Modern Romance // lavender peplum dress + metallic heels

Summer may be drawing to a close, but it's not over yet! And until it's officially chilly outside, you can bet I'll be rocking bright-colored sundresses and pretty sandals all day, (almost) every day! I can't help it, it's the romantic in me ;)

I'm pretty much obsessed with this lavender, eyelet dress. It is THE perfect spring dress but it makes a pretty gorgeous summer dress too, don't you think? And the sweet peplum detailing ensures a super flattering fit.  

I couldn't resist pulling out these babies again. I'm pretty much obsessed with this charming pair of princess shoes. The metallic heel and double nude strap add an unexpected, oh-so-chic element. Plus, they go with absolutely everything, giving any look a polished whimsical vibe. 

 Blush and lavender make quite a power pairing. I love the look of different pastels worn together and these two hues are so soft and delicate.

To add more of a modern flair to this classic dress, I chose a geometrical statement necklace for a current, eye-catching switch-up. 

Another piece of modern jewelry to give this look a so-now feel. And today you can't get much trendier than ear climbers! 

A purple watch for a purple dress. Enough said. 

Inspired by spring's soft candy tones and summer's standout glamour, this sweet, polished outfit is one of my favorite daytime ensembles. It's feminine, delicate, and sweet...but not TOO sweet. I love it for brunch or a family gathering. But you really can't go wrong wearing it to the grocery store either! 

Photos by Dan Harper 

[dress: Banana Republic (similar eyelet style here) // heels: Banana Republic (I also like this pair) // purse: Ann Taylor (similar here) // necklace: RJ Graziano (I also like this one) // watch: Kate Spade (different color here) // heart tag bracelet: Tiffany & Co. // amethyst bracelet: David Yurman // earrings: gift (similar pair here) // silver bangles: Alex & Ani // lipgloss: Bare Minerals in "Spark Plug"]

These photos were taken in rural Michigan during a quick family trip to move my sister into her first college dorm at Notre Dame. Living in New York City it's not too often I get to take photos in such lush, quiet places. I thought this romantic sundress was the perfect piece to wear in front of a green, flower-filled backdrop. 

// SHOP // 

Top 15 Current Favorites: End Of Summer

With end of summer in full swing and autumn quickly approaching, these must-haves are what I'm currently coveting to keep me cool while dipping my toe into fall fashion. From chokers, to bomber jackets, to leopard print, these stylish essentials are fabulous transitional pieces to wear now AND later.

Happy shopping! 

The Birthday Girl // fit & flare dress + jeweled heels

Yep, it's my b-day! And birthdays call for a fabulous birthday photoshoot. Getting dressed up for your special day (mine's August 17th) and walking around with balloons is SUCH a fun way to celebrate - it's definitely one of my MY favorites :) And I don't think ANYONE can resist a bouquet of balloons! 

This is a party dress if I've ever seen one. The bright color, flattering fit-and-flare silhouette, and endless versatility has definitely earned it a top spot in my closet. It's just so FUN to wear, and in a bold orange-red hue, it almost guarantees you'll be the center of attention at any fete! 

Keeping the party-spirit theme alive, these heels are literally a party on my feet! I spotted them and not only knew I had to have them, but thought debuting them for my birthday would be the PERFECT way to showcase them. I love that they're completely one-of-a-kind yet not too flashy. What a prime example of fun shoes that are neutral AND make a statement! 

Can't decide between gold and silver? How about both? I love that these chokers come as a set but can be worn individually too. And you all know how hard I've been vibing on chokers lately - so these were a perfect addition to my jewelry box! 

With gold nails, I decided to stick to a silver arm candy theme. It's hard NOT to layer these bad boys. 

I'm all about earrings that pop, and this fan-favorite pair of Kate Spade studs is a stellar choice when you want your earrings to stand out, but you also crave something classic. 

How about this makeup? Pretty amazing, right? I have to confess though, I did not create this magic. I actually got a full makeover from Sephora and had the pleasure of working with Ariela from Ariela Artistry. She definitely brought me out of my comfort zone with this look, but it turned out super cool! Do you notice the killer ombre effect? I mean seriously, the girl has skills! 

It's not your birthday without balloons! And for my birthday this year, I decided to go for a rainbow effect. So I chose a bright, solid-colored dress and paired it with balloons in every color - except the color of my dress. I love how it turned out! And you better believe I carried these balloons around with me for the rest of the night! 

Oh and I threw confetti around like a three-year-old too! You're never too old for confetti! 

Photos by Antonio Owens 

[dress: Ann Taylor (I also like this one) // heels: Banana Republic (sold out, but this is the flats version) // chokers: Kenneth Jay Lane (similar here) // earrings: Kate Spade // cuff: Ted Baker // heart tag bracelet: Tiffany & Co. // amethyst bangle: David Yurman // lipstick: Dolce Vita by Nars // eyeshadow: Too Faced chocolate palette] 

Birthdays are a pretty big deal to me. And I know not everyone is big on them, but to me, birthdays signify new beginnings - almost like New Year's Eve/Day. They're ultimately a celebration of life, a celebration of making it through another successful year, and a celebration of, well, YOU! 

And while birthdays are also a sometimes painful reminder of getting older, I choose to view them in a more optimistic light. Not everyone gets to celebrate a birthday each year, so for every one I'm granted, I am incredibly grateful! 

// SHOP //

Midnight Brights // pleated leather skirt + v-neck

Midnight-inspired neutrals with a pop of sunshine is the ULTIMATE city-cool combo for late summer. Plus, you can never go wrong with urban-friendly sneaks and a subtle red lip! 

This navy, pleated skirt is reminiscent of school girl days, but in faux leather, it instantly becomes "adult" and oh so chic. Mix it with black for an even more grownup vibe. 

Not sure what top to pair with those bottoms? I can assure you a black or white v-neck will do the trick - I reach for mine time and time again. And don't be fooled, black and navy totally DO go together - don't let anyone tell you differently!

 Black chokers - they've been EVERYWHERE lately. And I am definitely getting tons of use out of mine. I can't get enough of the way they transform any look into something totally modern and sexy. 

Playing with primary colors (blue skirt, red lips, yellow bag), I thought adding a bold pop of canary in the form of an envelope clutch was a super fun choice - especially for summer. Yellow truly is a neutral, and in a shade this bright, who can resist incorporating it into an everyday/all day look?

This is an easy yet stylish look that I've actually repeated more than once this summer. I love how it's mostly black, but not ALL black as the navy skirt adds an unexpected twist. And while these Adidas sneakers have become my best friend, I've also become quite dependent on staples such as red lipstick and v-neck tees. Sometimes going back to the basics is quite refreshing! 

 Photos by Megan Foard 

[tee: Ann Taylor // skirt: Ann Taylor (super similar option here) // sneakers: Adidas // clutch: Rebecca Minkoff // choker: Urban Outfitters // leather cuff: Michael Dawkins (I also like this one) // bangles: Alex & Ani // amethyst bangle: David Yurman // heart tag bracelet: Tiffany & Co. // lipstick: 'Temper' by Urban Decay]

Guess what? I finally invested in my very own DSLR camera! About time, right? Up until now I always relied on my various photographers' cameras but I thought it was definitely time to make the investment for myself - this way I have more independence and I can take even more pics for all of you, yay! 

This is my very first shoot with my new camera and I have to say, I'm pretty much obsessed! My friend and I had a great time shooting around my NYC neighborhood this weekend and I can't wait to experiment with it more! 

 // SHOP //