Outfit Post: Gladiator Sandals

I first mentioned gladiator sandals over a year ago. Like a high school crush, I kept waiting for the phase to pass. To get over my butterflies. To move on to something more lasting and worthy of the investment.

But sometimes a crush turns into love and you just have to own your feelings and do something about it.

So I did. I finally bought a pair of gladiator sandals (on sale, mind you. I’m still into being practical...most of the time.)

But I have a confession.

Like real love, these sandals aren’t perfect.

Part of the reason I held off for so long to buy a pair is 1. I didn’t want to spend more than 100 bucks (and that was being generous) and 2. I have skinny little legs and finding a pair that fit my calves was nearing impossible.

And when I did finally find the right pair at the right price, I wasn’t about to let my skinny little chicken legs get in the way of love.

So I settled. I settled for imperfect, too large shoes because I was tired of not being able to wear all the outfits I had mentally styled with my gladiators.

It’s not something I recommend - in love or shopping. But unlike men, thankfully clothes and accessories can be altered.

So I took my imperfect sale sandals and fixed them. I spent 2 hours macgyvering my shoes until they fit around my legs. I used a combination of thumbtacks, nails, and screws to poke individual holes in every single leather strap from my ankle to my knee. That’s 16 unexpectedly difficult holes.

And in the end, all the pain and hardship and effort was totally worth it.

Love usually is.

dress: h&m

gladiators: madden girl

clutch: h&m (old, similar here)
sunglasses: ray-ban

necklace: old (similar here)

Outfit Post: South Moon Under

Last week was my 10 year college reunion. When deciding what to wear for my first night - the first time I would see my classmates in a decade - I knew exactly what to pick.

This dress. 

This is my no-fail dress. It's the dress that I always, always get compliments on. It's the dress that strangers stop me in the street to comment on. During my reunion, on my half mile walk from my hotel to the bar, I had five strangers stop me. Five completely random strangers on a 7 minute walk.

People have literally chased me down in the parking lot to ask me where I got it. It's been re-pinned thousands of times. It's brought tens of thousands of people to my blog to find out where it's from. I get weekly emails from readers pleading with me to help them find it.

A dress like that is wardrobe gold. And the store it's from - South Moon Under - is my holy grail of shops.

I first discovered the boutique when I was a teenager. Each year during our summer vacation, my family would pack up, pile into our family minivan, and head to one of the many east coast beaches. It was on one of these trips that I first discovered South Moon Under. And every year after, I would drag my mom back during our beach trips to shop. Several years later the store opened a location in my hometown of Reston, VA and I've been a frequent and regular customer ever since. Even after moving away to Detroit, I still make it a priority to stop in and check out the new merchandise whenever I'm back home visiting friends and family.

So I was beyond thrilled, honored, and humbled when the team at South Moon Under reached out to me to collaborate on an outfit post for the blog (I may or may not have reacted something like this). Hello, dream collaboration!

I'd like thank the dress for making my internet discovery possible.

When picking out an outfit for the blog, it would have been really easy to highlight a festival look or boho vibe (the store started as a surf shack in the 1960s so they have perfected the free spirited, bohemian style). But honestly, I wanted to do something totally different from the dress. I wanted to showcase some of the more modern, classic pieces they offer. And frankly, these shorts were love at first sight. French inspired, slightly nautical, with a hint of whimsy. Tailored but not stiff. Sexy but not overtly so. Feminine with a tomboy nod. These are my perfect shorts. And the perfect backdrop for some killer accessories in a pop of color, like these turquoise earrings and clutch.

And while I haven't been chased down in a parking lot in them yet, just give it time.

South Moon Under tends to have that kind of effect on people.

If you are on the east coast, check out one of their 24 locations (from Maryland up to Connecticut). If not, shop online and keep me posted on random stoppings, compliments, and inquiries from strangers.

Thanks again to South Moon Under for collaborating and for the sales team for being so accommodating as I tried on basically every piece of clothing in the store in order to find the outfit.

top: c/o south moon under

shorts: c/o south moon under

clutch: c/o south moon under

earrings: c/o south moon under

ring: c/o south moon under

shoes: nordstrom

sunglasses: ray-ban

Behind the Lens

I often get asked who the person behind the lens is in my blog photos. He's not a professional photographer. He's not even an aspiring photographer. He's my husband, Brad.

Brad has trampled through snow, wind, and rain. He's climbed over fences and under bridges. He's been late to dinners and meetings.

All for this little blog of mine.

