Neutrals

shoes: Charlotte Russe; skirt: BCBGirls; top: Chloe K purchased at T.J.Maxx; earrings: Loft; bag: Vintage Dooney & Bourke

As you can see, this outfit is composed of those steady neutral colors we all love, with a bit of flair. I got this top at T.J.Maxx and it was love at first sight! I absolutely love lace detailing on shirts and I can dress this top up or down depending on the occasion. 

I kept my makeup on the lighter side to keep the outfit on the low-key side instead of "glaming" it up. And the dainty bow earrings were the perfect addition and a nice compliment to the bow wedges.  

This particular occasion was dinner out with my mom, sister, aunt and cousin. We went to Not Your Average Joe's and let me tell you it was absolutely delicious! The sangria was fruity and refreshing! 

Variation on a Theme: LBD

Everyone should have a LBD, or little black dress, in your closet. It is a must-have staple, you can dress it up for a black-tie affair, cocktail party, wedding, or dress it down for a shopping date, lunch date or date night. The possibilities are endless!

Here are a few variations on my LBD:

sweater: Talbots (similar); dress: Forever 21 (similar); belt: BCBG (similar); shoes: Tintoretto made in Italy

dress: Forever 21 (similar); clutch: BCBG (similar); shoes: Sole Society

hat: Silver Canyon; dress: Forever 21 (similar); shoes: Coach

How do you like the get the most variation out of your LBD?

Date Night

Jon and I went on a wonderful date to celebrate out 1 year anniversary. We got delicious pizza at Matchbox in Falls Church and then went to see Star Trek. 

It was a wonderful date night and a LBD (little black dress) was the perfect piece to wear! Granted I was a bit over dressed for the movies, but who cares. You can never go wrong with a LBD. Next week I will show you how to change up the style of your LBD so you can get more wear out of it! 

dress: Forever 21 (similar); clutch: BCBG MaxAzria; shoes: Sole Society

What do you like to wear on date night?

BBQ Attire

sweater: Forever 21 (similar); dress: BCBG; belt: Forever 21 (similar); shoes: Charlotte Russe  (similar)

 This was the original outfit I was going to wear for a BBq  I went to Memorial Day Weekend, but ended up changing before I actually went (I found out it was more casual...so settled on jean shorts and a button up). Even though I did not end wearing this, it is still a great outfit to wear to a BBq or daytime get-together.

And of course my magical belt has made another appearance! I love this belt because it really does go with so many outfits! 

As for the shoes, yes they are from Charlotte Russe, they are so comfortable! I have gotten quite a few pairs from Charlotte Russe and these shoes and a pair of wedges--that i wore out till they were falling apart-- are some of the most comfortable shoes that I own and are perfect summer shoes! 

Right now they are having a shoe happy hour where on certain pairs you can buy one and get the second for $12.50! Check them out and try out some great trendy shoes for this summer!

Click here to check it out!  

First Date Outfit

A year ago today I went on my first date with my Jon and everything changed in my life for the better.

First dates can always be a little nerve wrecking: what should I wear, is the date going to be a total bomb, etc... All of these things went through my mind as I was figuring out what I should wear for my date with Jon.

Since I had met him online I really didn't know if I was going to be seeing the same person I had been talking to for two weeks before we set up the date. Of course I have seen all the Lifetime movies and watch far too much TV; so the thought had crossed my mind that what if Jon was in fact a 60 year old balding man instead of the handsome Thor look alike that I thought him to be.

All my fears were put to rest when I saw him walking towards me. He was in fact the Thor look alike that I thought him to be and even better looking than I had imagined! It was the best first date I have ever had and led into the happiest time of my life (which I am still in). I cant wait to have countless more years with him!

So enough with the mushy stuff and back to how to dress for a first date!

So going through your closet and trying on everything you have it can be a bit stressful! So what I finally decided on was an outfit that was comfortable but showed a bit of my personality as well. I figured that if things progressed after the first date and he got hooked when I looked casual, then when I really dressed up he would get knocked off his feet.

top: Banana Republic (similar style); shorts: BCBG (similar style); flats: Zara (similar style)

So I wore a flowy shirt (one of my favorite types of tops to wear) and some nice jean shorts with some cute flats. A casual but chic style that hinted at my personality but didn't scream it; and I could be myself.

If you feel comfortable in your outfit, then you feel more like yourself and then the guy can fall in love with the real you!

Good Luck to anyone heading out to a first date!
Happy Memorial Day everyone!

Maxi Dress Time

dress: BCBG; shoes: Target (similar here); bracelet: don't remember (similar here and here)

One of my favorite outfits in the summer is a Maxi Dress. It is one of those pieces that can go from day to night!

BCBG maxi dresses have always been perfect for me because they are nice and long and do not just come to my ankles, like many out there. So with them I am able to wear heels or flats if I wish.

Regardless of the constant hum of the cicadas and them dropping from the sky everywhere, I am definitely enjoying this warm weather and am extremely happy it is Maxi Dress time! 

My First Grown Up Bag

Back in high school I was more of a shoe and clothes fanatic, I hadn't really gotten obsessed with bags yet. Then I asked for a nice bag for Christmas and that is when it all started: I was not a shoe, clothes and bag person! 

I was so excited when I opened this Christmas morning and used it all the time (as you can see with a closer look)! This was that fateful catalyst in adding one more thing to my list of need-to-have items. No more inexpensive, cheap looking bags for me, nope. I wanted them to either look really expensive or be on the pricier side. There was no training my eye to be attracted to anything else. 

bag: Liz Claiborne; top: BCBG Girls; shorts: H & M (similar); bracelet: Forever 21; shoes: Talbots

I have not used this lovely in a while, but using it the other day has made me want to dust those cobwebs away and show it off once again!

What was your first nice bag?

I: Going to a Spring or Summer Wedding and Don't Know What to Wear...

What to Wear to a Midday Wedding with a Change for an Evening Reception: Spring & Summer Edition

Midday Wedding

Casual chic with a soft touch

dress: Ruby Rox; bag: Liz Claiborne; ring: vintage; shoes: Aldo

gloss: Dior Addict Gloss #227

Changes for an Evening Reception

Pinned my hair up, added some more accessories, changed the shoes and did a delicate smoke to the eyes and added a pop of red to the lips.

shoes: 1 to 3 got them in Spain; bag: vintage Whiting and Davis International; earrings and ring: vintage; belt: BCBG

 

lipstick: L'oreal Infallible in Refined Ruby #337 

Wedding season is in full swing and I am sure there are times when you have no idea what you should wear!

Here is a little guide with some great options for any weddings you are attending this Spring or Summer that take place earlier in the day or have a more casual dress code.

If the wedding is early in the day, you may want to go for something a bit more on the casual chic side and if the reception is later in the evening opt for a change of shoes, clutch or addition of accessories.

dress: Modcloth; earrings: Nadri at Nordstrom; clutch: Topshop at Nordstrom; shoes: Modcloth

clutch: Mayna at Nordstrom; shoes: BCBG

dress: Modcloth; bracelet: Nadri at Nordstrom (wear 2-3 of them); clutch: Topshop at Nordstrom; shoes: Modcloth

earrings: Nadri at Nordstrom; clutch: Mayna at Nordstrom; shoes: Steve Madden at Nordstrom

dress: Modcloth; ring: BCBG; clutch: Topshop at Nordstrom; shoes: Modcloth

clutch: Mayna at Nordstrom; shoes: BCBG

Enjoy & Be Beautiful!