Mid-Week Celebration

Just a few bangles to help me get through the day. It can only get better after yesterday, right?

Spike the Punch

I first saw these amazing necklaces popping up on Pinterest and then featured this past week on Cheetah is the New Black. It seems like I acted right in time by purchasing one of my own because now they're all on back order. My neon orange necklace arrived this weekend and I can't wait to use it to dress up basic tees or on its own as a statement piece. Half the fun of ordering on Etsy is the great packaging that accompanies the items. I hope Elizabeth adds bracelets to her shop soon!

Fall's Arrival

It's finally here. Today went from the upper seventies down to the low sixties and it's even supposed to dip into the forties overnight! The time has come to break out the fall boots and layers and I'm actually pretty excited about it. Off to sushi date night-my favorite!

New Additions

I love these rhinestone bracelets from J. Crew. I found the bright yellow one back in May, but the color selection was limited. Fast forward to last weekend, when I was browsing the new fall collection (especially the adorable pencil skirts) and stumbled upon lots of new bracelet colors. I think the orange one is my new favorite!

Post Office Goodies

There's nothing better than going to get your mail and finding not one, but two surprises! Thanks to my mom and Tiane for sending some fun stuff my way. I can't wait to check out Dexter. My little sister loves that show!

Friends Forever

I've been spotting more and more friendship bracelets around the blogosphere and in stores, so I was inspired to make some of my very own. After at least five failed attempts and multiple knotty messes of thread, I finally re-read the directions in this tutorial (for the millionth time) and figured out what I was doing wrong (a lot, as it turns out). I'm finally starting to get into a good rhythm and actually see a pattern! I can't wait to make a more complicated pattern, like a chevron stripe.

Between the clay bangles, Sally Hansen nail effects, and now these friendship bracelets, I've completely reverted into a 13 year old. Equal parts fun and embarrassing!

P.S. You have to see all the great friendship bracelets here. Maegan hates them, but she has some really pretty pictures.

Tribal Tribute

I scored this colorful scarf from Aldo recently for under $10! I've already worn it multiple times. It's a great way to dress up basic tees and tanks and an easy way to wet your feet in the major tribal-print trend. Also, it's hard to see in my photo, but there are little gold sequins and peachy tassels around the edges. For more summer scarf inspiration, check out Erin Ever After. I especially love her picks from Madewell.

Budget Baubles

I typically don't wear a lot of jewelry, but when I spotted these earrings at Forever 21 I couldn't resist. I think they'd be a fun way to dress up some basic tops and tees. I really like the nautical feel of the rope detail on the hoops and the little rhinestones on the floral orbs. For less than four dollars a pair they were definitely a steal and will be making their debut on my Chicago trip in just two short days!

It's Here!

I have to say that after a hellish three days, I was beyond thrilled to find that my Curly in the City clutch had arrived. Let me say it was totally worth the wait. Taylor did such a great job on this that I know I'll be ordering another one (and you should too). Check out her Etsy shop here and scoop one of these babies up before they're all gone! Thanks again to Danielle for having such a great giveaway. I cannot wait to take it with me to Chicago when I visit next week!

Clutch and Go

By now you've probably all seen the American Apparel leather carry-all pouch on at least one of your favorite blogs. The first time I saw Bee from Atlantic-Pacific photographed with hers, I was smitten. Its simple, versatile shape and bold colors are the perfect complement to so many outfits (and the $50 price tag is completely justifiable). I love carrying a clutch when I go out on the weekends because it forces me to whittle my typically overstuffed bag down to the bare essentials.

Taylor from Curly in the City has a great DIY for the clutch, but since I don't have a sewing machine, I've been pleading my mom to make one for me (and waiting patiently for Taylor to open her Etsy shop, whichever comes first!). I just saw on Twitter that American Apparel has finally restocked the bags with a slew of fun new colors for summer. I'm thinking of snatching one up in buttercup (a bright yellow) and maybe even stone (a pale grey). In the meantime, check out some of my favorite bloggers and how they've styled the carry-all.

Carolina at Fashion Squad




Bee at Atlantic-Pacific (especially love the tied-on ribbon in the first photo!)


Taylor from Sterling Style


Kelly from the Glamourai

Do you love the clutch as much as I do?

Outfit Envy

I've been a busy cleaning bee all morning, but had to take a quick break and share this lovely outfit (and blog) with you! The styling is complete perfection and her blog, Atlantic-Pacific, is fabulous as well. Thanks to my little sister for pointing me in the right direction on this one. It was a nice reprieve from all the sorting and folding of this monstrosity.

Does anyone know if Louis Vuitton still makes a bag/cosmetic case/dopp kit in that style? I have a major crush on it and want to make it mine.

