summer style guide | modern bohemian

Lately, I can't get enough of festival style.

The carefree, bohemian vibe just speaks to me these days; maybe it's the summer heat that's getting to me. Fashion always repeats itself, and this style is no exception, though it's a lot sexier than the 70's inspired clothing that was "in" a few several years ago. [I can only laugh when I remember a pair of flared jeans I wore in 8th grade that had suede leather laces on either side of the fly zipper. Wow.]

I was inspired by an image I found on Pinterest of what I think is a modern take on boho style. I love the simplicity of the off-the-shoulder white top paired with my favorite wardrobe staple: cutoff shorts. I think the shades add a little edge to the ensemble, a deviation from something more expected like retro cat-eye, wayfarer, or small round lens shapes. Even the jewelry is kept minimal: one simple ring. I used my imagination for footwear and picked something a little funky to add some interest to the whole look. What do you think of this modern bohemian style? xo.

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PS: If anyone knows the true image source, please let me know! So far I have only been able to find it on Pinterest.

summer style guide | nighttime

I just love easy breezy outfits for warm summer evenings. Whether it's al fresco date night or a backyard soiree, my priorities are comfort and sexiness! Is it possible to have both? Yes! 

A feminine ruffle elevates this maxi from basic to a sexy staple. With its solid color, you can easily accessorize to fit almost any occasion. A sexy, lacy bralette is a lighter alternative to a regular bra, while a statement clutch and necklace provide some pizzazz. Add a belt and simple wedges to really make the look your own. A subtly fierce piece of wrist candy dresses it up for a more "formal" occasion without competing with your other accessories. Don't forget some tinted lip balm and delicious perfume to complete the look! xo.

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summer style guide | daytime

As promised, here is part two of the summer style series! This outfit is an ideal uniform for just about any summery weekend; from running errands, to picnicking at the park, to attending an outdoor concert, it's effortlessly stylish. xo.

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spring style wardrobe updates

I'm smitten with spring at the moment. So far it's been pretty mild and I am trying to make the most of the beautiful days we're experiencing here in North Texas! As such, I'm in desperate need of some fresh colors, textures, and patterns to add to my wardrobe and I think the items below will just do the trick! What are your must haves for this season? xo.

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what to wear | st. patty's day

Happy St. Patty's weekend, y'all!

I don't normally post on Saturdays but thought I'd share my festive outfit with anyone who might need some inspo. I'm planning to spend my afternoon with good friends on a patio somewhere, enjoying this beautiful day. Goodness knows I need to soak up a few rays of sunshine--winter did a number on my skin!

I am pairing my Old Navy green gingham button-down [seriously one of my new favorite additions to my wardrobe] with a pair of pale pink roll up Banana Republic shorts for a fun take on the "green" theme. Some gold jewelry, casual sandals, and of course a good pair of sunnies are my only accessories. This is the kind of day where I just want to keep things simple! And yes, my shirt will be rocking J. Crew's signature half-tuck.

What are you doing for St. Patty's day? xo.

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what to wear | valentine's day date

I know this post is going up super late but [as always] I have been way busy these days and Valentine's Day just snuck up on me! Anyway, the hubs is taking me to dinner on Valentine's Day but he is keeping the place is a surprise. Though the details are vague, I know he loves when I wear pretty dresses and figured I would dress to impress no matter where we end up going! In case you are looking for a last minute outfit [as was I], have no fear. I've put together two adorable date night ensembles that are sure to get you a few double-takes! If you're wondering, I'll be going with look #2. Also, let me know what your Valentine's Day plans are, if you have any! xo.

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what to wear | super bowl party

Now that we've covered food, let's talk about what to wear to a Super Bowl party [should you be hosting or attending one]. You can always wear a Ravens or 49ers jersey, but if you're like me and are impartial about who to root for, a less thematic outfit is a more creative way to get in the spirit of the game!

Below, I've styled two potential outfits. For a Ravens fan, team colors are represented in trendy purple skinnies and a hint of purple eyeliner along with a subtle feather ring to represent the mascot. If you decide to lean towards the west coast, a loose tank that hails to the motherland with a 49ers-red blazer to pull the look together is a sure way to let other party-goers know who you're supporting! Either way, these outfits are both comfy and cute and perfect for a laid-back party surrounded by good food and good friends. As for me, I am still deciding what color I'll be wearing on Sunday! xo.

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monday must haves

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it's got me thinking about what I will be wearing while celebrating with my family! Though it's not quite cold enough here in Texas, I can still incorporate fall colors without adding too much bulk. Here's a few of my must haves for my trip home; reds and golds are cozy hues that are also very festive and perfect for the holidays! xo.

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BonLook

Attention fellow four-eyed friends, there is now a stylish and budget-friendly way to sport specs. Introducing: BonLook! A similar concept to the [in my opinion] more widely recognized company, Warby Parker, BonLook sells fashionable frames for a fraction of the cost of other optical wear retail chains. Most frames are $99 with free shipping and easy returns.

Anyway, I recently had an eye exam and decided it was time for a new pair of glasses. I'm most often a contacts girl, but every now and then I like to give my ol' eyeballs a rest. Though Warby Parker has an equally adorable array of frame shapes, I ultimately loved a pair from BonLook the most! Here are a few of my favorites from BonLook:

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I went with #1, "Cavelier," in black. See the FAQ page for tips on how to choose a frame that best complements your face shape! For many styles, BonLook offers the option to upload a photo of you so you can try on the frames virtually before you make a purchase. It's pretty awesome! Have you ordered from BonLook before? What are you favorite frames? xo.

