matching michelle

Michelle Williams killed it (as usual) this weekend in an adorable summer ensemble. Her polka dot shirt and abstract shorts are playful together, and her minimal black accessories give it a more grownup feel.

Rag and Bone Harper Shorts // Delias Dot Bow Back Short Sleeve // Helium Black Strap Gladiators // Ray Ban Wayfarers // Vanessa Bruno Large Fabric Bag

Image via Through Michelle

red, white, blue and gold

This July has been a particularly patriotic month! First, we had the 4th of July, and two American-themed posts, and now it's the Olympics. In honor of the games, it feels appropriate to mix in some gold (as in first place medals) with the colors of the U.S.A.

Topshop American Flag Bralet // Otte High Low Skirt // Elie Saab Gold Studded Square Clutch // Guess Cardio Booties // Topshop Moto Denim Shirt // Free People Flag Tote // Citizens of Humanity Chloe Cutoff Shorts // ASOS Flat Sandals // Markus Lupfer Sweater Dress // Franchi Gold Evening Bag // Jimmy Choo Glenda Glitter Flats

arm candy

As I was window shopping today, I was drawn to these fun purses by Furla. The "Candy S Bauletto" is a shopper made out of PVC. Despite being made of plastic, the structure and quality keep the bag looking upscale. To add even more funkiness, the bag, by the Italian accessories brand, is available in bright, funky colors. I'm eyeing the orange and the teal. How great and unexpected would this be as a pool or beach bag?

red, white and blue

Fourth of July is a favorite for festive dressers. Check out these adorable red, white and blue dresses.

Striped Dress // White and Navy Striped Dress // Helga Striped Knit Sweater Dress // Dotted and Checked Dress // Printed Vest Dress // Frilly Dress // Suzu Wool-Blend Crepe Dress // Striped Ruffle Dress // Navy Star Tie Front Dress // Striped Organic Cotton Mini Dress // Sabrina Dress // Contrast Print Dress // Sailor Knit Dress // Tie Dye T-Shirt Dress // Printed Silk-Taffeta Dress

from the mountains, to the prairies

Happy Fourth of July! I know it's not until tomorrow, but I've been without power all week, and don't know when it will return (grrrr), so I wanted to wish you all a happy holiday while I had the chance. Please forgive the lack of posts. I've been traveling and am in the midst of some big changes! I can't wait to update you all.

Images via Pinterest

dianna in tracy

Dianna Agron looks so delightful (as usual) in her Tracy Reese for Anthropologie dress. She wore it to Coach's Summer Party and I think it's perfect for the occasion. I love the garden themed print and the ladylike silhouette. Dianna keeps it from looking too childish by adding amazing sparkly Miu Miu heels and the black belt gives it some edge.

The entire Tracy Reese for Anthropologie line is summery and gorgeous. I'm obsessed with the color and drape of the Elvia dress.

summer solstice

Tomorrow is the Summer Solstice, and it does not feel like the middle of summer already! This month has been busy, and the rest of the summer is going to be full of lots of planning and changes. These days the sun stays out later, and the weather has been absolutely beautiful. Hopefully I'll get a chance to enjoy it sometime soon!

editorial love part three

As a redhead, I love to see Heather Marks with a tan in Paul Schmidt's Hotel California for May's Marie Claire Italia. Redheads get a bad rap for being pale and freckled, but some of us can get a glow, too! The spread wardrobe and setting are evocative of a 60's summertime wardrobe, from the desert to the ocean. I love the melancholy mood and the gorgeous colors shot with a semi-sepia filter.

Images via Fashion Gone Rogue

co-ords

I've never had as natural of a knack for men's fashion as I have for women's. I'm unsure of what's appropriate for certain events, what prints go with which ties, etc. Anytime I try to dress a male family member or my boyfriend, I feel like I want to make them look like Brad Goreski. When I edit back and show restraint, they pretty much look like they do when they dress themselves.

Part of my confusion has to do with suits. I always encourage the men in my life to buy suits. I feel like they can wear the separates in different ways, as well as together. While I'm not sure if it actually works this way, I'm certain that the new trend in women's fashion is made to add diversity to a wardrobe.

A bunch of different retailers are selling matching tops and bottoms this season. From my beloved crop tops and pencil skirts, to matching blouses and shorts, suit-inspired dressing is definitely on trend. Leave it to Topshop to make online shopping that much easier by selling these looks together in their "Co-ords" section. I'm not sure if this online department is new, but right now it's packed with adorable two piece outfits. The looks are adorable paired together, but can also be mixed with other pieces. I love that they sell the pieces individually, too, in case you're a different size on top than bottom. I'm obsessed with the Swan Print Bralet and Skirt. They look amazing together, or I might throw a white blazer on top, and both pieces would look amazing in different outfits.

Swan Print Bralet and Skirt // Daisy Bow Back Top and Pleated Skirt // Graphic Blazer and Trousers // Swan Print Tie Bandeau and Skirt // Motel Print Denim Bralet and Pencil Skirt // Collarless Blazer and Shorts

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.