Ric Rac Comeback

Happy Monday Loves!! I had a crazy busy, but extremely exciting and fun weekend. We celebrated my best friend's birthday, and two of our other good friends got engaged!! We were able to be there to watch the proposal and celebrate with everyone after, and it was such a heart-warming experience to see our friends so incredibly happy.

In other news, I found this A D O R A B L E Who What Wear dress at Target recently. I'm loving the ric rac detailing - it reminds me of the 90's! I decided to go down a size to an extra small - I would recommend doing the same since there is a lot of material! This is such a flattering piece that can be dressed up or down by changing up your accessories. I recently wore this to an outdoor wedding reception, and then wore it the next week to run errands! AND the price tag definitely won't hurt your wallet. Happy shopping Loves! xoxo

Dress: Who What Wear

Bag: Michael Kors (Similar here, here and here)

Shoes: Jessica Simpson (Similar here, here and here)

Necklace: Designs by FMC (Similar here)

Bracelet: Kendra Scott (Similar here)

Watch: Movado

When Life Gives You Lemons...

When most people hear the phrase, "When life gives you lemons...," they typically finish the sentence with something about making lemonade. I think that's a great way to use lemons, but I really love when this phrase is not used in such a literal way. We more often than not choose to use this phrase when we've been given an opportunity, whether we were working for and expecting it or not, and proceed to seize this opportunity and make something out of it. When life gives you a "sign," or throws something in your path that can help you achieve a goal, go after it! You'll never regret trying something or further pursuing a dream, but you will look back later in life and kick yourself if you didn't. So, when life gives you lemons...plan a vacation to explore somewhere new...start that business that you've been dreaming of...or follow the footprints of Adrianna Papell and create a gorgeous print that you can wear all summer long.

P.S. If you're dying to wear this dress to the office, but your company likes to waste money on over air conditioning your space to a seemingly Arctic-like temperature, layer a white collared button down underneath! Happy shopping Loves! xoxo

Dress: Adrianna Papell

Shoes: Mix No. 6

Bag: Found in Italy (Similar here, here and here)

Bracelet: Robert Lee Morris Soho (Similar here)

A Picnic on the Boat with Muddy Boot Wine

Happy Wine Wednesday loves! The weather here has been G O R G E O U S lately (finally!!), and I've been soaking up the sun and fresh air every chance I get. Summer is the perfect time to get your friends together and plan a picnic in the park, on a boat, or anywhere that your heart desires in the moment, as long as you're outside. Don't forget the essentials: lots of wine, an unspeakable amount of yummy cheese (especially if you're in the great state of Wisconsin), and in this case, doughnuts. I truly think wine and doughnuts could be the next big food pairing trend; not only is it surprisingly good (make sure you're pairing complementary flavors), but it makes drinking wine before 5pm on Saturday more acceptable. Ok, it may have been before 1pm, but it was Saturday, and who's keeping track?! If you're looking for a good, inexpensive wine to take with you on all of your summer adventures, make sure to check out Muddy Boot Wine! Just go to Broncowine.com to find a retailer in your area!

P.S. All outfit details are linked below. Happy shopping (and sipping) Loves!

My Outfit

Sweater: VICI Collection (Also available in pink)

Jeans: William Rast (Similar here and here)

Sunnies: Ray-Ban

Necklace: Designs by FMC (Similar here and here)

 

BFF Outfit

Dress: Forever 21 (Similar here)

Sunnies: Forever 21 (Similar here and here)

A Summer of Stripes

Hi Loves! I hope everyone had a safe and fun Independence Day! And remembered sunscreen. I did, but I didn't apply it to my legs (because they seriously never burn!), and guess what happened? They burned. Ugh.

