Straight Out of the Seventies

Hello! I constantly find myself inspired by the seventies but I recently found myself even more inspired by the free-spirited decade when styling this look. Who wants to travel back in time to the seventies with me? Or maybe just wear fabulous seventies looks together and talk about our favorite Jimi Hendrix' songs? 

I started styling this look around a cool little black bodysuit that I recently added to my wardrobe. When I spotted this bodysuit on MakeMeChic's website I immediately fell in love with it. Who could say no to the effortless style and trendy choker neckline detail of this bodysuit? This is MakeMeChic's "Choker V-Neck Bodysuit" in black and it retails for just $13 here. What a steal! 

I added a bold pop of seventies yellow to the bodysuit with a tiered vintage lace skirt and statement aviator shades. I slipped into a shaggy sweater and reptile-skin heeled booties to amp up the Free People vibes of the look. I accessorized with a groovy vintage suitcase and handfuls of boho jewelry.

Photos by Rachel Dwyer Photography. Check out more of her work on her website or Instagram. 

Yellow lace skirt: Vintage, available in RaddayVintage

Shaggy sweater: Free People via Ashby

Black bodysuit: c/o MakeMeChic

Black booties: Jeffrey Campbell via Urban Outfitters

Retro suitcase: Vintage

Boho rings: Assorted

Yellow sunglasses: c/o Giant Vintage

Black clay necklace: Glister

Earrings: Ashby

"T" initial necklace: c/o GetPersonalizedJewelry

Belt: Vintage, available in RaddayVintage

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The Power of Purple Lipstick

Hello! I remember in high school I bought the most ridiculous black lipstick. I had dreams of wildly dramatic colors on my lips ranging from an aqua shade I can clearly remember to that gothic shade of black I mentioned. Sometime in the past year or so, I found that black lipstick, tucked away in some box under my bed with the plastic wrapping still on and it got me thinking.

Social norms dictate your life when you're in high school and as much as I tried to break away from them, it's pretty darn hard to say "screw it, I'm going to do me exactly as I want" when you're just fifteen years old and all the girls around you are wearing the same pair of Bean boots and Hollister low-rise jeans. That's not to say I didn't do my own thing. Because I certainly did; I rocked sheer vintage maxi skirts with combat boots and caught plenty of stares wearing flower crowns bigger than most at Coachella. I've never been timid with fashion but boy, that black lipstick scared me. I thought nothing could be cooler than that aqua lipstick or black lipstick, yet I couldn't bring myself to wear it. "It's too much," I thought. By "too much," what was I thinking? Too bold? Too different? Too unique? None of those are bad things. But for high school Tor, it was "too much."

In the past four years, I've come a long way. I may have tossed that black lipstick when I found it (but forreal y'all lipstick expires after two years, you know I'm not putting lipstick that's been expired for two years on my lips) but I did discover my uniquely "me," out-of-this-world lipstick this summer: a pretty lilac shade by ColourPop. I now wear it fearlessly and feel empowered by the strange looks I may receive instead of put off by them.

I've given up caring if people think my outfits are strange, unusual or wacky. They are. Fashion just is. And I love it, I wouldn't have it any other way. Lilac lipstick? Throw it my way. Leather pants? You know it. Thigh-high golden boots? You bet I'm wearing them several times a week. It's refreshing. I find myself saying "it's refreshing" a lot but in the short six months that I've spent as a graduate from Philadelphia University, I've grown in ways that I didn't know were possible. I'm more confident than ever in myself, currently working full-time doing exactly what I want to do and pursuing a million fun little projects on the side. I find myself doing "me" more than ever before and I love it.

Be unapologetically you and you won't ever be happier. Let your true self empower you; I'd say it's refreshing but I'll refrain from using that expression yet again.

Here's to doing your own thing and being proud of it; you all rock!

Photo by Caitlin Funkhouser Photography.

Silver jumpsuit: New York & Company via Ashby
Purple jacket: Vintage
Lipstick: ColourPop
Pink purse: Vintage
White mod sunglasses: Nasty Gal

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Pretty in Pink

Hello! I'm cringing as I write this but I've been feeling some sort of inspired by the eighties the past few days. The eighties? Up until this past week, I was convinced of my passionate hatred towards anything and everything eighties. But now I'm definitely feeling unsure. I've been incredibly drawn to eighties silhouettes and styles while buying for RaddayVintage's spring collection as well as while styling myself throughout the past few days. I blame Molly Ringwald and her fashion-forward role in so many eighties cult flicks.

