Tibi in Paris

When: Monday of last week, because I finally found the perfect top that make this outfit work.

Hot is what it was last week, not so much this week, as we return to rain and more "Flood Watch" warnings though.  Definitely never want to see this happen ever again in my little city by the mountains.  So I am very thankful for the days it is just plain hot and sunny.  Not much can go wrong on those days....

And the skirt!  Yes, I fell in love with this skirt the minute I saw it on the Tibi website for spring/summer this year.  I hemmed and hawed over the price tag as I have never spent that much on a skirt before.  This one drew me in with its colorful, vibrant palette and dreams of one day visiting Paris.  Luckily since I had just signed up to receive emails through Tibi, they also sent a lovely introductory discount code to use on my first purchase.  It does pay to sign up for emails to a particular brand that you love and could use discounts from.  It's also a great idea to share them with friends as well!

Top: Tibi City Stretch Top via Willow's super sale, $100/$278 

Skirt: Tibi Eiffel Tower Skirt, $210/$245 Similar & love this one

Heels: Tory Burch Leah via Nordstrom Rack, $150/$425

Necklace: J. Crew $20/$90

Blush Too

When: Last weekend, to a much needed hair do over appointment and walking about downtown.

Remember when you were in grade school and you had that one item of clothing that you wanted to wear day in and day out and the next day to?  I hope you do, because you may also remember that it was a huge taboo to wear something two days in a row.  Well, you're an adult now, you can do whatever you want to with your clothing choices.  And, that is why I decided that this particular silk shirt was so airy, light and a bit more elevated than a t-shirt, that I would wear it on the weekend to.  And that is what I did Saturday.  

There was a slight nagging voice in my head waving a tsk, tsp, tsk finger at me, but I had the sense to put it right back where it belonged, in that closet full of doubters and less than's where it will stay.  So just remember your an adult now, no one else can tell you how to dress.  So dress the way that make you feel your best & have a great weekend.

Top: Joie Rancher B via Nordstrom Rack, $50/$178

Shorts: J. Crew Chino in Dusty Quartz, $30/$45

Sandals: Flogg Florence Sandal via NR, $50/$102

Blush

When: Last Friday, when the heat arrived finally!  Summer has officially begun albeit a little late.

I stalked these heels for some time at one of the higher end consignment stores in Boulder, Common Threads.  The not so high heels were $90 when I first looked at them, along with a pair of twisted Louboutin flats that caught my eye.  I put both on hold for 24 hours and then went to do some research at home.  The flats were listed for $99, so all things being equal it came down to which one I would wear more often and what was the better value.  The twisted flats were selling on Ebay for about $200, while the Jimmy Choo's were $595 and fairly new.  You can see which ones ended up coming home with me the next day for only $80 as they had been marked down!  Score for me!  

Searching for items that you don't know the name for can be a bit challenging.  It is best to start with the obvious, say glitter pumps for the Jimmy Choo's or twisted, cut out, or box toe for the Louboutin flats.  Another idea that often works well is going directly to the brands' site to see what they call each type of shoe they sell.  You may gain new insight on words that will benefit your online search.  Happy researching!

Top: Joie Rancher B via Nordstrom Rack, $50/$178
Pants: Trina Turk via NR, $40/$248 Similar here & here
Heels: Jimmy Choo 'Aurora' via Common Threads, $80/$575 Similar here
Necklace: UO, $10

Bernadette + Steamers

When: Last week, due to fluctuating weather patterns and my continuation of white pants season.

I realized after uploading these pictures that there was one very large irritating factor in them - creases.  Creases on the softest silk lace shirt that I pulled out of the closet in the early morning hours when it was hard to see.  I could have sworn the blouse had already been steamed and put back in its place, but to my dismay that was not the case.  

Had I pulled out the handy Jiffy Steamer I received as a gift from my mother on my birthday 2 years ago, I could have avoided this disaster.  The steamer takes seconds to heat up and is quick to release the worst lines from your clothes.  It is a lifesaver and I honestly don't know how I lived without one for so long.  Here is my reasoning for putting a Jiffy steamer on your Christmas list this year:

Pros:

• Silk Blouses
• Skirts
• Evening gowns 
• Lightweight pants
• Mobile
• Easy to use and fill

Cons:

• Hard to use on cotton dress shirts
• Handle gets extremely hot after long use
• Burning yourself on occasion will occur

That said you may also want to check out Jiffy's article on allergens in the home and how you can cut down on them while you sleep.  I am definitely going to try it!

Shirt: Equipment Quinn Lace Sleeve Blouse via Nieman Marcus Last Call, $78/$258
Jeans: BDG via UO, $20/$54
Flats: Tory Burch Bernadette Flats via Nordstrom Rack, $75/$280
Necklace: UO $10
Earrings: NR $12
Handbag: Coach Alex Sateen Tote via Nordstrom $166/$358

The Blues

When: Yesterday, Summer pulled a prank by not getting above 72 degrees, which is freezing in my book.

Sweater weather in Summer is not my idea of a good time.  It is the one season in which you do not expect to be wearing jeans or pants every day of the week, save for weekends.  That being said, I don't think I have ever fully packed away all my fall/winter clothes for the Summer.   This is due to the range of weather patterns that can fly though Colorado in a given hour.  It snowed in June once, I kid you not.  So the one thing that I have gained from living here is, be prepared for all seasons.  Hence why there is no need to pack away your favorite sweater for the year thankfully.  What is it that you keep out year round, let me know.

Sweater: Rag & Bone via Nordstrom Rack $54/$325
Jeans: J Brand 811 Mid-rise Skinny Twill, NR, $47/$200
Heels: Kate Spade 'Lisa' Pump via NR, $170/$3
Earrings: Forever 21, $4

Nautical

When: During what I would call the 'week of white pants,' because they match with everything!

White jeans, pants, trousers whatever you will call them are a great Summer item for many reasons.  First, and foremost they match with just about anything, whether your color palette tends to be pastel, dark or full of bright colors.  It's really an open canvas if you will to paint it up however you like.  I tend to enjoy a balance of light and dark, so black or blue tops preferably with stripes tend to be a favorite.  I believe pastels such as blush pink or peach work well for those with lighter skin or blonde hair & look extra summery when paired with white.

The second reason white is so wonderful in the summer is due to its reflective qualities.  This helps   keep the heat at bay & you won't burn to a crisp trying to look fashionable in your black jeans on a 90 degree day.  Not cool in the least.  What's your view on white jeans, pants, trousers, do you have a love/hate relationship with them?  Do you find it hard to find the right fit?  Let me know.  

Top: J. Crew Slide Slit Tunic, $15/$45 on sale now for $18
Jeans: BDG High Rise Grazer Jean via Urban Outfitters $20, high end version here, less here.
Flatforms: Tory Burch "Karissa" via Rue La La, $99
Bracelet: J. Crew $10/$30
Necklace: Urban Outfitters (old), $10/$24
Handbag: Milly 'Victoria' via Nordstrom Rack, $135

A Metallic Compromise

When: Over this last weekend, hot during the day and cool in the evening, linen fixes everything.

I have come to realize that on the weekend my main staples seem to be shorts and a cool linen tee.  White is a great color since it means it won't make you hotter than you already are because it reflects light instead of absorbing it like a darker colors would.  The best part about this metallic tee however, is that it has a little bit of subtle sparkle in it, which means you are now officially dressed to the nines here in Boulder.  I kid you not, very casual here if you couldn't tell.

The second thing that I will reiterate time and time again is that a little height in a heel makes a huge difference in the length your silhouette.  These MICHAEL Michael Kors sandals come out each summer through Nordstrom, although the colors change from year to year and they are a great addition to your wardrobe.  If you need additional height or just want to run around town and look fabulous while doing so, these are the sandals for you.  Happy Shopping!