Anyway, I wanted to tell you guys about an adorable boutique that I found recently, because they have the C U T E S T product, and all at very affordable prices! The boutique is called Versona (shopversona.com), and has locations all across the country! Even though they have multiple locations, they only get one or two size runs per style at each store, so you won't see many (or any) people walking around wearing the same outfit as you - absolutely love that! Versona has so many trendy striped options right now; perfect since stripes are SO big this summer!! I rounded up three of my favorites and have linked all outfit details below. Happy shopping Loves! xoxo

Outfit #1

Jumpsuit: Cupio

Earrings: Versona

Clutch: Versona

Outfit #2

Dress: Not Available Online (similar here, here and here)

Earrings: Not Available Online (similar here)

Clutch: Not Available Online

Outfit #3

Dress: London Times

Earrings: Not Available Online (Similar here)

Handbag: Versona

Fave Guest of Wedding Dress

Have you ever come across something while you're online shopping and immediately thought, "OMG I NEED THAT IN MY LIFE?" Well, that's me most days, especially when I'm browsing ASOS, but I usually have self-control and refrain from actually buying anything. That was not the case with this dress. I told myself to think about it for an hour while I worked on something else to see if I r e a l l y couldn't live without it (this is a good life skill to work on for those of you out there who love shopping as much as me). And for that entire hour all I could think about was, "What if it sells out of my size before I get a chance to buy it??" I think you guys all know how this story ends.

BUT, I am a firm believer that it's always a good idea to have a few formal dresses on deck for weddings, dressy events, or anything that pops up at the last minute (ESPECIALLY for anything that pops up at the last minute)! I've been in the situation where I've been invited to a formal or black tie event at the last minute, and had to scramble to find something to wear. This not only leaves you with limited options, but can be extremely stressful. So, when you find that perfect dress, treat yourself once in a while, and then find a reason to wear it later. It will look really pretty hanging in your closet until then. And as always, happy shopping Loves!

Dress: ASOS DESIGN (Also available in tall!)

Clutch: Chi Chi London (similar here and here)

Necklace: Athra (Similar here and here)

Ring: Glamour Rings (Similar here, here and here)

Shoes: Mix No. 6

My Top Five Tips for Organizing Your Closet + Lots of Stripes!

Just wanted to hop on here quick and talk about this super fun jumpsuit, plus my top five tips for cleaning/organizing your closet! First off, this jumpsuit is P E R F E C T - it is so beyond comfortable, and works for any type of summer weather. I just wore this bridesmaid dress shopping with my friend for her wedding, and it was 95 degrees and humid. The lightweight material made the fact that I was wearing pants completely unnoticeable, and was actually preferred since I avoided that awkward leg sweat from sitting in one place for more than 20 minutes!! Does anyone else totally relate to this issue when it's this dang hot out?? Also, don't get me wrong - not complaining in any way about the sun and warm weather - this is my favorite season!

Ok, on to the good stuff. As you may have seen, I spent TWO WHOLE DAYS cleaning and organizing my closet last week, and I want to share my top tips so you can get your organizing game on too! I was so stressed out by my mess of a closet, and finishing this massive project literally gave me life! Follow these tips and you'll be a closet organizing ninja in no time -

1. Do a little at a time - Spending a half hour a day tackling the organization of your closet makes it much easier to get started. Clean out just one drawer of your dresser, organize just your shoes, etc., and then come back tomorrow! Or, if you're like me, and let your closet get to the point of no return, just take the whole day (or more) and get it done. You'll feel a lot better. Trust me.
2. DECLUTTER. This is the most important part. If you haven't worn something in over a year, let it go. From my experience, taking everything out and slowly adding it back in is the easiest. Start by adding back the items that you know you love or wear all the time. Start a "maybe" pile next - try everything on in this pile and take a look in the mirror. What's your first impression? If it's "meh" or you wouldn't buy it if you saw it at the store tomorrow, toss it. Get rid of anything that's too big or doesn't fit you anymore, or is damaged and unable to be fixed.
3. Invest in coordinating hangers! This will make your closet much more aesthetically pleasing. I personally love velvet hangers - they prevent your clothes from slipping off and ending in a pile on the floor, and they are thin, which means more space for the clothes you love!
4. Color coordinate! This will make finding that one specific shirt you want to wear a breeze when you're running late for work in the morning. I typically sort my clothing by type/silhouette, and then color coordinate within each of those sections.
5. Store out of season or least used clothing in clear plastic bins in less accessible areas of your closet. For me, this means storing my sweaters in the spring/summer on my top shelves that are harder to reach. Just keep a little ladder nearby in case you need a second layer on a chilly summer night.

When you're all done, sell your gently used clothing and accessories at a resale boutique, and donate everything else! Do you have any tips you'd like to add? Drop a comment below! Happy shopping (and organizing) Loves!

