WWLCD? (16/30)

{Cardigan: Forever 21 | Top: Zara | Shorts: Foreign Exchange | Sandals: ShoeDazzle}

Hello again, orange cardigan! Nice of you to grace us with your presence for the 50th time this month. Today was a lovely and comfy day at work, in a lovely and comfy outfit. My hair was inspired by the 2 hours of The Hills reruns I watch daily on the TV Guide channel. WWLCD? What Would Lauren Conrad Do? Well, in 2008ish, she would have put a braid in 1 side of her hair and curled the rest. So that, my dear friends, is what Dani did.

Halfway home. (15/30)

 

{Shirt: Target | Skirt: American Apparel | Sandals: JustFab | Headband: H&M | Ring: Luna | Belt: Kohls | Purse: TJ Maxx | Sunglasses: Juicy Couture | Nail Polish: essie tarte deco}

I love this outfit! It makes me feel very "teacher-y." It also ensures that nothing heavy or tight touches my incredibly sunburned body. I need to be sure to repeat this outfit another time soon, as the only people who saw me today were those at the 99cent Store, while I was picking up ingredients for the preschool cooking class I teach on Wednesdays... Fresh veggie pizza, here I come... in a midi skirt.

Blogger Feature: Linley of Dwelling & Telling

 The lovely Linley of Dwelling & Telling has been kind enough to do a little Q&A with me! I've been a huge fan since before I entered the blogging world, so I am super excited! 

3 words to describe your personal style?
That's a tough one, but I'll try: casual, versatile, and pulled together (I always try my best to appear pulled together!)
What would you consider the 5 essential items to a fashionable wardrobe?
I would say whatever five items make you feel your best! I don't think there are certain items any woman must have for a fashionable or "complete" wardrobe. The best thing about style, to me, is that everyone's is different - so your five items and my five could be polar opposites. For me, my five items would include: a dark-wash, well-fitting pair of skinny jeans, a tailored, crisp white button up, a versatile dress (one that's fitting and can easily be dressed up/down), a fun pair of shoes, and a statement necklace. I consider essential items to be classic items that I can dress up or dress down. I always keep versatility on my mind when it comes to pieces and looks. 

What is your favorite/most versatile accessory? 
I love accessories! They can make a simple (or even dull) outfit come alive in a split second! My favorite/most versatile accessory would be a statement necklace. I often use a necklace when my outfit is simple and needs some help. A statement necklace is a perfect way for me to bring in contrasting colors or to take attention away from a less-than-par outfit (we all have those days...).

What is your go-to, never-fail casual outfit? "Formal" outfit?
My casual, go-to look for summer is a pair of fitted, dark wash denim shorts with a boyfriend tee. It's simple by itself, but I can easily throw on a pendant necklace and nice sandals to wear it out and about. My go-to formal look is a pencil skirt with a tucked-in, loose-fitting racer back tank. There are so many versatile color combos for this look, but the silhouette is always the same - classic and flattering!

Fashionably, what tv shows and movies have inspired you most? 
Although I am a bit hesitant to admit this, I love watching reality shows like The Hills, The City, and ANTM for fashion inspiration and new ideas. Those ladies are all close to my age and always put together looks I can appreciate and get inspiration from. 

Congrats on your new job! How do you to take your fabulous style into the "real world," finding a balance between fashion and professionalism?
Thank you! Well... I wish I had the opportunity to share my style with the real world, but my real world consists of scrubs. I work in a hospital as a speech therapist; unfortunately, there isn't much personal style when it comes to scrubs. If/when I have a job outside of healthcare (like in a school system) then I would make sure to find my perfect balance between personal style, professionalism, and comfort!

 Please make sure you pay Linley a visit over at Dwelling & Telling to see more of her absolutely fabulous style! Thanks, girl!

Plaid out. (14/30)

{Button-down: J. Crew | Tee: Forever 21 | Pants: American Apparel | Shoes: ShoeDazzle}

I'm very much obsessed with my new pink pants. Unfortunately, after going to the beach yesterday, my legs are just about the same color as they are, as is the rest of my body. Lobster status.

I've been experimenting with various forms of my rat's nest over the past few days. This is the clean version of the jacuzzi/beach water-infested one I was sporting yesterday. You're welcome.

Today was my first day back at work with the kids and I think I'm lacking brain function. Nap time!

Floral ruffles + reasons to celebrate! (13/30)

{Dress, Cardigan, & Butterfly Ring: Forever 21 | Socks: We Love Colors | Heels: Kohls | Bracelets: Vintage & Boutique | Other Rings: Vintage & House of Harlow}

I love my outfit today! I've had this dress for a couple of years, and the last time I wore it was to my cousin's Baptism 2 years ago. I'm always happy when I can "recycle" a cute dress!

It's a beautiful Southern California day - high 70s into the low 80s, with a light breeze and tons of sunshine! I'm off today to two celebrations - a bridal shower tea for my friend Katelyn (who is getting married in October - and I'm a bridesmaid!) and my best friend/little sister Holly's family graduation party! I can't wait!

