Back To Basics

Top:  Free People, Jeans:  AG via Anthropologie, Sunnies:  Le Specs c/o SunglassesShop

Sometimes it's best to stick to the basics.  Especially on a chilly evening down the shore {and by chilly I mean under 80}.  

I purchased this Free People tank a few weeks ago and, I kid you not, have not taken it off since.  I bought in a few colors {seen here in black} because I love the relaxed fit, high neckline, the ribbing, and the racerback.  Like I always say, you can never have too much of a good thing ~ when it comes to wardrobe basics this is especially true.

How fabulous are these sunnies?  It's hard to tell from the picture but they're actually a twofer ~ I turn my head one way and they're violet and the other way, turquoise!  Sunglassesshop.com not only offers a fabulous choice of LeSpecs, but they carry a variety of the most coveted luxury brand sunglasses. 

Be sure to stay tuned because I may or may not have a sunglasses giveaway coming up later this week!

Sun-Kissed

Top:  Madewell (old, similar here, here), Skort:  Zara (identical one here under $25!!), Shoes:  Steve Madden (another great option here), Bag:  Forever 21 (similar here, here), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

Hello and happy Monday!  Sorry for the short hiatus.  I've been SUPER busy lately {which is ironic since I'm a teacher and it's the summer} working on something that I hope to be able to share with you all soon!  

I have, however, been at the beach every weekend.  Ok, maybe my legs aren't just sun-kissed, they look more like the Jersey Shore special.  Better up my SPF from 30 to 70 and get an umbrella!

First Mate

Top:  H&M (similar here, here, here), Shorts:  Zara (old, similar here), Shoes:  Tory Burch, Bag:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

Whenever my husband mentions going for a boat ride, I automatically go into nautical mode.  Maybe I went a little overboard with the stripes, sailor shorts and espadrilles, but I thought I looked very sailor chic.  Just call me Captain {I'll settle for first mate}!

Restore the Shore

Dress:  Zara (love this one, similar here) Shoes:  Zara (identical here,  similar here, here), Necklace:  Panacea, Bag:  Forever 21 (similar here)

My husband and I have been trying to spend as much time as possible down the shore ~ not only because we love the beach, but also because he is rebuilding my uncle's beach house that was destroyed during Sandy.  It's encouraging week-to-week to see the wonderful progress that is being made all along the coastline.

Although we were down this past weekend, these pictures were snapped a few weeks ago.  I didn't post right away because I felt you all needed a breather from this necklace.  Truth is, I wear it ALL THE TIME.  It goes with everything and really makes an outfit.  Simple black dress bumped up a notch with this stunning statement piece.

What are your favorite summer accessories?

Linked up to CB&BP and FaceIt Catalog

Flirt In A Skirt

Tee:  J.Crew, Skirt:  Forever 21 (old, similar here, LOVE this one), Shoes:  Zara (old, similar here), Bag:  Forever 21 (similar here, LOVE this scalloped satchel)

Yup, I'm totally flirting with my handsome photographer!

Have a great weekend everyone ~ stay cool!!

Pickie + Win A $500 Shopping Spree

Blazer:  Zara (old, similar here, LOVE this one), Dress:  Forever 21 (old, great alternative here, similar here, here), , Shoes:  Zara (identical under 20!!), Clutch:  Etsy (similar here, and here on sale)

These pictures were snapped last week ~ I wouldn't be seen dead wearing a blazer over a dress this week. Two words:  HEAT, WAVE.

Anywho, I was recently introduced to Pickie, a new shopping app that I'm excited to share with you today.  I know you are thinking, {because my first thought was the same} there are TONS of shopping apps out there and do I really need another reason to spend money?? Touche, but the concept behind Pickie sets it apart from many others.

Pickie is a personalized shopping magazine for fashion, beauty & home goods.  In Pickie you can personalize your catalog by selecting themes within categories, and each day you'll get an 'edition' of products & content that's tailored to your taste.  Everything you see you can buy without leaving the app.  If you wish to see more options you can search to see everything in their catalog and filter by price, brand, etc.  One-stop-shopping!

Toady I've teamed up with Pickie to promote their Summer Style Makeover Campaign {click to see my top 6 summer picks}.  The best part?  If you sign up today HERE you will be entered to win a $500 shopping spree ~ that'll seriously jump start your back to school shopping ~ good luck!

* This giveaway is operated by and created for Pickie, who accept sole responsibility for providing the $500 shopping spree.

