Brushstrokes

Dress: No label {try this, this or this} // Belt: D&G

Necklace: Baublebar {old but similar here and here}

Nail Polish: Essie 'Blanc' // Ring: Secondi {try this or this}

Bag: Zara // Shoes: Zara {try these or these}

Business Casual

I had a work event this week where the dress code was 'Business Casual/Casual' and I was completely baffled. As I've mentioned, I can be a little all or nothing (and yes, black and white) in my thinking. I'm can do casual and I can do business but something in between? So instead of actually figuring it out, I took out my trusty faux leather circle skirt.

I love this skirt. Not only is it from H&M, but I got it at Mustard Seed. For $8. I wear it more than designer skirts I thought I needed that now just gather dust. Funny how sometimes the items you least expect to become favorites do...

Shirt: Generra // Top: J. Crew {similar}// Skirt: H&M {try this or this}

Nail Polish: Essie 'Lollipop' // Ring: H&M // Cuff: Similar {one day it'll be Hermes!}

Ballet Flats: Sam Edelman {similar here and here}

Bags: Valentino {HA I wish! Its Forever21}, Marc Jacobs 'Stam'

One day, just like the CDC Hermes cuff, a Valentino Rockstud will be mine!

Mixing it Up

Like every other girl out there, I like sequins, especially daytime sequins. I remember waaaayy back when it was oh so revolutionary to rock sequins when the sun is still out. Now, nobody even gives it a second thought. So naturally when I think casual Friday, sequins, a white tee and a chambray skirt made total sense.

Granted, feathered skirts make sense to me too, but we'll save that for another day.

T-Shirt: Gap // Top: J. Crew Collection {similar} // Skirt: J. Crew {try this or this}

Yep, I loved my cheapie oversized sunglasses so much I got them in black too!

{details}

Ring: H&M {similar}  // Earrings: Michael Kors {similar} // Watch: Michael Kors Oversize Runway

// Nail Polish: Essie 'Lilacism'

Purse: Marc Jacobs Stam // Ballet Flats: FS/NY

Orange Crush

Based on the bright color alone, I adore the dress, but the fact that I can literally thrown it on in 5 seconds and manage to look put together? Well, that makes it one of my magic dresses. What, your clothes don't have special powers? You are seriously missing out.

The simple {but wonderfully cut} style of the dress means that its the perfect backdrop for my amazing chain necklace{last seen here}, which could probably be classified as a weapon in some states***

Dress: Tibi {almost identical}  // Necklace: BaubleBar // 

Watch: Michael Kors 'Oversized Runway' // Cuff: Forever21 {similar}

Nail Polish: Essie 'Watermelon'

My photos do not do this necklace justice...it is stunning!

Bag: Marc Jacobs 'Stam' // Ballet Flats: Sofft

***Of course, D. C. is not a state, so I am totally in the clear no matter what

Golden Girl

Today I decided to take my love of gold to the next level and have half my body draped in liquid metallic-- in other words, not too different than most days... Seriously though, I did try to tone it down {a little} with my trusty blazer and breezy ladylike-length skirt. 

White and gold is one of my favorite color combinations-- it immediately makes me think of beautiful beaches and island breezes. I felt very Grecian gold digger, but in a good way of course. Throw in the rope belt on the top {scored at a consignment store} and you can throw nautical into the mix as well.

Blazer: Kulson // Top: 3.1 Philip Lim {try this or this} 

// Skirt: BCBG Max Azria {similar here and here}

Watch: Michael Kors Oversized Runway // Nail Polish: Essie 'Cute as a Button'

Details // Earrings: Low Luv x Erin Wasson // Cuff: H&M {similar here and here}

{obligatory blogger shot}

Ballet Flats: Sofft

Hot Child in the City

This is the first of what I am sure will be many posts that could fall under this title, but you gotta somewhere right? Also, the song just happens to be currently stuck in my head...and now, likely yours too. (You're welcome!) I'm sure in a month I'll look back fondly at a mere 90 degree day, but right now I'm pretty sure this is what the Wicked Witch meant when she screamed she was 'melting.'

So without further ado, my lessons for surviving the heat:

1) Stay Inside.

2) If 1 is not possible, wear a dress.*

3) Hydrate (water and champagne work wonders!)

