Shorts Suit

[Blouse: J.Crew factory (old); Cardigan: J.Crew (old); Shorts: Banana Republic outlet (old); Wedges: Goodwill; Bracelet: flea market;  Ring: Old Navy; Earrings: BaubleBar; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban]

Holiday Mondays are the best Mondays. It felt awesome to sleep in, get in the car with no exact destination in mind, and end up in the adorable town of Rockport. We found Granite Pier, and sat on the rocks and stared at the water. Peaceful and awesome.

There's some slight print mixing happening here, as the shorts are a very light tan seersucker. I played with this sweater in another print mixing endeavor here. I thought the neutral, monochromatic look with a few bright details was nice and summery.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Colorblock Frock

[Dress: Forever 21 (sold out); Flats: Zara; Necklace: Banana Republic outlet (old); Sunglasses: Ray-Ban] 

I had a blast at Forever 21 this weekend in the Northshore Mall. More and more I find myself wondering why I bother to look for clothes anywhere else. Their cute summery dresses are especially to die for, and this colorblock one is no exception. I bought it a few months ago online when I was really ready for some warm spring weather. I styled it with minimal accessories and nudish flats to let the colorblock scheme get all the attention.

I was happy to kick off the unofficial start of summer with this dress and some tacos in Allston. It was my recovery treat after a half marathon that morning. More on that later.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Shorts and Stripes Galore

[Top: Forever 21 via Buffalo Exchange; Shorts: Gap, swapped; Shoes: Toms; Earrings: Buffalo Exchange; Bracelet: J.Crew] 

Some bloggers love neon (Jessica of HowSweetEats, the funniest food blogger alive), I love navy stripes. Yes, this is the third outfit in a row featuring those.

I swooned when Blair of Atlantic-Pacific shared this shorts outfit a couple of weeks ago and definitely drew my inspiration here from that. I picked up this sequined top at Buffalo Exchange in the winter on a whim, and was really excited to find these nautical striped shorts at this month's Swapaholics party. I went with my red Toms for a patriotic pop.

Hope everyone had a good long weekend. I promise you relief from the stripes tomorrow.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Girly Stripes

[Dress: Forever 21 (old but similar); Jacket: Banana Republic outlet (old); Shoes: Sperry (bought on sale at Journey's); Necklace: J.Crew factory (old); Ring: Old Navy] 

A random stop into Journey's at the mall produced these cute Sperry's on sale. As if the stripes and navy blazer weren't nautical enough, these shoes give the outfit that extra punch.  The messy side braid is brought to you by day 24 of #StyleMeMay: a new hairstyle. Happy start of Memorial Day Weekend (consider the navy stripes in the dress your welcome into the holiday). 

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Vacationing

[Dress: H&M (recent); Hat: Target; Purse: Lolo Sinclair on Etsy; Sandals: DSW; Nails: Essie Turquoise & Caicos]

My outfit for our tour-de-happy hour on Lincoln Road in Miami (photos taken with the trusty iPhone). I'm back in Boston and pleased to find the weather is warm and sunny here too.

Geometric and jeans

[Sweater: Thrifted at Salvation Army; Black V-neck: J.Crew factory; Jeans: Gap; Sandals: DSW; Necklace: Forever 21 (looks to be sold out, but there's plenty of other awesomeness there now); Earrings: BaubleBar]

Salvation Army, how I love thee. This sweater was hanging on the racks there and first caught my eyes with its weirdness, but then upon closer examination I realized it was kind of awesome. Especially because it displays all my current favorite colors at once (the $2 price tag didn't hurt, either). It's big and cozy and something I would typically wait until fall to wear. Pairing it with crisp white jeans and flat, slightly sporty, strappy sandals felt like the perfect way to spring it up.

I'm currently in Miami, so the next outfit you'll see here will be a lot more hot-and-humid-weather appropriate.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Slouchy Blue & Breezy Skirt

[Top: Barney's New York Outlet; Skirt: J.Crew factory (solids here) ; Shoes: Old Navy; Earrings: BaubleBar]

I'm craving all things slouchy, flowy, and patterned lately. This dress is the third of the J.Crew convertible-strapless-dress-I-can-do-anything wonder. In this case, worn as a skirt. That hits me at the midi length. A length I told you yesterday I had been afraid of. Oh, the strides I'm making.

Everyone goes nuts over dressy dresses with pockets, but this shirt has a pocket, so that's almost as cool. Yeah, so it adds extra material around my middle, but hey, that will be perfect for hiding a pregnancy once I get around to having kids.

One last thing, Mikhail kicked a soccer ball directly at my thighs 15 seconds before he started snapping away. So I was recovering for the first part of this shoot.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Orange, Blue, & Midi

[Dress: Asos; Cardigan: J.Crew factory (old); Shoes: Ruche; Bracelete: J.Crew (on mega sale); Ring: Old Navy; Necklace: H&M]

This outfit was inspired by the #StyleMeMay prompt of the day, which was to wear something that "used to scare you." Midi-length skirts scared me because I think they can come off as frumpy (maybe that's because Mikhail addressed me as Grandma the first time he saw me in one). But I took the plunge with this swingy blue Asos number. Orange is something I'm finally coming around to, but I had never really worn it with navy before.

In reality, I had a hard time finding an outfit for this particular challenge because I'm mostly unwilling to try out things that truly scare me. Pleated pants? No, my short torso just cannot handle that shape. Kudos to ladies who can rock it, though. And those floral pants that are everywhere? I just can't wrap my head around them. I'm still undecided on the re-emergence of denim jackets. Honestly, all three of these things combined give me scary flashbacks to my fifth grade fashions, and I'm just not sure I'm ready to go there.

What scares you? Any tips for conquering your style fears?

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Closet Remix: Pattern Mixing

[Grey top: Buffalo Exchange; Dress: Forever 21 (old); Grey Sneakers: Forever 21 (old but similar here); Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Boyfriend; Earrings: Gifted] 

On Saturday Mikhail and I tackled the wonder that is the Brimfield Antique Show (a mile strip of antiques and collectibles vendors on either side of the road.). I wanted something cute and comfy, and that wouldn't show all the dust and dirt of the day. White jeans were a no.

I bought this top at Buffalo Exchange not even understanding how versatile it is and how much I would love it. This Forever 21 dress was feeling a little dated, but I realized it would work with this top for some layering and pattern mixing. New clothing life. Closet remix at its finest.

Please excuse the parking lot shots. We snapped these just before seeing The Avengers, which was completely AWESOME.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Tunic & Tropical Cravings

[Tunic: H&M (old); Jeans: Citizens of Humanity via REVOLVE; Shoes: Old Navy, Bracelet: J.Crew (with major discount code); Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Boyfriend; Scarf: Target, Earrings: H&M]

I like to make you think I perfectly plan each day's ensemble using a snazzy spreadsheet. But the reality is, a lot of mornings five different outfit options end up in a heap on the floor and I end up going with something completely random.

Today's look is just that. It had been raining for what felt like 10 days in a row in Boston, and this tropical, tribal-looking print called out to me. The breezy tunic shape makes me think of vacation garb, and the bright blue scarf adds even more colorful cheer. Hence the crazy jump in the last picture.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Swapped Red Maxi

[Red Maxi Dress (worn as a skirt): DKNY via a Swapaholics party; Cream Sheer Shirt: Forever 21 (old); Scarf: H&M (old); Shoes: Sperry Topsider in Ice; Earrings: BaubleBar; Bracelets: Flea Market]

A long red maxi dress seams like an impractical purchase unless you're Vanna White (but then it would have to be sparkly). BUT a long red maxi dress hanging on the racks at a Swapaholics party, waiting to be switched out with some garment you've tired of, well that's a different story. It's even better when you discover said long red maxi dress is DKNY. And when you realize that it can be worn under shirts, with heels, or flats.

Mikhail said this was my hippy outfit when he first saw me in it. I think he was confused. Hello, hippies don't wear Sperry Topsiders. But me, I love Topsiders. They can be completely prepped out with bright colors and cardigans, or prevent a boho ensemble from going too Woodstock. I've worn my navy pair to death, and was excited to see this awesome color via Kate of O My Heart! She's got some great style.  Oh, and this outfit fell on Day 5 of #StyleMeMay: put a scarf on it.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets