I had such a blast attending Cotton’s 24 Hour Runway Show in the beautiful, but unusually chilly, Miami at the beginning of the month. It was such a fantastic event, and I could not believe that for an entire 24-hour period, 1,440 unique cotton looks went down the runway! It was fun interacting with the crowd and being interviewed by Giuliana Rancic, who hosted the event.

The dress I wore from French Connection is the Sleeveless Eyelet Dress and everything about it is flirty and feminine.  I love the contrast between the navy eyelet and the coral underlay. Click on the photo of me below to find out how to get the dress!

If you’re trying out this look for yourself, try pairing it with wedges, like this pair, and some really cute bangle bracelets.

Denim Trends

First Day Fabulous

It’s February, and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! Valentine’s Day is the day to celebrate the love you have for all the people in your life.   You can take the day to celebrate the love you have for your family, friends, or of course, your significant other. Here are 3 outfit inspirations that will look great no matter how and with whom you celebrate on February 14.

They will love this LBD on you— and you’ll love the price! The black lace gives it some extra sexy flair that’s perfect for a romantic dinner. I’d pair it with a statement clutch and a bold colored lip.

This Free People cardigan is long, flowy and super comfy. The pink color is flirty and fun, making it a perfect look for a casual night in. Skip the expensive reservations and try cooking your love up a fancy dinner at home. Or if you’re single, invite all your single friends over for a night of laughs and good food.  (I love these ideas from Giada).

Grab a group of your best girls and celebrate being single in this show-stopping red number by BCBGMAXAZRIA.

 

Happy and Healthy in 2013

Hey guys! We’re already a few weeks into 2013 and it’s been quite the eventful year so far! Did you make a new year’s resolution? Or maybe I should ask, have you kept your new year’s resolution? Most people pledge to get in better shape and be a healthier person, but here’s an interesting fact: just 8% of people actually stick to it. 

With stats like that, it can be discouraging to even try and change your habits. Fear not! Here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way to make sure I start off each New Year on the right foot.

  •  Set Goals — It’s easy to say to yourself “I want to get into better shape in 2013.” Follow that up and make sure it happens by setting very specific goals and milestones to make sure you’re progressing; just make sure your goals are realistic.  Set a timeline, and then list out how you want to achieve your goals.  When it comes to exercise, create a routine that you stick to every week, like a Zumba or spinning class at your local gym that’s offered every Tuesday and Thursday night.   Even if you exercise in the comfort of your own home, schedule the exact time to do it — that way, you are less likely to put it off.

 

  • Be Active — In the dead of winter, when it’s even chilly here on the West Coast, it’s so easy to just want to curl up and be lazy. Relaxing is just as important as being active, but the two go hand in hand. You don’t have to hit the gym and lift weights to stay in shape. The secret to sticking to an exercise routine is to make sure it doesn’t feel like exercise and that its something fun.  If you’ve seen my Cotton commercial, you’ll notice that in one scene I’m taking a dance class. I love dancing because it doesn’t feel like a workout. Playing a dance video game with friends is also an interactive way to exercise. You’ll be surprised how many calories you’ll burn in just 30 minutes.

 

  • Eat Healthy — Redefine your idea of comfort food. Sure, that chocolate cake sounds enticing, but foods high in sugars and fats take longer for your body to process, which results in feeling sluggish. You don’t have to radically change your eating habits to start having a healthy diet. Start off by making substitutions for what you would normally consume, like ditching those sugary soft drinks for water flavored with fruit slices.

 

  • Reward Yourself — Once you reach your goals, treat yourself to that new outfit you’ve been eyeing. Feeling confident on the outside is the perfect complement to how you’re feeling on the inside; happy, healthy and fulfilled in 2013!

 

Dance into the New Year

I can’t believe 2013 is already here. It seems like just yesterday that I was starting this blog and sharing these fashion adventures with all of you!

2012 was a year full of work and traveling for me.  Of course, I was thrilled to be a big part of the iconic The Fabric of Our Lives campaign for Cotton.  I got to visit countries like Malaysia, England, and Mexico.  I also wrapped on some exciting projects that you’ll get to see in 2013, like Open Road, with the amazing Andy Garcia and Juliette Lewis, and Cavemen, with the adorable Skylar Astin.

Let’s kick off 2013 by making a resolution. No, not the kind that we all break a week into the year (and we’ve all been there)…I’m talking about a style resolution.   Pledge to take a fashion risk in every season. Whether it’s a super loud color you’ve never worn before during spring, or trying out next fall’s “wilderness” trend. Who knows, you might just find an entire new sense of style you never knew you had.

