Denim & Dots

What's a great way to cure the rainy day blues? An adorable head-to-toe blue toned outfit! These navy polka-dotted jeans are dear to my heart but they can be so hard to match with. The dots are a cream color, not bright white which makes the challenge even harder. Enter the chambray shirt. Perfect. I am usually wary of wearing chambray with denim jeans, but the contrast of the washes and the polkadot detail eased my qualms. To keep the outfit a touch dressy I added wedge sandals and blue tones jewels. 

I love those mornings where I don't have to wash my hair, especially on rainy days when it would just dry all frizzy anyway. It saves me so much time that I actually get to enjoy a little time for myself in the morning, and either savor a big breakfast, or hop on my computer, or even take a few photos like I did today before heading out the door! 

Polkadot jeans: J. Crew, similar, similar. Chambray: Rails. White ruffle top: Lilly Pulitzer. Earrings: JoJo Loves You. Necklace: similar, similar. Sandals: Splendid. Bag: Ruche. Bracelets: Urban Peach, Kate Spade, my own creation.

xoxo, CC

Backyard Party Dress

June is the season of graduation parties and celebrations, and I had one such grad party to go to myself. I knew I wanted to wear a dress, but it took me hours of debating and trying-on to pick just one for the occasion. I eventually decided on this strapless egg-shell-blue dress that has been an absolute favorite of mine for years. I wanted to wear it in a new fresh way, so I actually stopped en route to the party and bought this white denim jacket to wear with it. 

Truthfully, I have been wanting a white denim jacket all spring, one that is wallet-friendly, and I've had my eye on this one from the Gap. When I heard it was finally in-store at our local Gap Outlet, I knew I had to get it anyway. White denim jackets go with everything and are so cute, and a fresh new spin on the classic jean jacket. 

The seams and patch pockets on this dress create a structured look that I find so beautiful. Adding pale pink jewelry to the minty blue is a sweet pastel duo which is offset by the crisp white jacket. This outfit ended up being the perfect mix of dressy and casual for a backyard graduation party and a fun chance to catch up with friends. 

Dress: old, similar. Jacket: Gap. Bracelets: Urban Peach, TJ Maxx, gift. Pearl necklace: Dogeared. Sandals: Dolce Vita via Saks Off 5th.

Have a great weekend! 

xoxo, CC

What's Up, Buttercup?

I love that as I am taking photos for this project I am capturing the phases of all of the different summer flowers as they come and go. This time, it's the buttercups! A childhood favorite of mine because they are so plentiful and there is a whole field of them behind my house. We used to say that if you hold a buttercup under your chin and your chin glows yellow (from the reflection of the sun) it means you like butter. 

Neon yellow is a recent favorite of mine for summer because it is so vibrant and sunny. I don't often wear pattern on pattern, but I was trying to find something other than a plain white shirt to wear with this skirt. Plus, florals on florals seemed fitting for this post! I accented the skirt with more neon yellow in the jewelry and flip flops. Too much? Never! Now just wait until I paint my nails to match...

One time last summer when I was wearing this skirt a car full of college kids drove past and someone yelled out the car at me, "go back to the 60's!" (or something to that effect). Sure, this skirt totally has a retro vibe, but I love it! Neon yellow has quickly become a summer essential for me, no matter what the haters say! The bright necklace and earrings are great additions to brighten many summer outfits, and the aztec flip flops are prefect for the beach. 

Skirt: J. Crew. Top: Garage, similar, similar, get the look. White jean jacket: Gap (less expensive at the Outlet store). Necklace: J. Crew, similar. Nails: Sally Hansen "Blue Away."

xoxo, CC

Summer Solstice

I have been spending as much time at the lake as possible on these warm days. I love taking a book to the lake and sitting in the sun or wading in the water, although the water is still far too cold to swim in (at least in my opinion).This peach top is so sweet with the lace inset sides and the crisscross back. I love loose light tops when the weather is hot and sticky, so it was perfect for a stroll to the lake after work to put my toes in the water.

As I mentioned last week, I love white jeans and white shorts in the summer. I have historically been pretty good at keeping them clean, but for some reason this summer I have not been having a very good track record! The very first time I wore these cuffed white shorts I managed to get black smudges on the front AND sit in chocolate at the ice cream shop, all in one day. Sigh. Better luck next time?

Happy summer solstice weekend everyone! Let's celebrate this glorious time of year!

Top: Miss Daisy, similar, similar, similar. Shorts: J. Crew. Sandals: Sam Edelman. Clutch: Rebecca Minkoff via TJ Maxx, similar. Sunglasses: Ruche. Necklace: available here. Bracelets: Urban Peach, Kate Spade. Nails: Butter London "Jasper."

xoxo, CC

Summer Peplum

What is better for summer than an adorable sleeveless peplum top and bright colored jeans? I'll be honest I was very skeptical of the peplum trend for a very long time, but when I tried on this top last summer my mind was changed. It has such nice structure, and a beautiful scooped back. I also love that the stripes change angles as the circular part of the peplum goes around the body. The fabric is super comfy, and I love that the black stripes are a very soft charcoal color so it is not too harsh for summer.

I got these darling shiny silver shoes last summer to go with my bridesmaid dress in a friend's wedding. She asked us to get silver shoes, and I was specifically told I was not allowed to get heels (because I would tower over everyone else in the wedding haha), but I wanted to get something with a slight wedge that I would be able to wear again. These sandals fit the bill. I have worn them many times since the wedding and I love the laser cut details at the heel. They are so unique and yet classic at the same time. 

How lovely is it that the lilacs are blooming! They smell so nice when the breeze blows as I am sitting on my deck. I really love this time of year. 

p.s. I didn't realize until I was uploading these photos that I wore a very similar version of this outfit a few months back, with some more seasonal substitutes. Funny how the combinations we love keep coming back around :)

Peplum top: Tart. Jeans: Joe's Jeans. Shoes: Chocolate Schubar via ModCloth, similar, similar (also love these and these). Bag: Emma Fox via TJ Maxx. Bracelets: Brandy Melville and Kate Spade.

xo, CC

When In Doubt...

When in doubt, wear white jeans. That is my advice for the summer months, advice that I tell myself again and again on those mornings where I can't decide what to wear and no outfits seem to come together. Suddenly, getting dressed is so much easier! White jeans, or even white shorts, go with literally everything and are more summery and sophisticated than regular jeans so they are an easy choice when you have to throw something on quickly in the morning. 

With a cute top in a summery hue and some easy complimentary jewels, I can get ready in a flash and look put together. White jeans with a colored top becomes a staple combination that I rely on throughout the summer months when I can't decide what to wear, and it always ends up looking chic!

This particular outfit was a favorite of mine last summer. I don't often wear the same exact outfit twice (with so many options in the closet I hate to pick favorites), but this one has been worth coming back to, even a year later. With a few clouds in the sky, my natural waves, and a smile, I am delighted to welcome this little heatwave we've been having!

Jeans: American Eagle. Top: ModCloth, similar, similar. Belt: Isle of You boutique. Bag: Ruche. Sandals: Madden Girl via TJMaxx. Necklace: Gorjana. Earrings: JoJo Loves You. Bracelets: Urban Peach, Brandy Melville, my own creation. Nails: Butter London "Jasper" (discontinued).

xoxo, CC