mean girls monday: week 5

Tobi dress

Kate Spade book clutch

Macy's white gold hoop earrings

ASOS heeled sandals

It's the last week of #MeanGirlsMonday and I went with the quote from the scene when Gretchen Weiners had finally "cracked." Gretchen confided in Cady that Regina once told her that she couldn't wear hoop earrings anymore. When Gretchen got a pair of really expensive white gold hoops for Hanukkah, she had to pretend like she didn't even like them! Since that was so sad, I wanted to make an outfit for Gretchen that included the white gold hoops she never got to wear. The purple dress mimics her top from the scene, and since they had just been in class (we should totally just stab Caesar!), I added this fun book clutch  from Kate Spade.

"There's a Mean Girls quote for everything," I like to say. To celebrate the movie's 10 year anniversary (it came out on April 30, 2004), I'm doing a series on Sunny Sweetheart called Mean Girls Monday, where I share an outfit inspired by a quote from the movie! While the classic quotes are 2004, the outfit will be "updated" to make it look fashionable in 2014.

For previous #MeanGirlsMonday outfits:

Week 4: "She came all the way from Africa!" "I'm from Michigan." "....Great."

Week 3: "Sweatpants are all that fit me right now." "You can't sit with us!"

Week 2: "I saw Cady Heron wearing army pants and flip flops so I bought army pants and flip flops."

Week 1: "Get in loser, we're going shopping."

mean girls monday: week 1

Wildfox t-shirt | ASOS skirt | Max & Chloe ring and bangle | Kate Spade initial charm bracelet | Kate Spade pumps | Betsey Johnson handbag

Today marks the first edition of Mean Girls Monday and I am very excited to share with you my outfit inspired by the quote, "Get in loser, we're going shopping." I couldn't resist the super trendy "shopping is my cardio" tee from Wildfox, and added "Mean Girls" elements like a pink flare skirt, pointed pumps, and personalized jewelry. Little bows on the handbag and the pumps add an extra girly touch to the outfit. This is something I could see a 2014 Regina George wearing, don't you think?

"There's a Mean Girls quote for everything," I like to say. To celebrate the movie's 10 year anniversary (it came out on April 30, 2004), I'm doing a series on Sunny Sweetheart called Mean Girls Monday, where I share an outfit inspired by a quote from the movie! While the classic quotes are 2004, the outfit will be "updated" to make it look fashionable in 2014. Check back for next week's Mean Girls Monday with a new outfit inspired by one of the iconic quotes!

xo-ally

spend vs. save: midi skirts

I've been a fan of midi skirts since they resurfaced on the runways in the past couple of years, but have yet to try one for myself. I feel like they're somewhat hard to find, but maybe it's because the kind I'm lusting for are the colorful, full midis and not the slimmer-fit calf skimmers. A big, billowy skirt and a pair of heels would be enough to make me feel like a princess for a day, and luckily not blow my budget - thanks to some budget-friendly options. Here are a couple of beautiful, higher priced midis and a few of their less-expensive counterparts (plus, how to wear them).

SPEND:

alice + olivia - $395 (on sale for $277!)

Tibi - $395

SAVE:

Topshop - $96

ASOS - $51 

Space 46 Boutique - $92

HOW TO WEAR IT:

jacket, skirt, top, clutch, sandals

I'm in love with this tulle midi skirt. The princess-y feel of the skirt calls for balancing out the look with an edgier motorcycle jacket and a mock neck crop top. A bright envelope clutch adds some much needed color and the heeled sandals (always wear heels with midi skirts) add some height and make the legs look taller despite the skirt's longer hem.

xo-ally

friday's fancies: color crush

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with Long Distance Loving is color crush. I've been loving all the beautiful emerald green clothing I've been seeing in the store windows in Florence and am excited to incorporate Pantone's Color of the Year into my outfits this fall and winter. I love the two dresses below, and the outfit from the Twin-Set lookbook!

dress (left), dress (middle), outfit (right)

xo-ally

friday's fancies: work wear

I haven't had a chance to partake in Friday's Fancies with Long Distance Loving for a couple weeks, but am excited to be back this week! The theme is work wear. While I currently wear whatever for my current job, over the summer the dress code for my job in DC/NYC was business casual.

