StyleMint. Take 1.

{T-shirt: StyleMint | Skirt: Forever 21 | Belt: Kohl's | Sandals: O'Neill via Huntington Surf & Sport | Watch: Nordstrom | Bracelet: Juicy Couture}

Ok, people. Who out there has given StyleMint a go yet? To summarize: this is a website/clothing company that is along the lines of JustFab/ShoeDazzle/JewelMint, a t-shirt-of-the-month club, if you will. This particular company is repped/designed/backed by Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen. As a lifetime fan of the Olsen twins and their style, I was incredibly excited for this launch. I must admit, however, that when the site went live on July 1, and I took my "style quiz," and saw my selections... I was, to put it lightly, underwhelmed. They showed me 4 t-shirts: A short-sleeve striped dolman, a tri-blend graphic tee (with a bizarre sentence on it), a henley that had an odd neck, and a plain crewneck tee. (See above.) I understand the purpose of basics, but I was unsure as to why a tee needed to be $30 when it seemed to be nothing special. I'm also pretty sure that everyone received the same results and the same 4 shirts, making the style quiz obsolete, which confused me a little bit.

After a few weeks of contemplation, and reading Sorren's post about the importance of the perfect white tee, I went ahead and just gave it a go. I'll now admit, I haven't been 100% converted to StyleMint obsession, but actually feeling the lovely, soft, (almost too) thin material (50%  supima cotton, 50% micromodal) did have a positive effect on my happy place. I think the fit is pretty nice, too. StyleMint, you get another chance come August 1. Mary-Kate & Ashley, I have faith in you. Give me something I love next month, ok? In the wise words of Uncle Jesse & Michelle Tanner, "Capeesh?" "Capeesh."

I can't stop blushing...

{Top: Volcom via Laguna Surf & Sport | Shorts: Foreign Exchange | Sandals: Salt Water | Watch: Nordstrom | Cuff & Turquoise ring: Luna B | Heart pin: bando | Sunglasses: Juicy Couture}

Day 2 of my San Diego trip. Off to the Wave House to see A-Trak. (Whom, may I add, I didn't actually stay to see haha.) The Wave House is a pretty cool venue right on Mission Beach, with a big man-made wave, and the entire floor is covered in sand! I wore these sandals because, not only are they cute, but they're actually water shoes! I was able to rinse them off afterwards and they are good as new!

I got this shirt at Laguna Surf & Sport while I was on break from work. I must admit, I wasn't necessarily in the market for anything. However, lately I cannot resist blush tones, nor was I able to resist the adorable boys chatting me up while I shopped. Let's all just pretend they were over 18... Ok, now I really AM blushing.

Battle Royale.

{Top: Borrowed | Skirt: Target | Platforms: Forever 21 | Necklace, Bracelet, & Chief ring: Luna B | Watch: Nordstrom}

I spent last weekend in San Diego with Melissa. Fun fact: This is what I wore to our friend's housewarming party + out to a club Downtown. Not-so-fun fact: This is not what I was supposed to wear! I brought way too many clothes down south with me, but none of it felt right! I knew I wanted to wear these FUN shoes (Seriously, how great are these?!), and I was pretty into this skirt... and then I found a skinny-striped black & white sweater in Melissa's sister's closet that completed the outfit perfectly!

But then, tragedy of all tragedies, SHE REFUSED TO LET ME WEAR IT! I mean, I'm an only child, so I don't know the rules or ropes of the whole sister-on-sister world war battles, but I didn't know they extended to friends of sisters! After my depression passed, I found this wider-striped alternative hanging on Melissa's clothing rack, and that was that.

Boy, am I glad that my clothes are all mine!

Catch the rest of me over at...

henning love!

I'm blogsitting over at henning love today... go take a little look-see! :)

Purple.

{Nordstrom top & watch | Urban Outfitters cardigan | Old Navy jeans | Salt Water sandals | Vintage pendant}

I find this outfit bizarre, in some ways. I think it's weird that I wore yellow and purple together. I think it's weird that anyone would even make a yellow & purple top. I think it's weird that I matched my shoes to my top. I think it's weird that I put 3 non-matching shades of purple together. Like I said, bizarre. That said, I'm pretty into it nonetheless.

Blogger Feature: Ashley of i believe in unicorns.

Here is my Q&A with Ashley of i believe in unicorns. I've become addicted to her blog and anxiously await each new post! Not only is her blog intoxicating, but she happens to be one of the nicest gals there ever could be! It's a pleasure to have her grace The Daily Dani!

4 words to describe your personal style?

Eclectic, feminine, vintage, brave.

What would you consider the 5 essential items to a fashionable wardrobe?

1. A navy and white striped boat neck top (so classic)

2. A great fitting pair of dark wash jeans

3. A chunky/bangly necklace (adds a pop of color to any boring outfit)

4. A signature pair of heels (i prefer suede)

5. Waist-cincher

6 non-essentials, but still really fun for the summer:

1. A cute pair of sandals (just as easy as flip-flops, only way more more polished.)

2. A High-Waist A-Line Skirt (ultra feminine+ultra flattering)

3. Maxi dress/skirt (carefree and easy)

4. Plaid Button Up

5. Dainty gold charm

6. Straw Fedora (one extra day to not wash your hair!)

How would you style the classic LBD to reflect your personal style?

