Friday's Fancies: Labor Day Weekend

{necklace / purse / dress / hat / feather bangle / arrow bracelet / sandals}

As I started work/school already, Labor Day really is an official "goodbye" to summer for me and many others! So, bid your favorite summer pieces (i.e. a maxi dress, fedora, and sandals) a fond farewell as you trade them in for cozy sweaters, beanies, and booties! Now, if only the weather here would drop below 90...

Don't forget to enter my big ASOS Giveaway - winning it would surely make your Fridays especially Fancy!

// ASOS GIVEAWAY //

I am so excited to be hosting this big group giveaway and giving one of our readers a chance to win $50 to ASOS! ASOS is one of my favorite websites/brands, and I am so stoked to have the opportunity to share a piece of the brand with you all! Check out all of the fabulous ladies who are helping to host this giveaway!

                                                                                The Daily Dani

Bridgette Nicole / Style Journey / Life Unsweetened

The Magpie / Currently Coveting / A Devine Life

Living in Color / Harley and Jane / Wanderlust and Such

sincerely truly scrumptious / the MRS. & the MOMMA / zipped

Now, onto some more good stuff... I perused the ASOS website (as I often do!) and picked out my favorite pieces to show you! The best part? Every item is under $50! Since ASOS offers free shipping (and free return shipping, too!), that means that you could get any one of these adorable pieces free and clear if you win the giveaway!

1. Petite Swing Dress: Oh gosh, this is so cute! It's a nice, casual take on a drop waist style! ($42.19)
2. Glamorous Marl Sweater: 2 words: elbow patches! I love this autumnal-toned preppy piece! ($33.75)
3. Sleeveless Swing Dress: I know summer's coming to a close, but this white piece is heavenly - add a cozy sweater and booties and you can take this look right into fall and through to winter! ($30.38)
4. Exclusive Swing Dress: Do you think I'm into LBDs right now? A turtleneck is such a classic cold-weather staple, but put it in this flirty minidress, and you really take it up a notch! ($42.19)
5. Striped Sweater: Another case of the elbow patches! Save this cute little guy for Valentine's Day, or rock your heart-shaped adorableness all year long! ($37.13)
6. Peg Pants: So fantastic for work! I want these - now! ($37.13)
7. Petite Cami Top: I'm a sucker for some delicate lace, and this top is no different! A lace tank can be easily dressed up or down, depending on your layers! Snatch this beauty up asap! ($37.13)
8. Boyfriend T-Shirt: Everyone can use a classic tee in a perfect fit, and at under $20, this is a serious steal! ($16.88)

1. Design 6 Boca Spike Necklace: Rhinestones and spikes? Say no more! The perfect topper to complete any look! ($38.81)
2. Link Pointed Ballet Flats: Absolutely loving D'Orsay flats, and ASOS has them in so many colors! Who doesn't want/need a classic flat in every shade of the rainbow?! ($42.19)
3. Summer Flower Hair Garland: I know flower crowns have been done, and festival season is over, but this is seriously stunning! I'm seriously considering buying it and stashing it away for next summer - it's just too gorgeous not to! ($16.88)
4. Across Body: I'm always looking for cute little bags to take when I go out at night so I don't have to lug my giant totes or hobos around - this bright pop of color is perfect! ($33.75)
5. Faux Fur Pom Beanie: As the weather gets cooler, eskimo-esque accessories are absolute perfection! ($20.25)
6. Monki Ruby Beanie Hat: Neon has been big for the past year, and I don't feel like it's going to go away anytime soon! It's easy to incorporate the trend in small doses with neon accessories! ($10.13)
7. Leopard Print On Oversized Scarf: I'm a sucker for anything leopard-print, and this lightweight scarf is no exception! It's the perfect way to add a little pattern to your outfit! ($27.00)
8. Zephyr Bruins Bright Snapback Cap: Everyone could use a little ghetto fabulous in their life, no? This hat will immediately add an element of super-cool urban girl style to your wardrobe! ($42.19)

Some amazing stuff, right?! Enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below!

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The giveaway will be open until midnight next Thursday, Sept. 5! Good luck!

Farewell, Summertime!

