3 ways to wear striped shorts!

The striped shorts popping up at my favorite mall retailers lately are just adorable!  As if we couldn't already love stripes enough, they once again become irresistible in the form of shorts.   Long, short, dressy, casual and in a bevy of colors there is a striped short for any style.  

Here I pulled together some quick and easy inspiration on how to style this summer staple this season.  Summer dressing is so easy to pull together with simple basics, isn't it? I hope you enjoy this inspiration.

(above: shorts, white tee, necklace, belt, wedges)

(above: shorts, sweater, necklace, clutch, sandals)

(above: shorts, tee, earrings, bag, shoes)

Will you be sporting some striped shorts this season?

3 scarves to have in your wardrobe!

A reader recently emailed and asked if I had any suggestions on scarves for fall and how to style them.  Scarves are a necessity in my closet as the seasons change to not only keep me warm, but to add another layer to an outfit for interest and style.  

This time of year you don't really need a thick wool or knit scarf like you will eventually for winter.  I like to keep a few lighter weight woven scarves on hand that aren't too heavy, but that still create warmth when wrapped around your neck.  I have a ton of scarves, but if you are just getting started on adding scarves to your closet I recommend three styles to get you started: a printed scarf, a solid scarf and a leopard scarf.  Each of these will work in a variety of outfits and will be a great investment for seasons to come as well!

(above: cords (I have these in teal and thinking about getting this color too, I love them!, blouse, jacket, scarf - I LOVE this sweet print!, boots)

(above: pants, sweater, scarf, nail polish, bag, flats)

(above: jeans, striped top, blazer, scarf, shoes - obsessed with these lately!, tote)

3 fall sweaters you are going to want to snatch up this season!

I go little crazy lusting after sweaters this time of year... I feel like I just want one of everything!  But of course, not only would that be gross impractical... it's not very economical either.  Out of all the sweaters that have been catching my eye lately, here are the top three that I would snatch up if I were you (or that I hope to snatch up myself!).

The Boxy Turtleneck: this seems to have just enough drape in a bold and fun color!

(above: cords, sweater, purse - this is so cute and UNDER $100!, scarf, watch, flats)

The Cambridge Cable Turtleneck: I'm seriously crushing on anything cable knit these days - plus, I can never have enough classic black sweaters!

(above: earrings, lip gloss, clutch, sweater, flats - a friend just bought these and they look SO adorable in person!), jeans)

The Elbow Patch Cardigan: perfect for layering over and under and the elbow patches are a fun preppy touch!

(above: jeans - these are the PERECT fall white jean... I tried them on and loved them!, necklace, t-shirt, cardigan, iPhone cover, boots)

3 ways to bring neon into your fall wardrobe!

If you are looking into your closet at some of your favorite neon pieces from the summer and wondering if they will integrate into your fall wardrobe... the answer is YES!  Small touches of neon mixed in with your fall and winter basics will look super fun and on-trend this season.  Plus, you don't want those neon pieces wandering too far away... I have a feeling we are going to want to hang on to them for next spring/summer too!

(above: jeans, sweater, earrings, clutch, flats, nail polish)

(above: jeans, sweater, jacket, flats, bag)

(above: jeans, chambray top, blazer, flats, clutch)

3 ways to wear a bauble necklace...

The "bauble" is the thing this season.  Whether it's a "bubble" or a "bauble" necklace... you can't go wrong with this fun and bold style this season. But as fun as bold styles are... sometimes they can be difficult to integrate into your wardrobe.  So if you have ever asked yourself how to wear the bauble necklace... look no further!

Here are three simple ways to wear the bauble necklace this fall... in a monochromatic look, with neutrals and lastly, with a black turtleneck (my fall/winter staple!).

(above: jeans, sweater - I've been eyeing this sweater forever! so pretty!, watch, flats, necklace, clutch)

(above: cords, striped top, cardigan, necklace, boots, ring)

(above: loafers, sunglasses, jeans, top, necklace, purse)

three ways to wear your denim shorts this fall!

Even though I am (pretty much) ready for summer to be over... I am always a little sad to say goodbye to my denim shorts.  Here I styled them three ways in perfectly fall appropriate outfits.  They are at the ready for warm afternoons and chilly mornings and evenings.

Are you looking forward to wearing your shorts into September? If so... here are some fun shorts outfit ideas for you...

(above: necklace, shorts, tank, jacket, iPad case, wedges)

(above: sunglasses, clutch, shorts, sweater, boots, rings)

(above: lip tint, shorts, striped top, blazer, earrings, flats)

three ways to style cream jeans for fall!

