Summertime – Page 3 – styleXsydnie

Put Together

July 17, 2017 SydnieLeave a comment

I have always been told that I look “put together”, and it’s something I strive for when I am getting dressed each day. It doesn’t mean that everything matches perfectly, or that I have a million accessories on, but instead that everything together creates one, unified look.

I have a few tricks that can make this process a little bit easier. 1) Always start planning your outfit at the basics—the shirt and jeans, the skirt and top, etc. For instance, if you’re wearing a pair of high waisted jeans, choose a crop top. If the baseline of your outfit looks off, then your whole ensemble will suffer.

2) Match your shoes to your blouse. This doesn’t have to be a perfect color match—it could mean that stylistically they go really well together. For example, a lot of jobs allow you to wear jeans to the office, but you still need to look professional. To do this, wear a button down top and a pair of pointy toe pumps. The top and shoes always signify the mood of your look.

3) Pick one statement piece. In the look I’m wearing, I chose the bell sleeve cardigan. You want something that stands out from the rest—something that draws the eye in, but still subtle enough that onlookers won’t be able to pinpoint it. This goes for jewelry too. Have you ever heard the famous Coco Chanel saying, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off”? Overdoing it is an easy mistake to make. Wearing just one statement piece of jewelry is a good way to play it safe, be it a dramatic earring or a beautiful necklace—you can’t go wrong.

On Me: Similar Nordstrom Cardigan

Similar Clarks Shoes

Forever Top

Urban Jeans

The Utility Jacket

July 10, 2017 SydnieLeave a comment

I’ve been trying to find a cute, everyday utility jacket for a long time. I wanted something that was light enough to be worn year round, but also heavy enough to keep me warm on a chilly day. This Gap jacket fit my requirements perfectly.

Utility jackets can often be a little too masculine for my liking, but this one was cut in a more feminine way. It’s both cropped and loosely fitted, which adds a little extra style than a typical cut.

I love the versatile collar too. I’ve been wearing it untucked recently, but folded down is great for a warmer day. All in all, I highly recommend investing in this closet staple–especially if you’re living in a city like San Fransisco that’s freezing one minute and hot the next.

On Me: Gap Jacket

BDG Jeans

Lucky Brand Shoes

Nine West Crossbody

Fourth of July Tops

July 3, 2017 SydnieLeave a comment

Tomorrow is one of my favorite holidays–there is so much to celebrate. I usually spend Independence Day swimming in the lake and eating BBQ. My go-to patriotic look is something breathable, able to be worn over a bathing suit, and in the red, white, or blue color family. Thus, the tie front button-down.

The top in this pic is from a couple years ago, but here are some similar options:

Free People

Revolve

Happy Fourth of July!

Easy Summer Buns for the Lazy Girl

June 26, 2017 Sydnie1 Comment

Dealing with my hair in the summer is always difficult. During the rest of the year, I stick to my strict washing/blow drying schedule. But whenever I’m up at the lake, everything shifts. I’m in and out of the water constantly, and blow drying becomes less and less realistic. I’ve developed two go-to easy summer buns:

My first look is done with semi-wet hair. Out of the shower, I let my hair begin to air-dry while I put on make-up and get dressed. Then I use a round brush to blow dry just the front section of my hair. Styling the front pieces adds a little framework to the look and reduces the overall damage to the majority of your hair. After that, I part my hair and tie it up into a low twisted bun.

For my second look, I let my hair air-dry overnight naturally. Whenever I do this, I wake up the next day with a curly mess.

To tame my textured mane, I start by parting my hair farther left than I normally would. Then I create two messy French braids with the front sections of my hair. After that, I loosen up the braids even more, making them big and romantic. Finally, I pin up all of my hair (including the braids) into a low messy bun.

Both of these looks are incredibly romantic. And most importantly, they take less than two minutes to accomplish!

Though I prefer my hair blown out, these easy alternatives come in handy when you would rather spend your time enjoying the sunshine.

