In My Beach Bag

In case you weren't already aware, I'm pretty thrilled about leaving for the beach this weekend!

Besides the sunscreen, what else am I tossing in my bag?

1) Obviously, swimwear.  I can't wait to debut my new neon Gianni Bini swimsuit.  Typically, I have to try on dozens of swimsuits to find one that fits right, but I was shocked that the first Gianni Bini one I tried on fit perfectly, along with most of the rest that I tried on!  So many great options- check them out!

2) Post-beach outfits for dinner, exploring, cocktails, etc.  I'm struggling to choose what to pack because I want to wear all of it!  These are a must:

Bright colored shorts. Nothing screams summer more.

Source: express.com


White jeans.  You can wear them with ANY color top, and they can be dressed up or down- sandals, wedges, heels.  Such a clean look.



Source: polyvore.com


A long pleated skirt.  I have one in green and feel so Bohemian in it!


Source: riverisland.com

4) Sunglasses.  I have several pairs and shouldn't get anymore, but how fun would these be for the beach?

5) Excellent reading material. One of my favorite parts about vacation is actually taking the time to read- a hobby that I pursue far too infrequently these days.  I'll be indulging in Cosmo (my guilty pleasure) and probably People, but hours on the beach would be perfect to finally finish the second Hunger Games book and maybe dive into something even deeper.  Any recommendations?

6) A great tote to carry it all.  Mine is made of towel-like material... who cares if it gets a little wet or sandy? I also love these:

Target

Martha Stewart

All you beach bums, what am I forgetting? 

Leopard Spots & Polka Dots

Texas weather can be such a trickster sometimes.  A couple of weeks ago, we were flirting with spring and I was overjoyed to pull out my sandals and short sleeves.  This week it was back to chilly temps, and I was reacquainted with my winter coats. I suppose this is okay since I have a major love affair with my pink J. Crew coat and will be sad to put it away until next year.

I'm starting to get a little burned out on my winter wear, so I've tried to get creative.  I like to think that picking out an outfit in the morning before work is a little brain booster.  What can I say, I work at a brain research center!

I'd only ever worn this leopard skirt with black tights and a cardigan, but I grabbed this ruffled top, normally a summery piece for me, an added a jacket, both for warmth and to really pull it together. Normally I don't like to wear my hair in a ponytail, but for some reason, I received several compliments on it that day and was told I looked very professional- score!

Shirt, bracelet, earrings: Target // Skirt: Nordstrom

I also gave this whole bracelet-stacking business a whirl.  Everyone else seems to be able to pull this off, but it has yet to work for me- maybe because my wrists are small and nothing stays in place? Or perhaps I'm just not stacking the right pieces?

Any stacking pros out there who can help a sister out?

As for a "going out" outfit this weekend, I put together my red jeans with a polka dot top and loved the combination- wish I had tried this sooner! And I finally figured out how to curl my own hair. More on this later.  Let me tell you, it's a little bit of a miracle!

Shirt: Old Navy // Jeans: Dillard's

Peplum

Peplum has been popping up in dresses, skirts, and even shirts and jackets over the past few months.  On a shopping spree with friends last month, I finally decided that I needed a piece of peplum in my closet!

I think the look is so feminine and fun, yet classy, adding a pop of interest to just a normal dress.

Paired with short boots with bows, this was the perfect outfit to wear to work for our big evening lecture event. 

Dress: Esley at Frenzi // Boots: Rampage

One guest who attended the event said "I like the peplum! I think it will start making a comeback!" And I told her, "It already has!!"

What peplum pieces do you have or want?

Cozy Sweater Dress

The balmy, spring-like weather in Dallas the past couple of days moved out with last night's thunderstorms, and it's back to typical January weather again.  So, out came my favorite sweater dress for today's work wear!

I love the cowl neck of this dress, the color, and not to mention how cozy it is! I feel like a sweater dress can make you look professional and put together, while still being comfortable!

