Top 5: Beach Bags

If you're planning a beach getaway (or just looking forward to afternoons at the pool), a new beach bag is just the thing to get you ready for summer. Here are five of my favorites:

1. Best on a Budget: Canvas Tote, Target, $17.99
2. Best for Poolside Parties: Straw Clutch, Poppie Jones, $29.95
3. Best for Weekend Getaways: Sisal Tote, Madewell, $68
4. Best Recycled: Tote, Sea Bags for J.Crew, $168
5. Best for the Glam Gal: Printed Tote, Kate Spade, $328

{photo via} 

{ outfitted } Little Leo

Open-toe shoes and white after Labor Day?! It seems I'm balking at Mother Nature's insistence that it's autumn. She executed her revenge remarkably well yesterday. I had a Marilyn Monroe moment when the high winds whipped my skirt up outside of Walgreens. Well played, Mother Nature, well played. Pants it is.

Outfit Notes: Jacket - Banana Republic; Shirt - H&M; Jeans - Joe's Jeans; Shoes - Guess; Clutch - Hayden-Harnett for Target; Necklace - vintage Trifari pendant; Earrings - courtesy of Wendy Mink Jewelry

Can't Change Its Spots

It took a couple of months, but I finally tracked down a wallet-friendly leopard-print scarf. Feline spots and a khaki jacket left Nate with plenty of ammo to tease me for the safari-ready getup, but he didn't take the wind out of my sartorial sails. After all, what could be more chic than globetrotting safari gear?

Outfit Notes: Jacket - J.Crew; Scarf - Target; Bracelet - Banana Republic; Bag - CC Skye

G.I. Jane

An unexpected - albeit welcome - side effect of this blog has been pinpointing personal style trends. In fact, it wasn't until after snapping photos did I realize that today's outfit is essentially the dressier version of the one I posted last Tuesday. It seems that this year's go-to outfit includes army green, topped by black, and adorned with a statement necklace. What's your uniform of choice this fall?

Outfit Notes: Sweater - Gap; Necklaces - J.Crew, Wendy Mink; Skirt - Target (on sale for only $8 in the store); Purse - Banana Republic; Ring - Forever21; Shoes - Nine West

Guilt-Free Splurge

As much as I wish I were the type of girl who runs errands in a pair of heels, I'm not. Comfort takes priority for mundane tasks with worn-in loafers and loose layers. Yet, I can't keep myself from adding a few costume jewels to the ensemble - and I've recently discovered just the place for a guilt-free jewelry splurge.

ShoptheLook.net launched in 2009, emphasizing on-trend looks, low prices, and high quality. I'll admit I was a little skeptical when the company offered to send a few pieces for review. After all, buying costume jewelry should really be done in person. I can't tell you how many pieces I've had to sift through at Forever21 that were literally falling apart in my hands.

Thank goodness ShoptheLook.net upped the quality ante for wallet-friendly pieces. I chose the Flat Surf 'n Sandblast Ring ($14) and the Chic Sphere Pendant ($12). Each item arrived neatly packaged in a little black velvet bag (you know I'm smitten with good packaging). I'm particularly fond of the ring - it's a bold piece and the subtle textured surface adds visual interest. For $14, you can't ask for anything better. The necklace easily adds glamour, but I do wish it had a little more heft to weigh down the 36" chain. However, after months of heavy statement necklaces (and sore necks), this is hardly a complaint!

Outfit Notes: Coat-Grace Elements; Blouse-Tucker for Target; Jeans-Banana Republic; Ring-courtesy of ShoptheLook.net; Necklace-courtesy of ShoptheLook.net; Bag-Rebecca Minkoff; Shoes-Cole Haan

FTC-Required Disclaimer: ShoptheLook.net provided products free of charge for editorial review. All opinions stated within are my own and are not influenced in any way.

Giveaway Reminder!
Enter to win a Gorjana necklace!
(Retail value: $95)

On Target

I was looking forward to Target's collaboration with Tucker, but I was also bracing myself for disappointment. After all, would the mass retailer be able to translate Gabby Basora's luxurious silk prints into a polyester alternative? As many of you already know, the answer is a resounding yes. Better yet, there's an alluring 1970s vibe to many of the pieces - especially when the mosaic-print blouse is paired with flared denim. Now I just need to find that elusive faux fur vest.

Outfit Notes: Tucker for Target Blouse; Joe's Jeans Denim; CC Skye Bag; Amrita Singh Earrings via Gilt; Banana Republic Bracelet; House of Harlow Bracelet; Guess Shoes

Liberty Bell

That's it. I'm simply not to be trusted around the Liberty of London for Target line. Even the menswear isn't safe around me. After all, is there anything more effortless than an oversize men's shirt? I think not.

Liberty of London for Target Men's Shirt; H&M Shorts, Vintage Bracelets; Cole Haan Loafers

My weekend garb risked looking a little too androgynous. The anecdote? A wrist full of vintage bracelets lovingly pilfered from my grandmother's jewelry box.

Cynthia Vincent for Target

Trips to Target in search of the retailer's latest designer collaboration have become part of my routine - and today was testament to that. Only a few pairs of Cynthia Vincent footwear remained on the nearly-destitute shelf.

My heart was set on the ballet flats with the modernized-technicolor-tribal print, but they sold out online just hours after their debut - and I didn't spy them on the store shelf. To ease my woes, I took a chance on the gladiator wedge.

The wedge definitely looks more expensive than $29.99 (which, let's face it, is the true test of whether or not something is truly a "steal"). The fit is true to size and the pair is surprisingly comfortable with a generous amount of padding in the insole. I wish the incline on the shoe was steeper, but the platform does makes the 4.25" wedge tolerable for gals who shy away from teeteringly high heels. Target missed the boat with the ankle strap, though. It's not adjustable and the width is too large for my ankles.

But my favorite part of the purchase is the packaging: a sunshine yellow box with silver writing. Last year I picked up a pair of Cynthia Vincent shoes and gushed over the cheerful dust bag, so it was a delight to see the color scheme repeated on the boxes.

If you're itching for the cognac wedges and can't find them, don't fret. The L.A. Times blog "All the Rage" reports that Target plans to replenish select styles in mid-May.

Reminder: Enter to win a set of Thomas Paul tea towels.

Give Me Liberty or ...

The Liberty of London returns must be making their way back to Target. I spotted this blouse on a lonely rack.

Liberty of London for Target Blouse; The Limited Skirt; Tahari Sandals; Banana Republic Clutch; Banana Republic Bracelet

I normally shy away from high necklines, but I'm a sucker for bare shoulders - and that darling keyhole opening in the back. The blouse's classic shape guarantees it a place among my office staples this summer.

And let's face it, it looks oh-so-cute with the Liberty of London mug!

Blouse Sizing: I normally wear a size small, but the medium in this blouse fit perfectly. I needed the extra width at the bottom to glide over my hips when wearing it untucked. For slim-hipped beauties, your normal size should be perfect.

Reminder: Enter to win a set of Thomas Paul tea towels.

Coffee Break

Five minutes in Target yielded one 12-pack of Cherry Coke Zero and one cheerful impulse buy - a Liberty of London for Target mug.

Have you picked up anything from this collaboration?

Countdown to Halloween

photo via Halloween Photo Cards

It's the first of October and the countdown to Halloween can officially begin!

This also means it's the only time of year dust-collecting cobwebs are considered appropriate ambiance. But there are more tasteful (and less disgusting) ways to incorporate morbid touches into your home decor.

(pictured clockwise, starting from upper left)

Williams-Sonoma, Halloween Pancake Molds, $19.95
Target, Porcelain Haunted House Cocktail Plates, $24.99
Crate and Barrel, Witch Hat Dishtowels, $12.95
Target, Bone Collector Place Card Holders, $16.99
Target, Skeletal Hand Servers, $9.99
Pottery Barn, Skull Tray, $24
Target, Feather Wreath, $19.99
Heritage Lace, Spider Web Round Table Topper, $8.50 (I purchased this last weekend. It's much prettier and more delicate in person.)

Next on my shopping list: the skull tray, feather wreath, and another pound of candy corn.

Flat Chance

I'm the type of girl who prefers to wear heels every day to work and for every special occasion. However it seems my footwear choice is being challenged this wedding season. My boyfriend's brother is getting married in June and plans to have his reception outdoors at his parents' country home. I'd rather not run the risk of puncturing their lawn with stiletto heels (a bit of a concern after too many celebratory cocktails), leaving me with two options: wedges or flats.

I'm not keen on wedges (I've tried, but I just can't fully embrace them), so I've begun searching for pretty flats. And it's not an easy task. (The Cynthia Vincent flats I purchased are gorgeous, but they're a bit heavy for the flirty summer dress I plan to wear.)

Here are some of the prettiest flats I've stumbled upon:


(Starting from top.)

Nine West, Noadiah Flat, $69.95
Lilly Pulitzer, Lady Mary Flat, $235
Kenneth Cole, Clean Cut, $69.95 (sale!)
Target, Sheryl Floral Print Ballet Flat, $19.99
Ettore Masotti, Ballet Flat, $149
Tory Burch, Kelly Patent Flat, $295

Garden of Eden

Foliage is aching to burst from tree branches and May flowers are just beginning to peek through the ground. If you're too anxious to wait for spring blossoms, pick up a bejeweled bouquet.


(Pictured clockwise, starting from upper left.)

Liz Claiborne, Rhinestone Floral Earring, $20
Dogeared, Cherish Pendant in Gold Dipped, $55
Kate Spade, Triple Row Necklace, $325
Juicy Couture, Flower Stud Earrings, $48
Liz Claiborne, Boxed Floral Bracelet, $22
Miriam Haskell, Floral Cluster Earrings, $175
Erickson Beamon for Target, Black Flower Pendant Necklace, $29.99
Forever21, Jewel Petals Flower Ring, $4.80
Liz Claiborne, Pave Flower Pin, $22

Make a Statement

The easiest way to transform your spring wardrobe is with a bib necklace. Investing in this key piece can elevate everything from your go-to little black dress to a simple v-neck tee shirt and jeans; or wear it with a suit jacket to add an unexpected embellishment to your work ensemble.

Here are four of my favorites:


(Pictured clockwise, starting with upper left.)

Banana Republic, Glam Bib Necklace, $69
Forever21, Faceted Floral Pendant Necklace, $17.80
Kenneth Jay Lane, Multi-Stone Bib Necklace, $600
Target, Blue Beaded Bib Necklace, $39.99