Sunnies: Ray Ban | Necklace: Express | Bag: Kate Spade (option) | Top: Express (similar color) | Bracelet: Banana Republic | Skirt:LOFT | Shoes:Vince Camuto (same style in other colors here, awesome option here)
The title of the post does not mean that I am feeling sad. It simply means what it says - that I was in the mood to wear blue! I bought this skirt a couple of weeks ago and there is an ever so slight touch of blue threading in it. I decided to bring it out with the pops of blue in my top and my heels. I never tire of cobalt!
Sunnies: Ray Ban (similar) | Necklace: BaubleBar (option) | Bag: Chloe (other colors here) | Top:LOFT | Bracelet: Banana Republic | Shorts: One Teaspoon Hendrix Bandit shorts (shop more One Teaspoon shorts here) | Shoes:DV Dolce Vita (similar)
I always enjoy linking up with Mel, Shay, and Sheaffer for What's up Wednesday because it gives me a platform to share some randoms with you that I don't think to otherwise share on the blog! If you ever want a full dose of randomosity from me, Snapchat is probably the best place to get all that stuff! Maybe even too much stuff! My handle is the same as my Instagram - carylee07. If you'd rather just stick with the blog, that's fine, too! Let's get started with the question and answer sesh!
Disclosure: I was invited by Whole Foods Market on a tour of the newly remodeled store in Brentwood, MO. I was provided a Pacha Soap bar and Mineral Fusion Nail Polish of my choice as body care samples to take home with me. All views expressed are my own.
I know the bulk of what I post on this blog is light and airy. Nothing too in depth or serious. I keep it like that on purpose because when I started this blog, I had a pretty stressful and demanding job and blogging became my creative outlet, my breath of fresh air, my one opportunity to march to the beat of my own drum, my reminder that life doesn't have to be so super serious and stressful! As I'm approaching my three year blog-iversary, I'm seeing more and more that blogging does give me an inherent duty to be responsible in certain ways like supporting local businesses, showcasing the many things St. Louis has to offer, and mindfully choosing brands that I'm proud to promote, not only for their products but for their ethics and philanthropy.
I spent the majority of last week up in New England. Tomorrow I'm off for an overnight trip to Toronto, and then Friday I leave for a long weekend of work and leisure in San Antonio. Yeah, the thought of packing terrifies me!! But the good thing is, even when I'm traveling, I still get good content for the blog because (assuming the hotels have great full length mirrors), I can still share what I'm wearing and what I'm doing. Some of you got the real time updates of this if you follow me on Snapchat (carylee07) but it's always nice to formally document stuff here also. This blog makes for a nice diary of sorts!
Lately I've been getting more of my inspiration from Instagram instead of Pinterest, mainly just because I am more active on Instagram than Pinterest by a landslide. Sometimes when I can't sleep, I scroll through my Insta-crushes and take screen shots of outfits I need to re-create. This was one of those outfits. If you don't know Tatiana, you really should! Gina did an awesome coffee date post with her here if you need a CliffsNotes version of all of her awesome-ness.
Are you the type of person that has to say, "I turned off the flat iron" out loud before you leave the house so you actually remember that you turned off the flat iron? Well, I "like" so many outfits on Instagram that sometimes even my screenshots can get lost in the shuffle. But if I do a flat lay of the outfit, it sticks on my brain a bit longer, and makes it easier for me to remember I must wear the combo! It's kind of like the flat iron example, no?
Sunnies: TOMS | Earrings: Forever 21 | Necklace: Kate Spade (shop other Kate Spade jewelry HERE) (budget option) | Bag: Chloe | Top:LOFT | Bracelet: JCrew | Bottoms: Current/Elliott (shop other options HERE and HERE) | Heels:BCBG (option here)
I finally got around to wearing it, and needless to say, I loved all of it. I feel like a broken record, but sometimes it's the simplest of combos that I always forget about. Red and navy are so classic together, yet I have no idea why I never would have picked these pieces together had I not seen the outfit on Tatiana. The leopard is such a great finishing touch. I remember when I used to shy away from navy, but I'm less scared of it nowadays, and see it as much more versatile than I used to. And navy looks amazing with leopard! Thanks, Tatiana, for such perfect inspiration all day every day!
PS You can also follow her on Snapchat (tatibonilla) - she has the cutest accent, you might fall in love with her more! I really enjoy hearing people's voices in snaps! Knowing how people sound really adds some new life to their 2-dimensional photos!
Speaking of people you should follow - please see Noelle's post here! She polled some fellow bloggers, including myself, to highlight some of our must-have pieces for fall!
Clearly I am obsessed with olive this year, and I'm not the only one. Now that fall is just about upon us, I had to wear wine and olive again. I love each color separately, together they are perfection. And you already know that leopard goes with everything. It adds a nice touch of surprise to finish off the look.
