Red, White, & Blue

4th of July, Red Lips, Summer Style

Every year my family plans a big 4th of July get together, and it’s always a great time, but this year Joel and I couldn’t make it. At first I was bummed but then I realized this was the first time we could start creating our own traditions.

4th of July, Red Lips, Summer Style

After brainstorming about how we should spend the day, we decided on a miniature road trip—no surprise there. Joel loves driving, and I love being a passenger on scenic backroads and exploratory adventures.

4th of July, Red Lips, Summer Style

As we headed Southbound on HWY 1, we looked out over the coast and also drove through various parades that were taking place in each town. 

4th of July, Red Lips, Summer Style

Once we got to Carmel, we parked and went for a nice walk along the cliff. We enjoyed having the time to take our time and spend it a little more quietly than we usually did on Independence Day. That night we listened to fireworks going off in the distance from the comfort of our bed, content with how the day turned out. Even though things were different, they were still good.

4th of July, Red Lips, Summer Style

On Me: 

Nars Heat Wave Lipstick

Forever Blouse

Urban Sweater

Marc Jacobs Sunnies

Articles of Society Jeans

Elk Wallet

Spring Uniform

spring, white button down, jeans, brown flats, marc jacobs sunnies, nine west purse

Lately I’ve been in a bit of a fashion rut. Picking out my outfit each morning has become increasingly difficult.

spring, white button down, jeans, brown flats, marc jacobs sunnies, nine west purse

I find myself growing tired of the usual spring trends such as crop tops and ripped jeans. When I was younger I was always the first one to hop on the most recent fashion fad and stay on until something cooler was in style. Now that I’m transitioning into my mid twenties, I am less eager to wear the latest and greatest and more inclined to put on something timeless and classic.

spring, white button down, jeans, brown flats, marc jacobs sunnies, nine west purse

Enter the white button down, a good pair of jeans, and a versatile flat. This outfit has turned into my spring uniform quickly. It’s something I continuously gravitate towards when nothing else seems to fit my day or mood.

spring, white button down, jeans, brown flats, marc jacobs sunnies, nine west purse

I love this look because it feels like something that Audrey Hepburn would have worn in the 50s, yet still has a relevant appeal. It can be worn casually or make a strong statement at work or when out to dinner. It’s effortless and understated while still managing to turn heads.

spring, white button down, jeans, brown flats, marc jacobs sunnies, nine west purse

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” —Leonardo da Vinci

On Me: Express Top

Urban Jeans

White Mt. Flats

Marc Jacobs Sunnies

Nine West Purse

Spring Sweaters

spring, sweaters, summer, spring style, jeans, mules, sunnies, crossbody bag

This time of year is always difficult to dress for—especially in the Bay Area. It starts out chilly and overcast, and by 1pm it’s 73 degrees and sunny.

spring, sweaters, summer, spring style, jeans, mules, sunnies, crossbody bag

That’s why it’s so important to own a lightweight sweater that can help make the cold to warm transition effortless.

spring, sweaters, summer, spring style, jeans, mules, sunnies, crossbody bag

I’m wearing my grandma’s vintage Eddie Bauer sweater. It’s the perfect amount of material to keep me warm in the morning but loose enough that I’m cool in the afternoon. My favorite aspect is the bright, white color that doesn’t attract the sun.

spring, sweaters, summer, spring style, jeans, mules, sunnies, crossbody bag

My sweater is no longer available, but here are similar alternatives ideal for spring:

spring, sweaters, summer, spring style

Revolve

spring, sweaters, summer, spring style

Tory Burch

spring, sweaters, summer, spring style

Free People

spring, sweaters, summer, spring style

Revolve

spring, sweaters, summer, spring style

Revolve

On Me: Articles of Society Jeans

Universal Thread Mules

Nine West Purse

Marc Jacobs Sunnies

“That is one good thing about this world…there are always sure to be more springs.” 

― L.M. Montgomery

Sweaters & Skirts

Roxy maxi skirt, Clarks heels, H&M sweater, Marc Jacobs Glasses, Nine West Purse, Spring

I bought this Roxy skirt a few weeks ago and have been dying to pull it out, but it hasn’t been warm enough here in the Bay Area for the tank top I had originally envisioned wearing with it.

Roxy maxi skirt, Clarks heels, H&M sweater, Marc Jacobs Glasses, Nine West Purse, Spring

Being a naturally impatient person, I found myself rethinking my cropped tank top idea, and instead, pulled out a loose fitting sweater shirt I’ve had in my closet since high school. Once I tried it on, I fell in love instantly.

Roxy maxi skirt, Clarks heels, H&M sweater, Marc Jacobs Glasses, Nine West Purse, Spring

This look is my 2018 take on the classic 1950s sweater and poodle skirt combo. Iconic as it was, I think I prefer this modern spin.

