spring

Hats off to the Royal Ascot

For those of you not familiar with the Royal Ascot, it’s an annual horserace in the UK where the attendees might not be able to tell you who won the race, but they can tell you who designed Kate Middleton’s dress. This race dates all the way back to 1711 and some of the dress code requirements do as well! Don’t even thinking about baring your midriff or showing your knees. And hats are not only worn to make a fashion statement, they are actually required (at least 4 inches wide!). And for my homegirls in the US… the hats worn at this social event of the season put the Kentucky Derby to shame.

photo: skytravelexecutives.com

Farfetch put me up to the challenge of finding the perfect head-to-toe look for the upcoming Royal Ascot Race and I have been having a blast with it. I have three pieces of advice when styling a look for an event like this. (1) When an outfit is all about the accessory, start there! (2) Find the right balance of classic and trend, not costume (3) Even if there’s a dress code, don’t take it too seriously.

Have fun with it! If you feel comfortable and love your look, your confidence will give you all the swagger you need! My whole look started with this beautiful hat. The wood, burlap and floral details look like inspiration pulled right from my wedding tablescape! When I saw this hat, it immediately pulled at my heartstrings and I knew it was the one to build my look off of. Picking a dress wasn’t as easy, but I have been seriously obsessed with gingham lately. I have been scouring the streets for the perfect gingham midi skirt so once I saw this Oscar De La Renta masterpiece, my search was over. To compliment my feminine, spring look I opted for shoes that were basically made for this ensemble, Charlotte Olympia’s blue suede pumps. (and to be honest I’ve always wanted a pair of blue suede shoes!) Last but not least, I finished my look with a dainty gold bracelet and clutch. Too bad I won’t be in the UK for the race because I would totally rock this look! I hope you guys enjoy my look for the Royal Ascot, make sure to shop the links below and share your favorites in the comments!

shop my royal ascot look at farfetch:

flower hat / gingham dress / gold clutch / sea star bracelet / blue flowered pumps

White Eyelet and Bright Blooms

Spring is in full swing, I mean just look at those blooms! I paired all my favorite spring trends together for today’s look. Bright colors, eyelet and distressed denim! I’ve been wearing these pieces on repeat this spring and I think they will seamlessly carry me into summer!

Nothing makes a weekend better than the perfect pair of comfy boyfriend jeans. I am unhealthily obsessed with my newest Blank NYC jeans. They are stretchy, comfortable and I think the distressing on them is perfect. I find myself wearing them WAY too much. I would wear them everyday if I could!

When wearing boyfriend denim I think it’s important to pair them with girly pieces. The wedges and boyfriend jean combo is perfect for summer. It gives off a feminine, casual look that can take you from day to night. Finish the look with some fun accessories and you are ready to walk out the door!

shop my white eyelet look:

White Eyelet Tee ($20) / Distressed Denim ($98) / Candy Color Statement Necklace ($27) / Nude Wedges ($59) / similar Pink Bamboo Clutch ($58) / Arrow Cuff ($30) & kate spade jewelry / Sunnies ($165)

BBQ Bound | Get Memorial Day Ready!

Being born and raised in Indianapolis, Memorial Day has always meant a few things to me… The Indy 500, tanlines and backyard barbecues. This year I unfortunately can’t make it back to Indiana to go to the Indy 500, but that doesn’t mean I can’t pick out an outfit for the race! Whether you are spending the long weekend at the race, barbecuing with friends or just soaking up the sun, I’ve got the perfect head to toe looks for you!

I’ve recently discovered this new affordable shopping site called boohoo and ordered this adorable pom pom romper featured below (and the first romper on the left is from boohoo too!). This site is perfect for a girl on a budget like me and they even had 25% off yesterday! They have some really fun, trendy items and I can’t wait to receive this romper below to share with you guys!

shop memorial day outfits left to right:

Accessories– Cat Eye Sunglasses ($34) / Straw Hat ($15) / Watermelon Clutch ($35) / Tassel Bracelets ($32) / Fringe Earrings ($13)

Dresses– Embroidered Romper ($44) / Star Print Chambray Dress ($35) / Pom Pom Romper ($35) / Chambray Embroidered Romper ($52)

Shoes– Blue Criss-Cross Sandals ($56) / Stitched Espadrille Wedges ($80) / Gold Lace-up Gladiator Sandals ($65) / White Espadrille Sandals ($100)

A Walk on the Wild Side- Flamingo Trend

Flamingos make me smile. They always have and always will! That’s why I am thrilled that all my childhood obsession is now a little less dorky and can fall into one of summer’s most playful trends, the tropical flamingo trend!

