Burnt and still fabulous

Summer is the time to flaunt your best assets—the ones you’ve been hiding all winter under layers of clothes. Besides hot weather driving me to wear more revealing clothing, I also love showing off my legs, especially when they’re tan! (My shins are burned in this shoot because I overdid it on the beach in Miami last month.) But these Forever 21 shorts have remained a staple in my summer wardrobe for almost two years! They’re hip huggers with an elastic waist band and draw strings, making them comfy for more casual summer days.

Free People has always been one of my favorite brands, but I especially like this semi-sheer, long-sleeve top. Free People calls it the Bae Bae Layering Top; you can find it on sale here. The neutral and feminine color combined with the plunging neckline has made it one of my favorite shirts to wear lately.

When trying something different goes right

Sometimes my outfits can be so matchy-matchy. I can have a hard time putting together an outfit that includes more than two colors. Most of the time, in an effort to always look crisp and cohesive, I pair black with a pop of color. Sometimes it's just black and white, and other times it's more colorful. 

But when I was putting together this outfit, I was looking for a way to break my normal pattern. And since summer is here (yay!), it's the perfect time to experiment with your personal style.

Take this outfit: I've got on a knitted, beige tank, white denim pants and blue denim sandals. It's not matchy at all, but it still works. Putting together these kinds of outfits takes time and thought. It won't just happen!

The Glow Up

I came out of my Chicoma and got a deep tan while visiting Miami last week with my good friend Natalie in the City. We both needed a break from RL and decided to escape to a place where we could find inspiration for some summer fashion.

Miami is such an eclectic place. You see just about everything there, especially when it comes to fashion. (Sometimes you see too much.) But I was so excited to finally be somewhere warm that my main mission was to show as much skin as possible. This meant lots of outfits composed of tanks, mini skirts and shorts.

B&W

A black and white ensemble is so classically stylish. For some people it can seem a little boring, but for me, it's a go-to outfit that never disappoints. But to avoid looking like I'm wearing a uniform, I pick pieces like what I'm wearing below—garments with small embellishments that help them stand out.

I don't usually like bell sleeves, but I wanted to try something different. I got this piece at Zara a couple months ago and have been wearing it everywhere since! It's perfect for several occasions, like work or a networking event, and I can pair it with some casual pants and rock it on my off-duty days.

These Express leggings are also such a good option for work, especially because not all leggings are. Lululemon in the office? I don't think so. But a dressier legging that looks more like a tight dress pant than something you'd go for a jog in is fair game in my opinion! The leather details and waist zippers on these leggings help enhance what would normally be an everyday black legging.

Do you love wearing black and white? Show me your favorite B&W ensemble on Twitter!

Athleisure is here to stay

What's your favorite athleisure brand? You might have more than one considering the market is filled with options. Whether you like fitness staples like Nike and Lululemon, or prefer to shop for workout clothing in stores that offer other goodies, like Victoria's Secret and Forever 21, it seems like every brand offers an athleisure line. So it can be hard to choose!

My personal favorites are Nike, Lululemon and Victoria's Secret (VS), all for different reasons. I love Nike for shoes, Lululemon for leggings and VS for sports bras. To help break down what different brands specialize in, here's a list of some that offer stylish and some-what budget friendly options. 

Low budget:

Forever 21—A great option if you're looking for inexpensive, on-trend workout clothing. A pair of leggings from here may not last for years, but what does that matter if you're able to buy 10 pairs?

H&M—The fast-fashion retailer has good basic pieces, like leggings, sports bras and tanks, which lets you mix and match as you need. They're absorbent and never feel heavy after a sweaty workout.

Medium budget:

Victoria's Secret—VS specializes in bras so it's no surprise that their sports bras are some of the best on the market. They offer a variety of styles that cater to women with all bust sizes. Some styles have no padding at all, while others have that extra boost that keeps you feeling confident in a tight tank.

Nike—Shoes! Obviously. My favorite pair of running shoes are made by Nike. With styles that look good in and out of the gym, you can't go wrong with a buying a pair from here. They offer support in all the right places to make sure your feet don't wear out during the most intense workouts.

Splurging:

Lululemon—The Canada-based chain that largely helped popularize the term "athleisure" is my only destination for leggings. They last forever (seriously, I still wear a pair that I bought in 2011) and they give me full coverage where I need it so I can bend and twist as I need to. They're pricey, but always worth it.

