Happy December everyone! I know it has been forever since I have last updated but I have a good excuse for my hiatus! Other than school and work, I have been preoccupied with wedding planning and although it is still a long way, there were certain things I needed to decide and get done early. I will be heading to the Philippines at the end of the month and will be spending time with family but I am so ecstatic. I have also been working on a new site Dillon and I decided to collaborate on called
Travel Chasers so please visit when you have a chance! We wanted to create a couples travel blog with our experiences and tips of traveling together. There is not too much on the blog yet but we are hoping to provide quality posts and articles people would be interested in reading. So that is what I have been up to since I last posted here. I feel bad for putting The Mel Division on the back burner but now that I started working full-time, it has been a challenge to manage my time thus making me uninspired to update. Though I am sure many of you probably have your ups and downs too.
To get myself pumped up for my Philippines vacation, I decided to post these photos sitting in my memory stick to remind me of how warm it will be despite how cold it is now in New Jersey. This is totally a look I would wear for any summer holiday or winter holiday if I am going somewhere tropical. I am trying my best to pack as light as possible so I may be able to bring new things back home. This look is so easy to wear and only takes less than two minutes to put on. What are your tips for packing light to go on a winter holiday?
FEATURING
FOREVER 21 TIERED SILVER NECKLACE
OFF-SHOULDER WHITE TOP & PRINTED WITH LACE SHORTS FROM CHINA
SKECHERS SANDALS
Photography by Dillon Lee.
Today, I would like to share a review of the Estee Edit Box I received in collaboration with Influenster. If you do not know already, I have slowly grown a love towards cosmetics and trying new beauty products. I have a ton of brands to share especially after attending Generation Beauty, but I would first like to tell you about this collection which I obtained a while back. You may or may not have heard about this brand. Not too long ago they had a ton of commercials pop up when they came out featuring models Irene Kim and Kendal Jenner. I was very curious to try out this collection and was lucky enough to have the opportunity! Let me know if any of you have tried these products from the Estee Edit as well and your thoughts about them!
REVIEW ONE
THE BAREST LIP COLOR in In The Buff - I think this is my favorite product in the collection because it is a great nude/neutral color and moisturizing. I pretty much where it to work every day but still put a layer of chapstick underneath it because lately my lips have been very chapped. This shade is just a smidge dark for me but still wearable. I would definitely love to try their other shades.
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars)
REVIEW TWO
PORE VANISHING STICK - This stick can be used like a primer and claims to minimize pores. I have tried it a couple of times and it is decent under makeup but it always leaves bits and pieces of the product on your skin, making the skin look dry. I like its packaging and compact-ness but I do not quite see the difference in my pores. Perhaps I am not using it proerly but I will give it another go.
Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3 out of 5 stars)
REVIEW THREE
BEAM TEAM: HYDRATE + GLOW in Sun-Loving Bronze - I was looking forward to trying this product out as it acts as a bronzer and BB cream but I was not satisfied. It does give you a slight glow and moisturizes but I could not stand the smell at all. I did try it a second time but the odor was just to strong for me to leave it on my face.
Overall Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2 out of 5 stars)
REVIEW FOUR
FLASH ILLUMINATOR in Sun Light - This illuminator can be used to highlight the skin by itself or with foundation. It is lightweight and moisturizing but it was too dark for my skin color. I liked that it came in a pump container but even just the smallest pump was still too dark for me. Therefore, I could not even wear it.
Overall Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2 out of 5 stars)
Honestly, I was not as impressed as I had hoped to be when trying out these Estee Edit products. I do very much like their lipcolor but that is the only product I can say that I enjoyed. The price range is also a bit too high for me to consider repurchasing. However, I would be interested in trying their other products and perhaps they will come out with more shade options in the future.
I don't know how this happened but it has already been a month since I last posted! I have to say, it has been a pretty eventful month. Family and school kept me preoccupied so I barely had any time to think about blogging. I don't have much of an urge to blog lately and I don't want to force myself to make a post just because I have not created any. I just need that boost of inspiration because September exhausted me. I am happy, though! I have been posted on Instagram so please
follow me there if you have not already! After attending Generation Beauty, I now own a huge variation of cosmetics to try out. Definitely excited to share them with you all once I have the motivation again to compile a post. Did any of you also attend the one in New York?
