Denim Incisions

This is one of my favorite looks this season. It's comfortable, cute and fairly simple. I wear this exact outfit or a combination of it on a regular basis. My inspiration for this look began a couple of months ago when I was on a mission to find a pair of black skinny jeans with knee slits. It's a new look for me, but I absolutely love it. It's edgy and cool, and appropriate for several occasions.

Outfit Destinations:

Class

House party

Concert

Shirt: Free People | Jeans: Zara | Booties: Marc Fisher | Fitbit: Tory Burch
| Watch: Montblanc | Bracelets: H&M

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }

Labor Day at Bay

This Zara tee has been a staple for me. With an a-symetrical fit, this simple tee manages to maintain style without being pegged for looking like a basic "mom shirt." This soft pink is one of my favorite colors to wear, and because it goes with many different looks, I also bought it in white (which will be revealed in a future post.) Sometimes less is more and this shirt totally proves that.

Because my shirt was simple, I paired it with these high-waisted jean shorts. The front pattern is comprised of small knitted flowers, which adds some spark to an ordinary pair of white shorts. 

Shirt: Zara | Shorts: Pitaya | Sandals: Ralph Lauren | Sunglasses: Ray Ban

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }

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Outfits in Review: Mel’s First Year Milestone

One year ago, I created MelonyMelrose.com, an experiment my best friend urged me to try. I was apprehensive, nervous and naïve. I wasn’t sure I was cut out for fashion blogging— consistently putting great outfits together and committing to photo shoots every weekend. But, I guess I was.

It’s been one full year since my very first post went live and although I’ve considered quitting, I have decided that I won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. It’s been a year of change, growth and mistakes, but it’s one that has shaped me into a better blogger, writer and version of myself. 

I have to give a special shout out to Natalie Craig for giving me guidance throughout this entire process. If it weren’t for her, I likely wouldn’t have even started a blog. Thanks for being my mentor, soundboard and photographer. I’m not sure what I’d do without you.

And thank you to those who regularly follow my blog. Whether you’re liking my Facebook shares, leaving comments of encouragement or just mentioning to me in passing that you read my latest post, thank you so much for the ongoing support. It really makes me feel like the time I invest in my blog is worth it. There’s many more outfits and fashion commentary to come, so don’t go anywhere please!

To mark my one year anniversary, I’ve dedicated this post to taking a look back at my top five favorite outfits from the last year. To date, I have more than 12,500 page views—not groundbreaking, but it’s exciting to me. So take a look at my best outfits over the past year, and as always, feel free to send me any feedback about this post or my blog in general.

November 2014

Aqueous Avenue

December 2014

Frosty Fads

December 2014

Holidaze

March 2015

Jacquard Reactions

June 2015

Celebrity Look: Kim K

Poise in the Sun

Styles similar to Mel's

Patterned Shorts by melonymelrose featuring short shorts

Vero Moda short shorts
$47 - thehut.com

Isabel Marant short skirt
tessabit.com

Thakoon Addition short shorts
$205 - farfetch.com

Rare London black shorts
$28 - rarelondon.com

Tank: Zara | Shorts: Forever 21 | Sandals: Dolce Vita | Bracelets: H&M

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }

Reva

After years of carrying cross-body handbags, I decided it was time to switch it up with this Tory Burch Reva clutch. Sleek, black and lightweight, this handbag makes even the simplest outfit pop. 

No longer do I suffer with the burden of a long strap weighing me down on a night out. Carrying cross-body handbags can be so annoying when trying to dance or move around a tight crowd. 

And these Zara jeans give outfits a more sophisticated edge, making them casual yet refined. They hug my hips perfectly and make my butt look good—an added bonus.

| Shirt: Forever 21 | Pants: Zara | Heels: Steve Madden | Handbag: Tory Burch |

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }

Formally Chic

| Shirt & Skirt: H&M | Scarf: Zara | Heels: Steve Madden | Ring: Michael Kors | Watch: Montblanc |

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }

Summer Wish List

As summer approaches, the need for new seasonal pieces arises and puts fashionistas like me into a shopping frenzy. Because shoes and handbags become staples in any wardrobe, having just the right ones is important.

Here are just some of the items I'd like to get before summer is in full swing. All of these pieces are black or white, making them them basic essentials that will go with just about everything.

Vince Camuto—'Vamela' Open Toe Leather Bootie $111.16

Tory Burch—Miller Sandal $195.00

Marc by Marc Jacobs—Color Clock Square Sunglasses $130.00

Marc by Marc Jacobs—Ligero Hobo $428.00

Tory Burch—Reva Clutch $350.00

So this last item is not a handbag or a pair of sandals, but still necessary for my lazier summer days.

Sony—32" R420B Series LED HDTV $279.99

My Favorite Flannel

While winter drags on, finding new styles and outfits is becoming increasingly difficult. I'm longing for the day when I can throw on a pair of shorts and a crop top. 

But recently I've started wearing flannels to help mend my desperation for a new look. Although flannel-wearing hipsters have been around for years, this is my first experience with the style, and it is surprisingly better than I had originally anticipated.

The truth is this isn't my favorite flannel. It's actually my first and only, and if you ask my friends, it's now the shirt I wear too much.

In the never-ending search to find sweaters that have an edge, I managed to get my hands on this cowl-neck knit. Though the zipper on the collar is simple, it gives it a refreshing look.

And because this outfit was channeling an inner-city hipster approach, it could not be completed without acid wash jeans and combat boots. 

| Sweater & Flannel : Forever 21 | Jeans: Zara | Boots: Steve Madden | Ring: Michael Kors

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }