trend alert: icy pastel clothing.

The best accessory for this trend is a tan. Icy pastels have had some serious exposure on the runways and I can't wait to give them a try. Pair with more saturated hues like coral, teal or cobalt to add boldness to an outfit. Try neutrals for a more crisp look or patterns for something more graphic. 

tip: When choosing patterns, opt for ones that include only a small amount of the solid piece you're pairing it with. It will be more visually interesting and keep the look modern. 

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

trend alert: crop tops and skirts five ways.

I've been in love with the crop top trend for a while now and am so glad it's here to stay this year. Asos has by far the best selection - so much so I couldn't choose just one look. 

The key to pulling them off is remembering to stay a bit modest, especially for women 30 years and older. This means no belly button ladies - I mean it. 

tip: Use a crop top to sex up the hard-to-make-work midi skirt.

look 1: top / skirt / shoes look 2: top / skirt / shoes look 3: top / skirt / shoes

look 4: top / skirt / shoes look 5: top / skirt / shoes

outfit idea: combat boots and blouses.

I am on an all time, combat boot high. I wear them often. I wear them always. They go with skirts, shorts, jeans, leggings, dresses... It's the perfect accessory to make any outfit more casual and approachable. L. O. V. E.

necklace / blouse / combat boots / jeans / cardigan

Faux shopping at ModCloth.

It's. Almost. Finished.

With everything pretty much painted (minus a few edges, corners and trim) and the overall downstairs plan well on its way, I've decided to take a moment to do some much needed almost retail therapy for some much needed clothing I almost purchase. The almost part is because it's actually faux shopping (also completed here) as in I fill up my cart but never checkout.

For those that are unaware (AKA living under a rock) I really like to shop. Like really, really like. Actually, probably more like love. Anyway, whenever I'm down in the dumps, meet a goal, have an amazing client presentation, am bored, excited, or really anything in between, I head to the streets (or my MacBook Pro) and shop it like it's hot.

However lately, (thanks to many, many, many, MANY lectures from conversations with my dad) I've been trying to practice other things like paying off bills in their entirety, minimizing debt and saving up cash for things like retirement and "my future". While these tasks are all well and good, I still - and will likely never get rid of - the itch to buy things. Lots of things.

So today, I thought I'd clue you in on my recent "trip" to one of my favorite online stores, ModCloth - a place where the clothing is chic, the accessories are fun and the price range is almost always just outside of my budget. For this particular trip I focused primarily on dresses all of which I highly encourage anyone to actually purchase for the following reasons:

Butterscotch Latte Dress ($64.99)

would look great with gladiator heels, a tan and giant bright colored purse

Dazzle Darling Dress ($44.99)

perfect for backyard drinking or running errands

Chickadee Split Dress ($49.99)

elastic band creates a waist, one shoulder draws attention to collarbone

Hanging Streamers Dress ($47.99)

very versatile and universally flattering, really cute with bright colored cardigan

Taupe for the Best ($139.99)

OMG with a thick belt

Hue Go, Girl Dress ($47.99)

racer back to accentuate backbones,

amazing colors for summer that can be used as a blouse for the fall

Hip Gig Dress ($42.99)

versatile dress in adorable pattern,

can be paired with leggings and a long cardigan for fall

So in pretend world, my total came to a cool $438.93. I could have definitely included more (like this, this, this, and maybe this) but there's always another day, right?

Hope everyone has a great weekend and sneak peeks of the top secret project to come soon!

Can't get enough: sunglasses

The sun is finally out! Which gives me the perfect reason to search for some sunglasses. Granted, I already have at least six pairs I can think of off the top of my head, a girl just can't have enough. And lately, I've been eyeing ones that are bright, retro and playful. I've figured out the basic shape that works best with my face (aside from aviators - those look good on anyone) and just continue to want more.

