H&M Happy

I don't shop at H&M for clothes very often, but I do shop browse their home goods pretty frequently. The other day I just randomly clicked on over to their clothing and found SO many cute things! H&M in real life is completely stressful for me, so I much prefer their website...so streamlined and you don't have to deal with poking through messy piles of clothes to find your size.

Draped top, $24.95: I'd wear this with bright skinny pants and flats to work...I love a good artfully-draped top!

Beach shorts, $12.95: Such a good idea for the beach...I dislike one-piece cover ups and would rather just wear shorts. These would also be cute pj shorts with a little tank!

Yoga tank top, $17.95: I'm trying to start going to yoga classes, so I think new yoga-specific pieces are a good way to motivate myself. This looks much more expensive than it is and comes in pretty pastels. Namaste, y'all.

Tasseled necklace, $17.95: I've said before how statement necklaces are not my thing...but this one is just too cute with the little tassels! It'd be the perfect little accessory to brighten up an all-white outfit.

Printed espadrilles, $17.95: These are definitely a few steps outside my comfort zone, but I just love the print. So cute with a pair of cutoffs and a slouchy white tee. Summery, casual, easy.

Pom-pom Pillow cover, $17.95: SO cute! I know a little cat who would probably destroy the pom-poms in a hot second, but these are the cutest pillows. One of my goals on my apartment decorating list is to buy new bedding...these may have to make their way to my house as they'll match my current bedding and whatever I get in the future. And how perfect would the pink be on my gray couch?!

Girls in White Dresses

Since yesterday was Easter (Happy late Easter, btw!) it's now officially okay to wear white jeans, white dresses and white shoes in the South. I know a lot of people think this rule is antiquated and old fashioned, but I like it. I like having an unofficial date to pull out all my summery items...it makes it exciting :)

Anyway. I love white dresses but I have a hard time finding ones I like that I'd actually wear. In college, I always associated white with sorority initiation and then felt weird wearing a white dress anywhere that wasn't our initiation ceremony. Now that I'm post-college, I think it's time I came back to the white dress fold. There's just nothing as crisp or fresh in the summer and no better way to show off a tan!

(real talk: one of the (many) reasons I'm excited to get engaged is to find the perfect white dresses for engagement parties and showers and all of those fun events. if you're engaged, hopefully this little listie is helpful!)

Little White Lies dress, $170: so cute for a shower or church!

Textured Shift Dress, $68: This is definitely my style--crisp and minimal but still comfortable, easily dressed up or down

The Rope Eyelet Tunic dress, $198: Summer in a dress

Mudslide dress, $174: Perfect for every occasion, a literal blank canvas for accessorizing (or not)

Embellished Eyelet dress, $129: The accessorizing's already done for you! So easy!

Lace Cutwork Dress, $110: Obsessed. Such a delicate fabric in an unfussy, easy shape.

Santa Monica Crochet Dress, $50: As much as I love breezy dresses like this, I'm definitely not boho enough to pull them off. This is just so summery and easy...and the price is perfect.

Hazel Tiered dress, $50: I'd pair this dress with a tiny gold necklace or earrings, a wavy ponytail and flat sandals for a post-beach dinner. So pretty and simple.

Janice Shift dress, $188: If I was a bride-to-be, this would be the dress I'd choose for all of my events. Versatile and flattering with just a touch of sparkle.

There are so many good white dresses out there now...I want them all!

1 Dress, 2 Ways

I find myself wearing the same few items each summer in the same ways. While it's nice to have a fall-back outfit, I get really bored with my clothes really quickly. In an effort to shake up my closet, I'm going to start coming up with multiple ways to wear a single piece...hopefully both you and I will get some much needed inspiration!

dress

1//2//3//4//5//6

How cute is this Zara dress?! You know I'm a big navy stripes fan, so this dress is something I'd wear a zillion times. I think this could easily be dressed down (shopping, running errands, brunch) or dressed up a little (casual wedding, night out with friends, backyard party).

Spring Shoe Wishlist: Espadrilles

I'll admit, I wasn't a big espadrille fan until a few years ago. Maybe it's because the rope sole is so inherently casual, maybe it's because they're typically blah colors, but they weren't high on my list for a long time.

However, espadrilles have totally become an It thing in the past couple years. I bought a pair of red ones about two years ago and they've become my go-to shoe in the spring and summer. I'm actually sad when it comes time to put them away in the fall. I rounded up a few pairs of espadrille shoes that I'm loving and contemplating adding to my closet.

Castaner "Carina", $195: I have these in red and I cannot tell you how much I love them. The wedge is the perfect height and they're so comfortable I can wear them all day walking around. The canvas is breathable and the ankle ties are so cute! I definitely need this beige pair since I wear my red ones so much. A note on fit: the front part does tend to stretch out with wear, so I'd go a size down if you're in-between sizes!

