LA by Diana - Personal Style blog by Diana Marks

December 16, 2015

Scotland Fashion

My trip to Scotland was brief but full of memories. The weather was terrible that weekend - it was rainy, windy and very very cold, but it didn't stop us from having a great time full of adventures. From visiting the Edinburgh Castle, exploring spooky Greyfriars Kirkyard, having coffee breaks at the Elephant House Cafe, where JK Rowling wrote her first Harry Potter, and ending the day on a bar tour around town, there wasn't a moment not to feel bored.

As promised here is one of the looks that I wore during the trip. I was so excited to visit the country for the first time and took time to decide what look I am going to wear - tartan was on my mind and I found this perfect mini-skirt at my favorite Lulus. I wore the skirt from day into the night, switching a few items around for a glam look.

One For All

This post is sponsored by Target

This is the season of inventive ways to gift more with less. Target invites us to choose one key centerpiece (apparel or accessory) of the "perfect gift" for multiple friends, family members or colleagues.

I created three different gift packages for three different people in my life, and included the same key piece: these incredibly cute winter mittens. :)

The first gift is for my best friend's daughter Sophie. She loves everything cute and everything shiny. The mittens are perfect accessories for an 11-year-old girl, and those shiny Essie nail polish colors will definitely excite her this holiday season.

The Power of The Body

We are so close to winter and the best and most stylish item for the season, to my mind, is a turtleneck. This year I went wild and bought tons of turtlenecks in all colors imaginable. It's just so easy to throw it on and immediately add a touch of elegance to the look. But I went even more excited when I discovered the Colorado body from Wolford - it has a perfect form fitting silhouette with a light shimmering effect on the outside. A truly luxury piece to add to a classy look for a touch of class and sophistication. It's also definitely a great gift idea this holiday season ;)

By the way, I used my Anti Static brush to style my hair here.

London Gal

As you might now from my social media, I recently took a trip to the UK. It was such a great experience to come back to a place, which I once called home - rediscover myself and more importantly, reflect on my life especially considering the important changes I am going through. One might say that vibrant London is not the best place to reflect, but since it has a special place in my heart, it definitely was the perfect option. I walked around local streets, caught up with friends and met a few new interesting people, but most importantly, I recharged myself emotionally and simply had a great time.

To stay stylish on this trip I relied on my favorite Lulus, which saved me on my previous European trip back in June. I managed to find perfect outfits both for London and Edinburgh (where I went for a weekend) and this one is my London look: vegan leather pants, true Londoner booties and obviously a hat. Stay tuned for my true Scottish look in Edinburgh :)

Accessories First

This post is sponsored by Target

Most of the time when we style our look we add accessories at the very end, to complete the outfit. But this time around, Target is challenging all of us to make accessories a priority and start styling our looks with them to spice up an outfit by inspiring unlikely twists in your style - especially with winter accessories which are decked out in sparkles, shine, metallics or fur. ;)

I was challenged to create two looks inspired by my favorite accessory from Target's Wonderlist (search "Wonderlist" on Target.com). I chose the fluffy and very cozy faux fur scarf, which is perfect for winter, and came up with two looks.
For the first look, I thought it would be great to have a tight turtleneck sweater underneath the scarf to draw all the attention to the scarf. For the second one, I added a winter dress with leggings and booties for a little more casual feel. Both looks are styled with gray colors, which I think is a great color combo with white.

So make dressing a little more fun and glamorous this season by starting a look with your favorite scarf, fur, clutch, bag, hat or mittens. ;) Let me know if you already have something in mind. And by the way, Target offers FREE standard SHIPPING (3-5 business days) and returns on ALL orders from now through December 25.

A New Way to Stay Hydrated

Healthy levels of hydration can increase energy levels, regulate circulation and digestion, and improve overall skin complexion. I don't know anyone who doesn't know this, yet most of us are still dehydrated due to our busy lifestyles and/or frequent travels. It's especially easy to forget about hydration while on a trip. As you might know from my social media, I am in London right now and I found a great way to help me reach my hydration goals before and during my trips.

First on the List

This post is sponsored by Target

In November, holiday gifting is already on everyone's mind. In the hustle of gift ideas, we often forget about the most important person in our lives - ourselves. If we are lucky enough, we may have a surplus in our allocated budgets to spend on ourselves, but, more often than not, we spend our entire holiday budget on gifting others.

