Friday's Fancies: Beach Ready

{sandals: zara | bracelet: gorjana via austique | dress: les pommettes | bikini: tilly's (top) (bottom) | hat: h&m| bag: object (similar)}

Ok, ok, I'll admit it... I'm not much of a beach lover. Yes, that's an obnoxious thing for someone to say who grew up (and is still) a 10-minute ride from the beach, but I can't help it. Sand. Sunburns. Cold water. Salt in your eyes. Waves drowning you. Bottom line: I'm a total complainer, and then you put me in sand. HOWEVER, if you're gonna get sand in unmentionable places, you may as well look cute doing it, right?

If I ever find myself back on a beach again (let me be honest, I went yesterday...), preferably somewhere tropical (Hawaii? Costa Rica? Is that you I hear calling my name?), I'd be happy in a pretty-colored bathing suit, with a practical and stylish coverup, and some classic accessories!

What's your go-to beach look?

California Summer (Maxi Skirts + Graphic Tees)

{shirt: love nail tree via craft fair (gift) | skirt: target | necklace: flammable hearts}

As summer has officially reared its head, and temperatures begin to rise, pants start to feel unbearable here in Southern California! My solution? Maxi skirts; duh! By pairing a perfectly cool and partially cropped graphic tee with a classic straight maxi, adding a fancy-free accessory, and throwing in some simple sandals, you can stay cool and fashionable in the summer heat!

Here are a few more ideas for pairing your maxis & tees together this summer!

{tee: delias | skirt: new look | sandals: modcloth (similar) | earrings: miss selfridge}

{skirt: oasis | tee: delia's | sandals: asos (similar) | bangle: fornash via simply soles}

{tank: forever 21 | skirt: mango via house of fraser | sandals: topshop | necklace: oasis}

As I'm sure you've heard, Google Reader is officially saying farewell on Monday, so please make sure you head on over to Bloglovin' to import your blogs and follow me so you can keep getting your daily dose of Dani! ;) If Bloglovin' isn't your thing, you can always import my feed [http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheDailyDani] to the reader of your choice! If all else fails, a good old-fashioned bookmark never hurt anybody. Thanks, everyone!

Style - Coast to Coast: Americana

{shirt: ralph lauren | jeans: seven for all mankind | heels: kohl's (similar) | belt: target}

Here we are, back again! This month, we decided to inspire you with some classic, Americana-inspired outfits in honor of the upcoming 4th of July! Yesterday, I provided you with some all-American inspiration, both literal and conceptual! I went the more figurative route this time-around. When it all comes down to it, I feel like nothing says American girl more than a t-shirt & jeans! My tee is actually a mens shirt from Ralph Lauren - Ralph Lauren is so classic American, and so is a bandana print, in my eyes! I paired it with the comfiest boyfriend jeans for my classic Americana look!

{dress (worn as top): c/o shabby apple (similar) | skirt: time warp vintage | jewelry & belt: thrifted/gifted | sandals: bandolino via tj maxx}

Oh honestly, how divine is Sarah? Her mix of new and vintage is always spot-on, and let's be honest here... this is red, white, and blue done to absolute perfection! I love her literal-turned-stylish interpretation of Americana/stars & stripes! She is so vintage chic, but keeps it modern with that awesome heavy metal belt and traditional sandals! Sarah is the queen of making pre-owned all her very own!

Make sure you head over to Think Twice Style to see what Sarah has to say about our June inspiration, and to don't forget to link up your own Americana-inspired looks!

As always, we'd love it if you could help us spread the word about our monthly Style: Coast to Coast features, and pin our collaboration image! Thanks everyone! Can't wait to pop back in next month to share more West Coast/Gulf Coast style inspiration!

Coast to Coast Style: Americana Inspiration

It's that time again! Sarah and I are back with some Coast to Coast style inspiration! Our end-of-June theme, just in time for Independence Day, is Americana! Americana can mean different things to different people, so I wanted to provide you with some Americana Inspiration to fuel your fashion fire!

To some, and certainly often to me, Americana is epitomized by the grand ole flag! I am a sucker for anything American Flag-themed, be it a scarf, graphic print, or anything red, white, & blue! Whether you're rocking patterned pants or an awesome pair of boots, representing the stars & stripes definitely shows your patriotic spirit!

When Sarah & I decided on the American theme this month, for some reason, my thoughts immediately strayed from my typical love of all things traditionally American, and went right towards classic, somewhat preppy American style. Whether you're going to rugged Indiana Jones-esque oversized panama hat and jeans, crisp white + blue with neutral accents, or plaid & classic converse, there is something about traditional style that is incredibly clean, comfortable, and strikingly American!