Playing with Patterns

June 19, 2017 SydnieLeave a comment

I’ve always been drawn to a fun print; there’s something so effortless about throwing on a playful top–the rest just falls into place.

During the warmer months I especially love to experiment with my wardrobe. That means switching out my favorite basics for something with a little more personality.

A feminine pattern is my favorite. A delicate design with light colors complements my style nicely. Pairing a fun top with a neutral bottom ensures my look isn’t overwhelming. I try to keep the rest of my look a little muted too—natural makeup and hair, a low heel.

It can be fun to step out of your comfort zone for a while, and playing dress up never gets old. Soon you get so comfortable trying new looks, you realize you aren’t playing anymore. You’re just being you.

On Me: Urban Top (old)–Similar Styles here and here

Levi’s Skirt (old)–Similar Style here

Classic White

June 13, 2017 SydnieLeave a comment

White is one of my favorite colors to wear. It’s effortless, timeless, and clean.

I love to upgrade a pair of jeans with a classic white button-down. It adds structure to the outfit.

A classic white button-down is an understated basic that never goes out of style. Add a fancy heel and you’re ready for a nice dinner, or throw on some sandals and head to the beach.

Cotton is also the perfect material for summer. It’s lightweight and breathable, something I find myself valuing more and more.

Here are some Classic White options for summer:

Madewell $65

Madewell $74

Topshop $55

Jeans and a T-shirt

June 7, 2017June 7, 2017 SydnieLeave a comment

I love being comfortable, but I also love being fashionable. The jeans and a t-shirt look, though very popular, used to bore me. I just thought it wasn’t stylish enough.

I started to brainstorm a few ways to elevate the casual look and came up with some ideas. First, opt for high-waisted jeans as opposed to low-rise. Then, try tucking in your t-shirt. You immediately begin to accentuate your figure, adding personality to the outfit.

Finally, ditch the sneakers and pick out a pair of feminine flats to balance the look. Before you know it, your outfit will be turning heads.

You can find my t-shirt and jeans here and here. My flats are sold out of blush, but here are a few similar options in the color:

Marc Fisher

Kristin Cavallari

Nine West

“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.” —Miuccia Prada

Summer Ride

May 31, 2017June 1, 2017 Sydnie1 Comment

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, Joel and I love going for scenic drives. It’s our favorite way to pass the time.

But first, we needed to stop for root beer floats from The Penny Ice Creamery here in Santa Cruz. They make the best ice cream in the area—from scratch! They always offer unique flavors and fun toppings, like marshmallow fluff. If you’re ever in Santa Cruz, make sure to stop by.

Once we got our sweet tooth fix, we started to work our way through the Santa Cruz Mountains. We decided to pull over at the top just as the sun was beginning to fall.

There is something so peaceful and serene about driving on the backroads. It makes the rush of everyday life feel a little less urgent.

My go-to outfit during the summer months is a pretty blouse, cropped high-waisted jeans, and a comfortable heel. I bought this top at Nordstrom a few years ago, but here are a couple of similar styles they have in stock now:

Halogen

Free People

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.”

―John Lubbock, The Use Of Life

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Windy Oaks

May 23, 2017May 24, 2017 SydnieLeave a comment

This weekend Joel and I went to Windy Oaks–a beautiful winery hidden at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains in Corralitos.

We are always up for an exciting car ride, so getting there was half the fun.

We couldn’t have picked a more perfect day for the adventure. The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and there was a calming breeze to keep us cool.

The winery is absolutely stunning. We sipped delicious wine out on the patio overlooking what seemed like an endless amount of vines that flowed farther than the eye could see.

Eager to go exploring, we headed up the hill, making our way between the vines to take in the view.

We could have spent the whole day there.

I opted for a casual outfit–a breezy button down with high waisted cut-offs and a pair of comfortable heels. If you’re ever in Santa Cruz, I highly recommend making the trek out there. And make sure to taste the Syrah–it’s almost as magnificent as the winery itself.