Blue x White Summer Style

Fall may officially be around the corner in just 2 weeks, however we've been experiencing quite the heat wave these past weeks. We hit 107 degrees last weekend, so naturally we escaped to the coolest place we could find-Monterey, just 90 mins south-it was perfection! Right now I feel as though we're enjoying an endless summer, which is fine by me as a lover of dresses, pastels, light + airy fabrics and sunshine warming my skin.

This adorable peter pan ruffle sleeve top was a new addition to my closet that pairs well with white denim, shorts and long maxi skirts, red bottoms make for a fun patriotic look as well. Right now it's on sale for just $17 and comes in a gingham print also.

For me, finding a quality pair of white jeans that are thick enough not to be see-through, yet have a bit of stretch and are comfortable and offer the right fit has been a bit of a challenge, but as always Ann Taylor never disappoints. I own a lot of their denim, what I've found is that their modern fit skinny jeans always fit me perfectly, and since my inseam is 34", I love that they offer tall lengths which is what I'm wearing here (they also offer petite and regular length also).

These days, whether I'm meeting Realtors and Staging clients for work or chasing my busy 4-year-old around, I find flats make the most sense. While I adore heels, I spent this summer investing in more cute, comfortable flats and sandals that are versatile enough to wear on a Monday or a Saturday. These fringe ankle wrap sandals in a nude color are my current favorite right now, they dress up an outfit without being too fussy.

SHOP THIS LOOK:

TOP:   Make Me Chic  //   JEANS:  Ann Taylor  ( 40% OFF now w/ code: FRIENDS40 )

  SANDALS:  Steve Madden sold out (identical here | similar here | wedge version here)     

BAG: Local Shop (similar here, here, here)

SUNGLASSES: Target  (similar- Ray Ban)   //   EARRINGS:  Ann Taylor (40% OFF)

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WEEKEND SALES:

If you're stocking up on end of summer items or building your fall wardrobe,
here is a list of amazing sales running right now from my favorite shops!

ANN TAYLOR- 40% OFF your purchases w/code: FRIENDS40
ANTHROPOLOGIE -Extra 25% OFF Sale
BANANA REPUBLIC-Up to 40% of suits, blazers, pants + more
J.CREW - Up to 70% OFF original prices
LOFT - Buy One, Get One 50% OFF
H&M -Up to 80% OFF
NINE WEST - Buy 3, get 40% OFF, Buy 2, get 30% OFF, Buy 1, get 20% OFF
NORDSTROM -Save up to 40% until Sept.10th
LORD & TAYLOR - Almost all shoes & boots up to 40% OFF!

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A classy woman exudes her confidence best when she is both dressed well and comfortable, owning her personal style. This look is all about comfort without compromising a feminine flair and is achieved with simple, but thoughtful details. Wishing you all a fabulous weekend ahead.

Thanks for stopping by!

XO




*In partnership with Make Me Chic. All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own.

Classic Black and White Gingham Dress

DRESS: Make Me Chic c/o  (also here)  //  HANDBAG: local boutique (similar here, here, here ) 

SHOES: Nine West old  (similar style here + here) // SUNGLASSES: Target (designer version here)

EARRINGS: Merona no longer available (love this style)  //  BRACELETS: Kate Spade 

When I think of summertime, an array of images come to mind. Visions of bronzed sun-kissed skin, lazy beach days, strawberry picking with the family, relaxing with a big glass of sweet tea or lemonade in hand to beat the heat, making s'mores by the campfire at night and of course eating lots of juicy watermelon slices and picnics in the park. Summer is a time to kick back, relax and opt for less fussy attire and there's something about gingham that just reminds me of those picnic in the park (likely the red and white iconic picnic blankets and tablecloths). When the hazy, humid days of summer are ushered in, there's nothing better than a gauzy or breezy dress in a lightweight fabric like this one to keep things both comfortable and cool while still looking polished and ladylike. 

As a lover of classic style, I tend to focus on staple fabrics, patterns and colors such as black and white (which my closet is filled with!) in a variety of patterns such as striped tees, solid blouses and dresses along with polka dots. When Make Me Chic recently reached out to me to collaborate with them, I couldn't resist adding this ruffle top spaghetti strap gingham dress.

Although off-the-shoulder looks are on trend and everywhere right now, I'm a practical gal at heart and with a toddler to chase after all day, not having to readjust my clothing often is important to me. The thin straps on this dress solves that issue and provides just the right amount amount of support while still giving it that strapless or off-the-shoulder vibe. The ruffle top adds a flirty, romantic feel (that accentuates your bust area-a nice perk for those who want a little extra oomph in that department) and because it's covered, while I wore a strapless bra, you could technically go bra-less and find them uncomfortable in the heat like I sometimes do. I also love how this dress cinches at the waist, it's quite figure flattering with a retro, ladylike vibe. You also can't beat the price at just $32!