This year I am teaming up with Target to change that. We encourage you to put yourself first on your holiday list...right now! Before holiday madness kicks in, find a gift for yourself! Target believes that when you treat yourself first, you'll be inspired to treat others with more optimism and excitement. So I decided to check it myself :P

I shopped Target's Wonderlist (search "Wonderlist" on Target.com) and found myself three little gifts: one piece of apparel (a green turtleneck), one accessory (a holiday-friendly velvet clutch), and one beauty item (Essie nail polish with golden glitters). These three little gifts are going to be a great foundation for many holiday looks to come, but here are two of my favorites thus far: a casual comfy look with a warm cardigan for a holiday stroll around the neighborhood, and a classy look in green and blue hues, finished with over-the-knee boots and a statement necklace for a holiday party.

Now I am definitely more excited to shop for others ;)

How will your treat yourself first this season with Target's Wonderlist?

Casual look:

Party Perfect with Lulus

Holiday season is right around the corner and this means - party season! I love an all-black glam look for a party, especially if it's as sexy as this jumpsuit! :) I found it at my favorite Lulus.com, which also carries a million options of cute and glam holiday dresses and I am already eyeing a few. What are your favorite pieces for the holiday party season?

Layering 2.0

This post is sponsored by Target

Winter is right around the corner, and, being an L.A. resident I couldn't be more excited. We'll finally get those few month of cold and have a chance to show off some winter fashion! I am partnering with Target again to showcase the most popular way of dressing this time of the year: layering. Instead of going for typical layers of clothes, I decided to spice it up by introducing accessories as a layer and, most importantly, layering the bottom of my look (the boots) as well. Both the top and bottom of my look have three layers, and they match perfectly in one cute and cozy look.
I love adding a statement jewelry piece to a turtleneck, or any tight top for that matter. It adds an extra layer of chic without being too bulky. The thin, long, gold necklace was a good addition to an overall winter ensemble.
As for the white long socks, I was amazed. I found these at the back of my closet, barely worn due to being too long, but they added such a level of coziness and made my boots look so different. Will definitely be incorporating more of these layers through the winter.

And what are your ways of layering this season?

Two Dots: The Game You Won't Stop Playing

I am not a big fan of games, but I found this one game that is so addictive that I simply CAN'T STOP :) It is called TWO DOTS. It is super simple, but very fun. The point of the game is to connect the dots of the same color, sink the anchors and do it in as few steps as possible. But apart from its addictive concept, it has the most relaxing and playful background music. Perfect for an afternoon break or a fun distraction. Check out the game's Facebook page here, download the game and let me know how you like it.

Knit Coat and Anna Wintour

The temperature finally dropped here in LA and I can start wearing jackets! This is so exciting for me :) Couldn't wait until I could finally rock this knit coat from Abercrombie. It makes a simple leggings+t-shirt combination look cool and trendy.

Suspender Pants

This season I didn't go to fashion week. It's been a very rough period of my life and fashion week plans quickly fell apart... I did however plan a few looks for it and this was supposed to be one of them. But who needs fashion week to dress for it? :) I can just dress like this here in LA.

Little Details

I like my outfits to be simple yet stylish and sometimes it's all about the little details that you add to the look that change the whole perspective. In this particular case I added a sophisticated pendant from Michael Hill to the feminine lace top, velvet skirt and ankle boots, and this added a touch of elegance and charm that the look was missing. Michael Hill is a great site for sophisticated jewelry options for every pocket.

Lace Up

I am back in LA after a month long absence and the weather is still not willing to admit that it's fall. Showcasing my "still-early-fall" looks in the next few weeks ;)

3D creativity with Sprout

If you follow me on social media, you might know that I've been super excited to explore HP Sprout in the recent past. It is so high tech, that it's hard to believe it's real. We are talking 3D printing and scanning, people!

Dating Tips for Men + Play #AYTO to WIN A Trip to Hawaii

I have noticed quite an increase in my male audience and wanted to start a little section for guys. Whether it be male fashion, lifestyle or dating tips, I'll be sharing some articles every once in a while. But I am sure ladies can still benefit from this material and, if they like it, share it with men in their lives.

