Date Night

- outfit details - 
top || gift from sis-in-law
jeans || Target
heels || Charlotte Russe (similar)
clutch || Francesca's Collections (old)
bangles || Dillard's (old)
rings || Forever 21
necklace || Forever 21
watch || Michael Kors

My sister-in-law got me the cutest faux leather tank (the back is sheer) for Christmas, and the cruise my husband and I went on last month was the perfect time to try it out solo without a jacket. As I mentioned in my last post, I loved "dressing up" for dinners on the cruise, even the "casual dress" ones, because every night felt like a date night!

Speaking of date nights, this is a great go-to date night outfit. A leather tank (or any top with leather accents) provides a bit of sass/edge, while boyfriend jeans give off a relaxed vibe, and a pair of strappy heels incorporate some sophistication. Add a few metallic accessories, a classic clutch, and a bold lip (try a red-orange shade for spring/summer), and your date night outfit is complete!

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Chevron Chic

- outfit details - 
top || Francesca's Collections (similar)
jeans || Old Navy
heels || Charlotte Russe
clutch || Francesca's Collections (older)
statement necklace || Charlotte Russe (older)
watch || Michael Kors 

My mom recently surprised me with an early birthday present - the cute chevron top pictured above! I'm grateful that even though I'm about to turn 24, my mom still buys clothes for me and thinks of me when she's out shopping :). I'm not the only one in my family with a September birthday though - my mom, dad, and brother all have birthdays this month too! My husband and I threw my parents a joint-birthday party over this past weekend to celebrate both of them turning 50 this year - such a fun evening! I'll be sharing a post with all the party decorations and details later this week, so stay tuned!

style tip || Look for great "necklace and heels" combos - you can pair them with a variety of tops and bottoms and always have a pulled together look!

Have a marvelous Monday!

Leopard Love

- outfit details -

blazer || Target* (recent)
top || Target (older)
pants || Target (older)
heels || Charlotte Russe
necklace || Target (recent clearance)
clutch || Francesca's Collections (older)
rings || Forever 21
sunglasses || Target (recent)

Yet another post showcasing my love for Target. I wasn't kidding when I said their fall line is amazing! I spotted (no pun intended) this blazer a few weeks ago and knew it would be another great staple in my fall wardrobe. Though a seemingly bold piece at first glance, I actually find this lightweight leopard blazer to be very versatile. I look forward to styling it in a variety of ways utilizing varying color schemes. (*For some reason I couldn't find the link for this blazer on Target's website - not sure if they've already sold out? I have, however, still seen it in-store the last few times I've been over the past couple of weeks.)

Ironically, incorporating new Target pieces into my fall wardrobe has reminded me of previous Target pieces I've acquired over the past year or two that have become proven staples in my overall wardrobe (the black top and cobalt pants from the outfit above). Once a Target girl, always a Target girl! 

 Thanks for reading! :) 

Red, Black & Blue

- outfit details - 

top || Target
pants || Target (older)
heels || Charlotte Russe
clutch || Francesca's Collections (older)
earrings || Kohl's
cuff || Kohl's
lips || MAC "Ruby Woo"

My love for Target continues! When I came across this cobalt tunic-style top, I knew it would be another staple in my fall wardrobe (also available in black and white). Cobalt is on trend for this fall and universally flattering; the tunic-style can work with both jeans/pants or leggings.

Also, I've been on the hunt for a pair of ankle-strap heels and was excited to find both an affordable and stylish pair at Charlotte Russe recently. I like this pair because it will work well for fall/winter because of the pointed, closed toe. I like the open-toe version of this heel as well (throughout the summer I've seen that style on many of the blogs I follow), but I will most likely wait until spring before I incorporate that particular style into my outfits. (I'm a fan of practicality and timing when it comes to adding to my wardrobe!)

style tip || Match shoe color, lip color & nail color to create an overall polished look!

Have a lovely weekend! Thanks for reading!

