Sunday song: Chanele McGuinness & Tommy Miller

So, I'd never heard of this song by Paper Route until my friend Tommy posted this cover he did with Chanele, but now I'm pretty much obsessed. If you haven't figured it out by now, I love cover songs! Obviously I think Tommy is great, and now I've discovered how wonderful Chanele McGuinness is as well! Plus, there's just something about this song... It's almost an updated twist on the style of that early 2000s pop-punk-esque beat, but... better. Take a listen to the original, and fall in love with this mellow cover, too.

LWD ~ Little White Dress

{Dress: Nordstrom | Boots: Steve Madden | Necklace: flammable hearts etsy shop | Watch: Urban Outfitters}

I've always been in the market for the perfect "little white dress." I have a lace number, and a plain cotton cheap-o one, but I've never found one that looks quite so effortless - until now! I got this sweet little button-down on my little personal shopping experience at Nordstrom. It's so comfortable and easy, a classic with a twist.

I wore this last weekend to The Smokehouse for a family brunch, and my biggest challenge was keeping it clean, in spite of hanging out with a 2- and 4-year-old, eating lots of bacon, and wearing pink lipstick. Mission accomplished! But let it be known, this blindingly white dress will never see the light of day at preschool!

Shabby Apple Discount Code!

One of my fabulous affiliates, Shabby Apple, is offering a 10% site wide discount with the code High in honor of the launch of their newest line, Highclere Castle! Shabby Apple has so many adorable pieces, and everything is always so classic, with modern twists, and always modest, as well!

Here are some of my favorite pieces from the site!

             {Top Row: Tinsel Town Skirt | Beachcomber Dress | Park & Follies Skirt | One For My Baby Dress}                         {Bottom Row: Yellow Days Dress | Blighty Dress | High Tea Skirt | Music Hall Skirt}

Honestly, I can't resist a polka-dot (can you tell?!), a leopard print (my favorite "color!"), or a grown up tutu! Shabby Apple's pieces are always so feminine, flattering, and fabulous, and with a 10% discount (use the code High), how can your resist? :) Head over to Shabby Apple now!

My Own Personal Stylist!

{Dress: Urban Outfitters (on sale now!) | Huaraches: JustFab}

This was the day that it was 106 degrees. Therefore, this was the day that I couldn't even bear to wear anything but a simple dress and sandals. Still, I think my idea of  "simple dress and sandals" made a big statement!

When I saw this dress online, it took me awhile to decide if I should get this pink/red/orange color combo, or go with the green/blue. I went with this shade because it was a bit of a departure for me - I rarely wear red or pink, but I often get complimented when I do!

I wore this dress for a very warm, very traffic-filled drive up to Glendale to visit my friend Jenna. After the frustration of the heat and the drive, though, the trip was worth it! Jenna is my sorority little sis, and a long-time employee of my favorite store - Nordstrom! She quickly went from sales to assistant manager to department manager of BP, Nordstrom's juniors department. Truth be told, I consider myself a serious solo shopper. I like to take my time, do my own thing, and usually don't want anyone bugging me, especially salespeople. But Jenna really changed my mind!

Once I arrived at Nordstrom, Jenna took me around the store shopping. We went through t.b.d., BP, and accessories, and picked some things out! She kept encouraging me to try things I wouldn't normally try, even through my (typically) persistent protests. Then, Jenna brought me into my dressing room and styled up a lot of looks for me! She took those items I was iffy about, and combined them in unexpected ways with pieces I loved, and totally sold me on things I didn't expect to like! (Hello, maroon silky tank under mint sheer cheetah sweater, under light blue super-soft button down, all cuffed together? Ding ding ding!) I was so impressed with Jenna's talents as a stylist and a salesperson! And to think, she assists in buying, trains new employees, and creates work schedules, as well! I'm so proud of her!

If you're in the Glendale area, you should definitely head to the Galleria to check out the Nordstrom there, and make an appointment with Jenna or one of her associates when you get a chance! (And even if you don't live in the area, call up your local Nordstrom and make an appointment with a stylist for a shopping appointment - you won't be sorry!)

