Chambray for Anything

You know those times when you're going to an event or place you've never been to before and you don't know how dressy or casual you should dress? This was one of those times. My friends and I were going to a late night comedy show, and I really had no idea what was appropriate to wear. Do people get dressed up for these events? Like going-out dressed up, or nice and classy dressed up? Or, is it like a bunch of comedians casually hanging out kind of vibe, in which case I don't want to feel overdressed? 

To try and dress for that anything can be very hard, but I did my best by creating this cute skirt and chambray combination. I ended up loving the result. The skirt can be dressy, with the touch of gold stripes, but I kept it grounded with a causal white tank and chambray tied over it. Thats the beauty of a chambray shirt, they can really go with just about anything, and add a casual touch to skirts and dresses. The long necklace added interest and tied the whole look together. In this outfit, I'm ready for anything! 

Skirt: J. Crew Factory. Tank: Garage (similar, similar). Chambray: Rails. Necklace: American Eagle. Sandals: DV by Dolce Vita. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff via TJ Maxx. Earrings: Gorjana. Beaded bracelets: my own creation. Lips: BareMinerals, Cherries on Top. 

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

Show Some Skin

Last week I shared my new way of wearing an open backed top, layered with a chiffon tank, but this week I wanted to show a little skin. I found this strappy white bralette crop top which works really well under the open-backed top as it creates a pretty distraction from any bra straps while really showing off the open back. And, since the bralette is white, it barely shows through in the front! Throwing on my favorite summery bracelet from Hipanema and some bright cut-offs creates a fun casual festival look. I love this combination for a warm summery day, and we've been having quite a few of those lately which makes me very happy! 

Open-back Top: Jack by BB Dakota, similar, similar. Bralette/crop top: Garage. Shorts: J Brand. Bracelet: Hipanema, similar at Anthropologie (blue/black). Sandals: Dolce Vita at Saks Off 5th. Earrings: Target. Nails: Butter London "Kerfuffle."

-CC

A Brief Respite

After a long and especially cold winter, a week in the sun was a much needed break!

Many people may be surprised by the fact that there is still well over a foot of snow where I live, that most days in March don't get over 40 degrees, and that as 'hardy' New Englanders we know not to expect any major changes for the warmer for at least another month! For all of those reasons I needed a change from the cold and snow, so I took a trip to Florida with a good friend to soak up a little sun and warm weather. And boy, was in worth it! It was very windy while we were there, but just being able to walk barefoot on the beach, read by the pool, and wear shorts and dresses that haven't left my closet since September felt so good. I couldn't wait to wear my pink crop jeans and this sassy little daisy print top. I'll admit, I jumped on that trend train for spring, and I even noticed a few other girls in Daytona Beach wearing daisy prints too! 

Traveling between climates always poses a challenge when you are trying to pack light. I opted to wear as many pieces as I could re-wear in Florida, such as light wash jeans, a cute t-shirt, and a chambray button down. I also had to layer on a light jacket, scarf, and sneakers to stay somewhat warm getting to and from the airport. Trying to look fashionable while traveling can be quite a challenge especially when all you want is to be comfortable and warm. Layering basics with cute pops of color or pattern is a good rule to follow, which I tried to do here. This chambray shirt goes with literally everything (I can't believe I've been missing out on this basic for so long!) and I even took the style risk of wearing it with jeans… what do you think, did I pull it off? 

Look #1: Floral print top: Garage. Pink jeans: Joe's Jeans, similar. Denim Jacket: Gap, similar. Sandals: Sam Edelman, Gigi. Bag: TJ Maxx. Sunglasses: Ruche.

Look #2: Chambray shirt: Rails. Scarf: Yarnz, similar here, here. T-shirt: Ruche. Jeans: H&M. Sneakers: Gola via ModCloth, similar. Bag: Ruche. 

Just a casual game of Harry Potter Uno at the hotel after dinner :)

-C.C.

Montreal & Daisies

Here are few photos from my mini-vacation to Montreal last week! We stayed for two nights to enjoy the shopping, eating, and museums in the city. Montreal is one of my favorite cities because of its European feel—the official language is French, and there are amazing bakeries everywhere serving delectable pastries. The nightlife is also reputably fun!

A chance to shop in the city was long overdue for me: I made out like a bandit at H&M, found some gems on the sale racks at Zara and French Connection, and also snagged some fun summery tops at the Canadian-based store Garage. You will see some of those new additions to my wardrobe very soon I’m sure!

Nearly every single store we entered had spring pieces on display in daisy prints. Whether the print was large or small, dainty or bold, on skirts or tops or scarves, white daisies on black are definitely in for spring 2014! 

 The pics above and below were taken at the Musee des Beaux Arts de Montreal which has an impressive collection of fine and modern art (and an incredibly challenging staircase). Above, I'm standing next to a Monet! For a day of walking the city and shopping this flowy top was a comfortable and easy choice with jeans and a feminine necklace. We sure ate well too!

Top: Ruche, similar here, here. Necklace: J. Crew, similar. Boots: ModCloth, similar here, size 5.5-6 here. Winter coat: Soia & Kyo. Nails: Butter London, "Sprog."

Daisy prints: Ruche, H&M, Garage, Brandy Melville to name a few.

-C.C.