Oh and if in case you are looking for some new pieces to add to your wardrobe, please check out
my shop because if they are not sold I plan to donate them!
FEATURING
HAPPINESS BOUTIQUE NECKLACE
TOBI CRISS CROSS TOP
Photography by Dillon Lee.
August is ending and summer is coming to a close. I definitely enjoyed the summer while it lasted. It is really pleasant waking up to the view of the beach every morning. It is also amazing to see the ocean a different shade of blue every day, a school of dolphins playing in the water every once in a while, the sunrise or moonrise when I am patient enough...I know I take it for granted sometimes because I am right next to the beach and when I think about living elsewhere, it is hard not to have a nice view.
These photos were taken not too long ago. It is my favorite spot for my more feminine, classy, romantic, or whatever you may call it looks. I seriously love this off-shoulder romper and I will be sad when I pack it away for the season. It honestly did not look as comfortable at first but after I put it on, it was doable. I just adore the light stripes look and beachy vibe.
FEATURING
ZAFUL OFF-SHOULDER STRIPED ROMPER (C/O)
CLARKS PERFORATED HEEL SANDALS
Photography by Dillon Lee.
This wrap dress is a lovely piece for a Sunday outfit during the summer or spring seasons. I seriously can not get enough of
Banana Republic's petite section! If you are petite, trust me. You should check it out. Simple pieces like this wrap dress are a staple to have in your wardrobe for any event or occasion. You do not need much to make it cute because the outfit is adorable enough the way it is.
I paired the dress with my latest sandals from Tobi because a new pair of shoes always makes me happy. I think I need at least one new pair of shoes every month! Haha, but in reality, I am trying to save money. The nice deal is that these sandals cost $56 but are actually 50% if you are a first time customer of Tobi. Unfortunately, the color I have is already sold out but black is still available! Feel free to check out their huge dress selection:
maxi dresses,
bodycon dresses, and more.
The last thing I want to mention are my sunglasses. I honestly do not wear sunglasses that often, but when I do, I tend to gravitate toward the same ones every time. I have a small face so most shades are often too big for me. The sunglasses I am currently wearing are perfect. I am actually very grateful for them because they came right when I just broke my favorite pair so thanks TJIN Eyewear!
FEATURING
BANANA REPUBLIC WRAP DRESS (C/O)
TIJN EYEWEAR EMMA SUNGLASSES (C/O)
TOBI SANDALS (C/O)
Photography by Dillon Lee.
Hey everyone! I still can not believe this but I am happy to announce that I am engaged! It happened over the last weekend of July. I was completely surprised but I said yes. For those who have been following, you know that my photographer is my boyfriend. He has been my photographer ever since we started dating, and now he is also my fiance. This blog is very important to me and I thought it would only be right to share this despite only wanting to share minimal personal stories of mine. These next few years are going to be very eventful but I am looking forward to the new experiences!
To keep things minimal and classy for this joyous occasion, I chose to style this deep neck neck crop top with a midi skirt from
Tobi. They are seriously one of my favorite online shops because they make such great quality pieces. I could live in the closet and never get tired of their style. Sticking to the minimal theme, I wore this beautiful necklace from
Happiness Boutique. It came all the way from Germany! I love wearing pieces from all over the world. They are currently offering free shipping as well as customer
reward program, and a
giveaway so go check them out! That is not all. If you use the code 'themeldivision', you can get a 10% discount for orders over 19 euros and it is valid until September 2nd.
Also, if you are making your first purchase from Tobi, new customers get 50% off their first order! Refresh your closet with these favorites from Tobi:
Maxi Dresses,
Party Dresses,
Bodycon Dresses,
Sequin Dresses,
Midi Dresses,
Cocktail Dresses
Whew! Those are all the deals I can offer you currently. I love sharing great deals because that's how I save money and buy affordable pieces.
FEATURING
HAPPINESS BOUTIQUE Y NECKLACE
TOBI DEEP EMOTIONS CROP TOP
TOBI ROME HIGH SLIT MIDI SKIRT
ANNE MICHELLE HEELS
Photography by Dillon Lee.