I feel pretty lucky to have my own little personal stylist! ;)

Blogger Feature: J of J's Everyday Fashion

I am beyond excited to have J of J's Everyday Fashion here on the blog today! J is pretty much the be-all end-all of "real-girl" style! She recreates outfits seen in look books, catalogs, on celebs... pretty much anywhere - and makes them her own, with perfect execution and affordability! Basically, she's amazing!

 

 

3 words to describe your personal style?

Experimental, colorful and trendy

 

 

Who are your celebrity style icons?

Olivia Palermo and SJP 

 

 

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

I'm a huge believer that "essentials" means totally different things to different women, depending on your climate, occupation and lifestyle. A few that I would recommend for a broad spectrum of women would be a great pair of jeans, a quality handbag, a work/sheath type dress you can throw on in a pinch, some flat shoes that both comfortable and stylish, and cardigans in different colors.

 

 

What is your favorite/most versatile accessory? 

Oh boy do I love belts! I use them often to change the shape of shirts and dresses to make them less boxy. They can also add more color or texture to your outfit, though, so they are the ultimate double-whammy.

 

 

As a young professional, how do you find a balance between fashion and comfort/professionalism/appropriateness?
You can take a basic work look - such as flats, pencil skirt and collared shirt - and make it fun by adding unique color combinations, prints, layering with a cardigan or blazer, and accessories like statement necklaces. These elements jazz up an outfit, without compromising comfort or dress code.

 

 

Your claim to fame is creating on-trend outfits on a real-girl budget. (I love that!) What are some of the major challenges in this, and what are your tips to working against them?

The biggest challenges of being on a real-girl budget are not looking cheap (see this article for tips), and resisting temptation to spend more of your income on clothes than you should! (see this article for tips)

 

One trend I'm dying to try is:

All of them! :-) 

I feel most myself when I’m wearing: 

The boho look, which is almost always what I'm rocking on super-casual days. Distressed denim, wavy hair, loose t-shirts and turquoise jewelry. That's how you'll find me at the grocery store!

 

 

 Thanks so much for everything, J! All y'all, make sure you head over to J's Everyday Fashion - she posts outfits I want to emulate literally on a daily basis! Follow her blog and you won't be sorry! :)

2012 Emmy Awards - Fashion!

I actually watched the Emmys this year - I wasn't particularly wowed by the fashion (or the winners), but I wasn't appalled either. I don't even have a worst dressed section - kudos to you all, televison stars! (Truth be told, I think these posts are way more amusing when I get to insult these fabulous celebs, but today, it's praise all around!)

Lovely Ladies

Edie: Holy cow! Does she look AMAZING in this or what? A lot of celebrities have been wearing similar Stella McCartney looks lately (see: Gwen Stefani & Gwyneth Paltrow), but I am blown away by how great Edie looks in this white and navy version! I'm pretty sure that's the body of a 25-year-old. She looks stunning! // Jessica: So pretty! Jessica looks so angelic, and I love that she took this simple dress and paired it with a classic red lip. Just lovely. // Emilia: This is so wrong it's right. I know it's odd, especially with the peekaboo full skirt, but I kind of love it. The purple design is really fun, and I think she looks great in the tea length. Unique and cute! // Kimberly: I can't find who makes this dress - but I LOVE it! I love that even though it's sheer and neutral, it still makes a big statement! It almost reminds me of a fairy princess gown. In a good way. Plus, she has the ultimate accessory - Dawson Leery. Hellooooo. // Sarah: Another classic, simple look that just looks great! Her hair is a little plain for me, but against the bling-bling on this dress, I understand why she kept it simple! // I like that these dresses are pretty neutral - it left a nice contrast against the other trend of the night...

(Not So) Mellow Yellow!

