Army

 Charlotte Russe romper (on sale for $20!) // Banana Republic wedges // Francesca's necklace // Michael Kors watch 

The middle of August is an interesting time for getting dressed here in Houston. With fall and September on the horizon, you can't help but start to think of bringing your sweaters and ankle boots out of hiding. But with temperatures still in the hundreds daily, I've found that you can satisfy those excited fall feelings by simply starting to incorporate the fall colors. Enter: this army green romper. 

The sleeveless/high-neck combination is unlike any that I have in my closet, and the skort style with a d-ring belt adds a simple detail. I've found that these little design elements are important in this style of romper on me because it helps to break it up on my shorter torso and bring in the waist. 

Hope everyone has a great start to the week!

Pink Lady

| Dress: GAP | Shoes: Sam Edelman via Nordstrom's Rack | Sunglasses: Moschino kids via TKMax in London | Purse: 3.1 Philip Lim for Target | Black puff: Z Gallerie | Watch: Michael Kors | Rings: David Yurman + Syracuse class ring |

 Well hello again! Most of my days lately have been spent applying to jobs in my pj's until late in the afternoon so I haven't really gotten dressed for pictures but I'm definitely ready to get back into it. These are from a few weeks back but with the typical Houston heat we have, this is something I would definitely throw on any day.

When the heat is as strong and exhausting as it is here, I am a big believer in pieces that are light but still feel crisp and put together. I had been eyeing this dress at Gap for a while and when they had a special and it was an extra 1/2 off, I went for it. With it's pretty pleated back, D ring tie belt, and sheer pink color it has the perfect details for such a classic dress that make it unique and wearable. As for the leopard flats, when I saw the dress in the store somehow all I could think about was that it would look great with leopard and that I had to try it out. Does that happen to anyone else when they go shopping?

Dog Days of Summer

/ H&M dress (old) but this one is cute!  / Cotton On purse / J. Crew sandals / Anthropologie sunglasses / Michael Kors watch /

In the rules I set out for cleaning my closet, this dress should have been a goner. I hadn't worn it in at least 6 years, I had to fix the hem, and I wasn't sure it even fit anymore. However, something aside from the adorable scottie dog print made me hang it back up and I am so glad I did because this weekend I went to the 38th Annual Houston Dog Show! A bit of hem tape (quick fix!) and fast iron and this dress was the perfect piece to wear to an event all about dogs. The red sandals picked up on the bows on the scotties and I definitely felt like the most festive human at the event. The dogs, however, were dressed to the nines. 

Nellie didn't end up attending the show, but she did make a few photo appearances. 

I hope everyone had a great weekend and is ready for a fresh start to the week. 

Purple Haze

// Gypsy 05 top (via Marshalls!) // Vintage Levi's (via Urban Outfitters) // Cotton On purse // Banana Republic wedges (similar here) // Francesca's initial necklace // Anthopologie sunglasses //

Even though I'm not up to much during the day right now, getting dressed in something other than pajamas always makes me feel a little better. On days when I don't quite feel like wearing a dress, vintage cropped denim and the prettiest purple top feel just as put together but on the more casual side. I've always been a fan of Gypsy 05, but it wasn't until I spotted this top the other week that I knew it needed to come home with me. There are so many details I love from the ruffles on the sleeves, the tied front and the delicate bottom it is the perfect summer top. Also, how amazing is the greyish purple color?!

Palm Beach Prints

 Em & Lee / Willa dress // Forever 21 purse // Sam Edelman sandals (via Nordstrom's Rack)-- shorter style here // Anthropologie sunglasses // 'L' initial necklace from Francesca's

Don't you just love when you find a piece and instantly picture the outfit(s) that you're going to make with it? I went shopping last weekend with a few of my girlfriends at a favorite Houston boutique, Em & Lee, and before I even tried on this dress I just knew it was going to be one of my latest obsessions. Pink and orange have always been a favorite color combination of mine (ahem, ahem...my header) and there are so many perfect details to this piece that make it fabulous. From the cheerful print, the fringed hem on the sleeves and the pretty lace trim that runs down the center, there wasn't a thing I didn't love.

