Friday's Fancies: Winning in White

I think, if I've learned anything of great importance in my past 7 years as a preschool teacher, it is how to wear white and not get it dirty. Glitter, glue, paint... I am the guardian of white garments. While I may be moving on from preschool, I will actively continue to keep my whites white. (How weird was this paragraph...?)

Here are some ways to style your whites this summer!

{flats / tee / belt / necklace / skirt / purse}

 As if wearing white head to toe wasn't dainty enough, I decided to add lace, a rhinestone statement necklace, and delicate flats to the mix! By keeping it all grounded with some brown leather accessories and sticking with a graphic tee, you can make a seemingly ultra-feminine outfit wearable!

{earrings / clutch / dress / blazer / sandals}

 While I'd never be one to condone wearing white to a wedding (unless you're the bride!), this is the perfect ensemble to wear to a summer soiree! If I'd ever been to the Hamptons (specifically, P. Diddy's annual White Party), I'd guess this is something that could be worn there! Balance a flowy maxi dress with a structured blazer, anchor it down with some brown sandals and a heavy metal clutch, and play up the summer sun (or moonlight!) with some neon earrings!

{jeans / shirt / boots / earrings / watch / purse}

Ah, the quintessential representation of the most classic way to wear white jeans! Paired with a chambray shirt, white jeans become super wearable, super easy, and super adorable! Add some chestnut booties, classic accessories, and a great bag - you're set!

Head over to Long Distance Loving to see more ways to rock white this summer!

2013 Cannes Fashion

Better late than never, right? I couldn't resist sharing some of my favorite fashion moments from the Cannes Film Festival last week!

The Best

Samantha in Dior: I think this is my favorite of the festival. This is how you elevate basic black! While the color is classic, the silhouette is flattering and modern, and the mixed materials make this a stand-out! // Cara in Burberry: I rarely gravitate towards low-cut pieces or super-revealing styles, but there is something demure about this. (If a low-cut, entirely lace-back dress could be demure...) Well, she looks great in it and I love it!  // Ahna in Marni: Ahna was all over the Cannes red carpet in a variety of looks, but this one is my favorite! I like the unique print and cut, I like the ruffles, and I like that I could see myself wearing it - it seems so versatile! (So, Ahna, if you wanted to send this to me, I'd be happy to wear it to any upcoming weddings I've got to attend...) I also love love LOVE the neutral color-blocked heels!
 

The Good

Petra in Elie Saab: Isn't this beautiful?! The light rose-blush tone, the all-over beading, the tasteful coverage but sexy fit... So pretty! // Jessica in Emilio Pucci: I am in love with this color! Just shy of neon, this bright pink is perfect for summer and perfect for her tan! Plus, she makes that Angelina leg pop look lovely! I'll take one of these, too! // Dita in Elie Saab Couture: How cute, right?! The retro fit is adorable, the color makes her porcelain skin pop, and the gradient ombre beading is to-die-for!

The Bad

Olivia in Roberto Cavalli: What the...? I know the dress underneath this jacket was salvageable, but this jacket is grotesque. Odd-looking, ill-fitting... Is it mean to ask if she's pregnant...? // Milla in Chanel Haute Couture: Meh. I guess this isn't horrifying. But it ain't good. It's a little too silly and trying too hard to be vintage-inspired. I could see Michelle Williams in this, but I don't love it on Milla. Her hair looks pretty, though. // Florence in Miu Miu: Well, here she goes again. Florence definitely takes risks, but unfortunately, they're usually the wrong ones... I have to say, if this dress had been hemmed, or let out a little across the hips, or cut differently... or you know, she could have just worn a different dress... And what's with that little dinky off-color bag?! // Marion in Christian Dior: Meh again. Marion was another one who was all over the red carpet, but sadly, I felt that she fell short on most of her fashion choices. This just looks like a bad junior prom dress to me.
 

The Men

Justin: LET'S ALL JUST TAKE A MOMENT HERE. HOLY HEAVEN. Does it get better than JT? I mean, really... That face. That hair. Those clothes... (1) Laidback casual cool. From his jacket to her unkempt skinny tie to his perfectly tailored pants and killer shoes... I love! (2) I just had to take a deep breath after looking at JT in this tux. Cue a Rachel Zoe-inspired "OMIGOD." Gorgeous in this Balenciaga. (3) Nautical chic? Gingham and a double-breasted cardigan? I have few words for how handsome he looks.
 

Leo: Yet again. Let's take a moment. Leo can do no wrong. (Ok, except maybe for that goatee...) (1) Perfectly undone. (2) Perfectly polished. Have you all seen The Great Gatsby yet? Ain't nothin' wrong with a clean-shaven Leonardo DiCaprio, with highlighted hair, in tuxedos and fisherman sweaters. Sigh.
 

Serious Sparkle

Doutzen in Atelier Versace: Similar to Petra Nemcova's perfect pink number, I love this, too! Though I'm not in love with the big old cut-out across the boobs, I do love the color, the jagged waistline, and the SPARKLE! // Aimee: THIS IS AMAZING. Holy guacamole. Head-to-toe sequined snakeskin? Don't mind if I do! // Alessandra in Roberto Cavalli: This is super disco-y, and could have gone horribly wrong, but putting it on a skinny mini like Alessandra keeps it safe. The fit is perfect, and so is the puddling at the hem. Very beautiful. // Kristin in Armani Prive: Think you can't do neck-to-toe sequins past a certain age? Wrong! This is how you do it! Kristin kept it classic in cut, but bold in color, and she looks fantastic! // Irina in Saint Laurent: Another disco ball moment, but it works! By pairing this sequined stunner with casual, slightly disheveled hair, it all really works!
 

Winning in White

Audrey in Yiqing Yin: Oh, Audrey! This is Bjork's swan dress gone RIGHT. As the Mistress of Ceremonies, Audrey truly shone in this gorgeously special white number piece. // Anais: This is pretty adorable. The length, the one-shoulder style, the tiers... so precious. The perfect dress for summer! // Jennifer in Christian Dior: I love Jennifer's look! A typically classic white tube dress got kicked up a notch with an asymmetrical peplum gather, and a splattering of bright colors popping at the side! I also love her new haircut, and I love that she pumped up the volume with those pink pointy-toed heels! Perfect!

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

Classic Summer Essentials

{t-shirt / shorts / sandals (similar) / purse (similar - pink) / sunglasses / tortoise bracelet (similar - tortoise bracelet) / leopard bracelet (similar - snake print) / watch}

Summer is vastly approaching! Today is my last night of grad class until August! (Truth be told, it's a pizza party...) I have less than 2 weeks left of the school year at work before I move on to a new adventure! I'm so close to a summer of mini-vacays and lots of concerts! And on top of it all, the weather is slowly creeping up into the 80s... Summer is on the brink!

I'm pretty sure there are no more classic pieces for summer than a classic white tee, a pair of jean cutoff shorts, and some basic sandals. What are your classic summer essentials?

Super Casual

{hat (similar) / shirt / shorts - diy (similar to original jeans) / huaraches (similar)}

Oh, man. I am in serious need of a tan. Anyway, I bought this cap awhile ago and have been trying to figure out ways to wear it. I settled on this incredibly casual look for a Sunday brunch out with my dad. I figured... purple and purple, cap covering my dirty hair and casual cutoffs... but I'd love to figure out a way to style this up in a trendier way! Any ideas?

Polka Dots & Stripes for Mother's Day Tea

{jacket / tank / jeans (similar) / loafers / necklace (similar)}

Yes, yes, I know Mother's Day was awhile ago, but this is what I wore to our "Mother's Day Tea" at work. I figured white pants, pink, and polka dots pretty much scream "Mother's Day," so I went for it. I added the loafers to mix things up a bit!

Now, let me tell you about these loafers: I fell in love with this Marc Jacobs pair after seeing a photo of Jessica Biel wearing them. As $793 is approximately $780 out of my price range, I scoured the internet until I procured this canvas version for a scale-tipping $12. Get 'em while they're hot!

Neon Nation

{sweater / jeans / heels c/o / necklace}

Oh boy. I feel like Queen of the Neon Nation in this outfit. This highlighter yellow sweater accompanied by these special neon/neutral sandals felt perfect to me to spend a cloudy Cinco de Mayo at a work event. I threw on this statement necklace to add even more POP. The double dose of neon could have been too much, but the relaxed boyfriend jeans and classic tan against the bright coral shoes broke up the bright just a touch.

