Class of 2015 :: college graduation

As of last Saturday I am a college graduate and an alumna of Elon University! The last four years have honestly been everything I had hoped college would be and more. In short, I could not have asked for a more fitting and inspiring college experience. But you know what they say, when one door closes another one opens. And for me that next door will open up to the bright lights of New York City on June 5th! 

I've been MIA from the blogosphere as of late due to graduation activities, spending time with my best friends, and of course packing up my room and saying bye to what's been my home for the past four years. But I am back with gusto now and I first wanted to share some of my photos from the big day.

Thanks Mom and Dad! I graduated with a degree in journalism, a minor in philosophy, and with Magna Cum Laude status. 

...And now for what I wore! 

In terms of dressing, graduation is most commonly associated with the color white. But you know me, and doing what's most common is not the route that I like to take - especially in fashion. So when it came time to search for my graduation dress, I wanted something different, something that would stand out. 

I found this Kate Spade Saturday (RIP) dress online and fell in love. The fit-and-flare shape is ultra flattering and the bold array of colors add an extra special touch of uniqueness. I'm posing here with my roommate of two years, Emma. Emma's dress is from a boutique in Morristown, New Jersey called Boutique 161.  

This is me in my full cap and gown attire. The green & white chord represents my association with Kappa Delta sorority, the yellow chord is for Lambda Pi Eta (the national communications honors society), and I'm wearing a medallion because I am a Communications Fellow. 

At Elon it's tradition to jump into our many on-campus fountains once you graduate. 

Since graduation day was so hectic, my friend Leah and I decided to take our grad photos together the day after - hence the different outfit. 

For these photos I decided to match Leah and go with the classic white dress. You can find my dress here and my sandals here. Leah's dress is Lilly Pulitzer. 

We did it! 

Photos by Dan Harper 

Our college days may be over but our lives are just beginning! 

[My regular fashion posts will continue next week]

SHOP ::

Remaining Neutral :: white lace + nudes

My last Hello Summer installment, featuring YouTube sensation Katy Bellotte, focuses on summer neutrals - think subtle nudes, light creams, and bright whites. Neutrals are the foundation of any wardrobe and now that Memorial Day has rolled around, you'll be seeing more and more of it. Although black is great, this is white's time to shine. Once again, Katy and I styled our colorless looks very differently yet equally summery and stylish. Don't be afraid to stray from black and dive into a sea of white! 

For this look I had fun playing with proportions, mixing textures, and combining cream, white, and nude all in one outfit. 

These Steve Madden nude sandals are probably my most-worn pair of summer shoes. I just love how they go with absolutely everything. From May to September, nude footwear is definitely hotter than black! 

I decorated my wrists with silver, gold, and cream to show that mixing metals (and neutrals such as cream and white) is not only perfectly acceptable, but also original and stylish. 

Chokers are having a major moment on the fashion stage, and like any style enthusiast I decided to jump on the choker bandwagon. But since I'm not too fond of the 90s black stretchy choker fad, I've participated in this trend in my own way. A gold choker is refined and polished and adds a modern allure to any look. 

I'm a big fan of combining crop tops with skirts (and even dresses) but the truth is, they can look just as incredible with pants. I love the look of sweet, feminine lace worn with such a bold, geometric pattern; it's quite an eye-catching combo.

One of my favorite things to keep in mind while getting dressed in the morning is contrast. I think that if an outfit has taken risks and is just a tad mismatchy in the right way, it shows true style and original thought. For this look I combined cream and white and nude for an offbeat effect that's unique yet totally chic. Wear this ensemble to dinner (yes, white works at night too) or a daytime show.

On Kathleen// lace crop top: Banana Republic (similar here), ankle pants: Loft, sandals: Steve Madden (old, but similar here), gold choker: Ann Taylor (I also like this one), earrings: Loft (Similar here), gold knot bangle: Kate Spade, cream bangle: Kate Spade, gold chainlink bracelet: Stella & Dot, silver heart bracelet: Tiffany & Co.

Don't forget to checkout Katy's incredible YouTube page here and watch her video of us modeling these looks. I'm telling you, Katy is a must-follow. 

Katy's take on summer whites and brights is youthful, fresh, and artistic with a pinch of bohemian. If there's anyone who can find the perfect balance between all four it's Katy. I love the energy of her carefree, whimsical style. 

This summer, elevate your look with block heels and a platform. They're sturdy and know how to make an impact. I'm obsessed with Katy's nude pair from Anthropologie (found here). 

Katy's exquisite romper, found here, is just as feminine and elegant as a dress - minus any windy-day issues. A romper is a smart alternative to a dress, especially if you're going to be romping around (see what I did there?) 

Katy is the queen of kimonos, and for good reason. She uses them to enhance and compliment her look. Layers are one of the keys to successful fashion and Katy has mastered this technique. Her kimono here flows seamlessly with the rest of her outfit and the fringe + lace combo makes for an effortless yet haute vibe. 

Wear Katy's look for date night or an active day in the city. 

On Katy// romper: Free People, necklace: Free People (I also like this one), kimono: LF Robinson Blvd (similar here), heels: Anthropologie, rings: Markkit (I also like these)

Photos by Brooke Faison 

My Hello Summer series has come to a close but Katy and I had a blast shooting photos and video for you and sharing some of our favorite summertime trends. This is the time of year to experiment with all sorts of styles and pieces and we loved showing you that no matter what your taste is, there's always a way to incorporate these fashion philosophies into your everyday wardrobe. Now go forth and be stylish!  

SHOP ::