Taste of Summer

Outfit: Dress - Love Stitch, Shoes - Steve Madden, Bracelets - Cotton On

We had a lovely taste of Summer this weekend so naturally, I spent the day poolside. Remember when I was complaining about Summer and ready to bring out my Fall clothes? Well, that got old fast.

I bought this dress on eBay a year ago because I love white in the summer. I also love the loose, flowy peasant style of this dress. It also makes a lovely bathing suit cover up.

Can the weather be like this everyday from now on?

Pinstripes and Keys

Photos By: Andrew Arnold

Outfit: Blazer - H&M ($35), Key Necklace - DIY/Vintage, Boots - Steve Madden ($100)

In August, if you all remember, I attended the Niles Flea Market and bought this beautiful big key to make a necklace out of. When I went to buy a chain for it, I saw this suede rope in orange and decided that would make a way cooler chain than the normal metal. This necklace is now my go-to necklace. I absolutely love it! Whenever I wear it people inquire about where I bought it and what it opens. I always respond the same way, "It's vintage. I bought it at a flea market so I guess it could open anything. It's a mystery." Which is true. And that makes the necklace that much more exciting! 

Also, I know you guys already know how much I love my pinstripe blazer from H&M. Whenever I wear it I get compliments and the truth is, it really is an effortless piece. All I do is throw it over a top and jeans and, voila! I have a chic outfit. I am always on the lookout for pieces that accomplish this, because everyone has days when they are in a rush and a rush isn't any excuse to not look cute and chic. 

What are your pieces you consider effortlessly chic?

I Love My...Leopard Sweater

      

 

Outfit: Sweater - H&M ($15), Boots - Steve Madden ($40), Skirt - American Eagle - ($30)

I don't know if you guys have noticed yet, but I'm kind of a sucker for anything and everything leopard. I think it stems back to my Step-mom, Mary Lou's, abundant collection of leopard apparel. It's a good thing I love leopard so much because it is a print that has been in style for years and I am fairly positive it will be chic for hundreds of years to come. So basically, I see all my leopard pieces as an investment. 

I bought this leopard sweater at H&M last winter on sale for $15 and while I LOVE the big, bold leopard print, it's an added bonus that the fit is perfect. I also love the way my cowboy booties go with them. You wouldn't normally except to pair cowboy boots with a leopard print, but works somehow. And I am all for interesting, yet chic, combinations. 

How many of you guys are camping out for Versace at H&M tomorrow? Naz and I will be first in line if it is the last thing we do! We wouldn't want a repeat of the Lanvin fiasco last year...

On A Day Like Today

Outfit: Jacket - H&M ($40), Shorts - Forever 21 ($18), Top - Cotton On ($16)

I know a lot of my posts feature outfits of mine that are a bit dressy for everyday looks (I am often the most dressed up in a lot of situations and places I go). However, I have received some feedback from you guys asking for some more casual looks. Yesterday, I had the day off and I had such a lovely time laying out enjoying the last bit of summer and then hitting happy hour for margaritas with friends. I decided to pull my jean cut-offs out because the time window I have to wear them is dwindling.

As it got later in the day I pulled out one of my favorite jackets. It is a double breasted sweatshirt blazer I picked up from H&M last spring. Honestly, one of my favorite purchases. Its such a great way to incorporate a casual jacket with a dressed up style. I also can not get enough of the striped inside :)

I'm wearing some of my favorite summer flats in this outfit, as well. They are a sort of nude slip moccasin I got on sale at Steve Madden probably seven years ago. Don't you just love finding things in your closet that you bought years ago, but are still completely cute?

Oh, You Mean These Silver Oxfords?

Last Spring, before all sorts of brands were making oxfords, I was diligently searching online and in-store for the perfect cognac pair. The only ones I could find were at Steve Madden and would run me about $70. I just didn't have the funds. So, I held out until July when I found an identical pair from Target online for $19.99. Don't you just love when you find exactly what you've been searching for under $20 bucks? Its euphoric.

After I purchased my traditional cognac pair, in the SALE section of Macy's online I found the most delicious pair of Jessica Simpson distressed silver oxfords (sans shoelaces). The best part? They were on sale for $20! The great thing about a really unique item is that a lot of people shy away from them thinking the piece is weird or different, so the item ends up going on sale when no one buys them. Their loss is our gain! These silver oxford go with everything and the attention they get is fun.

So lets see...I got two pairs of oxfords for $40 and Steve Madden was charging $70 for one pair. Its that euphoric feeling coming on again <3

Outfit: Top - H&M (12.95), Skirt - Forever 21 (11.00), Shoes - Jessica Simpson ($20)

Talk About a Teal Bag

A few years ago I held a seasonal position at Coach Handbags, needless to say I didn't really make any money working there because all my paychecks went into pieces like my large teal Madison bag. It was originally $500 but with my discount it came out to a savvy $250 (still YIKES! but not unattainable).

The year I started working at Coach (2009) is when they first introduced the Madison Collection and I knew it was love at first sight. Since their launch, Coach has kept this bag available and I couldn't recommend this splurge more! Throughout college I have thrown books, makeup, bottles of alcohol, you name it, in this bag and it still looks fabulous.

The bag comes in all sorts of classic colors, but the teal one was only available for a limited time. Most people might shy away from such a bright bag, but I can't stress enough that this bag literally goes with all sorts of outfits! I don't regret choosing my teal bag over a chocolate brown one for a minute (in a perfect world I'd have both).

Check out the Coach website to check out the Madison bags available now.

Outfit: Top - Urban Outfitters (SALE $20.00), Pants - Forever 21 ($15.00), Slip Moccasins - Steve Madden ($40.00), Ring - H&M ($7), Necklace - Forever 21 ($8.00)