Beach Blue

If you ask me, it's not summer without a few days spent at the beach! Those are always some of my favorite days of the whole year. Basking in the sun with cool water by your toes to jump into when it gets too hot can only be made better by pretty blue skies and wild blueberries for the picking. 

For my beach day at the lake I wore this gorgeous Nanette Lepore bikini top that I scored a few years back in an end-of-summer-sale, which by the way is the best time to snag some great deals on swimwear. This navy piece with rosy florals and a hint of ruffles along the back is just perfect for lounging in the sun while feeling stylish too. I luckily found a bottom that matches perfectly with the top (navy, with a small ruffle at the sides) to complete the set. High rise shorts and a knotted tee make a good lakeside cover-up for wading in the water!

Swim Top: Nanette Lepore via ModCloth (love these 1/2/3/onepiece). Shorts: American Eagle. Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters. Tee: Ruche (1/2). Swim Bottom: J. Crew (similar). 

xoxo CC

Lace and Tee

A white lace skirt is an excellent versatile piece to have in your wardrobe. With a nice top and heels it makes a totally dressy outfit, but it is also easily dressed down with a knotted tee shirt and sandals. I went for something in between by balancing a simple tee with wedges and lipstick. A few details like a fringe bag and pops of jewelry made this look perfect for a casual day at work, and would have transitioned to evening drinks as well. The color palette is clean and the silhouette streamlined for an overall easy and pleasing look. 

By the way, this tee is SO soft and cozy, I've been pairing with so many different bottoms lately. Everything from casual jeans or shorts with a necklace for running errands or walking in the park (see my Instagram) to nicer skirts like the one I wore here, it is a nice loose fit that works with so much. New fave for sure!! 

Tee: Michael Stars. Skirt: H&M (very similar). Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Shoes: Ruche (1/2). Bracelet: Kate Spade. Ring: Jeanne Ruland Jewelry. Necklace: BaubleBar.

xoxo CC

Loving Lately: Summer Must-Haves

It is HOT HOT HOT in the city mid-July, but my recent faves have been getting me through the heatwave with a cheerful summery spirit! 

Kate Spade phone cases. How adorable is the new collection of phone cases?!! I'm thinking I'm going to need to snag this watermelon one for myself.... I have been on the hunt for a new case for quite some time now...

Paws/Watermelon/Hold The Phone/Cat

Talenti Double Dark Chocolate Gelato. When you're craving something richly chocolatey (and when am I not?) this is the way to go. I am an ice cream person year-round, but I figured this deserves an extra shout out in the summertime. The texture is perfectly creamy with delicious crunchy chocolate bits all throughout. I often keep this on hand for when I need a little ice cream/gelato at home, but I also recently discovered the ice cream shop Emack and Bolio's, which makes all their own flavors! Their location on the Upper West Side is perfect for popping into after work for a sweet treat!

Tumbler: for toting a nicely chilled iced coffee or lemonade to work. When it's this hot you really do need something icy to cool down. A cute insulated tumbler just makes it that much better. 

Lilly Pulitzer/Target/Kate Spade

Hot pink blush. I use Bare Minerals Cheek Tart in "Charm" which is sadly no longer available, although I did spy some for sale on eBay. Though it is shockingly bright in the container it goes on plenty sheer for a natural flushed look, perfect for summertime. Don't believe me? I'm wearing this blush in most of my photos on the blog!

Hands-free bags. You've probably noticed this fringe bag on repeat, and I've also just added a lavender beauty to the collection, but a cute hands-free bag is a necessity for me in the summer. Not only do I not want to be weighed down with big totes full of stuff, but I need an extra hand for that cute tumbler filled with homemade iced coffee...

Mini Mac/Urban Expressions/Fringe

Check out my past Faves round ups from April, January, and October!

xoxo, CC 

At The Lake...

Nothing feels more like summer to me than being surrounded by lush green foliage and spending sunny days outdoors in the yard or by the lake. I spent time last week doing just that, on a little escape from the concrete city. 

A cute sundress is a no-fuss way to approach days at the lake. This feather-print piece is unusual with the angular pockets creating dimension, and the zipper detail on the front. The bright multi colors are perfect for evoking a summery vibe while I enjoy some of my favorite activities: lounging in the sun and playing with my dogs. While this one piece outfit is easy and comfortable (just the adjectives I want when I'm on vacation), the mod drapey pockets and statement print don't sacrifice style. Now doesn't that sound good? 

