“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.

Contemporary Life in Progress Utility Jumpsuit
Similar Sandals

XOXO, ARI

How to: Forever 21 OOTD

Posted on November 9, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

As a graduate student and full time employed 26 year old, I have come here to share with everyone that it’s possible to look put together in a hurry! I am free mostly the weekends and this is a time for me to catch up with loved ones, go out to some of my favorite restaurants and shop of course! I have read up on some great techniques and tips for throwing together a last minute outfit but these are some of the tried and true methods that work personally for me when I finally get a moment to enjoy myself.

Layer- layering always makes the outfit more intricate and seems like you’ve put more effort than you actually did. This olive trench style jacket is perfect to throw over literally anything for an instant cool girl vibe.
One trend- Find one thing that sticks out as “new” or “fresh” or even eye catching. Pieces like these can be conversation starters and ways for you to stand out from the crowd. I went with this denim button up style skirt that everyone is rocking these days.
Basics with a twist- I used an oversized white t-shirt and tied it up in the front for a more feminine feel.
Staple classic items- These black mule sandals are perfect for the Florida weather and are so comfortable and chic with the gold detailing. Funny enough, these are shoes I would see my mom wear and used to think they were “old lady style” funny how things change and now I love them! My Kate Spade purse is also a staple classic item that I wear with everything for a sophisticated touch.
Pop of color- Lastly a pop of color isn’t necessary but always fun; I played around with a bright red lip and loved the finished look!

You can play around with different textures, colors and patterns on the “off” days to make up for the drab work wear worn during the week. Links below to items!

Toodles, Ari

Forever 21 Denim Skirt

Forever 21 Mule Sandals

Similar Jacket

Forever 21-Platform Sandals OOTD

Posted on October 15, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

As some may have noticed for a period of time I deviated from one of my all-time favorite stores, Forever 21 for a while. I think once I turned 26 I felt as though some of the items weren’t age appropriate and let’s face it, sometimes shopping in store can be daunting. So many racks upon racks of items to sift through can be exhausting and a challenge to say the least. The other night I was online “window shopping” when I came across so many great new items at forever21.com. Priced slightly higher, it seems as though they are taking a turn towards more quality pieces that can transition easier than previous lines. I found myself throwing stuff in my cart and being really inspired by what I was getting. One of the standout items being these amazing lug-sole platform sandals. This chunky heel is designed with faux leather construction and buckle detailing perfect for any occasion. They are described as “dark grey” on the website but have some undertones that make it look olive/taupe color in certain lighting. They are the perfect neutrals that I can see myself pairing with so many things, not to mention comfortable! The sunnies are also forever 21, jacket from GAP and dress is from Primark. Links to items can be found below. Cheers to rediscovering a classic staple store!

Forever 21 Lug-Sole Platform Sandals
Round Sunglasses
XOXO, ARI

Trend Alert- Button Up A-line Skirt

Posted on October 5, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Trends can be tricky especially if you buy something that will only work for you for one season, or one type of event. I typically love following trends but really put thought when it comes to actually buying them. If the piece is flattering, I then think about the many ways I could wear it (will it be suitable for work, or an evening out, casual lunch etc.). If the item can be worn many ways and throughout different seasons then I can justify investing in it. It’s a big plus if it’s a great material that will be long lasting. These button up skirts are all the rage now and can be seen on every blogger and fashionista alike. Seen mostly in denim or suede this A-line cut is super flattering for everyone and it incorporates the emerging 70’s style. I found this one at TJMAXX and immediately fell in love! The light weight material and length make it easier to wear year round here in Florida but can also be paired with tights for when it does get chilly. For this particular day I wore a denim button up, forever 21 mules and fedora hat to complete the look. How do you incorporate trends into your wardrobe? Comment down below! Links to similar items listed below.

Forever 21 Mules
Forever 21 Fedora
TJMAXX Suede Button Up Skirt & also in Plus Size

XOXO- Ari

Concert OOTN

Posted on September 14, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

The infamous and all-encompassing Dominican artist Juan Luis Guerra came into town and you better believe I was there! Concerts are some of the best events to express your creativity. While it’s always fun to throw on the latest trending styles it’s also important to keep comfort in mind (at least for me) when planning to be on your feet for so long. I chose to go for a simple look that I knew would complement the environment I would be in. Juan Luis Guerra sings merengue, bachata, and beautiful love ballads sure to attract an older more mature crowd. This wasn’t the place to bring out my full on sexy vibes. Thinking about the crowd is important in assessing your outfit. I went with a simple body con striped dress with camel colored detailing on the elbow. This tucked me in (along with some much needed shapewear) showing off a little bit without being over the top. This nautical inspired dress was purchased at TJMAXX and is from the brand Monteau. The oxford shoes pictured, I’ve had for ages and are from Forever 21. I am sure for this upcoming fall season they will have an awesome selection of boots I can’t wait to get my hands on! For any future concerts you may attend keep these simple things in mind

Consider the environment when choosing your outfit
Wear comfortable shoes
Don’t forget any “fan” items that may help get you noticed! – I forgot my Dominican flag and regretted it!
Have fun and be in the moment! –Try your best to put the phones down, set a limit on pictures and videos allowed.

