Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Courtney and Lee are ENGAGED!

My dear friend & sorority sister, Courtney, recently got engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Lee.  I am incredibly thrilled for them!  I talked to Courtney the other day and she told me that they are currently in the process of planning their engagement party in the couple's hometown of Lynchburg, Virginia.  I jumped at the chance to throw together a few outfits that I know Courtney would look amazing in (even if she claims to not have the Summer tan that she wishes she had - girlfriend, Loreal Sunless tanner can work wonders).


I don't know how many of you have heard of Rent The Runway, but if you haven't heard about it, you're in for a treat!  This website was formed not too long ago and offers their members the ability to rent a dress (and they will send it to you in two sizes to ensure it fits - for no extra charge) for a small fraction of the real cost.  If you are like me, you probably reluctantly shell out the cash for a new dress for each occassion you have (unless it is the token black dress that can be worn repeatedly) and cringe when you see it hanging in your closet 2 years later, knowing it was only worn once.  Well, Rent the Runway solves that problem - you can pick your price range and see the variety of options they have available - their current inventory is pretty large!  Since Court and Lee are probably going to start saving their pennies for the married life, I picked three dress options (and even a necklace and a bracelet, too!) from Rent the Runway.  Courtney will be able to save a little money but still look fabulous.

Courtney's Engagement

Courtney's favorite color is black, so one of the options is a beautiful and classic black dress with a portrait collar.  The heels I picked to go with it are so stunning (can you tell I used a closed toe version for the open-back dress?) and I picked an interesting bracelet to jazz up the outfit a little.  I also had to pick two other options with some color - it IS summer!  The middle dress would be really nice on Courtney because she has beautiful long blong hair, which would complement the orange and golds I chose.  The necklace in this outfit is also from Rent the Runway.  The furthest left dress is definitely the most daring, but also the most fun!  I have been drawn to this dress since the first time I saw it on the website because it is so different.  It will definitely attract the attention that Courtney should get on her special night.  Because the dress has a lot going on, I kept the accessories rather minimal so they would not take away from the dress.  The hammered gold cuff is from Rent the Runway ($10 rental!) and the beautiful purple earrings are from Anthropologie and play up the purple in the dress nicely.


Court - no matter what you pick to wear, I am sure you will look great and have a wonderful night with your family and friends.  Congratulations to you and Lee!


Glint 'Gillian' Sandal
$90 - nordstrom.com

Fawson Shoe
$90 - aldoshoes.com

EGGENBERG
$90 - aldoshoes.com

Etienne Necklace
$25 - renttherunway.com

Water Droplet Posts
$30 - anthropologie.com

Spice Me Up Dress
$75 - renttherunway.com



Calla Lily Cap Sleeve Dress
$50 - renttherunway.com



Portrait Collar Dress
$150 - renttherunway.com



Gold Hammered Cuff
$10 - renttherunway.com



Thigpen Bracelet
$20 - aldoshoes.com


Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Cool Off

I was searching for inspiration the other day when my co-worker told me she was looking for a way to stay cool at work while still looking put together and polished.  It's been incredibly humid and hot all over the US lately, so I am sure many of you are looking for ways to wear less while still looking professional.  The best way to stay cool is to opt for skirts or cropped pants instead of full length trousers.  Skirts (if worn at the appropriate length) look very professional.  If you're lucky enough to work in a more business-casual setting, you can even get away with wearing skirts with pretty patterns in order to keep your work attire interesting.  I went with a floral print skirt from Anthropologie at a reasonable $68 and then kept the rest of the color scheme neutral in order to not cause too much of a stir in the office.  The ruffled vest from Madewell is an awesome find because it gives the outfit another layer (which makes it more interesting to look at) while still being light and not covering the arms and creating unnecessary heat.  This vest comes in 4 colors and I would buy one of each if I had the extra cash right now!  Under the vest I would put a simple, COTTON tee.  This one is from J.Crew and has a nice scoop neck to elongate the neck and create a taller appearance.  Cotton is important because it is a breathable fabric and will help you maintain a cooler body temperature.  I don't condone polyester under any circumstances, but especially not in the summer!  Add a few simple, neutral accessories (love the initial necklace for only $18 from Urban Outfitters) and you've got yourself a sophisticated outfit for work.

Stay Cool at Work

Legère Ruffled Vest
$62 - madewell.com


Woodblock Print Skirt
$78 - anthropologie.com

MOOS
$75 - aldoshoes.com

Reflecting Pool Earrings
$24 - anthropologie.com

Serpent Chain Trim Bracelets
$4.80 - forever21.com

Delicate Initial Necklace
$18 - urbanoutfitters.com

Monday, June 28, 2010

Fourth of July!

For my American readers, the Independence day holiday is right around the corner.  I am so lucky to be able to celebrate this day with my closest friends + lovely boyfriend this year because I am flying back from Prague for the weekend!  If I had more time between now and the holiday, I would definitely be purchasing the simple red and white striped cotton dress from Aubin + Wills and pairing it with the navy basketweave clutch from Banana Republic.  I would keep things more neutral in the rest of the outfit by adding a knotted bracelet (for only 5 bucks!) and brown belt to cinch the waist of the flowy dress, as well as neutral (but still an interesting design) sandals.  For the guy - I love these brown Oakley sunglasses and the relatively affordable Timex watch.  The red,white, and blue dress shirt is also from Aubin + Wills and would look perfect paired with the navy shorts from J.Crew.  All together, these looks are patriotic while still looking casual and stylish for a weekend BBQ.  What are you planning to wear for your 4th of July plans?
4th of july
Silverdale Dress
49 GBP - aubinandwills.com


Steve Madden Sysco
$49 - piperlime.gap.com

 

Timex Core Camper
$40 - urbanoutfitters.com

 

Sailor Knot Bracelet
$5 - urbanoutfitters.com

 

BDG Waist Belt
$20 - urbanoutfitters.com

 

Ardingly Shirt
98 GBP - aubinandwills.com



Sun-faded Stanton short
$60 - jcrew.com



Nubuck Flip Flops
$38 - jcrew.com



Basketweave clutch
$60 - bananarepublic.gap.com



Men's Oakley Sunglasses
$140 - urbanoutfitters.com



Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Wedding Season

I've got a couple of weddings on the agenda for the rest of the summer, so I thought I would share an outfit idea I put together for my cousin's upcoming wedding.  Jackie is getting married on July 31st and I am lucky enough to be one of her bridesmaids.  I have been halfway across the world, so right now I am not totally sure what is in store for rehearsal dinner plans, but I am sure there will be something to get dressed up for on  the night before the wedding. 

Below is an outfit I am considering for the rehearsal dinner - I love the soft color and texture of the gray/purple dress... especially when paired it with neutrals, because it helps the soft color pop.  The shoe is just sexy enough to offset the bagginess of the dress and the awesome Lauren Merkin clutch is a neutral staple that could carry you through many outfits (definitely an investment piece).  The anthropologie necklace is sparkly, but still dainty enough to not clash with the ethereal nature of the dress.  I would choose a neutral nail polish to blend into the background, and a really pretty shimmery shade of eyeshadow to (hopefully) play up the tan I will have by then.  What are you planning on wearing to your summer weddings?
Summer Wedding

Marlie racerback dress in orchid shadow
$128 - jcrew.com


Classiques Entier® 'Trellis' Sandal
$100 - nordstrom.com

Tousled Web Necklace
$58 - anthropologie.com

Urban Decay - Stardust Eyeshadow
urbandecay.com



Maybelline Nail Polish, Blushing Bride
ulta.com



Cream Glitter Python Embossed Eve
$180 - laurenmerkin.com