Fifty Shades...

Grey tank:  Zara (similar here), Black tank (under):  Aritzia (similar here), Pants:  AG, Shoes:  H&M (liking this strappy pair), Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Necklace:  H&M (LOVE this one), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban, Wrap bracelet:  Unknown (great Gorjana version here), Watch:  DKNY (similar MK one here)

Today started out as a fairly grey day, so I threw on some gloomy weather clothes to go to brunch.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

"I am 16 Going on 17...."

Top:  J.Crew (similar here), Shorts:  Anthropologie (similar here), Shoes:  Tory Burch, Bag:  Louis Vuitton, Necklace:  J.Crew (LOVING this one that can be worn as a bracelet too!), Bracelet:  Unknown (similar here), Sunnies:  Tom Ford

Since I was young I have always had a strange obsession with gazebos {maybe because I also had an obsession with The Sound of Music}.  I thought they were the most intriguing structures and wanted one in my back yard in lieu of a tree-house. 

As a child, my grandmother would take me to this gazebo on the bay where they would often hold concerts and have fireworks.  When it was empty I would dance around in it.

It is still a beautiful place and holds such great memories. 

Down the Shore

 

Dress:  Amanda Uprichard, Shoes:  Bebe (old, similar here), Earrings:  Kendra Scott, Bracelet:  similar here

Another weekend at the beach and despite some rough waters, the weather has just been GLORIOUS the past 2 days.

I wore this bright mini-dress to dinner at our new favorite shore restaurant, Aqua Blu, and it was the perfect compliment to the tan I have been cultivating.

As you can probably tell by now, my beach wardrobe is very different than my classroom wardrobe.  Many of my colleagues complain that they have trouble not looking like a teacher outside of the classroom.  I tell them to begin with pieces that can transition day to night, and go from there.  

Words like strapless, mini, flowy, sky-high, strappy, and flirty are perfect for vacation but are not in my classroom-wear vocabulary.

Lazy Days of Summer

Top:  Madewell (similar for $6!!), Shorts:  Zara (similar here), Shoes:  Zara (similar, loving this low-wedge option), Bag:  Louis Vuitton, Necklace:  Madewell (similar here, here), Watch:  DKNY, Earrings:  gift (similar here), Nails:  Essie 'Borrowed and Blue'

I've been doing a lot of sale shopping lately.  I'm always amazed at how early {usually right around July 4th} stores start to discount their summer stock and actually begin to display their fall lines ~  a bit depressing being reminded that the new school year is right around the corner ~ ahhh! 

I picked up these wedges on sale for under $50 at Zara, and this tank for $10 at Madewell.  I think I can speak for everyone when I say LOVE a good bargain.

So bring on the sales and the new fall stock, but I'm still going to enjoy every minute of my summer vacation!!  

Customized

Dress:  c/o eShakti, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Shoes:  Zara (loving these, and these), Belt:  Anthropologie (old, similar here ~ I turned the flower to back of dress), Earrings:  Anthropologie (similar here), Nails:  Essie 'Borrowed and Blue'

  I was recently introduced to an online boutique called eShakti.  Their concept is different from many online retailers in that they do ready-to-wear and custom orders. I purchase a good amount of my clothes online and end up sending back/exchanging a lot of them because they don't fit.   It's very hard to gauge whether or not something will fit even with a size chart.

I was really pleased with this dress when it came because it was tight through the bodice and still left enough room in the chest area.  It was lightweight and comfortable and was perfect for a shower I attended recently.

This dress is so fun and flirty, I was compelled to twirl around in it!

Use code MA20RGX from now until July 31 on the eShakti website to receive 10% off your entire order {including SALE}!!!

Cobalt

Dress:  Anthropologie, Shoes:  Bebe (old, LOVING this pair), Necklce:  J.Crew (similar here), Watch:  DKNY (similar here)

 

I was drawn to this dress instantly upon spotting it on a mannequin at my local Anthropologie store.  There is something about this amazing cobalt blue color that gets me every time.  If I had to pick one color that works best with my skin-tone/hair color, this would be it.  

When I tried it on, the dress was so light and flowy and has a beautiful attached slip that protects you from having a wind-blown Marilyn moment.  I knew it would be the perfect dress to accompany me to the beach this weekend.

What are your favorite colors to wear?