bienvenue de retour

I'm back... back to blogging, and back from my summer in Chicago. It feels like all I ever do is travel, which has made me grateful for home, family, friends, and Momma's kitchen. This week I will continue "bouncing", as I like to call it, from place to place - had a wonderful weekend on the NC coast, and will be in stunning Norfolk, VA for a few days. This duffle is staying packed with my favorite summer go-tos!

embellished tank: Trina Turk {last year, here's my favorite from 2012} // chevron shorts: Nordstrom // 

wedges: Bakers {old, similar} // duffle: Louis Vuitton Damier Canvas Keepall 50 // earrings: Ralph Lauren // gathered chain necklace: H&M {similar} // watch: Michael Kors // bracelets: David Yurman (blue topaz, amethyst & gold buckle), Cartier "Love", & Derng Chain // rings: David Yurman (blue topaz, stack & pave), Cartier & YSL 'Arty' // lipstick: Revlon "Coral-berry"

something blue

dress: vintage {similar dress and shirt} // cobalt heels: Zara {similar here and here} // purse: Chanel // aviators: Ray Ban // mint earrings: Luna Charlotte {similar} // watch: Michael Kors // bracelets: David Yurman (blue topaz, amethyst & gold buckle) & Cartier // rings: David Yurman (blue topaz, stack & pave), Cartier & YSL 'Arty'

blog swap: Meet Molly & Mac

today I'm blog swapping with the girls at Ruffled Romance. They are gorgeous sisters with great style. Show my fellow Carolina gals some love & see what outfits we swapped!


We are so thrilled to be posting for Elspeth today:) Elspeth is such a beautiful and talented girl with a wardrobe that would make any girl swoon. We must admit that we are avid stalkers of Elle Bow Room Blog daily! It has been so much fun to keep up with her blog and see how much it has grown from the beginning. Elspeth, you are going to do big things and we are excited to call you a friend.

We are Molly and MacKenzie and we blog over at Ruffled Romance. For our look, we both wanted to keep it casual and summer appropriate. Crochet dresses and lightweight linen pants are summer staples that are definitely found in our closets. We love layering lots of jewelry to complete the perfect look. MacKenzie and I are sisters and are three years apart. We are very different but both share a passion for fashion and clothing. We have loved having the experience of blogging together because we get to express our unique and individual styles but we also get to do something that we both love together. Thanks again to Elspeth for having us on her blog today and we hope to see some of you over at Ruffled Romance!

Molly's Look:
Dress-Zara
Booties-Lucky Brand
Necklaces-gifted, Francescas, J.crew
Watch-Michael Kors
Bracelet-Local Boutique

MacKenzie's Look:
Pants-Anthropologie
Vest-Zara
Watch-Betsy Johnson
Bangles-Forever 21

thanks again to Molly & MacKenzie for sharing their beauty on 'elle bow room' today! to see more of the look I swapped with them, head on over to Ruffled Romance.

independence

Fireworks on Chicago's Navy Pier

Lake Bluff Parade

Tim McGraw at Soldier Field

Mom & I

Ryan & I

Hope everyone had a safe & happy holiday/week/weekend!

handmade blues

      

Today I have another beautiful handmade piece! I designed this tunic top and my talented mother did all the sewing {we also collaborated together to create this dress & more!}. She is so gifted, and I am - slowly - learning as well. I got a brand new sewing machine for Christmas, now all I need is free time! I love tunic shirts and dresses for summer, so easy to throw on.

What I'm wearing:

Top: handmade, my own

White toothpick chinos: J. Crew {similar}

Wedges: Aldo {similar here and here}

Clutch: Tory Burch

Sunnies: House of Harlow

Earrings: unknown, from Luna

Watch: Michael Kors

Bracelets: David Yurman (blue topaz & amethyst & gold buckle), Cartier, & Handpicked

Rings: David Yurman (blue topaz & stack & pave) and Cartier

My monogrammed sash is from LaRoque, she's a Carolina-girl's best kept secret! Annabelle Laroque is the founder and designer of the boutique-turned-fashion line based out of Columbia, South Carolina. Any girl can appreciate her southern preppy-chic style, not to mention the fun, bright prints she uses! Contact her for your next dress need, she custom-designs! Here are some of my favorite original pieces:

Caroline Bow Top with Lucy Shorts

Eleanor Wrap Dress

Ellis Strapless Dress

Jodi Bow Skirt with Annie Ruffle Top

TGIF & have a fantastic weekend!!