I channeled my recent eighties style inspiration into this look for a shoot with Elissa Rumford. I styled the look around a tremendously awful yet beautiful eighties dress that I recently added to RaddayVintage's inventory. The eighties throwback silhouette, ridiculously pink color and lace texture of this dress definitely give it a very Pretty in Pink, or 16 Candles feel. I wanted to play up the soft femininity of the dress even further and styled it with a romantic beaded jacket, nostalgic pink shades and several pieces of simple golden jewelry.

Photo by Elissa Rumford.

Lace dress: Vintage
Beaded jacket: Vintage, available for sale in RaddayVintage
Pink sunglasses: Rumors

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Seventies Daze

Hello! Recently, I teamed up with fellow Richmond model/photographer, Elissa Rumford for a quirky, retro photoshoot. I shot her in two different looks, both inspired by seventies aesthetics. I wanted to focus on creating truly unique looks inspired by both new and old- vintage but with modernized styling. I styled the first look around a drop-dead gorgeous vintage evening gown. I recently scored this dress at Ashby for less than $30 and have just been dying to shoot it. I styled it with a faux fur leopard print jacket, trendy choker necklace and bold sunglasses. 

I styled the second look around a little red velvet number that's quickly becoming one of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe. I paired it with a silky floral vintage robe worn as a stylish kimono. I accessorized it with a matching ribbon choker, gorgeous statement necklace and yellow aviator sunglasses for a look like no other. 

Keep an eye on my Instagram @toriradday for more photos from the shoot. 

First look:

Beaded dress: Vintage via Ashby

Leopard print jacket: Vintage

Choker necklace: c/o LightInTheBox

White sunglasses: Nasty Gal

Yellow sunglasses: c/o Giant Vintage

Second look:

Velvet dress: c/o Shein

Floral robe: Vintage, available for sale in RaddayVintage

Statement necklace: Kay Adams via Anthill Antiques

Yellow sunglasses: c/o Giant Vintage

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Fashion, Trends & More x Live Among Chic

Hello! I recently teamed up with Dee and Sarah of Live Among Chic for a little Richmond fashion blogger collaboration. Like myself, Dee and Sarah use their blog as an outlet to express their adoration for fashion through carefully thought-out style pieces and well prepared outfit photoshoots. Brittany Rose Photography documented our recent collaboration (hopefully only one of many in the future!)

For this collaboration, we wanted to create soft, vintage-inspired looks, employing strong use of feminine color and vintage-inspired detail. We created cohesion in our looks through our use of the color pink, statement coats and relatively light, neutral color palette. 

I gifted both Dee and Sarah one item from my etsy shop, RaddayVintage, for the blog collaboration. Dee picked out a pretty vintage camisole and Sarah selected a chic metallic layering piece. I love how they both styled the pieces and I can't get over how much I adore Sarah's trendy booties and Dee's statement coat- talk about fab! 

For my look, I styled a little gray wrap dress with a gorgeous cream-colored jacket; I love the vintage appeal that the jacket adds to the look. I also slipped on a pair of gray thigh-high socks and bold paisley platform heels which added to the nostalgic vintage mood of the look even further. I accessorized with several pieces of simple yet pretty golden jewelry, bold sunglasses and a chic pink purse. 

Photos taken by Brittany Rose Photography. Be sure to check out her photography page and Instagram profile as well as Dee and Sarah's fashion blog and Instagram curation. 

Gray dress: Gap via Ashby

Platform heels: Jeffrey Campbell via NastyGal

Pink purse: Vintage

Cream-colored jacket: Vintage

Pink sunglasses: Rumors

Hand sunglasses: c/o Giant Vintage

Statement necklace: c/o KristinsCandiShop

"Tori" Necklace: c/o PersonalNecklace

Earrings: Ashby

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Burgundy Velvet

Hello! Recently, I teamed up with local Richmond photographer, Rachel Dwyer, to photograph one of the newest additions to my wardrobe: this gorgeous burgundy dress. When I spied the luxe texture, rich color and trendy off-the-shoulder silhouette of this dress on SheIn, I instantly fell in love with it. This is their "Burgundy Ruffle Off the Shoulder Velvet Bodycon" dress and it retails for $12 here.

For this look, I wanted to emphasize the opulence of the velvet texture of the dress so I styled it with a rich pair of golden thigh high boots and lined my eyelashes with sparkling rhinestones. I accessorized with several vintage rings, a sweet pair of stud earrings and a couple classic personalized necklaces.

