starfish jewels

Nordstrom headband (loving this one) | Ray-Ban sunglasses | Paige denim shorts (similar) | custom sandals | Longchamp bag

I made sure to pack plenty of summer staples for a weekend on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. All weekend I was in my swimsuit, dresses, shorts, and sandals. I know back home Labor Day has already happened, but summer weather is still going strong here, and I will for sure milk it as long as I can! Being by the beach, I wore my starfish jeweled headband and a new pair of custom made starfish sandals from Capri. I'll post photos from the weekend of all the gorgeous beaches, houses, and flowers as soon as I can.

Can it just be summer forever?

xo-ally

farmer's market

Harding Lane hat | J. Crew t-shirt (similar) | Rock & Republic shorts | Sperry boat shoes | Michael Kors watch | Swank bracelets | Nordstrom earrings

I went to the Farmer's Market with my dad yesterday and picked up this lovely bouquet of flowers for only $5! We also got some local veggies and chocolate, so it was a win all around. This casual ensemble was a great, comfortable outfit to wear walking around outside. My happy shark hat - that's what I call it :) - also shaded my eyes so I didn't even need sunglasses.

I also saw We're The Millers, did some work for my new job, and a lot of relaxing these past two days. What did you do this weekend?

xo-ally

subtle floral

J. Crew top | Swank shorts (similar) | Nordstrom sunglasses (similar) | Kate Spade bag (similar) | Michael Kors watch |  Nordstrom orange bangle | Henri Bendel yellow bracelet | Tory Burch sandals (close-toed flats) | Max & Chloe necklace

Today's outfit subtly mixes floral on the lace shorts, gold bag, and bangle. With the similar tones of gold and orange, it all works and makes the different sized florals go together. I love my J. Crew peplum top because it really can pull any outfit together (it is also SO comfortable). And I was excited to add my new neon sailor knot bracelet from Bendels! I got the bracelet at the Bendels summer sale in New York a couple weeks ago. Even though it's both neon and nautical, I have a feeling this bracelet will carry through to fall.

More ways to wear it....
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has only a few days left, and there are some great floral pieces on sale to choose from. First, I adore this hot pink floral pencil skirt from Kate Spade. It's $198, a hundred dollars less than the original price, but still a little spendy (for me at least!)
Floral tights add coverage to basic dresses and skirts in the cooler seasons, but still make the outfit interesting. This pair comes in black and a reddish-purple. There is also plus size available as well.
I couldn't resist adding this pair of bright, floral jeans to the list. I know, I know, they're very summer-y (and Kate Spade, again), but...they're wearable into September and you can save them for spring? Think of it as a future investment in next year's spring break wardrobe! :)

xo-ally

whales!

J. Crew sweater (similar sweater, solid) (similar print, tee) | Nordstrom sunglasses | Sanctuary jeans | Tory Burch sandals (similar, great year-round option) | Michael Kors watch | J. Crew yellow bracelet (similar) | Swank silver bracelets | Color Club "Disco Dress" nail polish

How adorable are these little whales?! It was a chilly Seattle morning, so I threw on my new critter sweater I've been wanting to wear :) Pairing it with white skinnies and metallic sandals made it still feel like summer despite the cool breeze. The sweater is a little sheer due to its lightweight feel, so I'd recommend a navy cami (like this one from Nordstrom) if you wouldn't want a different color to show through (I wore a white cami underneath).

To bring this look into fall I'd swap the bright white denim for a pair of off-white cords or tuck the sweater into distressed skinny jeans with a classic, brown leather belt.

xo-ally

red, white, and blue in the garden

Ray-Ban sunglasses| J. Crew top (not available, loving this one) | Aldo sandals | J. Crew skirt (similar) | Max & Chloe necklace | Michael Kors watch | Swank bracelets, silver | Nordstrom faux pearl earrings | Nordstrom bracelet, navy | Nail polish: Color Club "Disco Dress" | Lips: Mally Lip Magnifier

Today's outfit is a repeat of what I wore on the Fourth of July -- I didn't have a chance to photograph it then, so I decided to pull it back out. If you can't tell, I've been gravitating toward stripes lately :) as well as red and white! Haha, I just can't get enough of it I guess. If my next job had a professional dress code like my last one, I'd even consider this red and white skirt from J. Crew factory. Yeah, okay, maybe I should hold off on the stripes.

I got my nails done today and chose this bright but deep purple. At first I was afraid it would be a little too "teen punk rock princess" but liked the shade so stuck with it. Now I'm regretting not doing a different color (baby blue or bright pink)! I know, I know it's a major #firstworldproblem...

On another note, I was browsing around online and came across this photo of Disney Princess-inspired engagement rings! How adorable.

My favorite is Ariel's, followed by Cinderella's. Which one is your favorite?

