland Boots

XOXO- Ari

“A Bloggers Thanksgiving”- Top 6 Fashion Items We Are Thankful For

Posted on November 25, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

As bloggers we are both inclined to always try new trends or styles in order to consistently stay abreast of all the latest and greatest. Although we love shopping and reviewing new things, there are those constant tried and true items that will always be staples in our lives and really stand the test of time. Here are our top 6 fashion items we are grateful exist in this world that make us look and feel our very best.

Top 6 things Ari & Gwen are grateful for this year-

Untitled #9 by ari-pena featuring a short sleeve v neck t shirt

Peplums/A-lines cuts- Neither of us were born with any God given curves on the bottom half and so we fake it till we make it! Peplums do a great job at hiding the tummy while giving the illusion of curves on the sides. A-lines cinch you in at your smallest point and then give the illusion of hips with the free flowing nature of the cut.
V-Neck- Whether it be in the form of a dress or top V-necks work great to elongate the neck and show off our greatest assets. Having a bigger chest sometimes makes it hard to rock a standard rounded collar because it may mess with your proportions.
Booties- As we both get older booties are taking the spotlight for most settings. Whether they are suede, leather or have some cut-outs they can be so versatile and much more comfortable than the alternative while still offering a polished look.
Nude Sandals/Heels- For when it is absolutely required to rock a heel you cannot go wrong with a nude staple sandal. We love a matte leather finish that can transition from the work place to night with ease. Can we also say legs for days?
Shapewear- We could write an entire blog post about this (we probably will sometime in the future). Not only does it suck you in all the wrong places, it also helps lift and accentuate the parts you are happy with. Not to mention it helps conceal your body with any sheer clothing and avoid that dreaded belly button outline we all hate.
Denim/Leather/Anorak Jacket- You guys get the hint, basically any jacket will do! Not only do they keep you warmer in cooler temps but they also complete a look in a way that no other item can. Drape it over your shoulders, tie it around your waist or keep it on your body the old fashioned way, a jacket can dramatically change the entire look of an outfit from boring to fabulous.

All in all we are thankful for one another and our families and can’t wait to reunite for Christmas. Our blog is going in a great direction and we cannot wait to see what the future will bring.

Love Ari & Gwen

Utility Jumpsuit

Posted on November 16, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Utilitarian is the perfect word to describe this amazing jumpsuit from Forever 21. Compared to a classic anorak jacket or trench, this color and fabric can be paired with almost anything and will look amazing! Featuring a long sleeve, button front, collar and slanted front pockets it is 100% cotton and impeccable quality. I paired mine alone with classic nude sandals and my everyday Kate Spade bag to really make the outfit the focal point. You can roll up the sleeves as I did and even the pant legs to go with some combat boots or flats. This is a great transitional piece (especially here for Florida) as the nights get a little cooler for the fall. I can see this paired with a long duster coat, or even a denim or plaid accent tied around the waist. I consider this an investment piece seeing as it can be worn all year round, it is great material and it’s in a neutral color. At only $40.00 it’s a steal from Forever 21! Links down below.