I also styled a dreamy, cream-colored vintage shawl and vintage leopard print faux fur jacket with the dress for several photos. I switched among sunglasses throughout the shoot, sticking to a few of my favorite new pairs including a pair of yellow aviators, tortoiseshell shades and mod sixties sunnies.

Burgundy velvet dress: c/o SheIn
Golden boots: Jeffrey Campbell
Cream-colored shawl: Vintage
White sunglasses: Nasty Gal
Brown sunglasses: c/o GiantVintage
Yellow sunglasses: c/o GiantVintage
Leopard print jacket: Vintage
White circular purse: Vintage
Rings: Assorted, mainly vintage

Photos by Rachel Dwyer Photography.

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Understated Boho Glam

Hello! Recently, StyleWe sent me one of the cutest boho tunic dresses that I've ever seen and I couldn't wait to style it and share it with you all. When I initially spotted the tunic on their website, I immediately fell in love with its breezy silhouette, bohemian pattern and effortless cool factor. This is their "Printed Crew Neck Casual Shift Mini Dress" and you can purchase it for yourself for $56 here. 

For this look, I styled it with a pair of black denim, black heeled booties and vintage faux fur coat. I accessorized with pretty piles of jewels including dreamy boho rings, a gorgeous statement necklace and sweet little stud earrings. I also slipped on diva-esque shades with the look; these are Giant Vintage's "Liki" shades in tortoise and you can purchase them for $16 here. I love the sort of understated boho glam vibe of the look. 

Tunic dress: c/o StyleWe

Faux fur jacket: Available for sale in RaddayVintage 

Black denim: BDG via Urban Outfitters

Black heeled booties: Jeffrey Campbell via Urban Outfitters

Sunglasses: c/o Giant Vintage

Statement necklace: c/o KristinsCandiShop

Rings: Assorted (Vintage, c/o ToSave, c/o Moonstone Magic)

Lipstick: ColourPop

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A Little Taste of Spring

Hello! Richmond experienced a little taste of spring today with temperatures in the sixties and the sun shining brightly. Alas, months still stand between us and spring. And boy, am I already counting down until the spring season (yes, I know I'm typing this on January the 12th yet spring won't officially be here until late March.) 

I decided to take advantage of today's warm weather by slipping on a short black wrap dress with denim platform heels. Bare legs in January? Yass! 

One of the things that I adore about little black dresses is how easy they are to style in a variety of different ways. You can easily take a simple black dress from simple to Hollywood glam or bohemian free-spirit with just a few key accessories in a matter of minutes. For this look, I decided to go boho and layered on the free-spirited jewelry from gorgeous turquoise rings to an array of chic necklaces to several boho bracelets to a striking pair of stone earrings. I wanted to add a slight hint of seventies style to the look so I grabbed a pair of yellow aviator sunglasses and yellow vintage purse to style with the look. 

Black wrap dress: Ashby

Yellow purse: Vintage via Ashby

Platform heels: Jeffrey Campbell via Poshmark

Bracelets: Assorted (Express, Rumors and Vintage)

Rings: Assorted (Vintage, Rumors, c/o ToSave.com)

Earrings: Ashby

Yellow sunglasses: c/o Giant Vintage

Choker and silver moon necklace: c/o ToSave.com

"T" initial necklace: c/o GetPersonalizedJewelry

Cherry necklace: c/o JulBox 

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MakeMeChic

Hello! For this look, I decided to debut several new pieces in my wardrobe. I started styling the look around this gorgeous floral wrap dress. The oriental-inspired floral print, flattering silhouette, midi-length and rich colors of this dress immediately caught my eye while browsing MakeMeChic's website and I knew it had to be mine. Recently, MakeMeChic reached out to me regarding a collaboration and I practically jumped for joy- I simply adore their stylish selection of clothing and accessories. Item after item jumped out at me while browsing MakeMeChic's site but the dress that I'm wearing above spoke to me more than anything else. Wanna add this dress to your wardrobe as well? You can shop MakeMeChic's "V Neck Florals Wrap Dress" that I'm wearing above for $25.90 here.

Wearing the dress by itself would have been a dream but hey, it is the middle of winter and even on a warm day, it needed a little something with it. I styled a dreamy shaggy knit sweater with the dress to play off the cream color in the print of the dress as well as to add a hint of bohemian appeal.