Jumpsuit: Found at TJ Maxx (other fave striped jumpsuits linked below!)

Booties: MIA (Similar here, here and here)

Earrings: Robert Rose (Similar here, here and here)

Pearl Necklace: Designs by FMC (Similar here and here)

Y Necklace: Relativity (Similar here, here and here)

Watch: Movado

Bag: Michael Kors (Similar here and here)

Denim Jacket: Old (Similar here and here)

The Book You Need to Read NOW + More Gingham

Happy Tuesday!! If you guys haven't caught on yet, I'm loving E V E R Y T H I N G gingham! This print is so versatile, and very summer-esque, but can easily be worn during transition months by adding a few layering pieces. I'm especially loving the black and navy gingham prints - so classic!! This look can be taken from running errands during the day to happy hour and dinner with friends - I love when I can get some miles on my outfits!

I also want to tell you guys about a super inspiring book that I just finished. Shout out to my bestie, Erika, for borrowing this book to me; she knew exactly what I needed to hear/read during this time of transition in my life! This book, titled You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, by Jen Sincero, is a must read for anyone who wants more out of their life; more out of their career, more out of their dreams that they're chasing, or more money to do the things that make them happy. I have never been more faithful in the future and what that will look like for me after reading this book, and it gave me the kick in the butt that I needed to chase my dreams. I've included a few of my favorite quotes from the book below to give you a little Tuesday inspiration, whether it's to get you through that boring meeting you're sitting in, helping you look forward to the weekend, or just maybe, giving you that extra push to chase after something you've been wanting -

• "Our fantasies are our realities in an excuse free world."
• "Faith smothers your fear of the unknown. Faith allows you to take risks. Faith is the stuff of 'leap and the net will appear.' Faith is your best buddy when you're scared shitless."
• "Become one of your own die-hard fans, look at yourself from the outside, where all your self-doubts can't crawl all over you, and behold what shines through."
• "In order to change your life, and start living a new one that you've never lived before, your faith in miracles, and yourself, must be greater than your fear."
• "Those who achieve success share one key thing: the belief that they can be, do, and have whatever they set their minds to accomplishing."

So there ya go - order this book immediately and soak up everything that it says. Then take those lessons and go be the person you've always dreamed about. Happy shopping (and reading!!) Loves!

Top: Old (Similar here, here and here)

Shorts: A New Day (Similar here, here and here)

Shoes: Hippie Laundry (Similar here, here and here)

Bag: Michael Kors (Similar here and here)

Necklace: Old (Similar here, here and here)

Bracelet: Kendra Scott

Watch: Movado

Sunnies: Ray-Ban

That Gingham Glow

Hi Loves! It's been a little while since I've been on here (sad!!), but life has been SO crazy lately! I don't know if many of you know, but I was a buyer for a large department store chain that is currently going through a liquidation process. I bought trend and sterling silver jewelry, and when I say I absolutely loved my job, I'm not exaggerating at all - I truly think that buying jewelry is the path that I'm supposed to be on. So when the company filed bankruptcy a few months ago, and subsequently had to start a liquidation process for all of our stores, I had so many emotions running through my mind. What was I going to do next? How long will it take for me to find a new job? And not just any job, but a job that I love? Going through a career change has been one of the most scary and stressful things that I've done; not knowing what's next can do a number on your sanity. I've had a lot of moments where I stop and question what I'm doing, if I'm allocating my time to the right things, or if I should take that leap into the unknown and just start the company that I've always dreamed of creating. I would love for you guys to follow along on this journey with me, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you to stay strong and believe that good things will come, if you're ever in a similar situation.

On another note, gingham has been the trend/pattern of the season! I'm L O V I N G this tiered ruffle number by Fashion Union (found at none other than my favorite store, aka Asos). This is such an easy dress for summer, and the long sleeves are so great for when the sun goes down. I paired my dress with some fun statement earrings and white booties, and I'm still trying to get over how much use I've gotten out of these shoes! I've linked everything below, as well as some of my other favorite gingham dresses! And as always...happy shopping Loves!

Dress: Fashion Union

Booties: MIA (similar here, here and here)

Sunnies: Ray-Ban

Earrings: Etsy (Similar here, here and here)

Watch: Movado

Ring: Unknown Brand (Similar here, here and here)