Little Black Dress {summer edition}

- photo details - 
photographer || Reed Ewing
location || Ocean Maya Royale (Playa Del Carmen, Mexico)
occasion || honeymoon dinner #2

- outfit details - 
dress || Forever 21
heels || Charlotte Russe
clutch || Francesca's Collections
necklace || H&M
bracelet || BCBGeneration
watch || Michael Kors

The "little black dress" {LBD} - a classic & must-have for every girl's wardrobe. My favorite thing about LBDs is the variety of ways to style them! Summer + being in Mexico inspired me to add pops of orange to my LBD for this particular look. Once again, you'll notice the versatile white clutch from previous posts from the honeymoon (here, here & here).

style tip || Choosing accessories in similar shades help create instant outfits on neutral canvases {ex: a LBD}.

hair tip || When you want to highlight a necklace &/or neckline, go with a ponytail. For a sleek look, add volume on the crown, creating almost a faux-hawk, & wrap a strand of hair around the elastic.

 Happy Monday! :)

Blue Gingham + White Denim

- photo details - 
photographer || Reed Ewing
location || Ocean Maya Royale (Playa Del Carmen, Mexico)
occasion || honeymoon dinner #4 (May '13)

- outfit details - 
top || Old Navy (similar)
shorts || Old Navy
heels || Charlotte Russe
necklace || Charlotte Russe (similar)
cuff || BCBGeneration
bag || Francesca's Collections

This outfit is probably my favorite from the whole honeymoon because it involves several of my favorite summer fashion elements...

• Blue is by far my favorite color! I'm drawn to all different shades, but royal blue usually catches my eye the most & seems to compliment my hair & skin tone the best. Needless to say, the blue cuff that has been appearing all over my honeymoon outfit posts (seen also here & here) is one of my favorite accessories - so versatile! 
• Statement necklaces are definitely my necklace of choice (I just don't feel like I pull off "dainty" jewelry very well). I love the pop of color on this coral one I picked up at Charlotte Russe a while back. Normally I'll wear statement necklaces on the outside of collared shirts, but to keep with the casual feel of this look, I wore it "underneath." Even a statement necklace can appear more understated when styled in a certain way.
• White denim = summer. Shorts, jeans, dresses, etc. - I love wearing white. It goes with everything & brings such a freshness & crispness to any look. 
• Gingham is such a great print that works on pretty much everyone in my opinion (Reed has a blue gingham shirt just like mine and I LOVE how it looks on him!). It works great with both solids & mixing with other prints. Also, wearing white with gingham will definitely make the print pop even more. 
• Heels. Obviously I'm a fan :). I realize with the casual nature of the pieces I chose for this outfit that most people would opt for flats, but I couldn't resist wearing my favorite heels of the moment, especially with how great they tied in with the statement necklace. Also, with my shorter frame (5' 3"), I just feel better in heels when I'm wearing shorts. 

side note ||  The bag in this post is actually the white clutch that has appeared in previous posts this week (here & here), only in this post it's pictured with the added strap.

Thanks for stopping by! I'd love to hear your feedback! Have a fabulous Friday! 

Little Red Dress

- photo details -
photographer || Reed Ewing
location || Ocean Maya Royale (Playa Del Carmen, Mexico)
occasion || honeymoon dinner #1 (April '13)

- outfit details -
dress || Forever 21
wedges || BCBGeneration (via Marshalls)
clutch || Francesca's Collections
cuff || BCBGeneration
watch || Michael Kors

The "little red dress" -- arguably just as versatile as the "little black or white dress." I remember paying around $12 for this one at Forever 21 probably a year ago. I love the overall fit and where the neckline and hemline hit (both feminine and modest!). The accessories I incorporated into this look - specifically the white clutch and the blue cuff - will be making several appearances in upcoming posts. I never realized how versatile they were until I started planning outfits for the honeymoon!

{side note} I can't believe it's been almost two months since my last post - to say life has flown by since the wedding is an understatement! I'm looking forward to getting back into a blogging routine though! Stay tuned for new posts all week!

"Happy Monday" and thanks so much for stopping by!