Celebrating in Style

{dress: express | shoes: target}

A couple weekends ago, I had the pleasure of spending a full Saturday rejoicing with my wonderful friends! One of my best friends, Katelyn, is having a baby boy this summer, and her baby shower happened to be on the same day as another one of my friends, Sara's, wedding to her now-husband Taylor! Since I'd be driving from home, out to Glendora, up to Lake Arrowhead, and back, all in a matter of about 24 hours, I knew I needed to choose an outfit that could go from day to night, from the city to the mountains, and keep me comfy all at the same time! 

Ta-da! This dress was the *ding ding ding* hands-down winner! The partially sheer bottom makes it great to go from sunny to sunset, the beautiful print is unique but versatile, and it was so easy-breezy to throw on and go! Truth be told: I recently got this on a shopping trip with 2 of my gal pals… I "wasn't going to buy anything," but when 2 of us saw this dress, we couldn't resist - and when our 3rd friend saw us both in the check-out line ready to buy it it, she couldn't resist either! (We are just asking for a "bitch stole my look" moment!)

I am so happy for my beautiful friends, and I had a most amazing time from morning to night celebrating these lovely ladies!

{my weekend instagrams @dailydaniblog}

April Showers

{dress: asos (similar, similar) | belt: target (similar) | wedges: target | cardigan: target (available in other colors) }

Spring is the time for lots of celebrations - wedding season, baby season, and showers galore! I wore this to *shower* my friend Sara last weekend - she's getting married in June, and I can't wait! She got so many adorable gifts from her registry - I got her these cute wine stoppers from Anthropologie and a tasty bottle of wine from Club W to go with them!

Bloggers + Breton Stripes

{jacket: j. crew (similar) | tee: popbasic (similar) | skirt: american apparel (available in other colors) | tights: target | booties: forever 21 (similar) | clutch: popbasic (similar) | lip color: nyx stella}

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending a little Orange County blogger get-together, thanks to an invitation from my dear friend Chelsea over at CLEO COLLECTIVE. We headed down to Andrei's, enjoyed a couple of Moscow Mules and a lovely cheese & charcuterie plate! It was nice to meet so many local ladies!

But I have to be honest… along with spending some much-needed time with sweet Chelsea, my striped tee, oxblood tights, and this pretty plate made my night.

Window Washer

{blouse: forever 21 (similar) | jeans: j brand via saks fifth avenue | booties: forever 21 (similar) | purse: rebecca taylor (similar) | sunglasses: target}

When I was headed out to the fun Downtown Los Angeles bar Wolf & Crane for my friend Dan's birthday last Saturday, I asked my friend Sarah what the dress code was. Her reply? Casual but fun! Oh, the possibilities! I didn't go too over-the-top "fun," I suppose, but went with my current favorite jeans, easy-to-walk-in wedge booties, and this classic (but fun!) windowpane print blouse, tied at the waist! This is an outfit that could take me from work to play, and I can't wait to repeat this outfit and anything similar in the very near future!

Favorites & Sorries

{blazer: forever 21 (similar) | shirt: target (similar) | jeans: target | wedges: modcloth (similar) | necklace: baublebar}

These are some of my favorite pieces ever. A classic blazer, boyfriend jeans, and my comfy "Dani" wedge booties! Throw in a men's camo tee and pretty emerald-accented necklace, and you've got an "insta-outfit" in the world of The Daily Dani!

I read once that, as a blogger, you should never apologize for anything (i.e. what you wear, your absence, etc.). However, rules were made to be broken (this is comical coming from me, as I'm a strict rule-follower at all times...) and I'm going to say: I'm sorry my presence has been a bit scarce on here! I never realized how exhausting my life would be while student teaching (which is, essentially, a full-time teaching job in which you do not get paid...), along with grad school, along with homework and papers and state certifications... along with attempting to have a LIFE! Oh, and sleep. Sadly, sleep is what tends to take a backseat to everything else lately! So, from time to time, I am just far too busy or far too exhausted to blog! Sad, but true! Please bear with me, my sweet and wonderful readers, while I try to figure out how to devote time in my schedule to everything I want and love to do!!

A Little Spring in My Step

{top: nordstrom (similar) (similar) | skirt: asos (similar) (similar) | wedges: steve madden (similar) (similar) | necklace: ily couture (similar) (similar) (similar) | watch: marc by marc jacobs}

Yes, I'm well aware that summer has come to a close and fall is vastly approaching, but I just can't let go of my whites & pastels! The old "no white after Labor Day" adage has been basically debunked, and I am still going full-throttle on summer whites and beautiful muted shades! I might store these pastels once the 80-degree weather passes here in Southern California, but you can be bet I'm going to be pulling out these icy tints when the winter chill finally makes an appearance!

Here are some more options for incorporating whites and pastels into your wardrobe!

{jeans / sweater / loafers / necklace / watch / clutch}

{earrings / bracelet / heels / dress}

{beanie / necklace / belt / sweater / sandals / skirt}

What's your favorite pastel shade? How will you style it in the upcoming seasons?