dress, blazer, bag, necklace, watch, shoes

I am lusting over that bright pink Milly dress! Anything bright pink catches my eye. A watch is a necessary component to any work outfit, and this Kate Spade one is simple but still pretty.

xo-ally

friday's fancies - summer treat

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with Long Distance Loving is summer treat. I can't wait to get to Italy in just a little over a week and get some gelato! I can taste the delicious-ness by thinking of it. Here is my outfit inspired by strawberry and raspberry flavored gelato:

photo credits: one, two

jacket, dress, pumps, watch, clutch

I like how the dress and suede pumps make the outfit dressy, but the moto jacket adds a hint of edge. Since the jacket is white, it makes the outfit summery and works better with the girliness of the rest of the outfit. I adore the cork and gold clutch, which goes well with the gold Juicy watch!

xo-ally

current favorites: printed skirts

I'm loving printed skirts these days, and there are so many on the market to choose from. With either a solid or printed top, there are plenty of mix-and-match options, making multiple outfits out of one skirt. Here are my current favorite printed skirts for both day and night:

For day, left to right: River Island Printed Flippy Skirt ($42), Sail With Me Skirt ($44), Milly 'Combo' Print Miniskirt ($195)

For night, left to right: Born to Shimmer Skirt ($46), Sequin Embellished Miniskirt ($60), Embellished Miniskirt ($59-on sale!), Printed Sequin Embellished Skirt ($50)

My top pick of all of these has to be the red, white, and blue skirt by Milly (top right). I can't resist a red and blue combination!

The tribal printed sequin mini (second from the left, bottom row) was also worn by Desiree on this season of The Bachelorette. When I was watching that episode all I could think of was how cute that skirt was!

Side note -- who can't wait for the season finale of The Bachelorette?!

As for shoe pairings for the skirts, I could see strappy sandals working well for the picks for day. I like this pair and this pair for all three of them. A pair of Jack Rogers sandals would also look lovely with the Milly skirt. For the night skirt picks, this pair of neutral, ankle strap heels would look fabulous.

xo-ally

summer white on white

J. Crew skirt (no longer available, but this one looks breezy and perfect, and is on sale!) | Subdued sheer top (from Italy, similar here) | Stella & Dot necklace | Forever 21 green bangle (similar) | Report flats | Ray-Ban sunglasses | Longchamp bag

Today's post features a lovely, summer outfit I wore on my last day of work, which was also my last day wearing "relaxed professional." This look is more laid back than a typical pencil skirt and a blazer, but with the 100+ degree temperature in New York the thought of wearing a black-on-black pencil skirt and blazer seemed a little daunting. The white-on-white kept me cool while also allowing the bright pops of color to really stand out.

Whether it's for work or for play, an all white outfit creates a clean, pretty palette for other colors to stand out and is a refreshing switch-up from basic black. If you're thinking of adding a LWD (little white dress) to your work wardrobe, I'd recommend this one or this one (of course this depends on office dress codes). I also think this collared top would look lovely tucked into this white J. Crew skirt, with this gorgeous, colorful statement necklace underneath the buttoned up collar. 

xo-ally

friday's fancies - tanked!

This week's Friday's Fancies with Long Distance Loving is tanked! While I wear tank tops literally all year round (layered, of course, in the winter), the middle of the summer is the perfect time to go sleeveless and show off those bronzed shoulders!

tank, pants, handbag, bracelet, watch, sandals

This tank from Asos is super trendy so I paired it with classic, red skinny pants and neutral colored accessories. The colors work really well together and all play off the fun print on the tank. This outfit would be perfect for brunch or an evening around town. For work, swap out the sandals for a pair of pumps and top it off with a blazer. And aren't you just swooning over this Michael Kors bag?! Since a Celine is currently out of my budget, I'm actually seriously considering MK's take on the similar silhouette.

xo-ally

friday's fancies - winning in white

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with Long Distance Loving is winning in white. I love a great pair of white jeans - it creates the perfect canvas for bright, summer colors! The blue in the bracelet helps bring out the pale mint in the tank, and the red hair bow adds some more color. And how cute are the sailboat shoes?

tank, jeans, bow, blue bracelet, bracelet stack, shoes

xo-ally

friday's fancies - nice + neon

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with long distance loving is nice + neon. I'm loving neon, and my "travel bug" has been acting up lately - these past few days I've been dreaming about the French Riviera and how badly I want to visit! Nice is a beach city on the Mediterranean Sea. I thought there could be no more perfect way to use this week's FF theme with a neon outfit inspired by Nice, France.

