Los Angeles, California | 6/5/19 – 6/12/19

August 1, 2019 ~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

Long time no blog! I have not been active on here in a few months because I’ve been dedicating all of my time to a new project (will talk about in next post). Now that I have finished that, I want to finally make a post about my second trip to California back in June!

outfit : bodysuit : Bershka (similar) | jeans : Rag & Bone (similar) | heels : Bershka (similar) | bag : Bershka x PANTONE

We spent our first day in LA in my favorite area, the Melrose and Fairfax district. A great place for streetwear and vintage shopping. Also, I love seeing all the art and how it has all changed since the last time I was here, three months prior.

outfit : Jeans : BLDWN (similar) | shoes : Veja | top : Forever 21 (similar)

Our second day was spent in Santa Barbara! It was about an hour drive from LA with very little traffic and it was a gloomy day but for here, it was perfect. A trip to the Santa Barbara Mission is a must. It is really beautiful and actually very interesting.

There are a TON of restaurants in Santa Barbara, like a ton, so go here on an empty stomach. If you like seafood (I do not but if youuu do) you’re in the right place!

Also definitely take a walk down State Street. It is full of shops; some well known and some local.

Sunday was spent around Venice Beach. Out of all the times I’ve been to LA, I’ve never been to Venice. This was a crowded spot for sure but it was really cool to see all of the street performers and artists, touristy shops, and the skate culture here. Tip: find a good spot on the beach away from people and it’ll feel less crowded. Tip #2: wear sunscreen…

outfit : set : Forever 21 (similar) | shoes : Bershka (similar)

swimsuit : Target | coverup : Forever 21

We had a full relaxed day around Beverly Hills, Burbank, and Encino (where we stayed). I got to see some family and an amazing sunset over Studio City.

One of my favorite things to do here is to drive through the Hollywood Hills at night. You get to drive by some amazing homes and there are multiple scenic outlooks that let you view all of LA. Route Muholland Drive to get there and then feel free to get lost.

Last trip we went to Disneyland so this time we went to Universal. Personally, I enjoyed Disney a lot more; there was just more to do. Universal was cool but it was so insanely hot and the lines were ridiculous. If you’re going to Universal, invest in the fast pass. It’s a little more expensive but it will be worth it; I wish I would have done this.

On our very last day, we had no plans so I googled things to do, as any tourist would, and we decided to head to Malibu and ended the night driving down the beach to Santa Monica. This day was full of oceans and sunsets and it was the best.

If you’re ever in Malibu, go eat at the Coral Cantina. It’s no Malibu Farm, but the food is super good.

Stay tuned for my next post where I announce on here what I’ve been working on for the last 5 months!

xx Bella

OOTD : 3/9/19

April 2, 2019March 31, 2019 ~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset

Fuchsia Snake Dress

March 4, 2019 ~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

Long time, no post…. I was doing so well with posting regularly and keeping up to date but then life just kind of happened. If I’m being totally honest it is 10:00 P.M. right now and I’m writing and uploading all of my delayed blog posts to be scheduled accordingly so I can catch up. That was one of my 2019 resolutions and even though I got behind, I’d rather catch up than give up.

In these photos I am wearing this beautiful wrap mini dress that I bought at Zara while I was in Italy. The dress alone is pretty loud so I just paired it with some boots and called it good!

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset

dress : Zara | boots : Sandro Ferrone

photos : Audrey Lockwood

EDITORIAL : Tokyo Nights feat. Brooke LaRyn

December 10, 2018December 10, 2018 ~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

For my fashion photography class at school, we were required to shoot a model in at least 3 outfits with an outcome of 5 photos. I am all about cohesiveness so I wanted the photos to flow and have a story. Although, this could have turned out way better if I had the right tools and more time, I am happy with the outcome. I was inspired by the lights of Tokyo, Japan and the neon trend happening now.

*styled and shot by me

*model : Brooke Richardson

First Sunday of the Month : Florence Italy – Free things to do + OOTD

October 13, 2018October 13, 2018 ~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

Hello and cheers to the weekend! I wanted to share a little fun fact about the city of Florence, Italy today that I didn’t know until I came here. If you are ever in Firenze on the first Sunday of the month, a ton of the museums are free! It’s definitely worth hitting a couple if you can because overall, you do save a bit of cash!

It is impossible to do every single free museum in a day so do your research and pick out your favorites. On my free museum Sunday, we went to Accademia, Palazzo Pitti, and the Boboli Gardens. This total took about 5 hours to conquer.

