Crop Tops For Summer

One of my favorite fashion pairings is contrasting prints. While both my crop top and skirt feature polka dots, I think they compliment each other due to the subtle differences in the size of each print. I must admit... crop tops are growing on me.

Green has been my official summer color this year. Most of the prints I've purchased have featured some type of green in them, and while it was never a color I actively looked for, I ended up with a lot of it this year. Not necessarily a bad thing...

I purchased this polka dot skirt from ModCloth.com and was so in love with the dainty bow and polka dot print, I managed to miss it had a bow tie waist. Oh, and I found quite the gem at Marshall's - these suede Coach shoes were a steal! 

What I'm Wearing:

Polka Dot Crop Top - Forever 21 / Prose Amongst Bows Skirt - ModCloth.com / Retro Satchel - Primark / Suede Coach Heels (2012 Coach Fall Collection) / Heart Bangle - Urban Outfitters / Spiked Bracelet - Forever 21 / Mary Kay True Dimensions Lip Stick in Pink Cherie - c/o Influenster

Aztec Prints and Fits Of Pink

I have to tell you... I'm getting a little bored with the same ol same ol lately. You know those times when you get bored of everything, and start looking for other things to motivate you? I'm having one of those moments.

However, I feel so lucky to have someone in my life to help me through the rough patches. My husband and his nationality has made such an impact on my life in ways I never imaged. The biggest of which, obviously, is in how I define my personal style. I think I relate more to the British - they can be a little eccentric, and people seem to accept that more among their culture. In my younger teenage years, I felt extremely out of place in New Jersey... because people tend to look the same, dress the same. But with the British, it's like... as long as you're not a pikey, and you're a good person who enjoys a good laugh... you're alright. 

One advantage of being married to a Brit (besides getting to travel to England, and having a husband with a charming accent) is discovering new places to spend my dosh . I can't tell you how giddy I was when I found out UK based fashion retailer Boohoo.com was coming stateside! I was ecstatic to receive a bunch of goodies from them over the weekend, and immediately, I had to pair this Aztec Print Bodycon Mini Skirt with my other latest purchase - my Kate Spade New York Wellesley Bag!

What I Wore:

Leather Sleeve Tee - Forever 21 / Olivia Aztec Print Bodycon Mini Skirt - c/o Boohoo.com / Alexia Sandal - Modern-Citizen.com / Kate Spade New York Wellesley Bag / Alex and Ani  King's Crown Bracelet, Alex and Ani Om Bracelet, Alex and Ani Birthstone Bracelet / 1970s Mood Ring (my mother's) / Pyramid Stud Statement Necklace - Rachel Rachel Roy

Influenster Mary Kay VoxBox Review

One thing I don't talk about nearly enough about on my blog is makeup. Considering I carry 4 different lipsticks in my purse at all times, and I won't ever leave the house without makeup on, you'd think I'd be ranting and raving about the products I use. And there are plenty of products that I do love!

Since I've signed up for Influenster.com, I've been practicing my reviewing skills, as the site allows users to create profiles, and give their honest opinions about products. What's in it for you? Active members receive access to deals, promotions and sometimes, products!  

I was fortunate enough to receive a Mary Kay Influenster VoxBox* filled with beauty products! Check out my video for a review on the Mary Kay Startlet On The Go Kit, filled with lip, eye and makeup products!

*I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Steal Her Style: Kate Middleton's Jenny Packham Dress

Angel Eye short polka dot dress
yoox.com

Emily and Fin blue dress
modcloth.com

Alice You belted dress
dorothyperkins.com

Dot print dress
shopruche.com





Being married to British bloke means my senses are heightened when it comes to big UK events... especially, The Royals. Although Prince William and Kate Middleton have enough media attention on them as it is, the arrival of the Royal Baby pushed everything into overload.

Princess Kate, in my opinion, is a royal of a different kind. She is absolutely a style icon as I think she's added some modern personality to the way a princess dresses. Never too over the top demure, and hardly drab, I appreciate Kate's young sense of style. 

