posted by Danika on Fashion & Style
I’ve recently teamed up with a new friend and fabulous photographer, Annie Vovan, who shot today’s style post and is definitely a woman to watch. I met up with her one recent afternoon in Santa Monica where she had told me about a local bar that had a few cool spots to shoot some photos. Imagine our joy when we found this classic piece of man metal parked just outside. So I decided to get comfortable…
Leather is all the rage right now (but really when is it not?) and I wanted to make this outfit a bit more casual to go with the laid back Santa Monica vibe. I purchased this top not too long ago from The Limited’s (somewhat) new plus size line, Eloquii. I loved the classic color blocking but I wanted to give it a little more shape to accentuate my fine girlish figure. This turquoise belt is falling apart and as vintage as they come. I stole it from my mom’s closet years ago and it’s been a favorite staple of mine since. (Sorry mom)
Now, I’ve been DYING to rock my wedge sneakers and I finally found the outfit that I felt deserved them. I went back and forth on this trend for a long time. I couldn’t tell if they were hideos or genius and to be honest I’m still not completely sure. When I saw these on the Topshop website I fell in love though and I know it was what my elementary school science teacher would call an “educated guess”. I guessed that I needed them on my feet. And so I ordered them. And they are horribly uncomfortable yet so epically fabulous that I continue to wear them on the reg. ”Is that a sneaker or a heel that you’re wearing?”… “Maybe if we slip into something a little more comfortable you can find out…” (said nobody)
This post is a little photo-heavy but I couldn’t choose just 5 or 6 I loved because my photographer Annie gave me so much to work with! You can check out more of her stuff here or even book one of her empowering Just BE sessions for yourself!
Colorblock Black/White Top- Eloquii; Leather Paneled Skirt- Forever 21; HighTop Wedge Sneakers- Topshop; Turquoise Belt- Vintage; Watch- Michael Kors; Earrings- Target; Cougar Ring- Nasty Gal; Car-strangers
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posted by Danika on Motivation
My life has definitely gone in directions I couldn’t have predicted. And though I am happy with where I am at this point, I always have that voice in my head asking me… Where are you headed? What does the future hold? Are you on the right path towards achieving your goals and dreams? Will you be “OK” in the future?
Modeling was something I wanted to do since I was a child and the fact that I now do it full time and spend my days traveling and meeting all sorts of new and artistic people in all sorts of places is thrilling. But I can’t help but think about the fact that it is a job with a deadline. With the way the industry is changing I can hope that it is something I can do for longer than just my 20′s… actually, I’m fairly certain I can, but I know I want to do even more than just being a model. I want to do something that I can really use my personality, creativity, and people skills to the fullest. I want to be a host. I want to have a talk show. I want to be able to help people achieve their own dreams. I’m sure I’ll “want” many more things. I wouldn’t say I’m completely lost by any means but I would say I am in need of some restructuring and re-prioritizing in my life.
I think it is important every now and again to step back and analyze where we want to go and how we are going to get there. It is easy to get distracted by all that is happening in our lives but even if we don’t know exactly where we are going, we can at least focus our energy in the general direction and trust that we’ll get there eventually.
Happy Monday!
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posted by Danika on Fashion & Style, Modeling
Halloween has long been my favorite holiday but with the devastation on the East Coast from Hurricane Sandy and my sudden onslaught of the flu that is lingering now for its third day, it looks like this year may be my most relaxed and dare I say “grown-up” one of them all. Boo. And not in a fun Halloween way. Regardless of my ailing body, I’m so excited to share these photos with you that I took last week with a new friend, amazing photographer, and inspiring woman, Annie Vovan. Annie enjoys capturing beautiful moments at weddings, and has found her true passion in portrait photography and in empowering women. Annie and I are teaming up in an effort to give all women the opportunity to feel beautiful and confident through her Just B.E. (Be Empowered) photo sessions. More on this later but I definitely recommend checking out the amazing work she is doing!
