white on white

It's pretty clear by now that the "no white after Labor Day" rule is outdated, but Memorial Day is still the official start of Summer dressing. As much as I love an all-white look, I find myself surprisingly intimidated when it comes to layering on stark white pieces. This Summer, I'm going to make it a point to rock this style more often.

On another note, happy Memorial Day! I hope you're all enjoying your long weekends! I wish I could enjoy some fun in the sun, but it's business as usual for us in the news!

Topshop Lace Corset Style Crop Top //  Piazza Sempione Pencil Skirt // Michael by Michael Kors Grace Platform Sandals // Tibi Cotton-Blend Lace Top // M Missoni Cotton-Blend Twill Shorts // Belle by Sigerson Morrison Floris Gladiator Sandals

Rag & Bone Skinny Jeans // Topshop Knitted Bra Crop Top // Michael Kors Eliza Rafia Wedges // Collette by Collette Dinnigan Cotton Dress // Dorothy Perkins Tuxedo Jacket // Chloé Laser Cut Wedge Sandals

Michael by Michael Kors Cutout Cotton Maxi Skirt // Topshop Geometric Lace Mix Shell Top // Call it Spring Cleland //  French Connection Silky Tie Neck Blouse // Current Elliot Sweet Cream Captain Trouser Pants // Wet Seal Rope Canvas Wedges

my day job: summer style

I've mentioned my job before, and this weekend I had the opportunity to cover a couple of great local fashion events. I love when my work overlaps with my blog. News and fashion are my two passions, and a lot of the writing that I do at work is a lot more "hard news," compared with what I talk about with you all. It's amazing when I get to write about Rebecca Minkoff and Shoshanna for my job. It's a little taste of what I hope to be able to do full-time one day.

Check out the trunk show I covered at a local boutique and stay tuned for a very cool interview I got to be a part of!

Images via Caitlin O'Brien

strong arm

I love pieces that add diversity to my wardrobe. My closet is full of collared shirts, blazers and feminine skirts, sometimes I need some more casual, masculine pieces to break up the girliness. A good muscle tee does just that.

Over the past few weeks I've picked up some great cutoff t-shirts that give me some much more edgier outfit options. The obvious choice to wear with these tops is jean cutoffs or boyfriend jeans. I mean, these are pretty much hipster's uniforms. They'd look great with a fringe bag and bell bottom jeans, but I prefer to juxtaposition of a sophisticated look with a grungier piece thrown in. I'm looking forward to pairing them with a cute pencil skirt, or dark skinnies with pointy toe heels.

A lot of these tops have open armholes and sheer fabric, so they also look great with pretty underpinnings like lace or neon. In fact, I thought the armholes on one of the shirts I bought were a little high, so I just cut a little more off. It was so easy, I'm considering going to the thrift store and buying some old t-shirts and making some cutoff tanks of my own!

a. Chaser Slash Vintage Muscle Tee // b. Truly Madly Deeply Studded Bolt Tank // c. Doe Knicks Muscle Tee // d. Chaser LA Life & Death Iron Maiden Destroyed Muscle Tee // e. Lauren Moshi Effie Color Rasta Lion Muscle Tee // f. Nasty Gal Galaxy Tee // g. Daydreamer LA Drop-Arm Tank // h. Daydreamer LA Strange Paradise Slashed Muscle Tee // i. Daydreamer LA Hypnotic Gaze Muscle Tee // j. Billabong Freedom Tee // k. Chaser Anthrax Skater Muscle Tee // l. Wildfox Couture Live Fast Cut Off Trailer Tank

Check out some of the different ways to style this look.

summer sparkle

I am in dire need of a new bag, and with summer literally knocking on our door, I'm going to need a good tote for the pool, beach and general carrying (don't you find yourself lugging more stuff around in the summer?). I mentioned Deux Lux before, when Oprah put one of their bags on her Favorite Things list. Well lucky me, I ended up getting that bag for Christmas and I love it. It's sturdy, roomy and fun. So when I stumbled on the line's beach totes, I was excited at the prospect of having a little sparkle with me at the beach.

The problem is, the industrial colors and leather in the bag that Oprah mentions really tone down the sequins. I like to have more of a casual-polished or bohemian look on the weekends. I definitely don't want to look like a Real Housewife of Orange County (no offense to my family in Orange County! I'm talking about the Tamras and Gretchens of O.C.). The grey works well as a neutral to offset the silver, I think. For a little color, I like the yellow. It's a muted and a little unexpected with the metallic.

