Styling Services

Hi all! Long time no see… or talk.. or… well, you get the idea! I've been ultra-busy with my new job as a full-time 1st grade teacher. I'm still wearing my trademark girly outfits to work, but 5am is not a conducive wake time for blog photos! So for now…

I wanted to reach out to you about a new route I'm taking in my styling services - Keaton Row.

Keaton Row is free to sign up and free for service - you only pay if you buy something that has been recommended! Keaton Row works with a wide variety of retailers (Nordstrom, Shopbop, ASOS), so there is a great expanse of brands and style options available. Plus, they have mens' and kids' options available for your others halves and little ones! Basically, you let me know your style preferences, and I can put together some look books for you to peruse - no commitment necessary!

If you're interested, click through, sign up, and I'd love to put something together for you! 

http://www.keatonrow.com/dailydaniblog

Sayonara, Summer

{top: old navy (similar, similar,  | jeans: j brand (similar) | necklace: nordstrom (similar) | watch: marc by marc jacbos (similar) | sandals: urban outfitters (similar - on sale, similar}

There comes a very sad time in every teacher's life where she has to say farewell to summer, on a yearly basis, and is bombarded by 2 weeks' worth of trainings, meetings, laminating, and bulletin boards. This time has come for me. Cue the tears and violins.

I wore this Friday to a Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment induction, and then to a brief grade-level intro meeting. My first official full-time job has hit full-force… here goes nothing!

…at least I can look cute while doing it? This blue and white top makes me feel really happy - it reminds me of Santorini or Capri, and has me clinging to daydreams of a European island vacation! A girl can dream, can't she?!

Summer Style with #AERONOW

Aeropostale is launching a new campaign this fall - they are revamping their brand look to represent a generation of NOW! AERO has evolved into a lifestyle brand that celebrates independence and individuality. AERO NOW and I are encouraging all of you to be part of the evolution and show us what it means to be YOU!

{dress: ℅ aeropostale | sandals: urban outfitters (similar) | necklace: vintage (similar, similar) | purse: sole society}

I am so in love with the beautiful summer colors in this dress! I thought a gorgeous Hawaiian sunset was the perfect backdrop for these yummy sorbet colors! 

………….

Sometimes, in the blogging world, it's easy to get caught up comparing yourself to others, wondering why your success differs from theirs, and being consumed by how you can change your blog or your style to be like them. AERO NOW is inspiring me to try harder to embrace being me. I'm inspired to embrace my love for the casual, my body's natural ever-growing inclination to rebel against high heels, my fleeting obsession with Peter Pan collars and preppy attire paired with my ever-present obsession with boho vibes… Being Dani means being someone who is unique and proud of it, and AERO NOW is urging us all to be the best versions of ourselves. After all, everyone else is taken!

{1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5}

AERO has some adorable pieces for summer right now, and I want them all! // 1: Everything about this mix of patterns is perfect to me! Can they make it in every silhouette possible, please? // 2: I am the proud owner of this black & cream number. Its colors are classic, but its print is bold, and I'm excited to style it! // 3: I know neon is over for some people, but when it's paired with gray and an easy chevron print & summer silhouette, if it still makes you smile, keep on keepin' on! // 4: Another beautiful print that I'd love to see on different silhouettes! // 5: I'm lucky enough to own these, too. The "flatform" style will be comfy and easy to wear, and these are just begging to be taken out on the town! The tropical print will help me pretend I'm still living the island life!

………….

If you're interested in embracing your own personal style and seeing what AERO NOW has to offer, head to your local Aeropostale store today! Most stores will be opening at 4pm TODAY - Monday, July 28th - to reveal the first look at the new campaign and Back to School collection. You can also receive 30% off any single item in stores and online with the promotion code THIRTY.

I'd love to hear your feedback on the new AERO NOW campaign! Leave me a comment and let me know what makes you you!