I’m so excited to continue style blogging into the New Year and I hope you’ll stick around. Wishing you and yours all the best in 2013.

Happy New Year!!

Xoxo,

Camilla

‘Tis the Season for Style

As we enter the holiday season, it’s quite appropriate that the age-old question of “What will I wear?” stay in the back of our heads.  There are countless parties, family gatherings, and work or school events to attend. Most likely due to all of our hectic schedules, we constantly find ourselves digging through our closets at the last minute trying to find the perfect outfit for that special occasion!

Here are 3 ideas and trends that I hope inspire you this holiday season, whether you’re looking for a gift for your best girlfriend or trying to find the perfect look for your family gathering.

I love tuxedo blazers because they are classic and extremely versatile. This piece can be dressed up with a button-down blouse for a party (try a festive winter hue), but it’s also totally functional year-round with jeans for a more casual occasion. You don’t have to worry about wearing it just once.

The red hue of this dress is perfect for the season and the lace is festive and timeless. I’d style it with a classic pump and simple clutch.  Style Tip: Avoid too much jewelry when wearing such an intricate pattern as it might distract from it.

Jersey knit cotton is the epitome of comfort and this dress channels a classic Parisian style.  Pair it with a fantastic pair of booties for a look that not only will feel great, but also turn heads.

Comfy Cozy

I don’t know about you, but November is the time of year I make relaxing and taking it easy a priority. If I’m not busy with work and on set, there’s no better time to chill out at home with a cup of hot apple cider and a good book. Sometimes, we all need a mental “staycation.” This is especially true for November, right before the stress of the holidays, shopping, family and all that comes with it, is upon us.

When it comes to unwinding, comfort is always my first priority. I’ve always said that you can be stylish without sacrificing comfort, but the exact opposite is also true. You can be comfortable without sacrificing style! Here’s some of my favorite loungewear picks. Take a breather and have a look.

This performance cardigan works double duty. It’s perfect for lounging, but it’s so stylish you could also wear it with a pair of jeans and run some errands. The 100% cotton quick dry moisture wicking technology also makes it a gym essential during the cooler months.

Don’t forget the PJs! Go to sleep and wake up looking super cute! This set from J Crew is lightweight cotton so you’ll stay cool at night. I just love how it recalls a different era, when people even dressed well to go to sleep.

These yoga pants have a really nice detail.  The waistband is high and flattering for most body shapes, there’s a secret pocket for keeping your keys or I.D.,  and the “scrunchable legs” make me think of legwarmers from the 80’s.

Giving Thanks

Don’t you just love Thanksgiving? It’s such a great opportunity to spend quality time with the people you love. What I enjoy most about Thanksgiving is that it’s such a uniquely American tradition, but everyone has their own way of fusing their own culture into it, and that’s what this country is all about.

For my family and me, it’s an opportunity to step away from our busy schedules and share a delicious meal, a lot of laughs, memories, and of course, a lot of love.

And yes, I LOVE to cook! One of my favorite family recipes is my grandfather’s pecan pie recipe. Its super simple and we’ve had it on our Thanksgiving menu for as long as I can remember. I’ve included it below so you can try it, too.

I’m also a huge fan of Giada De Laurentiis’ Thanksgiving recipes.  I’ve made her ciabatta stuffing recipe for the past few years. It has pancetta and chestnuts and it’s absolutely delicious. If you’re looking for something different this year, give it a try!

Lastly, since Thanksgiving is the time of giving thanks, I’d like to take the time to thank you! Thanks to each and every one of you who has supported me and sent in such wonderful comments and questions. I’ve really enjoyed our little blogging adventure together.  I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy it.

Xoxo,

Camilla

P.S. Share your own Thanksgiving traditions with me in the comments section. I’ll be reading!

Thanksgiving Pecan Pie Recipe

2  8-9 inch basic pie crusts

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup white syrup from Karo

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 bag of pecans

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Place the sugar and syrup in a medium sized saucepan, cook at medium/low heat while constantly stirring the mixture.
  • When the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil, turn off the heat. 
  • In a separate bowl, beat the three eggs with a fork and then proceed to slowly pour the eggs into the sugar mixture. Stir it constantly so the eggs don’t cook!
  • Add the vanilla extract and then the pecans. There should be more pecans than liquid and they should all be fully coated.
  • Pour mixture into pie crust. Cover the edges of the crust with aluminum foil.
  • Place in oven. After 30 minutes, remove the aluminum foil. Bake for ten more minutes. Enjoy!