Ugg Australia "Lucianna", $150: Navy. Striped. Wedge. Espadrilles. That's basically summer in a shoe, right? These are absolutely adorable and the only pair of Uggs I'd ever consider cute haha

Castaner "Balbina", ~$260: These are pricey, but definitely an investment shoe. My Castaners have held up remarkably well for the incredible amount of wear they've gotten, so these leather ones would more than likely last even longer. The shape is classic, the color is understated and would go with everything, and the brand itself has been around since 1927--all things I look for in an investment.

Zara Shiny Leather Espadrille, $69.90: The perfect shoe for throwing on with shorts and a tank to go run errands, to take to the beach, or to wear with cuffed, destroyed jeans and a slouchy t-shirt. Something about these is just so effortless and cool to me.

Spring Shoe Wishlist: Sneakers

I live in sneakers during the warmer months. I am totally weird about my feet getting dirty, so flat sandals are a "no" for me personally. Sneakers are the answer. Thankfully, it's now "cool" to wear sneakers so there are quite a few cute options out there. I've listed a few favorites below, but I'm always on the lookout for more! If you see any cute sneaks, send them my way!!

Zara Perforated Leather sneakers, $89.80: Edgier than I typically go, but I would wear these with skinny boyfriend jeans, a silky tank and a loose braid for a concert, or shorts and a slouchy tee for everyday wear. Perforations mean breathable shoes for hot days!

Tretorn "Nylite" in Chambray, $70: I have a total aversion to all-white sneakers because they get dirty so quickly, but darker sneakers look weird in summer. These chambray sneaks are perfect--a warm-weather fabric that'll look good with colored shorts, white pants or jeans. The rose gold logo is a perfect little detail!

Boden "Dotty Canvas Plimsolls", $58: Obviously I love the orange and navy combination, but these are just fun sneakers! So springy and happy!

Joie "Otis" oxford, $325: Obviously not a sneaker, but perfect for times when a sneaker is too casual (i.e. work). These would also be super cute with dresses and would work in the fall and winter too, so that price tag is a bit more reasonable if you break down all the ways you could wear them. Another investment piece and one that I'm always looking for.

Jonathan Adler for TOMS "Classic" in Yellow, $59: One of my favorite JA prints on a shoe? Sold. These just scream "spring" to me!

Apartment Decorating: The Extras

I've mentioned that I'm furnishing and decorating my apartment a few times (here and here), but until I really got into the process, I didn't understand what a challenge it is to find cute, stylish pieces that really are affordable. So often I see things like a $2000 couch or a $150 throw being touted as "affordable"...which isn't what I consider affordable at all.

Probably about 95% of my apartment furniture is from IKEA. I knew what I wanted to spend more on (couch, bedroom furniture) so I could save a little money on items that won't be used nearly as heavily (desk, desk chair). I agonized over a couch, driving both Matt and myself insane in the process. At one point, I literally handed him my laptop, told him my budget, and let him pick out my couch because I just could not do it anymore. Thankfully I like and approve of his choice...even though it's still in the box because I can't find the time to put it together.

Now that all the big pieces are set, I can finally get down to the fun part: decorating! I've been mixing together pieces from big box stores and things I've had for years.

Here are a few things I have my eye on to tie things together...

 Patterned throw, H&M, $34.95: I bought some gray and aqua pillows at Marshalls, so I think this throw is the perfect way to add a little bit more color and pattern to my couch, while also keeping cat fur off the upholstery. At $35, it's not terribly expensive or precious, so if little claws create a snag or two, I won't mind as much.

"Vivan" curtains, IKEA, $9.99 for set: There is literally no way I'm going to invest in a pricey pair of curtains that'll probably get torn up by a cat. These are airy, light, and breezy and the price point is perfect--I can replace them as needed without feeling too guilty.

Silvered Mirror knobs, Anthropologie, $8-10 each: While there's nothing wrong with the current knobs on my furniture, these mercury glass knobs are so much prettier. Why not add a little understated sparkle to a plain dresser? #totalsplurge

Pink Magnolia candle, Target, $8: Nothing makes me happier than a fresh-smelling apartment, and this candle is light and fresh but also floral. So welcoming and homey!

Spring Shoe Wishlist: Wedges

I love a good wedge in the spring and summer. I'm especially picky about wedges though...they need to have the right ratio of heel to platform and the right amount of foot coverage. Just as a matter of personal preference, I like wedges that have a heel cup and an ankle strap, as I tend to roll my ankles inward when I walk. An ankle strap makes my foot a bit more stable.

Kork-Ease "Gracen", $150: The perfect black wedge--not too much strap to be overpowering but a solid black heel. Yes.

