Outfit Idea: Dreaming of Chartreuse

I have a bit of an obsession (okay, I have many obsessions), but this one is more dire.  I would say it is on par with my love of blue suede shoes, which equates to a fairly serious problem.  Now that you literally dying with anticipation, I will share it with you... I am a chartreuseaholic.

I can't help myself.  I always find myself drawn to this color... it doesn't matter where, and Pinterest is not helping!

I love it for parties...

I love it in kitchens...

I love it for shoes (although this is more of the green version - I prefer more yellow)...

I love it in fashion... 

And, I love it on me.

You can just imagine my delight when I found that J. Crew's Bubble Necklace was available in a "lemon lime".  I can't wait to wear this many different ways, but my most favorite is keeping it simple with white.

                                       - Allison

*Photos courtesy of pinterest.com.

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

Revisiting the LWD: A Summer Essential

As my life gets more and more hectic, I am all about simplifying my wardrobe.  I want to look good, but I don't want to spend hours agonizing over what to wear.  In keeping with my new summer theme of getting back to basics, I revisited my LWD over the weekend.

I was trying to figure out what to wear to an afternoon/early evening party and thought my white shift would be perfect (plus it had sleeves, which is a bonus on a chillier day).  I wanted my outfit to be fun, but not too dressy... I guess you would say I was going for "casual chic".

As I started to mull over accessories, it occurred to me how easy it is to change the personality of your look with a simple change in jewelry and shoes.  Just like the white tee, a great fitting white dress is the perfect canvas for many different looks.  Let's just say that the LWD is an essential piece for your summer wardrobe.

Option 1 -  I add my favorite frog necklace for some color and fun.  I will keep it sophisticated with the nude sandal.   My "luncheon look"...

 

Option 2 -  More preppy chic... navy pearls and Jack Rogers.  My "beach club look"...

Option 3 -  A tad more edgy. but still preppy... my "Palm Springs look".

I love the simplicity.  I love classic pieces that are made well, fit well and that you can wear again and again and no one will be the wiser.  Next time you are deciding between the really cool print dress that you won't be able to wear too many times or the basic dress, make sure you have the basic dress first.  Then you can add in the fun, fashionable pieces.  

                                                                                                           - Allison

Trend Alert: Festival Dressing for Everyday

I have one word for you - Coachella.  Have you heard of it?  It is only the biggest music festival around located in the California Desert town of Indio. It started as a 2-day festival at the end of April, and is the now the coolest music event of the year, spanning 2 weekends... 6 days of continuous music on several different stages.  Music aside, Coachella is all about the fashion.

This is the place where you can let your hair down (or braid it), live out your hippie dreams or be as quirky and fashion forward as you would like... anything goes.  For those of us not able to fly out to Callie on a whim and bum around listening to music all weekend, it is a great place for inspiration for spring outfit ideas.

I wanted to share some of my favorite looks...

Model Alek Wek looks so great.  A preppier take on the festival look, but it works.  Stripes, ruffles and riding boots would look just as fab in the 'burbs.

The classic bohemian look... you can never go wrong with a great maxi dress and denim jacket.

Kate Bosworth has perfected the music festival look.  Wouldn't a mini dress, wellies and an anorak be so chic for a rainy day?! 

A vintage tee always looks cool... pair it with a cute pair of shorts or skinnies

Maybe we can't all wear shorts this short or cropped shirts, but I love simplicity of the outfit.  Denim, chambray, a white tank, turquoise... you can't go wrong.

I love this look!  Who would know if you were wearing a swimsuit or a bodysuit?  The perfect solution for a hot day.  A cute maillot would look great with a full skirt or fun shorts.  Oh, the possibilities...

Models at Coachella... they can wear anything and still look good.  I do love the bohemian blouse with cutoffs.  A classic carefree look for summer.

Peace!

                                                                                                                                - Allison

*Photos courtesy of refinery29.com, vogue.com and harpersbazaar.com.

Birthday Party Bonanza

Saturday afternoon I was hanging out at the bowling alley for niece's birthday party. It was a great party and everyone had fun, but isn't it funny how many of your weekends are filled with children's birthday parties? Even if you don't have kids, you probably know a handful of people with kids or you have nieces and nephews... so you understand the birthday party shuffle. Once the weather gets warm, the invitations start rolling in. Before you know it, the weekends are booked... birthday parties, bbq's, sporting events... you name it. Lots of activities and nothing to wear, right?!

It seems to be trickier dressing at this time of the year because you are just out more. You still have your "weekday uniform" but that won't fly on the weekends and you can't wear skinny jeans and boots all summer, so what are you to do? The best thing to do is find several key pieces that can be mixed and matched with things that you already own.

1. skinny white jeans (ankle length is best)
     - picture Jackie O in her cropped white jeans and a black tee. These jeans can be paired with tanks,  
       tunics, sequin tee's, you name it. They are the basis of your summer wardrobe and they can be worn
       during the day or at night.

2. sundress (can be maxi or something longer and a little loose - think flowing & comfortable)
     - a dress is so easy in the summer. Throw it on and you are ready to go... wherever. It is also looks
       great layered under a jacket or sweater or is even better on a hot day. Definitely a go-to piece on the
       weekends.

3. striped tee
     - just as classic as the white jeans. You must have some sort of representation of the sailor stripe in
       your wardrobe. This shirt is perfect when a little loose and can be worn with pretty much anything,
       including patterns...

4. fitted jacket or blazer
     - this is taking the place your leather jacket. You need something that you can throw on over a dress,
       or with a tee and jeans that will add a bit of edge to your outfit.

5. chunky knit cardigan
     - this is the kind of sweater that you could throw on over a dress, with your shorts or your striped
       shirt, even a swimsuit at the end of a fabulous beach day. It is heavy enough to keep you warm on a
       cool summer evening, but not too bulky.

6. colorful shorts
     - a cute pair of dressier, colorful shorts are a must have!  Dress them up or down, and they are much
       more functional and modern than a little skirt.... especially when playing with the little ones.

7. wedge sandals
     - these are perfect for the days you want to dress up a bit, but it is still a daytime function. Chances
       are you will be chasing after kids, so you don't want to break an ankle, but you don't want to
       wear flip flops again...

8. wide belt
     - something neutral, ligheter weight (jute)...on the more casual side. Use it on a skirt, dress, tunic...
       give your outfit some shape and more summery feel.

9. boat shoe or skimmer
     - not everyday will be sunny and warm. Days (like today) can be cooler and rainy. A cute pair of
       kicks that are not open toe are perfect for those less desirable afternoons.

10. aviators
     - a classic. Always in style and they look good on everyone - also has a cool & casual vibe.

Enjoy those weekends you are prepared to face those events with a lot of style!

Do you have a summer essential that you can't live without?  Let me know... we should add to the list!

                                      - Allison

*Photos courtesy of shopbop.com, jcrew.com, madewell.com, gap.com, piperlime.com, endless.com