On Trend: 2018 Fall Fashion

October 16, 2018October 16, 2018 | kristencastillo

Ready for animal prints, power tailoring and sequins? Sounds like you’re ready for fall fashion 2018!

Autumn is here and I’m excited to show you the hot looks for this cool time of year. Neiman Marcus invited me to their fall fashion preview so here’s what you can expect when you’re shopping this season.

This season, women are going to be wearing a lot of what Alex Yáñez, stylist for Neiman Marcus at San Diego’s Fashion Valley, calls “peacock colors.” That means saturated blues and greens for a bold, eye-catching pallet.

The power pantsuit is back too. Tailored suiting, including double-breasted jackets and strong shoulders, is very in vogue.

Leather is making a big statement this season as well. Whether you choose matte or patent leather, you can rock this look head-to-toe.

Get ready to roar! Autumn is all about animal prints including zebra, tiger, and leopard, as well as other amazing prints. Feel free to mix, match and layer this wild and sexy style.

Who says sequins or just for parties and night time? Yáñez and his team at Neiman Marcus say you can wear sequins day or night – shine any time you want.

When it comes to accessories, expect to see western wear like cowboy boots a lot this year, as well as lace up boots. It’s a 90’s throwback but a definite must this season.

Top flap handbags both slouchy and structured are going to be the it bag.

And when it comes to jewelry, look out for crystals and jet black jewelry – very dramatic! Finish your ensemble with a glow. Luminous skin is going to be all the rage this fall.

For men, autumn is all about tech tailoring. Thank innovative suits that blend both performance and function.

Guys will be rocking turtlenecks, velvet and velour too. Men will bundle up during cold weather with a performance parka – both cozy and cool.

For accessories, men will be wearing chunky runner shoes with an exaggerated sole. That’s definitely fun and functional footwear.

Men’s styling is going to include a lot of utilitarian details including cargo pockets camouflage this time of year. Expect accent colors in shades of wine, burgundy and blue.

What fall fashion pieces and trends are your “must-have” looks this season?

Nailed It! Spring Manicure Time

March 31, 2018March 31, 2018 | kristencastillo

I love a pretty manicure! I almost always wear nail polish and in a variety of colors. I like everything from soft pinks and sexy reds to bold blues and vibrant oranges, and everything in between.

This spring I’m loving pastels. That’s why I was eager to try the “Bridal Bliss” collection from Zoya. They sent me the complimentary set of polishes, which are available in so many sweet and subtle shades, ranging from creams like “Chantal” to a classic pink named “Bella.”

I couldn’t decide which polish to use first so I tried something new – I created a mix and match manicure. I used five different shades, one for each finger and repeated the look on both hands.

For my thumb, I used “McKenna,” a taupe shade; for the index finder, “Rue” a mauve shade; “Abby,” a lavender for my middle finger; a pastel “Blu” for my ring finger; and “Leia,” an opal-toned white/pink for my pinky.

I love the colors and I’m really happy with this look! Plus, the mani has staying power. I’ve been typing, doing dishes and running errands and the polish has held up well.

Staying Organized

March 5, 2018March 6, 2018 | kristencastillo

I’m old school about keeping track of information. I handwrite notes, keep to-do lists and organize my life with a calendar.

Sure, I track things in my smartphone – from business meetings and appointments to events, date nights and family activities – but I also like having a hardcopy of my schedule.

I was pretty excited to check out Day Designer, a strategic planner and daily agenda. They sent me a complimentary 2018 planner and I’m loving it.

First of all, it’s a hardcover, spiral book – nothing flimsy about this calendar! Plus, it has a durable pocket in the front, which is ideal for stashing those post-it notes and do-lists I make.

Here’s what else I love about this planner – there’s a two-page calendar for every month, as well as individual pages for each day.

On the daily pages, there are prompts to keep me focused: “Today’s Top Three,” “Notes,” and “Daily Gratitude,” as well as “To-Do” and “Don’t Forget.”

There are daily inspirational quotes too, like, Samuel Johnson’s, ”Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance,” and the proverb, “It is better to begin in the evening than not at all.”

Do you keep a hardcopy planner or calendar?

#MotivationMonday, Halloween edition

October 30, 2017October 30, 2017 | kristencastillo

Check out my this #MondayMotivation message featured on my son’s #pumpkin. He wrote: “Be…fun, silly, wacky, creative, YOU!!”

We were decorating pumpkins last weekend – doing the usual thing of making eyes, mouth, nose, etc.