*Not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

love & lust | boyfriend watches

Until recently, I haven't been much of a watch girl [I'm guilty of checking my iPhone whenever I need to know the time] but lately I've been loving the style and functionality of boyfriend watches. They are perfect accessories to dress up my wrist candy/arm party. I love that the Michael Kors watch mixes silver and rose gold, so it pretty much goes with anything. However, the price tag is not ideal which is why this Target watch is a perfect wallet-friendly swap, saving you $250! I actually went out and bought the Target watch this past weekend and am L-O-V-I-N-G it. xo.

Michael Kors / Target

Sporting my new watch with some extra wrist bling!

monday must-haves

First of all: Happy October!

Second: I've got wrist candy fever. Any and all sparkly, colorful, and unique wrist baubles make me absolutely starry-eyed! I'm especially into anything with some gold in it, since I've just noticed that I've got plenty of silver jewelry. I rounded up some adorable little treasures from a few of my current favorite online shops but would love if you could share a few of your go-to online jewelry boutiques! xo.

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love & lust | wedge booties

I am dying over these wedge booties, y'all! I saw the Jack Rogers booties the other day and fell in love... until I saw the price. Yikes! Not good on my wallet. I decided to do some digging and found a very similar pair for a steal! The Etienne Aigner booties from Macy's have a nearly identical silhouette, a great heel height, and come in a variety of colors.  For $99, you can bet these are on my fall shopping list! Are you into wedge booties for the fall? xo.

Jack Rogers Booties / Etienne Aigner Booties

monday must-haves

Right now I am obsessed with vintage-inspired jewelry, structured bags with interesting textures, and demure peplum--especially in emerald and ruby hues for fall. Touches of gold and nude pull everything together. xo.

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look for less :: stripes + colored pants

More often than not, Gwyneth Paltrow can be spotted in the chicest outfits; always simple, understated, and classic. For example, in this photo she looks so effortlessly put together with a striped blazer and colored pants, yet she is completely on-trend for fall! I've found similar pieces, all at Target [hey, I'm a fan of instant gratification and I don't want to shop around 10 different stores for a single outfit sometimes!] What do you think of Gwynnie's look? xo.

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tax free weekend!

Tax-free weekend in Texas: a "holiday" that brings hoards of shoppers out to buy clothing and school supplies sans sales tax. It's a pretty sweet deal if you want to stock up on fall essentials! Even though I usually like to avoid these types of scenarios, I think I might brave the storm this time around. However, my strategy involves going right when stores open at 10 on Saturday, armed with a bottle of water to hydrate while I shop 'til I drop!

Here's a few of my must-haves for fall that I'll be keeping an eye out for this weekend. Hope I find some goodies! If you live in Texas, you can shop for clothing, shoes, and school supplies tax free August 17-19 [items less than $100 only.] xo.

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maxi skirt style

I think I could live in maxi dresses. I love how effortlessly elegant they look while also being quite comfortable. In a lightweight cotton fabric, they are wearable even in the summertime! Recently, I jumped on the maxi skirt bandwagon and bought a black jersey skirt at Marshall's. I could never really figure out what to pair a maxi skirt with but found some photos that inspired me to give it a whirl. I can't wait to wear it with tanks during the summer and transition to some comfy sweaters and boots when the temps drop. What do you think of the maxi skirt trend? xo.

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summer concert style

I went to my very first Dave Matthews concert on Saturday and faced a dilemma most girls can relate to: what should I wear?? 

I went to Marshall's and was thankful they had a great selection. It's hit-or-miss with that place, really. I found a gorgeous flowy tank in a lightweight tangerine fabric--it was perfect! I paired the new top with my trusty dark wash Express shorts and light brown gladiators from last summer [so glad they are still in style.] For accessories, I went for a pair of fun dangly earrings and a small Fossil cross-body cobalt-hued purse.

Below, I've come up with a very similar outfit that I think is a great laid-back yet classy summer look that's appropriate for other twenty-somethings like myself. The cobalt blue pendant is to die for--I think I need to get one asap! A small purse is a stylish and practical way to tote the bare necessities and a bright summer blanket to sit on is a must for lawn seating.

What do you think of this summer concert look? xo.

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fall/winter travel style

It's the busiest time of year for travelling, and I've got you covered with some airport style tips [these will work for car trips, too!] Sure, you could wear sweats and Uggs, but honestly, you  never know who you will see, and you will save time having to change outfits once you reach your destination if you add just a few extra style points to your typical comfy travelling attire. xo

Oversize Stripe Sweater, Forever 21. 1969 Lightweight Legging Jeans, Gap. Maddox Large Workbag, Fossil. Report Ayden Flat, DSW.

Twill Sherpa-Trim Anorak, Old Navy. Lurex Stripe Sweater Dress, Banana Republic. Michelle D "Candice" Boots, Dillard's.

(Minus the) Leather Moto Jacket, Express. AE Hipster Flare Jean, American Eagle. Cable Knit Scarf w/Pockets, Forever 21. Steve Madden Havari Flat, DSW.

scarf style

A scarf is probably one of my favorite accessories in the fall and winter. I love scarves with fun details, whether it's an interesting print or a vibrant color. They can really spice up a ho-hum outfit!

Below, I have rounded up a few gorgeous scarves for some fashion inspiration. Stay warm! xo

1. Large Polka Dot Scarf, Zara, $29.90; 2. Feather Print Scarf, Zara, $29.90; 3. BDG Popcorn Knit Ribbed Eternity Scarf, Urban Outfitters, $29; 4. Manhattan & Co Houndstooth Scarf, JC Penney, $17.99 (Sale); 5. Manhattan & Co Bright Plaid Scarf, JC Penney, $17.99 (Sale); 6. Zigzag Pattern Scarf, New York & Company, $19.95; 7. Mini Polka Dot Scarf, JC Penney, $16.99 (Sale).