head's up

Those sticky-hot summer days are far from over here in NC, so this chambray romper was perfect for galavanting around at the beach. I used to wear headscarves religiously in high school - such a great trick to avoid looking greasy on a steamy day!

similar chambray romper here and here // scarf: vintage // vintage Louis Vuitton bucket drawstring bag // wedges: Bakers {old, similar} // sunnies:  House of Harlow 'Chelsea' // necklace: courtesy of A Beautiful Heart // watch: Michael Kors // bracelets: David Yurman (blue topaz, amethyst & gold buckle), Cartier "Love", Derng Chain, H&M Neon links // rings: David Yurman (blue topaz, stack & pave), Cartier & YSL 'Arty'

a sequin story

Not only is this outfit atypical because I don't usually dress like a ballerina rockstar, but it's also got some unique and original pieces. I thrifted this sequin blouse from a shop along the Carolina coast (the bottom hemline is scallops, I die). The shoes I found in a bizarrely adorable shop in Wicker Park, Chicago this summer (Miu-Miu-esque, if you ask me). And the Carrie-Bradshaw-skirt-on-a-much-smaller-scale is from budding designer, Alyssa Nicole. I discovered my adorable gothic tutu on UsTrendy, a website that helps independent fashion designers sell their products, obtain funding, and gain other assistance to launch and grow their clothing lines (I got rave reviews on a dress I got from UsTrendy, here). Entrepreneurship is one of my passions alongside being an independent fashion blogger, so shopping from up-and-comers on an e-commerce marketplace (full of amazing items that every other girl isn't wearing) is right up my alley.

blouse: thrifted // skirt: courtesy of UsTrendy // similar booties // clutch: Akira Chicago // earrings: TOPSHOP Chicago {newer} // sunnies: House of Harlow 'Chelsea' // similar bangle // watch: Michael Kors // bracelets: David Yurman (blue topaz, amethyst & gold buckle), Cartier

spotted sorbet

 

jacket: Zara // blouse: Zara // capris: Express {old} // bag: Louis Vuitton Artsy // sunnies: House of Harlow // heels: Jimmy Choo // necklace: HRH // earrings: kate spade // watch: Michael Kors // bracelets: David Yurman (blue topaz & amethyst & gold buckle), Cartier,  Hermes, Derng // rings: David Yurman (rose quartz {smaller version} & stack & pave), Cartier, onyx class ring

homemade, far from home.

For those of you who have followed this blog/me on twitter/my instagram feed, you know that I recently moved halfway across the country. I've been in Chicago for 2 weeks now & am slowly adapting to using public transportation. It's nice that Ry and I are together everyday after being apart for the last year, but I miss my family and friends like crazy. The weather has been...interesting. If you didn't know, Chicago is windy 24/7/365. This means no flowy dresses. Last week, it monsooned and went from 97 degrees to 45.

Nonetheless, I am adjusting and missing the fiery hot South. I've blogged several times about some of my homemade pieces, the products of collaboration between my mom and I. She sewed these fantastic ruffled shorts for me a few days before I left, and I have actually been able to bust them out up here! I love the colors and quatrefoil print, goes great with half my closet.

Also, meet the other blonde girl in Ryan's life, Zoe.

blouse: unknown // shorts: homemade // wedges: bakers // bag: Louis Vuitton // sunnies:House of Harlow // necklace: J. Crew // earrings: kate spade // watch: Michael Kors // bracelets: David Yurman (blue topaz & amethyst & gold buckle), Cartier,  Hermes, Derng // rings: David Yurman (rose quartz {smaller version} & stack & pave), Cartier, onyx class ring


Here are some of the other homemade pieces by Mom:

 this chevron skirt

this tunic top

this shift dress

red bandit

top: Nordstrom // pants: J. Brand // shoes: Jimmy Choo // clutch: vintage // sunnies: House of Harlow // necklace: J. Crew // earrings: kate spade // watch: Michael Kors // bracelets: David Yurman (blue topaz & amethyst & gold buckle), Cartier,  Hermes, Derng // rings: David Yurman (rose quartz {smaller version} & stack & pave), Cartier, onyx class ring

pink + green : floral + stripes

Thank you so much, readers, for being patient with me the past few weeks. I have been swamped and unable to give my blog much attention {evident by my swollen eyes!}. First order of business:

I was selected as the winner of Bows & Sequins' giveaway of a beautiful Spike the Punch necklace! Not only have I loved reading Bows & Sequins blog, I have long obsessed with Spike the Punch jewelry, but it sure is hard to snag an amazing handmade piece. I was ecstatic when Jessica told me I had won, and promised her I'd include it in an outfit post ASAP. "Soon" was apparently used loosely.

What I'm wearing:

blouse: LOFT

skirt: J.Crew

platform shoes: Via Spiga

purse: Marc by Marc Jacobs

sunnies: House of Harlow

Jewelry: J.Crew, David Yurman, Michael Kors, Cartier, Hermes, YSL