Then my son got inspired to write a personal note. I love his sentiment and it’s perfect for Halloween, when everyone wants to dress up to be “someone else.” So go ahead, this Halloween and every day, Be Yourself!

Mix.Mingle.Schmooze

February 22, 2017February 22, 2017 | kristencastillo

I recently attended the “Mix.Mingle.Schmooze” magazine release party for San Diego Style Weddings – the wedding magazine for which I’m the editor.

The latest issue of San Diego Style Weddings.

The party, held at Mission Brewery, featured great food, beer and wine, and of course wedding inspiration.

Another awesome party hosted by San Diego Style Weddings’ publisher Dena Nolen-Malasek.

SDSW party pic.jpg — Posing with SDSW’s publisher, Dena-Nolen Malasek. Photo credit: Paul Barnett Photography.

Some of the highlights included:

The amazing paper flower backdrop created by Esmeralda Luxury Paper Flowers. What a colorful backdrop for photos!
I’m a sucker for photo booths and Captured Photos Booths didn’t disappoint!

Yummy milk and cookies from the Cravory. I especially liked the chocolate truffle and lemon bar cookies.

Comfy and stylish seating from Lounge Appeal
The “Idaho Nachos” (create your own potato ship nachos) from caterer Feast on This were great – a perfect late night snack at any wedding or event.
Cool caricature drawings from Caricatures by Dave.

fullsizerender_1 — With my husband – does the caricature match us? Photo credit: Eisenhower Photography

Tasty mini donuts and deep fried Oreos from Sensational Treats.

Pretty floral arrangements from local florists like Studio Flourish and Haydee’s Creative Flowers.

Fun fact: Mission Brewery is located inside a former Wonder Bread factory in downtown San Diego. The building has lots of open space, exposed brick and great city views.

Check out the latest issue of San Diego Style Weddings online and in local stores.

Photos are my own, unless noted.

Fashion Forward for Fall Makeup

September 22, 2016 | kristencastillo

Fall is here and I’m ready to celebrate with autumn’s colors. I am excited to check out Jane Iredale’s Fashion Forward collection, featuring eye shadows, retractable brow pencils and lipstick. The company sent samples for me to try and I’m impressed.

First I tried two Smooth Affair® eye shadows. One called Naked is sheer nude color; the other, Iced Brown, is a sheer golden brown. I liked how light and smooth they were to apply and it’s cool that they double as either eye shadow or as a primer for more shadows. They’re smudge proof too! There are four other colors in the line including a sheer pink called Petal; a matte yellow named Lemon; a champagne color called Canvas; and a shade of Gold.

Next up, I tried the retractable brow pencils in two colors: brunette and dark brunette. (There’s a blonde color too that I didn’t try.) The pencils do a nice job of filling in brows. And I totally love the built-in “spoolie” on the end of each pencil, perfect for brow shaping.

The finishing touch? The Cindy Puremoist® lipstick, a sexy shade of red! As the name suggests, it’s named after supermodel Cindy Crawford. I love the lipstick’s scent – a light, fruity mix of pomegranate and backberry extracts. Plus I love how the color complements my fair skin.

Sampling these products has been lots of fun – I’m looking forward to wearing them throughout the fall.

Fashion Forward! Neiman Marcus Fall 2015 Fashion Show

August 13, 2015August 13, 2015 | kristencastillo

I was honored to be invited to the Neiman Marcus Fall 2015 Fashion Show!

During the show for local writers and bloggers, the retailer’s Style Advisor Alex Yanez showcased some of the great looks he’s styled for the season, including fringe, white on white ensembles and lots of layering.

Enjoy the photos and check out the fashion trends you’ll see this autumn.

Women’s Trends:

Fall fashion has a Bohemian and Folkloric feel, says Yanez.
Fringe is popular, which Yanez says is all about “fun and movement.”
Duster jackets and ponchos
Lots of layers
Turquoise
Ruffles
Tunic lengths
Floral looks
“Red is the color of the season,” says Yanez, explaining it’s good to mix reds. One of the models he styled wore head to toe red, including a crimson Diane Van Furstenberg dress with a red Burberry scarf and a red leather jacket.
Mixing texture
Winter white and layering white on white

Accessories:

Bucket bag
Saddle bags, a new silhouette, which can be worn crossbody too, says Yanez.
Platform shoes with chunky heels
Long layered necklaces
Mixing gold with silver
“Jeweling up the ear”
Leather leggings under shorter dress. Yanez calls leggings, “a great alternative to traditional hosiery.”

Mens Trends: