Meet Me at Madewell

shirt: madewell (similar here) // jeans: madewell (available here) // shoes: valentino (available here) // bag: louis vuitton// sunnies: ray ban (available here) // bracelet: stella & dot (available here)
photos by the amazing molly stillman

Just another quick post today (the housework seems to never end, sorry I haven't been able to catch up with  reading my fave blogs...hopefully this weakend.)  Just wanted to remind you guys about tomorrow's styling event at Madewell. Yesterday I went in and pulled all of my favorite items and styled mix and match outfits that I can't wait to style people in. Please come out and meet me and see the new line.....you are going to lurveee their new denim and I promise I won't bite!!!! Here are the deets.....hope to see you there!!!

Try Two- White Denim

vest: michael kors (old, similar here)// jeans: current/elliot (available here) //shoes: shoemint // bag: loeffler randall (similar here) // sunnies: kawaii kitsch by a// cuff & rings: stella & dot (available here)
photos by the amazing molly stillman

Just a quick post today because I'm trying to catch on an enormous amount of housework from a two week vacation.....the second part of this month's "Try Two" is white denim.....yea you heard me, white denim. Forget about all of that pish tosh with "you can't wear white after labor day". I actually think it makes white denim look more interesting when you wear it into the fall and winter. Pair it with neutrals like a safari vest and leather sandals for a classic and pulled together look.

PS.......any one of my homies living in the Raleigh/Triangle area please come out this Friday and meet me for a little event I'm throwing at Madewell. They have some awesome new items coming out for fall and I will be helping style them and just chatting it up with you guys......check it out!!

Try Two: Chambray

top:gap (available here)// skirt: free people (available here) // shoes: shoemint (similar here)// sunnies: prada available here) // earrings: stella & dot (available here)
photos by the amazing molly stillman

It's my favorite time of year again.....that time when you almost feel the seasons changing and  the pumpkin spice lattes start dancing in my head. For some reason I feel like a lot of people struggle with season switchovers in the wardrobe department so I figured I would help! Each month I'll bring you a top and bottom that you could seriously benefit from owning. I'll show you how to style them individually and how they can work together......a "Try Two" if you will. 

This month the top is a chambray shirt which has soooo many uses. For instance, I wore this leopard skirt with a silk blouse last week to a rehearsal dinner but then I wanted to dress down the skirt and some chambray did just the trick. Chambray is so unexpected with dressier items like skirts and also looks great with casual items (which you will see next week). Did this help at all? Hope so skrillas :))

Don't Stop Till Ya Get Enough

top: the limited, old (similar here)// blazer: fab'rik (similar here)// shorts: levi's (available here) // shoes: available here // rings: stella & dot available here
photos by the amazing molly stillman

    First of all let me start by saying congrats to my amazing blog photographer Molly for bringing her sweet baby girl Lilly Eileen into the world yesterday !!!!!!!! Then let me say I know not everyone is a fan of cutoff shorts......I on the other hand, am a BIG fan. I'm not recommending them for everyone but if you are young enough and you style them the right way then I say do it sister!!! 

    The trick is to do something more conservative on top.....like a crisp button down and tweed blazer. Also, you need to wear them in the right setting.....I wore this ensemble to girls night down town a couple of weeks ago but wouldn't recommend wearing cutoffs to work (in most cases) or when the occasion calls for something "dressy". So there.....hope this helped skrillas :))) 

When You Smile, I Smile

tee; stylemint //pants:  (similar here) // bag: loeffler randal (similar here) // necklace: stella & dot (available here)
photos by the amazing molly stillman

Although Doodle has already had 2 birthday parties today is his actually birthday. My sweet (crazy) love turns 2 today and I'm filled with so many emotions. The first birthday was a big milestone but this year he is a little man with such a sweet disposition and the funniest personality. I wore this ensemble to his birthday party at our favorite gelato spot and the whole time so many thoughts were going through my head, one being how lucky Doodle is that he has so many people that love him (my friends spoil him so much!).

I don't often get sentimental but today is different and this is where I document my thoughts so here goes....

Dear Andrew,

Today is your second birthday, two and a half years ago it was impossible to even imagine this day and how happy your father and I would be. You and your father and "wee-wee" were the biggest surprises of my life. I know sometimes I get frustrated with you because I don't know how to react to all of your new emotions and I know sometimes I seem like a crazy person......but its only because I love and adore you and just want you to be the happiest person on earth (literally). When you smile, I smile.....when you laugh, I laugh.......most of the time when you cry, I cry.....but most of all when you love, I love and love is what you have brought most to my heart. When you say a new word or bring a book to me and say "read" I feel like the proudest parent there is and I KNOW that one day you are going to change the world......because your heart, at only two years old is already so full of love and compassion that I myself need to start taking notes from you. Its hard to explain to you right now just how many people love YOU.....but I know their love for you will only grow with the years and they will always be around. Just always remember that miracles happen every day and you, my love, were most definitely a miracle. You saved me and at times I think you saved your father and we will always be grateful to you for that.

Quick Decisions

tee: stylemint //shorts: free people (available here) // shoes: shoemint (similar here)// necklace & bag: stella & dot (available here)
photos by the amazing molly stillman

The older my little Doodle Bug gets the more my style evolves into practical yet interesting ensembles.....every piece needs to hold its own and be able to be mixed and matched for worry free, stress free dressing. The secret to looking put together when you don't have time to think about your outfits? Monochromatic- white on white, black on black.....you get where I'm going....throw on a statement necklace and a chic (diaper) bag and you are good to go!!!! 

Faves

top: piperlime (on serious sale here) // shorts: fab'rik (similar here)// shoes: 3.1 phillip lim (similar here)// sunnies: prada (similar here) // necklaces: vintage chanel & stella & dot (fringe necklace available on sale here)
photos by the amazing molly stillman

If you follow me on Instagram then you have probably picked up on my current closet faves.....chambray, leather, chic flats and statement necklaces.....and in heavy rotation.  I've learned that by downsizing my closet and filling it ONLY with pieces that I love then its way easier to get dressed in the (early) morning (with a toddler pulling every item of clothing in my closet off the hanger and trying to apply makeup.) 

Sweet Escapes

top: equipment (available here )// shorts: american apparel (available here) // bag: rebecca minkoff (available here) // shoes: shoemint (similar here) // sunnies: ray ban (available here)
photos by the amazing molly stillman

Obviously motherhood is the most important thing in my life....but there are certain times when a girl just wants to escape reality. For me there is no better escape than fashion and food. Decadent silks and leathers along with chocolate espresso tarts are pretty much heaven to me.  What do you guys do to escape your crazy lives?