Boden "Holiday Wedge", $108: A little bit lower of a wedge. I like the simplicity and the contrast of leather and jute! PS: it also comes in adorable polka dots!

Michael Kors "Josephine", $150: This is my favorite, surprisingly! I think it's a perfect neutral shoe that could go with so many different things...I've had it in my Nordstrom cart online for a while now and I think I'm going to have to pull the trigger soon.

ShoeMint "Sammie", $79.98: A bit more visually interesting, thanks to the different textures in the heel and the crossed straps. This would be so cute with sundresses!

I started making a Spring Shoe Wishlist but it became way too long for one post, so stay tuned for a few more looks at shoes I'm currently loving!

Spring Wishlist

I'm so over winter, it's not even funny. We've had hints of spring weather here and there, but I'm ready for consistent warm, sunny weather.

What's obviously not helping is my preoccupation with shopping for a new spring wardrobe...I'm SO ready to wear breezy layers instead of bundling up, to have bare legs and not freeze, and to transition from my beloved riding boots into my equally-as-beloved desert boots.

Here's a few things that are on my To Buy For Spring list...or at the very least, my Dreaming About For Spring list ;)

Lilly Pulitzer McLane Shift Dress, $278 (completely obsessed)

Zara White Sleeved Dress, $79.90 (I want ALL THE WHITE DRESSES, apparently)

Zara Basic Oversized Sweater, $16.90 (such springy colors, priced so I can get one of each to wear over leggings...)

Gap Gingham Oxford Shirtdress, $59.95 (soooo cute!)

Ann Mashburn Gamine Cardigan in Lapis/Fuschia, $350 (I am literally dead. So. Cute.)

J. Crew French-print Popover, $88.00 (le duh. so chic.)

J. Crew Ever Stretch Toothpick Jeans, $120 (the perfect dark skinny)

J. Crew Sailor Stripe tee, $49.50 (because any list on this blog would be incomplete without at least one striped item...)

J. Crew Liberty Poppy's Patchwork Top and Bottom, $56 and $50 (a fun print for sunny pool days)

Mane Message The Boho Package hair ties, $10.50 (mine have mysteriously disappeared, due to a little kitty loving to chew/play with them...so why not restock with some fun springy tie dye?)

Also on my list: multiple white tops, fun new shoes (list to come!), and a new purse or two...what's on your spring wishlist??

AYR

Have you heard of the new line AYR? It's a new offshoot of the men's brand Bonobos (read more about the AYR brand here). In their own words, the line is "our favorite pieces, the things we would live in every day, all year round", which is totally a design aesthetic I can get behind. Their pieces really are things you'd wear every day--skinny jeans, button up shirts, flowy tanks, crisp tunics.

Basically AYR is my dream wardrobe. Everything is seasonless and can be worn in a few different ways, depending on what you pair with it. I'm intrigued by the jeans, as I have the hardest time finding a pair of jeans that will make my flat butt look less flat. AYR says that their jeans "hold, lift and form to the body with wear"...so basically you'll look like a million bucks in their jeans. I support it.

My picks from the surprisingly extensive collection:

The Skinny in Jac's Jean

The Easy Shirt in White Poplin

The Slip Cami in White

The Criss-Cross Cami in Poppy

Martin Davis Tee

The Tunic in White

I'm pretty pumped about this...that white tunic, the easy shirt and of course the skinny jeans are all calling my name. Just think of how many ways you could wear all of those things and the CPW is pennies. Starting my saving now...

Lilly Loving: Spring 2014

Atlanta is currently experiencing a snowpocalypse (2" of snow, iced-over roads, highways completely shut down, etc), so while I'm loving looking at the winter wonderland outside my window, I'm also totally ready for spring.

THANKFULLY, the peeps over at Lilly released their new spring collection yesterday. If I can't be wearing spring clothes, at least I can be shopping for them, right?

A few favorites...

Briella Fit and Flare Dress, Southern Charm print: ob-sessed with this print. So delicate and springy...perfect for bridal showers, Easter or baby showers!

Delia Shift Dress, Fountain Hopping print: I have a dress like this that I've worn almost to death...I'm thinking it's time I replace it with this little number. I love how unusual and different the print is!

Yvette Wrap Dress, Iris Blue Chablis print: what could possibly be more perfect for spring than a lily-printed dress in the prettiest shades of blue and aqua? The pink print is cute too...

Iona Shell, Fountain Hopping print: the same fabulous print as the dress a bit higher up the page, only cut in a more versatile shell. I swear by silk shells/tops for everything, so this one is definitely a Must.

Colby Pintuck Top: Pastel shades of silk with gold metallic "dots"? Yes please!

Are you ready for spring yet??