A Little Bit etc.: Bits and Pieces

Showing posts with label Bits and Pieces. Show all posts

8/11/16

3 Summer Pieces That Can Transition Into Fall

While I love to buy a few season specific items each year, it makes more sense to invest in items that transition easily throughout the year. One of the top items that transitions well are my silk blouses. Silk blouses are a year round staple for me. I can fold the sleeves up in the spring/summer making it short sleeved or leave them down in the fall/winter. I bought this Equipment blouse this summer and love that it's a print I can wear any time of the year. Equipment is one of my favorite brands for silk blouses (along with this brand and this brand) because they have the most perfect draping and never pull along the bust area (though if it does I use this tape which I swear by).

I know many people don't think of denim shorts as a fall item, but I love putting together a lightweight sweater, denim shorts and ankle boots for a beginning of fall look. This particular wash and style is easy to transition into fall, and will go with almost any top paired with it. Finally, my Aquazzura flats. I already did a video reviewing them (and basically singing their praises), but these are what I am most excited to wear into fall and winter. Skinny jeans, sweater dresses, cropped pants - all would look great with these shoes.

I'm still enjoying every last bit of summer (the massive humidity not so much), but when fall weather begins to roll around my wardrobe will be ready!

What items are you most excited to wear this fall?

Shop more Equipment blouses:

8/9/16

My Favorite White T-Shirt Brands

A white tee is a year round staple and something that took me years to eventually find ones that I loved. I would try different ones and none ever gave me exactly what I was looking for. I finally found these tees from Madewell, these from Old Navy and these from J. Crew. For a super budget buy, I pick up these tees in a few basic colors though they don't last as long as my Madewell and J. Crew ones. Heading into fall soon means that stocking up on white tees (black and gray as well) is essential because I wear them under jackets and big sweaters.

It's finally beginning to cool off slightly here so I am happy to venture out a bit more, though the humidity is still lingering. Ugh. This primer has been getting me through the worst of the summer as well as this loose powder which has been in my routine for years. I am happy to report that this hair product has been a game changer for me this summer and I've even noticed a huge decline in frizziness! I can't believe it took me so long to finally try - but I highly recommend it for any and every hair type out there.

What are your favorite white tee brands? Leave me a comment below!

Shop more distressed boyfriend jeans:

8/2/16

How to Wear Denim on Denim

I wasn't always on the denim on denim bandwagon years ago, but I loved the way it looked on other people yet never understood how to put it together myself. I decided to keep it simple and put my favorite chambray top with a pair of very dark denim jeans. Dark denim jeans are a blank slate type clothing item in my opinion and anything can work with them. Once I did that first combination, I slowly began to experiment with different shades of denim and now wear a head to toe denim look all the time. I would recommend the best way to begin is to keep the shades of denim quite different with one being significantly lighter (preferably the top) and one darker (preferably the jeans). More classic styles are easier to start with - such as a pair of basic jeans (no distressing, no variations) and a great chambray top (this one is still an all time favorite of mine and one I highly recommend). From there, the combinations are endless!

Shop more denim and chambray tops:

7/29/16

Buttons Down the Back

I'm a huge fan of button down shirts (this is my favorite brand), so I was instantly drawn to this somewhat deconstructed off the shoulder button down. The thin stripes make it a bit edgier so I felt it would look better paired with skinny distressed jeans rather than a skirt or shorts. Most off the shoulder tops I have come across this summer are quite feminine looking, but I enjoy switching things up a bit with something like this. These Topshop jeans are still one of my favorite ones to wear because they feel more like a brushed cotton/jegging than actual denim. Most Topshop jeans come in various inseam lengths making it easy to find one for those of us not blessed with mile long legs.

The Nordstrom Anniversary sale is still going on and I have to really hold myself back from buying anything else - but I did end up picking up this amazing moto jacket after my initial haul because it was less than $65 (if you are interested in it, keep checking back because people usually return sizes and they become available again)! The only other item I am contemplating is these booties which seem like a perfect fall staple. I probably will decide to skip them because I would like to save up for a fall bag (deciding between this one and this one).