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 - outfit crush

It is no secret that I absolutely love spring and summer fashion. I also love pretty much anything that Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf has worn, especially her Hamptons outfits in Season 2. When I saw that this week's Friday's Fancies theme with long distance loving was Outfit Crush, I couldn't resist using Blair's summer style as inspiration! From Milly and Lilly P to Prada and Chanel, take a look at the mint and pink outfit I recreated plus some extra inspiration below.

Top outfit info: printed lilly wedges, kate spade pink handbag, mint dress, beach cruiser bike, gold necklace <this is the exact one! I've been looking for years! However it costs $1,500...

Other items: blue lilly pulitzer dress, prada sunglasses, milly pink rose skirt, milly green sheath dress, white, buckle belt, pucci straw tote, jewel headband, summer bangles

The snow outside already has me dreaming of warmer days, and this post definitely makes me want to leap ahead to spring break!

xo-ally

[photos from here, here, and here]

straw hat and orange flats

Sweater, colorful bracelets: Nordstrom sweater  bracelets Shorts: Rock & Republic (old) similar Flats: Target Hat: H&M (old) similar Watch: Michael Kors Ring: Kate Spade (old) similar Sunglasses: Chanel 

Belt: American Eagle Black bracelets: Forever 21 Nail polish: O.P.I. "DS Glow"

Still warm. Still wearing shorts. :) Going to go lay out in the sun in a bit to read and relax - should probably do some homework, too... short post today!

xo-ally

camano island, washington

Cardigan: Madewell Headband: Lacoste Tank: Forever 21 Shorts: Rock & Republic (old) similar pair Flip flops: Havianas Sunglasses: Chanel

Dance Team retreat at Camano Island

We turned off our phones for the whole weekend

Already loving this year's team

Haha haha haha

My Dance Team initiation sashes throughout the years (and my bday one!)

xo-ally

turquoise on turquoise on turquoise

Shirt: Free People (similar) Shorts: Paige Denim (similar)Sandals: Dolce Vita (similar) Sunglasses: Chanel Earrings: New Look (London) Watch: Michael Kors (newer version) Bracelets: Forever 21

Turquoise high-low shirt. Turquoise Sandals. Turquoise toenails.

It's been a turquoise kind of day.

Fall seems to be heading our way sooner. It's really chilly in the shade but hot in the sun. I've seen quite the mix of outfits these past couple of days - some people are still wearing shorts and sandals (like me) and others are in tights, boots, scarves, and jackets.

When it's 75 degrees and sunny, it's a little cooler than summer...but I know frigid winter temps will be here sooner than I know it. So I'm easing into the fall transition with my long sleeves and sandals.

xo-ally

neon high-low dress

Dress, necklaces: H&M (similar material, different color/style) Sunglasses: Chanel Bracelets: Juicy Couture Sandals: Tory Burch (similar)

High-low is super trendy this season, and to be honest, I'm not that much of a fan. I have two shirts that are high-low that I like, but I don't think high-low skirts or dresses are really my style. I did, however, pick up this dress at H&M earlier this summer and it has a high-low hem. I don't mind it too much - mostly because I LOVE the color and material - and figure that when high-low exits trendiness, I can have a tailor even it out for me.

I really like how there's a solid slip built in underneath the outer layer. I can see the pattern from the longer part of the outer layer in my shadow when I'm walking around :)

xo-ally

hues of blue, and a bow

Shirt: American Eagle Tank, belt: Nordstrom Shorts: J. Crew Sandals: Tory Burch Watch: Michael Kors Sunglasses: Chanel

Happy Thursday-almost-weekend-day!

Short post because I am about to leave to start horseback riding classes. I'm so excited :) I haven't taken riding lessons since I was 7 years old so this will be interesting. And (I hope) fun!

xo-ally

labor day

Shorts: J. Crew Checkered shirt: Forever 21 Headband: Lacoste Shoes: Sperry

This post is going up so late because I was debating whether or not I wanted to put my outfit photo up! I'm kind of squinting and my shirt looks funny...whatever. I am wearing patriotic colors complete with my new glitter Sperrys so I thought it was deserving of a post!

Happy Labor Day! Enjoy the last few minutes of the weekend!

xo-ally

bright green chino shorts

Shorts: J. Crew Tank: Nordstrom Belt, bracelet: Forever 21 (similar bracelet) Shoes: New Look London (similar)Ring: Kate Spade Sunglasses: Chanel

I got these bright green chino shorts from J. Crew last weekend and I love them! They definitely take center stage, so I kept my top and shoes neutral. But I didn't want to shy too much from color, so I added a matching green bangle with a belt and ring to complete the look. 

I know fall fashion is everywhere, but summer is still going strong! I'm going to soak up summer as long as I can. And that means wearing bright-colored shorts. :)

xo-ally