And, I have to hand it to her: For a lady that just had a baby, homegirl looked adorable 24-hours later for the unveiling of the future heir to the British throne. 

Kate wore a Jenny Packham polka dot blue dress which was adorably mom chic - and I'm sure dresses of similar taste will become the go-to now for anything baby related. Baby showers, baby baptisms, baby birthday parties... I'm calling it, people.

So, if you want to get in on the baby blue polka dot dress action just like Kate Middleton, check out these wallet-friendly options to channel your inner princess!

Pops Of Colorblock

Since I can tend to get stuck in my own fashion ways, I believe that you should always try something once... at least. This summer, I've found myself leaving the black on the racks, and picking up colors I can mix for color blocking. While green in shades of mint and evergreen have been on my radar for some time, I've stepped outside my style comfort zone and decided to try incorporating white into my closet.

White shoes? I accept the challenge!

The perfect opportunity to try my hand at wearing white came with a pair of shoes from Timberland's Earthkeeper's collection*.  And since I love to recycle my clothing, I'm always on the hunt for earth-conscious products. Made with recycled materials that are eco-friendly (including the sole, which is made from recycled rubber!) I slipped them on and immediately realized that while black goes with everything... so does white! I normally would have went with a black shoe, but since black is absolutely within my comfort zone, I wanted to push myself to stay away from it.

It's about time I take the blinders off and do what I've been preaching at times - try new things and think outside of my personal style standards!

How do you break fashion habits outside your norm?

What I Wore:

Green Button Front Cut-Out Top - Lulus.com / Blue Mini Skirt - Forever 21 / No. 7 Quilted Camera Bag - Henri Bendel / Nirvana Ring - c/o Swarovski / Timberland Earthkeeper's Backstrap Sandal - c/o Timberland / Spiked Bracelet - Forever 21 / Blue Rhinestone Bangle - c/o Sequin NY

Financial compensation was not received for this post. A sample product was gifted from Timberland. Opinions expressed here are my own.

Hearts In Her Eyes

I love a quirky accessory on the uber cheap. Heart-shaped sunglasses for $10? Yes, please!

As a blogger, I think there's some weird expectation that you shouldn't wear the same clothes on your blog repeatedly. That you're not really a forward thinker if you have to recycle your looks.

Well, there's something I live in, and it's called reality. 

And that means I wear my clothes, wait for it... more than once <gasp>. Surprising, I know. Go ahead and pick your chin up off the floor. I'll wait...

What I Wore:

Striped Tank - Forever 21 / High Waist Plaid Skirt - Urban Outfitters / New Bond Street Florence Bag - Kate Spade New York / Alexia Sandal - Modern Citizen (formerly StyleStalk) 

Accessories:

Heart Shaped Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters

In The Spotlight Double Wrap Bracelet (purple) - Henri Bendel /
Gold Pyramid Stud Bracelet - Forever 21 /  Crystal Lanyard Bracelet - Henri Bendel / Rings - Craft fairs 

Lipstick: Mary Kay True Dimensions Lip Stick in PInk Cherie (c/o Mary Kay Influenster box)

The fun part of personal style is the combinations and outfit options you can create with pieces that become your favorites. In my case, I can find umpteenth ways to wear stripes and skirts. This high-waist plaid skirt is at least three years old, but I've managed to wear it over and over again. As a matter of fact, I wore it last July in my Summer Stripes post - with a striped shirt. 

While the idea of wearing something once might be appealing, I like to get my money's worth. What are you thoughts on bloggers recycling looks?

Style Territories

This summer has marked venturing into new style territories for me.

1. The hair donut is my summer hair savior. Bangs and long hair don't mix well in the summer... so I had to find a way to get my hair off my neck without stabbing someone out of frustration.

2. Crop tops. I'll be honest that I was afraid of them since I'm not a fan of showing too much skin if I'm not on the beach. But, after finding one that was the perfect length - I'm hooked. Since I'm a tucked in shirt offender, crop tops allow me to wear skirts w/o the tucking. Bingo.