Linked up to Fashion & Beauty Finds :: Keeping it Casual and Mix&Match Fashion and Trend Spin

Black and Neon

Top:  Free People, Shorts:  J.Crew ~ on sale! (similar option here), Shoes:  Zara (great option here, here, here), Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Nails (fingers & toes):  Essie "Blanc"

It has been super-hot in NJ so I have been wearing as little as possible.  I found this tank at Free People and I think I'm in love.  Possibly the best tank ever created ~ it's light and flowy and I love the high neck/racerback detail.  I purchased it in several colors and am so happy I did because I have worn the black one almost every day for a week straight {good thing I have others for when I need to take it off to wash it}.

I thought I had waited too long to take pictures when I snapped these the other day at dusk, but the shorts are so bright, they almost glow in the dark!

Day Dreaming

Dress:  J.Crew (old, see this year's identical J.Crew Factory version), Shoes:  Joie ~ on sale!, Bag:  c/o GiGi New York, Bracelet:  c/o InPink

These flats are very appropriately named "Day Dreaming" because they had been stuck in my mind since the minute I first laid eyes on them.  I finally bit the bullet ~ purchased them from the Piperlime sale ~ and haven't taken them off since.  Now I can day dream while wearing my "Day Dreaming" flats ~ Ha!

Red Hot

Dress:  Anthropologie (very old, similar here, a little pricier here, under $50 here), Shoes:  Steve Madden, Bag:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), Earrings:  Unknown (similar here, here, here)

I bought this dress years ago for my husband's ten-year high school reunion and it's definitely proven to be one of my better purchases.  Although it's not a dress that I wear every day, it's something I find a reason to wear at least once a year.  I never tire of it and it makes me feel very girlie and special every time I put it on.

My husband took me to a fancy dinner the other night and I thought it was the perfect excuse to wear it.  I paired it with my favorite earrings of all time, and the coral/turquoise was the perfect compliment to the vibrant frock.

I wanted to say thank you to Jan of Your Next Handbag for selecting me as a top 10 blogger for the month of June ~ see the lovely feature HERE.

Happy hump day everyone!

Linked up to The Pleated Poppy and Because Shanna Said So.

Embriodered

Dress:  Zara (old, similar here, here, LOVE this one), Shoes:  Zara (old, great alternative here, here), Bag:  Forever 21, Belt:  Forever 21(similar)

I had a fabulous long weekend this past weekend filled with fun and festivities, fireworks, friends, and family.  

My mother bought me this dress last year and I was never 100% sure about it.  I do not do well with shapeless dresses.  I have such a slender, boyish figure that they usually don't do much for me.  I was about to list it on eBay when I thought 'let me just see how it looks belted'.  So happy that I tried it before listing because I just love the way it looks.  It gives the dress a more casual look.  I'll definitely be wearing this cute summery number to some showers I have coming up! 

Baby, You're A Firework

Tank:  James Perse, Skirt:  Francesca's Collection (old, cute option here), Nails:  Essie "Camera"

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July.  Independence day is probably my favorite holiday after Christmas.  My husband and I usually spend the weekend down the shore with friends, but since the area surrounding our shore house is still pretty devastated, we decided to stay local this year.  

We went to visit my mother yesterday and watched the NYC fireworks from her Brooklyn rooftop.  It was such a beautiful and clear night.  We had a great time.  The rest of the weekend will be one big party at the lake with friends and family.  

How are you spending this nice LONG holiday weekend?

Smooches

Top:  J.Crew ~ almost sold out online (love this seahorse top, similar pricy option here), Skirt:  H&M (old, loving this one, similar here), Shoes:  Steve Madden, Clutch:  c/o GiGi New York, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban, Earrings:  Gift from my grandmother (similar here)

I've been wearing a lot of blue and white lately.  I guess I would consider them my go-to summer colors.

I had my eye on this seahorse tee for a while before I finally decided to purchase.  I snagged it on sale last week for under $20 ~ too good to resist!

When I brought it home my husband said it looks like something my grandmother would have packed to take with her to Florida for the winter.  Had me in hysterics ~ I wonder sometimes where he comes up with this stuff?!?  Gotta love a guy's opinion about women's fashion!

Guest Post

Hello and happy Monday readers!  Just a quick preview today because I'm guest blogging over at House of Jeffers while my fellow NJ girl, Jen, is enjoying some R&R in Cape Cod.  Stop by her blog  HERE to check out the full post!

Top:  J.Crew (old, LOVE this peplum version), Jeans:  Henry & Belle c/o PB&J Boutique, Shoes:  Zara (similar here), Necklace:  Panacea, Clutch:  Etsy (old, ssimilar here), Nails:  Essie "Blanc"