I promise I wasn't trying to dress patriotic two days in row, and in fact, my heels are more of a grapefruit color than they are red. You know it's just really hard for me to resist a good pop of color.
I feel like I've been on the hunt for a good navy shirt for quite some time right now. I'm not really sure what my criteria was. I was almost leaning towards an indigo colored chambray, but I really wanted it to be lightweight for summer. LOFT has been winning me over with their softened shirts lately, and this one is no exception.
White skinnies felt like the natural pairing for this top for the summer, but I also love the idea of tucking it into a pencil skirt, keeping the look somewhat monochromatic but adding in touches of interest like this embellished clutch and these bright blue pumps. I have a feeling I will be reaching for this shirt quite often!
Before I go, be sure to hop over and visit Sandy and Kileen stat! Last week they starting hosting a link-up together and they're featuring one of my looks today!
It's hard not to dress the part of the holiday, especially when you're a fashion blogger and red, white, and blue are everywhere! I was going to come up with something super creative for the holiday, but I feel like the times that I do this, I end up looking ridiculous (like here and here.) Ok, I'm going to go ahead and put a padlock on that vault. *shivers* One thing I've learned over the couple years blogging is that I suck as an artsy, nonchalant poser. My traditional front view photos with some detail shots are way less awkward and distracting!
This year, I just wanted to keep it simple, and I was so excited that my favorite baseball tee was clean again (let's just say, it's been awhile…) because it creates the perfect all-American outfit, especially when you throw in some red Chuck Taylors to finish it off.
Sunnies: Ray Ban | Necklaces: Banana Republic layered over Express (option) | Bag: Kate Spade (option) | Top: from Amazon (similar here and here) | Bracelets: Tasha (option) and Nadri (similar) | Shorts: Express (last season) option here and here | Shoes:Converse
If this is too casual for you, you can pull the idea of color blocking from my look and translate it into something a little less sporty. I definitely felt less costume-y by doing pops of color and sparkle verses grabbing actual starred and striped pieces. I pulled items to build this inspirational outfit below from Farfetch as part of a 4th of July blogger style challenge!
I always love to look back to see what I was doing this time last year. Ironically, I was wearing these exact shorts here - they're my favorite then, and they still are now! I was also already talking about the Nordstrom anniversary sale that week, and if you follow me on Snapchat (carylee07), you know I never ended up getting my catalog! The anniversary sale is a big deal in my world! I refuse to google what is in the catalog because I want to experience it for myself with my sticky notes and pen and without my opinions or wants being skewed by what everyone else is lusting after! So, if you have your catalog and your wish list ready, *lalalalalalalalala* I'm not listening!
Hope everyone has a great short week! I'm super excited for a long weekend!!!
So, I was totally writing my traditional random roundup post as I do every Friday, but I got distracted by Express' crazy sale right now. And as I started looking through everything that was included in their additional 30% off sale, I saw sooo many good pieces I already own, and I just really need to help you spend money. So. Can I tempt you with some of these pretties?
I'll let you know what sizes I am wearing below each photo - but just so you know what my measurements are for reference - I am 5'-2" -- 34 chest, 28 waist, 36 hips.
Let's not waste any time since things will start selling out!!
Well, I hope that was a little something for everyone! I should probably know how long this sale lasts, but I didn't want to do much research into it and delay sending you all this info! Clearly my love for Express is real and I'm not sure why, but if I can inspire you to just buy one thing, it makes my day! If there was only ONE thing that I would encourage you to buy, it's the knot tee. I think the photos speak for its versatility!
Happy shopping! Please report back and let me know what you've scored!
Before I get into this post - yesterday, Gina dedicated a post to shopping bans and how a few of us *really* feel about them. Check it out here.
Ok - so, if you've been a long time reader of mine, you already know how much of a big fan I am of Keysocks - you can see my original product review here. It's been about a year and a half later, and I'm still swooning, if not more. As long as I'm wearing pants, Keysocks are the only socks I wear, and I have about 6-8 pairs now in my collection as a result. For me, I don't use them for my pumps and I very rarely wear flats - I've purged the majority of them from my collection because I just don't wear them enough. However, these socks are invaluable to me when I'm wearing sneakers or booties. Seriously, they changed my life.
