A Summer of Stripes

Hi Loves! I hope everyone had a safe and fun Independence Day! And remembered sunscreen. I did, but I didn't apply it to my legs (because they seriously never burn!), and guess what happened? They burned. Ugh.

Anyway, I wanted to tell you guys about an adorable boutique that I found recently, because they have the C U T E S T product, and all at very affordable prices! The boutique is called Versona (shopversona.com), and has locations all across the country! Even though they have multiple locations, they only get one or two size runs per style at each store, so you won't see many (or any) people walking around wearing the same outfit as you - absolutely love that! Versona has so many trendy striped options right now; perfect since stripes are SO big this summer!! I rounded up three of my favorites and have linked all outfit details below. Happy shopping Loves! xoxo

Outfit #1

Jumpsuit: Cupio

Earrings: Versona

Clutch: Versona

Outfit #2

Dress: Not Available Online (similar here, here and here)

Earrings: Not Available Online (similar here)

Clutch: Not Available Online

Outfit #3

Dress: London Times

Earrings: Not Available Online (Similar here)

Handbag: Versona

My Top Five Tips for Organizing Your Closet + Lots of Stripes!

Just wanted to hop on here quick and talk about this super fun jumpsuit, plus my top five tips for cleaning/organizing your closet! First off, this jumpsuit is P E R F E C T - it is so beyond comfortable, and works for any type of summer weather. I just wore this bridesmaid dress shopping with my friend for her wedding, and it was 95 degrees and humid. The lightweight material made the fact that I was wearing pants completely unnoticeable, and was actually preferred since I avoided that awkward leg sweat from sitting in one place for more than 20 minutes!! Does anyone else totally relate to this issue when it's this dang hot out?? Also, don't get me wrong - not complaining in any way about the sun and warm weather - this is my favorite season!

Ok, on to the good stuff. As you may have seen, I spent TWO WHOLE DAYS cleaning and organizing my closet last week, and I want to share my top tips so you can get your organizing game on too! I was so stressed out by my mess of a closet, and finishing this massive project literally gave me life! Follow these tips and you'll be a closet organizing ninja in no time -

1. Do a little at a time - Spending a half hour a day tackling the organization of your closet makes it much easier to get started. Clean out just one drawer of your dresser, organize just your shoes, etc., and then come back tomorrow! Or, if you're like me, and let your closet get to the point of no return, just take the whole day (or more) and get it done. You'll feel a lot better. Trust me.
2. DECLUTTER. This is the most important part. If you haven't worn something in over a year, let it go. From my experience, taking everything out and slowly adding it back in is the easiest. Start by adding back the items that you know you love or wear all the time. Start a "maybe" pile next - try everything on in this pile and take a look in the mirror. What's your first impression? If it's "meh" or you wouldn't buy it if you saw it at the store tomorrow, toss it. Get rid of anything that's too big or doesn't fit you anymore, or is damaged and unable to be fixed.
3. Invest in coordinating hangers! This will make your closet much more aesthetically pleasing. I personally love velvet hangers - they prevent your clothes from slipping off and ending in a pile on the floor, and they are thin, which means more space for the clothes you love!
4. Color coordinate! This will make finding that one specific shirt you want to wear a breeze when you're running late for work in the morning. I typically sort my clothing by type/silhouette, and then color coordinate within each of those sections.
5. Store out of season or least used clothing in clear plastic bins in less accessible areas of your closet. For me, this means storing my sweaters in the spring/summer on my top shelves that are harder to reach. Just keep a little ladder nearby in case you need a second layer on a chilly summer night.

When you're all done, sell your gently used clothing and accessories at a resale boutique, and donate everything else! Do you have any tips you'd like to add? Drop a comment below! Happy shopping (and organizing) Loves!

Jumpsuit: Found at TJ Maxx (other fave striped jumpsuits linked below!)

Booties: MIA (Similar here, here and here)

Earrings: Robert Rose (Similar here, here and here)

Pearl Necklace: Designs by FMC (Similar here and here)

Y Necklace: Relativity (Similar here, here and here)

Watch: Movado

Bag: Michael Kors (Similar here and here)

Denim Jacket: Old (Similar here and here)

Weekend Wear to Office Appropriate

With off-shoulder tops only increasing in popularity this summer, my closet is gaining more and more of them. The one problem? Even though my office has a business casual dress code, off shoulder tops are not seen as appropriate workwear because of the "shoulder-baring" aspect of this style. Of course, I needed to come up with a way to get around this so that I can show off this cute trend - one idea that came to mind was layering a tank underneath, essentially turning my off-shoulder top into a cold shoulder, and I'm SO happy with the final look! A little creativity and time to dig through my closet was all I needed to take this top from strictly weekend wear to office appropriate - all styles linked below! Happy shopping loves! xoxo

Off-Shoulder Top: Beach Lunch Lounge (Similar here, here, here and here)

High Neck Tank Top: Express (Similar here and here)

Denim: New York & Company (Similar here, here and here)

Shoes:  BLUE by Betsey Johnson (Also found here and here)

