4th of July Lookbook (Day 3 of 3)

Hi lovelies! For the 3rd and final day of the 4th of July Lookbook, I put together an outfit that is a bit more dressy than the two prior looks, using a variety of streamlined, classic pieces.

Clutch | Pants | Top | Wedges | Watch | Earrings

Linen is a summer staple, and these navy pants could work for a dinner with friends and then transition to a day in the office.  It's always better to purchase pieces for your wardrobe that can serve double duty.  Playing off of the navy linen pants, the navy and white striped oversized clutch is the perfect amount of preppy.  The clutch comes from Etsy Seller TheWildHorse (seriously check it out, her clutches are gorg - especially the Dreamweaver.... need).  This frilly and feminine coral top from J. Crew ties in the red from the R, W, and B color scheme, but in a less literal way.  For accessories, the La Mer wrap watches have been around for a bit now, and are a good combo between a watch and jewelry, if you don't like to wear too many accessories at once.  Add some simple earrings, nude wedges and belt and you're all set to celebrate your Independence day in style.

4th of July Lookbook (Day 2 of 3)

For day 2 of my 3-day 4th of July Lookbook, I wanted to cater to those of you in a cooler climate. As I am sure you have seen around the blogosphere this season, red pants are super in right now.  Here is a perfect opportunity to incorporate them into your wardrobe, and look in-style and patriotic all at once!

Top | Pants | Sandals | Nail Polish | Sunglasses | Earrings

For this look, I was channeling my inner Jenny from Forrest Gump, as something about this outfit feels very hippie to me, but in all the right ways.  The airy and delicate top is light enough for Summer and creates a good contrast against the more preppy, bright red pants.  I am digging cat eye sunglasses here, even though they are from a different era.  Add a pop of another color (and round out your R, W, and B color scheme) with this different blue-hued polish.  Lastly, the slightly-heeled gold gladiators and simple earrings polish off the look, adding a bit more glam to the casual feel of the rest of the outfit.

4th of July Lookbook (Day 1 of 3)

I love the 4th of July, because really, what is not to love about a day of Patriotism, grilled food, good friends, and nice weather?  I do not shy away from the kitschy nature of dressing in red, white, and blue on the holiday - in fact, I fully embrace it, but I do it in a classy way!  This week I am going to feature three different types of outfits perfect for the holiday.  Whether you're spending the day with friends at a BBQ, watching the fireworks with your honey at the park, or having a more upscale celebration, I've got you covered.

First up, an outfit perfect for my usual gathering - a casual barbeque with friends.  It's going to be sweltering this weekend in the Ohio/Kentucky area so I'll be trying to keep cool - this tank and shorts combo would be the perfect pick.

 Shirt | Shorts | Necklace | Bracelet | Wedges | Bag

Accessories are key in this look, as they elevate the look from plain casual to upscale casual with the addition of only 3 things: a gold chain necklace, an inexpensive set of bangles, and some killer brown wedges.

Come back tomorrow to see the perfect hippie-chic patriotic look {think Make Love, Not War}!

Lisbon Bound

After all the back-and-forth, trying to pick a spot in Italy or France for the second half of our European vacation, we finally decided........... on Portugal!  I know, I know, it wasn't originally in the mix, but we wanted to be on the coast and neither of us have been to Portugal, so it seemed like a good compromise.  Now that the trip is nearly here, I am starting to think of what I am going to pack (we're limiting ourselves to 1 large bag and 1 small carry-on, so a girl's gotta plan!).

I picked up the black and creme bold-print maxi skirt for $15 at H&M on Saturday.  I'm planning on pairing it with a simple black tank and sandals, but dress it up with a bold necklace.  I also love to wear brighter colors when I am in a warm-weather destination, and this patterned top would be perfect with a pair of relaxed paperbag-waisted shorts and some cheery yellow sandals.

What are some of your outfit choices for a warm-weather vacation?

Outfit 1: Top | Shorts | Sandals | Bracelet
Outfit 2:  Skirt | Tank | Sandals | Necklace

What I Want This Weekend!