But besides the dress (which is sheer down the front so I had to wear something like this underneath), I thought that a bright orange bag and neutral sandals would complement perfectly for an afternoon of trying a new favorite coffee shop in downtown Houston. If you haven't already been, Tout Suite is a must! I may or may not have been twice in one week :) 

What is everyone doing for the 4th? This year my family and I are heading to Austin for a few days. Hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable long weekend!

Leopard, Stripes and Lace

Forever 21 dress (similar) / Sam Edelman shoes / Anthropologie sunglasses / 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target purse with pom pom from Z Gallerie / Michael Kors watch

Out of all of the dress that I have, this is definitely one of my favorites. The combination of delicate white lace contrasted with the harsh black stripes was unique, and the drop waist style was comfortable and easy to wear during the summer months. Since I've had it, I have found how wearable and versatile it actually is. I unexpectedly decided to try it out with a recent leopard flat purchase, and loved the outcome that came with adding another pattern into the mix. 

It's been quite dreary and rainy here in Houston the past few days, so hopefully it will brighten up before the 4th comes around. Happy July, everyone!

Leopard // Snakeskin

/ 1.State top via Lord and Taylor / Forever 21 shorts (old) / H&M clutch / Banana Republic wedges (old) / and Michael Kors watch / 

Pattern mixing used to be one of my favorite things to do--stripes and floral, leopard and camouflage, you name it and I would mix and match them. More recently I've been into toning it down a bit (or at least trying to refine the mashup) and this is what I came up with for a more post-grad look to the younger way I would dress before. Choosing two patterns (a sort of heart shaped leopard and colored snakeskin), I kept the prints a similar size and used a neutral top with interesting textures and wedges in a similar color as my silky shorts to pull everything together. 

PS: Sorry the coloring is a bit off--the lighting was a bit difficult to brighten :)

Dressy / Casual

/ Vintage Levi's (via Urban Outfitters) / Target booties (old) / Kate Spade top (via Nordstrom's Rack) / H&M coat (old, $15!) / 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target purse / Michael Kors watch / 

In not posting for a while, I found a few photos that I had taken over the past few months that I didn't find the time to actually put up. But hey, how amazing is this coat? I had to share. 

Being the sort of coat hoarder that I am, I will find any reason to add a new coat to my collection. However, when I found this one a few years ago at H&M marked down to $15 I couldn't resist. The metallic sheen and cropped sleeves seemed like a fresh addition to my wardrobe, and the weight of it makes it perfect for transition weather. With the coat being the main statement, keeping the rest to classic neutrals like vintage cuffed denim, black ankle boots, and a grey shell with just the right amount of detail on the sleeves seemed like the perfect additions to pull the rest of the look together.

New Bohemia

/ Forever 21 dress / J.Crew sandals / Cotton On purse / Michael Kors watch / David Yurman + Syracuse University class ring  / 

In thinking of describing my sense of style, bohemian is not a word that I typically use, though one I wish I could pull it off better.  I had been eyeing this Free People dress for a while, but with the higher price tag, and a bit unsure of how to style it, I resisted. Luckily though, on a quick trip to Forever 21 with some girlfriends a few days ago, I spotted this look alike and instantly snatched it up. It is surprisingly wearable, in a fresh length to my wardrobe and I feel like it makes me even walk with the sort of sway that I associate with bohemian pieces and gauzy fabrics. 

Sequins + Sneakers

 

/ J.Crew Sweatshirt (on sale!) / Zara skirt (old) / Nike sneakers / Wallet from Target / Michael Kors watch / David Yurman ring /

I love when a classic wardrobe staple, like a grey sweatshirt, gets an update. I had spotted this J.Crew version online and after keeping a gift card from there for far too long, realized that this was a perfect opportunity and piece to use it on. The sequin trim is just the right amount of sparkle for the simple shape and helps contrast with the sneakers. While I was never really a sneaker fan until about a year ago, I love how you can pair them with so many styles and they can instantly make your outfit casual and cooler at the same time. Sequins, chiffon, and sneakers--what more could you want in a casual look?