Monday, June 30, 2014

It's a Date

Top: Anthropologie (similar); Tank: LOFT; Jeans: LOFT (similar); Heels Coclico (similar)
Shades: Prada (similar); Clutch: My Mom's; Bangles: Silpada 1/similar/similar;
 Earrings: Silpada (being retired);
 Lip Color: Ruby Opera L'Oreal Extraordinaire (c/o People Style Watch)

The hubs and I went on a date a couple of weeks ago and it was the first date we've had in I can't remember! We hit the AMC Fork and Screen matinee of Jersey Boys, one of our favorite Broadway shows, and walked away singing all the Frankie Valli classics!

I wanted to look cute for our date and this top immediately came to mind. Remember that post about needing more casual tops? Well, this isn't one I would sport during visits to Deanna Rose or the zoo, but I would wear it to the aquarium, lunches, and dates with my husband! Upon purchase, I envisioned how cute it would look paired with distressed boyfriend jeans. I wasn't wrong! Neutral heels, loads of bangles, and a simple clutch completed the look.



 
 

 What are your go-to pieces for date night? 

Happy Monday!

Friday, June 27, 2014

The Rachel Zoe + Jennifer Meyer Capsule Collection


Earlier this week Rachel Zoe launched the Zoe Collective, a series of limited edition capsule collections designed exclusively for the readers of The Zoe Report. This capsule collection was inspired by Rachel's love of personal jewelry that can be worn daily and designed by the ever chic Jennifer Meyer. 

The collection consisted of nine delicate pieces which were designed around a good luck pendant that Rachel herself owns! There were necklaces, bracelets, and stud earrings based around an elephant with his trunk up, a diamond horseshoe, and lucky eye complete with lashes. And, anyone who was lucky enough to nab one, will have an iconic piece of jewelry in their own collection. 





 This lucky girl was able to grab one of the last Lucky Eye necklaces! I literally placed my order, went back to check out another piece, and the necklace was sold out! I would like to think I ordered the last one, but I'm sure that's not the case. As I type this, the entire collection is sold out, so I know my necklace will bring me the best of luck in the future. Can't wait to see what the next Zoe Collective will offer. No doubt it will be just as maj as Rachel!

Thursday, June 26, 2014

I've Said it Before...

 Tee: J.Crew vie eBay (fun style here); Vest: Old Navy
Boyfriend Jeans: Banana Republic (similar);Sandals: Target (similar); 
Shades: MARC by Marc Jacobs (similar); Handbag: Pour La Victoire (similar); 
Necklace: BaubleBar (similar); 
Lip Color: Ruby Opera L'Oreal Extraordinaire (c/o People Style Watch)

Monday was probably one of the worst days I've had in a very long time. We had our first swimming lesson of the year and I was so excited to get started! McKinley and I have been in parent/tot swimming for the past two years and we've been spending a lot of time at the pool this summer. I just knew it was going to be an awesome session this year. Boy was I wrong! He cried the entire time. I removed him from the class with 10 minutes left and made him sit and watch the other students while they continued to learn. Definitely not the perfect lesson I had built up in my mind!

The day didn't get all that better. I was incredibly emotional all day, on the brink of tears for most of it. After showering the horrible lesson off, I found this tee to be perfect appropriate. Like I've said before... Well, just see below.




The Top: Before and After

http://akstylemyway.blogspot.com/2014/03/nobodys-perfect.html

 

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

In a Rush

Dress: McCalls Pattern (similar styles 1/2/3); Handbag: Balenciaga (simiar);
 Shades: ULTA;Sandals: Tory Burch; Lip Color: Jane "Make a Difference" Lip Gloss; 
Earrings: BaublesbyAndrea

 I met a girlfriend for coffee last week and was in a rush to find something to wear. Earlier in the day I was wearing this top with cute shorts, but by the time late afternoon hit, I was a wrinkled mess! There was no way I was meeting a friend looking like a slob.

I rummaged through my closet looking for something cool and appropriate and found this dress. I had all but forgotten about it! We had this dress made from a McCalls pattern by Hilary Duff over five years ago. We modified the pattern by making it a maxi and adding pockets. I love pockets! This is one of my favorite dresses and so glad I rediscovered it for summer!





 


What's the first thing you grab when in a hurry? I love simple pieces, like this dress, that take little thought to style. Perfect for when I'm in a rush!

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

I Am in Love

Top: J.Crew; Pants: H&M; Bag: My Mom's; Sandals: Sam & Libby for Target (similar);
Bracelets: J.Crew 1/similar; Watch: Emporio Armani (gift); Earcuff: BaubleBar

Last week I had dinner with Caitlyn to discuss blogging, but what we actually talked about was everything but! I love evenings like that! And I've loved getting to know her even more. Definite long term girlfriend material in that girl!

Remember that quick jaunt I made into H&M last week? These pants were another find and I am in love! That's right, I am in love with a pair of pants. They are so comfy, so chic, and I can't wait to wear them again. However, with all that love came pain with styling them. The cream was off just enough with every other piece of cream I paired them with. So I went with navy instead. Definitely one of my favorite looks to date!


Because of all the amazing embellishments throughout the top, I really wanted to go light on jewels. And, because I had left over ponytail hair, I created a quick updo and added my awesome BaubleBar earcuff. Isn't that piece amazing!?!


 
 

These pants are perfect for summer with all those outdoor cookouts, evening strolls after dinners out, or when you just want to throw something on at the last minute. Again, I am in love!

