Summer is right around the corner, and one of my favorite summer color combos is bright white with cobalt blue. (The Greek Isles are both a travel and a fashion must-do for me, apparently.) I played with that thought a bit, adding a chambray shirt over a basic Breton stripe top and a pair of turquoise flats to punctuate a pair of white linen trousers.
Trousers: Gap; striped top: Zara; chambray button-up: Old Navy; flats: Nine West
Bangles: Express; watch: Michael Kors; necklace: ebay
In other news, my hen party is this weekend. A day by the pool, followed by dinner and some dancing while I wear an obligatory sash. Excited to hit the town with the girls! 
My maids (and their moms!) threw me a phenomenal bridal shower this past weekend. Since my wedding colors are more bold than girly, the shower was the perfect opportunity to indulge in a little super feminine pale pink. My mom’s house was transformed into shower central with tissue balls suspended from the ceiling, a chevron tablecloth, pink stargazer lilies and roses, and tiny pink favor boxes.
I chose a white a-line Lily Pulitzer dress (with pockets!) with a fun embroidered flower pattern at the bottom. Bridal white, with a twist. Warm accessories to add a little interest– a coral statement necklace, gold cuff, cognac-colored belt and orange suede pumps.
Dress: Lily Pulitzer; pumps: Aldo; belt: Linea Pelle; necklace: RJ Graziano; cuff: Nordstrom
Essie polish in Shelter Island
My maids, aka the girls who made it all happen.
A massive thank you to everyone who came to the shower. I had an amazing time!
The Met.
The gala to end all galas, fashion-wise.
First of all, your basic princess bridal gowns need not apply to Anna Wintour’s Met Ball. Homegirl and her razor-sharp bob haircut will shut you down.
You can’t be too safe with your gown choice, and you get bonus points for being interesting and/or creative. There needs to be something extra about your dress to be considered among the best at The Met. If you look like the girls going to prom, you’re doing something wrong.
Let’s get down to it, shall we?
The Best:
Image courtesy of People.com
Carey Mulligan in Prada. Fashion armour, yes? Like going to war on the carpet, battling to the death with the other starlets who are vying for best dressed. Love that. I also love how the pieces (sequins? plates?) are substantial– even bulky at the bottom– but the fit of the gown is perfect. She’s not drowning in it; her small frame isn’t lost or overwhelmed. Really flattering against the shoulders and collarbone, too. Dainty shoes were a good choice; better those than to ruin the look by choosing something terribly odd (see Kristen Stewart).
Image courtesy of PopSugar
Gisele Bundchen in Givenchy. Try to look away from whatever is happening on Tom’s head and focus on how killer Gisele’s gown in. A spiked belt, dangerous front slit, inky beadwork for days and days… I love it. Is that a Union Jack happening around her waist? (I’m an anglophile, so I may just be projecting what I want to see.) If so, I love x10.
Image courtesy of PopSugar
Emma Stone in Lanvin. Love that Emma went short and sweet here. The detail on the dress gives it an edge, so does the red. (Think of this in black– boring; in pink– too Barbie.) Love her hair like this, too. A little playful, not too structured.
Image courtesy of People.com
Nina Dobrev in Donna Karen. Slinky fit, right? Nina looks incredible. The asymmetrical cut is amazing, the draping over the chest is really artfully done and I love the teeny, tiny little strap over the right shoulder. The gold glitter splotch pattern is fun, too. Breaks up the normal flow of the dress, but doesn’t distract.
Image courtesy of People.com
Amy Poehler in Fotini. This is how you do a black dress at The Met. Peplum is huge right now (although I’m thinking after all the peplum on this year’s carpet, it has hit its saturation point), and this was my favorite iteration of the trend. Love the feathered mermaid skirt and love that she went very light on the accessories. Also– this is Amy. Amy is not a notorious Fashion Girl. And she killed this. Bravo.
Image courtesy of US Magazine
Diane Kruger in Prada. Diane is a legend in this Prada gown. Purple, bright royal purple– so unexpected on her. An easy, very minimal neckline with the most delicate straps gives way to a huge feathered skirt. Light to heavy. A long boho pendant necklace was the perfect choice here, and what an A+ move to keep the hair really light (a simple blowout rather than a structured updo) and natural makeup. So. Gorgeous. My best of the night.