 

Dress: Ann Taylor Loft // Shoes: Steve Madden // Bag: Dooney and Bourke

My Favorite Dress

I wanted a new dress for a fun work event last year, but hadn't found time to go shopping.  I was at the mall during my lunch break purchasing things from Paper Source for that event when I spotted this lovely dress in the window at The Limited.  I tried it on, loved it, and bought it right there.  Not bad for a lunch break, right?

I used to avoid anything in the "yellow" family because of my fairly light coloring, but this dress is more of a marigold, and I've been told many times that this color favors me- which is great because I love this dress! It's bright, cheerful, classic, yet young and fun!

Dress: The Limited // Belt: The Limited // Jacket: Macy's // Shoes: Antonio Melani  

The sales lady convinced me to try on the belt with it, and I saw what she meant- it makes the outfit by adding another layer and is just a great piece.

I wore this yesterday and finished off the day feeling fabulous by getting my make-up done with good girlfriends at the new Blushington in Dallas.  Such a cute place, and right next to DryBar- go get your make-up and hair done for a date, event, or if you just want to be pampered!

Do you have a favorite dress that you go to over and over again?

Me in an Outfit

If you haven't met me yet, you'll soon figure out that my favorite colors are pink and purple.  People tell me all the time that these are colors they associate with me, and they just plain make me happy!

Linking up for the first time for "What I Wore Wednesday," I figured what better way to start than with an outfit that's pretty much me in a nutshell?

Nearly everything I have on was a Christmas gift- my mom sure has good taste! I love the color and shape of the shirt, and she found it and the necklace at Charming Charlie, so they were completely affordable. 

My wardrobe really is quite a mix of inexpensive and slightly higher-end items.  I care more about quality and versatility than labels, so if I'm going to pay a lot more for an item, I want it to be something that lasts.

 

Coat: J. Crew // Shirt: Charming Charlie // Jeans: CP at Dillard's // Shoes: Tory Burch // Bag: Tory Burch // Necklace: Charming Charlie // Nails: "Chinchilly," Essie 

And, of course, the family dog wanted to be part of my photoshoot!

Black + A Color Pop

I'm a big fan of black when it comes to clothing, especially an all (or mostly) black outfit. It just looks so sophisticated, classic, and sometimes a little mysterious, doesn't it?

I was feeling a black color vibe while getting ready last weekend. Maybe from my black manicure?

Shirt: Nordstrom // Jeans: Zara // Shoes: Antonio Melani // Clutch: J. Crew //
Necklace: Ann Taylor // Nails: "Lincoln Park After Dark," OPI 

This outfit will be perfect for a night out with the girls, but I just couldn't wait to carry my new clutch that my roomie gave me for my birthday! She saw me admiring it while we were shopping together, then went back and bought it. Such a great friend!

You already know from this post that I love stripes and my new necklace that goes with just about anything- a very worthy purchase! What drew me to this top was the length in the back- adds a really interesting twist. And, I think a pair of classic black pumps are essential for everyone woman's closet.

Do you like to wear black? What are your go-to accessories to give it some color/avoid looking too "goth"?

The Best Kind of Closet...

.... is a shared closet!

My new favorite activity is playing dress up with my roomie, Jenna.  She has great style and isn't afraid to mix things up.  Whenever I'm in a wardrobe rut or need help picking out accessories, I know I can count on her to see my closet in a whole new light!

I bought this dress at the Gap last year for like $4 on clearance.  Don't you just love deals like that?

I wore it by itself with a thick brown belt in the summer, but I wanted to try it for winter-- even though it's felt like spring here in Dallas! 

I enlisted Jenna's help, and she came up with this:

Dress: The Gap // Cardigan: Ann Taylor // Shoes: Audrey Brooke, DSW // Earrings: Kohl's 

The dress itself is a neutral and the cardigan is a soft mint, so adding her turquoise/teal suede pumps created the perfect color pop. The belt coordinated nicely with the buttons on the cardigan, and I borrowed her dangly earrings to pull out that same color, pulling my hair back in a mini-poof to show them off.

I can't wait to wear what she helped me put together for an event tomorrow night!

Church-Ready Chic

I grew up only wearing dresses on Sundays, but a lot of churches these days are more casual and welcome jeans.  I finally broke down and started wearing jeans on some Sundays, but you better believe that they are nice jeans, and I always try to dress them up.  