Yesterday, Lily and I headed out for the day but I did't feel like carrying a large tote as I often do to carry both of our necessities. I decided to pair my new gingham dress with a red cross-body bag for a pop of color to hold my essentials (which can be worn as a shoulder bag too). I discovered it at a local FL boutique but I found some very similar options like this two-tone version, this slightly larger version, and this one that features the same type of gold hardware.

After heading out early for a couple short appointments and running a few quick errands, we made our way over to Julie's Waterfront, a very casual restaurant situated on the water with great food and service along with a cute patio area and of course a view. It was such a stunning day with the most beautiful blue skies and fluffy white clouds that often resembled popcorn. I couldn't resist snapping a few photos while there of this adorable summery mural below that was painted on the fence near the entrance.

After lunch, Lily fell asleep in the car (as she often does when we run errands midday) so I read and caught up on a few e-mails. Next, I swung by the house and loaded up on water, juice and snacks to make our way to the park after first swapping out my heels for my favorite pair of black flat Tory Burch sandals which are the ones I wear most often. I typically make shorts and a tee my go-to for our park days together so I can slide with her and worry less about getting dirty but there's something so lovely about getting to still feel feminine even in places where you might otherwise typically dress very casually. Because this dress is so lightweight, it was the perfect option, especially since we made some new friends there who just moved here from out of state and we ended up staying for a record 3 hours!

What I like most about this look is that it's easy and with it being black + white, you can add virtually any color to change up the look each time you wear it-yellow or hot pink are other fun options. I have long loved the versatility of separates, however, I usually end up with more dresses than skirts because they're something I can throw on without spending too much time coordinating, add a swipe of lipstick, a pair of heels (or flats) and out the door I go! This dress can easily transition from day to night by adding a cardigan as the temps drop along with a clutch for a slightly dressier look.

Here are a few other similar classic black + white gingham dresses for summer at varying price points (some are on sale right now), including this adorable toddler/child version (on sale!) which matches the style of my dress almost identically and would be perfect for you mamas who like to match with your daughter. 

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As always, thank you so much for stopping by! Wishing all of my Canadian friends a Happy Canada Day today and my American friends a Happy 4th of July weekend! Since I'm a dual citizen, I'll be celebrating both. Have fun and stay safe everyone. :)

XO

*Thank you to Make Me Chic for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Floral Print Maxi Dress

One of the perks to living in Florida is that I get to live in dresses almost year round. April marked the beginning of 90-degree temps for us so jeans and pants of any sort lately have been rare, shorts still feel a bit too clingy and it seems the only thing that is both comfortable and weather-appropriate is long loose flowing dresses or shorter lightweight ones.

Since I'm always on the hunt for beautiful yet affordable dresses, I was so excited when I stumbled upon this online shop a few months ago (you might remember this eyelash + lips tee that I shared via instagram during spring break which was also found there). I couldn't get over their pricing and free standard shipping on any order. When they reached out to me recently to collaborate, I knew I wanted to order one of their dresses as I've been curious about the overall quality and fit for the price.

Since it's sometimes hard to determine quality through a computer screen, I was delighted when this gorgeous blue floral maxi dress arrived and not only did it fit me perfectly but it looked even more beautiful in person just as the reviews stated! As someone who is tall (5'9"), dresses are often not long enough for me-maxi dresses in particular, but this one is true floor length for me, I paired it with my gray medium height wedges to keep it off the ground so if you're shorter you may want to get it hemmed a touch or wear a higher heel. The best part is it's a steal for under $25 on sale right now!

I have always loved halter style tops and dresses for the reason that they evoke a sexiness that isn't overt-just a hit of soft sun-kissed shoulders. This one also has a little peek of exposed back which I personally like. The fabric of this dress is lightweight (but not see-through) and it's both flowing and feminine. I always appreciate dresses that are effortless and can be worn in a variety of ways. I plan to pair it with a red crossbody bag during 4th of July weekend but also look forward to adding a sunny splash of color with a yellow clutch and a white tote bag in the future too.

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Dress: SheIn c/o //  Heels: Nine West (old) similar: here 

Bag: Franco Sarto (not avail. online yet) similar: here, here, here, nearly identical here from SheIn + comes in 4 beautiful colors & is only $31!)
*Designer Chloe cross-body Saddle Bag: here, here, here

 Cat Eye Sunglasses: Versace (no longer avail) similar   //  Pearl Earrings: Majorica 

Lipstick: L'Oreal (color: Blake's red)  //  Nail polish: Julep (color: rose bombshell) 

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I'm going a bit monochromatic today wearing mostly blue with this new Chloe-inspired crossbody saddlebag along with a red lip and pedi polish. I've had my eye on the designer version for months but it's out of my budget at the moment so when I found this gorgeous blue dupe locally for a fraction of the price, I knew I had to get it and that it would pair well with skirts, shorts and of course denim too. It provides a bit of a relaxed bohemian vibe which I like to provide a more relaxed look keep this dress from being too prim.

Below are some other classy dresses that I've had my eye on for summer...

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What are your favorites types of dresses for summer?

Thanks for reading!

XO

*In collaboration with SheIn