Please head back tomorrow to see how Sarah & I epitomize our Americana style from Gulf Coast to West Coast, and get ready to link up your own Americana looks!

All-Target, All the Time

{cardigan: target | tee: target (similar) | skirt: target (similar) | boots: minnetonka | necklace: forever 21 (gift from chelsea) (similar) (similar)}

Remember last week when I bought that entire outfit at Target? Well, voila, this is said outfit! I'd seen this skirt and passed it up a couple times, but when I really needed something to change into, I finally went for it. Truthfully, the chambray + aztec print are both right up my alley; I don't know how I resisted for so long! You can never have too many classic v-neck tees, and I've been "needing" a white cardigan, so that's how I put this outfit together! Then, since I only wore it for an evening of babysitting, I wore it again a couple of days later, paired with a trusty pair of Minnetonka boots and my fave easy necklace! Ta-daaaa!

Sunday Song: Brandon & Leah

Disclaimer: this was the theme song for Kim & Kourtney Take Miami.
The good news: It's actually a super awesome song, and Brandon & Leah are incredibly talented. I've decided not to punish them for their family-by-marriage trainwreck pseudo-celebrity ties. This video is really cool, the song is very catchy and fun to dance to, and the rest of their music is equally as enjoyable! Definitely check them out a bit more. I can dig!

Friday's Fancies: Summer's Here!

{purse: target | shirt: rag and bone | shorts: one teaspoon | sandals: forever 21 | necklace: forzieri}

Q: What says summer more than a classic white tee, awesome cutoffs, and classic sandals?
A: Nothing. This is perfect.

Throw in a cute and bright little purse, and add an amazing statement necklace when you want to pump up the volume, and you are ready to go this season!

Long Day / Short Dress

{dress: urban outfitters (similar) (similar) | wedges: steve madden (similar) (similar) (similar)}

I have had this dress for about 4 years. I have now officially worn it twice. I wore it on Christmas Eve 2009 with my white Minnetonka booties, and then I wore it last weekend for a good 12 hours for an extremely long (but great!) day. What did I do, you ask? Well, I...

• met up with Emily and Elle for coffee! (Ok, I had an English Breakfast tea latte. And it was amazing.)
• had breakfast with my friend Katelyn.
• went to my friend Molly's baby shower! Her baby boy is due July 4!
• shopped at Old Navy and Target, and ended up buying an entire (and more comfortable) outfit at Target to wear while I...
• babysat for my 5-year-old bestie for a few hours.

TA-DA! (FYI, this dress is on the pretty dang short side to be engaging in all those activities, especially when paired with these fairly high wedges. Oopsie. Flats next time!)

Statement Necklace & Jalapeno Wine

{sweater: c/o zlz | jeans: seven for all mankind | wedges: toms (similar) | necklace: baublebar | sunglasses: juicy couture | purse: rebecca taylor (similar)}

I'm going to try to get as much wear out of this sweater as I can before the temperatures rise so high I don't even want to wear clothes. (Don't worry, guys. I'll still wear clothes. I just won't want to.)

I wore this to meet some friends in Downtown LA at Industriel for dinner and drinks. I had a delicious white fish entree, and we all shared a bottle of wine (I think it was a Sauvignon Blanc?). It had "hints of jalapeno" in it. Which, if you drink wine, you know is super weird. I could taste the bite in every sip. If you don't drink wine, let me just tell you, it's pretty darn weird.

Bird's The Word

{dress: old navy (similar) (similar) (similar) | heels: steve madden (similar) | belt: forever 21 (similar) | sunglasses: juicy couture}

I've had this dress for quite awhile and have only worn it once. Every time I put it on, it's just felt too long or odd fitting, but for some reason when I put it on last week to go see a play with my mom, it was just right! I added my old staple (incredibly comfortable) heels, belted it, and was on my way!

Maps. They don't love you like I love you.

{shirt: ann taylor (similar) | jeans: madewell (sold out - similar) | sandals: gap (borrowed - similar) | watch: marc by marc jacobs | bracelet: c wonder (gift - similar) | necklace: vintage (aunt's) (similar) (similar)}

Did you all know I absolutely love maps? I don't know what it is, but something about a beautiful map just resonates with me! Whether it be my map watch, my state charm necklace, or my entire Pinterest board dedicated to all things map-related, I just love 'em! So, when I saw these pants, I just about jumped for joy! Then, when I saw they were 50% off, I almost fainted! For half price (at Madewell?!) I snagged these bad boys and didn't look back! I can't wait to continue to showcase these babies!

P.S. Yay to my hair for finally being long enough to go up into a teeny-tiny topknot!