Peach + Polka Dots

- photo details - 
photographer || Reed Ewing
location || Ocean Maya Royale (Playa Del Carmen, Mexico)
occasion || honeymoon dinner #5

- outfit details -
top || Forever 21(similar)
shorts || Target
heels || Charlotte Russe
clutch || Francesca's Collections
watch || Target
necklace || Francesca's Collections (similar)

This is the last of the "honeymoon dinner" outfits (see others here: 1, 2, 3, 4) I've been posting over the last couple weeks. It was fun dressing up every night after lounging by the pool & beach everyday. Those polka dot shorts are the most comfortable pair of shorts I own! Also, this outfit totally channels my wedding colors, peach & mint!

style tip || Another way to style a statement necklace is to wear it around the collar of a blouse buttoned all the way to the top - this creates a classic, clean look & really puts the focus on the statement necklace.

style tip || Balancing athletic & feminine throughout a look can provide a nice contrast - in the look above, the shorts & watch bring the "athletic" element & the sheer blouse, necklace & heels balance out the "feminine" element.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed weekend!

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! 

"Thunder Up"

- photo details - 

photographer || Reed Ewing
location || Ocean Maya Royale (Playa Del Carmen, Mexico)
occasion || honeymoon dinner #3 (April '13)

- outfit details - 

tank || Old Navy
skirt || Francesca's Collections (similar)
necklace || Nordstrom
wedges || BCBGeneration (via Marshall's)
clutch || Francesca's Collections
cuff || BCBGeneration
watch || Michael Kors

Being from Oklahoma City, Thunder basketball is a big deal! People give me a hard time for being a Thunder fan because I'll cheer for the Lakers/Kobe Bryant whenever they play against them (I had to cheer for someone before OKC got an NBA team, right???). Any other time though, I'm Thunder all the way! Needless to say, Thunder blue & orange inspired this outfit! The skirt is one of my absolute favorites - I love the tribal pattern which is definitely on trend for this summer, as well as the bright royal blue color! You'll recognize the cuff & clutch from an earlier post this week. Having accessories that I could use repeatedly during the trip made for easier packing and outfit coordination!

Have a lovely Thursday! Feel free to share your feedback & follow this blog if you aren't already! Thanks for stopping by! :)

Summer Rompin'

- photo details - 
photographer || Reed Ewing
location || Ocean Maya Royale (Playa Del Carmen, Mexico)
occasion || honeymoon "beach day" (April '13)

- outfit details - 

romper || Forever 21
head wrap || Apricot Lane
tote bag || Target
flip-flops || Old Navy (similar)
sunglasses || Betsey Johnson
ring || (can't remember!)
bangles || South Africa souvenir & Dillard's
necklace || Target 

Rompers are a great option for summer! I love the simplicity & comfiness of the one pictured above because it works as an outfit as well as a beach/pool cover-up. Since I wear my hair "up" a lot in the summer, it's nice to switch things up with different hair accessories like the head wrap. I found the one pictured above at an Apricot Lane boutique a few years ago & have experimented with different ways to wear it -- the bun is my favorite so far!

Reed & I spent a lot of time lounging by the pool and the beach on our honeymoon - it's by far my favorite way to relax & spend a vacation! Already wishing we could go back! :)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Chevron in the U.S.A.

My best friend Katie and I have a tradition of making each other creative gifts for our birthdays. Our friendship has spanned over ten years, so coming up with new ideas every year can be somewhat of a challenge! I'm sure the countless hours I've poured over Pinterest since it's inception subconsciously played a part in this year's creation, although I don't recall a specific pin inspiring it.

During a recent trip down memory lane - aka Facebook photos - I was quickly reminded of how many amazing trips Katie and I have been blessed to experience together. Our entire class got to visit Washington D.C. in 6th grade, and six years later we headed back East to Boston for our Senior Trip. Extracurriculars like choir, sports, and our favorite - shopping - have led us to Memphis, Colorado Springs, Joplin and Dallas over the years. 

In an attempt to create something to commemorate all of our travels, I finally came up with this ...

I found this chevron pattern printable template to be helpful in tracing the chevron print I used on the canvas. The cute pink push pins are from Target, and I included the leftovers in her overall gift (along with this fun notepad) in hopes that we can add more to the canvas in the coming years! :) 

Do you ever make gifts for your friends' birthdays? If so, I'd love to hear your ideas, so please leave a comment below! Thanks for reading! 

-Lael

Dallas, 2011

Boston, 2008