Texas Ballerina

{Zara top, Forever 21 belt, GAP skirt, Steve Madden oxfords, and Michael Kors watch}

This past week I spent a solid few days cleaning out my mess of a closet. Tucked behind old uniform skirts and pieces that haven't fit since middle school, I found this skirt. When I bought this years ago, it was about mid-calf length. However, now that I have grown, I love how it is sort of like the length and style of a tutu, but with a more prairie feel. And, when paired with a denim button down and pink oxfords, has the perfect mix of feminine frills and a little bit of Texas.

Dress Up

{Pick of the Week}

Red is a color that makes an impact regardless of what it is attached to. Being such a powerful color that creates such a statement, it is sometimes the best in small doses such as red lipstick, a pair of fabulous stilletoes, or nail polish. However, in this case, a dress covered in red makes even bigger of a statement in the same ever classic way. And, with it's jeweled neckline, this Zara dress is already prepped with a necklace and ready to wear. 

I kicked off my last weekend home with a friends birthday on the beach.

What are you all up to this weekend?

Summer Stripes

{Forever 21 dress, purse, and necklace, Sam Edelman heels, and Michael Kors watch}

Although the summer is soon over, the favorite summer stripes can easily transition into fall by trading navy nautical stripes for more autumn colors. I love the way that by adding a bright orange bag, shoes and a necklace in pearl hues, and gold and coral accents can really elevate this dress to something other than just another striped dress. And, with the low-cut back that ends with a bow, helps to finish off the look overall.

Denim Dots Dazzle

{Forever 21 shirt, Topshop pants and heels, and Michael Kors watch}

One of the infinite reasons that I love fashion is that there are literally endless opportunities to meld together new looks from different pieces. While I usually reserve this baggy denim button down for an easy throw on top, when worn with fuzzy dotted powder blue pants (!) and glittery Mary-Jane's, this is one combination that has the perfect mix of trendy and classic. 

BlackWhiteBright

{BDG top and shorts, Michael Kors watch, Christian Siriano purse, and Steve Madden shoes}

The neon trend has been around long enough for there to be different ways that people prefer to pull it off. While going full out neon is definitely a statement style, I prefer my neon measured out in smaller doses. A full neon look may appear more summery, but wearing accent pieces in piercing hues can work year round and still have the same statement effect. So whether you choose a belt, a pair of amazing heels, or a great chartreuse purse like this one, neon accessories are a way to work this bright trend for longer than just the summer.

Where to Wear What

{Forever 21 leotard, Zara skirt, Topshop necklace, Michael Kors watch, and Sam Edelman heels}

The concept of dress codes is quite an interesting one. There are the ones that we feel we must obey by such as "Black Tie" and ones that are more obscure and open-ended like "Dressy Casual" or "Festive." Of course, there are also always those who show up in whatever they please because they feel like it. For my dad's birthday this weekend, we had a late afternoon lunch. While dinner plans seem to be of the dressier nature, I took this late afternoon party to mean "Dressy Casual", or at least my version of it. By dressing up a simple black leotard with a turquoise lace skirt, neon enameled necklace, and throwing on a pair of heels, this was a great combination to feel put together, without feeling out of place.

{The heel on these is so perfectly unexpected. Lovely, right?}

Happy Birthday, dad

Dress Up

{Pick of the Week}

I have been absolutely in love with pairing grey tops and white bottoms since I saw this picture. Grey and white create an ideal combination in that they appear so basic and natural, but are more interesting and uncommon than the usual black and white or navy and white match. The dress for this week is just all of those things. With a laid back and loose fitting racerback top paired with a sheer tulip style skirt, this is a dress that is easy to wear and can be easily styled up or down depending on the occasion because of it's perfect median between casual and elegance. 

Have a great weekend, everyone!