Roxy maxi skirt, Clarks heels, H&M sweater, Marc Jacobs Glasses, Nine West Purse, Spring

Though I love a good poodle skirt, this longer, less obtrusive option is much more my speed. The effortless sweater not only keeps me warm while I’m waiting for summer, but it also adds a nice contrast to the fitted skirt.

Roxy maxi skirt, Clarks heels, H&M sweater, Marc Jacobs Glasses, Nine West Purse, Spring

Living in Santa Cruz has taught me to mix and match different seasonal pieces. Granted, I draw a line at Ugg boots and shorts, but in this case, pulling out a top I normally save for the winter months had me pleasantly surprised. Who knows, come Fall, I might pair this skirt with booties and a leather jacket!

Roxy maxi skirt, Clarks heels, H&M sweater, Marc Jacobs Glasses, Nine West Purse, Spring

“Negative results are just what I want. They’re just as valuable to me as positive results. I can never find the thing that does the job best until I find the ones that don’t.” —Thomas A. Edison

Roxy maxi skirt, Clarks heels, H&M sweater, Marc Jacobs Glasses, Nine West Purse, Spring

On Me:

Skirt

Similar Top

Shoes

Sunglasses

Purse

Vintage Style

Most trends are cyclical, moving in and out of vogue over time. What was fashionable for an older generation, i.e. bellbottoms, may be a dreaded faux pas later; yet some pieces are so iconic that they have made repeated encores. Here are a few examples of style fads that have made impressive comebacks:

Oversized Sunglasses

oversized sunglasses, vintage style

oversized sunglasses

High Waisted Bathing Suit

high waisted bathing suit

high waisted bathing suit

Square Scarf

square scarf

square scarf, vintage style

Beret

beret, vintage style

beret, vintage style

Pea Coat

Pea Coat

pea coat

Wide Leg Pant

wide leg pant

wide leg pant

Oversized Sun Hat

oversized sun hat

oversized sun hat

Off The Shoulder

off the shoulder dress

off the shoulder dress

Crop top

crop top

crop top

LBD

Little Black Dress

Little Black Dress

High Waisted Jeans

high waisted jeans

high waisted jeans

Asymmetrical Shoulders

asymmetrical dress

asymmetrical dress

“Fashion fades, only style remains the same.” —Coco Chanel

Off The Shoulder

urban outfitters Off the shoulder dress, floral, ootd, pink, summer, blogger, fashion, sunglasses, heels, feminine

It took me a long time to hop on the Off The Shoulder train. I always assumed I wouldn’t be able pull it off, or that I would need to pull it up every second like with strapless dresses—but I was pleasantly surprised.

urban outfitters Off the shoulder dress, floral, ootd, pink, summer, blogger, fashion, sunglasses, heels, feminine

I have found Off The Shoulder dresses to be way more supportive and flattering than strapless dresses. Not to mention, the femininity is effortless.

urban outfitters Off the shoulder dress, floral, ootd, pink, summer, blogger, fashion, sunglasses, heels, feminine

I normally don’t wear necklaces, but I love pairing an Off The Shoulder dress with a simple, dainty chain.

urban outfitters Off the shoulder dress, floral, ootd, pink, summer, blogger, fashion, sunglasses, heels, feminine

For those of us who don’t have sculpted upper arms, this cut is perfect. You get to show off what you want, and hide what you don’t.

urban outfitters Off the shoulder dress, floral, ootd, pink, summer, blogger, fashion, sunglasses, heels, feminine

This dress in particular is more supportive than most. The elastic in the chest section is perfectly placed, and the scrunched fabric looks cuter on than I had expected.

urban outfitters Off the shoulder dress, floral, ootd, pink, summer, blogger, fashion, sunglasses, heels, feminine

Shop my look: Urban Dress/Clarks Shoes/Marc Jacobs Sunglasses/Similar Necklace

Here are some other Off The Shoulder pieces I love:

Off the shoulder dress

Asos $40

Off the shoulder dress

Asos $24

off the shoulder dress

Revolve $98

Off the shoulder dress

Shopbop $63

SaveSave

SaveSave

The Sleeveless Turtleneck

sleeveless turtleneck, jeans, heeled sandals, cat eye sunglasses, nordstrom, ootd, nine west cross body purse, California, blogger, style, fashion

I love the retro look of sleeveless turtlenecks. I find them incredibly flattering and stylish.

sleeveless turtleneck, jeans, heeled sandals, cat eye sunglasses, nordstrom, ootd, nine west cross body purse, California, blogger, style, fashion

When I was in elementary school, and my mom still helped me pick out my outfits for the day, she used to always suggest I wear a turtleneck. At the time, I refused with all my might. Now, I reach for them all the time and laugh at the irony.

