FashionHap: Catch-ups - Brandi & Carmella

More catch-ups, more stellar Brandi style, babes!
 We're starting with two looks I totally adore! The first one I can 100% see myself wearing to work. Brandi throws a twist into the classic black and white pairing by going with steel gray pants. These look to be a textured fabric, like a corduroy, but it would work just as well with gray denim, or gray ponte. Brandi layers a black turtleneck on top and then tops it with a boxy ivory blazer, which she leaves open for an easy, unstudied vibe. The strong blazer nods at the 80's-tinged suiting trend, while the laidback polish of the combo feels very 'right now'. Tall black boots complete this casually fabulous ensemble.
From grayscale to full color: Brandi's next look is a head-to-toe ice pink ensemble that gives me modern-day Audrey feels. She buttons up a pink cardi over her pencil skirt and then adds massive textural contrast with a faux fur jacket tossed over her shoulders. She adds additional texture and grounds the sweetness with soft tan suede ankle boots. I love the choice of a boot here, as it tempers the girly vibe. A coordinating classic tote rounds the look off. I  love everything about this.  And PS for those of you who absolutely refuse to do pink under any circumstances: any pastel can swapped in here: sky blue, mint, lilac, butter yellow. No matching fur jacket? Go with a soft neutral: ivory, beige, khaki, nude, soft tan.
The next snap is from a photoshoot on which Brandi comments that she's had a concept for an editorial snap like this for a long while. It's a super-fun one, too! (And it makes me wonder: what if Impact gave Brandi the visual image/art direction position that Christy Hemme used to have? Hmmm :)) She ties a white blouse over high-waisted nude/blush shorts. Of course, you know my favorite part of this snap: those aaaaaaaaahmazing yellow pointy pumps! :) The kitchen-y background with it's dusty colors and curlers in her hair give this something of a modern-housewife vibe, which is quirky and cool. I mean, who wouldn't love finding Brandi in their kitchen?! Minus the curlers, this look makes a great casually refined summer look, with the pointy pumps elevating the laidback clothing.
Brandi also resolved the mystery of the snake on her gears and, as it's something that's been on my need-to-know list, I'm sharing! The snake was a Garden-of-Eden/temptation reference to her WWE ring name, Eden. Once she explains it, it seems so simple right? Brandi has gone on the make the snake her own - as she says "improved [the gear] over time".  I admit, I had trouble, at first, connecting Brandi to the image of the snake, but the tempting aspect definitely fits. When I researched the symbolism, though, I found the Chinese interpretations and it all came together. The Chinese zodiac views the snake personality as intelligent, fond of the finer things, savvy, confident, hard-working and possessing an intense heart under a collected exterior. Yep, that sounds a lot like the Brandi we love :)

The studded dress was a diva-favorite all through the fall and Brandi hopped on trend, adding her own twist though! While most of the ladies opted for black, Brandi went with a red piece that incorporated the trendy choker-cutout neckline. And slayed it, as usual. She wore this all the way back in December, when it made a stunning, confident choice for holiday parties and events. (When I say 'catch-up', I really mean it lol)
Dark florals have been making a huge impact on fashion over the last couple of seasons. Brandi takes on the trend here in a pretty navy blouse paired with a black pencil skirt. This is a fantastic way to dip a toe into this twist on a classic print. With deep backgrounds, florals become moody instead of sweet, punk-tinged instead of classic. It's so much fun! Paired with a classy skirt, as Brandi has here, it's completely work-appropriate. Finish with a pair of pointy pumps.
Next up, also from December, is a look pairing an über-trendy bell-sleeve blouse in a cropped silhouette. This trend has exploded since Brandi showed it off here and I love the rich, cobalt hue. She gave the styling an au courant treatment with high-waisted leggings and black ankle booties. Note how flawlessly her minimalist pendant enhances the dramatic neckline.
Lastly, we break down this March outfit worn on tv by Carmella. After a long run of hits, this one falls a bit short for me. It starts off in Mella's usual stellar form, with a cropped graphic tee and a cute oversized vest. I think it's the slashed leopard leggings that turn me off. It's a brazen combo of a loud print with a skin-baring silhouette and it just crosses the line from urban-hotness to hot mess. I'd have rathered more restrained leather leggings or denim cut-offs here. Then again, Kim McFabulous saw this look quite differently :) :
Kim: Miss F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S herself, Carmella. The Princess of Sma.. I mean, Staten Island, has a fashion sense that no other female superstar on the roster has. I mean, cheetah print pants? Only Mella can pull those off. I'm totally loving the slits along the front, they remind me a lot of Brie Bella's old ring gear, which to say I loved would be an understatement. Sporting her own t-shirt, cut cropped, and hoodie, made sleeveless, this whole look has such a bad ass, kick ass, tough girl feel. The backwards snapback totally completes the look.