Now I haven't figured out how to justify the purchase of any of these as of yet, but my goal is to at least talk myself into buying a knock off version by the end of June. So far, the selection (and price) at Forever21 is winning but there are a pair at Target that I'm still thinking about (can't find a picture) from when I saw them back in April.

modcloth 

urban outfitters

anthropologie

forever21

michael kors via overstock.com

betsey johnson via 6pm

Crazy for pleats.

It seems as though every single piece that catches my eye has some sort of pleating to it. To me, pleats are the more casual, versatile version of lace that I apparently cannot get enough of (says my last 3 purchases). This classy detail can either add a touch of whimsy or structure depending on the fabric type. Lighter, more gauzy fabrics help create flowing lines and girlish silhouettes while thicker fabrics with a tighter weave offer a more polished, tailored effect.

Personally, my eyes head straight for tiny, cute, little gauzy pleats that fill the garment from head to toe and end up looking like a pattern with tons of texture. Like this Halston dress that I have been drooling over for what seems like forever now (the dress, not the shoes).

Saks Fifth Avenue

New to pleats? Stick with silhouettes you know flatter your figure (i.e. halter top with a-line skirt) and instead expirement with various sizes and shapes of the uniform folds. This way you can focus on the actual pleating instead of trying to figure out shape and detailing.

Not sure how to wear? To avoid looking too prim, proper and preppy, try balancing the ensemble with something that has more of an edge. For example, pair with black (or gold) lacquer leggings, a nubby vest, a beat-up leather jacket (try camel or cream!) or even a sweatshirt (as seen below). Similar to a home, mixing and matching different styles is a must to get that eclectic, effortless look that becomes simply your own.

Here are some of my (more affordable) faves.

modcloth (with gold leggings and heels)

anthropologie (sub the sash with a thick, woven belt)

gap (add a large, shiny ornate brooch)

lulu's (notice the belt and add a blazer)

zara's (sub the leather belt for a tassle belt)

urban outfitters (tuck into a tweed pencil skirt)

topshop (wear with that nubby vest!)

free people (maybe lace up boots?)

Shiver my timbers no more.

Instead of continuing to complain about the weather, write about snow-inspired design themes or offer tips for staying warm, I am going to revert back to what I typically do in uncomforatble situations and just avoid it all together. That said, I had a very fun gchat conversation with one of my besties, Corrin, about how living in Florida might not be that bad (aside from the obvious pro of being closer to my brother).

I mentioned that if I were to every move to Florida, I would have to live on a boat with my wardrobe consisting of nothing but nautical-inspired clothing, khakis and boat shoes. Guests would be required to wear gauzy neck scarves, floppy straw hats and red lipstick (I'm not backing down on that, Corrin). I'd incorporate things like "ahoy", "mate" and "let's hoist some sails" into my vocabulary in hopes to grow into your everyday sailorette that hasn't a clue what she's doing. In my mind, if you're going to daydream you might as well go all out, right?

top left to bottom right: modcloth, topshop, amazon, forever21, anthropologie, true religion

Anyway, if the little scenario described above doesn't sound half bad, here are some sea worthy treasures you can start adding into your space to see if a nautical life was meant to be. Focus on a white, beige and navy blue color scheme with accents of bright red. Add accessories that have horizontal stripes, gold buttons or rope-like detailing. Frame a nautical map, a picture of a boat or some sailing instructions.

NOTE: Be cautious of becoming to thematic. As mentioned in a previous post, it's best to steer clear of overall themes and instead add small accents that suggest the idea (stripes and white-washing) rather than displaying the obvious (giant crabs and fish net overhead). Not sure if you've overdone it? Stop what you're doing and leave the room immediately. Don't go back into it for at least 30 minutes and if you want to start whistling the theme song to "Gilligan's Island", you've taken your decorating too far.

top to bottom: willow decor, apartment therapy, coastal style living, gifts for boaters, interiorly, apartment therapy (and also how I plan to treat my barrel!)