Bold prints are great pieces to pack while traveling, or just when you want to be comfy because of how easily they make an outfit seem complete. See what I packed last time I headed up to the lake for a mini vacation!

Dress: old (similar 1/2/3). Sandals: Sam Edelman. Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters. Necklace: Kate Spade. Earrings: Gorjana.

xoxo, CC

Criss-Cross

Back in April when I was eagerly anticipating some warmer weather I found this rose-printed dress (and this romper) on shopruche.com, and somehow this is the first time I've worn the dress! It definitely requires hot weather with the open back and all, so it pairs perfectly with sandals and sunglasses. The crisscrossing straps add a trendy detail to an otherwise sweet and delicate dress. I really love the soft pastels in the watercolor roses, which happened to match just perfectly with my nail color! 

Dress: Ruche. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Ring: Jeanne Ruland Jewelry. Shoes: Splendid. Nails: Essie "Play Date."

xoxo, CC

These Shoes Though...

So you may have noticed these adorable heeled sandals in my recent post, but I couldn't wait to show you just how much they perfect a whole outfit. For a casual but chic vibe I wore them with my boyfriend shorts and a silky slouchy black top (which is also new and I'm also obsessed with btw). A tassel necklace adds a dainty touch and compliments the soft color of the shoes.

I saw these shoes first on shopruche.com and fell totally head over heels about them (haha yes, I made a joke there) but they sold out in my size before I got to ordering them! Luckily, after a quick google search I was able to find them in my size on Nordstrom. I showed these to a few friends before I ordered them and they said the same thing, "those shoes are so you!" It's funny how some things just fit your personal style so perfectly!

I love that while these shoes are patterned and have just a little color, the cream-white background means they match with almost anything. The very day they arrived in the mail I threw them on with a solid blue maxi dress (you can see a close-up on my instagram) where the pattern added the perfect touch to a sea of solid blue. I also love how they go so well with the colors in my Kate Spade bag for a little print mixing!

Shoes: Coconuts by Matisse. Top: BB Dakota (available in ivory). Shorts: Gap. Bag: Kate Spade. Toenails: Essie "Turquoise and Caicos" (read more about my fave colors here)

xoxo, CC

Slashed

Holy Moly, how is it the second week of July already? Anyone else feel the same way?

Well, it certainly does feel like summer with some days well into the 90's and, typical of NYC, very humid. To beat the heat I picked up this trendy little crop top to pair with high waisted skirts and shorts, or even to layer with. If I don't feel like showing skin it still looks great worn under a tied-up button down, as I did here, or layered under a scoop-neck tank. The slashed neckline adds a touch of texture any way you pair it and keeps the look urban.

I love walking in Central Park on my days off and I usually bring a book along to enjoy on a bench or sprawled out in the grass in the sun. It's also not a bad place to snap a few pics! 

Crop top: similar 1/2/3/4. Button down: identical at Ruche. Shorts: American Eagle. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Sandals: Splendid. Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters. Earrings: Gorjana. Lipstick: Bare Minerals "Cherries on Top." Nails: Essie "Play Date."

xoxo, CC

Happy Independence Day

Hello! Happy Fourth of July! I'm rocking this stars and stripes tee today with a few fun accessories like my glitter Keds, fringe bag, and new sunnies. 

Top: Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Shoes: Keds for Kate Spade. Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters. 

For a peek at what I wore last year (and if you need a little last minute inspiration) check out my posts here and here.

Best 4th In The North

Red, White and Blue

xoxo, CC

Packing : Prints

Hello everyone! I'm spending a few days this week on a lovely little getaway to the lake. My "weekends" happen to be mid-week, so I skipped out Tuesday night and I have two whole days to enjoy a change of scenery. 

Since I am only spending two nights I've packed light for this trip. I am always one to way over pack so I have to keep reminding myself to cut it down to the essentials. No need to carry a heavy bag if I won't even use half of what's in it! 

For a weekend at the lake I'm packing pretty sandals, relaxed denim shorts, and a few easy tops, including plenty of stand-alone prints that don't require much accessorizing. My new sunglasses and a bright mani will have me prepped for sunshine even though the forecast is all rain. I even packed in a swimsuit just in case we get a lucky change of weather! Toss it all in a pretty weekender with a book to read on the train ride, and I'm off to the ADKs! 

Weekender bag: Ruche (old//similar 1/2). Shoes: Coconuts by Matisse. Shorts: Gap. Bikini: J.Crew (love this print). Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters. Nail Polish: Urban Outfitters "Flip Flop."

xoxo, CC