Day Off Adventure

[Striped Tank: Forever 21 (last year, similar shape here); Blazer: Forever 21 (last seen here, similar shade here); Shorts: Forever 21 (similar); Earrings: BaubleBar; Shoes: Sperry; Necklace: H&M (old); Bracelet: J.Crew]

The return of Morning Erin.  (Cue grumpy demeanor, tired face) She quickly cheered up, though, given she had the day off and spent it on the beach. OK, enough with the third person. Mikhail and I stayed in the Cape the rest of that weekend with some wonderfully generous friends, eating awesome food and sunning ourselves. This stripes/shorts/blazer combo might have just been on repeat. (Makes for light packing.)

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Monochromatic Blue

[Dress: H&M, last seen here; Shoes: Thrifted at Goodwill (these are a pretty cool option); Earrings: BaubleBar; Ring: Forever 21; Nails: Essie 'Tart Deco']

I think it's a requirement that I make silly faces and pose like a fool every time I shoot in front of this white backdrop. It's also a requirement that I work as much of this Tiffany Blue color into my life as I can. My old bedroom is painted in it (sorry roommate successors), my new place is accented with it (in every room, one recent visitor remarked), and my closet is dominated by it. So is this outfit. I don't know what's too over the top: the blue everywhere or the snazzy neck of this dress, which had my coworkers thinking I had bedazzled myself with plastic that morning.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Sheer & White

[Top: Forever 21; Pants: Banana Republic outlet (old); Shoes: Ruche; Earrings: BaubleBar; Ring: Old Navy]

Long, muggy days called for  a couple of last week's outfits to be shot indoors. (Don't believe me? Look at that big hair of mine). This particular look features one of my classic, go-to summer pairs of paints. I bought them when I first needed a work wardrobe out of college. Paired with a sheer blouse, they created that covered-up office look that didn't make me melt in this summer heat. Don't get me wrong, though; I'd take this over February weather any day.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Breezy

[Dress: Asos (sold out now, but this striped one is adorable); Necklace: H&M (old); Shoes: Payless (older, older than anything from Payless should be, really); Sunglasses: Ray-Ban]

It's too hot lately for anything but a breezy dress and some statement jewelry to spice it up. The midi length feels perfect for the office—you never have to worry about your skirt creeping up too short.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Snapshot of #StyleMeJuly

Hellooooo. I thought I'd give you a quick preview of what I've been up to with #StyleMeJuly (this month's rendition of the awesome style photo prompts put on by Hilary Rushford; more info here). Some of these outfits make it over to the blog, but others live inside Instagram. Here are some of the ones I had the most fun with this month.

Day 6 "Channeling Audrey"

[Top: Crossroads Trading Co. (last seen here)]

Oh how I would love to wear Audrey's signature black Givenchy dress, or the more casual pearls-polo-scarf-skirt seen here. I had to make do with what was in my closet, so I pulled out a 60's-era vintage blouse with the neck scarf already built in (talk about efficiency!).

Day 10 "Retro Moment"

[Shorts: Banana Republic outlet (last seen here); Pink Oxford: Gap, swapped; Sweater: Forever 21; Shoes: Sperry]

Retro might call to mind bell bottoms and a giant afro, or a super short, geometric print mod dress, but I went a different route with this one. I had recently seen pictures of Jackie O on a boat looking oh so preppy, and I wanted to channel that. The loose seersucker Bermuda shorts, striped sweater layered over Oxford shirt, and boat shoes did the trick for me.

Day 11 "Dots and Circles"

[Scarf: H&M; Shirt: Old Navy]

Why stop at one polka dot pattern? I know I just confessed being fed up with crazy pattern and color mixing, but dots get a special dispensation. I love the vibrant blue of the scarf, and the fact that the shirt is so comfortable and soft it feels like I'm wearing pajamas.

Hope you join in on the fun for the rest of this month! Spamming your friends' Instagram feeds with wardrobe pictures feels less and less awkward over time, I swear.

No-fuss Neutrals: 5 Awesome Blogger Looks This Week

I like color just as much as the next girl (maybe more, just look at my header). But I'm starting to feel exhausted by the head-to-toe neon, neons and pastels, color color color, maximalism, patterns times five, etc. that's been everywhere this spring and summer. (Alexandra of To Vogue or Bust just shared some great thoughts on this same concept).

Burnout, I guess. Speaking of, it's also just too hot lately for all these layers and elements in one outfit! As a result, you've seen in me in not one, but TWO black and white outfits this week. I'm pretty sure I haven't worn that color scheme in the history of this blog up until now (yes, all four, long months of it).

[My take on black & white, here and here]

I still love color, but I am feeling inspired by muted, soft, understated looks lately. I'm starting to realize this is probably why the 90's era of Calvin Klein minimalism came about: as a reaction to the over-the-top everything from the 80's.

I think others are ready for a bit of a break from the color explosion. I say that because three bloggers who I read regularly (and am used to seeing in rather dramatic hues and patterns) went for the neutrals this week. Their looks are surprising and lovely, so I wanted to round them up. (I've included images for the ones I've received permission to and will continue to update with more; the rest you will have to click through to see for yourself!)

1. Frassy: Muted

It's all in the blog name. Frassy's style is usually full of sass, color, cutouts, and sky-high heels. This time she went for a demure navy and gray-ish beige dress, a classic hat, and brown brogues.

2. Viva Luxury: Basically Black

Annabelle has a knack for combining bright, citrusy colors in ways you never thought possible, without look contrived, childish, or downright clashing. And seriously layering some jewelry. But she looked just as great in this effortless black dress, black sandals, and gold statement jewelry. A true chameleon.

