Outfit Idea: Layering to a Tee

Happy Monday, ladies!  The race begins yet again, and I am pretty sure that what you are going to wear is not at the top of your priority list.  Whether you are trying to keep yourself or your entire family organized, it just seems so much more difficult in the summer. 

Therefore, what better way to start the week than with an easy outfit idea?!  Let’s revisit the chic and easy tee.  Whether it is long sleeve or short, white, blue or black… the little tee should be one of your best friends.  Last time I wrote about the white tee being a great canvas for your statement jewelry.  Today, it’s all about layering with the tee.

One of the reasons I love clothing with clean, simple lines and really fairly basic structure, is that you can play with these pieces much more than ones with lots of frills and details.  I was playing around over the weekend, looking for something to wear on a cooler day… I did not want to wear another sweater and skinny jeans.

After some thought, I grabbed a navy long sleeve tee, my dusty blue ballerina dress, my ankle-wrap sandals and some trusty pearls… Don't laugh, I needed to shake things up a bit.  Don't you always hang your clothes from a tree?!

If my photographer wasn’t sick, I may have had a better shot for you.  Today, my closet will just have to do…

I felt very elegant considering I was just wearing a simple tee... easy summer dressing.

                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                   - Allison

Outfit Idea: Afternoon Delight

What to wear?  A very familiar question that we find ourselves asking constantly.  For me, it happens more when I am faced with daytime event.  They type of event that doesn't require a "business look", casual clothes won't work and something that I would wear out to dinner just doesn't seem appropriate.

These occasions always seem to pop up randomly, but definitely more so in the summer.  Bridal showers, lunches, afternoon birthday parties, bbq's... you would think I would be more prepared by now, but for some reason I always feel that I am lacking in this category.

My lack of daytime ensembles has put me in quite a pickle.  I am meeting with an author at Neiman Marcus tomorrow afternoon (more on that later!), and I want to look cute... chic.  But, obviously not like I tried too hard, and I would like to be a bit unique.

Sooo, it is time to think outside the box.  I am sure that I have the right pieces... I just need to put them together differently.  Well, at least I have nice weather on my side.

I am still on my shorts kick, so that might be a good option.  However, I have been wearing my yellow shorts on many occasions.  They might need a break this weekend.  Since I have been doing the brights a lot lately, what if I went with pastels...

  

I love this peach sweater from Club Monaco... especially the bow in the back.

Oh, and I love a good snake print to complement pastels...

Silver and pearls would be a good accent...

I think I like it...

So much so, I could swap the heels for sandals and wear it to run errands!

  

                                        - Allison

Outfit Idea: The White Tee

Yesterday afternoon, I was covered in mud as I tried to plant flowers in between the passing downpours.  As soon as the rain would let up and the sun started to peek through, I grabbed my wellies and yellow rubber gloves and ran outside to attempt to plant as many flowers as possible.  There isn't much to this story other than I looked completely ridiculous.  To make things worse, I was up to my elbows in mud when my husband told me that we had to be ready for dinner in 15 minutes!

The first thing that ran through my mind was "Sh*#!".  What was I going to wear?  And, I had to get the girls dressed too!  There was no time to try and put together some cute outfit, I literally had to throw on clothes.  Thankfully, I had just purchased a fresh white crewneck tee.  

I have not relied on a white tee in quite some time, more or less because my selection has been nothing to speak of... holes, yellowing armpits, stretched out necklines... we have all been there, right?!  Well, in attempt to keep myself from rambling on, the point of my story is that I had forgotten how handy a white tee can be!


Thankfully we were heading to our local Italian restaurant, so the dress code is fairly casual.  I grabbed my boyfriend khaki's... easy and relaxed - there was absolutely no time for ironing.

To dress up my rather plain ensemble, I added my frog necklace.  Fun and colorful - it is a perfect summer necklace.  It has already been a lifesaver in many situations, and it is only the beginning of June!

Now I needed shoes... I was dressed so casually that I didn't want to wear flip flops.  Thankfully I had just gotten my new ankle-wrap sandals!

Yes, it is basic.  Overall, though, I was very happy with what I threw together.  Sometimes the best looks are the most simple and chic.  It is also a good lesson in the importance of the white tee... it is a great canvas for a fabulous statement necklace.

                                                - Allison

*Photo courtesy of jcrew.com.

Trend Alert: The New Wrap

It all started with this shoe...

I became obsessed with the Tibi Amber Heel (in every color combination available) due to its elegance, but more importantly the ankle strap.  I absolutely love how the ankle strap doubled (which gave it a little extra weight), while it perfectly sat on the ankle the way a bracelet sits on one's wrist.  The effect is refreshing and a little sexy.  

I love the idea of wearing these heels with a gorgeous pair of lace shorts...

I kept thinking and daydreaming about the ankle-wrap.  I love the freshness of the look.  It is also a great way to add a little edge, but is still very feminine.  I am now wholeheartedly obsessed with this style.  As with all of my loves, I had to start scouring the interenet to see what was out there...

There is the flat ankle-wrap...  the Cole Haan Kimry Sandal.  I love the python print!  One, its fun.  And, two, it is versatile and nudeish (i.e. it won't make your legs look stumpy!).

These be so cute with a short summer dress...

I also fell in love with these J.litvack York Sandals.  They are a bit more delicate, yet still have some weight (which helps with keeping them look very current) and give you a little lift with a one inch wedge.

I love the idea of wearing them with either a midi length or asymmetrical hem...

And then you have the Madewell Whistlestop Sandal.  I have personally tried these on and love them!  They are the perfect everyday sandal to give your flip flops a much needed break!

These sandals would look great with everything.  However, if I were going to wear them as an everyday sandal, they would be the perfect complement to a bright pair of shorts...

Ankle-wrap sandals are a definite must have this summer.  There has been quite a sandal drought for some time (hence the heavy reliance on the flip flop), but this summer sandals are back with a bang.  These are just some of my personal faves.  I guarantee that the right one is out there waiting for you!

                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                         - Allison

*Photos courtesy of tibi.com, netaporter.com, shopbop.com, colehaan.com, endless.com, jcrew.com.