Inspired by... (12/30)

{Shirt & Socks: Target | Pants: Gap | Shoes: Kohls | Scarf: Vintage}

This look was totally inspired by Kristine. In trying to up my adorable quotient, I tied this scarf in a bow on my head and wore socks with my heels a la one of my favorite blogger friends! If only I now lived in Japan, too, and this look didn't elicit odd stares from those around me.

June Gloom. For a few hours. (11/30)

{Top: Forever 21 | Shorts: True Religion DIY | Sandals: W3 by JustFab | Pin: crewcuts}

There are 2 (thousand) things I dislike: 1. Waking up early. 2. Being cold. Apparently, today, these things went hand in hand. Let's begin by saying, my cat woke me up early. Seriously. He jumped from side to side of me (over me) and meowed his stinky breath in my face until I got up to feed him. What the what?! It doesn't get summer-y until about 11am around here, for some reason, and it tends to start RAINING within 5 miles of my work, pretty much no matter what. So I woke up and was cold and in a real bad mood. That's kind of the end of this story. Stay tuned for the next exciting chapter of "Unchangeable Things That Dani Can Complain About." ;)

P.S. Remember, if you didn't win my Denim Bow Giveaway, you can buy it in Melissa's shop - States of Alteration! Super reasonable, and as we know, super cute! :)

Canadian Summer (10/30) + GIVEAWAY WINNER!

{Vest: J. Crew | Top: Forever 21 | Jeans: Hudsons | Sandals: W3 by JustFab}

You may have heard of an Indian Summer? Well, judging by my recent affinity for mixing denim, I've dubbed this a Canadian summer. That is all.

Besides that...

 

Kelsey is the winner of my DENIM BOW GIVEAWAY! Can't wait to see Miss Snappy Casual rock her new denim bow!

Midi (9/30)

{Top: Zara | Skirt: American Apparel | Heels: Kohls | Belt: Urban Outfitters | Earrings: F21}

Here's my first try at my new midi skirt! I'm pretty short, so this midi is almost a maxi, but I'm going to keep trying out different ways to wear it! I'm already loving these heels, and I've only worn them a couple times! They're so versatile and comfy!

I don't wear statement earrings too much lately, I used to wear them a lot when I had short hair to make me feel more like a girl (haha), but I feel like you can't even see earrings when I wear them now. I think I need to work more big girl earrings into my looks and figure out hairstyles to show them off!

Tomorrow, I'm back to work, at least to set up my classroom for the summer, so the heels will get put away for the time being. Luckily, over summer, I'm only working 3 days a week, so I'll get to pump up the volume on my days off!

Remember: Only one more day to enter my {DENIM BOW GIVEAWAY}, so get your entries in before tomorrow! :)

Don't spill. (8/30)

 

{Top: Zara | Jeans: Gap | Shoes: Kohls | Bracelet: NYC Street Fair | Pin: Crewcuts | Cat: Free}

This is an outfit that just screams: "Don't consume anything except water all day!" Two perks about having a little time off of work (besides just having time off of work): being able to wear white and being able to wear heels! These shoes cost me something like $12 off the clearance rack at Kohls, plus I had a gift card, so they were essentially free. Also, if you're ever looking for cheap cutesie accessories, you have to check out crewcuts, J. Crew's kids section. They have some pretty precious hair do-dads and simple, fun jewelry. One more day of my 5-day summer "vacation," and how will I be spending it? Doing absolutely nothing, if fate allows.

And remember, there's only a few more days to enter my {DENIM BOW GIVEAWAY}, so get your entries in and tell your friends! :)

Blogger Feature: Alana of I Love Denham

 On today's Blogger Feature, I have a Q&A with my blogger buddy Alana of I Love Denham! Ever since I started The Daily Dani, Alana has been a huge supporter and a fantastic role model. Her style is equally fun and impeccable, and I'm so excited to have her featured here today!

Who are your celebrity style icons?
Dianne Kruger- she can do no wrong in my book. Her vintage casual vibe is utterly perfection.
Beyonce,  She does the glam rock look very well, which I love! I love her mixing of shorts with the highest heels and funky t--shirts, vests, and leather jackets.
Bridget Bardot- I love how she could wear a top button up to her neck and a sweater and still be so sexy.
Rachel Bilson/ Jessica Alba/ Nicole Richie- Their street style is spot on, and usually leaves me wanting everything they own.

What would you consider the 5 essential items to a fashionable wardrobe?
1. motorcycle leather jacket
2. boyfriend blazer
3. the perfect skinny jeans
4. heeled clog sandals
5. sheer double pocket long sleeve blouse

What is your go-to, never-fail casual outfit? "Formal" outfit?
I am obsessed with blazers right now, and have been buying them up in every color and pattern. So when all else fails, I throw on one of my trusted blazers with shorts or jeans (depending on the weather) and a flowy top with some flats.

Here in Southern California, we don't exactly get true "seasons." How does seasonal weather affect your wardrobe choices?
The season changes affect my wardrobe choices significantly. I usually like to dress for the weather and not the season, so I've tried to become a expert at layering. I like to buy pieces for my wardrobe that can easily translate from one season to the next; things like leggings, tights, cardigans, blazers and scarves all help take my warm weather outfits into fall and winter seasons.

 Make sure you check out Alana's fantastic blog I Love Denham and show her lots of love!