bonjour

My style as of late: I believe in simple pieces that can be paired many different ways. I believe in only having items in my closet that make me feel 100% every time I slip them on. I believe in taking style chances by mixing & matching what you already have. And I believe in stripes.

I have been a long time lover of stripes, & as I was searching for the last time I paired this scarf with a striped dress (yes, I'm that predictable), I found many favorite striped dress favorites from my blog archives. Surprisingly almost all of these pieces have survived every closet purge over the past 7 years - evidence that they are definitely in line with my style philosophy above.

May 2013: I picked up this neck scarf (as worn in the outfit above) in 2009 while traveling through Venice, and it is such an amazing example of tying memories to things. I have a hard time finding souvenirs on trips, but now I'm thinking that a travel scarf collection doesn't sound so bad. {full outfit}

February 2014: I was pretty happy with the fact that I found a way to turn this warm weather striped dress into an outfit for cooler temps too. Stripes are all powerful! {full outfit}

July 2014: Definitely thought this was a style risk at the time, but I love how pairing a striped top with a striped skirt turned out. {full outfit}

April 2015: I still love this striped dress to this day, and the blue + cognac accessories is definitely something I'm going to have to repeat soon. {full outfit}

March 2016: Stripes are classics in my book, but they can be fun too! This swingy warm weather dress is a perfect example of stripes for fun! {full outfit}

April 2016: The slip dress is back! I'm betting this will be a big trend for this Summer too. Happy that I took a chance on this Old Navy dress that looked pretty blah on the hanger, but pretty bomb once on! {full outfit}

{Shop these exact pieces}

dress: J.Crew Factory striped cotton dress (also linking some sleeveless options below)

shoes: J.Crew Factory bow flats (although if my work didn't require shoes with backs, I would live in these pointed toe slides... so dreamy!)

clutch: "Bonjour Au Revoir" clutch from Le Tote (similar here)

scarf: purchased while backpacking through Venice - some of my favorite scarves are the vintage Vera ones I've found on Esty (I adore the colors in this one!)

watch: Daniel Wellington

All Photos: Noah Berg Photography

What are your style philosophies?

foxy

dress: pink party dress c/o Shabby Apple

necklace: J.Crew "Venus flytrap" necklace (a forever classic piece!)

shoes: Steve Madden (similar style with a slightly lower heel)

purse: old, but the "tiny tote" from Dagne Dover is super similar & you can get it for 20% off using code HEREANDNOW20 (valid until 4/1)

scarf: fox print scarf c/o Fab.com

sunglasses: Carrera sunglasses c/o Sunglasses Shop

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

A pink taffeta party dress might not be on your NEED list, but it certainly should be on your WANT wishlist! I love the fit & flare cut of this pretty number & as always Shabby Apple doesn't skrimp on the quality of their pieces. Paired with classics - like this forever chic crystal necklace & minimalistic shoes - this dress has the potential to make quite an impression at your next party function! One of my favorite ways to add some color/print to my outfits is with a fun scarf - see my tips on wearing scarves in your outfits here. You have to see this scarf in its full glory - with the most adorable foxes (apparently they are calling them coyotes, but they are totally foxes!)

Shabby Apple is a brand I love & wear often. See all the ways I have worn Shabby Apple on the blog here.

What items are currently topping your clothing wishlist?

work pants

{ What I Wore to weekend: J.Crew baseball tee (shop similar styles below) // J.Crew Factory chinos // Nisolo sandals* // Michael Kors cross body bag // Anthropologie sunglasses // souvenir scarf from Venice (extremely similar option) }

*Get 10% off your next Nisolo order using this unique referral link: http://nisolo.refr.cc/JXVHV36 

(I also get $10 for each person that uses the link)

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

1 item that was missing from my work wardrobe was a pair of khaki chinos. I am so happy to have found this super soft pair from J.Crew Factory. And even more excited that they function equally as well for work as they do for the weekend.

Speaking of the weekend, I hope you have a wonderful one planned. Whether it involves relaxing, adventuring, or just catching up! I will be celebrating my adorable nieces turning 3 in their Pirate themed birthday. My sister is just too much fun!

P.S. Expect to see these Nisolo sandals a TON this Spring/Summer. My friend from high school is one of the company's co-founders, & I couldn't be more proud for the amazing work they are doing for artisans in Peru + the beautiful products that they create (see also: my leather tote bag). Interested in purchasing from Nisolo? Use my unique referral link to get 10% off your order! 

Madewell evolution

My heart aches for all those devastated by the the Oklahoma tornado, I am praying for comfort & healing to those mourning lost loved ones & a destroyed community.
If you are looking for ways to help,
text "storm" to 80888 to make a $10 donation to the Salvation Army
or "RedCross" to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the Red Cross

{ What I Wore: Boutique Onze striped dress // ShoeMint pumps // souvenir scarf from Venice }

{ Get the Look }

striped dress {$69.99} + Madewell scarf {$18.50} + belt {$12.99} + leopard shoes {a splurge but so cute!}

In college, I would say that my style was definitely "J.Crew". Preppy, classic, lots of pink + green.

I don't know if style blogging, growing up, or living in Nashville is the reason, but recently I have noticed that my style is trending toward being more "Madewell". Mixed prints, masculine + feminine pairings, & "global" accents.

So am I now "uptown"? Or was I already "downtown" & now I'm "midtown"?!

Well whatever it is, I better figure it out before I head to NYC next month (!!!!!)

That's RIGHT!

My sister & I are headed to New York City to go wedding dress shopping in June!

Before this, I have only been to the Big Apple for a few hours during a layover, so I am looking to you fashionably well traveled ladies to tell me everything that we need to do & see over the long weekend (June 21-24).

I am also thinking that I might need to save some time for a blogger happy hour while there, 

so if you are in the area, stay tuned!

Is there a store that is your style aesthetic?

I would love to hear if others share this way of defining their style too!

P.S. Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a $50 gift card to Lisa Leonard's fabulous shop {here}!!

P.P.S. I am linking up with Style Elixir's Style Sessions today

Winter Blues: a cobalt love affair

{ What I Wore: J.Crew factory day dress // J.Crew coat & (men's) belt // souviner scarf from Venice // Marc Jacobs x Target pouch (gift from my bestie!) // boutique boots // Spanx tights (reversible & magic, I swear!)

{Get the Look}

day dress {$64.50} + red coat {$19.99, chic cropped option) + silk scarf {$6.80} + gold pouch {$49.99, I die of cute over this one!) + brown belt {$9.99, buy it a size up for knotting} + brown boots {$39.99}

I don't know what has gotten into me, but I am totally cheating on all the other colors in my closet with my cobalt blue pieces. Maybe it is due to my newly red hair that all things blue are yelling, "wear me! wear me!" every morning when I get dressed. 

Whatever it is, I am digging it!

I am not usually a major primary color pair-er upper either, yet red + blue is my jam these past few weeks 

(how fabulous is Blair in her red + navy, I die!)

It works, right!?

What colors have you been crushing on lately?

Any unexpected color-pairings making it into your outfits?

(did you catch my teal + burgundy #ootd-gram over the weekend?)

Happy weekend!!