This summer is flying and I can not believe it is already August! So much has happened already and I hope to share some more news with you soon. I am just trying to organize myself right now. The weather has been a tad crazy with thunderstorms one day and completely cloudless with sunnies skies the next day. Sometimes, it all happens in one day and makes it more challenging to take photos. Finding the right lighting is so crucial. What camera tips do you have if you have trouble with getting good lighting?
I adore these wide leg pants from
Dezzal because they are so romantic and feminine. They have a great selection of wide leg pants too if you check out their website. I think they are a fun number to wear when you are looking for something unique and classy. I could picture myself strolling the streets of Paris in this or having brunch in the city.
FEATURING
MISSGUIDED CROP TOP
DEZZAL WIDE LEG BOWKNOT PANTS
MOHZY MINI TECH BAG FROM IFCHIC
ANNE MICHELLE HEELS
Photography by Dillon Lee.
Zaful never fails me with their cute summer clothes, which is why I could not help but flaunt them all month long. They have a ton of trendy and lightweight pieces I could see myself wearing the rest of the season. I love this crochet maxi skirt because I have been looking for one. I thought it would be interesting to mix it with stripes and peplum. What do you think? I wanted to try something different yet combine my favorite types of pieces together.
Other than experimenting with styles, I spent the past weekend celebrating my birthday. I can not believe I am another year older and getting closer to the point where I feel old and believe it would be best to avoid letting everyone know how old I am despite how young I look to most people. I am very happy to have spent my birthday with a small group of best friends and family. How have your summers been?
FEATURING
NASTYGAL CROSSBODY BAG
ZAFUL PENDANT CHOKER NECKLACE
ZAFUL STRIPED FLOUNCE PEPLUM TOP
ZAFUL CROCHET MAXI SKIRT
ALDO SANDAL WEDGES
Photography by Dillon Lee.
The temperature is about to hit 96 degrees tomorrow and that is very hot for us here in New Jersey. It is common for the temperature to reach that high during the summer but we find it intolerable. On top of that, the house is at its messiest due to renovation. The walls were recently sanded down in order for us to prime it, which we did today.
Although the main reason why I bring up the weather is to showcase this maxi dress. I think this floral dress is perfect for those really hot days when you just want to stay indoors all day. It is extremely comfortable and easy to slip on. However, the length is too long for me and the blue was not as deep as shown in the product photos. I paired it with this cute lace cami but in the off taking these photos, one of the straps broke. Unfortunately, the quality was not as great as the other items I have received from Zaful. Stay tuned for more though! They have a ton of lovely pieces that I love and suit my style.
FEATURING
ZAFUL LACE CAMI TOP (C/O)
ZAFUL FLOOR LENGTH MAXI DRESS (C/O)
Photography by Dillon Lee.
Styling crop tops can be difficult. With this type of crop top from
Zaful, I suggest pairing it with a skirt or shorts. If you don't know me by now, I love the color blue. So of course, I unconsciously decided to wear this blue floral skirt with the top. Avoid wearing anything high waisted otherwise, you will end up covering the cross shape of this crop top. However, if you are tall or have a long torso, you may be able to get away with it! I like this top because it is fitted and the material is comfortable. It works well for a night outfit too!
FEATURING
ZAFUL CROSS CROP TOP (C/O)
CNDIRECT ASYMMETRICAL PENCIL FLORAL SKIRT
MICHELLE ANNE HEELS
Photography by Dillon Lee.
Happy fourth of July! I am spending the holiday weekend with family and friends by the beach and enjoying every minute of it. How am I staying in style for the holiday, you say? I am wearing these new wide leg pants I received from
Zaful. These pants are high waisted so they work perfectly with crop tops, but if you are out on the beach like me, they are stylish in bikini tops too! Hope you are all enjoying your summer! What are you folks in America doing for this Independence Day?
FEATURING
ZAFUL CROSSED BIKINI (C/O)
ZAFUL STRIPED WIDE LEG PANTS (C/O)
Photography by Malorie Pangilinan.
