Rainy Daze

        Hey everyone! I hope it's sunny wherever you are; here in PA we've had a week of rain and thunderstorms. Although I can't hate it too much, because it gives me the perfect excuse to stay inside and catch up on some blog posts.
        Despite the dreary weather, I was able to get lunch with a friend yesterday and took the opportunity to dig out the boots I fell in love with this winter- remember this post? They've ben tucked away in my closet for most of summer, but I laced them up again so I could do a little walking without soaking my feet. The cutouts keep them from being too heavy or warm, and add an unexpected twist to the simple outfit- a black oversized tshirt and patterned shorts. These shorts are ridiculously comfy but look nice, making them one of the most versatile pairs I own. I've worn them lounging around the house, but also for meetings with my boss or just for a day out. The black and white print matches with a lot of my clothes and keeps this outfit interesting. For accessories I just slipped of my bangles from Alex and Ani. My favorite thing about these bracelets is the ability to customize them with the different charms. My favorites are the penguin charm and the US Army charm because they both hold personal meaning for me.

        This look was super easy and simple for summer. I left my hair down and embraced the curls- something I've been doing a lot more of this year. To see more of my summer looks, check back soon and follow me here.

Shirt: H&M, Shorts: American Eagle Outfitters, Boots: Qupid, Braclets: Alex and Ani

Stackable Rings

 

Rihanna has been making a ton of fashion statements lately (has everyone seen her crystal dress?) but my favorite so far has been stacked rings, something a lot of people seem to agree with. Ever since Rihanna decided to pile on the rings I've seen the trend everywhere. Some stores are selling rings made specifically for stacking- they're usually thin and line up perfectly. I've also seen some great combinations of larger rings being layered on top of one another. Either way I love them, although the thought of buying so many rings to wear all at once has me cringing. This trend might be a bit too expensive for me to follow but I definitely admire anyone who can pull off so much jewelry. 

With minimalist clothing becoming more popular I think we'll be seeing a lot more focus on jewelry so I'm excited to see what other trends pop up.

Summer Lovin

Is everyone else completely thrilled with this warm weather or is it just me? I couldn't wait for some sun yesterday so I could wear some more of my summer clothes. I pulled my favorite maxi skirt out of the closet and paired it with an open crochet top for a beachy feel. Underneath the shirt I wore a green bandeau for a little color and some extra coverage. I slipped on my go-to pair of sandals and a gold hamsa bracelet, my only piece of jewelry. The hotter it gets, the less jewelry I wear because for whatever reason my metal allergy gets worse in the summer. I was fine with just this bracelet, one that I'm in love with- the hamsa design is meaningful to me and I can't get enough of the dainty look of it.
As you can tell, I love the bohemian beachy look for summer and will be wearing some variation of this outfit a lot, I'm sure.

Top: Forever 21, Skirt: Forever 21, Bandeau: American Eagle, Shoes: DSW, Bracelet: Brandy Melville

Summer Essentials

So summer is starting to make an appearance here in Pennsylvania and I couldn't be happier. Time for beach trips, midnight bonfires, and countless outdoor adventures. I decided to put together a list of the products that I can't get enough of during this time of year.

Sea Mineral Shampoo

Nothing reminds me of summer more than the beach. So for days when I can't get down to the shore I love having this sea mineral shampoo to remind me of the ocean. I'm always looking for products that keep my hair hydrated so it's less likely to frizz, and this one is great for that. It's made by OGX (formerly Organix) which has a wide range of hair products, all made organically without being tested on animals. I love mixing and matching their shampoos and conditioners to see how the different formulas work together. Right now I'm using this shampoo and the moroccan argan oil conditioner. The combination keeps my hair hydrated and super smooth which is great for the humid days of summer. I buy them from Rite Aid but have also seen them at Target, CVS, and Walmart.

Vaseline with Cocoa Butter

For as long as I can remember, my sister has been using vaseline for her skin and lips to keep them smooth and hydrated. Last fall I decided to try it, picking up a small lip therapy container from Target. It worked wonders and kept my lips smooth all through winter, when they're usually a chapped mess. For the summer I decided to research what else I could use Vaseline for and was surprised at just how much it can do. You can use it to soften skin, make your eyelashes fuller, protect new tattoos, remove makeup, condition your hair, soften cuticles, even shine your shoes. So I picked up a bigger container with cocoa butter, which smells amazing and is also beneficial for your skin. I got this at Target but have seen it sold almost everywhere- grocery stores, beauty stores, and drug stores.

Lemon Candle

My favorite part of summer is having enough time to relax and de-stress. Candles are a big part of my relaxation routine, and are also handy for summertime thunderstorms that have the tendency to knock out power. This candle has a nice lemon scent (my favorite!) and burns cleanly- it's made from natural soy wax so there aren't any extra chemicals being released with the smoke. This candle is also pretty, and a great way to brighten up my mostly black and white room. I use the silver lid as a catch-all dish for matches and rings. This candle is available at Target.

Argan Oil Hair Mask

A few weeks ago, I decided to make a change and dyed my hair lighter for the summer. To make sure I didn't do too much damage to my poor curls, my friend recommended this hair treatment to help keep it from drying out. Argan oil is an essential for anyone with color-treated or heat-damaged hair. This packet has Keratin to help strengthen as well as hydrate hair. You just apply it to damp hair and let it soak in for ten minutes, then rinse it all out. I save these for when my hair is especially dry; the treatments a bit too strong for regular use. I get these from Rite Aid, but Argan oil products will be available at most beauty and drug stores.

Shea-Intense Body Butter

This is another product that I get from Target. It's a body butter, so I just use it as I would any lotion- mostly on my legs after I shave and on my arms or chest when I want to freshen my skin. Any lotion really helps create a summer glow, leaving your skin hydrated and smelling good even with the hot sun or ocean water. I like using body butter as opposed to regular lotion because it's usually more organic, and I prefer the texture, but any lotion or cream that hydrates your skin is perfect for this time of year. And if you like to tan, using lotion before and after you tan will help you keep your color longer so you don't have to spend as much time laying out and damaging your skin.

Ocean Incense

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm obsessed with incense. As much as I love my candles for relaxation and meditation, I use incense to wake me up and spark creativity. Once I get through spring when my allergies make it harder to breathe in the smoke without coughing, I keep incense lit all summer. I love the way the scent fills my entire room, and the smoke patterns are so pretty to watch. I buy my incense from a shop in Stone Harbor called Zebop, which also sells funky clothes and tapestries. It's always fun looking around at their new merchandise, and the incense is always cheap, so I can try as many different scents as I want. One of my favorites for summer is of course Ocean, but I also love Peach and Jasmine, and even burn some Pumpkin Spice once fall rolls around. And how cool is that incense holder that my friend sent me? Thanks Brigid!

Lavender Nail Polish

Last but not least- my favorite item for summer. I have to admit I'm addicted to painting my nails, so of course I had to include my newest nail polish in here. This color is what got me through spring- the light, calm color kept me focused throughout finals and reminded me that summer was just around the corner. Of course, I haven't forgotten about my maroons and grays that I rely on in the winter but this fun lighter color has really perked up my mood, and goes with more of my summer clothing. This particular shade of lavender is called Lapiz of Luxury and can be found wherever Essie products are sold.

Back to Basics

Hey guys- I'm back, and so is the warm weather! I took advantage of the sunny day we're having here in Pennsylvania to give a much-needed update. Has it really been two months since my last post? I can't believe it, but I guess time really has been flying this year. I just finished my first year of college and I couldn't be happier with how it went. I'm back in my hometown now and even though I miss all my friends in Philadelphia, it's nice to take a break from all the craziness of the city. I've spent my first week home unpacking, mostly, but also fit in some time to catch up with old friends and pick up some shifts at the ice cream shop I've worked at since high school.
Today the rain clouds took a break and let the sun peek out, something I've been waiting for since I left Philly. Although I love layering, I also love the opportunity summer gives me to wear just the basics. This outfit is one of my favorites for this season because it's simple, and the fit of the clothing feels comfortable and breezy. The shirt is one of my favorites for that reason- the loose cut is perfect for lounging around, but also goes great with my skirts and nicer pieces. The skirt is from Tobi and I've definitely worn it for the blog a few times before. Gray is one of my favorite colors, so a gray circle skirt is perfect for me to pair with almost anything in my closet.
I also threw on a few silver rings that I found while unpacking after my family's move last summer, as well as a bag my mom recently brought back from her trip to Vienna. I love the colors and construction of the bag, as well as the tassels and zipper detail. I'll get a lot of use out of it this summer.
The sandals were another gift from my mom that I'm pretty sure I haven't taken off since she gave them to me. What can I say, I'm in love. I've worn them with boyfriend jeans, skirts, and shorts, and they've looked great with everything. You can get them here in three different colors. I want them all!

Shirt: Zara, Skirt: Tobi, Bag: Unknown (gift), Shoes: DSW

Miss me?