sleeveless turtleneck, jeans, heeled sandals, cat eye sunglasses, nordstrom, ootd, nine west cross body purse, California, blogger, style, fashion

Sleeveless turtlenecks are perfect for the hotter months of the year, when you still want the same look of a turtleneck without the extra warmth.

sleeveless turtleneck, jeans, heeled sandals, cat eye sunglasses, nordstrom, ootd, nine west cross body purse, California, blogger, style, fashion

On a side note, I love the way black and brown complement each other. I know that’s an unpopular opinion—to each their own. To me, there’s something so effortless about the combo.

sleeveless turtleneck, jeans, heeled sandals, cat eye sunglasses, nordstrom, ootd, nine west cross body purse, California, blogger, style, fashion

Whenever I wear this top, I pair it with a simple outfit—jeans, low heels, and cat eye sunglasses. Everything fits together seamlessly, putting a vintage spin on the classic jeans and a tank top style.

sleeveless turtleneck, jeans, heeled sandals, cat eye sunglasses, nordstrom, ootd, nine west cross body purse, California, blogger, style, fashion

Shop my look: slide sandals/ jeans/ top/ purse/sunglasses

The Floral Dress

Summer, Dresses, Floral Dress, flowers, san francisco, golden date park, sunglasses, hair, fashion, style, blogger, fashion blogger, ootd

A simple floral dress is one of my go-to looks for the summertime. It’s effortless, season appropriate, and just plain pretty.

Summer, Dresses, Floral Dress, flowers, san francisco, golden date park, sunglasses, hair, fashion, style, blogger, fashion blogger, ootd

Finding a pattern that doesn’t cross the line into grandma territory can be tricky, but here are a few suggestions that can help:

Summer, Dresses, Floral Dress, flowers, san francisco, golden date park, sunglasses, hair, fashion, style, blogger, fashion blogger, ootd

Choose a flattering silhouette. I have been reaching for off the shoulder dresses recently. As long as the dress itself looks good on you, the pattern will take a back seat.

Summer, Dresses, Floral Dress, flowers, san francisco, golden date park, sunglasses, hair, fashion, style, blogger, fashion blogger, ootd

Stick to a pattern that only focuses on two complementary color categories. In the dress I’m wearing, black and gold stand out. This way, it isn’t too overwhelming.

Summer, Dresses, Floral Dress, flowers, san francisco, golden date park, sunglasses, hair, fashion, style, blogger, fashion blogger, ootd

Unless your flowers are smaller (like in the dress I’m wearing), make sure the print is a bit scattered and spread out. It’s easier on the eyes.

Summer, Dresses, Floral Dress, flowers, san francisco, golden date park, sunglasses, hair, fashion, style, blogger, fashion blogger, ootd

“After women, flowers are the most lovely thing God has given the world.” -Christian Dior

Summer, Dresses, Floral Dress, flowers, san francisco, golden date park, sunglasses, hair, fashion, style, blogger, fashion blogger, ootd

On Me: Similar Urban Dress/Clarks Heels/Nine West Purse

Here are a few floral dresses I love:

ASOS floral dress

ASOS $35

Calvin Klein Floral Dress

Calvin Klein $74.66

Forever 21 Foral Dress

Forever 21 $35

Easy Summer Buns for the Lazy Girl

Summer Hairstyle

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:

Summer Hairstyle

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.

Summer Hairstyle

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.

Summer Hairstyle

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.

Summer Hairstyle

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

Summer Hairstyle

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

Lake, summer

Wedding Season

Forever 21 skirt and blouse, Lucky Brand Sandals, Nordstrom Sunnies

Wedding season is in full bloom. That means it’s time to figure out what to wear, which isn’t always easy.

Forever 21 skirt and blouse, Lucky Brand Sandals, Nordstrom Sunnies

If I’m unsure about the dress code, I try to pick something versatile–easy to dress up or down.

Forever 21 skirt and blouse, Lucky Brand Sandals, Nordstrom Sunnies

Summer weddings, particularly if they are set outside, usually imply a more casual look. I decided to pair the ensemble with my favorite wedge sandals, something suitable for the season. I also opted to wear my hair down with minimal jewelry. If it were a black tie event, I might have chosen an updo and pearl earrings.

Forever 21 skirt and blouse, Lucky Brand Sandals, Nordstrom Sunnies

Whenever I go shopping for a special occasion, I try to buy things that I know I will wear again. I decided on a two piece–high waisted skirt and cropped lace top to match. I’ve already worn the pieces separately since the wedding.

Forever 21 skirt and blouse, Lucky Brand Sandals, Nordstrom Sunnies

My last piece of advice is to pick something you feel comfortable in. You’ll be posing for many photos and dancing all night, so choose wisely.

On Me: Forever 21 Skirt & Blouse, Lucky Brand Sandals, Nordstrom Sunnies