Hope this outfit of the day gives some inspiration for any future events, Juan Luis rocked the house and it was amazing! Check out the pics below.

Toodles, Ari

70’s Camel Suede

Posted on September 12, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Seventies’s fashion is so on trend for this fall season and although I don’t necessarily want to abandon my beloved 90’s, I figured I would incorporate some modernized pieces into my wardrobe. The 70’s was all about glam disco meets flared jeans, fringe, suede and Farah Fawcett hair. I bought this amazing faux suede dress at none other then Marshalls! Ive been obsessed with going in there and scouring the racks for such amazing #fabfinds as this one. It is the perfect complimentary camel for my skin tone and fits the body so well. The darting in the waist really help create a shape (where I don’t normally have one) and the mini length allows my legs to be the main focus. I paired it with my lace up Aldo booties and the outfit is complete! You can throw on a wide brim hat or a chunky necklace for some added flare but I loved the simplicity of this look. The brand of the dress is “paper crane” and it was a steal as always at marshalls. This is the perfect dress for the transition to “Fall weather” even though that dosen’t really exist here in Florida until about January or so. Links down below to similar items!

Similar Dresses- Here & Here

XOXO, Ari

Black and White

Posted on August 31, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

It was my 26th birthday on August 21 and I wanted to go for a low key weekend getaway before the madness of graduate school ensued (cue the gray hairs). Tampa is not too far of a drive and it was perfect to just get out of my normal mundane world for a moment. I stayed at Le Meridian which used to be an old court house and is now transformed into a modern and chic hotel. It has beautiful scenery and Tampa’s downtown backdrop was perfect for photos. The ootd below was what I wore to the Tampa Museum of Art. With a new Andy Warhol exhibit it was definitely a must see. I opted for easy and lightweight seeing as it was scorching hot outside. This white long line button up top was a steal at Marshalls and I loved the “boyfriend fit”. I paired it with my big sun blocking hat from H&M and black lace up booties from Aldo which I later switched to sandals after walking around the museum for a while. The biker shorts are from forever 21 and provided just enough coverage seeing as I originally thought this top was a dress. I kept it clean with the black and white, no color and loved it! If you are ever in the Tampa area I would highly suggest Le Meridien Hotel and the Tampa Art Museum. Until next outfit…..similar links down below!

Similar Dresses- Here, Here
Similar Lace up Booties

Toodles, Ari

Palm Trees

Posted on August 24, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Another day, another dress. Dresses are easily becoming some of my favorite pieces to invest in seeing as they take out any of the guesswork when picking out an outfit. You don’t have to pair anything and it’s as simple as throwing it over your head and heading out. A great silhouette for me is an A-line that cinches me in at my smallest point and then flares out for the illusion of womanly curves and hips. Not only is this H&M number extremely flattering, it is in a great mustard color with peekaboo pops of blue palm tree print detailing perfect for the heat and also transitioning to cooler temperatures. I paired it with an old season pair of brown suede cutout booties and my round eye sunnies. Links to similar items below!

Similar Dresses-Gap, Boo Hoo, Shop Tobi, Charlotte Russe

XOXO- Ari

Out with the old, in with the new Summer Fashion!

Posted on July 15, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

The unbearable summer heat has reared its ugly head and it has come at a particularly opportune time in my life. I am turning 26 this August and have been giving away or selling old gently used clothing that don’t fit my new aesthetic that I am trying to go for. No I am not giving up my crop tops for good (never gonna happen), but I am going for a more neutral palette in my wardrobe with sophisticated pieces that can transition in my different life roles easier. Some key pieces that one can invest in are a good pair of sunnies (to ward off the harmful rays), a long line loosely fitted tunic that can be paired a million ways, comfortable sandals and shorts that don’t scream twerkathon. This one is particular is hard for me seeing as my body shape does look better with tighter options. As we age I think the key is going for more tailored classic shapes that can complement our body types and shift the focus. I picked some summer items that inspired me below. What are some pieces you are looking to incorporate in your closet this summer? Comment down below!