Dress Week: Way Out Wednesday

Dress Week: Way Out Wednesday

Today let's celebrate the easy, breezy, hippie feel of boho chic. As you know, I've taken a turn boho in my weekend style this summer, and I'm not looking back. Anything this comfortable has got to be good for the soul.

Urban Outfitters has so many gorgeous dresses this season, and this angelic dress is one of them. Wear this with nearly-naked sandals or toughen it up with cowboy boots or a jean jacket (on super sale!).

 

I think the key to boho style is picking things that feel like you're wearing pjs. This dress certainly qualifies and is gorgeous. Layer on a loose, flowy cardigan and a skinny belt to dress it up a bit or wear it just as simply as is.

Dress Week: Totally Stripey Tuesday

Dress Week: Totally Stripey Tuesday

Not everyone loves horizontal stripes-or so I'm told. Over at StartCloseIn headquarters, I could probably go for weeks (months?) wearing nothing but stripes and not have to repeat outfits. When I bring something new home my husband often says "Oh, look, it's striped!"  So today's post is in honor of all of the gorgeous striped dresses out there. Let's take a look! (And happy July!)

This dress looks like something you could just live in all summer long, doesn't it? I like the big, Mod sunglasses. This dress doesn't need a lot to make it special.

I love the short sleeves on this dress. I'd suggest you wear it to work with

Dress Week: Mad Men-Inspired Monday

Dress Week: Mad Men-Inspired Monday

Welcome to Dress Week! In the spirit of all things summer (grilled corn on the cob, sun tea, fireflies, street fairs, and warm weather to name a few!), I've decided to devote a whole week to dresses. I find a simple dress to be the easiest, most foolproof thing to wear all summer long. If you work in a cold office like I do, consider some warmer fabrics in summery colors. If you are often in warm air, I've got simple dresses that can stand on their own or be funked up. I'll give you tips on how to do just that all week long!

Peter Pan wool on sale at Boden USA

Full skirts and whimsical patterns. Yes, please! Let's pick favorites, ok? You can blame Love Always Hannah for introducing me (and now you) to eShakti. The other night at her house, she showed me this gorgeous full, striped skirt she'd gotten there, and I knew I had to share this goldmine with you. 

Romantic Summer Dresses

Romantic Summer Dresses

Happy Friday! Happy date night! It's starting to be that time of year when all I want to do is be outside: eat outside, take walks, ride bikes, plan picnics, search for the few remaining drive-in movie theaters... So I'm planning as many dates with my husband as possible. One thing I like to try to do is to wear something on a date that isn't what I wore to work. Sometimes that turns into jeans (especially to a chilly movie!), but for an outdoor date I love to wear a date worthy of our special time together. Here are some dresses that caught my eye for just such a date out together!

This dress from Nordstrom is perfection. Dress it up as styled for a special event or wear flat sandals for a day date. Either way, say yes to that hat!

Anthropologie Look for Less

Anthropologie Look for Less

I love, love, love Anthropologie's clothing...and housewares...and perfume. However, I own only a handful of their pieces because they can be so expensive! I did receive a giftcard from a dear friend after I styled his home, and that was incredible. Normally, though, I try to re-create the Anthro look on a slightly more modest budget. Here's how I do it.

1. Liban Shawl Dress, Anthropologie, $118.
2. Love Wrap Front Skater Dress (in navy), Asos, $60.97.
3. Amina necklace, Lou Lou Boutique, $18.00. Anthropologie's necklace was $78, no longer available.


If you have a favorite look you'd like help re-creating, please email me or comment below. Research is one of my strong suits!

Love this Asos dress? Cup of Jo has a discount code for you to use until Sunday on any Asos purchase!

How I Pack for A Week at the Beach

How I Pack for A Week at the Beach

Via Free People

At the end of the week, my husband and I are going to the beach with a big group of friends. I cannot wait! I haven't taken so many days off in a row since our honeymoon in October 2011. Also, I would live and die at the beach as anyone who knows me will tell you!

So, of course, I started packing on Sunday. The way I pack is pretty specific, and I thought it might be useful to you. Here's what I do: Pick a Theme, Create Hypothetical Outfits, and Edit.

Summer Wedding Guide: Skirt the Issue

Summer Wedding Guide: Skirt the Issue

Via

Try the options I suggested with dresses yesterday but with a skirt you have or are considering purchasing: try something fancier, then make it funky with a more casual piece. For example, what about a floral A-line skirt (like this one from Asos Curve) with a button down or, for spring, a cardigan worn buttoned up like a sweater? What about a statement skirt with a simple silky tank or a shirt you could also wear to work after the wedding? Or a bright skirt like this one paired with a jacket in a similar hue (like the one above!)

Friday Roundup: Romantic, Summery, Festival-Inspired

Friday Roundup: Romantic, Summery, Festival-Inspired

Gah, Urban Outfitters has the most beautiful, romantic, let's-go-to-Coachella pieces right now. If I had a smaller chest, I'd be buying several of their bra tops to wear under big, loose tshirts and tanks this summer.

Also? I'm in love with this trapeze dress in white and am currently figuring out where I can wear it to justify buying it. Things that come to mind are a trip to Thailand, Mexico, or a boho wedding. All invitations for those trips are very welcome! It was even better in person, and here's my iPhone shot.

In a similar realm of the imaginary, this cuff is incredible. If you're looking for a statement piece this summer, this should be it.

Much more affordable, but still gorgeous, is this stack of bangles.

Pair the bangles with this stunning red top.