The Meh:
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Kristen Stewart in Balenciaga. A few tweaks, and I would’ve loved this. The bodice is amazing and fits her like a glove. The blocking on the skirt is fun and offbeat, but I think the skirt should’ve been shorter (or scrap the whole short idea completely and make it long and dramatic). The current length is a little too Standard Office Pencil Skirt. Those shoes are disgusting. I know it’s Balenciaga and weird = good in the House of B, but they don’t work with this at all. Close, KS.
Image courtesy of US Magazine
Chloe Sevigny in Miu Miu. I actually liked the dress. (Are we fighting? Don’t fight with me– please reference the intro about being creative and not boring and not safe and even a bit weird.) Maybe some little fixes, like a full black bodysuit underneath rather than a two-piece knicker set. But you can’t deny her body looks sick, no? Super fit. My problem is the top and bottom: hair and shoes. That haircut is some Soccer Mom Shag if I’ve ever seen it. Chloe is not a soccer mom, no way. And those shoes, why potentially good with a pair of cropped black trousers (and a crazy sharp-shoulder tuxedo jacket… Think about that) do not mesh well here.
Image courtesy of US Magazine
Beyonce in Givenchy. There’s a lot going on here. And I’m mostly okay with all of it– except the fact that the nude bodysuit under the gown is too light for Beyonce’s gorgeous caramel skin. Just a few shades darker and it would be perfect.It’s avant garde, it’s in-your-face, it’s Anna Wintour-approved. It checks all of The Met boxes. Just that bodysuit…
Image courtesy of PopSugar
Gwyneth Paltrow in Prada. From the side and the back, this dress was gorgeous. Unfortunately, that’s not how one typically enters a room. From the front, this dress was at best boring, at worst unflattering wrinkled sateen. Gorgeous peep-toes though, G.
The Bad:
Image courtesy of PopSugar
Jessica Biel in Prada. No. Way. In. Hell. Are you going to a garden party? Are you 58? Gross length. (And is that hem unfinished? Is it supposed to be an asymmetrical bubble hem?) Speaking of length, it’s time for a bang trim, Biel. You look like one of those shaggy show dogs, and Justin is trotting you out for a run past the judges at your local kennel club.
Image courtesy of People.com
Coco Rocha in Givenchy. This was bold, I’ll give Coco that. Definitely a statement. It just… Wasn’t a very flattering one. The yellow and pink together was a nice try– but I’m not feeling the applique business, and those ballet slipper heels are a warm pink, while the top is a cool pink, making the whole thing feel forced. Also, why are you bringing your dip-dyed highlighter hair to The Met? Maybe if she hadn’t worn the jacket– just the top, which looks like it fits nicely, and the pants, with some different shoes. Maybe then? As is, I feel like Easter just threw up all over her.
Image courtesy of PopSugar
Elizabeth Banks in Mary Katrantzou. Too many patterns. And it’s all shiny, like a spacesuit. That shoulder cap thing isn’t helping matters, either. The worst peplum of the night, by far. It looks like she has a shelf jutting out from her stomach. Like, “Oh please, set your clutch here. It’s sturdy.” The hair is a little high and severe too, like a space helmut. (Running theme.) Shall we give her the benefit of the doubt and say she was in just in character as Hunger Games Effie?
Image courtesy of US Magazine
Lana Del Ray in Joseph Altuzarra. Oh look, a sparkly vampire.
Image courtesy of People.com
Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte. This is Rodarte? I don’t buy it. Because Rodarte is usually so floaty and youthful, and this is straight up Old Lady. Who works in an office in the 1970s and smokes at her desk. And has 13 cats. Worst of the night for me.
__
That’s it for the Met Ball coverage. Tell me who you loved and hated!
Maxi dresses are a sign that the fashion gods love us and want us to be happy.
They’re just so easy– literally throw one on and you’re done. (Perfect for mornings when I can’t be bothered to match up a top with a pair of trousers.) Especially something printed; the print does all the work for you. Minimal effort.
We had a bit of a summer spell last week; super humid and high 80-degree temperatures. (Hence the ponytail.) A lightweight maxi dress in citrus stripes was just what I needed.
Picked up this drop-waist maxi at Express weeks ago, but wore it for the first time to the office last week. I added my standard leather belt to help create a waist, a pair of metallic sandals and a white cardigan to take that summer edge off (not pictured).
