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

~ 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

Sweater Vest but Make it Fashion

~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

A sweater vest was the last thing I thought I could make look cute. However, I decided to pick one up and try my best. The final look turned out way better than I had expected! I love the contrast and layering and am definitely a fan of the vest.

xx Bella

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sweater vest : vintage (similar) | blouse : Zara (similar)| boots : Target (similar)| fanny pack : Nasty Gal (similar)

My 2018 Holiday Fashion Lookbook + VIDEO

~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

Hello and Happy 2019!!! I really wanted to have this post up before the clock hit midnight on January 1st but to be completely honest, I was spending some time off of social media to enjoy quality time with friends and family over the holidays. These are some of my holiday outfits and outfit inspirations from this past season that I believe will also carry over to the next holiday season!

First is the whole lookbook video followed by still photos.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! I am so excited to see what 2019 brings.

xx Bella

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outfit : top – Zuiki (similar) | pants – Zara (similar) | booties- Rebecca Minkoff (similar)

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outfit : jumpsuit- Zara (similar) | belt – vintage shoes – Target (similar)

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outfit : jacket – Zara (similar) | dress – Zara (similar) | belt – Off White | boots – Zara (similar)

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outfit : Blazer – Vintage Saks (similar) | jeans – Free People | boots – Zara (similar)

 

Florence, Italy – Study Abroad : Week 2

~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

Hello hello! I have been meaning to post this for a while now I’ve just been so busy keeping up with classes and enjoying Europe I didn’t want to get too caught up on the internet!

My second official week in Florence, Italy meant starting school! I am attending Accademia Italiana and studying fashion communications. My classes are absolutely amazing and all of my professors are industry professionals. I am taking window display and design, fashion photography, history of 20th century fashion, art history, and of course, Italian! The campus is gorgeous and I love going to school with not just study abroad students, but people from all around the world.

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outfit details : shirt : Levi’s | pants : Florenzia (similar) | belt : Vintage (similar)

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outfit details : top : Amuse Society (similar) | skirt : Florenzia (similar) | shoes : Converse x Comme Des Garcons PLAY 

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The green car in the background is from the shooting of Michael Bay’s new movie 6 Underground with Ryan Reynolds and Dave Franco. They’re shooting here in Florence and it has been so cool to watch them film the car chase scenes in real life!

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top : Target (similar)| pants : Aqua via Bloomingdales (similar)| shoes : IKRush

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Vintage shopping – wearing a vintage Just Cavalli fur floor length coat. (no, I did not purchase unfortunately)

Street Art
Leather Market
Uffizi Gallery

Gucci Garden
Gucci Garden

I don’t have classes on Friday which is so so nice! My school does this because there are so many study abroad students who want to use the weekends to travel. I spent my Friday exploring the city! I really just tooled around by myself to get familiar with how the city works. I also briefly popped in to the Gucci Gardens and had a great solo lunch!

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These are the two bags I purchased at the leather market! They are genuine and beautiful and the best part, were very inexpensive!

A lot of the pieces that are sold in this market are similar to high end designer goods.

It’s hard being a college student with minimal funds for designer items but buying similar things for a lot cheaper is definitely hopeful and exciting.

Chicago, Illinois|8/22/18 – 8/23/18

~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS | Photo Journal : August 2018|

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outfit details : pants : Nasty Gal (similar) | jacket : CiSono (similar)

With my Mama
Tavern at the Park
Chicago

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outfit details : jacket : Missguided (similar) | jeans : thrifted (similar) | shoes : Target  (similar) | bag : Chopin Roma

Italian Village
Skyline
Storefront
Post Box

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outfit details : dress : Zara (similar) | shoes : Target  (similar)

Denver, Colorado |8/10/18 – 8/12/18

~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

DENVER, COLORADO | Photo Journal : August 2018|

Processed with VSCO with hb2 presetoutfit details : pants : Free People (similar) | top : Zara (similar) | shoes : Fila Disruptor II | hat : Target | belt : Gucci | bag : Target

Boulder Falls
Boulder Falls

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16th Street Mall Downtown Denver

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outfit details : pants : Etiquette Boutique KC (similar) | top : Missguided (similar) | belt : Vintage (similar) | shoes : Zara (similar) | bag : Target

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Red Rocks – Pretty Lights

Denver Diner
Larimer Square

See you soon, Kansas City

~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

Hi!!!

I have officially left for my big adventure to Florence, Italy for school! (this post was written prior to leaving but I scheduled it so it would post while I was in the air) My last blog post in Kansas City for a few months does mean a lot to me. I love this city with all of my heart and have spent my entire life here. Every single person I have met here has been so kind and so supportive. This city is growing everyday and has so so much to offer. I am thankful to be apart of this community and I most definitely will miss it but I am ready for this new adventure.

This is one of my favorite outfits ever. It’s not one of my most “out-there” outfits but one that does mean a lot to me. I bought this graphic tee that says “creative director” almost 2 years ago from Zara and it didn’t feel right to wear as I didn’t feel I was working in that field yet. 2018 has been so good to me and I have had some insane opportunities that I feel like now the time is right. I love the Kansas City skyline in the background with me in the focus. I kind of took that as this city is always on my mind but I need to focus on me and my dreams now.

Thank you for everything, Kansas City. I’ll see you soon.

xx Bella

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graphic tee : Zara | skirt : Urban Outfitters (similar) | purse : Wild Fable collection via Target | shoes : Fila Disruptor II

photographer : Abby Liudahl

Racing Stripes and Checker Print

~ bellalightner ~ Leave a comment

Hello Everyone!

I feel like I haven’t made a blog post in a while but in all honesty I have been so crazy busy preparing to leave for Italy next week! Making sure I spend time with my friends and family before I leave has been a huge priority of mine and it’s always good to take some time for yourself. However, I am here with a few more blog posts to get out before I leave in a short few days!

Lately, I have literally been OBSESSED with everything checker printed. I see this pattern absolutely everywhere and hopped on board real fast. For this look, I was heavily inspired by race cars and races. This jumpsuit is from Nasty Gal and I feel like it looks so complete with the denim check jacket from the Wild Fable line at Target right now. I paired it with my favorite Dad sneakers (my babies, my Fila Disruptor II’s). This outfit is so fun and such a good, go-to.

Shoutout to Abby Liudahl, my photographer and blogger babe, for taking these amazing shots!

xx Bella

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jumpsuit : Nasty Gal (similar) | jacket : Wild Fable Collection at Target | shoes : Fila Disruptor II

photographer : Abby Liudahl

OOTN : 7/22/18

~ 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.

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