There is the cutest little pumpkin patch located quite close to my apartment in Santa Monica. The day Annie and I shot these photos it was one of the chillier evenings we’ve had this year and it felt perfect for a fall themed shoot. The men working at the patch were so friendly and even offered their direction as to what the best backdrops and landscapes would be to shoot.
As the weather gets (slightly) cooler in Southern California, I love making the switch to wearing tights with all my dresses. Because I’m 5’10, some of my dresses can ONLY be worn with tights (this statement was questionable during my sorority days) so it is like having an entirely new wardrobe and a plethora of options to choose from. Because the leopard print on this sweaterdress is so busy, I paired it with a basic Levi’s denim jacket to dress it down. Plus, denim screamed Pumpkin Patch to me and reminded me so much of growing up in Long Island, NY… probably because both my mom and I work denim overalls about 85% of the time.
I’ll be scanning my Facebook and Instagram news feeds looking for all of your creative Halloween costumes as I lay recovering in my bed for the third day in a row. Sending my prayers and positivity to my East Coast friends as well and hoping everybody can still be in the Halloween spirit amongst all the chaos!
Photography by Annie Vovan
Leopard Sweater Dress- Victoria’s Secret; Denim Jacket- Levi’s; Black Tights- Target; Leopard Face Ring- Nasty Gal; Brown Booties- Target; Cascading Earring- Target; Red Lipstick- Makeup Forever Rogue Artist 42
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posted by Danika on Fashion & Style
Now we all know I love a good bodycon dress, but as the weather gets cooler, I can’t help but dress more for comfort than courting my future husband. Enter my simple and casual fall wardrobe. Boots, jeans, light “Los Angeles appropriate” sweaters. Nothing like having a little room to grow!
These brown boots have been worn-in severely and I would have them no other way. They are so comfortable and I have yet to find another pair that I like equally or more, so I’m pushing them to their limit. I wear a lot more brown than I do black… well with the exception of leather, so they’ve come in quite handy.
My fabulous (and newly married) friend Lisa, designs some of the coolest jewelry and this necklace is one of her pieces. You can buy her stuff here (it’s very affordable, not to mention unique). She has skulls, crosses, vintage jewels, gems, and more. I am most definitely addicted… You should probably be her friend too…
I went to the Torrid event at the Century City mall during LA’s Fashion week and ended up leaving with some amazing steals! I got both these jeans and the navy blue off-the-shoulder top for barely anything! I feel like these jeans were made for my body as well! They are super long which I appreciate with my height, and they have a higher rise which is a little more flattering for my shape. I love wearing pants because I can drop down and get my eagle on at any given time of day without disappointing my father.
Navy Blue Off-the-Shoulder Top- Torrid; White Undershirt- H&M; Grey Skinny Jeans- Torrid; Brown Boots- Steve Madden; Gold Necklace- St. Eve Jewelry; Gold Watch- Michael Kors; Brown Leather Bracelet- Marc Jacobs; Hair by Lindsey Carter
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posted by Danika on Motivation
I do. Like really. I think that we can all be influenced at one time or another to believe, behave, or just be a less than ideal version of ourselves. But amongst it all, I think kindness and goodness lies within the roots of each and every individual. We may act out of fear or worry or just plain confusion on occasion, but when it really comes down to it, I believe we have a true desire for goodness.
As I move along in my life and have the pleasure of building new relationships with fascinating people, I have realized just how truly generous human nature can be. The desire to help others achieve their goals, to wish happiness on those around us, and to support each and every person as we’d hope to be supported. I am constantly reminded of this by the wonderful people I call my friends, and even those I have never met. We are all guilty of becoming jaded or selfish at times, but I don’t think it ever stems from an evil place. I wake up every day excited to be alive and eager to learn more about myself and all the wonderful people whose paths I am privileged to cross. I think that if we all can look deep down and recognize that there is true goodness within each soul, then the world will prove to be an even more beautiful place to live.
Now Be Good.
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posted by Danika on Fashion & Style, Modeling
A couple weeks ago I headed down to Newport Beach to celebrate my mom’s birthday. I hung out on the patio with my mom and dad drinking wine, and then dined at The Cannery Restaurant overlooking the bay.
Now, this dress is usually one I’d save for a night out with the girls or a hot date, but I couldn’t wait to wear it so consider it a birthday gift to my mother. You’re supposed to shake what your mama gave you, right?
When I saw this dress from Tart on Hautelook, I wasn’t even sure my eyes were registering what I was seeing. Backless AND Bodycon AND the perfect length AND long sleeves. SOLD… ten times over! I’m pretty sure this dress was made for me and though I must admit that the backless bra/lower rise Spanx combination was a bit tricky and slightly uncomfortable, it was worth ever tug and tuck.
Because this dress is so va-va-voom, I chose to keep the jewelry simple. Even though the dinner wasn’t very dressy, I threw on some cascading gold earrings from the luxury designer known as Target. Please forgive the following deer in headlights phenomenon…
It was a wonderful night of celebration and there may have been one too many bottles of wine involved but who’s counting? It is so wonderful to have my parents living so close and I will certainly miss that when I make the big move to New York next year. But hey, the career calls and I refuse to be left behind. I’ve got myself some big dreams and by God I’m going to chase them!
Happy Birthday to my beautiful mother!
Dress- Tart; Shoes- Dolce Vita; Earrings- Target
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posted by Danika on Motivation
We all remember the way we are treated and the way that other people make us feel. I will never forget the name of the boy in 5th grade that called me “fat girl” or the time I was 14 years old and riding my bike in my bathing suit when a car full of guys shouted out the window “Go back to the beach whale!”. I am grateful at this point in my life that I am now able to recognize the insecurity in the kind of people that go out of their way to hurt or harm others. I take a moment and feel sorry for them and I go on with my day. I just wish we could all support each other a little more often instead of tearing each other down.
We’ve all been hurt before and we’ve all hurt others. I try with each day to be even more of a woman of character and goodness, and though it can be hard for anybody to do, I strive to be a positive influence and experience in the life of anybody whose path I am fortunate enough to cross. We are all human beings and we’re all searching for love, acceptance, answers, and more. It is our own choice to decide the kind of person we want to be, and I am doing my very best to be a smiley face at the end of each person’s sentence 
Have a beautiful week and try your best to bring others up with you!
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posted by Danika on Fashion & Style
When it comes to fashion for a curvy, full-figured, or plus-size woman, it is not just what you wear, but how you style it that is important. You may have a completely fabulous dress but if you don’t focus on how it flatters your specific body type, it could end up looking more like a potato sack… A pretty potato sack, but a sack nonetheless. And if anybody knows about potato sacks it’s YOURS TRULY
Working in the modeling industry has taught me so much about what works for my body type and what doesn’t. And just because you think a certain style doesn’t flatter you, doesn’t mean you can’t make a few of your own personal additions and alterations in order to make it work. I spend my days trying on hundreds of outfits and then watching stylists tweak them to perfection, so it is only fair that I share some of my tips with those who may not be behind the scenes with the experts.
1. Too Baggy is Never Good
When you get dressed, try to remember that the clothes’ job is to FLATTER you, rather than HIDE you. More fabric may seem like the better option for covering up whatever imperfection you may think you have, but something relatively fitted or with some kind of shape will almost always be the better choice. When you wear something like the top above, keep in mind that it will fall against your widest part, mine are my hips/butt. As a result, it makes it appear that everything unseen under that top is also the same width as my hips/butt… are you picking up what I’m putting down? Ok GREAT! If it isn’t something you can belt at the waist, try tucking your top in. I like the partial tuck in that almost looks like you accidentally did that during your last bathroom trip. If you don’t feel comfortable tucking shirts in, opt for a shorter top that is fitted in the chest and has more fabric in the stomach area. Just make sure it stops above your hips so it shows off your curves rather than blends the whole body shape into one.
2. Give Me Some Space!
If your outfit is pretty full coverage, it’s nice to break up the human totem pole effect (aka a solid connection of shoe-pants-shirt-jacket, and sneak in at least a little bit of skin. I have been loving the skinny cuff and it has a great way of making any denim transform into a more relaxed feel. The blazer I chose has contrasting fabric inside so I decided to cuff the sleeves as well, to show off some of my jewelry and a little more skin.
3. Accessorize Basic or Neutral Colors
Wearing a lot of neutral colors allows for a ton of creativity when it comes to accessorizing. I like to add one pop of color (often that color is turquoise) or pile on the golds and browns for some statement jewelry. A fun belt, great hat, or a purse or shoe with a pop of color can also be a fabulous addition.
4. Shape Up!
If the garment you’re wearing isn’t built with a lot of structure, don’t be afraid to add a little of your own. Adding a fitted blazer, tucking in your blouse, belting your dress, and layering tighter options over looser ones, are all great ways to give your outfit a bit more shape and to further flatter your body type.
I hope these tips come in handy next time you find yourself in an “almost perfect outfit” situation. Oftentimes, one little tweak can make all the difference!
Blazer- Forever 21; Sheer Tunic Faded Giraffe Print Top- Target, Belt- Vintage (my Dad’s= why it is so big); Ripped Boyfriend Jeans- J Brand; Shoes- Target; Watch- Michael Kors; Stone and Turquoise Beaded Necklace and Brown Beaded Bracelet- St. Eve; Brown Leather Braided Bracelet- Michael Kors; Hair by Lindsey Carter
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posted by Danika on Fashion & Style, Modeling
My favorite color is yellow. Not necessarily to wear, eat, or smell, but I think the color overall has such a happy, vibrant connotation to it. When I saw this leotard for sale on ASOS (I’m a huge fan of leotards in general), I knew I had to have it! I wear a ton of things that sit at my waist as I think they flatter my shape better and they are generally much more comfortable. As a result, leotards have become a staple when it comes to that pairing.
Now unlike the average real housewife, I can’t just open a Vogue magazine and pick out something from an ad and well… buy it. But when I saw this purse by Mulberry in a magazine, took a screenshot of the ad, and found myself still thinking about it on the reg months later, I made my very first high society exception. I was in London for a bit of work and a bit more fun with friends. Considering I’d done plenty of research on the bag, I knew there were a few Mulberry stores in the city. I justified it by telling myself that because I wouldn’t be paying tax for it, it was actually quite practical to get it during my time there. And I mean… when in London (or New York, or Kentucky, or when the internet is available…)
Yellow Zig Zag Leotard- ASOS.com; High Waisted Denim- J Brand; Tan Platform Wedges- Dolce Vita; Gold Square Patterned Earrings- Target; Brown Leather Purse- Mulberry
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posted by Danika on Motivation
I think daydreaming is one of the most underrated past times. I could sit and imagine myself in different future situations for hours. On the cover of Vogue, with my own talk show making people laugh, helping others achieve their dreams, being surrounded by tons of 300 lb dogs, having a massive closet just for my size 11 shoes, drinking champagne all day and not being hungover… I could go on. And because I’m a HUGE believer in visualizing the things we want to achieve and places we hope to someday be, I think it is absolutely a wonderful use of one’s time.
I absolutely love this quote and I think anybody can relate to it. He or She, and whatever place you are at in your life. Having the knowledge that we can always be improving upon ourselves and working to better our situation gives us the freedom to dream up anything we could possibly want… and go for it!
I feel like this a lot. I feel like there are big things coming for me. Huge positive changes. New and Inspiring people. Bigger and Better goals to achieve. And I have no idea how I will get there or when they will occur… but by God… they are coming! And I think as long as I believe that (which I truly do)… then what will be, will be.
Have a wonderful week!
