Flirty Florals and Sexy Stripes

Happy Friday!

In recent memory, I have not  been a big fan of floral prints (well, not since 1995) but they are back with a vengeance and I must say, I've jumped back on the bandwagon! Florals are a great way to add a feminine touch to your outfit, and if you're feeling bold, mix it with some stripes!  The trick to mixing these two patterns is to watch the sizing of the patterns. Try to be sure that you match the scale of stripe to the scale of the floral print.  Putting a large/wide stripe skirt with a smaller print floral pattern can look too busy, or mismatched. The best part about mixing these items is that there are no hard and fast rules - its all about what you think looks good. Here are some great pieces you may want to consider adding to your closet this spring!


ASTR Drape Back Floral Top - $46 at Nordstrom

My favorite part of this top is the drape on the back.  This top would look great with a navy striped skirt - or you can subdue it like the model with some crisp white pants!

Floral Wrap Top $49.90  at Zara

This printed top has a tropical feel, and in some styles I think it could look matronly.  But I think in this wrap top, it looks modern, young, and chic. 

Flower Print Trousers $79.90 - at Zara

These cropped pants have a light and comfy feel, and pair well with a gauzy top and sandals. This model is wearing them with flats, but I would pair it with a wedge sandal and a slimmer fitting top.  

Boat Neck Printed Dress 99.90 at Zara

Too bad Easter is past, because this would be the perfect dress to wear for Easter Sunday! I'm obsessed with this dress. The boat neck is super chic, and the pattern is to die for.

Striped Dress with Wide Straps $79.90 at Zara

I love that this dress has varying stripe directions and a belted waist.

Striped Dress $79.90 at Zara

Anyone who knows me, knows how I feel about a tent dress. This is my go to style on weekends and trips - it fits any occasion and body type. (and those days you feel kinda fat...)

Layered Print Dress $79.90 at Zara

This abstract floral patterned dress is broken up with loose flowing layers.

 Striped Dress - Boat Neck $79.90 at Zara

Boat neck. Shift. Stripes. Need I say more? I can wear this to work, to church, to lunch with the girls...it's the perfect go-to!

Ark & Co Stripe Maxi Dress with Cut out back $89.00 at Piperlime

My favorite part of this dress, are the cut outs! I am absolutely obsessed this trend - and I love that it adds a little sex appeal with out revealing too much! 

7 For All Mankind Floral Skinny Jeans - $198 at Piperlime

Not gonna lie, this might be my #1 floral pick of the season. Courtney Kerr debuted these gorgeous pants on her blog last week, and I'm still dying over them. Hurry up though, they are selling out fast :) 

Until Later...

xoxo
M

The Perfect Getaway

Hey Girlies...

I'm trying my hardest not to overshop these days, unless I'm purchasing 'need' items. Since I have 30th Birthday trip planned with all of my College besties, I've been obsessed with building the perfect resort ensembles to take me from the pool, to an evening out!

Here are a few items I found that I think would be some perfect options for my girls' trip!

1. The Perfect beach hat - 

This little number from Michael Stars is a cool $35 and is the solution to looking cute AND keeping the sun off of your face! I've always been a fan of the floppy hats, but sometimes its nice

2. The Perfect Bikini - 

My new favorite type of bikini is the barely there brazillian! I was recently introduced to a designer out of Miami, but made in Brazil - Luli Fama. Now, for those of you who are not quite ready to bare it all, you can buy the normal cut bottom. But, if you're going to go all out (and spend THAT much time at the gym each week) why not just commit and go full brazillian?! I prefer the string triangle top and rouched brazillian bottom, but there are lots of styles for you to pick your favorites!

You can buy this on several different sites including Nordstrom, and Amazon.com.

Here are my favorite patterns:

Samba String Bikini

Spanish Lullaby

3. The Perfect Poolside Shoe - 

Lets be honest, we all have those perfect 3 inch wedges, or the darling leather gladiator sandal that we want to sport poolside at that high end resort or hotel. Those pools are regular fashion runways. I don't know about you, but the last thing I want to do, is ruin my favorite pair of shoes with sunscreen, cholorine or water.  That's why I suggest getting an updated version of the jelly sandal. (yes yes, I know what you're thinking...Old Navy circa 1995) BUT, get this - some of your favorite designers like Ferragamo (see yesterday's post) and Jack Rogers are now making Jelly sandals! Here is my favorite style - The Georgica.