Julie: I really like this dress! A lot of ladies did this kind of fitted with wrapped-up/twisted detailing, and it's appearing to be quite flattering! Aside from the fact that I want to force-feed her a sandwich, she looks good! // Julianne: I'd say, this is neon done, well, not so well... The color actually looks pretty nice against her hair/skin tone, but the fit is just off. She's a bit too covered up, I think, and her bra or bodice or whatever was going on there was incredibly ill-fitting. It was distracting! // Leslie: I. Love. This. Look. It's nice to see someone going a little less traditional and funking it up a bit. Her fluffy bun and turquoise bracelet add a cute, quirky touch to an already unique dress. Plus, this dress has pockets. Pockets! What more could you want? // Claire: Now THIS is how you do pregnant at an awards show! You could hardly even tell she's pregnant, first of all, but I love that she didn't do either of the silhouettes that pregnant celebs are always going for. (1. Super tight & body-conscious. 2. Empire waist boho.) Claire looks fantastic! // Kaley: Here's another fitted with twisty details dress! I think she looks great in it, I like her slightly undone 'do, and I think she's right on trend here!

Red Hot!

Anna: Since Anna plays one of my least favorite characters ever, I'm glad she pleased me with her dress choice. I don't dig the slicked-back hair, but this dress is really pretty, fits her well, and made a bold statement! // Cat: I'm obsessed with Cat. She has the best style ever, and she's her own stylist! I'm not digging her hair either, but she looks amazing anyway, as usual, even if she's basically wearing the exact same dress as Anna.

Gentlemen

Aaron: Really, could he be any cuter? He looked so cute in his bow tie, he has the perfect amount of scruff, and he cried when he won. Insert crying emoji next to double heart eye emoji. So. Stinking. Cute. // Jesse: Jesse always looks adorable. His subtle plaid print plus plaid bow tie are so fun. I love when men take fashion risks! Plus, he also cried. When someone ELSE won. Too sweet!

What do you all think? Do you agree/disagree? Who were your favorites this year? Who did I leave out? 

Bun. Pink. Leopard. Weird.

{Blouse: Sheinside | Shorts & Belt: Forever 21 | Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell | Necklace: Luna | Watch: Nordstrom}

I hate it when I wear my hair in a bun. If you've all noticed, I typically wear my hair the same way on the daily. If my hair is really dirty or not cooperating or I'm lazy pressed for time, I go for the very occasional and rare top knot. And I always hate it.

Anyway, I had a love/hate relationship with this outfit. I was super confident as I descended the stairs, but after looking at the outfit in photos, I hated it. As the day went on, I got rid of the belt, untucked the shirt, messed around with my aching top knot, and didn't hate it quite as much.

...but I still might hate it.

Jury's still out.

Meow.

{T-shirt: Everlane | Vest: J. Crew | Jeans: Target | Sandals: Old Navy | Necklace: gift from Nelle Creations | Bracelets: Chloe + Isabel, Nordstrom}

This was sort of a mish-mosh outfit. I kind of forgot I had these leopard jeans, and when I remembered, I was desperate to wear them! Also, it's still super freaking hot, so I can't believe I put on pants, let alone a 2nd layer up top with that vest. But alas, I did. Is this outfit boring? I can't really decide. Can you think of some fun ways to style these leopard jeans?

Skulls + Leopard + Hot Pink Lipstick

{Tank: Old Navy | Shorts: Forever 21 | Loafers: Target | Scarf: Random Hollywood boutique | Watch: Urban Outfitters}

I wore this last week to work. It was super hot. Super hot = no possible way I could wear sleeves nor pants. I can't even believe I wore close-toed shoes. I like everything about this outfit. Mostly that it kept me fairly cool when it was in the 90s. I can't even explain the torture of seeing other bloggers post their sweaters and layers and tights and boots and apple orchards and changing leaves and all that fall garbage. Look, I can barely write an interesting sentence because it's so hot. When will this heat wave end? Soon, please. Pleeeeaseee.

Now that's a red lip.