I was running late this morning and got back to my apartment from my parents' house just a few minutes before I needed to leave for church.  I threw myself together, hair and make-up included, in about 10 minutes, and was pretty pleased with the outcome! Even thought it's December, it's 80 degrees in Dallas today, so I wanted to be comfortable outside without looking summery!

Jacket: B. Wear at JCPenney // Shirt: The Limited // Jeans: Zara // Shoes: Tory Burch 

I just bought these black jeans from Zara last week. Great price, and I could sleep in them they are so comfortable! The sleeveless top is a fun print, and I think a black blazer like this instantly pulls any outfit together. I left it unbuttoned to keep from feeling too office-y.  I opted for a messy bun since I didn't have time to actually do my hair, and I am always a fan of dangly earrings with an updo.  These were a Christmas present last year, and I love the shape and emerald color.  And, of course,  I can't rave enough about my Tory Burch flats! Definitely pricier than plenty of black flats out there, but they are so comfy and hold up over time.  I am a shoe fanatic, and these are one of my favorite pairs. 

What do you usually wear to church? 

Stripes & Statement Necklaces, + Dry Bar

I'm having a fashion love affair with stripes these days.  My new striped sweater dress will be worn many times now that it's finally staying chilly in Dallas, and I found the perfect "dual purpose" striped shirt-- great with dress pants and heels for the office, or paired with jeans and flats for the weekend.

And, of course, I spotted this necklace and had to add it to my collection.  I loved it with this top, and plan to put it with a black sweater, too... lots of options with this one!

How fun is this Kate Spade statement necklace, in navy or that pretty pinky/purple? And this striped tee is the perfect fall color, and I wish I were daring enough to pull off this combo of yellow pants and navy striped knit cowl-neck top! 

And, let's not forget one more thing- if you aren't already familiar with it, I'd like to introduce you to Dry Bar.  I heard all about it when it first opened, but had never experienced it for myself. Until yesterday.

Dry Bar is a blow dry bar.  No hair cuts, no color, just fabulous blowouts from their "look book"-- everything from straight to curly to updos. Did I mention that you can order a cocktail, too?  

I was lucky enough to join other ladies on the Advisory Boards of several young professionals' organizations, including the one that I help coordinate as part of my job, for a Dry Bar party at their new NorthPark Center location! I got a fabulous hairstyle while sipping champagne, watching a movie, and chatting with friends... every girl's dream!

The finished product!

Sunday Social: Fall

This week's Sunday Social is what we love about Fall, and since October is my second-favorite month of the year (after December), I am eager to participate!

Fall Favorites:

Cooler Weather Accessories
The extreme cool front in Dallas this weekend had me pulling out my jeans, boots, long-sleeve shirts, scarfs, coats, etc.  I can't even describe my level of excitement yesterday when I looked through the "fall/winter" section of my closet and realized the new outfit options I'll have as the temperatures finally stay cool.  As much as I enjoy summer, I was burned out on 100+ degree days and my summer wardrobe!



State Fair of Texas
In my opinion, if you grew up in Dallas/Fort Worth or have lived here for a significant amount of time, you HAVE to go to the State Fair at least once.  I went with my parents every year when I was a kid and loved the rides and fun houses.  And, I actually went to the Fair with my friend today!  It's definitely crowded, but there's something for everyone-- auto show, petting zoo, livestock, shopping, rides, and of course, tons of food.  I had to get a classic Fletcher's corny dog, and the chocolate dipped turtle cheesecake was to die for!


College football
Even though my TCU Horned Frogs lost yesterday, and therefore gave up the longest winning streak in the nation, I still love them.  The spirit of college football is so fun.  


Scary movies
I enjoy scary movies, and what better time to watch them than October?!  I've seen quite a few of them, and of course, it wouldn't be Halloween if I didn't watch the classic Hocus Pocus. 


Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
As soon as Labor Day passed, I felt it was acceptable to begin consuming this delicious fall beverage.  I'm also a big fan of their salted caramel mocha frappucino.  Yum!