Today I am going to share a few dating tips for guys, which are especially relevant for first dates. So without further ado, here is my list:

Feminine

Refresh Your Fall Wardrobe With Golden Tote

My style is changing as often as the weather and I am always looking to try something new. But occasionally I get stuck and run out of ideas on what I want to try or where I should shop. Not to mention that it's all incredibly time consuming. I am sure I am not alone in this, right ladies? ;)

Recently though I discovered a new service that could be a great solution for all of us. It's called Golden Tote, and it's basically a program where you purchase a surprise tote full of clothing ($49 for 2 items or $149 for 5-6 items) and you only choose 1-2 items in that tote. As for the rest, it's picked out by Golden Tote's stylists based on your style profile. So you actually get a surprise bag with amazing stuff for a steal! I was excited and a bit scared when I placed my order for a large tote, but ended up overjoyed when I got a whole new wardrobe in the mail :) I created 4 different fall looks with the items and honestly, I can't decide which look I like the most. By the way, since the return policy is all or nothing, girls are also trading pieces they don't like in their tote on "Golden Tote Trading Group" Facebook page.
Golden Tote launches new sales on the first Monday of each month, so go check them out ASAP before this month's items sell out! And here are the looks I created with mine ;)

I love early fall fashion. There is something elegant and romantic about it. This velvet midi skirt that came in my tote, paired with lace crop top and a foulard helped me create just that type of mood.

A Week in Target Denim

This post is sponsored by Target

I was challenged by Target to showcase my love of denim and make it a part of my look each day over the course of one week. I was super excited to experiment with it, because as you know, there are countless options of wearing denim in your day to day life, so I couldn't wait to explore them.

Monday was very busy, I had to work from home taking care of emails, admin and accounting. Left the house for a few errands in my favorite skinny jeans, a relaxed shirt and my favorite Kenzo espadrilles - stylish and easy!

Avoid Life's Uncomfortable Moments

I partnered up with U by Kotex again this month to talk about life's uncomfortable moments and dealing with them. Quite recently I discovered that I am quite a fan of wearing swimsuits as part of the outfit and inevitably, a lot of times it gets uncomfortable to wear a swimsuit throughout the day. To avoid that uncomfy feeling, I use everyday liners. They always keep me fresh and comfortable, and it's an essential element to any woman's life. U by Kotex Lightdays liners are great for everyday use, since they are breathable, soft, silky and they flex with the body. If you'd like to try them, get $1 off your U by Kotex samples HERE.

Fall Fashion

As much as I hate to see summer end, I am kind of excited to start transitioning my wardrobe into early fall, which, in my opinion, is the best fashion season. Restocking my wardrobe for fall is so easy thanks to my favorite Lulu's. I found tons of affordable items that I adore, including these high waisted elegant shorts in beautiful grey shade and the beautiful open back top to go with the shorts. Happy Shopping!

Denim Truth & Dare

This post is sponsored by Target

Whatever the season, the year or age, denim is always on trend. The beauty of denim is that no matter your shape, size and body type, you can still have at least one flattering denim piece.

This month I have been challenged by Target to share my denim truth with my favorite denim style and play with my denim dare by trying a denim style that's totally different from what I usually wear. Instead of playing with denim styles (skinny, flare, boyfriend), I decided to play with different washes. For my denim truth, I wore low-rise skinny jeans in medium wash - my usual go-to. Skinny jeans are always flattering and the wash is great for styling the look up or down. In my case, I styled it up with a pair of high heel sandals and a skinny top. As for my dare, I decided to experiment with washes and got skinny leggings in indigo acid wash. They look so cool and so retro, that it inspired me to go for a grunge look with a cool "Rolling Stones" tee, leather booties and a fedora hat. Daring my denim look made me feel creative and confident, I think I might have discovered a new style ;) And how would YOU dare your denim style? By the way, Target has a great denim promotion going on right now: shipping and returns are FREE. So go ahead, dare yourselves ;)

Comfy and Confident

I partnered up with U by Kotex to talk about being comfy. As a woman, there are so many things that can make us feel uncomfortable: smudged make up, bad hair days, poor clothing choice and of course... "those" days. Those days when we don't feel like doing anything at all and want to stay at home and be taken care of. With U by Kotex products you can get comfortable and confident every single day of the month. Personally I am a huge fan of everyday liners. They always keep me fresh and comfortable, and it's an essential element to any woman's life. U by Kotex Lightdays liners are great for everyday use, since they are breathable, soft, silky and they comfortable flex with the body. If you'd like to get free U by Kotex samples, you can redeem them on bringcomfyback.com.

Patriotic Vibes

In our world of globalized fashion, it's hard to stand out. You can buy a t-shirt during your random travel to Prague and come back to California and see the exact same t-shirt on your neighbor. I am not saying that it's bad, I myself am a huge consumer of mass fashion, but every once in a while I'd like to wear something a little more special. Thanks to Zazzle, I can customize my basic clothing items and choose from what seems to be unlimited options if I am out of ideas. Since I a new US citizen as of recently, I was feeling patriotic about my new country and especially the state I live in and I chose the corresponding tank and a tote from Zazzle. But even those basic items can be styled up for a casual glam look.

