adding interest through details

 

At first glance (the first few pictures), this looks like a basic black A-line dress. Nothing special, nothing fancy, just an average black dress that could lean "LBD", or could lean "plain black sundress."

But, on closer inspection, I've added a few details to make this dress a little more than a plain black dress. This dress has a basket-weave-esque texture, and contouring seams on the front.

And what else did I add to create a little more interest to this black dress? A fancy statement necklace, borrowed from Rocksbox, a black beaded cuff bracelet, black fringe-y sandals, and a rose-gold ring, also borrowed from Rocksbox.

Just a few additions and changes, and you can easily alter the look of a dress, or any outfit. Exhibit A: the last time I wore this dress on the blog - it was to a wedding. And this time, to work. 

Had any recent successes wearing and/or styling a piece in several different ways?

dress: Target

necklace & ring: Rocksbox

bracelet: Target

sandals: Kohl's

stripes & neon

I feel like I might have used this title before, non?

Regardless, it applies here, even if I've used it before. Today we have a striped dress, picked for me by my husband, for my birthday two years ago. It's striped, but "Lilly Pulitzer" is sprinkled throughout the stripes in cursive, making this dress anything BUT a basic, striped, A-line dress.

The neon sandals were a BIG hit. Surprisingly. Even a few men commented on my shoes - and not along the lines "WOW. Can see you coming from a mile away." more along the lines of "Oh, cute shoes." And I've worn these several times before to my office...odd?

I digress.

In other news, I'm (still) having a hard time switching back to my "regular" life after a lovely vacation - isn't that always the case?

*sigh*

take me back to the ocean!

or, at least back to my friends!

dress: Lilly Pulitzer

sandals: Target

necklace: Old Navy

linking up:

Sydney Fashion Hunter // Cappuccino & Fashion

summer swag from Aéropostale

What feels like ages ago (but was really only a few weeks ago), I stopped by my closest Aéropostale store and picked up some new items for this summer. I found a new denim jacket to replace the one currently in my closet, a new sports bra (!!!), a chambray with lace detail, a fringe-y vest, and a lightweight open-knit hoodie.

All fun (new!) things that you'll see on the blog in the next few days, so keep your eyes open ;)

chambray: Long Sleeve Battenburg Lace Woven Shirt (exact) // similar chambray 

blue sports bra: Sports Bra (similar)

denim jacket: Medium Wash Denim Jacket (similar)

long fringe vest: Tokyo Darling Fringed Slub-Knit Vest

hoodie: Sheer V-Neck Popover Hoodie

Be sure to check out some of the fun summer items Aéropostale has before fall hits.

summertime monochrome

All black might seem a little too dark for the summer, but, done correctly, it can be very chic, methinks. A lightweight black sun dress, a light black/dark gray chambray (to make it work appropriate), and black fringe-y sandals are all it took to create this layered summer look. I'll probably recreate it again, and soon - maybe in a slightly different color scheme?

What is it about monochrome that I just luuuurvvvvve?

black dress: thrifted (Target)

dark chambray: Old Navy

black sandals: Kohl's

necklace: borrowed from Rocksbox

linking up:

Work Clothes, I Suppose // The Red Closet Diary

a bulldog to match my pants

Hi hi! I'm back! Back again after a lovely vacation with great friends. I'm happy to be home, but not looking forward to re-entering the real world. But, blogging and watching NetFlix is a good first step, right?

Anyways - that handsome pup up there matches my white pants. No, I didn't wear them to play in the grass with him, but I did throw his tennis ball quite a few times.

And also, I'm on the look out for new white pants. These work for now, but just know that I'm hoping to replace them sometime in the near future.

purple button-up: from a friend, who got it from American Eagle

white pants: Old Navy

black sandals: Kohl's

necklace: borrowed from Rocksbox

linking up:

DC in Style // Sydney Fashion Hunter

Shopping My Closet // The Red Closet Diary

unavailable

Hi!

Still here, just unavailable to post this week, and probably part of next. Busy, busy girl around these parts.

And currently, I'm letting some other important things take precedence. Important being subjective, and open to interpretation, i.e. a pedicure, taking my pup to the vet again, seeing friends, and taking time for me.

talk to you soon :)

rompin' with the peonies

I'll keep it short and bulleted today, since my last post was quite the behemoth (sorry, and thanks if you made it all the way to the end!)

1) this romper was a gift for my birthday (in March), and this was my first opportunity to wear it. Thanks, Ed & KB. #corpvsmgmt

2) above is the pink peony bush that lives in my backyard. love it.

and to think, I almost let D pull it up when we moved in...

2.5) I know, I know - peonies are SUCH a blogger cliche. In my defense, they're purdy, they smell nice, these ones lives at my house, and they were in my wedding bouquet before I even knew what Instagram was.

3) Happy 4th of July! Happy Birthday, America! Happy Independence Day! We're off to celebrate with dear friends - hope you get to celebrate the many freedoms that we enjoy in our great nation, because of the brave men and women who fight for it. 

3.5) no, this outfit is not very patriotic, nor "themed", but if you need some ideas for what to wear on this festive day, look no further than here, here, and oh, here, too.

Ta ta!

romper: gift

sandals: Kohl's