And speaking of disgustingly hot weather, Sunday, my Brit and I headed to Lobsterfest at Bradley Beach for some boardwalk fun and of course, lobster. Legit sweat box at the beach. This would explain why I put up $10 to buy a 32 ounce, stainless steel mug from Wild Bill's Olde Fashioned Soda Pop at the festival - with unlimited refills for the day. 

Of course, no trip to a lobster fest is complete without lobster. 

This would be a Lobster Dog - lobster macaroni and cheese piled on top of a hot dog.

And yes, it was so indulgently good.

Little excursions like these are why I love New Jersey. Only 4 more days till next weekend!

What I'm Wearing:

Black Crop Top - Forever 21 / Flower Print Skirt - Forever 21 

 Kristen Satchel - Coach / Gladiator Sandals  - Target (uber old) / Round Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters / Om Bracelet & King's Crown Bracelet - Alex and Ani

Travel Diary: Call Me Ishmael - Day 3

To round out my trip to Cape Cod, Mike and I knew we had to do something sea-worthy. Since we didn't have a day at the beach due to the weather, we took a leisurely drive toward the coastline and came across a small nook of tall grass separated by a tiny beach. Littered throughout it were these clam shells. I've seen sea shells a bunch of times, but not as many, and as pretty, as these.

Don't ask me what these are for... but they're cool, right?

On our last day in Cape Cod, we went whale watching in Hyannis. On our first outing to the cape in 2010, we did this, and it was amazing. The whales breached out of the water Free Willy style - it can only be described as awesome. Hoping to replicate the experience, we headed out at 9 a.m. on to get our Moby Dick on.

Part of any boat ride should be gorgeous views, and this one of a small coastline is it. This small island actually has NO running water or electricity, and is the last of it's kind on the cape. Talk about kicking it old school. Then again, with views like this - who cares if you can't plug your flat iron in?

After some searching, we finally came across finback and humpback whales! Out of all things you could do on vacation, I'd like to think going whale watching sounds pretty cherry.

This whale, named Nile for the distinctive Nile River outline on her tale, came up to bubble feed a couple of times.

But the best part about my vacation? Just getting to spend time with my husband. 

And the shopping...

Travel Diary: Dockside in Cape Cod - Day 2

One of Cape Cod's most notable towns is Hyannis. A beautiful coastal town that offer scenic views, Hyannis has a quaint downtown area that's great for trying out a little bit the cape has to offer - vintage shopping, fresh seafood, boats by the dock and most notable, a historical legacy by John F. Kennedy.

While walking on Main Street in Hyannis, you'll find everything from souvenirs to shrimp, and can walk the Kennedy Historical Trail. There's even a JFK Museum. We didn't go inside, but there's a great statue of JFK. Of course, my main motivation was to shop.

If I had a patio, I'd hang these nautical knots everywhere!

By day three of our trip, I had yet to eat any local seafood. However, I found my scallop fix at the Black Cat Tavern. It's located directly across from Hyannis Harbor, so you can take in waterfront views while enjoying local fare. It's about a 10 minute walk from Main Street, but the views alone are worth it.

While I do consider myself to be a city girl, I've always loved being waterside. In New Jersey, we seem to gravitate towards the beach and the ocean in the summer... I guess it's because we're locked up inside during the winter.

It's a huge tradition here in the Garden State, and while I can see boats anytime, there's just something so soothing about Cape Cod's harbors and beaches.  I never did make it to the beach on this trip because of the weather. However, that didn't stop me from having my "king of the world" ... and potentially, losing my shoes in the water while sitting on the dock.

What I Wore:

Mint Green V-Neck Tee - Gap / Floral Print Skirt - Forever 21 / Black Tights - Target / Black & White Mod Satchel - Primark / Black Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters / Alex and Ani November Birthstone Charm Bracelet / NYC New York Color Ultra Last Lipwear - Blue Rose 405