Bag: Michael Kors

Sunnies: Ray-Ban

Stripes and Ruffles

Off shoulder? Check. Stripes? Check. A dress that can be worn more than one way? Sold. I can't get enough of this gorgeous midi dress from Loft - the length is ultra feminine and flattering, and the ruffle detail truly makes this piece stand out from the crowd. The best part though? The tie straps can be tucked into the dress if you want a true off shoulder look! As far as accessories, I decided to go very simple to keep the focus on the stripe and ruffle details of the dress - just a floating diamond necklace and casual platform sandals. I found these sandals last summer, so I've linked a few similar styles below! Oh, and did I mention this dress is currently on sale?? Happy shopping loves! xoxo

Dress: Loft

Shoes: Tommy Hilfiger (Last year style) - Similar styles here and here

Denim All Day

Everyone is saying that denim is huge this year, but does the denim trend really ever slow down? In my eyes, it's a staple that is always a great go-to option. The cut or style of the moment will definitely change, but denim in general is always "on."

And when denim is made into a jumpsuit, like this super soft tencel jumpsuit from Gap, can we really go wrong?! This is one of the comfiest pieces of clothing to grace the Earth this spring, and I can't get enough of it. And for all you tall girls out there like myself, this jumpsuit has adjustable straps so no worries about it being short-waisted!

Wear this jumpsuit all by itself (the crossback straps are such a cute detail) or pair with a blazer or duster cardigan. I chose a striped seersucker blazer to add some texture to the look and keep the color palette light. Mixing the prints a little further, I threw on some furry leopard heels for a fun effect. Since the blazer and heels are neutral colors, mixing these various prints and textures was more than ok! Link to the jumpsuit is below. Happy shopping loves! xoxo

Jumpsuit: GAP

Blazer: Willi Smith (found at TJ Maxx)

Necklace: Anthropologie

Shoes: Nine West

Denim Jacket // Stripes // Trainers

A few of my spring essentials include a denim jacket, stripe tee and a fun pair of colorful trainers - I've been living in all three of these, whether it's wearing them together as an outfit, or separately with other pieces. I just can't get enough of them! This chambray denim anorak jacket from MAX jeans is super soft and lightweight; a.k.a the perfect layering piece for unpredictable spring weather. I love that I can cinch the waist on the jacket as well to add some shape for a more feminine look.

On to the red trainers - I'm obsessed with these! Michael Kors - you did well. The first time I saw them I knew that they had to be mine. I wear heels basically every day for work, and my feet have definitely been feeling the aftereffects of that lately. On the weekends when I'm running errands I still want to look cute and trendy, and these are the perfect way to accomplish that - they're super comfortable, easy to get around in, and provide a fun pop of color to any outfit. If you want to dress them up a bit, pair with a ribbed midi dress and leather jacket for more of a metro chic look!

Denim Jacket: MAX Jeans

Striped Tee: H&M

Trainers: Michael Kors

Sunnies: Marilyn Monroe Eyewear

Stone Ring: Express

Spring Has (Kind Of) Sprung

I don't know about you, but I'm SO over winter weather and clothes. I think I probably stand in my closet for a solid 20 minutes before work every morning lately trying to figure out what to wear; I'm sick of wearing sweaters and pants, but it's still too cold for dresses and all of my cute clothes that come along with warmer temperatures. The weather definitely feels like it's starting to transition though (Yay!!), which means I can break out some cute, kind-of-springy outfits. Stripes, which I consider a classic that never goes out of style, are going to be bigger than ever this year. Trust me. And they also give off a spring vibe in my book, especially when paired with bright colors like this green jacket from Relativity! I snagged this jacket at a sample sale at work last summer, but I've already seen many different brightly colored spring jackets in the stores (we're talking bright pinks and blues - and this is just the beginning). I paired my outfit with tan leather booties from Vince Camuto since it's still a little too cold for an open toe, but once the weather warms up, a strappy wedge heel would be perfect with this as well! OH, and the sunnies - can't forget those! I found these this weekend at TJ Maxx, and couldn't believe what a steal they were. I'd never heard of Marilyn Monroe Eyewear before, but I definitely recommend checking out their website for some fun new shades! Jeans and booties linked below. xoxo

Jacket: Relativity

Top: The Limited

Jeans: GAP

Sunnies: Marilyn Monroe Eyewear

Booties: Vince Camuto

Mixing Prints: A "Do"

My new mantra when creating outfits is "just try it." Like so many other aspects of life, trying something new can take you somewhere great, whether it is a love for an activity or hobby you previously didn't know existed, or an outfit combined of pieces you never would have thought to put together. Mixing prints, or wearing black and navy, was considered taboo at one point in the past. Well, not anymore. The key to making this work though is using two prints that are very different from one another; when the prints are too similar, it will start to look sloppy. Polka dots are another great option that would effortlessly pair with this gorgeous midi skirt from H&M.  Now go off and take an adventure through your closet! It may just end with you doubling your outfit options. 

Top: H&M

Skirt: H&M

Shoes: Vince Camuto

Clutch: DSW