Last year I rocked these vintage pinafores for pre-Fall and it has been one of my very favorite looks so far. I wanted to re-create a summer version to that look so when I came across this beautiful ruffled pinafore in a fruit and floral print, I just had to have it!

Prior to spotting these pinafores in store, I came across this off the shoulder top and tiered ruffled dress in the same print that mixes lilies, bananas, leaves and lemons but wasn't compelled to purchase even though I adore anything with lemons (see here & here). I figured I had similar styles hanging out in my closet so there was no need to get another piece.

My position quickly changed once I locked eyes with this beauty and the rest is history. Well the rest is here on the blog :)

VINTAGE GARDEN GLAMOUR

A VISIT TO GLOSSIER

It's 2002, I'm 15, my lipgloss is poppin' and my glitter-game is on point. Okay not quite but back in my teen and early adult years I loved me some lipgloss & shimmer. I had the roller-ball gloss, ones that tasted like "fruit" and I felt extra fancy when I got ahold of the Victoria Secret ones with gold shimmer in them. I mean who couldn't resist a shiny pout? I would slather it on but being careful not to look like I ate greasy chowmein as we say in Guyana. There was an art to wearing gloss and glitter or at least I liked to think that as a teen.

Oh how I love a good shimmer. My most prized glitter was one I received as part of a perfume set. It was called Fetish (very suitable for an early teenager, don't you think?) and was a sort of golden body glitter. I would rub it on my collar bones aka decolletage and arms when going out and you couldn't tell me anything! I had glitter gel for my hair as well and even sneaked my sister's shimmer powder (she still gives me the side-eye about it) because I was all about that JLO glow!

SHORT & SWEET

When this dress arrived, I was excited to try it on. I was a bit skeptical about the size because it looked tiny when I pulled it out the bag. Nevertheless, I tried it on and it fit! I adored the mixing of my favorite banana-leaf print with garden roses and butterflies but then I realized something about the dress that made me second-guess keeping it.

Continue reading to find out why I almost returned this dress and get the look too!

A SWEET SUMMER PICNIC

The long 4th of July Holiday weekend is almost here and I'm looking forward to some much needed rest & relaxation. Work has been pretty intense these past couple of weeks and so it will be much needed for me.

The city usually starts clearing out mid-week and by the time the weekend rolls around, it practically ghost town. This makes it the perfect opportunity (in my opinion) to have a sweet picnic in the park.

I'm sharing some picnic essentials & a retro-fab 4th of July look after the jump so be sure to click through!

ROSES & POLITICS

It's no secret I love the designs of luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana. I've shared a few of my inspired looks like this one (I rocked last January on vacation in Colombia) as well as many of their images to serve as inspiration.

Dolce & Gabbana's designs are reminiscent of vintage-styles and silhouettes while being modern and playful. Bold patterns, mixed prints, heavy embellishments and ostentatious flair pervade their work and I appreciate all those aspects in fashion. My #stylesister Beyonce has also been spotted rocking their pieces with one of the most recent being a sweet mommy and daughter moment on Mother's day when the two wore Dolce's Hydrangea print dresses.

Now with all that said, I cannot ignore the recent controversy around Melania Trump wearing their pieces.

So let's chat about it below the jump!

RUPUNUNI RODEO

I've been missing home a lot lately and thinking of all the things I'm yet to do there. I was too young to travel alone when I lived in Guyana and unless my mom or sisters were going, I wasn't. Not even with friends because Mom was not about the "my friends are going, why can't I?" life.

I moved to New York when I was 18 years old and my trips back home are usually spent with family and friends leaving very little time to explore. Needless to say, there is still so much for me to experience in Guyana!

Well what does that little tidbit have to do with my outfit? Where are the coconut trees and mangos Guyanaese gyal?

Continue reading to find out.

YOUNG, WILD & FREE

If you listen to even a handful of influencers answer the question "What would you tell your younger self?", usually the response is they'd tell their younger self to slow down, live in the now and know everything will be alright. Yet, when we're "growing up" (I don't believe we should ever stop growing) we're often rushing to do so.

As a child, how many of you dreamt of the day when you could stay up all night, party like there's no tomorrow and not have to answer to your parents? How'd that work out for you? Or how about when you envisioned having the perfect power-job that came with the perfect car/spouse/kids and even a dog or two? Now if you've had even the slightest version of these dreams you also lmao you gave yourself a rigid timeline to get it done.

DIY - EASY FLORAL EMBROIDERED DENIM PURSE

Did you get the memo? It's time to bust out the florals and celebrate the warm weather! Now you're probably wondering why the image looks like Fall, right? Well I rocked this look last Fall but today I want to draw your attention to the purse. It can be worn in any season and guess what??! You can make one for yourself!

Yes! Think of your friend's' reaction when you tell them you DIYed a floral embroidered denim purse. So what are you waiting on? Head below the jump to get the full tutorial

STYLE, DIYKrystle DeSantosJune 14, 2017diy clutch purse, krystledesantos, krystle desantos, diy, embroidered purse, diy purseComment

REAL HOT IN THE SHADE

Can you believe It took me over a year to finally wear this swimsuit?!! I got it for my Cartagena trip but the day I planned to wear this white crochet beauty, mother nature had other plans for me so back into the suitcase it went.

Now I know you're wondering why I never wore it to the beach back in NYC but I have a very good reason!

Continue reading to find out why and get this sizzling crochet swim style!

DIY - FRUITY SHOE CLIPS

Fruits are hot this season and can be found on everything from hair accessories to clothing to handbags to shoes. Our beloved healthy treats are now a fashion statement and to many vintage-lovers (especially the tropical fanatics, I'll call no names), this "trend" has been a summer staple.

With the explosion of fruit salad everywhere, comes the price tag to match the trend. Not so fun, but hey girl hey, I have a DIY for you on the low low!

Continue reading to get my tutorial for your very own pair of fruity shoe clips that you can make in 5 minutes!

SENORA DANCES CALYPSO

My girl's name is Senora
I tell you friends, I adore her
And when she dances, oh brother!
She's a hurricane in all kinds of weather

Continue reading to shake it like Senora!