Lately I’ve been lusting over kate spade’s newest collection featuring “the rare birds of summer”. As always, kate spade finds a way to put a playful twist on her summer collection and these flamingos are almost too much for me to resist! Some of my favorite bags from her new arrivals are shown below. Beyond handbags, there are amazing wallets, phone cases, makeup bags, tees, dresses, etc., all featuring my favorite pink bird!

Although amazing, the price tags are a little high on these handbags considering they are extremely trendy and seasonal. But this collection did inspire me to pull together some amazing flamingo items ranging from jewelry, swim, tops, shoes, tech accessories and more (all with a more reasonable price tag)! I had a ton of fun pulling together these summer ready styles. Hope you enjoy them, happy shopping!

shop the flamingo trend:

flamingo pool float ($30) / flamingo stud earrings ($58) / flamingo print swimsuit ($119) / flamingo print boyfriend button up ($29) / tropical flamingo print mini skirt ($18) / flamingo tank ($30) / flamingo slip-on sneakers ($68) / flamingo iPhone case ($35) / striped flamingo tee ($21) / flamingo printed tee ($12) / flamingo espadrilles ($65)

Lilly Pultizer for Target Look Book

Hey Target lovers! Get ready to book a beach vacay ASAP, Lilly Pultizer for Target is almost here! If this collaboration doesn’t justify hopping on a plane to the nearest beach, I don’t know what does.

Photos courtesy of Target

In the words of Lilly Pulitzer, “Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink.”

In January, Target announced their upcoming partnership with the high-end, preppy designer, Lilly Pulitzer and they just released the full look book! This limited edition collection launches April 19th and includes 250 pieces, ranging from clothing, accessories and shoes for both women (including plus size!) and girls, as well as home decor, outdoor accessories and beauty products! What more could a girl want? The 15 exclusive collaboration prints are bright, playful and true to the Lilly Pulitzer brand esthetic.

As I scrolled through the look book, it was impossible for me to find a favorite look. I was pinning nearly every item! The collection has a bright, carefree feel to it that (in typical Lilly fashion) screams Palm Beach! I pulled together some of my favorite items in the collage below. These are serious summer must haves! The white eyelet coverup is so easy and how cute does it look paired with that straw tote on the model above? And what about that fringe kimono? It is perfect paired with a swimsuit for a day spent poolside! Lastly, those accessories! I cannot stop thinking about these pineapple sandals! They are so fun and unexpected! Really, I could go on for days, so I’ll let you just check out the look book yourself!

Photos courtesy of Target

Share your favorites in the comments below, I would love to hear what you guys think of this collaboration!

Hot Pink Pumps at the Palace

I grabbed these hot pink suede pumps off the clearance rack at Old Navy about a month ago and have been dying to wear them. Not only did I get a great deal, but also the heel height isn’t too high so they are easy to wear anywhere and they have a girly element to them that I just couldn’t resist.

This weekend I paired these hot pink suede pumps with my favorite Forever 21 skirt and moto jacket. There is nothing that makes me feel more like a princess than this airy organza midi skirt and pink heel combo! I had so much fun twirling around while we were shooting… unfortunately none of those action shots turned out, but I think the tourists at the Palace of Fine Arts got a good laugh!

I accessorized this feminine look with this edgy Perry Street necklace I got from Rocksbox. This bib necklace makes a statement and I think it looks great layered on top of this Hi-Neck Tank from Old Navy. This tank is a must-have for any girl with a collection of statement necklaces. It’s only $12 and is super soft, I’m headed back to Old Navy for additional colors!

shop pink pumps at the palace:

Forever 21 Moto Jacket- similar here ($40) and here ($38) / Old Navy Drapey Hi-Neck Tank ($12) / Forever 21 Embroidered Organza Skirt ($25) /Perry Street Amelie Crystal Necklace ($72) via Rocksbox / Pink Pumps- similar H&M ($60) and Chinese Laundry ($48) / Cleopatra Brooke Clutch- similar Shopbop ($100) and Rebecca Minkoff ($95) / kate spade Ursula Sunnies ($165)

Spring in your Step- Spring Shoe Trends

Magical things happen in Spring. Birds start chirping, flowers bloom, and people come out to soak up the sun.

I don’t know about you, but to me the spring season is all about getting out of hibernation and enjoying the outdoors. There are trails to be explored, parks to be sat in, pools to be swam in and most importantly… spring shoe trends to be worn! Lucky for you, I’ve got the perfect footwear to start your spring off on the right foot (pun intended), no matter your budget! 🙂

When looking for shoes to go out and enjoy the spring weather in, I have a few requirements… First of all, comfort! I love shoes that can be slid on and off easily and are comfortable enough for me to wear for hours. Second, versatility! It’s important for my shoes to not only be able to pair back to multiple things in my closet effortlessly, but I want them to take me from day to night. Spring days out and about often turn into spring nights unexpectedly! I don’t want to be caught in my flip flops while trying to enjoy a nice dinner with friends. Lastly, price! As you know, I am always price-conscious and shoes are no exception. I walk around so much that I find myself literally running my shoes into the ground. Between how fast I wear through them and how quickly trends change, I prefer to stick to a strict budget to keep both my wallet and my feet happy.

With that said, I pulled together some easy, budget friendly styles below. I can still hardly believe all these styles are under $30!

shop spring shoe trends:

Ankle Strap Sandals ($13) / Espadrille Flatform Slides ($20) / Steve Madden Annee Flat ($25) / Cap Toe Espadrilles ($25) / Striped Lace Up Espadrilles ($16) / Lace Up Gladiator Sandal ($28) / Double Banded Slide Sandal ($20)

Channel the Romance- floral and lace trend

Wake up! Winter is almost over and it’s time to start stocking up on some spring looks!

Florals, crochet and lace are all attracting my eye this season. There’s something about this ultra-feminine look that just screams “spring has sprung!”. Connecting the spring mentality to these pieces makes this trend completely irresistible. This trend goes perfectly with summer festivals, but it also great for any barbecue or day out and about. Although I love each of these pieces individually, I would personally choose to style them separately. I think a delicate crochet top looks great with boyfriend jeans and I would rather wear a floral skirt with something like a leather jacket. I love mixing the soft side with some edge, it makes this trend more transitional and wear now. Shop my favorite floral and lace trends below and share your must-haves in the comments!

shop the floral and lace trend:

Perforated Loafers ($16) / Leaf Head Piece ($6) / Perforated Clutch ($22) / Scalloped Crochet Top ($20) / High Waisted Rose Print Shorts ($15) / Floral Romper ($20) / Pink Floral Blouse ($23) / Crochet Lace Midi Skirt ($30) / Tiered Lace Tank ($18) / Rose Headband ($6) / Floral Perforated Clutch ($45) / Rose & Lace Maxi ($33) / Perforated Oxfords ($28) /Lace Espadrilles ($25)

Trendy Spring Accessories on a Budget

Now that we are well into March, I am finding myself slowly transitioning my wardrobe into Spring.

Spring calls for a fresh new look- sunglasses, floral prints, sandals and pastels! Doing a complete overhaul of your wardrobe every season is a little unrealistic so I love getting affordable transitional pieces like these below that can spring forward any winter look. I pulled together some fun sunnies, comfy sandals and great totes for any girl-on-the-go! These reversible totes are a great way to add a pop of color into your look, but still keep it practical. I recently got this reversible tote from Nordstrom and have been obsessed! It goes with everything and goes with me everywhere! I use it as a gym bag, a laptop bag and a tote on the weekends. And for only $48, I’ve definitely gotten my money’s worth. For an even better deal, Old Navy has similar totes out right now in pink and mint! Get one before they are gone!

BP Double Strap Sandal ($49.95) / BP Heart Sunglasses ($12) / Old Navy Pink Reversible Tote ($29) / David & Young Floppy Felt Hat ($28) / Old Navy Perforated Faux-Leather Totes ($35) / Old Navy Two-Tone Convertible Tote ($35) / Forever 21Colorblocked Faux Leather Tote ($28) / Forever 21 Oversized Sunglasses ($6) / Steve Madden Floral Sandals ($47) / Street Level Reversible Vegan Leather Tote ($48) / Old Navy Women’s Color-Block Sandals ($20) / Old Navy Mint Reversible Faux-Leather Totes ($25)

Flowers & Fringe

The weather in San Francisco was unbeatable this weekend so my husband and I took advantage of the sunshine and went on a stroll through Golden Gate Park. For those of you who don’t know, Golden Gate Park is even bigger than Central Park so we spent hours there and barely made a dent on the map.

We spent a lot of our time in the The Conservatory of Flowers (pictured below) and the Botanical Gardens. As you can see, the place was covered with bright, blooming flowers… I felt right at home in my floral maxi! The park trails took us from hiking up wooden steps, strolling around the lake, to inside a museum. It’s tough to find an outfit that can fit the bill for all that so I stuck to this casual light layered look. It has a boho feel that keeps it casual and pairing it with sandals keeps it comfy. Shop the look at the bottom of the post!