November 2015 – Rainy Paul

Month: November 2015

National Holiday Alert: Cyber Monday

Let’s be real. Nothing beats that glorious feeling of finding a good deal on a pair of gold glitter booties you’ve been eyeing for months or a faux fur jacket that continues to call your name but you struggle with the idea of paying full price. Fashion lovers unite! Today is our day to shine to find our favorites with an incredibly low price tag.

Even though you may be shopping from your cozy bed, wearing yoga pants, dog by your side, Cyber Monday is just as overwhelming as Black Friday. There are so many deals, so many brands, so many online stores, so many items. Is that cashmere beanie on another site that offers a better promo code? If so, where can I buy it NOW? So many questions, so little time; the clock continues to tick, your favorite items may be gone, and “sold out” are the last words you want to see today, or ever.

In order to speed up your shopping process so that you can snag the last leather jacket in size medium, I zeroed in on my favorite websites with incredible Cyber Monday deals that you need to know about immediately. I also listed a couple of items that would be perfect gifts for your stylish mom or fashionable sister or even yourself (which is great because then you don’t have to wrap it. Am I right?). You’re welcome.

Shopbop.com Through November 30th, save up to 25% on your purchase with code GOBIG15. My shopping cart: (click the links here to direct you to fabulous item –>) Leopard Dress, Killer Belt, Holiday Party Sweater
Net-a-porter.com My favorite sale of the year, hands down! With top designers like Marc Jacobs, Chloe and Alexander Wang marked down up to 50% off, how could you ever resist clicking “add to cart”?? My shopping cart: (click the links here to direct you to fabulous item –>) Winter Layered Vest, Statement Purse, Over the Knee Boots
ModaOperandi.com 50% off select styles through November 30th, plus an additional 30% off sale merchandise with code EXTRA30. My shopping cart:(click the links here to direct you to fabulous item –>) Holiday Heel, Winter Layering Tunic, Wool Pleated Skirt
Anthropologie.com Along with free shipping today, enjoy 25% off sale items with code XTRAGOOD. My shopping cart: (click the links here to direct you to fabulous item –>) Hoop Earrings, Winter White Denim, Shimmery Clutch
ASOS.com Hello 30% off everything. From now until December 1, use promo code BLESSED. My shopping cart: (click the links here to direct you to fabulous item –>) Simple Midi Dress, Holiday Sequins Dress, Chic Faux Fur Coat
Equipmentfr.com Enjoy 25% all full-priced and sale items with code THANKS. Say what?! Same goes with the sister line CURRENT/ELLIOTT. My shopping cart: (click the links here to direct you to fabulous item –>) Cashmere Crewneck Sweater, Shift Dress , Long Cardigan
RevolveClothing.com Select items are up to 50% off today only. My shopping cart:(click the links here to direct you to fabulous item –>) Open Shoulder Top, Shiny Skirt, Ear Cuff

Happy shopping, my friends.

Did I miss a killer deal? Find something incredible on sale? Comment below so we don’t miss out!

XX Rainy

Style

LBD + Military Jacket

As Thanksgiving approaches, I can’t help but consider all the different things I am grateful for. I am beyond thankful that I get to go home to Salt Lake City to see my family this week (and able to eat delicious food by the fireside with my dog!). Of course family is always on the top of the list, and after several incidents occurring over the past months, I’ve begun to cherish life and the quality of people I surround myself with even more so than usual.

It’s not the career that defines you and it isn’t the amount of money you earn or the grades you receive. It’s about the friendships and memories you create. The quality of life you lead. The happiness you harness.

If your life takes a different path than planned, take it as a challenge and know that you have wonderful people behind you, cheering you on throughout it all. That right there is what I am grateful for- a support team- especially since I am prepping to graduate college soon. We are so incredibly lucky to have a blank canvas in front of us and we are able to decide what to do with it and where to go.

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Since we are now in the middle of the holiday season with shorter and cooler days, I kept my outfit versatile so that I can enjoy being in the sun as I run my errands and stay warm as the sun goes down.

Today, I kept my look simple in my LBD with its free silhouette and deep neckline. It knows exactly what we want in life: a flattering fit, a touch of flair and, most importantly, extreme comfort. I wrapped my military jacket around my waist to give the dress shape and emphasize my waistline. It’s also the perfect weight to throw on as the day cools down.

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I kept my jewelry to a minimum and wore my everyday pieces like my chunky bracelet paired with a delicate cross bracelet, my heavy watch and basic rings. I also through my reflecting lens sunglass into the mix, which lends to a cool, artistic finish to the look.

