Country Charm :: red blouse + black midi

A look that's both country and city chic? You better believe it! From urban life to rural life, staying stylish this summer is easy peasy with this charming, fool-proof combo. 

There's something about this blouse that's very appealing to me. It's charming, fresh, and versatile. The pattern has a slight 70s vibe while the bold red is eye-catching and modern. Especially paired with this lip shade, the top truly stands out as a killer piece in my wardrobe. And guess what? It's on sale now! Check it out here. 

Can't pick between a crystal stud and a pearl stud? Sometimes you don't have to! This is one of my favorite pairs - I love the glamorous statement the earrings make. 

Midi skirts are my jam (in case you couldn't tell from my most recent posts). This black one is simple and super easy. Pair it with a striking top to elevate your work or weekend wear. 

A blouse + midi skirt combo has been a go-to for me this year. I'll typically tie my top (see below) and throw on a pair of slide sandals or heels depending on the occasion and time of day. This look is effortless, comfortable, and polished; perfect for city streets or country roads.  

This Invicta watch was my mom's before she handed it down to me. An Invicta watch is the kind of watch that you'll have forever. It's truly a timeless piece (haha, watch jokes) and one that I treasure dearly. And go mom for picking such a modern style back in the day - I love the black and silver blend. 

Sporting a bracelet that perfectly matches my earrings. Pearls and crystals - you can't get much more charming than that! 

Photos by Dan Harper 

[skirt: Loft, blouse: Loft, heels: Vince Camuto Signature Collection (I also love these), earrings: Ann Taylor (old, but I also like these), watch: Invicta (similar here), bangle: Alex & Ani, amethyst bangle: David Yurman, crystal and pearl stretch bracelet: Ann Taylor (old, but similar here), heart bracelet: Tiffany & Co., lipstick: Urban Decay's "F-Bomb"] 

I think it's pretty clear that these photos were not taken in New York City. I wanted to inject a more rustic feel into the blog for this post and do a #tbt to my days of living in rural North Carolina (which was literally 10 weeks ago). Although sometimes I do miss the smell of sweet grass and hearing the crickets chirp at night, nothing beats the smell of food trucks at 2am and hearing screeching cars at all hours. Call me crazy but NYC is the best - at least in my mind ;) 

But when it comes down to it, I'll always hold a piece of the countryside close to my heart. The peacefulness, the natural beauty, and the fond memories I've had there are unbeatable. I think these photos capture that spirit beautifully. 

SHOP :: 

All About That Lace :: lace midi + off-the-shoulder

When it comes to modern elegance, seek a combination infused with traditional sophistication and peppered with grace. Today's elegance presents itself in classic pieces that have a very 'now' feel to them. By combining these unique yet forever elements you can create a look that's both simple and elaborate. 

Pearl earrings are classic and have clearly stood the test of time. Think about it, you own a pair, your mother owns a pair, and your grandmother owns a pair. But when it comes to modern elegance, express some creativity by choosing a pair of double-back pearl earrings. Today's spin on the classic stud is timeless and adventurous - not to mention super pretty. 

As I sit here thinking about elegance and what that means in 2015, I can't help but picture intricate, white detailing. It seems that this year (and the past few) have been all about that lace. This skirt is a prime example of what elegant modernity looks like - polished and fresh. 

A simple black top? Ageless. An off-the-shoulder black top? Stylishly current and subtly bold. Bonus - no necklace needed when you're showing off this much collarbone!  

In my last post I talked about creating a look, and how your makeup, hair, and accessories all help complete whatever vibe you're going for. This outfit definitely had "bun" written all over it. I made my hairstyle voluminous because I like the glamorous look, and well, that's the only way I know how to make a bun :)  

Isn't this lace to-die-for? I matched my skirt with nude pumps to not distract from this statement piece. 

Modern trend alert: mixing gold and silver. Don't be afraid people! 

I love this look because it's simple yet still makes an impact. 

Photos by Virginia Kluiters

[top: Ann Taylor (old but similar here), skirt: Ann Taylor, pumps: Vince Camuto (similar here), earrings: Ann Taylor, cream bangle: Kate Spade, amethyst bangle: David Yurman, gold bracelet: vintage (similar here), heart bracelet: Tiffany & Co.] 

I have exciting NYC news for you all! This week my two roommates and I signed the lease for a beautiful Upper Eastside apartment in Manhattan *swoon*. I am officially a New York City resident! We move in August 3rd and in case you couldn't already tell, I'm pretty darn excited. 

We got a good deal on the apartment, it's in a lively neighborhood, and there's enough space in the apartment for three of us to comfortably live (aka we're not living in a closet - yay)! And now I can see for myself if being an Upper Eastsider is as glamorous as Gossip Girl has made it sound ;)   

But I have to be honest, these pictures are deceiving. The place I'm standing in front of is not my new home. In fact these photos were taken a week ago, which is before we even knew our apartment existed. But stay tuned for real pics of our new place!   

SHOP ::

Make It Pop :: midi skirt + metallic heels

When it comes to dressing up, I prefer to make a statement. Typically I accomplish that through either color/pattern choices, accessories, or makeup. But occasionally something magical will happen where all three elements come together perfectly to create a look that not only stands out but truly POPS! 

The lip color you choose, the eyeshadow you use, and the way you style your hair has a major effect on your overall look. When planning an outfit I have to take into account what hair and makeup will compliment my clothes best - that's how you plan a look. I thought sleek, straight locks would work best with this combination and I wanted my makeup to have a light, summery feel, which is why I opted for a bold pink lip instead of red. Get this standout lip shade for yourself here. 

These striking heels pop like no other. It seems to me that Ivanka Trump has mastered the elegant yet wildly unique pump. There's nothing like a splash of metallic paired with a burst of animal print when you want to get noticed. And guess what? They're available in black and leopard too.

Although I chose a more casual top for this particular look, the skirt can easily be dressed up even more. I'm just personally a fan of wearing dressy and casual pieces together. For future looks I'm aiming to style this skirt with a navy, white,   or even a red top. 

With eye-catching heels, a bright lip, a bold skirt, and statement earrings, I thought it was best to keep my necklace simple and refined. This Ann Taylor staple is a necklace that I turn to for everything from everyday looks to date nights out on the town. 

My mom and I fell in love with this skirt when we spotted it in the early spring. It has an artsy flair to it yet the pleats coupled with the midi length makes this skirt both feminine and a tad preppy as well. Plus, my twirling game is strong with this one!   

Don't be afraid to pop! Silver stackable bangles add to my artistic and casual vibe. 

The bigger the earring the bigger the impact. But what I love about these babies is that they're super duper light. A heavy earring weighing down my lobe? No thank you! 

Photos by Dan Harper 

[top: Ann Taylor (similar here), skirt: Classiques Entrier (similar here), heels: Ivanka Trump (similar here), necklace: Ann Taylor, earrings: Francesca's (more expensive option here), bangles: Alex & Ani, silver spike bracelet: Stella & Dot, watch: Fossil (similar here), heart bracelet: Tiffany & Co.]

I love how our style choices can speak to who we are and how fashion can be our silent way of speaking to the world. I think we all have some pretty cool things to say and fashion can help us! By making your look pop you're making yourself pop, and thus, in a small way, your voice is being heard. Fashion's pretty rad, huh? 

SHOP ::