3. Sincerely Jules: Pink Lady

Yes, I get that she's wearing hot pink. But she's wearing it over the most-neutral-of-all-neutral colors: beige. The result is still sleek and classic. Jules says it perfectly herself: "After wearing this yesterday, I realized I need to purchase and wear more solid basics from head to toe." She's actually been pulling a lot of cool neutral, polished looks this week, a slight departure (IMO) from her casual but bright California vibe.

These last two have a great knack for neutrals all the time, so their looks aren't anomalies at all. But they're so pretty I thought they were worth including!

4. The Glamourai: Silver Bullet

        

Kelly's taste is pretty impeccable, and today's look beautifully and creatively displays this fact.

5. Wendy's Lookbook: Classic Pencil, Slim Trousers & Nude Pumps

The slight details (polka dot sheer blouse, textured clutch) give this cream-and-black look some punch. I love those high-waisted pants she has; so modern and chic! I wish I had the torso (and budget) for them myself.

What do you think? Have we burned ourselves out with color too early on in the warm weather season? Or am I taking it all for granted now? Will I be fed up with navy, browns, and gray in December and desperately reverting to a fuschia/chartreuse getup? Am I crazy? Do you even care? Tell me!

Black & Lace

[Top: Behnaz Sarafpour for Target, via Buffalo Exchange; Shorts: Forever 21; Sandals: DSW; Bangle: SoWa Vintage]

I'm playing the black and white card again this week. And getting wild with some grey in there. This shirt has come a long way, though. It appeared in my first outfit post on this blog, back here.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Pretty Pretty Print

[T-shirt: Target; Skirt: Forever 21; Sandals: Madewell; Necklace: flea market; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Nails: Essie Lilacism and Muchi Muchi]

Today I'm going to talk about these sandals, and how I saw them and loved them months ago but was determined to get a more budget-friendly version. No dice. I conceded fake leather is not worth it and that these babies will hold up for years to come, in both style and quality. I love the simple, classic shape, and warm cognac-y color. They go with lots, too, like this fun print skirt I picked up last fall for my honeymoon in Mexico.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Minimalist

[White Blouse: Forever 21 (earlier this season); Black Skirt: Banana Republic outlet (old); Sandals: Target (old); Leopard Bracelet: SoWa Vintage Market]

I've been on a classic/minimalist kick recently, thanks to my summer reading: I Love Your Style, by Amanda Brooks. You'll hear lots more about this book, as it's recently joined the ranks of my favorite style-related things (alongside stripes and Atlantic-Pacific).

Amanda talks about how minimalism requires a sense of editing and restraint. I love that. I was immediately challenged to look at my closet and see how I could exercise that discipline and effortlessness with my current wardrobe. I'm still trying my hand at the whole thing, but I thought a black and white ensemble was an easy way to dive in and experiment with minimalist style. It was hard to resist the instinct to jazz up the outfit with piles of jewelry, but I'm pleased with the result, and the carefully chosen single leopard bangle. I thought the strappy sandals added a simple but interesting sense of detail and shape to the outfit. 

Stay tuned for more black and white looks, and lots more dishing on what I've learned and loved from I Love Your Style. 

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Red, White, & Blue

[Red Striped Dress: Forever 21; Blouse: Forever 21 (old); Sneakers: Forever 21 (old, similar Keds here); Necklace: Forever 21 (old); Bangles: SoWa Vintage Market]

This outfit brought to you by Forever 21, with an assist from SoWa Vintage Market and the 4th of July. I scooped up a couple of these striped dresses in an online sale (at Forever 21? Yes, I know, that's just going too far). They arrived in the mail a bit more, um, form-fitting than what I'm used to or prefer, so layering things over them is key, I discovered.

Happy weekend! It feels like the second go at it.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets 

Dots & Stripes

[Shirt: Forever 21; Polka dot dress worn as skirt: J.Crew factory (old); Shoes: Sperry from Journey's (last seen here); Snood: Asos; Ring: Old Navy; Earrings: Buffalo Exchange; Bracelets: SoWa Vintage market (go check it out on a Sunday)]

I threw a t-shirt over a favorite halter, 50's-esque dress from J.Crew that's just a bit too revealing for Sundays. In the last photo you can see my favorite find from the day: a set of bangles from the SoWa Vintage market that cost a grand total of $7 (I got many more than what's on my arm). I love the leopard one; just a perfect touch of the pattern, if you ask me. Hope everyone had a great 4th!

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Ivory & White

[White blouse: Forever 21 (old); Cardigan: Old Navy (earlier this year); Shorts: Forever 21; Shoes: Sperry Topsider in Ice; Earrings: Old Navy; Necklace: J.Crew factory (old) ; Rings: Old Navy & Forever 21]

Morning Erin returns. This outfit made it all the way from the backyard to Martha's Vineyard, but the camera didn't. We took the (early morning!) ferry in with my best friend and her boy, and spent the day riding mopeds, swimming, soaking up the sun, and eating seafood. Our moped broke down about 20 miles from where the boat left and two hours before the last one back to mainland, but after several pleading phone calls, the rental place sent a pickup truck to rescue us. We ran to the boat as it was almost pulling away, boarding on the bottom deck where they transport cars.  Drama and adventure. The best way to end any day away, if you ask me.

About the outfit: I hate wearing anything tucked in our high-waisted because of my short torso, but shorts seem to be an exception because the legs balance out the proportions. What do you think? Oh, and it was 90 degrees that day so the cardigan never even made it out of the car. I was regretting that move when it got chilly at night, though.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets