Shades Of Summer :: cream lace dress

Come summer I'm all about those light, airy pieces. You know the ones; creamy-hued dresses in an ethereal fabric or powder blue button-ups with a softened touch. I like my summer wardrobe to be carefree with an effortless vibe, and the colors you wear (along with the textures) have a strong impact on just that. 

For this look I decided to add some contrast to my go-to summer shades with accents dipped in the darkest hue of them all - black. I like how the black offsets the more innocent, lighter shades and creates a summertime look that's both delicate and edgy. 

This vintage Tiffany & Co. pendant was quite a find. My mom found it while perusing her usual sites online and immediately thought of me for its simple, clean design. She took it into our nearest Tiffany & Co. store and had them put this black, silk "chain" on it to give the piece modern flair. The coolest part? The necklace is unisex! 

By incorporating bursts of black into an otherwise light look, I'm upping the edge factor while adding an unexpected summery spin. This outfit can easily transition from day to night, and you know me, I'm all about that versatility! 

This black leather bracelet is a favorite of mine. I can always count on it to add interest to any outfit. I love the braided detailing!

Pale shades are key to an easy, breezy summertime day look. When going for an effortless feel I like to stick with a basic color palette of creams, baby blues, light pinks, pale yellows, and loads of white. But another important factor in summery dressing is texture. Here I'm combining lace with chambray and cotton. The fabrics flow well together and move with the breeze.

Black onyx studs are simple but effective. 

Block heels are having a moment this summer with ultra-covetable designs in suede, leather, and animal skin. My black suede pair works from desk to evening festivities. Bonus: the chunkier the heel, the more stable/comfy your foot! 

Photos by Dan Harper 

[dress: Mary Catherine's boutique in North Carolina (this one is super similar), button-down: Loft (I also like this one), heels: Vince Camuto Signature collection (similar here), necklace: vintage Tiffany & Co., watch: Coach (love this one), earrings: fine jewelry, leather cuff: Michael Dawkins (similar here), amythest bangle: David Yurman, heart bracelet: Tiffany & Co.]

You may be confused; last week I was raving about moving to New York City and this week I'm posing alongside hay (did anyone notice the goats?) These photos were taken in North Carolina, but don't worry, I haven't had a change of heart. As I type this, I am sitting in a New York apartment listening to the hustle and bustle of Union Square below. Disclaimer: I don't always publish my posts in chronological order :)

 This is an outfit that I enjoy wearing on the weekends, although in the city I swipe these heels for slides and save the fancy shoes for going out. This past week I was very busy with work at Ann Taylor (I actually pulled a 10-hour shift on Friday night). But luckily I had this past weekend off, which made everything worth it! 

SHOP ::