I accessorized with a simple black choker necklace. Of course, I needed to add a touch of my signature vintage style to the look so I also styled a pretty blue vintage purse and seventies-inspired aviator shades with the outfit. GiantVintage recently sent me these sunglasses to feature on my blog and "obsessed" doesn't even begin to describe my feelings towards this pair of sunnies. I've owned more sunglasses than the average fashion girl, trying out everything from heart-eye "Lolita" sunglasses to retro cat-eye specs, yet these sunglasses still sit high on my list of favorite sunglasses that I've ever owned. There's just something undeniably cool, ultra-hip, and ridiculously trendy about these shades that has completely captured my heart. You should never go without a good pair of shades and I'd highly recommend browsing GiantVintage for an ultra-cool sunglasses update that your wardrobe is probably begging for. These are GiantVintage's "shooter" sunglasses and they retail for $16 here.

Floral wrap dress: c/o MakeMeChic
Sunglasses: c/o GiantVintage
Black choker necklace: c/o LightInTheBox
Shaggy knit sweater: Free People
Lipstick: Stila Cosmetics

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Soft Seventies Shoot

Hello! For the past few months, I've been styling and shooting like crazy; I typically work on between 2-4 shoots per week. I post my favorite photos from all of my shoots in my Etsy shop, RaddayVintage, and on Instagram but hardly post any of the work from my shoots here on my blog; I work on so many different shoots so frequently that I'd be incredibly overwhelmed trying to not only work on all of the shoots but also post them here. However, every now and then I have a truly spectacular shoot that I can't wait to share with you guys and the shoot featured above is definitely one of those spectacular shoots.

For this shoot, I combined soft seventies inspiration with free-spirited boho visions for a truly eye-catching set of photos. I stuck to simple, feminine colors such as pale pink, cream, white and tan and focused more on texture, employing shaggy knits, embroidered detailing, silky textures and beaded detailing in my styling. I juxtaposed vintage pieces with more modern garments. Overall, I'm over the moon happy with how the photos turned out; I believe that I've improved immensely since I started shooting roughly a year ago and there's no more satisfying feeling than that. 

See more of the model on Instagram @stgebremichael.

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GetPersonalizedJewelry

Hello! I'm all about personalized jewelry so I was stoked when GetPersonalizedJewelry reached out to me regarding a collaboration. Last year, I added a cute little "Tori" golden name necklace to my wardrobe and I practically wore it on repeat throughout the entire year. I was excited to pick out a new personalized necklace to freshen my style up. I selected a simple golden, circular necklace embellished with the letter, "T" for my first name, Tori. This is GetPersonalizedJewelry's "Monogram Initial" necklace and it retails for $45 here. 

I love the simplicity and classic appeal of this necklace. Even though I only just received it recently, I've been wearing it non-stop, more than any other piece of jewelry in my collection. Personalized necklaces like the ones that GetPersonalizedJewelry sells are just versatile pieces that are great to have. A simple necklace like my "T" necklace goes with everything and the length that I selected for the necklace enables me to easily layer it with both shorter choker necklaces as well as longer statement necklaces. I'd highly recommend checking GetPersonalizedJewelry and adding a little something new to your jewelry collection. 

Black velvet top: c/o Romwe

Patterned scarf: Vintage

"T" necklace: c/o GetPersonalizedJewelry

Pink lipstick: ColourPop in "Fetch"

Statement earrings: c/o Kristin'sCandiShop

Pink sunglasses: Rumors

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Pale Pink Beauty

Hello! For part of my Christmas gift, my boyfriend gave me a NastyGal gift card to pick out a little something new to add to my wardrobe. I'd definitely list NastyGal as one of my favorite brands and couldn't wait to browse and shop their trendy selections; in fact, I was so excited to spend the gift card that I used it the very next day after receiving it. 

When I spotted this little pale pink beauty on their site, I immediately knew that I wanted to spend the gift card on it. The feminine color, flirty ruffled silhouette and breezy, free-spirited of the dress have me head over heels in love with it.

For this look, I styled the dress with several other pink-colored statement pieces including my pale pink vintage purse, pink ribbon choker and oversize pink shades. The dress emits sort of a soft seventies vibe that I wanted to play up so I styled it with a retro, seventies-inspired pair of platform heels and "Tori" necklace. Little gray ruffled socks and a handful of rings perfected the look. 