I am kind of crushing on the idea of creamy white jeans for fall... what do you think? Not the bright white we have been wearing all summer, but a softer white paired with all sorts of fall goodies... these looks are SO cute for fall!

(above: white jeans, sunglasses, pink top, blazer, horseshoe earrings, flats, clutch)

(above: white jeans, black sweater, nail polish, earrings, clutch, flats)

(above: glasses, white jeans, striped top, cardigan, boots, belt)

So would you wear white jeans this fall!?!?

3 ways to style a shirt dress for summer & fall!

This time of year I am obsessed with tracking down new and fun pieces that are popping up in the stores for fall. And since I've got two full-time sidekicks (read: kids) it's not practical for me to be at the mall all the time.  Lucky for me (and you!), I've got the internet!

When I found this dress online (and for such a great price!) I knew it would be perfect to style up three ways.  It has such a fun and relaxed vibe that can be dressed up or dressed down and layered or on it's own depending on your mood and the weather!

I love the splash of glamour that the boots and the earrings offer.  

While the jewel tones of the nail polish and belt play off the neutrals perfectly.  

(above: dress, earrings, jacket, nail polish - Essie's Fall '12 colors, I'm in love!, glitter boots, belt)

This scarf with the dress offer a fun pairing of patterns while the navy accessories make this outfit perfect for fall!  

And again, a pop of jewel tones with the ring!

(above: dress, jacket, purse, scarf, flats, ring)

This outfit has a fun boho vibe that is perfect for the last of summer days.  

This outfit is minimalist and simple!

(above: dress, purse, sunglasses, necklace, sandals)

3 ways to wear the J.Crew Pixie pant...

Have you seen the J.Crew Pixie pant and asked yourself "How would I style those adorable Pixie pants?"

In real life I wear leggings a lot... and from time to time they even show up here on the blog.  For me leggings are quick and look nice and a comfortable to wear as a busy mom.  I'm seriously in the market for a new pair because I have completely worn out the previous two pairs that I have owned.  While perusing the recent J.Crew catalog I came across the Pixie pant and instantly fell in love with the look.  I'm so excited to try them on as they are a little dressier than a regular "legging" and also a little more of an investment as well.  But after having to trash two pairs of $25 leggings, it seems right to invest more in a pair that will last longer.  Doesn't it?

Here are three ways to style the J.Crew Pixie pant (or style a pair of leggings you may already own!) for the rest of summer... for fall they would be perfect with boots and a blazer - but that's me getting a little ahead of myself!

I always go for loose layers when styling my leggings... that and a salad for lunch and a little "suck it in" action! (wink, wink!)

(above: sunglasses, pants, tank, scarf, flats, bracelet)

(above: pants, top, wedges, rings, necklace, iPhone case)

(above: nail polish, pants, top, necklace, clutch, sandals)

3 ways to integrate classic denim into your summer wardrobe!

I'm forever a denim fan.  You probably know this already.  With all the fun colored denim and the warmer temps, the regular old tried and true blue denim has fallen by the wayside this season.  But it's always a classic and most of it still have plenty of it hanging around our closets.  Why not bring this basic back out to refresh your fun and colorful summer wardrobe?

In the first look, pull out a denim top and pair it with your brightest summer shorts!  Or in the second look take your favorite skinnies and dress them up with a tank and structured jacket for a business casual day at the office or an evening out.  And lastly spruce up your favorite maxi dress (this one is so gorgeous and feminine!) with a denim vest.  Don't have a denim vest hanging around? Stop by the thrift store to snag an old denim jacket and cut off the sleeves for this trendy look!

(above: sunglasses, clutch, shorts, top, sandals)

(above: jeans, tank, jacket, belt, earrings, shoes)

(above: initial necklace, bag, vest, shoes, dress)

Three ways to wear a polka dot mini skirt!

After finding this adorable polka dot mini-skirt yesterday... I couldn't help but have it return today to be styled up three ways.  Seriously I am crushing on this sweet find!

(above: clutch, tank, skirt, yellow necklace, anchor necklace, sandals)

(above: scarf, top, skirt, earrings, bag, shoes)

(above: sunglasses, bracelet, skirt, top, nail polish, necklace, wedges)

What do you say? Would you sport this itty-bitty polka dot mini?

3 stylish ways to wear red, white and blue!