Keysocks reached out to me to do a product review, not knowing that I was already gaga over them. For the sake of full disclosure, I let them know that I've already done a review on the blog just so they're not sending me free socks I already own. (I mean, I would take them because clearly I love them, but I do want to be new and sincere when I share my reviews with you guys!) I didn't realize they had a new "light" line that are a little thinner and geared more towards spring and summer use! They're eco-friendly also. The soft, lightweight fiber is converted from coffee residue.
Honestly, I don't feel that much difference in the weight of the socks - they do feel a little bit thinner, but I really didn't think that the original style was that thick to begin with and I wore that version year round regardless. But, I am happy to add these to my collection and I do love the lavender and yellow colors that they come in!
As you can see in the photo above, they're a bit visible from the side view, but it's never bothered me because no one will ever be laying on the ground like this staring at my ankles. Plus, you can't see them at all from the front view and they will never ever ever slip off your heel.
Sunnies: Ray Ban | Necklace: Express | Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim | Top:Express | Bracelet: Express | Bottoms: Express (option) | Shoes:Converse (similar color here) | Socks: Keysocks ℅ (available on Amazon standard here and light here)
Do you all ever have the issue with your skinny pants riding up on your calf and bunching at your knee? Keysocks are the perfect solution for that as well. When you don't have anything between your bare skin and your pant leg, there's no friction barrier to keep your pant legs down and in place. Since Keysocks are knee high, they provide that friction barrier and help minimize this movement to keep your legs looking longer and leaner. I love this before and after example below. The pants on the left are just a little bit cropped, so my Keysocks were too visible to wear them. And you can see how horrible they bunch at my knee as a result. I switched to non-cropped pants so I could wear my Keysocks, and now the bunching is minimal and it makes such a noticeable difference for me. Not to mention I'm not constantly tugging my pant legs back down….
I can't speak more highly of them and it's no wonder they are a best seller on Amazon! I hope this has all been helpful. There are a few things that I swear by, and Keysocks are definitely on that list. I truly could not live without them, especially with all my booties!!!
I put together this outfit over the weekend as something I had planned to wear while I was running around on Saturday. It's funny though because I was on the fence about whether or not I even wanted to wear it or post it. You all know I love my color, pattern, texture, and shine, and although I do have the "pattern" in this ensemble with the striped flats, I'm kind of missing all of my other usual ingredients. Jenna encouraged me to go for it, and I'm glad she did! I really need to be reminded every once in awhile that neutrals are ok - even when only paired with other neutrals!!
What's great about this combo is that it will work just as well if I traded these shorts for my olive skinnies. It was just so hot this weekend that I needed bare legs. Sometimes I get side-eyed for wearing long sleeves with bare legs, but for whatever reason it just works out, ok? #dontjudge
This outfit really speaks for itself. I went a little matchy matchy with the top and the bag, but I could not resist! I almost reached for my blush pumps instead of these, but I loved the idea of finishing off the look with some crisp white shoes. And yes, I'm rocking my metal bib necklace. Again. #sorrynotsorry
Last week, I found out that one of my friend's brothers, who was also a friend of mine - the three of us used to wait tables together - passed away suddenly. He was my age and it's just hard to wrap my head around that. Someone on Facebook said that this is stuff we should be hearing about when we're in our 80s, not right now. Totally true.
It's made me a bit retrospective about people in your past and how your life paths can be completely different but for that one moment in time, your paths crossed and you have common memories. And no matter how much time has passed since you've last talked, you still have that feeling of loss when there's that permanency of knowing you will never interact with them again.
Sorry, definitely didn't mean for this to be an emotional or Debbie Downer post. My point is that I feel that way about all of you with whom I interact because of this blog. I've been awful at replying or acknowledging comments, but I do read all of them and I am thankful that for whatever reason, our paths are crossing right now.