Back to School with Sakroots

I can't believe we are already in August and school is just around the corner. Even though I no longer go to school, I still have that "back to school" feeling every year when the time comes. I also still need a few essentials for my home office and work, and what's a better time to shop for new stuff than "back-to-school" season? Here are a few of my favorite must haves for this time of the year.

I've become quite obsessed with backpacks in the past few years (ironically enough, I hated them when I actually was at school :) ), because they are a great way to keep my hands free and still have all the essentials with me. Sakroots has surprised me again with their colorful and original selection of prints. I'll definitely be wearing my new artsy backpack very often. As for the other must have, I cannot imagine my life without it - Sakroots agenda. My days are so crazy and hectic that if I don't have a planner with me, I go insane. The one from Sakroots is definitely the best - it's big enough, stylish and just fun.

I like Sakroots not only for their products, but also for the company's direction. Not only Sakroots supports young artists, but the company also runs a "Campus Circle" campaign, which consists of college ambassadors sharing the Sakroots story around their campuses.

By the way, you can receive 15% OFF you first purchase if you sign up with your email on the Sakroots homepage. So hurry up and make one of these awesome backpacks your own!

Hotel Pullman Brussels Centre Midi

As I continue my hotel reports, it's time to talk about my stay in Brussels. I stayed at the ultra modern and chic Pullman Brussels Centre Midi, which is located right outside a major local and international train station of Brussels. Considering that I spent two out of three days traveling outside Brussels, and left Brussels for Amsterdam by train, I couldn't imagine of a better place to stay. But regardless if you need to travel outside of Brussels or prefer to spend your time in the city, the historical heart of Brussels is only a 15 min walk away, or a short 5 min metro ride, with the station located right next to the hotel.

Location aside, the whole hotel is simply superb. Designed by architect Jean-Philippe Nuel, this 4 star upscale hotel is definitely a place to be - sleek, modern, minimalistic and glamorous! Out of all the places I stayed at, this one was by far the hardest one to leave! I am just too addicted to cool designs and great customer service :) And of course, the best part of any European hotel stay is... breakfast! It was definitely superb and the variety was just insane. I wished I stayed there longer so that I could try everything they had :) So delicious!

Cut Out Shoulders

WestCord Fashion Hotel Amsterdam

It's already been two weeks since I am back, but I am still not over my post-trip depression :) It was such an amazing experience, particularly due to the beautiful hotels I got to stay at.

Today I'll tell you a bit more about my stay in Amsterdam. First of all, I arrived at the airport and got a TESLA cab - that's how you ride in Amsterdam! Definitely in style ;) Then it took me to the WestCord Fashion Hotel Amsterdam and I can't imagine a better place for your home away from home in this vibrant and international city. My hotel choice was pretty straightforward for two reasons. First, I am a fashionista (hence "the fashion hotel") and second, its convenient location. The hotel is close to public transportation which takes you directly to the center of the city, an airport is only a short drive from it and, most importantly, it's located right across the World Fashion Center. The rooms are very convenient (and quiet, which is kind of a big deal for me!) and the design throughout is all about fashion and glamour - definitely my vibe!

My favorite amenities of this hotel are The Wellness Garden with 2 saunas and Turkish steam room, indoor swimming pool, and the SKYY bar on the 10th floor with great views of the city. And I was definitely obsessed with breakfasts there - seriously I don't think I ever ate so much food at once. But I don't regret it at all - it was healthy and definitely delicious. I can't wait to get back to this beautiful city and come back to WestCord Fashion Hotel Amsterdam.

Soft Skin and Healthy Body

This week I partnered up with Flywheel and Vaseline for an exciting opportunity. I got a chance to attend the popular cycling studio Flywheel in LA yesterday. Normally, I am not that much into cycling classes, but I might reconsider my preferences after visiting Flywheel. The upbeat music, dark room and constant movement made me feel like I am in a club, only it was a healthy version of it :) I was half dancing, half cycling and definitely got my blood moving. It's a great cardio workout for people like me, who don't move much.

After the class I got a chance to try out and take home Vaseline Intensive Care Spray Moisturizer, which I used all over my body after the much needed shower. I usually don't use any body lotions because I can't stand feeling sticky or greasy after I just cleaned myself. In so many years I never found one that I could use regularly. But Vaseline definitely made a difference. It took me seconds to dry after my initial application, and the skin instantly felt smooth and moisturized. A very convenient 360 degree application made the process super fast, which is extremely important to me. I absolutely loved the experience and I will definitely be using the product for a while now. Finally a body lotion I can use regularly! Have you tried it?