Dress: Nasty Gal

Platform heels: Jeffrey Campbell via NastyGal

Gray socks: Urban Outfitters

Pale pink purse: Vintage

"Tori" name necklace: c/o PersonalNecklace

Rings: Assorted

Pink sunglasses: Rumors

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Boho Daydream

Hello! One of my best friends, Mary, is back home in Richmond for winter break and we recently teamed up for a little collaborative photoshoot. I styled, directed and shot the photos while Mary modeled for them. We wanted to create a lookbook that embodied a boho daydream of sorts and I'm thrilled with the results. Above are some of my favorite photos from the shoot. 

For the first look, I styled Mary in a little black velvet top that I recently received courtesy of Romwe. I love the rich velvet texture, classic black color and flattering silhouette of the top. This top is Romwe's "Black Velvet Cami Top" and it retails for just $7 here. For the look, I styled the top with Mary's simple bralette and classic little black jeans. Several cozy bohemian layers and boho accessories perfected the look. 

For the next look, I styled Mary in a little floral dress that's available in RaddayVintage here with a cozy knit shawl and fashion-forward booties. Simple touches such as a trendy pair of cat-eye sunglasses and vintage inspired necklace perfected the look. 

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Muee

Hello! Today I wanted to introduce you all to Muee, an online fashion retailer. Muee specializes in high-quality wedding dresses, communion dresses, prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, homecoming dresses, dresses for weddings and other formal dresses. Whatever special occasion you're shopping for, Muee has you covered. They have a wide selection of color, style, texture, etc. to choose from; there are so many choices that it's hard not to fall in love with at least a couple. 

Read on for my favorite picks from Muee's beautiful selection of dresses (featured above): 

1. Simple Sequin Empire A-Line Long Chiffon Homecoming Dress, $134. The sweet silhouette and neutral color of this dress make it a classic beauty. 

2. Silver V Neck Split Long A-Line Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress With Sash, $83. I adore the sophisticated gray color and feminine silhouette of this dress. 

3. V Neck Spaghetti Straps A-Line Long Nude Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress, $83. Yes, yes and yes to the pretty neutral color and soft, feminine style of this dress. 

4. Pearl Pink Pleated Bodice Long A-Line Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress, $69. The light pale pink color of this dress immediately captured my heart; I also love the flowing style and flattering silhouette of this dress. 

5. Formal Off The Shoulder Fit Flared Long Black Satin Bridesmaid Dress, $94. You can't go wrong with a little black dress and especially not this little black dress; the trendy off-the-shoulder style, sweetheart neckline and bold silhouette of this black dress make it quite the show-stopper. 

Which dress featured above is your favorite? 

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***Disclaimer: Muee provided monetary compensation for this post but I wrote the actual post and all opinions written in this post are mine.

2017

Hello! Happy New Year! I used to sit down and write out a long list of resolutions each time a new year rolled around. However, I skipped making a long list last year and I'm skipping it again this year. Sure, I could sit down and list everything I'd like to accomplish this year. But let's be real, that would probably overwhelm me immensely and not really do me much good. I like to think that I'm pretty good at achieving my goals and chasing after my dreams and I don't think a list is going to inspire me any more than my passion already does. 

I know I say it each year but 2017 will be my year. And it won't be the year I completely change my diet to become the healthiest person on the planet or the year that I cut out guilty pleasures from my life. But it will be the year where I improve even further upon myself as a person and work even harder to improve my life. A new year doesn't signify that, my drive does. 

Life since graduation this past May has been different and not different in a bad way nor really in a good way just different; I've come to realize a lot of things about life and have been constantly working on improving myself and my life. It's all about doing the best you can do and being satisfied with that. 2017 will be a year in which I continue living with that state of mind and a year that I plan to accomplish great things. I don't have time to do everything I'd like but I'm doing everything I can: working two jobs, working full-time, running this blog, running my own etsy shop, styling, directing photoshoots and so on and so forth. 

So here's to 2017! And the plethora of fabulous outfits that you know will come with it. 

On me:

Silver jumpsuit: New York and Company via Ashby

Pink faux fur jacket: c/o LightInTheBox

Pink purse: Vintage

Pink sunglasses: Rumors

Pink choker necklace: Ashby

Golden necklace: c/o Personalized Jewelry

Rings: Assorted

On my sister, Missi:

Lace dress: Tobi

Golden purse: Vintage

Thigh-high boots: Nasty Gal

Circle necklace: c/o Robert Matthew

Choker necklace: Ashby

Sunglasses: Rumors

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