Military Sequins

Inspiration: Rachel Zoe

I've worn this sequin top with an army jacket several times, but the heat in Orlando has reached critical mass (instant melting when you step outside), so I came up with a summer version. Inspired by the Rachel Zoe runway look, I paired the top with olive green linen shorts I've had for many years. I finished it with brown wedges, but flat sandals or ankle strap heels could also work, depending on the occasion. Would you wear a mix of military and sequins?

Top: Rock & Republic c/o Kohl's, old
Shorts: Forever 21, old (similar, similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: Guess/DSW, $30 (similar, similar, similar)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot, $89
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3, 4
Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2

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Arden B  /  Express  /  Coldwater Creek
 BCBG  /  Kohl's  /  Calvin Klein
 Yook  /  Last Call NM  /  Diesel
 

Porcelain Print

I bought this dress in March (outfit post with it here), but Saturday night was my first time wearing it. I packed it in my suitcase for Key West (too dressy), I packed in my suitcase for Palm Beach (not dressy enough), and like the Goldilocks of dresses, it finally found its place for a girls night out here in Orlando. Whether you call these types of prints porcelain, Blue Willow, paisley or filigree - I love 'em all, and this $20 find will forever be one of my favorites. Would you wear this print? Which print(s) below do you like?

Dress: Forever 21, $20 (same print dress, skirt, top)
Shoes: Windsor Store c/o, $27 (similar, similar, similar, similar)
Clutch: Gap, $16 (similar,  similar)
Earrings: local boutique  
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3
Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2

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Forever 21  /  Anne Klein  /  ModCloth
Ellen Tracy  /  Forever 21  /  Dorothy Perkins
Jessica Simpson  /  ModCloth  /  Forever 21   

Summertime

June, July and August - by far my favorite months of the year, so it's no surprise that breezy, colorful ensembles like these are also my favorite. Pairing a printed top with bright denim shorts is so easy to put together and beats the summer heat. I wore this outfit for dinner with a girlfriend this weekend, and see how else I wore the top here. What is your summer uniform?

Top: Lord & Taylor, $10
Shorts: Gap, $20
Cardigan: Moda c/o MJR Sales, old (similar)
Purse: Calvin Klein/Saks Off Fifth, $130 (similar)
Shoes: Dolce Vita Archer Flat Sandal c/o DNA Footwear, $63 (same)
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3
 Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2

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ModCloth  /  Forever 21  /   Dillard's
 Piperlime  /  Limited  /  Romeo & Juliet Couture
 Gabriella Roca  /  ModCloth  /  Romeo & Juliet Couture

A Review: Spiegel

Dress
Jacket
Short Necklace

Dress

Dress

Top
Shorts

Today I'm excited to share my latest "trying on session" with Spiegel. The iconic brand has been around for more than 100 years, but I have never personally tried their clothes until now. Everyone gets 20% off (use discount code Spiegel2013), and below I'm sharing the full scoop on fit and quality. Here's what I learned:

• The brand has received a major overhaul, and Richard Lowe III is the talent behind the latest Spiegel line. 
• Shape FX is amazing. The dress essentially has built in Spanx - there's a shape-enhancing thin black layer inside. It ends right under the bum, but magically doesn't show through. Genius!
• Go one size up on dresses. I'm wearing a 2 in this navy dress (I'm usually a 0 or 2) and need to size up to a 4. Sizes range from 2 to 16.
• The fabric quality is top-notch. Both the shorts and the khaki jacket are a thick, soft satin, and the lace to top is super-soft, too. 
• My favorite pieces are the jacket (my sleeves are pushed up in the picture), ruffle shorts, and this sweater I plan to wear soon.

Which item is your favorite? Have you ever tried Spiegel?

This is a sponsored post, however all views and opinions are my own. Thanks for reading! 

Short Story

I'm all for giving new things a try - which is why I took the plunge with these shorts! Initially I was nervous about the ruffles adding volume and the slightly high-rise fit, but in the end they totally won me over. I enjoy stepping out of my comfort from time to time with new shapes and I'm excited to try them with different tops. I wore today's look to two networking events on Thursday night, and tomorrow I'll be sharing more items I tried on from Spiegel in a full review (for now, take 20% with code Spiegel2013). Would you wear these shorts?

Top: Forever 21, $22
Shorts: Spiegel c/o
Short necklace: Spiegel c/o
Long necklace: My Stella & Dot chain w. sold-out charm
Shoes: BCBG/Ross, $20 (similar, similar)
Purse: Calvin Klein/Saks Off Fifth, $130 (similar)
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3
Rings: My Stella & Dot, $39

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Victoria's Secret  /  Forever 21  /  Victoria's Secret
ASOS  /  JcPenney  /  Charlotte Russe
Target  /  Victoria's Secret  /  Charlotte Russe

Win $100 to Mindy Mae's Market [Now Closed]

Polka dot top, $29.99

Necklace, $12.99

Chevron Dress, $39.99

Left necklace, $12.99

Right necklace, $38.99

Sorry I'm Late t-shirt, $19.99

I'm so excited to share a new boutique with you today! Mindy Mae's Market is an adorable and super-budget friendly online boutique. Almost all of their items are under $40, and today I'm sharing a few of my favorites. I tried on a few at home (see above, clothes are borrowed), and below I put together a collage of even more items I love. With so much cuteness, how will you ever decide how to spend your $100 gift card?! To enter the giveaway:

1. Keep in touch with Mindy Mae's Market. Your choice of: follow their blog via email or Bloglovin', follow via Facebook, or follow via Instagram. 

2. Comment below and let us know what item is your favorite + what option you chose in #1. 

One entry per person. We will randomly select a winner on 6/28. Thanks so much for entering!   

All items available for purchase at Mindy Mae's Market

This is a sponsored post. Thanks so much for reading and participating!

Congratulations to our winner!  

Downtown at the Gardens

Lavender: am I the only one totally in love with this color? Break it to me softly, because I have a personal hankering for everything in this hue lately!  This tunic is one of my favorite pieces, and I paired it with rainbow colors in a comfy outfit for the drive home from Palm Beach. (This included more stops for shopping research - in these pics I'm at Downtown at the Gardens.) Would you wear lavender? What color(s) would you pair it with?

Top: Red Dress Boutique c/o, old
Shorts: Gap, $35 (similar, similar)
Purse: LOFT, $18 
Necklace: Very Jane, $15
Shoes: Madden Girl c/o MJR Sales, old (similar, similar)
Ring: My Stella & Dot, $39

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 C & C California  /  American Eagle  /  ModCloth
 L Space  /  Old Navy  /  Shopbop  /  Nasty Gal
 ModCloth  /  Target  /  ModCloth

Worth Avenue

I wore this outfit for a day of sightseeing/shopping research* in Palm Beach. These photos were taken on Worth Avenue, which is known as the Rodeo Drive of the East Coast (aka super fancy). It was scorching hot, so I reached for some printed shorts and a navy top in a somewhat patriotic combo. Printed shorts are everywhere this summer, but the few pairs I have (including this one) are from last summer - would you wear printed shorts?

Top: Banana Republic, $20 (similar, similar)
Shorts: Limited, $30
Shoes: Dolce Vita c/o NM Last Call, $63 (same)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot, $79
Purse:  Calvin Klein/Saks Off Fifth, $130 (similar)
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3
 Rings: My Stella & Dot, $39

*Shopping research is when I take photos and notes to use in my weekly posts for VISIT FLORIDA. :-)

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Quiksilver  /  Armani Jeans  /  Eight Sixty
 Lush  /  JcPenney  /  Allen B.
Lucky Brand  /  BCBG  /  J.Crew Factory 

The Full Skirt

I wore this to dinner on Saturday night! The first time I wore this skirt, I paired it with dark chambray (here). This time I went for total summer with coral and hot pink. (ps. The wind is blowing my skirt in pic #2, it's not quite that full.) I loved wearing this fun outfit and am enjoying branching out to fuller skirts in place of my usual uniform of slim bottoms and a loose top. What's your favorite kind of skirt?

Top: Forever 21, $12 (similar, similar)
Skirt: Conversation Pieces c/o (similar) 
Clutch: Gap, $16 (similar, similar)
Shoes: Colin Stuart/MJR Sales, $24 (similar, similar)
Bracelets: Banana Republic, $10 (similar) and My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3
Rings: Diana Kelly c/o and My Stella & Dot, $39

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Collective Concepts  /  Nasty Gal  /   Nordstrom
 Nordstrom  /  Topshop  /  De La Mer
 Banana Republic  /  ASOS  /  Topshop

All Things Nautical

I wore this on Friday for errands and the drive down to Palm Beach. I did much better on this trip and took outfit photos everyday, so I'll be sharing them over the next few days. I love switching things up from time to time with different photography and The Ritz Palm Beach proved to be a pretty spectacular backdrop (pic #3 is the view from our room). My obsession with all things nautical and anchors continues, as seen in today's outfit.  Are you wearing the nautical trend?

Top: Forever 21, $20 (similar, similar, similar, similar, similar)
Shorts: Gap, $24 (similar, similar) 
Shoes: Dolce Vita c/o NM Last Call, $63 (same)
Necklace: local boutique (similar, similar)
Purse:  Calvin Klein/Saks Off Fifth, $130 (similar)
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot, $19

More info/another outfit with the top here. 

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 J.Crew Factory  /  Forever 21  /  Sperry  /  Lauren Conrad
 ModCloth  /  Bloomingdale's  /  Forever 21  /  Charlotte Russe
Nordstrom  /  Dillard's  /  ModCloth  /  Blu Bijoux  /  Lily Pulitzer

Beach Day

Via Instagram

To say that I love the beach is an understatement. I've been spending a lot of time there lately, and so here are some pictures of what I was wearing yesterday. The top is H&M, but I didn't like the matching white bottoms so I searched for the perfect blue bikini bottoms and found them on the Victoria's Secret website. You can now return online VS orders to the store (woo hoo), and I also used a free shipping code (SHIP13), so I gave a few suits a try. I ordered the rainbow bottoms below (I am a huge fan of the ruched bikini bottom trend I've been seeing everywhere!) and the striped pink ruffle bikini (bottoms are too big so fingers crossed the next size down isn't too small). And finally, I'm always in the market for more beach coverups, and these are a few of my favorites. What is your beach style - favorite suits, coverups?

Top: H&M, $25 recent
Bottom: Victoria's Secret, $13
Coverup: Victoria's Secret, old
Earrings: My Stella & Dot, $49
Sandals: Dolce Vita c/o DNA Footwear 
Bag: Banana Republic, old

Purple top  /  Rainbow bottom  /  Stripe suit

One  /  Two  /  Three
 One  /  Two  /  Three  /  Four

Caged Heels

Inspiration: Express

I love these caged heels but I was nervous about pulling them off! Thankfully the inspiration photo kicked things off and gave me the initial idea of shorts, stripes and an army jacket. I like that the shorts show off the ankle straps, but also wanted to try jeans. The first jeans I tried looked funny with the straps over the leg, so a cropped boyfriend fit was an improvement. When you really love something, you find a way to wear it, so I will try, try again. Would you wear caged heels?

Jacket: Conversation Pieces c/o, old (similar, similar, similar, similar)
Top: Conversation Pieces c/o, old
Shorts: American Eagle, $25 (similar)
Shoes: Nine West c/o
Purse: Juicy Couture/NM Last Call, $120
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
 
Top: Forever 21, $18
Jeans: Seven For All Mankind c/o Shop It To Me, $140
Shoes: Nine West c/o
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

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Nine West  /  Nine West  /  Nine West
 Michael Kors  /  Isola  /  Marc Fisher
 Nine West  /  Nine West  /  Charlotte Russe 

The Fan Necklace

Inspiration: Vogue

I wore this to the CFL Lady Bloggers meetup last night! I joked earlier this week about my overuse of bubble necklaces. I think today's necklace is just the thing to break the streak (trading one addiction for another?). Just as bubble necklaces were inspired by J.Crew, so were these "fan" necklaces. Since J.Crew seems to be -the- inspiration for the next big thing, I scoped out the latest necklaces on their website, see below. What is your favorite style of necklace?

Top: LOFT, $25 (similar, similar, similar)
Jeans: Gap, $32
Necklace: Very Jane, $15
Shoes: Guess/Marshall's, $25 (similar, similar)
Purse:  Calvin Klein/Saks Off Fifth, $130 (similar, similar)
 Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2 
 Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3, 4

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One  /  Two  /  Three  /  Four
 One  /  Two  /  Three  /  Four
 One  /  Two  /  Three  /  Four
 

Key West

Via Instagram

I was just in Key West for a girls' weekend and wish I had taken more outfit photos! I managed to snap this one with a "real" camera, plus the Instagram shots but that's it. I was having way too much fun. :-) The top outfit was for cornhole on the beach as the sun was setting, and I was fresh out of the shower (hence the wet hair). I changed into a dress for dinner, but this kind of laid back style is pretty much all you need in Key West - heels are extraneous. Have you ever been to Key West? What did you wear? Which clutch below is your favorite?

Top: American Eagle, $25 (similar)
Shorts: American Eagle, $25 (similar)
Necklace: LOFT, $21
Clutch: LOFT, $18
Shoes: Nine West/DSW, $60 (similar)

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Dakine  /  ALDO  /  Chico's
 Deena & Ozzy  /  LOFT  /  Moyna
 Ann Taylor  /  Mar y Sol  /  Anthropologie
Urban Outfitters  /  Nanette Lapore  /  Kimchi & Blue

Summer Wedding Guide

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 Victoria's Secret  /  J.Crew  /  Max & Cleo
 Pim + Larkin  /  Calvin Klein   /  Stretta
 Banana  /  Haute Hippie  /  ModCloth

Wedding attire is as diverse and varied as the people who marry, so coming up with dress options that work for every wedding is a tall order. Whether you are attending a backyard BBQ or a black tie dinner, today's post contains dresses for guests and brides under $150.  Here are my tips for deciding what to wear:

1. Venue - One of your best clues for determining what's appropriate is the venue. If the wedding is held in a church, then you'll want to dress more conservatively. If the venue is a mansion, country club or resort, you'll want to consider cocktail attire like the options below. If the venue is a backyard or the beach, then sandals and a sundress might fit the bill.
2. Climate - Another huge factor is weather and/or the geography of the wedding. Sweltering heat in Miami? Colorful options you don't mind sweating in are your best bet. Summer in Boston, however, can be chilly (especially at night) so bring a wrap or cardigan, and neutral colors are more appropriate regionally. 
3. Etiquette  - My only hard and fast "rule" for wedding attire is to avoid anything the bride might wear, like white lace or an all-white dress. I also tend to shy away from solid colored taffeta or anything that might look bridesmaid-esque.
4. Flair - I've heard a mirad of rules for weddings - everything from don't wear sequins to don't wear the color red. There are plenty of brides and/or colorful weddings (Miami, Vegas) where dresses with "flair" are not only welcome but encouraged. Consider your bride (in general, how conservative does she dress) and your venue to determine how safe you should play it.
5. Modesty - If the wedding takes place in a church, be sure to not show more skin than you would feel comfortable showing during Sunday service (you can always bring a blazer, cardigan or wrap and ditch it during the reception). If the wedding doesn't include a church, I would still recommend erring on the side of caution. If your dress shows a lot of skin up top, make sure it hits at the knee or lower, and vice versa.

How do you decide what to wear to a wedding? 

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Jax  /  ASOS  /   Shopbop
 ModCloth  /  Max & Cleo  /  Jax

-For the bride: bridal showers, bachelorette, etc.-

 BCBG  /  Ryu  /  Elise Ryan
 ModCloth  /  Jax  /  Elise Ryan

The Necklace Trend

Inspiration: Pinterest

I recently tweeted this: 

I enjoyed poking fun at myself, and thankfully today's outfit is the last of the bubble necklaces for awhile. ;-)  I bought my first statement necklace in 2007 at Banana Republic. It was a runway trend I saw in Vogue and I was dying to try it. I remember telling a friend "I probably won't invest a lot in this trend, but why not buy just one?" Six years later I'm 30+ statement necklaces deep with no signs of letting up, and I'm starting to wonder if this "trend" is ever going away and if so, when? (For more discussion on trends and when to invest, see "The Anatomy of a Trend.") Do you wear statement necklaces? What's your prediction on the longevity of this trend?

Top: Banana Republic outlet, $36 (similar, similar) 
Jeans: Forever 21, $16
Shorts: Ross, old (similar, similar)
Pumps: Enzo Angiolini/Piperlime, $32 (similar, similar, similar)
Sandals: Dolce Vita c/o DNA Footwear, $65
Purse: Calvin Klein/Saks Off Fifth, $130 (similar, similar)
 Necklace: Ily Couture c/o
Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2 
 Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2,3, 4, 5

Sandals
  

Also - I can't stop raving about these flip-flops! I only wear flip-flops for yoga, the beach, and walking the dog, however, I can't get enough of this pair with a leather-like look, slight padding, AND they cost less than $13. I have them in hot pink but planning to stock up on more colors before they sell out! What's your favorite brand of flip-flops?