Hey guys! It's been a while, I know, but I'm so happy that things are finally starting to slow down enough for me to get in some blogging time. This winter was crazy with classes, meetings, an internship, and spending time with friends but the weather is warming up and the days are getting longer- finally time to relax! Over my spring break I visited my friend Brigid in Pittsburgh and had a lovely weekend of catching up and exploring the city. One of my favorite stops was the flower conservatory where we snapped these pictures. Brigid and I share an unhealthy obsession with flowers and spent way too much time wandering the gardens.
I took the opportunity to wear one of my favorite dresses from Forever 21- a black sundress with small white flowers. Because it wasn't quite warm enough for just that I layered a long muscle tee on top, stolen from Brigid's wardrobe. To pull it together I threw on my new favorite sweater- a white knit that I've been wearing nonstop since I got it last week. This will definitely be a spring staple for me.
I also had on a pair of plain black tights and some frilly white socks to go with my favorite boots. Remember this post? It seems like I wrote it ages ago but I'm still loving these shoes. The cutouts in the back make it so fun to match them with socks and I know I'll be getting a lot of use out of them as the weather warms and I can pair them with all my skirts and patterned shorts.
A huge thank you goes to Brigid for taking a lot of these pictures and hosting me during my stay at Pitt!

Sweater: Forever 21, Muscle tee: Urban Outfitters, Dress: Forever 21, Tights: H&M, Socks: Forever 21, Boots: Qupid (ordered from Amazon)

Flowers and jewelry and makeup, oh my!

Can anyone else believe that it's almost Valentines Day? I definitely can't, and I know I'm not the only one. These kind of holidays always seem to sneak up on me and leave me in a panic of what to wear and buy and do. So if anyone else can relate to this I've made a little guide of things to do and wear this Valentine's Day, whether you're celebrating with a special someone or just your closest friends. I know this year I'll be sending all my love to my long distance friends from home and enjoying a night of fun with new friends from school.

For a lot of girls, dressing up is just not their thing. I can relate- almost all through junior high and high school just the thought of putting on a skirt made me cringe. However, adding some more girly pieces to your wardrobe is nothing to be scared of, and can be super easy and fun. I tried to create looks that were a little more feminine (after all it is for a day all about love) but I've also included ways to give these outfits a little more edge. Whatever you wear, use this week to remind your loved ones of how much you love them.

Date #1: Art Museum

This option is first on my list because I just got back from a wonderful day with a friend, visiting the art museum and grabbing lunch from our favorite spot in the city. It was a lot of fun and we got in for free with our student IDs! I love anything that won't break the bank, and our free tickets allowed us to splurge on some Starbucks while waiting for the train back to campus. For a day like this, a comfortable but pretty outfit is always a good option. I love this skirt because it adds just the right amount of color. Get inspiration from some of the paintings and pick a pattern that's bold. I'm loving my floral pieces right now since they remind me that spring is only a few weeks away. Pair the skirt with a comfy knit top and fun hair bow to add some more girly elements, but don't forget some tights and a scarf for warmth. To keep the look casual I would opt for just a touch of mascara and blush. My favorite part of this outfit might be the light colored boots which would be a lovely addition to my mostly black shoe collection. Add just a few artsy pieces of jewelry and you're set. Want to grunge it up? Try some black Docs or a spiked bracelet for an unexpected element. When I think of museums, I think that anything goes. Be as creative as the artists!

                                                                                                          Date #2: Night Out

Of course, what would a Valentine's post be without the classic dinner date? Pick somewhere fancy that you wouldn't normally go to and you'll have the perfect excuse to really dress up- lipstick, heels, everything. I chose a cutout dress from Forever 21 that I thought would be just right. It's a little flirty but with some classic elements thrown in for an altogether polished look. If the thought of something so feminine deters you, a simple black dress will also get the job done. For jewelry you can keep it simple with just a few bracelets- I love the layered look of these with the pearls and gold mixed together. Make your lips stand out with a bold red color. To create a more urban feel, I love this jacket. The leather, olive green, and fur details all have me swooning. To get the same look you could also layer a fur trimmed vest over a long sleeved jacket to stay warm but look cool. Finally, throw on your favorite heels and you'll be ready for the perfect date.

Date #3: Coffee Shop and Thrifting

And last but not least we have my dream date. I love this idea because I can imagine bringing along a friend, boyfriend, or simply taking myself out. I live right next to Manayunk- an area of Philly known for its bars, cafes, and cute little shops. The next time I want to treat myself I'll head down for an afternoon of lounging in one of the many cafes followed by hours of hunting for the perfect vintage finds. For a day like this I'd wear a nice tank top and some scalloped shorts with an extra cozy sweater over top and black thigh highs or tights to keep warm. My current fashion obsession are cutout boots, and this would be the perfect opportunity to wear them, since they are a comfy but cute option that your feet will love. To add a little vintage flair I love this black and white striped bow which has me dreaming of Parisian cafes. One item that I've been searched for in every thrift shop I've visited is a small beaded clutch which could be used to make any outfit more girly. I'll keep looking, but for now a black bucket bag would look just as cute and tone down the girlyness of this look. 

I hope everyone had a great weekend and is ready for the week to come, I know I am!