Athleta—They can sometimes get lost in Lulu's shadow because the styles and price point are similar, but it's still a great option when looking for quality gear that will last. And like Lulu, their styles are always changing, which keeps it interesting as you build up your athleisure wardrobe.

Below is a taste of what I wear during a normal workout. I'm rocking my favorite Lululemon leggings, this open-back tee from Forever 21 and these monochromatic Nikes. What do you wear when you're working out? Show me on Twitter.

Outfit Destinations:

Going for a run

Yoga class

Barre class

Tee: Forever 21 | Sports bra: Victoria's Secret | Leggings: Lululemon | Shoes: Nike

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }

More Velvet

Velvet has been everywhere lately—on clothing, accessories and even furniture. But I've been slow to warm up to the trend. I think it can sometimes look tacky and outdated. But when I found this tank dress at Zara, I had to have it. 

First off, I love tank dresses. But you already knew that if you saw this post. I love the way they hug my body and accentuate the little curves I do have. I also gravitate to any midi dress because they're sexy while still maintaining some sophistication. Additionally, the deep, metallic purple is one of my favorite colors to wear because it adds a subtle pop of color in evening attire.

And since the dress is fabulous all on its own, I decided just to pair it with this black leather jacket and these Steve Madden heels. This is one time that keeping it simple paid off.

Outfit Destinations:

Cocktail party

Fashion show

New Year's Eve party

Dress & Jacket: Zara | Heels: Madden Girl | Bangle: Henri Bendel

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }

                            

SaveSave

Life as a Runway

One of my main goals with my blog is to give women ideas on how to embrace style in their everyday lives. That's why I give outfit destination suggestions with every post and do my best to showcase clothing that you'd actually want to wear in real life. Occasionally I blog about a revealing cocktail dress or a pair of heels that begin hurting your feet after 20 minutes, but for the most part, I want my fashion advice to be accessible.

This outfit below is one of them, I hope. With a plain black shirt paired with faux suede pants, this is an ensemble I frequently wear to work. Both pieces are from my favorite brand, Zara, and remain staples in my wardrobe. The pants are more comfortable than a traditional work pant and their high-waisted cut helps accentuate the hips.

But the garment that ties it all together and elevates the outfit from standard to stellar is the shawl. I usually wear this piece as a scarf, but decided to style it differently and give my outfit a more feminine edge. And though the shawl is a bit chaotic, it includes all the colors in my outfit and seamlessly blends in.

Lastly, I added these Tory Burch pumps, which were a Fashion Fetish of mine last fall. I had to break them in, like I have with many other Tory shoes, but now that I have, they feel great on my feet. The mini heel makes them ideal for city living when I'm walking blocks at a time or hopping on and off public transportation.

So is this outfit realistic for everyday fashion goals? I think so.

Outfit Destinations:

Office

Networking event

Fashion show

Shirt, pants & shawl: Zara | Shoes: Tory Burch | Watch: Montblanc

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }

Panic vomit, a dress and confidence on your worst days

The first time I wore this dress I was in Washington, D.C. for my first-ever official business trip. I was four months into my job and my editors wanted me to cover an annual cardiology conference. I was the only reporter from our company going and the pressure to perform was weighing down on me.

The night before I left I was panicking, panicking so much that I had panic vomit. I had been sick that week, was really anxious about the trip and had a seafood pasta dish that day, which may or may not have caused the vomit. Either way, I was a mess.

On top of my physical and mental breakdowns, I was trying to pack. I needed clothing that was professional and journalist-y, but also realistic and comfortable since I'd be spending nine hours a day in a large convention center. I had just bought this H&M dress and hadn't worn it yet. So I hastily packed it, hoping it was a good choice.

After nightmares about being publicly humiliated in front of Abbott researchers, it was the morning of the conference. I was still on edge about the whole thing and fearful of messing it up.

I pulled the dress over my head and looked in the mirror back at myself. The dress was comfy since it was made of knitted cotton and it rested nicely above my knees. It hugged my waist and expanded gracefully near my hips. Ultimately, it was professional and tasteful, and consistent with my personal style, just like I'd hoped.

I didn't look half bad, I thought to myself. And instantly, this dress made me feel more confident about the challenges I had to tackle that day. I put on these black leather lace-up flats, grabbed my recorder and left the hotel room. 

Later at the conference, I landed an exclusive interview with the chief medical officer at Abbott and surprised even myself. I was composed, asked good questions and was one of the first to break news on the company's new heart stent. I looked good and felt good, and the dress helped me get there.

Who says an outfit can't make you confident even on your worst day?

