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

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

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

May Flowers, As Promised.

You may remember this dress… I included it in my list of favorite items on ModCloth a few weeks ago. Well, somehow or another it found its way into my closet... Actually, this is how it happened: When I discovered this dress it was nearly out of stock, and was not available in my size, but as luck would have it one became available in my size. Best day ever! My guess is someone returned the dress, but it certainly made my day and I added it to my shopping cart immediately. (Sidenote: they just restocked all of the sizes!) The dress is even more stunning in person than it looked online. I love when that happens. The colors are so vibrant and pretty, and it includes all my favorites; orange, aqua, lavender, and pink. The details are so bohemian chic with the slight hi-lo hem and the cut-out in the back. Best part about it? This dress has pockets. Boom.

Dress: ModCloth. Sandals: Splendid. Belt: Old Navy, similar color. Tassel necklace: Indigo Boutique. Pearl necklace: Dogeared. Earrings: Kate Spade. Nails: Butter London "Kerfuffle." Angel wing bracelet: my own creation. 

xo, C.C.

Days Go By

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday… I've been so busy recently that the days are going by too quickly and I feel like I haven't had time to get anything done! I finally had a day off today and it felt so good to be able to slow down and wear something casual.

I wore this to brunch with a friend this morning, and then we walked about town after our delicious meal of pancakes and eggs. I'll be honest, I didn't wear the wedges to brunch (I just didn't feel like being a towering giant at 10:30 am) but I thought they looked really cute with this outfit and helped polish it. I am often wary of wearing graphic tees because they are so casual and often boyish and youthful. I got rid of pretty much all of the graphic tees that I wore through high school, but I've been seeing the bloggers I follow dressing up cool tees in feminine ways, and I wanted to try it! This teeshirt really spoke to me when I saw it, since I took French through college, but also since I've been feeling a bit like all the days are all blending together and rushing by! 

I have been pairing everything with these pink jeans recently. They were a steal last summer at $20, and I have more than gotten my money's worth out of them. This week alone I have worn them three times… You might say I'm obsessed. I just love colored jeans in the spring because they can make my outfit bright and cheerful but still keep me covered when it is cool or rainy.

Tee: J. Crew. Jeans: Urban Outfitters, similar, similar. Wedges: Ruche. Bag: Ruche. Sunglasses: Ruche. Necklace: Dogeared. Bracelets: Kate Spade, Zulu Grass.

xoxo, C.C.

Inspired to Bead

This week we got a new line of bracelets in at the store I work at, called Chavez for Charity. These charming beaded bracelets send money to different charities based on which color bracelet you buy. When I saw them I thought, “I could make these!” and it inspired me to start making bracelets myself again. I still have a ton of supplies from when I was in middle school and I liked to spend my days making dozens  upon dozens of beaded necklaces and bracelets that I attempted to sell at a local craft fair (I didn’t sell very many at all!).

Once I got my beads out inspiration took off and I spent several hours making bracelets on elastic using beads from my youth and also pieces from old jewelry I took apart. It felt so good to be back at it and let my creativity flow into a crafty project! And I have to say I am pretty excited about some of the results. I’ve even had a few requests to make some for friends and family.

I had been staying away from wearing beaded jewelry recently, because of the laid back homemade look, and sticking to bold bangles, leather bracelets, and my trusty pearls, but something about these was just too fun to pass up on. They have a great summery, easy, bohemian feel to them that is calling to me as I am anticipating spring (and potentially a warm weather vacation…!). Layering several of these bracelets will add a little casual sparkle to a simple maxi dress, or some color to a breezy white top with jeans. I have been wearing my new creations all week, and I am hoping to get even more use out of them as the weather (slowly) begins to warm up in the coming months. 

Above left: Chavez for Charity display. Above right: other bracelets that inspired me.

Nails: Covergirl Outlast, "vio-last."

-C.C.