Summer Shopping

With all of the house excitement, I have very much neglected my closet. Before we moved out, I did a huge closet clean-out of clothes that didn't fit, I didn't wear, or I didn't like. What I didn't think about was the fact that it would leave me with a steady rotation of 2-3 tops and a dress or two for summer...and that's it. 

Thankfully, there are tons of sales happening this weekend, so I am using that to my advantage. I'm scooping up basics and neutrals for summer that I can mix up with accessories to make them unique. Below are a few of the items that I grabbed (all from J.Crew Factory's 50% off sale or Loft's 40% off sale). Are you doing any shopping this weekend? Tell me where you've found the good deals! 

Rifle Paper x Keds

One of the things that I've always loved is paper products, and Rifle Paper Co.  has been one of my absolute favorite brands for years. Their cards are gorgeous and their prints are too. Today, Rifle launched a new partnership with Keds, and I have to say, the shoes are so cute (as I knew they would be!). 

Keds are a classic shoe, and I think this is such a fun partnership. Not only are the colors vibrant, but the floral designs are a hallmark of Rifle Paper. They definitely have me excited for spring and thinking about all of the fun ways to wear them. I'm picturing neutrals, stripes, and gingham with these punchy kicks. 

See each shoe below and let me know which is your favorite! I'm leaning towards the black slip-on pair, myself! 

Image via: Rifle Paper Co

The Denim Jacket: A Southerner's BFF

With the exception of the impending southeastern ice/snowstorm that's supposedly headed our way this evening, we've had a relatively mild winter so far. Granted, it's technically only been a few weeks, but since we've all had sweaters out for quite some time, I feel like it's been at least a month of winter if not more. 

Atlanta winters tend to be a lot warmer than most places, so I'm always thinking a little bit differently about my wardrobe. Sleeveless tops and flats get paired with felt hats and Kut from the Kloth denim jackets (c/o). I will say, the good news with outfits like these is I can dress easily for the day time and switch to date night without giving much thought to it other than a swipe of lipstick and adding gold hoops. Plus, a denim jacket is a southerner's bff. Lightweight and classic: the perfect staple. 

 

These black jeans have been a staple for me (super affordable...i.e. cheap!) and while some people frown on the Texas tuxedo, when you mix denim colors, it's all good. I might not be recreating this outfit this weekend due to snow, but it may or may not slip into my suitcase for next weekend's girls trip to Rosemary Beach! Light, breezy layers scream winter seaside spots, don't you think? 

photos by the talented Amber Corbi 

P.S. No, this isn't some European town, but rather adorable historic Roswell. Aren't the pictures with the stone wall and blue door like Greece?! 

Mad for Plaid

dress (c/o) // shoes (similar) // clutch 

If there's one thing that says happy holidays, it's plaid everything. Plaid shoes, plaid table linens, plaid tops, and plaid dresses. It's a celebration of a classic pattern, also known as tartan, and I kind of love it. 

I remember being in Edinburgh and seeing tartan in shops as far as the eye could see. Even though I was in the Scottish town in the dead of summer, the pattern immediately evoked warmth and comfort - just like plaid still does for me today. Over the years, I've enjoyed seeing plaid take on different personas: in the 90s it was the quintessential grunge pattern while in the past decade, it's been all about blanket scarves. Now, it's sneaking into interiors as wallpaper and luxe fabrics. Gorgeous!

This plaid wrap dress had me at hello. I knew it would be perfect for holiday soirees and fit right in with the rest of my plaid collection. As you wrap-up holiday parties this week (say it isn't so!), pull out your plaid and rock it with festive pride. 

Shop my other plaid finds here:

Photos by the amazingly talented Amber Corbi. 

TRNKshop: Curating Next Season's Closet Today

I don't know about you guys, but I really really dislike being the last to know about something. In fact, I would venture to say that I hate it. I'm a type-A, planner, so not being in-the-know really cramps my style. Whether I'm the last to know about an event (i.e. no surprise parties, please), or the last to know about a trend, it's just not my jam. Sign me up for previews and first looks, please! And that's exactly why I am so pumped about TRNKshop, a company who's mission is to bring stylish women the latest in fashion before anyone else gets their hands on them. 

Founded just this year, TRNKshop is already making waves in the style scene. TRNKshop allows you to be the first to shop next season's collections today. That means that while your favorite boutiques are sending their buyers to the Mart, you're able to reserve and preorder what you want to wear next season at the same time they are! Essentially, you're deciding what you want out of a collection instead of letting a store decide for you. GENIUS!

Preordering next season's styles is just one facet of TRNKshop. The site also prides itself on bringing you new-to-you brands and cutting out the middle man. You're able to shop brands that might not even be a blimp on your friends' radars. Look at you, trendsetter! 

TRNKshop is already filling their online store with next season's looks along with this season's styles. You can preorder resort and spring items by shopping TRNKshop's trunkshows, or you can get instant gratification by picking-up current offerings. These earrings are some of my new favorites, and I can't get enough of these anoraks; they're the perfect weight for cooler weather in Atlanta. Add both to your cart now! Trust me. 

Thanks so much to TRNKshop for inviting me to their resort and spring preview event with Crosby by Mollie Burch a few weeks ago. It was a blast to hang-out with fellow bloggers and all of the ladies of the Reeves and Company showroom and TRNKshop. I am so glad to continue shopping ahead of the curve with TRNKshop! 

While I received gifts in exchange for this post, all opinions are my own. 

Photography by Paige Molina Photography. 

The Best Sunglasses for Every Face

I cannot leave the house without sunglasses. In fact, I have to have them. My eyes are super sensitive to light, and I even find myself wearing sunglasses when it's raining! With the official start to summer and the sun shining its rays, I'm sure everyone has sunglasses on the brain. There are tons of options for sunglasses out there, so I wanted to share an easy to understand graphic showing you different sunglasses options for your face shape. Keep in mind your face shape when shopping, and consider that just because sunglasses look great on your BFF, doesn't mean they'll look great on you. I think a good rule of thumb is to find a sunglasses shape that is opposite of your own face shape. So, if your face is round, seek a pair or more square or rectangular sunglasses. Just an easy tip as you get your sunglasses shopping on! 

All of the sunglasses below are from Warby Parker. Warby Parker has incredible customer service, and even offers a home try-on, so you can choose sunglasses right from the comfort of your own mirror. Atlanta has a few stores, and I know more are popping up in other cities often. Be on the lookout, or find similar styles at other stores near you. 

Diamond: Tilley // Banks // Dorothy 

Triangle: Hattie // Ripley // Dempsey 

Square: Raglan // Henry // Piper 

Oval: Model X1 // Laurel // Halford

Round: Griffin // Ormsby // Oxley 

face shapes via

Spring Chambray

One of my favorite things about spring and summer is the ease of tossing on a dress. In the winter, it's such a process. You usually need tights, something with sleeves, a scarf, and a coat...it's exhausting! But in the spring and summer, you can toss a dress on and GO. 

Last week, I shared my amazing thredUP haul with you, and this week, I'm bringing you the completed outfit. Each of the main pieces seen here is from thredUP with the exception of my tote bag. However, it wasn't just a coincidence that I chose to feature my C.Wonder tote here. Even though C.Wonder went out of business a few years ago, you can still purchase tons of C.Wonder items at thredUP! It's one of those brands that I had almost forgotten about, but it's been given new life with thredUP. 

Chambray is one of my go-to fabrics, especially in the summer, and this chambray linen shirt makes the perfect summer get-up, don't you think? I'm especially smitten by pairing it with the gold espadrilles and scarf tied to my bag. Love. It. 

I did end up pinning the bottom of the dress shirt just to make it a little less open. I can see myself wearing this outfit to run to the farmer's market, and I was too excited when I realized the oversized shirt would make a fantastic beach cover-up! Can't wait to take this with me to Sea Island next month!

Even though you can't find these exact items at thredUP, you can definitely use them as inspiration. Just search "chambray shirt dress," "silk scarf," and "espadrilles," and let me know what you find. Don't forget to shop here and use the code CAL21 for 21% off of your order for a limited time only. I can't wait to see the deals you score! 

P.S. Shout-out to my awesome neighbors for having the best house ever to take photos at and for letting me take them there! 

5 Fall Trends You Need Now

Every fall, if there is anything you have to pay attention to, it's the trends. This fall, there are several trends that you need to know about, and luckily, I've rounded up a few trends that you should be on the hunt for. The best part? They're easy to find at some of my favorite retailers. From fan favorites like Forever 21 to newcomers like Simons, stores are chock full of fall trends just waiting to be discovered, and thankfully, I've already taken the hard part out of it. Here are 5 fall trends you need now: 

Faux Leather Skirt // Poncho // Bucket Bag // Shearling // Deep Red Nails

While this post has a sponsored element to it, all opinions are my own. 

J.Crew Factory Back to School Haul

Believe it or not, teachers are headed back to school next week! Of course, we start a week before the kiddies, but summer has officially come and gone. It's a bittersweet moment, really. The daytime activities, lunching out and about, and general laziness must come to a halt, but in all, a lot of us are ready to get back into a routine. 

This time every year, I make a trip to the J.Crew Factory outlet to pick up a few basics for back to school, and with 50% off nearly everything in the store, this was my weekend to scoop up anything and everything I could. And ladies and gentleman, it was a success! I was able to get 1 sweater, 2 cardigans, 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of navy pants, 1 pair of earrings, 2 pairs of shoes, and an umbrella (for those afternoon showers that inevitably happen just as the buses are called)...all for the low low price of $175. Seriously! That's an average of less than $20 per item - which includes tax! Win!

I will say that I had to resist grabbing a few things that I knew I wouldn't be able to wear just yet. Like this which I have in navy from last season and literally wore two to three times per week. And I am still in dire need of an every day blazer that I can toss over anything from a tee shirt to a top. Has anyone tried this one from the factory store?

Whew - I feel better about my wardrobe already. Between my trip this weekend and my 10 under $50 picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, I'd say that I'm almost set for the fall! Almost.

Didn't get a chance to see my Nordstorm picks? That's a part of my new Instagram only content using Like to Know It (which I explained here). Be sure to click over to liketk.it and sign up, so you can get everything sent straight to your inbox! 

Friday's Fancies: Summer Soiree

One of the perks of my summer job is having the opportunity to attend networking events, and I am thrilled to be heading to an event tonight with Emily Giffin at the W Buckhead. Unfortunately, this event was sort of last minute, so I didn't have time to plan a stellar outfit. I'll be reaching into the depths of my closet instead, but if I had had the time to go shopping, you can bet I would have found an outfit similar to this one. Chic, sophisticated, and summery. What more do you need?

dress // shoes // bag // sunglasses // earrings // lipstick

Devon Maryn

While I don't quite believe in being bikini ready, I am almost always more motivated in the summer to be and stay active. Maybe it's the warmer temps or maybe it really is the longing to look good in my suit, but whatever it is, I find myself working out more and more...which can only mean one thing: I need more workout clothes! 

 

Over the past few months, I have absolutely adored following along with Devon Maryn as she prepares to launch her new activewear line this summer. Her workout clothes are nothing short of perfectly preppy and oh so cute, and I had to share them with you! Check this sneak peek of Devon Maryn's summer line, and be sure to join her mailing list asap to get in on the action yourself!

Yes, those would be lobsters...on yoga pants...in pink & navy...drooling...oh wait, did I mention she carries the pattern in shorts, too? What's that you say? Get in my closet now? I thought so.

If lobsters aren't your cup of tea, how about nautical anchors perfect for the 4th of July? I mean, adorable!!

Are you sold yet? Be sure to follow Devon on instagram for upcoming sneak peek's, and hopefully a launch date soon! In the meantime, add these beauties to your workout wish list. 

 

Friday's Fancies: Lake Weekend

Hello & happy Friday! It has been a really great week despite a few not so great days. I had a teeny-tiny, totally my fault, fender-bender which resulted in my needing a new car. It has been a little stressful, but kind of fun all at the same time. Hoping to get a new set of wheels this weekend to be all set for the rest of the summer & beyond! In the meantime, we're headed to a friend's lake house this weekend for a little R & R, sunshine, and water sports. It's sure to be a great time! I'll be wearing a new bathing suit, a big hat, and tons of sunscreen. 

In honor of our little weekend away, I've pulled together what I think is a fabulous lake look, don't you agree?

tunic // shorts // sandals // tote // sunscreen // hat

I hope you all have a marvelous weekend!

 

Treat Yourself for Under $40!

I'm a sucker for a good deal, but I'm also a sucker for a versatile piece I can wear again and again. I stumbled upon the Sibley necklace from Swell Caroline, and I knew I had to share it with you! Double strands of big, beautiful beads? Done and done.

Sibley Necklace

The necklace comes in five fabulous colors, and falls just under $40. Sounds like a wonderful way to treat yourself (and myself) on this Wednesday. Cheers to the midweek, friends!