I just realized it's Fourth of July next week.  That officially means I lost June somewhere along the way... have you seen June? Where did it go?  That must mean that we are just having tons of fun... which is true! We are! But I still can't believe how fast the summer is flying by!

Always around the Fourth of July I like to break out the good old red, white and blue and have some fashionable patriotic fun... what about you?

Whether you have picnic plans, party plans or just backyard plans...  here are three fun (and stylish!) ways to wear red, white and blue!

 (above: jeans, top, necklace, ring, nail polish, flats, bag)

(above: sunglasses, top, skirt, sandals, necklace, watch, tote)

(above: dress, jacket, earrings, clutch, bracelets, wedges)

3 ways to wear neon shorts...

I bought these shorts a few weeks back and then they sat in my closet (not a good sign, right?)... then fast forward to earlier this week when I was in the Gap and fell in love with these pants (here they are on me! they have a really comfy broken-in feel to them).  I had a lightbulb moment in the dressing room when I remembered "Hey I have a pair of neon shorts sitting at home just waiting to be worn!" - so I skipped out on the Gap pair (cute as they were) and decided to do a little brainstorming on the shorts I already owned...

Here are three fun ways to wear neon shorts (or hey, if you are a pants gal, swap out those adorable Gap neon pants for these shorts - also SUPER cute!)... the first is a simple summer look perfect for a weekend picnic, the second a little more dressed up and would be fun to wear on a date and the third is perfect for the day at the beach or for a day of boating!

(above: purse, belt, top, sandals, shorts)

(above: earrings, ring, top, blazer, shorts, flats)

(above: purse, t-shirt, bracelet, shorts, shoes - sequined sperry's? I die!, nail polish)

Would you wear neon bottoms (pants or shorts or skirt or jeans)? 

Watch for mine to show up here on the blog soon!

3 ways to wear a maxi skirt in the summer...

Despite the extra fabric there is no debating that maxi skirts are made to shine in the summer... they are simple to throw on, breezy and you don't have to worry about perfectly tan (or shaved - bonus!) legs.  Can't go wrong with that!

Either of these maxi's would be most welcome in my closet... and really could be easily interchanged within any of these outfits below... For instance... swap the gorgeous mint green and orange ones without even changing the accessories.  They are just so versatile!

Here are three great ways to wear maxi skirts this summer...

(above: skirt, tank, necklace, nail polish, bag, sandals)

(above: skirt, top, earrings, clutch, sandals, nail polish)

(above: skirt, top, sunglasses, bracelet, bag, sandals)

How to mix and match colors! {three ways}

Color, color, color! I'm crazy for it this summer and I've been snatching up pieces for myself (and even my kids and husband) like crazy... my closet which was once filled with a lot of neutrals is now bursting with color!

So naturally I walk in there and say to myself "wait a minute...  can I just mix and match all these?" and of course my answer is YES!  I never buy a piece of clothing that can't be mixed and matched... so if your closet is bursting with color like mine this season... here's how to wear it all without looking (too much) like the crayon box.

Here are my tips for mixing and matching colors:

• Use patterns to break up the bold colors.
• Stay in the same color family to make it easy.
• Add neutral accessories to tone down the look.

(above: sunglasses, bracelets, top, shorts, sandals, bag)

(above: dress, scarf, earrings, nail polish, clutch, sandals)

(above: earrings, jeans, striped top, denim jacket, watch, nail polish, shoes)

How to style the little white dress! {3 fun ways}

Ever since seeing this adorable little white dress styled with a colorful scarf, I haven't been able to get the idea of dressing down a white dress for summer.  I now have my eye out for the perfect little white dress for this summer... any of these outfits would be great weekend or after-hours outfits all summer long!

(above: dress, jacket, earrings, nail polish, clutch, shoes)

(above: dress, scarf, sunglasses, bracelets, sandals)

(above: dress, necklace, bracelet, shoes, bag)

Would you wear a little white dress this summer?

what to wear to spring weddings!

Wedding season is upon us!  And of course the first thought that springs to mind when those invitations land in your mailbox is "what will I wear?" A spring wedding is the perfect excuse for a new dress or conversely to splurge on fun new accessories to spruce up a dress you already own!

So here are three fun ideas of what to wear to a spring wedding no matter the wedding style!  What to wear to a formal wedding, what to wear to a beach wedding and what to wear to a morning wedding... (did I miss any other types of weddings!?!?)

(above: dress, shoes, earrings, nail polish, clutch)

(above: dress, hat, clutch, bracelet, wedges)

(above: dress, ring, clutch, shoes)