[photos found on pinterest]

tank, pants, hat, bracelets, sunglasses, shoes

xo-ally

PS - the social media buttons on the side are now fixed! YAYY :D

friday's fancies - project polka dot

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with long distance loving is Project Polka Dot. I love the black and white polka dot sweater so I built an outfit around it! The peplum top and scallop shorts make the outfit a little less casual but not too dressy. The trendy sunglasses, bold bangles, statement necklace, and bright nail polish complete the look!

top, shorts, sandals, necklace, bracelets, sweater, nail polish, sunglasses

xo-ally

friday's fancies - pretty in pastels

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with long distance loving is pretty in pastels. This light yellow lace dress is classic and pretty, and goes well with stack of pastel bangles. The bright pink shoes add even more color!

dress, pink bracelet, mint bracelet, yellow bracelet, shoes

xo-ally

friday's fancies - st. patrick's day

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with long distance loving is St. Patrick's Day. I don't know if I will be celebrating this year since it's the Sunday night before school starts again post-spring break, but I normally love finding fun green pieces to add to my outfit!

Since I am currently without PhotoShop for the next couple of days (don't have wi-fi on vacation right now) here is a fabulous, green, sparkly dress I would LOVE to wear if I were celebrating!

 Dress from Asos

 

xo-ally

color block and polka dots

You can color block it or polka dot it - either way, you're sure to make a statement with these button-up shirts, currently my favorite trend for the upcoming season.

From left, clockwise: b&w polka dots, peach color block, b&w piping, peach & pink piping, b&w polka dots with orange , yellow color block, mint and white polka dots

My favorite is the black and white polka dot button-up with the orange collar. Which is your favorite?

xo-ally

OH, and our #2 Zags just beat BYU. It was HUGE! It was close for a little, but our trusty bulldogs pulled it out. One more game against Portland on Saturday, and hopefully the road to #1 will be complete! :D

friday's fancies - new year's finest

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with long distance loving is New Year's Finest. I can't believe it's almost 2013!!! When I think of New Year's attire, the typical black or gold sequined body-con dress with a fur vest comes to mind. Here's a fun, totally glam outfit to wear while ringing in the new year that stands out from the black-and-gold crowd:

dress, heels, large clutch, necklace, black and cream bracelets, pink bracelet

xo-ally

outfit inspired by blair waldorf's wedding dress

I was very pleased with the series finale of Gossip Girl. In my opinion, it was the perfect ending to my favorite show. (Read a recap of the finale here.) Gossip Girl has been known for its fashion ever since it first aired six years ago, and the finale did not disappoint! Below is an outfit inspired by Blair's Elie Saab wedding dress.

dress, headband, earrings, bracelet, shoes

I could see this outfit worn to a fun party! I wanted to bring in Upper East Side shopping by choosing a headband from Bendels and strappy heels from Bergdorfs. Oh, am I going to miss this show now that it's over! Good thing it's on Netflix. :)

xo-ally

PS - see costume designer Eric Dahman's favorite Blair outfits of all time here

top image photos from here and here

friday's fancies - pretty in plaid [and a day late!]

I totally spaced on Friday's Fancies yesterday. Yesterday was an interesting day - I had gone to a meeting at 7am (running on less than 5 hours of sleep...) and then came home and had the longest nap ever. I slept for three hours! When I woke up it felt like a different day. Finals are starting to get to me...Anyways, this week's theme with long distance loving is Pretty in Plaid. Here is my outfit:

Button-down, Belt, Fox Gloves, Boots, Sweater, Parka, Jeans

xo-ally

friday's fancies: dress yourself

This week's Friday's Fancies with long distance loving is dress yourself - basically anything that's "totally you." I'm definitely a girly girl and love anything bright-colored, with sparkles, and fun! I put together an outfit (really quick - got busy today!) with a red mini dress, heels, and accessories from my wish list. Now if I had a sparkly headband to add to this outfit, it would be complete!

dress, heels, earrings, handbag, necklace, nail polish, bracelet

xo-ally

friday's fancies - #100 celebration

I'm happy to partake in long distance loving's #100th Friday's Fancies! (Congrats, girl!) Here is a fun celebration ensemble:

dress, blazer, earrings, heels

xo-ally