If I chicken out and go with a less glitzy bag, then I will make the cosmetic case mine. I am obsessed with the gold and silver versions. Either one would be perfect for carrying my sunscreen, comb and other summer essentials!

spring showers

As the saying goes, April showers are supposed to bring May flowers, but it's the first day of the month, and the weather is still wet outside. I'm one of those people who loves Spring and Summer rainstorms. They're sort of romantic, and you know that the sun will come out soon. I also love the opportunity to wear bright, happy, lighter rain gear. It's like bringing your own sunshine to a cloudy day. 

Barneys New York Regimental Stripe Folding Umbrella // Carven Pleated Cotton-Twill Skirt // Zoe Karssen Tee // Burberry Brit Burnt Orange Short Trench // Hunter Original Tall High Gloss Rain Boot // See by Chloé Devoré Floral Blouse // J. Crew Scalloped Short // Vince Camuto Chambray Anorak // Rag & Bone Braided Belt // Hunter Original Tall Metallic Rain Boot // Bloomingdale's Clear Bubble Umbrella

j. crewing

Is J. Crew kidding me with their current merchandise? I am absolutely dying over the beautiful colors they have this season. From pastels and neons to primary colors and earth tones, everything they're selling makes me so happy. The only downside is that I can't own literally every item above.

They've been selling their neon pink since last year and it's still my favorite tone. I have a t-shirt, silk blouse, necklace and shorts in that color, but want to add a pencil skirt and at least one style of pants. The new mint green is so beautiful. The mint midi skirt is so feminine and almost ethereal.

The pieces seem like they are made for colorblocking, and I think it would be fun to experiment with the different aspects of that trend, like mixing tones. The bright pink jeans with the fuchsia belt and the neon rose silk blouse would be pink perfection. I'd also wear the green pencil skirt with the mint blouse and blue espadrilles. I would link to the above pieces, but literally everything on the site is in this same vein and there are tons of gorgeous looks that I left out. Check it out and let me know your favorites!

Images via J. Crew

which shoes to choose

Every Spring, for over a decade, I have bought a new pair of neutral wedge sandals. I go for an open toe, high heel, natural textures (cork, wood, rope, cotton and leather), minimal embellishment, no excessive straps and try to get the closest color to nude that I can find. Every Fall the shoes are totally trashed from the beach, pool water, parties, etc., therefore, continuing the cycle of needing a new, similar pair in the warmer months.

This year, however, is a little different! Last Summer, my beloved shoes met an early demise, and I bought a great replacement pair in August. Those shoes managed to survive for a few weeks and will still be my go-to pair this Spring and Summer. Now, I feel like my annual neutral sandal purchase be a little more fun since I already have a trusted pair. I want to stick with my basic guidelines but go with a different shade, some interesting detailing or maybe a t-strap or ankle strap. I'm even considering going with a thick, platformed heel.

I know I seem crazy and all the sandals above may look alike, but I will literally be wearing these shoes every day for the next four months. I need them to be cute and versatile. Which pair do you like best?

Vince Camuto Duval // Kors by Michael Kors Windsor // Chinese Laundry Major Crush // Cole Haan Air Minka // ALDO Lovin // Aldo Milius // Luxury Rebel Carol // Nine West Allaccess // Nine West Intuitive // Ivanka Trump Halyn // Frye Corrinna Cross Stitch // Ivanka Trump Keira // Fergie Indie // Ivanka Trump Halina // Alice and Olivia Thelma // DV by Dolce Vita Tulle // Stuart Weitzman Wraptor // Tory Burch Adonis // Madison Harding Norma // Ras Open Toe Wedge Espadrille // Kork-Ease Samantha // Steve Madden Wyliee // Vince Camuto Hattie // DV by Dolce Vita Shellie // Tommy Hilfiger Faye // Steve Madden Oaklee // Steve Madden Larrissa // Kork-Ease Hailey // Sam Edelman Leroy // Michael by Michael Kors Palm Beach // Seychelles Good Intentions // Kenneth Cole Reaction Real Deal // Steve Madden Magestee // Tommy Hilfiger Daisie // Steve Madden Syren // Jessica Simpson Casie

april rules

With April's arrival and Easter coming up, I can't get enough of ladylike dresses. Light, fun colors are one of the best parts of Spring dressing. I love the feminine details that are everywhere this season, like midi hemlines, lace, collars, a-line silhouettes and floral prints. To change up the look, I love adding a tailored white blazer, or even a black leather jacket to add some edge.