My European Vacation

For those who still don't follow me on the social networks, it's time to tell you a bit more about my European trip. This year it was packed with gorgeous locations, great company and amazing food. I spent 3 weeks in Europe, kicking off my tour with a week in Cannes followed by a road trip around Tuscany and three day stays in Brussels and Amsterdam. I managed to see a total of 16 big and small towns all over Europe over the course of my trip. It was a little exhausting, but very exciting. I came back with a huge baggage of great memories and I think I even got a little depressed upon arrival, because this trip was like a dream and yet it was over so soon :(

I was freaking out for a couple of weeks before leaving since I had absolutely no idea what to pack with me. I wanted to have a lot of outfit options, but didn't want to take a big suitcase in lieu of the amount of travel that I was planning to do. I also had to plan warmer looks in case of chilly nights or temperature changes from country to country. I also refused to take anything that I couldn't wear more than once and anything that wasn't pretty enough. I bought so much stuff from different online stores in hopes to get those ideal outfit options, but ended up returning most of it. I was getting desperate...

But then I remembered about one store that somehow slipped my mind - my favorite Lulus. After spending hours on the website, I finally chose a few great summer dresses, pants, tops and a cool white jacket - perfect for summer nights. Whether it was surviving extreme heat in Cannes, getting lost on the streets of random Tuscan towns, admiring the architecture of beautiful Brussels or having the time of my life in vibrant Amsterdam, Lulu's made it easy for me to look stylish and feel comfy. Check out my looks that I wore in different cities and let me know which one is your favorite!

CANNES (France):

Back On The Grid...

It's been a few days since I am finally back in LA and I am almost over my jet lag. It's great to get back to a cooler drier climate and enjoy LA's chilly summer nights. I love taking my looks from day to night with a few easy adjustments and this look is not an exception. I wore my cool new shorts from Soul Escape all day and then I threw on my new leather jacket (that I got at half price on sale in Amsterdam!) and changed my shoes for booties for a movie night.

From Basics to Statements

This post is promoted by Target

I love summers for the range of colors and prints I can mix effortlessly. The easiest way to update my style this time of the year is by introducing prints. And the simplest and most affordable way to do so is with the help of Target, which is always one step ahead of the trend game. This season’s new print is tribal and frankly speaking, I am already obsessed with it. It’s also surprisingly easy to style! Just add a basic tank or tee to your tribal bottom and voila - effortlessly stylish and fun! It’s amazing how the right pair of accessories can turn your look into casual, sophisticated or fun! All three options are below.

Another Secret

This post is promoted by Skinny Cow

It's time to reveal my second secret as part of "What's My Secret" campaign with Skinny Cow. As I mentioned in my first post, finding time to relax on a daily basis is not easy, but it’s definitely essential for a balanced life. I really like weekends for this reason. Sometimes, I like to stay in and cancel my brunch/dinner plans and just enjoy a quiet time by myself. I like to read a good book, flip through a nice magazine or immerse myself in a photography book. Regardless of what it is, it definitely has to be without technology (no phones or laptops are allowed during that time!). I like to have a little snack as well. It goes without saying that Skinny Cow ice creams, chocolates or iced coffees are a perfect idea for this time of the day (time for oneself!). After I am done with my reading and indulging activities, I am ready to move on with my day in a calm and positive manner. Hope you enjoyed my little secret. Share your secret tips on Twitter with the hashtag #SkinnyCowSecret. Direct message to @TheSkinnyCow for a chance to receive a sweet treat (coupon). More details HERE.

Cannes Diary - What to Wear and Where to Eat

As you know from my social networks, I am currently traveling across Europe, and as part of this amazing trip I spent last week in Cannes. I had so much fun there, going to the beach, eating unlimited seafood and croissants and catching up with my friends. My summer fashion consisted of very light items with thin materials due to hot weather in Europe and trying to minimize my luggage size. Here is a photo diary of my looks and places to visit via my Instagram @byDianaMarks. Enjoy :)

Hat: Club Monaco. Romper: Sandro. Flats: Soludos.

Swimsuit Fashion

Summer has officially started a few days ago and that means that swim season is in full swing. As you might know from my previous posts, it takes me quite a while to find the best swimsuits every year, so stay tuned this summer for my swimsuit finds on the blog and socials and find below my current faves.

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