Outfit Post: Event Styling

When dressing for a special event, I tend to put some thought into my outfit. I like to stand out and wear something unique, but I also make sure the outfit represents my personal style. There's nothing worse than showing up at an event and not feeling like your bold and confident self.

So when deciding what to wear, I like to ask myself three questions:

1. Will I be comfortable?
If I am tugging at a dress or worried about it being too tight or too short, I will spend the entire evening self conscious and paying more attention to my outfit than to the event itself. Definitely not how I want to spend my time. I am a huge believer in looking good and feeling good in your clothes.
2. Is there a unique element to my outfit?
I really love fashion. I love experimenting and playing with trends. Part of my personal style involves taking risks in fashion, so it's important to me to have on something different. Even if I'm in a basic LBD, I'll be sure to add a statement shoe or bold accessory to stand out in the sea of other little black dresses. And finally...
3. Does this represent my own personal style?
As much as I love to play with styles, I know what feels like "me" and I make sure to stick to that. Personally, I avoid short and tight. I am attracted to neutrals over patterns. My preference is a nod to menswear instead of overly feminine. This doesn't mean I'll never stray from these guidelines (experimenting with other styles is part of the fun of fashion), but knowing my own personal style helps me to know what looks I'll confidently rock, especially when getting dressed in a hurry.

This dress from Rent the Runway, hits all three points. The scuba-like material is incredibly comfortable and is form fitting without being too tight. The side cut-out detail transforms this dress into something a little sexier than a standard pencil dress, creating a perfect date night look. And the modern silhouette is on trend, but still classic - representing my own personal style.

What do you look for when choosing a dress for an event? Do you follow any guidelines to make the decision easier? If you need help figuring out your own personal style, I can help.

dress: c/o rent the runway

clutch: vintage (similar here)

shoes: ann taylor (similar here)

earrings: thrifted (similar here)

Outfit Post: Head to Toe Summer Black

Like most people, summer is typically when I pull out all my bright clothing, bold prints, and monochromatic white outfits.

But sometimes? Sometimes I just want to wear black.

Regardless of what Anna Wintour says (*gasp*), head to toe black is always in style. The trick is making it - and you - feel summery. Here are a few of my tips for staying seasonally cool while wearing the hue:

1. Black doesn't mean boring. Keep the outfit exciting with some sort of visual interest. Think cutout sandals or an asymmetrical hemline. 

2. Look for light and breathable fabrics. Save your leather and wool pieces for the cooler months and opt for items in silks and linens instead. 

3. Play with proportions. Keep things cool and playful by experimenting with cut outs and crop tops.  

4. Lighten up the shoes. Think strappy, not bulky. Go for open toed over closed. 

5. Add interest with accessories. Go for a bold metallic cuff or oversized turquoise necklace. Accessories are where you can really make an all black outfit stand out.

Are you a fan of all black during the summer or do you stick to lighter shades?

top: bcbg (old, similar here)

bottoms: rag and bone (similar here)

shoes: c/o cynthia vincent (similar here)

clutch: nordstrom

ring: kendra scott

earrings: stella and dot

Currently Coveting: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

1. dress / 2. sunglasses / 3. pillow / 4. scarf / 5. hat / 6. bag / 7. oxfords / 8. clutch / 9. boots / 10. trench / 11. watch / 12. moscow mule mugs

To me, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale marks the beginning of the fall fashion season. I know, I know. It's only July and summer has barely begun. But in the fashion world, we are already thinking about next year's collection and the stores are preparing for next season's trends.

This is the perfect opportunity to sort through your closet and reassess what fits and what needs to be replaced. And the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is the perfect time to pick up a few items on your list. Above are a few of the pieces I have my eye on for this fall season: a modern cocktail dress, some updated bags and shoes, and a new trench coat.

What are you shopping for this season? Will you be taking advantage of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?

Outfit Post: Flea Market Maxi

If I could give you one tip for shopping (and negotiating) at flea markets it's this: be breezy.

Stay cool, don't show excitement, be breezy.

I picked up this maxi dress on my last trip to New York City at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market and immediately fell in love. There's nothing easier for summer than a maxi dress. It's uncomplicated and comfortable. It makes a statement with almost no effort whatsoever. It's very essence is breezy.

However, when I saw this dress from across the market, I lost all my cool and collected composure. I didn't slowly stroll over to check it out. I didn't pretend to half browse the racks while being distracted by my phone. I didn't ask how much and walk away. No, I sprinted - roadrunner style - to the dress, threw it on over my clothes, and loudly announced I had to have it.

Totally unbreezy.

The vendor took one look at me and had the upper hand. She knew it. I knew it. Everyone knew it.

But I figure when you find a dress that is so cool and laid back and breezy, you don't have to be. And besides, 40 dollars is a small price to pay for unbreezy behavior and a dress you love.

dress: hell's kitchen flea market

sandals: old forever21(similar here)

clutch: pitaya (similar here)

necklace: similar here

ring: kendra scott

sunglasses: ray-ban

Outfit Post: Fourth of July

I'm a huge fan of holidays. They almost always involve friends and family and food and drinks, and they usually involve some sort of holiday themed outfit. 

Fourth of July is no exception. 

Usually for the fourth, I'm a little bit more obnoxious obvious in my themed outfits: think stars and stripes and full on patriotic accessories. But this year, I've decided on a more classic, all-American approach to my Independence Day attire - something a little more toned-down and ladylike. This red shirt dress is the perfect way to embrace the holiday without looking like I was attacked by an American flag (definitely a past offender). 

But with three days of grilling, fireworks, seafood boils, and beach days ahead of me, there's still plenty of time to revert to my old ways. After all, there's only so long one can remain ladylike with the abundance of obnoxious holiday accessories available. 

No matter what you have planned to wear (or do), I hope you all have a fantastic holiday weekend!

dress: marissa webb via rent the runway unlimited

clutch: clare v. via rent the runway unlimited

heels: target (similar here)

watch: shinola

hat: target

sunglasses: ray-ban

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