{t-shirt: target | skirt: old navy (similar) | sandals: urban outfitters | necklace: nordstrom (similar)}

Over the weekend, I said sayonara to summer with a big family BBQ at my cousins' house. My cousins from New Jersey were in town, along with the cousins I grew up with here in Southern California, some family friends, and my Nanny Franny! We sipped on some "Pink Bikini" cocktails (strawberry lemonade, coconut rum, & amaretto - YUM!), barbecued some burgers (or rather, watched people barbecue burgers, and then ate them), and got to catch up and enjoy some family time!

Teacher Talk

{cardigan: old navy | top: urban outfitters (similar) (similar) | pants: forever 21 (similar) | sandals: urban outfitters | watch: marc by marc jacobs | bracelet: styleloveliving}

I wore this outfit to my student teaching orientation Saturday! I found out that my favorite teacher will be teaching my seminar, met my site supervisor, and met some fellow student teachers in my district/area. I start student teaching TODAY - I can't believe it! I will be spending my first assignment, 9 weeks, in 1st grade, learning the ropes and eventually teaching the class! I am so excited to meet all the kiddos, facilitate their learning, and (let's be honest) get to wear some cute teacher clothes!

Lazy Boho

{top: nordstrom (similar) | jeans: delia's (similar) | sandals: shoedazzle (similar) | necklace: luna (similar) (similar)}

I call this look "lazy boho," because that's exactly what it is. All of these items are at least a year old, which is good, considering I start my unpaid student teaching this week and won't be shopping for new pieces for a looooong time... I couldn't decide what to wear out to dinner on Friday, so I put on my lazy-day jeans. I couldn't decide what shoes to pair it with, so I went with this comfy sandal. I couldn't decide what shirt to wear, so I went with this and covered up the hole (yes, there's a big hole under that necklace) with a big ol' chunk of turquoise.

And I call this hairstyle, "I was bored with my middle part, so I attempted to try something new, but looking back at these photos, I will never wear my hair like this again." Ta-da!

Do you have any lazy-day go-to looks?

Sunday Song: The Rescuers

Always keep a little prayer in your pocket.
 

I know this is a super random Sunday song, but I couldn't resist! It's such a sweet little uplifting tune. Honestly, I hardly even remember watching either of The Rescuers movies (though I know I did!), but something about this song just resonates with me! If you are feeling a little down in the dumps, listening to this will warm your heart and put a smile on your face. And if you are feeling just fine, perhaps this will make you just a touch happier. :)

Friday's Fancies: Back to School!

As Summer begins to come to a close, and Fall swiftly approaches, it's time to think about back-to-school outfits! As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, so choose your first day outfits wisely! ;)

{vest (similar) / boots / tee / necklace / skirt / backpack}

Your teenage years are a time to keep it fun and light, so why not mix it up with a flippy skirt, printed backpack, a classic tee and vest combo, and some awesome combat boots? Tip: switch our your boring laces for same cool neon ones - use every chance to show your personality and make a statement!

{coat / purse / shirt / loafers / watch (similar) / jeans / belt / ipad case}

Congratulations! You're enrolled in a university and it's time to get serious about your future - but not too serious about your style! ;) You can play the grown-up with a structured bag, a classic coat, and understated accessories - but have a little fun with some bright colors and fun patterns, and don't forget to trick out your laptop/iPad case! Tip: Your gadget accessories give you a chance to show your personality without words - and incorporate a little pattern mixing, too!

{watch / necklace / ring / purse / shirt / flats / skirt}

Can't forget about us teachers! The first day of school is as much a chance for teachers to make a first impression as it is for students, and your outfit has a lot to do with that! Keep it classic with traditional shapes - an oxford, a pencil skirt, a round-toed shoe, and structured bag - but have a little fun with a delicate pattern and pretty accessories! Tip: Have a little fun with a monochromatic palette, but if it feels to bold, anchor it down with a nude shoe and neutral accessories!

What will you be wearing on your first day of school?

P.S. Need more inspiration? Take a look at my Back-to-School Style post from last year! :)

Sonoma Cheese Trail

{shirt: nordstrom (similar) | skirt: loft | sandals: urban outfitters | necklace: etsy | sunglasses: juicy couture}

Over the course of our trip to Sonoma County, my mom and I visited 4 creameries, 1 cheese shop, a random farm in the middle of nowhere, a delish Chinese restaurant, a tour of a big ol' dairy farm, and some tasty clam chowder right on the bay! We had such a nice, relaxing trip, full of laughs, beautiful scenery, and... LOTS OF CHEESE!