I've been pleased to be a little caught up this week since I got a lot of my blog stuff done over the weekend for once! But I'm heading into another busy weekend! The cousin gets married this weekend, so it will be a hectic one! And it all starts tomorrow with the rehearsal dinner! Wish me luck!
I know that technically it's not the end of summer, but it's September 1st. Kids are back in school and the start of school will always denote the "end" of summer for me! I don't do these recap posts enough, so I figured with the new month, and the implied new season, I would look back at some of my favorite warm weather looks. I definitely see a more casual trend in my favorites. I embraced the basic tee this season, and I loved anything and everything that looked hand crafted or embroidered.
I seriously feel like summer has just started. Though a teeny part of me is excited for fall. I was looking through old posts from last year, and I'm definitely missing some of my transitional pieces! Next week, I'll pull those archives and share some of my favorite fall looks from last year that are still relevant to this upcoming season! Stay tuned!
Oh my goodness, guys! Sorry for the radio silence today! I only had my Monday and Tuesday posts pre-written over the weekend, and when it came time to try and write this post last night, it was not happening. Needless to say the birthday festivities were a success, but it was probably just a wee bit much wine for a Tuesday evening, and I was dragging this morning! All I have on my agenda after I write this post is curling up in my chair and napping! I will have to share all the remaining details about my birthday celebrations (including gifts!) in another post!
Sunnies: Ray Ban (other colors here) | Earrings: Old Navy | Necklace: Express | Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim (shop all the colors and sizes HERE and use code "INTHEBAG" for 20% off!) | Top:Express | Skirt: LOFT (option) | Heels: Saint Laurent (other colors here)
When I saw this portofino as I was browsing the Express website, I added it to my cart immediately. It's striped. It's got navy in it. And basically those two reasons are enough. I wanted to style it two ways for you - one a little bit more dressy with the floral lace pencil skirt, and a second look with some distressed denim shorts and flat sandals.
Clearly I love pairing this top with white - it feels more summery when paired with something white or ivory! It will be a great piece in the fall with my quilted ivory vest! Oh! Excited thinking of it!
Alright, that's all the writing I can manage tonight! I promise I will catch up on life here soon! Thanks for all of the sweet birthday wishes! You guys really made my day!!
Sunnies: Ray Ban | Necklace: CS Gems (c/o) (option and option - use code CARYLEE15 for 15% off!) | Bag: Tory Burch (option) | Top: Express (similar color here) | Bracelet:Banana Republic, Nadri (similar) | Skirt:LOFT (extra 70% off - use code HOTSTUFF) | Shoes:Louise et Cie
This skirt is pretty breathtaking, isn't it? I cannot believe what a ridiculous price it is right now either! Sizes are limited, but if you can snag it - I totally would. I am wearing a size 6 in this - I have a 28" waist and 36" hips. I would say it runs just a teeny bit small for LOFT sizing, but like I said, I'm wearing a 6. Normally, I could go down to a 4 at LOFT.
I was so flattered because Heather totally made my flat lay from yesterday's post come to life in her Instagram post here. How great does she look? I told you that you need it!
Ok, I really should be sleeping. Tomorrow I am flying into Baltimore just to drive through Central PA, into Jersey, and then hopefully make it to Manhattan by dinner! I spend the day in NYC on Thursday, fly home, then go straight to a lash appointment! So yeah! Why am I still awake?! Wish me luck and sleep!!
When I find something I like, I tend to buy them in every color. There are countless things in my wardrobe that fall in this category, and these fluid tees from LOFT are my most recent obsession. They're better than a regular tee shirt, or I should say a little dressier than a regular tee shirt with a woven rayon front and a soft knit back. The fit is relaxed but not baggy, and it drapes pretty beautifully. I purchased these tops in a small, and I normally wear a 4/6 at LOFT.
The first color I bought was this pretty olive because I realized I was lacking in the short sleeve department when it came to olive tops. When they got marked down to $15, I could not resist buying the berry and the navy color next.
I tend to reach for patterns and prints, but it's refreshing to just have solid colored tops to act as a base for simply stated outfits. Piling on accessories is a pretty thoughtless task with an easy top like this. Anything goes, basically! It's very breathable for the summer, and will also be a great under layer as the weather turns colder. If you're looking for something better than a tee, but just as basic, this gets two thumbs up from me!
Yesterday I was talking about how I thought my flats were my favorite purchase from the Anniversary Sale and this pencil skirt made me feel guilty about it all day! I can't blame it though because it is quite gorgeous! What I love most about it is the fact that it's very movable! There is just a hint of stretch to it, which is definitely not always the case when it comes to lace.
I shared this flat lay in my recap post from Friday and I wanted to share it again for comparison with today's dressier outfit. Lace is inherently dressy, but I always love pairing dressy pieces with casual pieces. A simple tee and some flats take this skirt from work day to weekend. Anything that can get dressed up and dressed down is pretty invaluable in my book!
