Red, White, & Layers

[Dress: Forever 21; Sweater (old) and Tights: J.Crew Factory; Boots: J.Crew (old and hand me downs; similar); Snood: Asos; Bracelet: SoWa Vintage; Earrings: Old Navy; Nails: OPI 'Dating a Royal']

I've developed a recipe for creating summer in winter.  Take summer dress, put it over tights and boots, top it off with a thick sweater and scarf, and boom! Winterized.

And I'm prepared to repeat it.

Happy Friday all!

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Like A Boy

[Striped top: Forever 21 (similar); Denim shirt: Mikhail's Closet; Jeans: Old Navy; Trench: Forever 21 (similar); Scarf: Forever 21 (old); Cuff: Joyo]

I usually protest when my husband tells me I've dressed like a boy (that happens about three times a week). Oxford shirts and baggy sweaters, are chic, not manly Mikhail. DUH.

Welp, this time I had nothing to stand on. The denim shirt actually came from his closet. I have a reason for that, though. Blair wowed me with this look on the left (shocker, right? I've never said I like her style before or anything. Ever.) and I was determined to recreate it. I had a red trench, plenty of stripes, new Old Navy black skinny jeans, but no denim shirt/jacket. But I knew Mikhail did... Stolen!

And even though he questions my man-emulating fashion sense, I sure do love him. Yep.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Power Blouse

[Top: Crossroads Trading Co.; Shorts: Forever 21; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Shoes: Thrifted from Goodwill; Bracelets: SoWa Vintage]

I get that the Olympics are over, but red, white, and blue outfits should never be. I wore this getup to lunch with my family, and my mom, never one to miss an opportunity for a fashion history lesson, informed me that the blouse with the built-in neck tie was the ultimate top to go under an 80's power suit. Bring on the big shoulder pads.

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 

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

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

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 

Vintage Red

[Jacket: Forever 21; Shirt: Crossroads Trading Co.; Jeans: Joe's Jeans; Shoes: Old Navy; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Boyfriend; Earrings: BaubleBar (only available in other colors now); Ring: Old Navy; Bracelets: Flea market and J.Crew (on mega awesome sale)]

I was all ready to splurge on a spring jacket until I came across this red number in Forever 21 for $35. The shade it comes in is called Lipstick, which is right on. It also reminds me of the color of a candy apple. Yum. In any event, it's functional and cute, and can dress up jeans for a night out with friends. That's what I did on Friday, when a bunch of us dessert picnicked in the North End for my best friend's 25th birthday. 

And the shirt. This is the third and final purchase from Crossroads Trading Co. that you will be hearing about (following the blue watercolor-esque dress and black Theory pants). It's worth mentioning, because I tried it on and felt like I didn't really "need" it.  So I brought it out of the dressing room and placed it back on the shirts rack. I was at the register pulling out my credit card when I turned around to grab it. The unique vintage shape just wooed me. And it made me realize that I don't hate the color red on me like I thought I did. So thanks, shirt.

 All photos by Mikhail Glabets