Dillon and I made our way downtown in Montclair to pick up a quick meal and took a couple quick photos to showcase my style when wearing tailored shorts. I always thought it would be difficult to style tailored shorts because they are a bit boyish and do not exactly help a girl in height when you are short. I honestly do not have many shorts like these in my wardrobe as most of them are either denims or printed shorts. Yet these tailored shorts caught my eye on Banana Republic and made me want to be daring. I love the fit of shorts and they are very comfortable to wear. To keep things simple and easy, I think the best way to style them is with a tank top like the one I am wearing from Sammydress. This type of outfit is perfect for when you are out running errands. It is also perfect for the summer heat when you want to keep the clothing to a minimum. To give myself some height and avoid having that 'short legs' appearance, I wore the outfit with heeled sandals.
What do you think about the tailored shorts? Feel free to voice your opinions!
FEATURING
SAMMYDRESS TRIBAL FRINGED TANK TOP (C/O)
VINTAGE BAG
BANANA REPUBLIC TAILORED WINDOWPANE SHORTS (C/O)
CLARKS SHIRA NICOLE SANDALS
Photography by Dillon Lee.
Today, I am proud to share you with my collaboration with
Banana Republic. It is always such a pleasure to work with well-known brands and I find them so suitable for my style at this age because now that I am working a full-time job, I am always trying my best to look polished and sophisticated. I also can not say it enough about how much I love their petite section. I wear a double zero and every piece seems to fit me perfectly. For those of you who follow my blog, you may have heard me mention it a few times already of how much difficulty I have with finding sizes that fit me. I have been relatively petite all my life. Finding brands that carry your size is not easy, but I am sure many of you can relate. Are there particular brands you depend on to carry your size?
For the past two weeks, I have actually been wearing these pants on repeat! Just because they are so versatile and look great with many of my blouses I wear to work. They are perfect for the summer heat when you need to wear business style pants that are lightweight and easy to walk around in. Besides floral print, I love simple patterns such as this windowpane top. Therefore, if you are looking for something simple but not too plain, I think this is a pattern to go for. Do not be alarmed if you happen to see me in this similar pattern for my upcoming posts.
How do you dress for work if you don't wear a uniform? Do you ever shop at
Banana Republic? Let me know your thoughts! Also, if you are interested in seeing more of my style with Banana Republic, check out this previous post wearing their
tweed dress.
Disclaimer: Banana Republic provided free product in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
FEATURING
ZARA KNIT ELBOW-PATCHED SWEATER
BANANA REPUBLIC SLEEVELESS WINDOWPANE BLOUSE (C/O)
BANANA REPUBLIC CHAMBRAY LIGHTWEIGHT CROP PANTS (C/O)
VINTAGE CROSSBODY BAG
H&M FLATS
Photography by Dillon Lee.
I truly believe this summer is going to be all about off-shoulder tops. It has been such a hot trend the past few months, and the hype will only grow larger. They can be flattering on anyone! I had to get a striped one because of my love for simple patterns, whether it be striped, gridded, or checkered. You can find off-shoulder tops almost everywhere. I found the one I am wearing from
Sammydress.
If you know me, I rarely wear jeans but I was immediately drawn to pairing the top with denims as soon as I had them in my hands. One of the few pairs of denims I own and like to wear are these oversized ones. Of course, I paired the denims with heels to give myself height as oversized denims can make you look shorter.
I hope you are all enjoying your summer so far! Let me know what you are up to and if you are also following the off-shoulder trend?
FEATURING
SAMMYDRESS OFF-SHOULDER CLASSIC STRIPED TOP (C/O)
CHEMIN OVERSIZED DENIMS
ZAFUL VINTAGE LONG STYLE LEAD NECKLACE (C/O)
VINTAGE BROWN LEATHER BAG
CLARKS SHIRA NICOLE LEATHER SANDALS
Photography by Dillon Lee.
StyleWe has such beautiful dresses, which is why I was so enthusiastic about working with them. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of this maxi dress, and it is just as comfortable to wear as it looks. I have been having great luck with finding pieces that work with my height lately and I hope it does not run out! Often times, I would have to hem the bottom of pants and dresses myself or have my mother help me tailor them. I wore this outfit to my friend's graduation; nothing too fancy but still dressed up enough. I love everything about this dress including the print and the location of the slits. Slits give your legs a breather, especially with the hot summer weather.
FEATURING
STYLEWE PRINTED SPAGHETTI VISCOSE MAXI DRESS (C/O)
FOREVER 21 BLACK STRAPPED SANDALS
Photography by my mother.