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Naturally I wore my pull on black booties to make my look edgy. The pointed toe embellished with the silver band is an irresistible detail as well as the incredibly soft leather and elastic triangle sections. These boots are my favorite part of my wardrobe for fall and winter (and any season, really!).

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My outfits are typically black, white and gray with a touch of olive green or cream. So I’ve been working on different ways of incorporating color and patterns into my daily looks. With that said, be patient with my attempts at working in them in- practice makes perfect, right? I threw my red purse over my shoulder to add a pop!

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SINCERELY JULES shift dress
J.CREW military jacket
ACNE STUDIOS black booties
GUCCI tassel bag
RAY-BAN sunglasses

What are you thankful for? Write it down or let people know. Everyone likes to feel appreciated, especially during the holidays!

Like this look? I’d love to hear from you- comment below!

xx Rainy

*Photo Credit: Ivy Guild // ivyguildart.com

Style

Happy Thoughts and Winter Neutrals

We all survived our hectic Mondays and made it to the best day of the week- Taco Tuesday. Am I right?

With that in mind, I thought today would be a wonderful day to recognize our accomplishments, especially as the holidays sneak up on us. It’s easy to become flustered with family coming into town, making meals that won’t cook themselves and the in betweens, all while looking put together. The to-do list is never ending.

Take a minute to look at what you have done, and appreciate the fact that you are one step ahead of where you were yesterday. You can’t eat the elephant in one bite; take a look at what you can do today, in this moment. There’s no need to be overwhelmed!

I hope this pink wall brightens your day and encourages you to keep a smile on as you check another item off your to-do list. Gratitude is the only way you will get through these crazy times!

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List makers gonna list. That’s my motto! It’s always a good idea to keep a calendar to stay organized, but don’t become overly obsessed with it. You’ll eventually get your errands done… But remember: the time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time!

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Bright. Happy. Vivacious. Exuberant. These are all the words I use to describe this pink wall that’s hidden in Pacific Beach. You can walk through this town and no two days will be the same. Remember to always look up when out running errands, or else you might miss something magical!

Keep an eye out for bright pink walls to remind yourself to smile and bring awareness to your accomplishments. That way, you can enjoy the little things in life.

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Winter neutrals might be my favorite part about cold weather. The layering of various shades of neutrals creates an alluring look that I just cannot resist. Crisp, clean, monochromatic- what else could I ask for! It’s simple, yet effortlessly chic.

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This destroyed cream sweater is my new favorite purchase- it is the epitome of cool, casual California and perfect for fall days in San Diego.

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As you all know, animal prints are my calling. I jump at the opportunities to wear my leopard purse or shoes or my cheetah coat! I would wear all my prints together if it weren’t socially frowned upon…

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So if you carry one thing with you today, let it be kindness. And don’t forget to be gracious of your accomplishments, no matter how big or small.

J.O.A cream sweater
CURRENT/ELLIOTT white shorts
STEVE MADDEN lace up flats
ANTHROPOLOGIE cheetah purse (similar here)

Like this look? I’d love to hear from you- comment below!

xx Rainy

*Photo Credit: Ivy Guild // ivyguildart.com

Style

RE: Fall is Here

Halloween was fun and all, but I’m over candy. Give me crisp air, piles of dry leaves, and pine scented candles. Oh, and cheetah coats too please.

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Let’s be honest. We all want to dress like we’re casually strolling down the streets of New York or Paris in the latest trends. Am I right? I try to take my inspiration from the latest fashion events around the world and translate it into my daily look. That way, I’m able to shake up my go-to outfit of a white shirt and dark denim.

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Today, I’m wearing a crisp white button-up with my favorite pair of distressed jeans that I wear almost everyday. In addition, I wanted to throw in an unexpected element, something to make you take a second look, so I slung my leopard coat over my shoulders. Animal prints always draw attention and are just so much fun to wear!

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I’m obsessed with the newest addition to my sunglass collection: the round Ray-Bans in Copper. I went in looking for a black pair, and came out with the reflecting mirror lens. It’s such a unique color and it’s the perfect accent to any outfit.

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I also decided to wear my chunky heels, which are perfect to shake up any look during the cold months ahead of us. I am all about pushing the limits with my style, so I decided to throw my bright red bag into the mix to add a pop of color.

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This outfit embodies so many of the things that I love most about fashion: clean lines, fantastic fabrics and bold patterns.

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DIANE VON FURSTENBERG cheetah print coat (similar here)
H&M white button-up
MADEWELL destroyed denim
RAY-BAN sunglasses
GUCCI tassel bag
ZARA black shoes (similar here)

Like this look? I’d love to hear from you- comment below!

xx Rainy

*Photo Credit: Ivy Guild // ivyguildart.com

Beauty

Beauty: The #SelfEsteem Project with Dove

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I am honored to be involved with CollegeFashionista’s new partnership with Dove. The iconic brand launched their latest Dove Self-Esteem Project campaign that emphasizes that beauty is a source of confidence, and not anxiety; I couldn’t be more excited to stand by a brand that promotes such a positive message and every form that beauty takes.

Dove statistics show that 9 out of 10 girls want to change at least one thing about their appearance. The latest Dove Self-Esteem Project campaign empowers young girls to overcome these statistics and to embrace their appearances.

A few days ago, I co-hosted an event with Amy Levin, Founder of CollegeFashionista, where we led a discussion at USD about confidence and being a successful woman in the work force. I can’t begin to explain how inspired I was after hearing how Amy started her own company in a cut throat industry at the age of 22 and has watched it grow into something bigger than she imagined. Amy encouraged us to be confident taking action towards achieving our dreams. It basically comes down to having positive self-esteem.

Ever since I was a little girl, self-esteem has always been a part of the conversation. It took me years to embrace my tall gene. Even as an adult, I have to remind myself to stand tall with confidence. I’m grateful that I learned to embrace my height and crazy curly hair because they make me who I am. With that said, I hope we can all support each other and celebrate the different types of beauty we represent.

I stumbled upon a quote by Christian Dior a few years ago that resonated with me: “Happiness is the secret to all beauty. There is not beauty without happiness.” I’ll just let that sink in…

One final thought to end on is to always smile and be kind to others; you never know what others are going through and your positivity might be the one thing getting them through their day.

Below is a snippet of my interview with CollegeFashionista about self-esteem:

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CollegeFashionista: What gives you strong self-esteem?

Rainy Paul: Practicing yoga is one of the many things that gives me strong self-esteem. It encourages me to learn more about myself on a deeper level and puts everything into perspective, making me realize I am proud of the woman I have become.

CF: What is one beauty feature you love about yourself?

RP: The feature I love about myself is my wild curly hair.

CF: Who is your role model?

RP: My mother. She is the one who taught me to always let my light shine, to never stop laughing and to keep my chin up.

CF: Why is it important for you to rally campus leaders to help younger girls understand the importance of body image and self-esteem?

RP: It’s important for campus leaders to help younger girls understand the importance of a healthy body image and positive self-esteem because they are at the age where they need the encouragement to be the strong, beautiful women they truly are. It’s vital that we stand together and show support for one another by celebrating the different types of beauty we encompass because we are the women they look up to. Young girls need to see an example of leaders that are proud of who they are.

Want to read the whole article? Find it here.

xx Rainy

Travel

Weekend Inspiration: The City of Angels

LOS ANGELES, CA- One of the liveliest cities I’ve traveled to with incredible people watching.The hustle and bustle of the city can be over stimulating for some, but I love being in the center of the action! Happy blue skies, swaying palm trees, trendy restaurants, hidden shops, delicious ice cream parlors. How lucky am I to experience it all with my sister who is a local living in the heart of Santa Monica just blocks from the Third Street Promenade? It doesn’t get any better than that. Keep reading to see the adventures my sister and I went on last weekend when I was up in Los Angeles.

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Abbot Kinney and Main Street are two of my favorite streets. In between Santa Monica and Venice, quirky stores and hip coffee bars are tucked away in ivy covered brick buildings. I love feeling the sun rays on my face as I look up at the palm trees that line the streets (as a non-native to California, palm trees are magical and I never get tired of looking at them!). It’s the perfect spot to stroll around after shopping and grabbing a quick coffee from Intelligentsia.

WARNING: Must wear edgy black hat, trendy round sunglasses and skinny jeans when here.

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You don’t know me if you don’t know about my obsession for 1) breakfast and 2) pastries. See below for one of the best breakfasts of my life at Tasting Kitchen. Enough said.

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One part of Los Angeles that keeps me coming back is the food. We plan our days around where we want to eat (obviously ) and basically ate our way through the entire city and are as happy as can be. Gjelina’s, Huckleberry, Gracias Madre and Bottega Louie are just a few of our favorites.

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It’s also impossible to go to Venice without making a quick stop at the canals. Wait, am I in Venice, Italy or Venice, California? Easy to be confused at first, but the beautiful palm trees, modern homes and aggressive drivers remind you that you are still in California. Even though there are no gondliers, I guess these canals will do.

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My last stop for every weekend trip to Los Angeles is Milo and Olive because who doesn’t want to end a great weekend with a garlic knot and homemade pizza with burrata?

But seriously.

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Like this post about Los Angeles? Don’t worry, there will be more since I visit my sister every chance I get. Have any great recommendations for the next time I’m in LA? Comment below!

xx Rainy