My best friend, Amanda, is coming to visit this weekend!  We haven't seen each other since December, so I am way excited to welcome her to our new house, wander around downtown and spend an evening drinking wine and catching up at one of my favorite restaurants in Cincinnati.  Cincinnati isn't a terribly dressy town, so I plan on spending my weekend looking girly but still relaxed, in more muted tones. 

Aren't these wedges absurd in a Rachel Zoe-I Die-kind of way? I need them in my closet, like, yesterday.  They also come in black.  Super sleek.  If you buy them, you must wear them and take a picture for me so that I can be insanely jealous happy for you!


Have a wonderful weekend!

{ Skirt, $32 | Watch, $250 | Clutch bag, $28 | Necklace, $30 | Blouse, $78 | Nail Polish, $6 | Wedges, $130 }

Pump it Up

I've been loving the look of a blousy, boxier top paired with more fitted, higher waisted bottom.  I found this striped cream and navy top and knew it would look classic but fresh when paired with a pair of cognac colored pair of shorts.  The look has a casual, but still put-together look (read: you take your clothes seriously, but not TOO seriously).

I wanted to add a touch more liveliness to the outfit, so I threw in a bright yellow accessories in the form of the American Apparel clutch (yes - I am obsessed with this clutch right now and yes - I did also include two versions of it in yesterday's post).  Add another subtle color in the form of nail polish because it is a super easy and affordable way to add some color to your outfit, and you can change it as often as you want!  Round out the accessories with my favorite leather studded Gorjana bracelet in Navy and a pair of oversized sunglasses.

Are you also loving the AA clutch seen all around the blogosphere?

1 American Apparel leather clutch bag, $58 | 2 Shop Ruche Striped top, $33 | 3 Seamed Front Short $35 | 4 Urban Outfitters Sunglasses , $14 | 5 Crystal Earrings, $17 | 6 American Apparel Nail Polish, $6 | 7 Studded Sandals, $69 | 8 Graham Leather Studded Wrap Bracelet $55

Dress to Kill

I was speechless when I saw the black dress featured in today's post.  I love how sweet and feminine it looks from the front, but when then you turn around and knock everyone's socks off with the sexiness of the open back.  This dress would be a perfect choice for the black tie affair you're attending this summer.  Whether you choose to play up the sassier aspects of the dress or decide to make it a more romantic look, this dress could work for many tastes.


Which do you like better - are you more of a sassy type, or a sweet type?

Featured Dress: Party Dress $93
Sassy: Platform heels $90  | Leather clutch handbag $50 | Black Stud Earrings $6 | Gold Bangle $3
Sweet:  Love bracelet $4 | Pink earrings $12 | Rosette Heels $140 | Leather handbag - see Sassy

Follow Me @StylizedEx

Coming up to speed with modern-day technology, I'm finally on twitter.  Follow me @StylizedEx for quick updates on my picks from around the web and blog updates!

As a quick aside, and because I can't leave you dear readers with ONLY a twitter announcement, here are a few things I've seen lately that I'd really like to get my hands on.  Beware, this is a very random collection,  but all things that I would seriously love to have in my wardrobe.  What's your favorite?

To Romp Or Not To Romp?

I've been avoiding rompers like the plague - I haven't even tried on a single one.  I think I am averse to their cheesy 70's-era connotation, and the fact that there is absolutely no way that a trip to the bathroom can be easy when wearing one.  Having said that, I have a friend who can fiercely style a romper, and that has got me re-thinking my distaste for the one-piece wonders. 

I found this gorgeous purple silk romper while perusing ASOS this weekend, and I think this is one romper I could get my head around as another possible Vegas outfit contender.  I foresee lots of dancing in our future, and I'd much rather be wearing shorts than a skirt while partying the night away.  I would style this with a few shimmering accessories, but keep the shoes and the bag neutral.  I've really been itching for a Lauren Merkin ostrich clutch, and this ASOS faux-version is a good substitute and a bit easier on the wallet.

So, what do you think?  Would you try a romper? Have you worn one in the past?  What do you think of them?