Outfit Destinations:

Office

Commencement

Holiday party

Dress: H&M | Flats: Halogen | Bangle: Henri Bendel | Watch: Montblanc

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }

No New Clothes

Many people make New Year's resolutions, but not many stick with them. It can be hard to commit to something for a whole year, or forever.

Clothing is my guilty pleasure, which shouldn't be a surprise—I run a fashion blog for Christ's sake. But I wanted to cut down on the amount of clothing I was purchasing and be a more conscious consumer. My closet is overflowing. I have many garments that look the same, and I was generally indulging too much in retail therapy.

Besides, I began thinking about all the money I could save if I just stopped shopping as much.

Me looking guilty after a shopping spree.

So I made a resolution, but it wasn't necessarily a New Year's one. It was more of a January resolution, and really, much more of a January goal. I promised myself that I wouldn't purchase any clothing for the entire month of January. And believe me, it was hard. I know it probably sounds like I'm being a bratty baby, cause what's 31 days without a new shirt or pair of shoes? But it's 31 d a y s.

Curbing my itch to shop was difficult all on its own, but it became even more challenging when my friends asked me to go shopping with them. Even though I tagged along on some shopping trips, I resisted the temptation to buy. But in doing so, I realized something: For as much as I like to shop on my own, I get roped into purchasing clothes simply because I decide to join a friend on a trip to Michigan Avenue.

Throughout January, I was successful in my efforts to avoid shopping, and it was because I set a short-term resolution, one I knew would end in 31 days. And at the end of January, I felt accomplished, even if I had gone out and bought something Feb. 1 (I didn't).

So have something you want to cut back on or change about your routine? Try doing it for just one month. If at the end you feel accomplished and not deprived, then try making it a more long-term goal.

It's now Feb. 2 and I have all this freedom to go shop. I accomplished my goal. Don't I get a reward?

Realistically, I know I'll have to eventually buy new clothing because how else will I sustain my blog? But I think I have enough for now, and whether or not I buy clothes every month going forward, I will make a conscious effort not to over indulge, not to be excessive and to understand when too much is simply just too much.

Regardless of how I use my purchasing power in months to come, I've accomplished something and it's worth being proud of. And since I was able to make it through all 31 days of January, I'm confident I can make it through the remaining 26 days of February.

Tacos can't trump this blazer

Picture this: It’s the beginning of September and I’m looking for a camel blazer. For a working girl in a city where fall and spring happen, having the blazer seemed necessary. Camel blazers and coats have been trending for a while now, mainly because they're neutral and sophisticated pieces that can instantly help step up someone's style game.

I got this particular blazer at J. Crew, and though it was love at first sight, I didn’t buy it right away. It wasn’t worth the $218 the preppy clothing brand was asking for.

But a few weeks later, I’m at Taco Fest in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, and I wander into a J. Crew just to see if my blazer was in there (even though I’m supposed to be eating tacos). And to my surprise, they had it, and it was on sale! So I bought it—obvi.

     

It looks great with denim and earth tones, and gives me the ability to instantly dress up casual outfits. Without the blazer, this outfit it pretty basic. It's just a black shirt and jeans, and I look like I'm running errands. But adding the blazer gives the outfit a business casual element. I love wearing this outfit and others like it to work and networking events—places where I want to look sophisticated and refined, but not overdo it with formal wear.

Fast forward to November and I'm looking for a new pair of black leather boots. Last year I wore out my Marc Fisher boots, and the year before that I was wearing a pair of black leather riding boots from Michael Kors. So since I obviously have a thing for black leather boots, I figured I'd stick with the trend.

That's when I found the Tory Burch Chelsea boots below. They got me through fall and now they're getting me through winter. Though I have to be careful about wearing them when there's snow and salt on the streets, they have remained a staple in my wardrobe. They seemingly go with everything because they aren't overdone with a ton of hardware and other distracting embellishments. With a simple Tory Burch logo on the heel, these boots' simplicity is what makes them so versatile.

Now let's rewind back to June. I'm in Nordstrom looking for a new pair of sunnies when I see these square-frame Celine glasses. I pondered long and hard over them, but figured I could justify treating myself since I had just graduated from college and was offered a new grown-woman job. They cost me, but it was worth it.

Takeaways: 

Wait for items to go on sale

Stay true to what you like

Treat yoself

Outfit Destinations:

Office

Networking event

Mixer

Shirt: Zara | Blazer: J. Crew | Jeans: Lucky Brand | Booties: Tory Burch

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }

SaveSave