And because today is his birthday, I'm sharing some of my favorite photos of the man who manages to capture my best side every day.

Happy birthday, my love.

Outfit Post: Packable Pieces

I hate to admit it, but I’m a constant overpacker.

Hi, my name is Dana and I am an overpacker.

I wasn't always this way. I used to plan and pack only what I needed. When I honeymooned in South Africa for 6 weeks, I carried everything I needed in a backpack. I spent a month wandering around Australia with all my belongings in a duffle bag. I traveled through Columbia for a summer with a carry on.

But somewhere along the way, I started planning less and packing more.

I'm not sure when this transitioned happened, but I'm determined to break this habit before it gets out of control and I start looking like this.

It's time to get back to the basics and start packing smarter.

On a recent trip to Florida to visit family, I challenged myself to not overpack. I thought about not just our itinerary for the week and the outfits I would need, but about what types of clothing would travel well and make a statement on their own without requiring a lot of extra fuss. Pieces that could stand alone or switched up with a couple layers.

This dress epitomizes that type of packable piece.

Besides the fact that it is super low maintenance and doesn't wrinkle, it also can be worn several different ways. I've switched out the matching belt for a wide, tan belt. I've added a denim jacket. I've worn it as a tunic over white jeans and wedges.

Pieces like this make getting dressed - and packing - a breeze.

I may have still overpacked (progress, not perfection), but I'm getting better at knowing which pieces will make my life easier and which pieces will just take up space in my suitcase.

dress: peacock room

clutch: stella and dot

necklace: stella and dot

bracelet: salikas'

sandals: old (similar here)

sunglasses: ray-ban

Closet Q&A: Goal Dresses

Welcome to my very first Closet Q&A series! Thank you to everyone who has submitted your questions so far - keep 'em coming! Without further delay, let's jump into our first question:

"What's your stance on buying things that don't quite fit yet? Are "goal" dresses just not a good idea?" - Hannah

via

I totally get the appeal of "goal" items. You find a dress you love and buy it a little too small, using it as motivation to encourage yourself to workout more, eat healthier, and make better choices overall.

However, I think this mentality can be risky. What if you don't reach your goal size? That perfect dress is going to quickly turn from a motivational tool to a guilt-ridden reminder; a reminder that what you're doing isn't enough. What started out as a positive incentive starts creating negative pressure to be something...different. And don't we already have enough of that in our lives? Plus, you're losing valuable closet real estate for something you can't even wear.

My advice? Embrace where you're at now. Find something you feel fabulous in and rock it. Leave the ill-fitting dresses behind.

Got a question? Let me hear it!

Outfit Post: Memorial Day

It’s a rare occurrence, but this year I spent my Memorial Day weekend not fighting traffic, not traveling, not going anywhere. I spent my weekend rooftop gardening, grilling with my girlfriends, and relaxing at home.

It was perfect.

I also made the conscious decision not to spend this weekend shopping. I probably got 100 emails in my inbox from stores, big and small, reminding me to shop their sales. 20% off. 30% off. 40% off. At some point Memorial Day became less about honoring those who fought for our country and more about hunting for the biggest bargain. Not shopping may be a small and insignificant decision, but for me, it was an important one.

To all of you who have served and continue to serve for our freedom, thank you. 

top: pitaya (similar here)

jeans: topshop via nordstrom

bag: clare v. via rent the runway unlimited

watch: shinola

bracelet: stella and dot renegade cluster

short necklace: stella and dot rebel cluster

long necklace: stella and dot aria pendant

sunglasses: ray-ban

sandals: old forever21 (similar here)

Outfit Post: Triple Trend

Three trends I'm loving for the summer are midi skirts, crisp white, and mesh details. This Ann Taylor skirt has all three and is the perfect New York stoop sitting, Carrie Bradshaw-inspired, summer skirt.

Normally I would have worn this look with a little more edge (maybe some studded heels and a black crop top), but it's springtime in New York and the flowers were blooming and I was feeling extra girly. Plus, B packed for this trip while I was still in VA (brave soul) so my studded heels and crop tops didn't make his cut. So my options were this borrowed pink top from my sister or my lived in "weekend warrior" pajama tee.

I'm a fan of the feminine pink vibe for spring, but I'm still questioning whether the weekend warrior tee would have been the better outfit choice.

top: borrowed from my sister (similar here)

skirt: ann taylor

denim jacket: vintage (similar here)

shoes: old forever21 (similar here)

sunglasses: ray-ban

ring: old (similar here)