Have you embraced the neon trend into your closet yet?

Sunday Song: O-Town

Yes, you read that right. O-Town. If you were a pre-teen girl in the late '90s/early 2000s, you probably love this song as much as I do. You probably watched Making The Band, too. You probably remember how creepy Lou Pearlman was. You probably hate Dan's lisp, and were super sad when he stole all of Eric's vocals. You might even remember how Jacob was on his way to being the next Justin Timberlake until Ikaika left the group and they forced him to be the bad boy and get dread locks...

No? Nobody remembers that? Just me?

Oh well, listen to this wonderful song, watch this fantastic time capsule of a video, and make fun of all their dorky faux-athletic garb, oversized/shredded jackets, turtlenecks, and baby tanks.

You're welcome.

[Confession: I may or may not have gone down a very slippery boy band slope after this... Backstreet Boys... New Kids on the Block... LFO...]

Friday's Fancies: Memorial Day

Ahhh, Memorial Day. What does Memorial Day have in store for me? Thankfully, a day off from work! I'm sadly going to be spending most of the day doing grad homework, but if you're off to some fun Memorial Day festivities, here's what I suggest you wear!

{hat (similar) / scarf / bracelets / tee / wedges / jeans / purse}

Classic Memorial Day plans? A BBQ, of course! Rock a classic t-shirt and jeans combo, add some neutral accessories, and pump up the volume just a touch with an American flag-printed scarf!

{earrings / bikini top / bikini bottom / towel (similar) / dress / hat / sunglasses / sandals}

If you don't mind crowds, the beach (or pool! ...or lake?!) is the perfect place for a sunny pre-summer party! Go from the beach to the streets by covering up your bathing suit with this classic chambray dress!

{necklace / shorts / tee  (similar)/ sneakers / hat / purse}

Another option for American holiday fun? Keep it casual! Play up the Americana theme with some red, white, and blue, and keep it comfy in a cap, cut-offs, and converse!

Head over to Long Distance Loving to get some more Memorial Day outfit inspiration!

How about you? What are your Memorial Day plans?

Floral Pants

{shirt: target (similar) | belt & pants: target | shoes: target (similar) | watch: marc by marc jacobs}

1. I need to point out that everything I'm wearing is from Target. 2. How amazing are these pants?! I saw them on a random killing-time-in-Target-and-spending-way-more-than-I-meant-to shopping trip... And had to have 'em! I wore this outfit to a "mini-teaching" final for my math & science education class. And I love them.

Do loud prints, or more specifically, floral pants, terrify you? Never fear, I've got some outfit ideas for you! (By the way, at the time, I had no clue what I could wear this statement piece with other than a plain white button-down, but after putting together these outfits, I think they are totally remixable!)

{top / purse / pants / necklace / heels}

 By keeping your top neutral and matching your accessories to colors already in the color palette of your print, floral trousers can become a classic staple!

{earrings / watch / ring / pants / blouse / wedges / blazer / purse (similar) (similar)}

 I haven't dared to try out the palazzo pant trend (let's ignore the cropped versions I used to wear in 2005...) - I'm not sure how the silhouette would treat my opposite of tall body - but I want everyone else to rock these! Keep the accessories simple and the color palette understated and these bad boys are totally doable!

{earrings / watch / purse / pants / tee / heels}

These pants are super LOUD, but by keeping the rest of your clothes fairly subdued and matchy-matchy, these can make a statement without being too overwhelming!

What do you think? Are you down to rock floral pants?

T-Shirts for Work: Spiderman

{blazer: forever 21 (similar)| tank: forever 21 | jeans: hudson (similar) | boots: sam edelman | gold bracelet: vintage (similar) | leopard bracelet: c wonder (gift) (similar) | white initial bracelet: c wonder (gift)}

Remember my T-shirts for Work post? Well, I decided to put this super-casual muscle tank to the test! Yes, my workplace is casual enough for jeans, but that didn't stop me from amping it up with a blazer, classic boots, and gold jewelry. Plus, the kiddos in my class were in awe of my Spidey sense. ;)