An Experiment in Extreme Weather Photography (Part II)

{dress: nordstrom - on sale! | necklace: vintage (similar, similar)}

As I mentioned yesterday, it gets supa-dupa windy here in Kihei! Still, I could NOT leave this beautiful ocean view without snapping some photos in front of it! Look at those clouds! That sky! That crystal-clear water! Against this tropical greenery! Heaven on earth, don't you think?

On Friday, I decided to stay out of the sun while my sunburn decided to stay a nice, deep red. Lucky me. Still, we had the pleasure of driving to the local Geste Shrimp truck for a tasty plate lunch… Is yum the word of the week? (Yes!) We at our lunch pier side with some local kittens, pups, and older gents at the Senior Citizens Fishing Club! Some turtles even showed their faces!

{rice, crab mac salad, & yummalicious shrimp!}

Can you tell that our trips center around sunshine and delicious dining? After we recovered from our amazing shrimp lunch, we went to one of our favorite island staples - Shaka Pizza. YUM YUM YUM!

{white spinach, pepperoni, and amazing classic cheese}

{shaka, bra!}

On Sunday night, we had an amaaaazing dinner at Monkeypod, a swanky joint in Wailea. I had some truly delicious and crispy fish & chips (with garlic truffle fries, might I add), and my mom had some heavenly sashimi grade seared ahi with jalapeño mashed potatoes! There are no words… And, of course, a perfect Hawaiian meal wouldn't be complete without mai tais...

{they monkeypod mai tai with lilikoi foam… i may have had more than one…}

{as we left the restaurant, we happened upon this unreal sunset.}

A bit more Hawaii to come… Do I really have to leave?!

An Experiment in Extreme Weather Photography (Part I)

{tank: express | shorts: nordstrom - on sale! | sandals: birkenstock via zappos | necklace: baublebar (similar) | purse: sole society - on sale now! | sunglasses: target}

So, Hawaii is beautiful. Sun, sand, surf, tropical scenery, beautifully warm… but it can get super windy. Taking outfit photos when you can't even stop the wind from blowing your clothes off (metaphorically - mostly…) is super difficult! Plus, my trusty photographer (thanks, mom!) can barely get a look at the viewfinder when her hair is blowing in her face, too! (100 bonus points if you're old enough to even know what a viewfinder is.) We did our best. ;)

On Saturday, we took a little ride from where we are staying (Kihei) down to Lahaina… we walked around the shops (I got a vintage-inspired tourist-y Maui tee that I'm sure you'll be seeing here soon!), grabbed some Lappert's ice cream (a Hawaiin staple!), and basked in the shade of the 100 plus-year-old giant Banyan tree!

{the beautiful banyan - one of my favorite spots on maui since i was a little one!}

Then we traveled to Kapaula to visit some family friends, and we saw this stunning rainbow on the way! I mean, it doesn't get any better than this… I don't think you ever outgrow the magic of seeing a real rainbow in person!

{heart eyes emoji}

Though it was POURING RAIN by the time we got to Kapaula (hello, temperamental weather!), we enjoyed some pupus (Hawaiian for appetizers) and some perfect homemade Mai Tais!

{yum!}

More to come soon! :)

"I Climbed Into Bushes to Take These Photos"

{tank: express | shorts: i have no clue! (similar, similar) | sandals: birkenstock via zappos | sunglasses: target}

I'm fairly certain the title of my post says it all. ;) I climbed into bushes to take these photos, and I'm glad I did, because it was quite the tropical background for my look today. 

I spent another day sunning myself beachfront, and then spent the rest of the afternoon developing my sunburn. (Yes, burn. My entire body is burned. I apply SPF 50 like it's my job, so this is quite the disappointment. I'll need to stay in the shade tomorrow!) 

After a day in the sun, we drove to Lahaina for some delicious dinner (and malasadas - Portuguese donuts - for dessert) at Star Noodle!

Photos of Hawaiian landscape will never get old, right? Good...

{can you see the rainbow in the center?!}

And on another note...

{my overly ambitious summer reading stack! by tomorrow, i should be about 2.5 down!}

{udon + pad thai!}

More to come… I have another 5 days here!