Chic Chignon

I was finally able to locate spin pins at Target this weekend and, inspired by Tiane's fabulous hair tutorial, set out to recreate her big bun. The result: this super-easy, slightly undone updo. It's a great alternative to my usual ponytail and the spin pins held on my first try. That never happens with my extra fine hair.

So, what do you think?

What's All the Hoopla?

I'm definitely a hoops kinda girl when it comes to earrings. I have all different styles and sizes, but my favorites are usually simple, medium-sized, and plain gold or silver. I've been looking for a versatile pair for fall that has a little something extra to them and I think I may have found just that! I came across these glam teardrop-shaped hoops at Antropologie and I'm in love. The colors are perfect to incorporate with so many pieces in my wardrobe and they're even sparkly! I'm going to keep looking for a fun headband, too!

Seeing Spots

I kind of love/need this Alexander McQueen scarf for fall. It's leopard print and has his signature skulls mixed in too! Two fun patterns in one gorgeous scarf, what could be better?

Borrow From Your Boyfriend

Lately, I've really enjoyed flipping through all of the great fall fashion magazines that are in circulation. I get kind of giddy when the September issues start to arrive, mostly because they're thicker than all of the summer issues combined! One of my favorite trends is clothing and accessories inspired by menswear, including relaxed fit jeans, boyfriend cardigans, structured bags, and sophisticated glasses. I wouldn't recommend wearing everything at once, but a few pieces mixed into your wardrobe could look polished without being overly masculine. I'm especially loving those horn-rimmed glasses! Feeling really bold? Throw one of your boyfriend's oxford shirts over jeggings and cinch it with a cute leather belt paired with flats. Easy, right?!








blazer, watch, sweater, handbag, eyeglasses, jeans

Bountiful Bangles

Alex and Ani


Marc by Marc Jacobs

Madewell


Fenton/Fallon for J. Crew

Cara

I can't get enough of layering lots of chunky bracelets lately. I kind of feel like Miss Havisham when I go out with an arm full of jewels! It's a fun way to accessorize and you can minimize other jewelry so the bangles really stand out. These are just some of my favorite pieces right now.

Which ones would you incorporate into your look?

Shark Attack

I know I'm a little late on this one, seeing as Shark Week just ended, but I'm still posting it anyway. I think this pave ring makes a serious statement and is really fun, too! My sisters and I used to rent one of the Jaws movies almost every time our parents took us to Blockbuster back in the day. Yes, we even watched the cheesy Sea World one where the tourists got trapped in the underwater walkway at least 63 times. The original is still my favorite and I love that it was filmed in nearby Martha's Vineyard. I only wish that summer could be extended by about a month so I could fit in more long weekend trips. Next summer, Martha's Vineyard will be at the top of my list.

Have you enjoyed your summer thus far?

Burch Buys

I'm currently crushing on these great items over at Tory Burch. She is such a classy lady and I could see myself with a closet full of her staples.

I love the worn-in chambray shirttrend, and this one seems perfect. I'm still debating whether or not I'd pair it with darker jeans, though. Thoughts?


This dress is so simple and chic, but the subtle gold shimmer really takes it to the next level. I love how the asymmetrical shoulder keeps it looking modern.


I love the pretty sequin detailing on these cap sleeves. I prefer the tee in crisp white, but it was featured in Glamour (as styled by Lauren Conrad) and is now totally sold out. It would look equally as good with jeans as it would with a skirt or even tailored pants.


This casual clutch has a beachy feel, but could still transition from everyday use to cocktails out with friends on a warm summer night.

And my all-time favorite: her new line of evil-eye jewelry. So pretty! You can read all about the beliefs associated with wearing the evil-eye here.


Which looks do you love?

Charmed

I kind of have to have this bracelet. When I first saw it in a magazine, I figured it was made by Chanel (hence the number 5), but I did some research and found that it's actually made by Archive, a vintage-inspired line of affordable bijoux. The best part? You can customize the number to include your lucky number. I'm thinking of ordering three of them with the number 3 (one for each of my sisters and myself). So, girls, if you're reading this, you have to be surprised if I do end up gifting it to you. It would be sort of like a modern charm/friendship bracelet and a great way to stay connected even when we're apart (awww). I've gotten even more sentimental as I've gotten older. Scary.

I think it would look great layered with some other chunky bracelets, don't you?!

Closet Envy

I've been ogling these closet shots from Kelly of The Glamourai all week. I only wish I used my closet space this efficiently. It's ridiculously amazing. I love that it's not an incredibly large closet, but it takes advantage of all of the vertical space. I never even thought about arranging my shoes on the top shelves of my closet. Brilliant. I desperately need a closet intervention. Like NOW.

Are you this organized? What are your tricks of the trade?