Any additional Nordstrom Annniversary items still haunting you that you didn't pick up? LOL Leave me a comment below!

Top - Loft (on sale!!) | Jeans - Topshop | Shoes - Manolo Blahnik | Bag - Mansur Gavriel | Sunglasses - Illesteva

Shop more cute Loft pieces:

7/27/16

Summer Uniform

After looking back through many of my outfits this summer, I've decided that this outfit feels the most like a summer uniform. These boyfriend shorts are a classic style and work with almost anything in my closet. I bought them in a high waisted style as well, but I love the slightly looser fit of these. The distressing is enough to give the shorts some character but not to fall apart in the wash as has been my struggle with other ripped styles I have. Wearing another off the shoulder top should come as no surprise since it's been quite a theme for me this summer (remember this post, this post and this post), and this one in particular allows for a great deal of arm movement which makes it a winner in my book. Of course finishing the look with my large panama hat and wrap sandals because they go with almost all my summer outfits.

I'm working on putting together a post on my current foundations that are getting me through this heat wave we are having. I like to have coverage most days, but can't deal with my skin feeling suffocated. I keep reaching for the same ones over and over so I figured a round up was in order. I know summer is a time to enough the outdoors, but I have to be honest and say that I dread going outside now. I always feel guilty for staying indoors during the summer since it seems as if I should be out enjoying the weather/sun/nature/whatever, but I can't help but retreat back inside when it gets above a certain temperature. But curling up on the couch watching a movie on a bright sunny day just doesn't have the appeal it does when it's cold, rainy or storming.

I would love to hear what activities you like to do in the summer to deal with the heat or even avoid it? Leave me a comment below!

Top - Madewell (also available here, available in this color) | Shorts - AG Jeans (more sizes here) | Sandals - Madewell | Hat - Hat Attack | Bag - Chloe

Shop some of my favorite Madewell new arrivals:

7/24/16

Beach Day at the Sanderling Resort

Last week Stan and I headed down to the Sanderling Resort in Duck, NC for a quick beach getaway. I had visited here as a child but not since then so I was excited to book a trip back. I love that it is right on the beach, but my favorite spot was these elevated decks that looked out over the ocean. I plopped myself there for most of the day because they were virtually empty so I had one all to myself! The vibe at the resort is elegant yet laid back with a few different pools, restaurants, game areas (bocce ball, cornhole) and a fire pit! In fact each room comes with a free s'mores package to bring that evening to the fire pit. We were so bummed when it rained the entire night so we missed the chance to roast the marshmallows, but we still ate the entire rest of the s'more components. Ha!

Since the resort is on the beach, I felt comfortable just walking around the grounds in my swimsuit and coverup though I typically go for a shorts/tee beach look when I have to walk far to the beach or park a distance away. Nothing feels weirder than walking all the way back to my car in a nightgown looking dress that is basically see through. LOL But when at a resort or hotel, I love a coverup! This one I picked up from L*Space was comfortable and easy to pair with any of the bathing suits that I brought. I haven't worn a one piece suit in yearssssss, but I have seen so many cute styles recently that I finally decided to wear one this summer. Surprisingly it was just as flattering as many of my two pieces, and actually a lot more comfortable! I think I will be adding more one pieces into my collection next year because my experience with this one was so great!

What do you typically wear to the beach? A one piece or a two piece?!

Shop more cute white coverup options:

7/20/16

Summer Evenings in the Outer Banks

I love evenings in the summer - there is something so relaxed and memorable about them. And I love getting a bit dressed up though still keeping it easy and comfortable like with this Asos dress. I could see this worn with lace up sandals and a hat for a more casual look, or heels and a clutch like I wore for a more polished feel. Some off the shoulder styles can be fussy and require constant readjusting, but this dress stays up so well! I think it is the fitted bodice that helps create a more structured frame for the top, but either way it is a pleasure to wear. And while these sandals are higher than I normally wear, the chunkier heel makes them less painful. I picked them up because I thought they would be a great year round (except for super cold weather) sandal that would look great with any and everything in my closet. I know the lightweight sweater, jeans and sandals look is a bit controversial, but personally I love it. So I'm excited to style them with some fall and early spring outfits.