I didn’t rush through only because I knew I will have another first Sunday in Florence again before I have to return to the states. My next visit I think will cover the Uffizi, Bargello, and the Medici Chapel.

Below are my photos of my outfit I wore along with some photos I took throughout the day at the museums I stopped off at.

xx Bella

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset Processed with VSCO with g3 preset

outfit details : top : Zuiki (similar) | pants : Zara (similar) | shoes : Fila Disruptor II

Galleria dell’Accademia : this is the museum where Michelangelo’s famous Statue of David lives. It is definitely a must see while you are in Florence.

Palazzo Pitti : this is where the ruling families of Florence lived, post- Medici, and was basically used for many different things afterwards. This museum is absolutely stunning, there isn’t a dull part.

Bobble Gardens : the Boboli Garden is a huge, beautiful outdoor park connected to the Pitti Palace. There are many sculptures and fountains and the views are stunning.

Thanks for reading! If you are new to my blog please feel free to subscribe and follow me by email and to follow me on Instagram @bellalightner!

FULL LIST OF FREE MUSEUMS ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH
Gli Uffizi, Galleria dell’Accademia, Palazzo Pitti (Galleria Palatina, Galleria d’Arte Moderna, Tesoro dei Granduchi and Museo della Moda e del Costume), Giardino di Boboli, Museo delle Porcellane and Giardino Bardini, Museo del Bargello, Cappelle Medicee, Museo Archeologico, Palazzo Davanzati, Cenacolo di Andrea del Sarto, Museo Casa Martelli, Villa Bardini, Salvatore Ferragamo

Streetwear Pink

October 7, 2018October 7, 2018 ~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

After going to Milan for Fashion Week (see my recap here) I was so inspired by the street style I wanted to up my own. I impulsively bought an Off White industrial belt and never looked back. This is by far the best thing I have purchased in a long time. It makes a lot of my outfits more put together and gives them an edgier, more streetwear feel. I have been intrigued with this brand for a while now and am happy with my purchase. Would definitely recommend.

I styled this look two different ways; one with the blazer under the belt, and the other with the belt under the blazer. I have the matching pink pants to this blazer to form a full co-ord suit but wanted to make it a bit more funky so I added the red leopard pants instead. I threw on my favorite, all black, Fila Disruptor II’s and was ready to go.

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset

belt : Off White | blazer : Zara (similar) | pants : Zara (similar) | shoes : Fila Disruptor II

photographer : Santiago

Pink Going Out Dress

July 25, 2018 ~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

Hello hello!

I shot this look almost two months ago and these photos have just been sitting in my drafts and I totally forgot about them!

I wore this pink jacquard dress once to a formal and felt the need to style it for more of a casual, going out look. Pairing almost any “one time” event dress with a leather jacket and boots or booties makes for a whole new outfit! I added a hat to give it a touch of personal style and my everyday rings and accessories give it the perfect edge.

xx Bella

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset

dress : Nasty Gal (similar) | jacket : CiSono (similar) | boots : Target (similar)

OOTN : 7/22/18

July 22, 2018July 22, 2018 ~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

Do I look like I’m about to take some kids to the amusement park? Absolutely.

Total 90s vibes is what I was going for with this outfit. I paired this satin top (I think it’s lingerie but I’m not sure, it was $4 on clearance at Target and I couldn’t pass it up) with a Nasty Gal fanny pack and my FAVORITE Fila Disruptor II chunky dad sneakers.

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset

top : Target (similar) | shorts : Hidden Denim via Etiquette Boutique (similar) | fanny pack : Nasty Gal (similar) | shoes : Fila Disruptor II | sunglasses : Modern Society

Pink Paisley Pants

June 28, 2018June 28, 2018 ~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

Statement pants have been an obsession of mine probably since I bought my first pair of floral culottes from Zara around three years ago. A friend of mine was doing a closet clean out and I honestly could not understand why anyone would want to rid of these paisley kick-flare leg pants but I swiped them up in a heartbeat.

These funky pants can definitely be worn in a business setting with the paired blazer but, for keeping my style true to myself, I wanted to make them into a “professional going out piece.” I styled a super cropped top from Forever 21 revealing my waist and threw a white blazer over it to keep the look chic, and semi-appropriate.

I had a lot of fun shooting this look and want to wear it in real life once it’s not scorching hot in Kansas City. Great transition look from dinner to night on the town.

xx Bella

Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset