summer
INSTAGRAM LOOK- 05/07/2019
Instagram Look- 05/06/2019
Cool Off in the Culotte Trend
Culottes seem to be sprinkling the outfits on my instagram feed and the pages of my favorite magazines lately. You know what that means right? The culotte trend has officially gone mainstream!
Culottes are quickly populating the racks of my favorite (affordable!) stores and I’m here to tell you… You need a pair for fall! Some of you might be thinking…. are they pants? is it a skirt? Well that’s my favorite thing about culottes, the versatility! They come in all sorts of fabrics, prints and colors.
Going casual? Perfect, they are loose, comfortable and can be paired with a tee and denim jacket. Or check out these Madewell culotte jeans. These were made for a fall day playing in the leaves.
Or maybe you have a wedding to go to? Instead of going the traditional dress route, try a culotte jumpsuit on for size. I picked out a few polished, strapless jumpsuits below that would look amazing with a statement necklace and heels. This is a sophisticated evening look that’s guaranteed to stand out at your next get together (in a good way)!
shop the culotte trend:
black culotte bandeau jumpsuit ($19) / white culotte strapless jumpsuit ($37) / green pleated culottes ($34) / soft navy culottes ($70) / printed culotte jumpsuit ($180) / black strapless culotte jumpsuit ($73) / white spot jacquard culottes ($34) / tropical print culottes ($41) / black pleated culottes ($15) / metallic drawstring culottes ($56) / culotte jeans ($128) / solid white culottes ($58)
Black Fringe and Bright Tassels
I love this amazing black fringed hem maxi I snagged on sale at Nordstrom. Unfortunately, it’s sold out, but I’ve found a close alternative I’ve listed below. This is seriously a perfect summer dress. The loose shape makes it super comfy to wear and the fringe hem gives this otherwise boring dress some drama!
Going for basic? You could easily wear this fringed maxi over a swimsuit to the pool or to the beach. But it’s so versatile! You could easily dress this look up by pairing this dress with a black leather jacket, wedges and gold accessories for a night out with the girls. Or like I chose today, you can keep it casual, but spice it up with a little color and fun. I paired this simple dress with colorful, bright accessories. I went for my go-to summer pieces stacking on more fringe, tassels, beads and neon colors!
I finished the look with this bright pink lip from stila. This stila liquid lipstick stays on all day and packs huge color! If you don’t have time to do your hair or makeup, just grab this lipstick before you run out the door. It can finish any look and immediately add some polish, perfect for a hot summer day!
shop my black fringe dress look:
fringe hem dress ($40) / bright tassel clutch- similar here ($68) and here ($25) / black sandals ($59) / long turquoise necklace ($125) / neon pink earrings ($28) / bracelets- etsy and nordstrom / sunglasses ($170)
The Most Comfortable Shoes for your Summer
If you are anything like me, you are on the go all summer long. Most weekends I’ll be out running errands from brunch to dusk and on my feet the whole day! That’s why I pulled together the most comfortable shoes to get you through these extra long summer days.
I was inspired to write this post when I saw Nike’s new Lunarsandiator Sky Hi Sandals. This sandal is the perfect marriage of style and comfort. It gives you the on trend gladiator look partnered with Nike’s cushioned Lunarlon midsole. Reviews say they are so light they won’t weigh you down and you can walk all day in them with ease!
Since these brand new Nike’s are hard to get your hands on, I supplemented with some other comfy wedges on the market this summer. Tom’s strappy wedges are always a great choice and they have tons of color and print options this season! Another brand I can always count on for comfort is Cole Haan. Their Leather Strappy Cork Wedges are a classic choice to keep your feet happy. Maybe you’re the girl who wishes you could wear your Uggs in the summer? Guess what, you can! Uggs has an amazing collection of stylish summer wedges that will keep your feet cool and comfy. Check out the rest of my comfortable summer shoes below and share your favorites in the comments!
shop summer’s most comfortable shoes:
Leather Slingback Wedges ($130-$140) / Black Mid Pump ($99) / Strappy Wedges ($74) / Mule Wedges ($40) / Nude Pumps ($99) / Wedge Sandal ($100) / Leather Strappy Cork Wedges ($83) / T-Strap Wedges ($84) / Black Strapped Wedges ($76)
June Birchbox Review | 2015
Birchbox was the first subscription service I ever signed up for and now it’s quite possibly my favorite! I just love receiving this adorable little box every month and seeing what’s inside. Some months are better than others, but I tend to get a ton of use out of the products. And even if it’s not my favorite product, it’s usually handy enough to use for my travels! Check out my June Birchbox review below and share what you think in the comments!
If you aren’t familiar with birchbox, it’s a $10/month subscription to monthly deliveries of beauty and skincare samples. And don’t forget… they offer boxes for both men and women! It’s truly a mini treat to yourself once a month and it’s a fabulous, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. As an added bonus, birchbox has an amazing rewards program. You get points for each monthly sample you review and each dollar you spend in their shop. 100 points= $10, and those points add up fast!
Check out my June Birchbox Review:
Caudalie Vinoperfect Day Perfecting Fluid SPF 15
Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear™ Micro Water
Klorane Shampoo with Mango Butter
Klorane Conditioning Balm with Mango Butter
Marcelle Mini Waterproof Eyeliner Travel Kit
TOCCA Eau de Parfum, Isabel
Emi Jay Solid Hair Tie 5-Pack
So far I’ve loved all Caudalie products I’ve received over the years. This Caudalie Vinoperfect Day Perfecting Fluid SPF 15 is no exception! It is super lightweight and gives me a ton of moisture without leaving my face greasy. I don’t wear foundation so I love that it’s slightly tinted. But beware! Although it evens out my skin tone, it doesn’t add much coverage. It’s doesn’t solve my everyday needs, but the SPF and sheer formula make it a great option for summer!
A girl can never have too much makeup remover! I have been bouncing back and forth from makeup removers for awhile. And I found a new one for my collection! Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear™ Micro Water is a cleansing water that brightens skin. The great thing about this cleanser is how well it works! I know that sounds simple, but a lot of cleansers tend to smear around the makeup on my face and have to be rinsed after. This micro water is a miracle! It not only completely cleans the skin in one swipe, it doesn’t even need to be rinsed after! I will for sure be investing in this makeup remover with my birchbox points!
Klorane Shampoo and Conditioning Balm with Mango Butter is up next! This shampoo and conditioner combo is amazing! I love the delicious mango smell. As I’m washing my hair it almost tricks me into thinking I’m actually on a beach eating a mango! It’s the perfect shampoo scent for summer. The sample was pretty small so I didn’t notice any lasting effects, but if you want to switch up your normal shower routine, this mango shampoo is a great option!
I got the Mulberry Marcelle Mini Waterproof Eyeliner in my birchbox. I love trying new eyeliners and colors. This eyeliner went on super smooth and was easy to apply. Although I love the deep mulberry color, it took several coats to make much of an impact. But once I got it applied, it lasted all day! It’s super waterproof and smudge-free! And the best part about it? It came off so easily when I used my new micro water face cleanser!
Next up, I got a small sample of TOCCA Eau de Parfum. This perfume was inspired by a chic city girl from Barcelona. At first sniff I really loved it, it is full of floral rose notes. But the more I smelled it, the less I actually like it. The scent is really strong and after awhile it started to smell a little matronly to me and all of the sudden I felt like an old lady who put one too many sprays of perfume on! This is not a perfume I would recommend for younger women.
Lastly I was surprised with the Emi Jay Solid Hair Tie. I love knotted hair ties. They are always fun colors and prints and never slip on my short hair! This lavender hair tie is great for summer, I’ve been in buns ever since receiving it!
And that’s a wrap for this month’s beauty samples! Have you heard of any of these brands or tried any of these products before? Tell me about them in the comments below!
Craving more beauty finds? Check out last month’s post, May Birchbox Review, or start getting your own birchbox delivered right to your door!
10 Summer Must Haves to get you through this summer
Summer always seems to just fly by! No matter where you live, everyone seems to be on the go. That’s why I pulled together these ten summer must haves that you need now to make your summer a breeze.
1- A comfy, wear-everywhere tank. I have the boyfriend tank below that I wear non-stop. The fit is perfect and it looks great with distressed denim.
2- A bandana. Bandanas are the hot new accessory and this bandana scarf will save you the trouble of rolling and knotting one. Throw it in your hair for a quick fix to a bad hair day!
3- Statement sunglasses. These round shades scream boho and give a nod to the seventies.
4- A tote. I am obsessed with this reversible tote. One- it’s reversible! Two- it fits a ton of stuff. Three- it has a handy attached pouch to keep your valuables (aka your lipstick).
5- Summer cardigan. Layers are key for those chilly summer bonfires! This patterned cardigan gives you coverage and warmth while keeping a summer look.
6- Hat. Perfect for covering up that pool hair that didn’t quite dry right. You will be glad you have this hat to cover up any bad hair days.
7- Boho top. I love having a go-to top that screams summer and this bell sleeved lace top does the trick. Did someone say coachella?
8- Boyfriend jeans. For those days you don’t have time to shave your legs? Never fear, your boyfriend jeans are here!
9- Denim cutoffs. Enough said… it’s summer!
10- Walk everywhere sandals. In the summer, I find myself walking my sandals into the ground! What better shoes to prance around town in than these lace-up sandals that go with everything?
shop my 10 summer must haves:
Boyfriend Tank ($16) / Bandana Scarf ($6) / Round Sunglasses ($18) / Reversible Tote ($48) / Patterned Cardigan ($18) / Straw Hat ($13) / Lace Top ($30) / Boyfriend Jeans ($33) / Denim Cutoffs ($18) / Lace-Up Sandals ($65)
Summer Pool Party Essentials | 2015
Happy July everyone! With the long holiday weekend approaching, I am planning on spending as much time as possible soaking up the sunshine! My ideal July is full of pool parties and fun in the sun!
I pulled together some serious must haves for throwing an awesome summer pool party! Check out this Waterproof Speaker and Radio that you can trust to keep your music loud and your iPod dry! And how about this adorable Soda Shaped Change Purse? No one will find my snack money in there! And lastly, how perfect is this giant Flamingo Pool Float? I could float around on it for days! Basically, for any pool party you need sunscreen, cute sunnies, a beach tote and games! Check out all my favorites below and have fun!
shop summer pool party essentials:
Inflatable Ball ($34) / Turkish Pestemal Towel ($34) / Blue Sunglasses ($38) / Soda Shaped Change Purse ($8) / Straw Hat ($15) / Sunscreen Spray ($16) / Patterned Headband ($7) / Ping Pong Set ($28) / Wet Bikini Storage Bag ($6) / Drink Cozy ($14) / Waterproof Speaker/Radio ($48) / Beach Tote ($45) / Birkenstock Slide Sandal ($30) / Underwater Camera ($21) / Flamingo Pool Float ($75)
June Rocksbox Review | 2015
Would you love getting sparkly jewelry delivered to your doorstep? Yep, thought so! If you haven’t already, it’s time for you to check out Rocksbox! (Use the code chelseabff5 to get your first month free!!)
I’ve had a subscription to Rocksbox for quite a while now. Not every box I’ve gotten has been perfect for me, but I’ve had a lot of fun trying out new designers and styles that are different from what I normally gravitate toward. My June Rocksbox had some highs and lows, but overall another great box! Before I dig into the deets, here’s what Rocksbox is all about…
How it works:
1. BECOME A SHINE INSIDER ($19/month)- Take the style survey and add items to your jewelry Wish List.
2. GET 3 PIECES TO WEAR ON LOAN- Each piece is hand-selected for you based on your style and specific requests. Wear your pieces as much as you want!
3. RETURN ANYTIME TO GET 3 NEW PIECES- Return your Rocksbox pieces anytime and as often as you like. Every set has 3 pieces of designer jewelry, worth an average of $200 per set.
Check out my June Rocksbox:
SLATE Spiked Out Necklace in Silver (retails at $82, member price is $65)– This spiked black necklace was by far my favorite piece this month! This necklace is unlike anything in my current jewelry collection. It has a pretty simple design, but the black color and spikes add a serious edgy look to this necklace. It takes any outfit to the next level, adding some intense bad girl vibes. I loved pairing it with girly, feminine outfits to harden up a soft sweet look.
Perry Street Adrianna Necklace (retails at $64, member price is $51)- I was a little confused by this necklace when I first saw it. Although it has a statement pendant, it’s on a long dainty chain making it awkward to style. I ended up pairing this piece with a white boyfriend tee. But I found the statement pendent to swing around a lot and looked too heavy to be on such a long chain. Overall I found this necklace to be a little awkward and only got the one use out of it.
Loren Hope Sophia Studs in Violet (retails at $34, member price is $29)- I love these studs! They are super simple and dainty. The bright violet color is great for any summer day! I found myself dressing them up with a cute white summer dress or dressing them down with jeans and a blouse. Either way, these bold studs add a punch to any summer look. And coming from Loren Hope, they are great quality and earrings I know will last!
And that wraps it up for this month’s box! Are you like me and can’t get enough of Rocksbox? Try checking out last month’s set of jewelry, May RocksBox Review.
Still want more? Sounds like you are ready to get your own Rocksbox! Go to Rocksbox and use code chelseabff5 to get your first month FREE! Enjoy! And don’t forget to share your thoughts on my Rocksbox jewels in the comments below!