Jack Rogers Georgica Jelly Sandal - $68 at Zappos.com These come in several fun color, and with a price you can't beat, you can get a pair to match all your favorite bikinis!

4. The Perfect Pair of Shades

I got Gayla Kate Spade sunglasses for Christmas and I must admit, I have NEVER been more in love with a pair of sunnies. I have a few more shapes I want to add to my collection that I've included here, as well as some other classics I adore!

Kate Spade Della Cat Eye Sunglasses  - I adore this shape, and they come in so many great colors and prints. I tend to always go for the tortoise shell, but this summer I really want to branch out and get some fun colored glasses!

Kate Spade Gayla Wayfarer Sunglasses

Of course, there is the ever classic Ray-Ban Aviator (found here) - I'm sure you all know the look :)

6. The Perfect Maxi Dress

This is an absolute must. Sure, I love a mini skirt, and a skin baring sun dress, but a maxi dress is perfect way to look chic, while extremely comfy. To me, wearing a maxi dress, is like pjs. I die. (in the words of Rachel Zoe.)

Flying Tomato Havana Maxi Dress - $98 at Piperlime

I'm going to stop here - although anyone who knows me, knows that I am the quintessential over packer and would pack about 100 more "must have items" :) Maybe I'll do another post closer to the trip...when I've found more "gotta have its".

xoxo,

M

Affordable Spring Sandals

This week I had a friend ask me where she could find some fun, functional, and yet affordable sandals.  I think it safe to say that most girls want to look as chic as possible, for as cheaply and comfortably as possible.This season there are some great trends (read: gladiators, everywhere) but, lets be honest, they do not work for all of us. My friend, and me, both are lovers of flat shoes - which I think takes this search to a whole new level. It's easy to walk into any store and find a fantastic 3 inch heeled shoe, but finding a cute flat shoe? Not so much.  I will occasionally indulge in a heel, but after an ankle injury last year (and marrying a shorter guy) I've started trading in the stilettos for some flats.   Here are my picks - enjoy!

Zappos - Sam Edelman Gigi  - $80 from Zappos

The Gigi is one of my favorite styles from Sam Edelman. I have them in a plain black - but as you see below, they have tons of super fun color combos. Check out the link above to find the style shoe that fits your personality, and your wardrobe best!

Sam Edelman Glenna - $44 on 6pm.com

This shoe is much like the Gigi, but it has a some cool stone embellishments on the main strap.  They come in 3 cool colors, and add a bit of a Coachella Vibe to your look!

Salvatore Ferragamo Barbados - $195 at Zappos

OK OK, so these aren't exactly affordable. They are Ferragamo. BUT, if you were ever going to buy Ferragamos, these are THE most affordable. At $195, I think you can make the splurge, have a fun summer shoe, and tout the fact that you are, in fact, wearing Ferragamos. They are jelly - so the fit could be different - but living in South Florida, I see these as the perfect shoe for that flash afternoon thunderstorm (no running barefoot through the parking lot for me!)

Isola Adie  - $79.95 at Zappos

I am not as familiar with this brand of shoe, but when I saw it, I thought it was a great looking shoe, for a reasonable price.  It embodies a few of my favorite things, gold hardware, zippers, and studs. So first off, I love the gold toe detail, I think it just takes this sandal up a notch and makes it more expensive looking. It also mimics the stud trend that Valentino went to town with this past fall (Is anyone else devastated that those shoes required the sale of a major organ to afford??? Totally devastated.)  Finally, I love the zipper. Let's face it, I'm lazy. Buckles take forever, and most of the time you're already dressed, and who wants to be bending over or sitting on the floor to put on shoes? Zippers all the way.

Kenneth Cole Reaction Snipity Snap - $49 at Zappos

This shoe comes in several colors - and honestly I couldn't decide which one I liked the most! The Gold on Orange color scheme on this shoe I think is great for summer, and will go with alot of color palates - but you go with what works best for you!

DV by Dolce Vita Archer - $27-29 on 6pm.com

I'm a huge fan of DV by Dolce Vita, and with a price like this - these shoes will not last for long! I love them in the gold and black. I think the tipped toe and the gold bar are perfect accents, and the dainty lines will make your foot look elongated and thin.

DV by Dolce Vita Aileen - $27 at 6pm.com

Here is another DV by Dolce Vita sandal with a rounded leather strap and of course, gold detailing (are you sensing a trend here?).

Sperry Top Sider Everton $24.99 at 6pm.com

Ok, so I know this shoe is not for everyone - but it has a tassel. And, I can't resist a tassel.  Sperry makes a great shoe, and I love the snake skin/tassel combo. I think this would be a very comfy shoe, and it would go with anything!

Steve Madden Bant - $38.97 at 6pm.com

This shoe has a different gold hardware - the chain. I have these sandals in brown without the back strap and I wear them to death. Its a great shoe that is really elevated by the chain, and for that price, how can you beat it?

Boutique 9 7Palanee3 - $16.50 on 6pm.com

So, these shoes are practically free. I am OBSESSED with neon anything - and especially love it when paired with a neutral like this tan. This comes in several colors - check it out and pick out your fave! (I also added the leopard print version as well...)

Corso Como friendship - $35.55 on 6pm.com

This shoe plays off of the hurachi trend a little without going too far.  I love Corso Como because their soles are always very comfy and padded.

Steve Madden P-Trivol - $39.99 at 6pm.com

I don't know about you, but when i was a kid, my favorite shoes were my white hurachis! I'm pumped this trend is coming back and while these aren't exactly like the ones I had, they are so cute!

Steve Madden Reader Gold Snake color $39.99 at 6pm.com

No need to rehash all the great features on this shoe - but it incorporates several elements that we've seen in the shoes above -- but this shoe takes it to the next level with the gold plates on the heel. Do you love it? I do!

DV by Dolce Vita Ayden  $31.99 at 6pm.com

This shoe is very similar to Aileen but it doesn't have the knot by the toe. It also allows you to pick out contrasting colors as well. So, if you love the Aileen, you might love these too!

Vince Camuto Magda (petal rose gold) - $39.99 at 6pm.com

Olivia Palermo loves perforated leather, and so do I! This shoe has a cute bow on the front, a fun sparkly strap, and yet is a neutral sandal.

That's all for now, until next week!

xoxo

M

Crop Top Queen

Spring is here (sort of) for the most part, and I for one am already dying over sun dresses, tank tops, and of course, crop tops. For anyone that knows me, they know that when I find a trend I love, I embrace it. Perhaps to a fault at times. So, for those of you that are like me, and obsessed with the resurgence of the crop top, enjoy this blog post :) I did try and find some tops that have greater coverage for those of your who love the crop top, but don't necessarily want to bare it all.
Zara Strappy Studio Top

I love that this top gives you a little more coverage, but has the tied back to show a little visual interest.

Zara Studio Top - I just love the tie part of this top - it makes a plain crop top look absolutely stunning from behind!

Zara Cross Over Top

Asos Wide Stripe Shell Crop Top - I love to pair this top with a pair of green and navy polka dot shorts (see my other postings) This shirt has tons of versatility!

Countdown to Spring

Since most of us are trapped in a Polar Vortex, its a nice distraction to start thinking about Spring, and a wardrobe change! I love switching out my closet, its almost like Christmas each year as I unpack my clothes! However, if you're like me, you always feel like those "in between months" are SO hard to dress for as one minute its snowing, and the next minute, its 70. My posts for the next several weeks are going to be highlighting outfit ideas that are great for transitioning from winter to spring - or just for those of us whose winter is 70 degrees :)

1. Tunics: I found this tunic top on Zara, and immediately wanted it! The 3/4 length sleeve with oh so trendy mesh inserts is a great piece to layer with leggings and maybe boots or ballet flats! When it gets warm out, wear it as a mini dress for a girls' night out on the town!

 

2. Embellished Leggings: Leggings are pants. I don't care what anyone says. And there really is nothing better than bedazzled leggings. I found these gems at Express (which BTW, is really stepping up their game these days...). I'm in love with these fun pants - check them out!

3. Mixed Media Tops - One of my favorite trends is mixing different types of fabrics - and in many ways, this style allows you to transition your pieces into other seasons.  I love this top from Asos - has a nice heavy ponte cotton front, with a breezy cool chiffon back.

 

That's all for this week...Here's to warmer weather!