Top: J. Crew Metallic Trim Linen Tee, $15/$49 (Size up one from your normal)

Shorts: J. Crew Chino 3" in Dusty Quartz, $29

Jean Jacket: Gap (old) via ebay $20 Similar here $69

Sandals: MICHAEL Michael Kors Hamilton Sandal, via Nordstrom Rack $44/$98

Neon Yellow

When: Last week, you know the days where it's chilly in the a.m. and rainy in the p.m., yeah.

In keeping with the theme of neon I decided it was finally time to pair these wonderfully cheery sandals with something simple.  After picking up these heels over a year & a half ago, looking longingly day after day in my shoe cabinet, I can finally say they heels have found their match with this J. Crew Merino sweater.  It is  so lightweight it works well both indoors and outdoors & it has a hint of neon with a lovely stripe down its side..  It's not too much, just enough.  It's a great way to wear neon if your afraid of looking like a flashback from the 80's.  

Sweater: J. Crew Tipped Merino Sweater, $20/$89

Jeans: J Brand 7/8ths Snow Cropped Jean via Nordstrom Rack, $30/$180, Similar here

Heels: Tory Burch Laurie Heel via NR, $70/$285

Handbag: Milly 'Victoria' via NR, $131/$435

Bracelet: J.Crew, $10

Vintage Weekend Wear

  

When: On the weekend, when I wanted to get a little fancy & I was itching to wear this 'new' find.

Vintage Weekend Finds

Weekends are usually for relaxing and casual outfits, but sometimes a t-shirt and shorts is just a little boring.  It's at this point that the hunt ensues for something, anything in the closet that has a bit of personality.  After some searching I found this vintage metallic striped blouse that I managed to pluck from the depths of crazy shirt section of Goldmine Vintage not that long ago.  Amazingly this blouse is 100% cotton, even though I'm pretty certain it came out of the polyester era, because it's slightly scratchy.

That being said we next look to shoes for some elevation of an outfit, literally.  I love flats don't get me wrong, but the benefit of wearing a shoe with a little height lengths your legs and just makes you feel a bit more polished.  That is why I love these DV by Dolce Vita Sandals.  They are extremely comfortable and they have a bit of sparkle to them.  Any sandal that meets the 1-1 1/2 inch height will do though.

Vintage finds are wonderful!  They have a story of their own, yet they fit your life now and for what may come soon enough.  And it is with great care that someone else treasured your new find, so much  so that it was able to last throughout the years.  So treat it well and wash it gently, never ever on hot.  Happy hunting!

Metallic Shirt: Vintage via Goldmine Vintage, $19

Shorts: J. Crew Chino Short 3" in Maroon, Similare here, $35

Sandals: DV by Dolce Vita 'Zinc' via Nordstrom, $52/Now on sale $39

Pop of Neon

When: During the rainy season, which apparently has been every afternoon in the month of June.

Happy "Friday" to you!  I hope most of you have tomorrow Independence Day off.  I do and I plan on sleeping in and not setting an alarm, so I can recover from this last week of getting up way too early.  I'm definitely not a morning person.

So lets talk about these beacons of sunny happiness on my feet.  They are first and foremost extremely comfortable, which is a bonus for hoofing it around town to do a million different errands.  Second, if you're pale these will at least make you look like you have somewhat of a tan.  Neon is interesting in the way that it gives your skin a little extra glow.  The science behind it is fascinating.  Third, you just can't go wrong with a wedge for stability.  The weight on your foot isn't solely on your heel or ball of foot in a wedge, it's evenly distributed which make for happier feet.  

How did I find these for only $48 you ask?  I walked into the J. Crew store and several of their display models were on sale.  Luckily the shoe fit perfectly and with an extra 50% off they were a reasonable price, because I also picked up these gold Nora ballet flats with the greatest pattern.  I have often found when shopping J. Crew the best deal are found in store, so take a look because July marks some super sales for clothing and shoes.  

Wedges: J. Crew "Seville" in Citrus Lime $48/$128 Size down 1/2 a size from your normal for these.
Jeans: UO Twig Grazer High Rise Crop $20/$60
Top: Joie Indra Tunic via Weekends (They're having a sale now so you should get on over there.)
Bracelet: J. Crew (old)
Handbag: Milly "Victoria"