Shorts & Stripes

You know that feeling when you own something that is just so comfy and cute you don't ever want to take it off? Yeah, that's these shorts. They're made out of a perfect soft lounge material, while the bright color and lace accents make them oh-so adorable! I wanted to dress up the shorts a bit without getting too fussy, so a mesh sweater and a statement necklace felt just right. This time of year when the air temperature starts to cool off a little, shorts with a long-sleeve top is one of my favorite combinations. Add a touch of stripes, and the look is fit for August! 

Top: Soft Joie (similar). Shorts: TJ Maxx (similar, similar). Clutch: Ruche. Necklace: Ruche (on sale!). Shoes: J. Crew. Nails: Essie, Turquoise and Caicos. 

xoxo, CC

Birds Of A Feather

Why is it that everything is more fun in the summer? People seem to be happier this time of year and life is easier when the weather is warm and cooperative... A friend and I took some time this week to enjoy that ease and do a little local exploring. That included a cheese, wine and maple syrup tasting, perusing cute local shops and a delicious dinner sitting outdoors. For a casual Sunday outing this bird dress supplied just the look with its pale peach hue and cheery bird print. The vintage belt, from my grandmother, compliments the silhouette and the metallic shoes enhance the girly color scheme. It was funny that on the day I chose to wear this belt (I don't wear it often because it is tight!) we happened to spend some time exploring in a vintage clothing shop! 

This dress is so easy to wear during the summer, but it also transitions between seasons easily since the color is so versatile. You may have seen this dress on Pinterest styled with a jacket and booties, and it would also be adorable with tights and a chunky fall scarf, and I've worn it similarly layered up as well. (I love when I see things I own on Pinterest, don't you?!)

Dress: H&M (available here). Belt: Vintage. Shoes: Poetic Licence (and here). Bag: Kate Spade. Jean Jacket: Gap. Earrings and pink leather bracelet: Gorjana. Necklace: Dogeared. 

xoxo, CC

Let's Have A Party

"Let's Have a Party, Let's Have it Tonight! …and let's invite positively everyone." I tore this page out of a spring Lilly catalogue and saved it thinking it could be cute to frame or something! I love the optimistic spontaneity of the saying, and the suggestion is certainly intriguing. 

These little orange earrings are something I might not normally be drawn to, but I held them up when I was wearing this dress and I loved the way they looked together! The orange and navy compliment each other wonderfully, and I like that the earrings have just a little dangle and movement. 

Also, I love how flattering this chevron dress is. While it is a little short on me, every other detail is so sophisticated yet fun. The navy and white colors are so classic (it is actually navy, pardon how dark these photos are, I clearly took them at night!) and go with everything including these orange earrings, and the 'fitted shift' style is a really good fit on most people. The tshirt dress is a style that's so easy to throw on with a just few pieces of jewelry, and can take me anywhere from a casual daytime look to an impromptu evening party! 

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer. Earrings: local find. Initial necklace: Kate Spade. Bracelets: Kate Spade, Zulu grass.

xoxo, CC

Braids

I've tried braiding my hair a few ways recently, in an attempt to do something different with my hair since I always wear it either down or in a ponytail. My hair doesn't like to stay in braids very well though, which doesn't help! But it does feel good to get my hair off my face and neck a bit on those hot days, and mix things up with a new 'do. 

A side braid was the perfect finishing touch to this maxi skirt and tube top combo and emphasizes the bohemian vibe of the flowy skirt and lace. The top, white crochet lace layered over a teal-green background, is such a cute summery piece that I look forward to wearing every year. The pattern in the lace always reminds me of pineapples, even though it is actually a floral, but I like the idea of something tropical in the summer. 

A pathway through the trees seemed like a suitable backdrop for this free-spirited, hot-weather ensemble. 

Top: Urban Outfitters (option, option). Skirt: Francesca's (similar). Clutch: Spool no.72 (white available at Ruche). Sandals: Splendid. Initial necklace: Kate Spade. Bracelets: Alex & Ani, Kate Spade and imitation Chan Luu (local find).

xoxo, CC

Summer Orange Dress

This week marks 6 months since I started this blog! I've been enjoying this venture thoroughly, and have learned a lot already--thank you to all who've been reading along! To commemorate this first milestone, a post featuring my namesake dress seemed fitting.

This dress is actually the one that started my obsession with orange dresses. I've had this dress forever it seems (I bought it back in high school on a trip to Montreal with my mom), and I never get tired of it. It is really one of the very few items in my closet that have stayed that beloved for that long, through many changes of style and many closet-purges. The bubble hem is what originally sold me on the dress (back when those were first popular), as well as the unexpected realization that orange was a beautiful color on me. And then the silhouette, spaghetti straps, and tie back have kept its summertime favorite status. 

After a long hot day today I walked down to the lake to cool off by wading in the water, only to get sprinkled on by a little rain. But, I can't complain because it felt nice and cooling. It felt good to take off my shoes and unwind a little bit by the water. Since this dress is bold all on its own I added minimal yet still dramatic jewelry to compliment its vibe. Instead of trying to contrast or match with the statement necklace I again tried following the advice that orange and pink look nice together, and I'd agree, they sure do!

Dress: Bedo (love this and this!). Sandals: Sam Edelman. Earrings Kate Spade. Necklace: similar, similar. 

xoxo, CC