Linen Jacket: James Perse {try this or this} // Dress: Aryeh {similar, but this is a dream version}
// Necklace: Vintage from my Mom {similar}

Bracelets: J. Crew Golden Gears // DIY {try layering this}

Ballet Flats: Report // Nail Polish: Essie Hip-Anema

*shorts are obviously encouraged (for boys and girls!) but at least for me, are not office appropriate (sigh...)

Flower Power

My amazing sister gave me this Milly dress (with tags still on!) a few years ago because she wasn't wearing it. I adored it but for some reason never wore it until today-- and now I want to wear it every day! The beading alone is just crazy cool, but add in the sunshine yellow and the 60's vibe? Perfection.

It also has a great low (but tasteful!) back, but even with extreme acrobatic attempts I just couldn't get a decent picture of it. Perhaps one day when my photos aren't all selfies (hey, a girl can dream....) Anyway, I love my sister for a million reasons, but this dress bumps it up to at lease a million and one.

Jacket: J. Crew {similar here and here} // Dress: Milly {old but try this or this}

Ring: Ambiance // Nail Polish: Essie "Come Here!" // Bracelets: All vintage

Ballet Flats: Sam Edelman

Baubles and Butterflies

Tibi is one of my absolute favorite labels, and if I could, I'd snap up every single piece they made (but especially the skirts and dresses!) The styles and fabrics are always edgy classic and just girly enough, which is pretty much my ideal work and play wardrobe. Sure I have my over the top outfits, but one can't live on silver sequin dresses alone!

The skirt is great because the material is light enough that it'll be perfect in the summer with a hot pink tank, but works in the spring with a light sweater. I'm all about the multi-season wearability, it helps me rationalize the majority of my purchases. 

Sweater: H&M // Skirt: Tibi {old but I love this Tibi and this floral Asos} 

// Necklace: BaubleBar {similar here and here}

Bracelet: J. Crew // Nail Polish: Essie 'Madison Ave-Hue'

Ballet Flats: Sam Edelman {got them in nude too at Nordstrom's Rack!}

Technicolor Tulle

Yes, I love tulle. You know what makes tulle even better? Rows of ribbons and colors so bright they could practically blind you. So pretty much, this Asos skirt is a favorite.  The pearls and higher neckline are my attempts to make it more work appropriate.

Now, excuse me while I go prance around the office practicing my jetés

. 

Sweater: 3.1 Philip Lim {old but try this J. Crew sweater} // Skirt: Asos 

Watch: Michael Kors // Ring: Vintage from my Grandmother 

// Nail Polish: Essie 'Madison Ave-Hue'

Earrings: Betsey Johnson {similar} // Pearl Headband: Betsey Johnson {similar}

Bracelet: J. Crew {similar} // Ballet Flats: French Sole

La Vie en Rose

There are lots of things I love; sunshine, chocolate, driving with the windows down, champagne, I could go on and on. One of my absolute favorite things though is really a place-- France, especially Paris. Its always been a magical place to me, ever since my first trip when I was 15 {Can't even believe how long ago that was!} The food alone would be enough to hook you, but the fashion? Ooh la la indeed!

While I may never master the elusive art of French women's style, it doesn't stop me from trying! Black and white stripes always get me in a Parisian state of mind, and well, I just love how it makes the red really pop! 

Hey, its cheaper than a plane ticket...

Blouse: Gant {try this or this} // Skirt: Asos

Trying to show off the tulle skirt {similar}, but looks more like I'm attempting the Can-Can

Necklaces: Max & Chloe, vintage gold chains

Bracelets: J. Crew Wide Bangle // J. Crew Classic Pave

Jean Jacket: Zara {similar} // Ballet Flats: Pour La Victoire {try these or these}

I Pity the Fool

...Who doesn't get this reference. Sure I may not look much like Mr. T (I hope!), but I sure give him a run for his money in the jewelry department. The necklace and bracelet were actually DIY, and so easy its almost criminal (Step 1, buy chains and lobster clasps. Step 2, attach.)

I'd been lusting over this dress, and of course ALL Tibi, for a while, and when I saw it oh super sale at Shopbop I couldn't resist. After years of denial, I then finally understood the importance of a good tailor, but that's another story (and a very boring one at that.) So, without further ado...

Dress: Tibi // Jean Jacket: Zara {similar}

Bag: Marc Jacobs // Necklace: DIY // Bracelets: J. Crew and DIY

Shoes: Report // Bag: Forever21 {Obviously this Valentino is the dream}

{The discovery of the bag was all thanks to Allison from Chain Strap Purse}