Summer Dresses with Fall Layers

Where do I begin! I have been at school since the end of August, and it has been an extremely busy semester. To start it off, I cut my thumb on a mandolin the day before the first day of classes. If you ever watch the Food Network, you’ll know what a mandolin is. It has been healing nicely, but for the first few weeks of school I had my friends help bandage me, and it was difficult to do a bunch of silly tasks like put my hair up. 

Secondly, I was busy with formal sorority recruitment. I decided to be a recruitment guide this fall, so I helped take the women who were rushing to each chapter and served as an unbiased guide. A part of the process for the recruitment guides is disaffiliating from your chapter until the end of recruitment. This meant nobody could know what sorority I was from or see pictures of me with other affiliated women on social media. With all this going on, I wanted to wait until after recruitment to start blogging again.

At the end of summer, I was able to purchase some light cotton dresses from H&M. I love the skater style of the dress, and I knew that this was an item that I would be able to wear transitioning into the colder months. We have been lucky with some warmer, light jacket weather, and this dress is perfect for that. 

The dress is a tropical pattern in navy and white, so I layered it with my green surplus jacket from American Eagle to contrast against the design.

Purse: M.A.C. bag by Rebecca Minkoff

Bracelets (bottom to top): Aeropostale, Francesca's Collections, Alex + Ani, Gift

 Rings: Forever 21

I paired this outfit up with my staple summer shoes, my white Converse. Sometimes you have to wear white after labor day. 

I can’t believe how it is already October. Midterms are already next week and Homecoming for my school is this weekend. I am on the Homecoming court, so I am going to be extremely busy this weekend, but it will be a lot of fun to have my family come up and celebrate with me. I am trying to balance everything in order to survive the semester, because what I really love doing is blogging and sharing with you all. Now that some of the chaos is over, I am hoping to be able to blog more outfits and stay on top of things happening in fashion.

I know I have talked a lot in this post, but I am excited to get back into the swing of writing again!

Until next time.

Geometric Graphics

Dressing up a cotton t-shirt is easy to do by throwing a blazer over top. It is great for "jean" Fridays at the office, or dressing up a casual outfit for night.

My top is from the Peter Pilotto collection for Target. I love the bold geometric pattern combined with the vibrant green accent. I love cotton graphic T's because they have the flexibility to be worn a bunch of different ways and allow you to be comfortable. 

I wore my jeans from Oldnavy and a simple black blazer overtop from H&M. These basic pieces contrast well with a graphic design of the shirt.

Pineapple Bracelet: Alex & Ani

Black Jewel Bracelet: Aldo

Hourglass Necklace: Marc Jacobs

I topped off the look with my simple black pumps.

Graphic T's can be worn for a variety of events with the right pieces paired beside them. 

Best,

Periwinkle and Pearls

So it's officially my last week at my internship. It is bittersweet, but I am looking forward to moving into my new apartment with my best friends in just a few weeks.

In other news, I purchased a curling iron! I suck at curling hair, but decided to commit to making my locks look smooth and voluminous. You can see the results below... Not bad for my first REAL attempt?

I decided to wear my periwinkle top from Francesca's Collections this past week. The top is flowy for summer, but the long sleeves will transition well for fall. 

I love the detailing of the gold and pearl on the buttons.

My arm jewelry is a combination of gold hardware and pearls to mimic the details in my top.

Pyramid Bracelet: Aeropostale

Hamsa Bracelet: Francesca's Collections

Peace Bracelet: Gift

Watch, Ring and Purse: Kate Spade

(I happen to like Kate Spade things...)

Golden Loafers: Urban Outfitters

I hope you have been enjoying the end of summer as much as I have. I just went to my first Indians game of the season this past week, and it was a blast. A summer is not complete without some baseball, so I am happy to have filled that void before going back to school. 

What is something you have to do before the summer ends? 

Until next time,

Something Blue

It is almost August (crazy, right?) There have been so many weddings this summer that I was inspired to post an outfit that could be worn for any dressy, warm-weathered occasion. 

I actually wore this dress for my spring sorority formal in April. It has a vintage flare that is flattering for  my body type, and can be easily dressed up for a variety of events. I was immediately drawn to the bright blue, and the flowery textile.

 I purchased this dress from Banana Republic, which I love for their unique finds, and variety of upscale clothing items at a reasonable price. 

I am also obsessed with the open back.

My earrings are a clip-on vintage find, that pick up the iridescent blue in the dress and mimic the flowered textile. 

I wore my open toed, glittered heels by Steve Madden that add extra sparkle to the outfit.

as well as my two-toned clutch from Francesca's Collections.

I have been eager to post this blue dress, but in the spirit of wedding season, I decided to wait until my parents wedding anniversary. I hope you find the perfect dresses to wear for special occasions in your life.

Until next time,

Coral Patterns

It's no secret I like button downs. If it has a niche and clever pattern adorned across it, definitely a bonus. 

JCrew has just a huge variety of patterned shirts for every season that I have to restrain myself from purchasing. However, I recently caved to buy one at their summer sale. 

I couldn't resist this geometric coral reef pattern paired with a blue and white stripe detail around the collar and buttons. It had my name written all over it, plus it was only $25 dollars.

I paired it with my pointed polka-dot flats from the GAP, because what goes better with a coral patterned shirt than coral colored shoes?

I wore this with jeans because it was in the 60's, but I would also pair it with navy or white chino shorts in warmer weather. 

 I've also decided that everyone looks cooler with aviators, and I got this mirrored pair from Target. This pair has been a staple accessory in my summer wardrobe.

I recently got back from the third weekend of New Student Orientation at my University and it was such a blast (pics below!) I am more exhausted than ever and just spent my Sunday afterwards watching movies and making Indian food. I couldn't be more excited for my post-work nap tomorrow and hopefully going on a run to work off all of the McDonalds and Taco Bell I have consumed from quick meals during the weekend.

Until next time,

A Dress So Nice, I Bought it Twice

Somehow, it became mid-July and the summer has slipped beneath my finger tips. Once the 4th of July passes, I feel that time just flies and the next thing you know, you're back at school. I have been having such a great summer and spending lots of time outside, with friends, and enjoying some great food.

I have been on the hunt for the perfect red dress, and I found this little number from JCrew.

I actually loved this item so much from their summer sale, that I also purchased it in black.

I like this dress because you can easily dress it up for going out, or put on a blazer or cardigan for work. I wore my black triangle necklace from Target to add some dimension and enhance the look.

Shoes: Ann Taylor

Watch: Kate Spade

This dress proves to be a flattering cut for my body, and is extremely comfortable to wear all day-- from 7:30 am for work, to 10:30 pm for drinks. A simple swap of accessories makes all the difference in changing up the look of this classic dress.

Lastly, I learned that when something is this good, buy it in another color too.

Until next time,

Wearing Black For Summer

There is a myth that you shouldn't wear black during the summer. It less taboo than wearing white past labor day, but it is still a fashion "rule" by many. 

In short, don't listen to made up rules. No matter the season, black will always be a staple in my wardrobe-- and should be in yours too!

I recently picked up this peplum blouse from JCrew. This sleeveless top is a perfect light weight and textured fabric for the warmer months.

Being close to the 4th of July, JCrew (and many other stores) are having amazing sales. JCrew had 50% off their clearance, and were also utilizing a 15% off student discount. Incase you can't do math-- that's 65% off already reduced items. Basically unheard of at JCrew.

 If you are an avid sale shopper like me, these are the kinds of deals that make waiting worth it. 

I paired the top with my skinny green khaki pants from Gap.

I purchased this funky, black and white chevron watch from Francesca's Collections. Basically, I saw this watch and knew I needed to have it. You can never have enough watches, right?

You can purchase it by clicking here-- and they also carry a variety of different colors!

My pave chain-linked bracelet is from Ann Taylor. 

These neutral black and green sandals are from Madewell.

I hope you all are having a great summer, and are finding some great sales. Between my internship and being a part of the New Student Orientation staff at my school, I haven't had as much time to go shop-- but I have been lucky to fall upon some great finds!