Dress: Express; belt: Linea Pelle; flats: Usiun
Muffin is forever in my shot.
Hope everyone had a great weekend.
More often than not, I err on the side of preppy. It’s just something about a button-up that’s hard for me to resist.
Attended a friend’s impromptu bbq this weekend. The weather was nice, but I knew a chill would set in once the sun set. Perfect opportunity to mix long and short, covered and exposed. I chose a light blue button-up (worn countless times, especially to the office) and matched it with a pair of new cobalt blue sailor shorts. Finishing touches: a pair of Sperry’s (a staple in the prepster wardrobe– and yes, it is hard for me to find a place to park my boat), a statement necklace and some wash-and-go waves.
In wedding news, Lance and I met with our photographer and started firming up the shooting schedule for the wedding day. About a month and a half out! Time flies when you’re furiously planning.
Happy May Day!
In celebration, how about a bright outfit?
Basic white tee layered over a coral tank with turquoise denim (already cropped, but I cuffed a few times for kicks) and tangerine Converse.
Jeans: London Denim; t-shirt: Zara; tank: Target; shoes: Converse.
Seriously going to be pairing the Converse with just about everything this spring and summer. A classic with a twist!
Red stripes, red lips.
The spring mornings are still pretty chilly (and frankly, so is my office), so grabbing a lightweight sweater doesn’t feel out of season just yet. I paired a beloved Jack Wills number with standard cropped skinny trousers and a pair of studded (and spiked!) slipper flats. A swipe of red lipstick, and I was fairly ready to tackle Monday.
Sweater: Jack Wills; trousers: Express; flats: Sam Edelman; watch: Invitcta; lipstick: L'Oreal British Red
Enjoy your Tuesday, dolls.
Now that we’re fully into spring (mid-April, I can’t believe it), I’m all about working bright colors into my wardrobe whenever I can. It doesn’t get much brighter than fire engine red, does it?
This skirt is a serious eye-catcher (also worn here and for our engagement shoot). I paired it with an easy chambray button-up, which I knotted over a printed tank. (Remember when we used to knot everything in the 90s? Yeah, it’s kinda back.) Finishing touches: simple black flat sandals, a little jewelry mix and wavy bedhead hair.
Skirt: ASOS; button-up: Old Navy; tank: BDG (old); sandals: Sam Edelman
The countdown is on… Two months until the big day.
I had a few girls over to my house on Sunday to stuff wedding invitation envelopes. (Thank both the wedding gods for the conclusion of Invitation Hell; such a source of stress!) They turned out exactly as I had hoped: classic, elegant, with a little flourish.
Casual weekend outfit with a twist: a striped top (also worn here) and a pair of lace shorts with a scalloped hem. I have a serious crush on these little navy beauties– they’re delicate and feminine, but the navy keeps them from being too terribly girly (or from looking like lingerie).
A new pair of colorblock wedges round out the look. Colin Stuart makes a cute, comfy wedge. Love the coral and pink combo.
Top: Zara; shorts: A&F; wedges; Colin Stuart.
Want to send a huge thank you to the ladies who helped on Sunday! The task would not have been possible without you. Thanks again!
My university hosts a Careers for English Majors night every spring. (Rock chalk!) English alum are asked to come back and talk to students about their career and how an English degree has helped them. I actually attended the event as a college sophomore, and give it full credit for that fact that I’m employed today. The panel stressed how important internship experience was, which convinced me to seek one out. I ended up interning at the Academy, who I then somehow convinced to give me a full-time gig after I graduated. I was honored to speak as part of the panel this year, so it was all very full-circle for me.
I needed something a little more professional than your average sundress + wedges, so I grabbed a pair of French blue trousers and a striped tank. A blazer felt too serious, so I topped the outfit with a (faux) leather jacket. A pair of cognac-colored sandals and belt pulled in the accent color of the tank. Welcome back, Mr. Kotter!
Tank: Old Navy; jacket: Lauren Conrad for Kohls; trousers: Express; sandals: Pour la Victoire; belt: Linea Pelle
You can only see a peek of the shoes, but are better pictured in this post.
Definitely ended up being the perfect balance of professional and fun. (My mint-colored manicure probably helped tip the fun scales. China Glaze in Refreshmint is a great spring polish.)
Thanks again to KU and the English Department for having me back; I had a lovely time!