{Vest: JC Penney | Tee: Everlane | Cutoffs: Free People via Shop Bop | Boots: Steve Madden | Necklace: Aloha Swap Meet | Watch: Nordstrom}

I wore this outfit last week out to lunch and then to see Passion Pit at the Bowl! Kind of obsessed with this classic with a twist look. When I found these cut-offs on Shop Bop on sale, I was so excited! I love a good pair of jean shorts, and these fun floral pockets make them special!

This necklace was another very special find! It was something like $20 at the Aloha Swap Meet in Honolulu when I went to Hawaii earlier this year. Sure, it's broken once and had to be superglued, but that's beside the point. It's such a great finishing touch to any outfit!

Lately, I've been getting pretty into lipstick. I accidentally on purpose ended up with 4 different shades in my last Sephora order... Truth be told, 1 was a sample, and 1 was a lip pencil, but nevertheless... I've got a lot of lipstick now. This particular shade is Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte in Red Muse, if you're looking to amp up your face a touch.

Blogger Feature: Meggy of Chasing Davies

Public confession time: I'm slightly obsessed with Meggy of Chasing Davies and Chasing Babies! Not only does she have the most fabulous, fun style, but she is also sooo pretty, seems to be the coolest mom eeeeverrrrr, and to top it off, she's super-duper nice! I'm so excited to be featuring her here on The Daily Dani!

3 words to describe your personal style? Ever-changing, Preppy, Layered

What would you consider the 5 essential items to a fashionable wardrobe? Full skirt, button down shirt, a blazer, boyfriend cardigan & booties

Who are your favorite bloggers, and why? I have way too many favorite blogs to name, but the type of blogger I'm drawn to are ones that keep it real. They are honest and candid stories to tell, supportive of readers and other bloggers alike and have pretty pictures to show.

You (semi-)recently had a sweet baby boy! As a new mom, how do you find a balance between fashion/appropriateness/comfort? He is 9 months old and I can't believe how fast it's went and how many times I've had to reinvent my style just since he was born. I think keeping an open mind, trial and error and still having fun with style has helped me balance it all.

Can you name a childhood moment of you and clothing?  One word. Barbies.  I use to dress them up in funky little outfits. I guess that was my only outlet, as I didn't come to care about style and fashion until college. I was a hard core swimmer throughout my younger years, so more into sportswear than fashion.

I splurge on staples, things I can wear a ton & for years to come and save on trends, accents and accessories. 

What are some of your favorite places to shop?
I'm a huge online shopper, consistently with J.Crew & ASOS.  That's mainly because I shop late at night after the baby has gone to sleep, but I also love hitting up local shops and bargain stores like TJ Maxx/Marshall's.

I feel most myself when I’m wearing: a full dress or skirt!

Thanks so much, Meggy! Make sure you all head over to Chasing Davies to see more of Meg's amazing style, and if you're looking for more info about her fun family life, check out Chasing Babies!

Sunday Song: Fiona Apple

So, a couple months ago, I saw that Fiona Apple was going to be at the Greek. I became obsessed with attending. Turns out, I was the only one. I asked my mom if she wanted to go and she said no. I asked about 20 of my friends and they all said no. I posted it on Facebook asking anyone if they wanted to go. Twice. No takers. Finally, I was almost at the point of attending alone (terrifying...) and my mom agreed to go with me. (Thanks, Mom!)

Anyway, I'm soooo happy I got to go because Fiona was absolutely incredible! She put on a great show, and was so sweet and gracious! Also, she wore a scrunchie.

Feeling Hot Hot Hot

{Blouse & Watch: Nordstrom | Skirt: Target | Sandals: ShoeDazzle | Necklace: Cheerfully Charmed}

We get what I consider to be a very awkward weather pattern here in Southern California. While "normal" regions of this country have summertime in June, July, August, we really start heating up in August, and our hottest month in September. This September is record-breaking. We've been in the 90s for weeks, and sometimes, the thought of putting on clothes is purely tortuous. When I woke up last Friday, the only thing I could bear to put on was a sheer tank and floaty skirt.

I can't wait for tomorrow. It's going to be 99... F word.