Monday, June 23, 2014

It's a Bird!

Top: H&M (shop local store); Tank: Banana Republic (similar); Boyfriend Jeans: Ann Taylor;
Flats: Tory Burch; Handbag: Pour La Victoire (similar); Shades: ULTA (similar); 
Necklace: Jane Basch

On a fountain tour of the Plaza with my son last week, I stopped in H&M on our to the car. Since I was shopping with a three year old, there wasn't much time to actually look around, let alone try anything on! I tried this little top on, over what I was wearing, figuring if it fit over that it would fit over anything!

I wore this last weekend for Father's Day. I wanted something cute, comfy, and cool and I think this totally fit all three requirements. I am in love with this top and I'm sure you can guess why. It has birds on it! I'm a huge fan of birds in print and this one is a great addition to my collection 1/2/3.




 


Hope you're having a stylin' Monday!
XOXO

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Beauty Brands - Annual Liter Sale


Did you just come home from the pool, wash your hair, and then reach for your favorite conditioner only to find that it was completely empty? Did you just get your hair colored only to come home from the salon to find you are out of your must-have color treated shampoo? I hate it when both of these things happen and they seem to happen at about the same time.

Lucky for us, all BeautyBrands locations are featuring their Annual Liter Sale starting June 22, with over 150 top salon brand favorites – for only $12.99 per liter bottle! That means up to $41 in savings per purchase on your favorite brands. Don't know if your favorite brand applies? Head over to their site for a full list! Off the top of my head I'm thinking Bed Head, Amika, Hempz, Kenra, AG, Big Sexy Hair, and Redken for sure. This deal only comes around once a year, so stock up!  The Liter Sale is happening June 22 through – August 2.

My only question for you is, how many liters are you going to buy? See you in the checkout line! 

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Casual Dress

Dress: Jacqueline Smith for Kmart (similar); Jacket: My Mom's (similar); Belt: Target;
Sandal: Tory Burch; Handbag: Pour la Victoire (similar); Shades: Ulta (similar);
Necklace: My Mom's

As I typed last Friday's post regarding being on the hunt for casual dresses, I decided to pull this one out. I feel like it's harder to re-style because it's black and white and a maxi dress. Not much that can be mixed up here. 

This time around I ditched the self-belt and added my neon yellow version and I think it helped brighten it up. I reached for my cropped denim jacket and leather flip flops for a more casual look. I definitely will keep this dress in the rotation for summer!



The Dress: Before and After

http://akstylemyway.blogspot.com/2012/06/do-you-know-jaqueline-smith.html
 



Tuesday, June 17, 2014

KC Blogger Meetup - Inside Amigoni Urban Winery



Last Thursday evening I attended my first KC Blogger Meetup with some of my fellow local bloggers and I had a blast! It was held at the rustic Amigoni Urban Winery and I am in love with this place! I can't wait to wrangle up my girlfriends and head down to the West Bottoms for a fun happy hour. Check out their site for the story behind the winery. It's rather impressive!



Not only was there an incredible spread of food and treats from Urban Table, but there were also giveaways based on a cute "Getting to Know You" contest. A giftcard to create-your-own clutch from Maddy Nash, a bottle of wine from Amigoni, 10 complimentary Thank You notes from Tiny Prints, giftcards for a blow out from Parlor (a place I'm dying to check out), and so much more!


Just one of the darling nooks inside Amigoni. I loved that there was a table with a Scrabble board!



How cute is this little photo booth that they created? The flowers were re-created from an Anthropologie event that was held last month. So cute!


Thank You notes from Tiny Prints.

  
 Here we are at the photo booth! From left: Annie from History and High Heels, Lauren from Classy and Fab Girl, Caitlin from Gussied Up, and me! These girls are seriously awesome and I'm not including myself!


Such a fun evening with fabulous girls! The atmosphere was perfect for an evening out on the town!

Monday, June 16, 2014

Abstract Sunflower

 Top: Piperlime (similar/on sale); Tank: LOFT; Skirt: Tibi via Gilt; Heels: Jimmy Choo (similar);
Handbag: Balenciaga (similar); Bracelets: J.Crew 1/(similar); Rings: Gorjana via Gilt;
Shades: Tom Ford
  
Last week I attended my first KCBlogger Meetup and I had so much fun! The event was held at the Amigoni Urban Winery in the West Bottoms and the space was amazing. I can't wait to share all the details with you later in the week! Because it was such a special event, I wanted to create the perfect look.

When this Tibi skirt first reared it's head on Gilt a couple of months ago, my size was immediately sold out, so I added it to my waitlist. Thinking it would never get returned, I had all but forgotten about it. That is, until I received a notification that it was available. It was a no brainer. I had to get it. But once it was time to style it, I was stumped. Thank goodness for this lace top from Joie. It has been one of the best investments. I feel like I've been saying that a lot about several pieces in my closet, but when you find pieces that work, you wear them. Over, and over, and over....



Worn un-tucked, this top was way to boxy, but once I tucked it in, it changed everything! I love it! Because the skirt is such a powerful design, all other elements needed to be simple. Gold jewels, black patten leather pumps, and over-sized shades completely the look.




It was so great meeting other bloggers, chatting about their passions, sharing ideas, and meeting new friends. I can't wait for the next meetup to see the gals again and to get inspired all over again.

A special thank you to Caitlin over at Gussied Up for taking this pics. I loved your encouragement during the shoot!