New Combo

Inspiration: Pinterest

Happy Sunday! I wore this aztec top with yellow shorts and turquoise shoes last year. This year, I paired it with lavender and orange-red, inspired by the inspiration photo. Would you wear this color combo?
 
Cardigan: H&M, $18 (similar, similar)
Top: Francesca's Collections, $23 (similar, similar, similar)
Jeans: Rewind c/o Kohl's, old (similar, similar, similar)
Wedges: Guess/DSW, $30 
Nude sandals: Dolce Vita c/o DNA Footwear, $65
Cognac purse: Karen Millen gift, old (similar, vegan)
Purse: Calvin Klein/Saks Off Fifth, $130 (similar, similar)
Necklace: Ily Couture c/o
Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2
 Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2,3, 4

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Franco Sarto  /  Guess  /  Rocket Dog
 Franco Sarto  /  Corso Como  /  BCBGeneration
 Chinese Laundry  /  Liz Claiborne  /  Rocket Dog
  

My May & June Budget

Calvin Klein $130  /  Gap $32  /  F21 $25 (similar, similar, similar)
F21 $20 (similar)  /  Banana Outlet $36 (similar, similar)  /  Gap $9
Total = $252

Here's what I bought with my May budget! My #1 priority this month was finding a nude, buttery soft leather handbag. After searching for a few weeks, I snapped up this Calvin Klein from Saks Off Fifth for a steal. (And have been wearing it non-stop ever since.) The bag took up the majority of my budget, and the remaining items were fun items I found for good prices and couldn't pass up.

Banana $30  /  Gap $14  /  Forever 21 $30 (similar, similar, similar)
Forever 21 $17  /  LOFT $21  /  Guess/Marshall's $25 (similar, similar)
LOFT $18  /  Forever 21  $30  /  Gap $16
Limited $21  /  Gap $20
Total = $242

I'm also sharing a little preview of my June budget. Several of these items I'm not 100% sure about. I haven't seen the Forever 21 items in person yet, and I'm on the fence about the mint Limited shorts.  But here's what I've got so far. My goal for June was shorts and clutches - and that took up about half my budget. I was also hoping to find nude wedges, and had planned to spend up to $75, but found these on clearance at Marshall's for only $25. The mustard sweater was an investment for fall, to replace my current beloved mustard sweater that is looking worn, and the neon cardigan, crochet dress, camo tee and necklace were fun items to add some pizazz to my closet.

 What are your favorite recent finds? What's on your wish list for summer? 

For more info, see "How To Set a Clothing Budget." 

Tropical Prints

Inspiration: FabSugar

Palm prints and flamingos are trending this summer, so I was excited to wear a top from last year that incorporates both trends. (If you look closely it has palm leaves and flamingos printed on it.) See last year's outfit with the top here, and my current top picks under $80 are below! Would you wear a palm or flamingo print?  

Cardigan: H&M, $18 (similar, similar)
Top: Target, $13
Jeans: Gap, $30 (similar, similar)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot, $79
Purse: Melie Bianco c/o, old (similar, similar)
Shoes: Guess/Marshall's, $25 (similar, similar, similar)
Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2
 Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2,  3, 4

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BB Dakota  /  Juicy Couture  /  Victoria's Secret
 Eight Sixty  /  JcPenney  /  ModCloth
Tilly's  /  Mango  /  Macy's

Go Blog Social

Inspiration: Rag & Bone

People ask me about blogging more than any other subject, which is why I'm spilling the beans as the Friday Finale speaker at Go Blog Social in Kansas City on Aug. 2nd! I could not be more excited to meet bloggers in my home state, and share my secrets and personal career story. Early bird registration ends June 15th, so go here to get your tickets before prices go up. I hope to see you there! :-)

Top: TJ Maxx, $15 
Skirt: J.Crew, $45 (similar, similar, similar)
Belt: H&M, $18
Shoes: Nine West c/o, old (similar, similar)
Purse: Karen Millen gift, old (similar, vegan)
Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2
 Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2,  3, 4, 5

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Anne Klein  /  Banana Republic  /  Old Navy
 Old Navy  /  BB Dakota  /  DEPT
 Out of Print  /  Ellen Tracy  /  Anne Klein

My top is from last year, so here are some pretty blue alternatives that would also work with a mustard pencil skirt or jeans!