Nanette Lepore Homecoming Lace Dress //  Topshop Intricate Flower Origami Dress // Catherine Deane Laverne Dress // ONE by tba Dawn Dress // Zara Lace Dress With Crossover at Back // Milly Belted Sydie Dress // Cut25 Rainbow Print Fitted Dress // Nanette Lepore Lace Pep-Rally Dress // Meadow Rue Savannah Summer Dress // Juicy Couture Printed Silk-Crepe Dress // ASOS Printed Summer Dress With Collar

color combination: peach and mint

The Jill Stuart Spring 2012 collection is easy, feminine perfection. One of my favorite looks is this peach and mint, breezy dress. Even the names of the colors sound perfect for warmer weather. "Peach and mint" sounds like a refreshing tea, cocktail or sherbet! Mint is the color-of-the-moment and orange is having its moment in the spotlight. I love how cheery and modern these two colors look together. They look just as good color-blocked as they do anchored by a more neutral color or pattern.

Elizabeth and James New Sammi Blazer // Proenza Schouler PS1 Large Leather Satchel // Topshop Peach Metal Basic Sunglasses // T by Alexander Wang Silk Crepe Blouse // D&G Layered Tulle Midi Skirt // Kate Spade Idiom Bangle // Forever 21 Bejeweled Medallion Earrings // Rebecca Taylor Printed Silk Camisole // Topshop High Waist Hotpants // Topshop Lattice Back Crop // Tibi Pleated Silk-Crepe Maxi // J. Crew Viv Patent-Leather Ballet Flats // Topshop Kitch Patent Lace Up Shoe // J. Crew Crystal Stripe-Link Bracelet // Style&Co. Necklace // Rag & Bone Bristol Fedora // Current/Elliot The Stiletto // Paul & Joe Sister Bollet Printed Crepe Blouse // Topshop Front Plastic Frame Purse // Melissa Patchuli Il Shoe

tangerine tango

A lovely reader wrote in a while ago and mentioned she'd been seeing orange bags everywhere these days. Well, we know tangerine isn't going anywhere, since it was named Pantone's color of the year. I'm loving all the orange hues this season, from burnt orange, to neon, to peach. If orange isn't your color (it wasn't for the reader, and it's not for me and my red hair, either), you can still get in on the trend with a bright, juicy orange bag.

Topshop Pleat Midi Shirtdress // Dian von Furstenberg Belted Silk Dress // Kain Classic Striped Modal T-shirt // Madewell Runaround Tank // Alexander McQueen McQ Leather Moto Jacket // Topshop Premium Silk Shimmer Pleat Dip Hem Skirt // Current/Elliot The Stiletto Jeans // Versace Polka-dot Stretch-cotton Micro Shorts // J. Crew Viv Patent Leather Ballet Flats // Alexander McQueen McQ Nail-head Embellished Leather Wallet // Karen Walker Orange Sunglasses // Jessica Simpson Carrack // Diane von Furstenberg Orange Patent Leather Clutch // Aspinal of London Boston // Reed Krakoff Soft Boxer // Emilio Pucci Python Marquisa Mini Bag // Emilio Pucci Python Box Clutch // Alexander Wang Rocco Duffel // Michael Kors Small Ostrich-effect Hamilton // Kate Spade New Bond Street Florence // Diane Von Furstenberg Lytton Neon Clutch // Michael Kors Large Hamilton

wish i was wearing: blues and greens

I'm not sure my legs are long and thin enough to wear cropped trousers with flats, but I love how comfortably polished this combination looks. I'm also loving mixing colors of similar shades, like teal, navy and green. The showstopper here, though, is those shoes! I would wear them with everything! So adorable.

See By Chloé Floral Print Blouse // Sandro Virgule Crepe Tuxedo Jacket // Chloé Ankle Length Trousers (similar) // J. Crew Viv Stripe Flat // Michael Kors Hamilton // Emilio Pucci Multi-stone Brass Ring // Bounkit Green Onyx Flower Earrings // Topshop Mesh Loop Tassle Necklace

erin go bragh

Happy St. Patrick's Day my little lassies! As a redhead, it's mandatory that I love this holiday. Not to mention, I'm like 150% Irish (okay, not quite), and my siblings and I sound like we're saints or leprechauns with our ultra-Irish names. We're members of an O-apostrophe clan!

Needless to say, I love having my soda bread, Guiness and potatoes on Saint Patrick's Day (super low-carb). My family is abandoning me for Boston (the ultra-Irish home of the Celtics of all places!) to celebrate our homeland's famous holiday. I'm still conjuring up what my signature cocktail of the day will be and brainstorming Irish recipes. The one thing I don't need to worry about is an outfit. Being as Irish as I look, I abstain from wearing green. My hair is my Irish flair!

So as you celebrate, remember that on St. Patrick's Day, everyone's Irish! I hope you drink, laugh, pray, curse and get red in the face like the Irish. I leave you with one of my favorite Irish blessings:

Wishing you always...

Walls for the wind,

A roof for the rain

And tea beside the fire.

Laughter to cheer you,

Those you love near you,

And all that your heart may desire.

Cheers!

Images via Pinterest.com and WeHeartIt.com