29 May 2014

Sweatshirt Dressing

floral eyelet floral eyelet

For those of you ladies who have been checking out my blog for a while, you know I adore "cheat" clothes. Those are the pieces that are soft, stretchy and oh so easy, it's like home clothes that masquerade as outside clothes.

This sweatshirt dress is a perfect example of "cheat" clothes - it is way too easy to put on and soooo comfortable. I may have napped in this piece over the weekend, then fluffed my hair, grabbed a purse and gone right out.

What are your "cheat" clothes?

floral eyelet floral eyelet

Dress: Gap eyelet-back floral sweatshirt (sim print dif silhouette & here, as top only)
Necklace: GroopDealz (worn here - sim, brighter)
Bracelet: INPINK pink glitter barnacle (sim, sim)
Ring: F21 (worn here - sim, set)
Shoes: Zara block heel (worn here - sim taller, strappier for a deal)
Bag: Coach legacy flight (worn here - sim, sim, brighter)

floral eyelet

floral eyelet

27 May 2014

Can't Stop: Floral and Stripes

stripes + floral

I hope you ladies in the States had a nice relaxing holiday weekend! There were loads of good sales these past few days - did any of you gals score something lovely? I only bought one thing  - a lovely embroidered chambray dress from Madewell when they had their 20% off promo. I spent the vast majority of the rest of my long weekend eating too much, playing with my pup and everyone else's and catching up on new video releases - thank you, Netflix and Redbox.

stripes + floral stripes + floral

Jacket: J.Crew maritime (worn here - sim, darker, multi-colored)
Top: J.Crew factory tissue v-neck (worn here - sim)
Skirt: J.Crew factory printed pencil (worn here - sim as dress, as dress, midi)
Necklace: J.Crew crystal cluster (worn here - sim simpler, grander, luxe, for rent)
Bracelets: Banana Republic crystal stretch & Target (sim set)
Shoes: Anne Klein qadira (worn here - sim, flats)
Bag: J.Crew claremont (worn here - mini version)

stripes + floral

23 May 2014

Nautical by Nature

nautical stripes

eShakti asked me to do a product review a few weeks ago and having seen their cute offerings all over the blogosphere, I jumped on the opportunity. I was able to pick out my own dress and of course I had to go nautical - and red, white and blue is no-fail, right?

When ordering from eShakti, you have the option of either selecting from standard numerical sizing or customizing for only $7.50. I selected standard sizing but chose customized styling, so I was able to pick the neckline, sleeve-type and length that worked best for my figure and height. After placing my order, I received my dress within two weeks via DHL.

As for fit? I selected my size based off their listed standard sizing measurements instead of just picking my normal numerical size and I'm glad I did - these guys are spot-on with measurements. I think my normal numerical size would have been too small. I also appreciate that eShakti adjusted the length for my height too - no going to the tailor with this dress.

I am pretty impressed with eShakti. They've got loads of cute styles (I think Anthropologie and ModCloth fans would be impressed) to pick from, plus the prices are pretty darn reasonable considering you can customize your best fit for this much => <= more money.

You can use code RTSES for 10% off your next order, good through June 23! Or if you sign up to their site, you can get a $25 credit!


nautical stripes nautical stripes

Blazer: Sine via Anthropologie brief meeting (worn here - sim, sim)
Dress: c/o eShakti racing stripe colorblock
Earrings: J.Crew crystal shimmer (worn here - sim, sim)
Bracelets: J.Crew factory chainlink, leopard (sim), crystal(sim)
Shoes: Jessica Simpson jaide (worn here - sim, sim)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (worn here - sim, sim)

nautical stripes

nautical stripes

For those in the States, have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! May you have some fab fun with your friends and fam on this unofficial start of summer holiday, and take a moment to pay respect to the sacrifices made by our military men and women and their families.

21 May 2014

More Stripes for the Gondola

gondola + more stripes

As basic as it may seem, I think the gondola stripe collection is one of the most striking group of pieces that J.Crew had ever come out with. It's colorful and contrasting and classic at the same time. I wear this blouse to death and wish I had gotten the midi skirt version and even the bold coat that I don't think I could pull off anyways. I know this print briefly came out at the Factory stores but unfortunately that skirt version was kind of mini. So I'll scour Ebay and hope for something in my size to hopefully pop up - and yes, knowing me, if I can find the skirt, I'll likely attempt a full-on blue and white stripe ensemble. Nothing beats the red, white and blue, right?

gondola + more stripes gondola + more stripes

Shirt: J.Crew perfect stripe (worn here - sim, linen)
Top: J.Crew gondola stripe (worn here - sim luxe, sim as knit tee, as skirt)
Jeans: Banana Republic classic skinny (worn here - sim, sim)
Necklace: via Etsy (sim, sim)
Bracelets: Banana Republic crystal stretch, F21, Target (sim set)
Shoes: Michael Kors hamilton (worn here - sim plain, loafer, peep-toe)
Bag: Pour La Victoire roma (worn here - sim, sim, sim)

gondola + more stripes

gondola + more stripes

19 May 2014

Green and Blue with Stripes

ankara + stripes ankara + stripes

Today's blog post features one of my fave silhouettes - a fitted top with a flippy full skirt. Granted fitted tops tend to make me feel a bit self-conscious, as I am built pretty straight up and down with big shoulders for my size, and more fitted styles sometimes emphasize that. So the fullish skirt is a nice way for me to fake a waist and remembering to stand up straighter helps me from resembling Quasi's hulking cousin - though to this day my mom is still trying to correct my perpetual slouching! I know, I know, we're all our own worst critics, right?

ankara + stripes ankara + stripes

Top: J.Crew (worn here - sim w/blue, cropped, steal)
Skirt: Zizi and Grace via Etsy (sim, pricey, maxi)
Belt: The Limited (sim, sim, pricey)
Necklace: F21 (worn here - sim, bigger, colorful statement)
Bracelets: Love Andrea's Closet (sim), Sage K and Co (sim steal), J.Crew Factory chainlink (sim pave)
Ring: F21 (sim)
Shoes: Zara cap-toe court (worn here - sim, d'orsay, t-strap)
Bag: J.Crew factory dorset (worn here - sim, sim, luxe)

ankara + stripes

17 May 2014

Weekend Camo

neon camo  neon camo

This is one of my weekend looks from earlier this month. It's fab comfy to break out the shorts and flats to run around town with - though I've already had to start including a spritz of mosquito repellent prior to heading out of the door. Nothing like having "sweet" blood that the buggies can't stay away from and being extremely allergic (i.e., big red welts) to mosquito bites.

What are you lovelies rockin' this weekend?

neon camo neon camo

Top: Gap mix print (worn here - fake the look by layering this or this with this)
Shorts: J.Crew chino (worn here - sim, dressier)
Belt: J.Crew (sim, sim)
Necklace: Asos (worn here - sim, in silver, colorful)
Bracelets: F21 (sim) & Sage K and Co (original, sim steal in gold, silver or set)
Shoes: Tretorn (worn here - sim in blue & beige)
Bag: Fossil austin (worn here - sim, sim)

neon camo

12 May 2014

Gingham and Pearls

gingham + pearls

This is probably a bit terrible, but at last count, I've got a total of eight different gingham button-down shirts (I have more striped tops, but I'm not even going to go there). I can't seem to help it, but gingham shirts just seem like the right mix of casual and dressed up, country and preppy to me. I know some folks get the whole plastic tablecloth vibe from gingham, but I adore it -  most times I actually like to treat it like a neutral (here for example, or here, here ... here ... I can probably keep going ...)

What do you think about gingham? Too country? Too preppy? Just right?

gingham + pearls gingham + pearls

Shirt: Lands' End Canvas gingham poplin (worn here - sim, sim)
Jeans: Old Navy sweetheart (worn here - sim, sim)
Belt: J.Crew factory gilded cork (sim, steal)
Necklace: Ann Taylor pearl & pave cluster (worn here - sim, deal, steal)
Bracelets: GroopDealz (sim, to rent - who knew, luxe) & Target (sim set)
Shoes: J.Crew cleo stripe canvas (sim solid, sneaks)
Bag: J.Crew tillary (worn here - sim brown, deal)

gingham + pearls

gingham + pearls

09 May 2014

Circle, Circle, Dot, Dot

twister top

Nothing like warm enough weather to warrant some fun spotted linen and bare toes (Ack - a first for me in 2014!) Granted I wore this outfit last weekend when I was in warmer southern pastures, versus the cool wetness that is the Northeast this time of year.

My babbling aside, wherever you are, stay dry, stay comfy, and stay stylish - it's Friday, baby!

twister top twister top

Top: Boden millie (sim as dress)
Jeans: J.Crew distressed matchstick (worn here - sim, sim)
Necklace: Banana Republic tutti frutti (sim, simpler for a steal)
Bracelets: Love Andrea's Closet (sim), Sage K and Co (the original, steal), C.Wonder (sim enamel)
Ring: F21 (worn here - sim, sim)
Shoes: Zara block heel (sim rose gold, higher, strappier)
Bag: Longchamp (worn here - sim, deal)

twister top

twister top

07 May 2014

Bits for May

Bits of randomness from this past month (you can see some of these and more on my Instagram):

May 1 May 2 May 3
♥ Liberty floral (sim blazer, top, jeans, shoes). Neon shorts seems to work with the camo stripes.  
♥ Boho preppy (espadrilles, shorts & sim sweater).

May 4 May 5 May 6
Oranges and orange with bits of turquoise (ring, tassels, sim beads & studs).  
Pink suede (sim scarf, bag, top). ♥ Baubled stripes (sim necklace, clutch, bracelet).

May 7 May 8 May 9
♥ Preppy striped bows & gingham (sim). ♥ A new fave necklace (jacket, sweater).  
♥ Pattern mixed with pink (top & sim scarf, blazer).

May 10 May 11 May 12
♥ A no-fail outfit (sim bag, blazer, top, necklace, bracelet). ♥ Stripes & floral with a bit of bling (sim necklace, floral skirt). ♥ Neon bumblebee (skirt, shoes, necklace & sim top).

May 13 May 14 May 15
♥ Corporate sequins (shoes, top, skirt & sim shirt, bracelet). Twister top (necklace, sandals & sim jeans, tote).  
Mod floral (ring).

May 16 May 17 May 18
♥ Nautical layered up (sweater & sim shirt, vest, necklace). ♥ Weekend neon (sim sweater, necklace, clutch, loafers & jeans). ♥ Boyish stripes with a fave necklace (sim top, necklace).