Spots we visited & our favorite cheeses that we picked up!:

• Vella Cheese Company -  Pesto Jack
• Sonoma Cheese Factory
• The Epicurean Connection
• Peteluma Creamery - Garlic Curds, Garlic Quark (tastes like Spinach dip!), Lemon Quark (picked this up as a gift - it tasted just like cheesecake!) We also has some super yummy and creamy strawbery & lavender ice creams here!
• Cowgirl Creamery - Truffle Tremor (not actually a Cowgirl cheese, but we got it at their shop - AMAZING!)
• Point Reyes Farmstead - Bay Blue (I don't actually like blue cheese, but my mom loved this one!), Toma (supposedly the "perfect" cheese for grilled cheese!)

Yes, we went all-out on the cheese front. When in Rome- errr, when on the Sonoma Cheese Trail, do as the Sonoma Cheese Trailians do! ;)

{sunflowers / hippie van / all of the cheese / baby cow}

Road Trippin' in Aeropostale Fall Fashion

{jacket: j. crew | lace top: c/o aeropostale | jeans: justfab | sandals: urban outfitters | necklace: nordstrom}

Another adorable piece from Aeropostale's Fall line! I wore this comfy lace tunic tank for the 7-hour drive with my mom up the state of California for a little vacation in Sonoma County! I have been looking for the perfect lace top for awhile, and I finally found it here at Aero! In a classic color and shape, and paired with neutral staples, this kept me comfy and in style for the long trip, and for a tasty dinner out at Rosso (and ice cream at Lala's) in Petaluma!

{corn fields on the side of the 5 / downtown petaluma / grape vines / dairy cows}

Sunday Song: Katy Perry

Maybe the reason why all the doors are closed is so you can open one that leads you to the perfect road.

In honor of Katy Perry's latest feel-good anthem, Roar, I couldn't help but reminisce on an old favorite! Firework is a song that still makes me feel happy every time I hear it. It's uplifting without being cheesy, it's fun to dance to, and it's a song I'll never get sick of! Will Roar be a new favorite? It's got a chance, but something tells me nothing will quite beat out this baby!

Friday's Fancies: Around Town!

{necklace / watch / shirt / flats (sold out - similar) / jeans / purse (similar)}

This week's Friday's Fancies theme is "Around Town" aka What do I wear when I'm running errands? Maybe it's a near lifetime of watching What Not To Wear, but I'm a firm believer that you should dress for every occasion, and sweatpants are unacceptable for all of them! Whether you're headed to the grocery store, Target, or a nice day out at the mall, you never know who you'll run into, so you should also dress your best!

You can keep it casual in jeans, a tee, and flats, but by adding some oomph with some pretty prints and statement pieces (like that amazing green purse, or that fun turquoise necklace!), you can be stylish and comfortable at the same time!

Short & Sweet

{tee: j. crew (similar) | shorts: old navy  (similar) | sandals: urban outfitters | neckalce: popbasic (sold out - similar) | purse: target}

Have you all noticed that I participate in Friday's Fancies every week? Well, lately, I've been lucky enough to be inspired to turn my ideas into real outfits! A couple weeks ago, I created an outfit for the "Short & Sweet" theme and couldn't resist taking the idea right into my closet and making it work for lunch out with my gal pals!

Every week I love hearing the new Friday's Fancies theme, and I can't wait to hopefully keep inspiring myself to remix my closet as fall starts creeping in, and I start my new job!

Fall Fashion Rocks at Aeropostale

{sweater: c/o aeropostale | tee: billabong (gift) (similar) | jeans: forever 21 | sandals: rainbows}

Have you all checked out your local Aeropostale store lately? They have some amazing pieces for fall! I love the way their latest looks so easily combine classics with a vintage-inspired touch. For example - this perfectly classic sweater coat, with a beautiful rose-printed update! It was the perfect cozy cover-up when I went to the Orange County fair to see Hall & Oates last week, and I can't wait to work it into my fall wardrobe!

I can't wait to show you some more adorable pieces from Aeropostale's fall line as I style them up in the upcoming season!