Last week we headed down to the Sanderling Resort in Duck, North Carolina and had a great time relaxing by the beach and eating some insanely fresh seafood while we were there. The whole style of the Sanderling is very beachy and laid back as you can see from above, with so many gorgeous flowers all around the grounds. Across the street from the actual hotel is a restaurant and racquet club with stunning views from the docks. We walked over there for a bit to take pictures before dinner, though I have to be honest - the humidity made it so difficult after 20 or 30 minutes. LOL I caught myself complaining about the weather and had to stop and revisit some blog pictures taken in January and February remembering the blistering cold temps and how much worse that is. I'll take the heat any day over that.

Dress - Asos (also available in this color) | Bag - Sophie Hulme (old but similar here) | Shoes - Steve Madden

Shop more cute Asos dresses:

7/18/16

Pom Poms

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a great weekend. It has been insanely hot and humid here, so out come the hats again. I was shopping in J. Crew early last week and found this fedora and loved it. The brim is not too wide and not too narrow - it's the perfect size. And the love affair with these flats continue - I find that they look great with a ton of different pieces in my closet and my feet never hurt wearing them!

Stan and I headed to Duck, North Carolina last week to stay at the Sanderling Resort so I will be sharing some photos of our time there later this week. We underestimated how hot and humid it would be - yowza! I have tons of hair products, but nothing really helps when it's that muggy. Ugh. I would put it in a ponytail or under a hat and hope for the best.

Do you have any favorite hair products that work in unbearable humidity?! I would love to have some recommendations!

Dress - Tularosa (also here, same print also available in this dress, this top and similar dress here) | Hat - J. Crew | Shoes - Aquazzura (budget version here) | Bag - Chloe

Shop more lace up flats:

7/14/16

High Waisted Shorts

There are certain clothing styles that I don't even have to try on because I know they will work for my figure. One of those is a high waisted short or skirt with a slight (or significant) flare at the bottom (remember this post, this post and this post). It works so well for my body type because of my narrow hips though it would also work for many other figures because it gives the illusion of an hourglass shape. I saw these Isabel Marant shorts while browsing online and didn't hesitate to wonder if they would work for me. And the fact that they are black with the classic button detail gave me the reassurance that they would be a pair of shorts I could wear for many seasons to come. The fabric is much heavier than all of my other shorts and gives them a dressier feel. I have worn it with a basic white tee, but the detail on this Joie blouse seemed to pair nicely.

This is my first post wearing my new Aquazzura lace-up flats and all I can say is "why did it take me so long to buy these?!" I had wanted to splurge on them a year ago, but was worried they would come untied, not be comfortable, etc. Thankfully none of that was an issue and I absolutely love them! I have a quick YouTube video review coming out next week on these flats where I go into more detail about the fit and how I tie them. I put a good deal of thought into my splurge purchases, so when one lives up to my expectations - it's always a great feeling!

What accessory item have you recently splurged on? Was it a disappointment or success? Leave me a comment below!

Shop more eyelet tops:

7/12/16

A Casual Outfit for the Beach

While I love a good traditional beach cover-up (just picked up this one for our trip this week), I like a more traditional outfit sometimes. When I'm on vacation and staying at a resort, I don't mind walking around in just a cover-up, but other times I want to put actual clothes back on. Especially if I have to walk back to my car which can be far away from the actual beach, I like to wear something that doesn't resemble a flimsy nightgown. LOL These AG denim shorts are a great staple that will last me for many more summers, and the top is a great versatile piece for my closet.

I had some success with my bathing suit hunt this past weekend and picked up a two piece and one piece for our getaway. I always struggle with finding something to give support in the bust area, but both are quite structured and feel great! I'll be sharing what beauty and skincare products I'm bringing with me in an upcoming post as well so stay tuned for that.

What are your favorite things to wear to the beach? Do you go the cover-up route or stick with shorts and a top?

Shop more wrap sandals:

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