When the occasion calls for a little black dress, I try to do something with the outfit to make it more interesting. If I were to just wear a solid black dress, I'd feel generic or boring, so I pair it with a bold hair piece, a chunky belt, a blazer, or some brightly colored heels.

You are definitely a perfect model of modest fashion in the blogosphere. How do you maintain your modesty while still appearing fashionable?

Well thank you!

Modesty and fashion is a challenge sometimes, but I’ve always liked a little challenge. I could go out and get me a pair of booty shorts and an Abercrombie shirt, but then I’d just look like everybody else. I like to work my creativity with layers and label-less clothing. Being modest isn’t so hard once you make the commitment.

Fashionably, what time period inspires you most?

I find myself most drawn to a sort of bohemian/hippie/1970s and classic/feminine/1950s, so, while I find inspiration from every generation, if I had to choose, I suppose it would be between those two.

1970s

1950s

What tv shows and movies have inspired you most?

Hmm, I'm so bad at questions like this... I loved love loved the wardrobe in Pushing Daisies. I was seriously drooling over EVERYTHING she wore. I loved Elizabeth Taylor's wardrobe in Father of the Bride, and Audrey Hepburn's in Funny Face. I don't watch a lot of TV but I've seen a few episode's of Glee and I was in awe of that cute red-headed teachers clothes! And then there's Zooey Deschanel in 500 Days of Summer and just about everything she wears editorially as well! Can I just have her face, please? Ya, that'd be great--thanks.

For more of Ashley's pure fabulosity, head on over to i believe in unicorns. Thanks, Ashley! :)

Rule-breaker.

{Tee, Skirt, & Heels: Target | Necklace & Watch: Nordstrom | Bracelets: Old Navy | Toenail polish: essie tarte deco}

I broke 3 personal rules with this outfit:
1. I wore a body-conscious skirt!
2. I wore basically all black & gray.
3. I mixed black & red!

I never do any of those things, because I usually hate the way they all look, but I liked this outfit! I wore it last weekend to see Les Miserables for the first time at the Ahmanson in LA, and it was the perfect outfit for a lovely summer day at the theater, preceded by lunch at the Pinot Grill in the courtyard of the Ahmanson. :)

Paper Doll Project: Casual Skirt

{Top: Luna | Vest: J. Crew | Skirt: ? | Shoes: Just Fab | Watch: Nordstrom}

For my second Paper Doll Project, Suze paired me up with Mel of In doctorly fashion! I asked her to help me style one of my casual skirts! I always seem to style skirts like this in 2 ways: 1) boring blah with a plain t-shirt, or 2) too fancy-looking for my fairly casual workplace! I must say, Mel definitely helped me master the casual skirt look! :) I love that she suggested wearing a simple top but not a plain boring t-shirt, and the vest helped it from looking too formal! She did a perfect job!

Make sure you head on over to In doctorly fashion to see how I helped Mel style one of her fabulous tops - and don't forget to notice our matching "blogger buns," as she put it! ;)

Hissssss.

{Blouse: Luna | Jeans: JustFab | Boots: Steve Madden | Watch: Nordstrom | Bracelet: Humanity For All}

I appropriately wore my self-proclaimed "tranny boots" to the Orange County gay men's chorus (Men Alive) "Greasy Hairspray" concert. The first half of the show was all Grease music, and the second half was all from Hairspray - and Nikki Blonsky performed with them! So. Much. Fun.

So, I was never a big fan of snakeskin print until I got my snakeskin flats from ShoeDazzle, but when I saw this top I knew I had to have it! Plus, it's my new favorite color: blush. It's less flowy than I remembered in the dressing room, and feels slightly boxy, but I still like the print. Apparently, this print is also a hit with the senior citizens, as every woman who was 60+ at the concert was wearing it as well.

To each her own.

Root root root for the....

{Dress: Rock N Reconstruct | Sandals: Rainbow}

Holy guacamole! How awesome is this dress?! Seriously? When I saw Kelsey's cubs dress, I immediately jumped for joy at the excitement that I could have one of these myself. I contacted Rock N Reconstruct through their Facebook page, and I was absolutely and completely overjoyed at the results! I got so many compliments from literally every person I came into contact with at the Angel game, and I can't wait to wear it again... along with the Lakers dress I had made! You should definitely contact this awesome company for your adorable sports fan needs!

I'm blushing.

{Top & Necklace: Luna B | Jeans & Sandals: JustFab | Watch: Nordstrom}

And so continues life after the 30 for 30, and pastel colors. I've never been a fan of a muted color palette, but lately that's all I've been interested in! I may be a bit behind the times, but I'm just now getting into "blush" colors. They're so feminine and pretty and they make my heart happy. :)

Also, how completely awesome is this necklace? Luna B has such seriously spectacular jewelry pieces, and that's one of my (many) favorite things about my favorite boutique!(FYI - They take internet & phone orders - so take a little look-see!) It was a big hit at work, too, with the kiddos. I like to think that if a 3-year-old likes something, it must be very special at its core base.