The Summer Hot List

It’s Hot y’all!  It is the middle of the summer down here in the south, and it feels like I bought a sauna and put it outside.  Some how though, summer is my favorite time of year…must be the true southerner coming out in me, but there’s nothing like summer in the south…so hot you either need to be inside, at the pool, or on a patio with a big fan and a cold drink.  That being said…here are my favorite trends for this summer.  Now get out there, and be fabulous.  And remember…On Wednesdays, We Wear Pink. ~xoxo Cassie

Target Tribal Print Skirt

Tribal Prints and Florals:

These are my favorite prints this season! If you’re afraid to wear prints, try incorporating it into just a small piece of you wardrobe, like a bag or a scarf. If you want to go bolder, go for a piece of clothing. Still a little intimidated? Pair it with something simple and neutral to keep it from being over the top.  I just bought this world print skirt at Target for under $25, and I am obsessed. I paired it with a neutral, camel colored long sweater for an unexpected casual twist. 

Anthropologie Floral Maxi Skirt

My sister wore this floral skirt from Anthropologie and paired it with a sleevelss flowy white top for an outdoor party. This would also look great for a festival or music event.

 

 

 

 

 

These prints are everywhere this season, so just find colors you like and shapes that are flattering on you! 

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OPI Don’t Be A Buddapest

Pastels:

Pastels are my jam this season. I love ‘em!! I wear them everywhere. I mix and match them with jeans for a casual twist or a skirt for a dressier look for work or church.  I am currently obsessed with this color that I have on my nails. My favorites this season are the purples, turquoises, greens, and corals.

 

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Nude Ankle Strap Heels

 

 These minimalist heels are so feminine, and I love them. I wish I could wear open toed shoes at work because I would be living in these! Speaking of pastels, you can grab a pair of these in one of my aforementioned favorite colors of the moment. But my personal choice would be a nude pair. Nude heels do an amazing job of making your legs look longer, and they go with literally everything. I’m going out to buy a pair of these now…what are you waiting for?!?!

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Bauble Bar Monogram Necklace

Monogram Necklaces:

I almost hate myself for saying this, but I can’t get enough of these right now. This is definitely the SEC preppy style coming out in me (you can take the girl out of the SEC, but you can’t take the SEC out of the girl). I asked for one for my birthday, and I have been wearing it non stop. (Who am I? I honestly don’t recognize myself right now.) But seriously, this is a necklace you can wear with a nice outfit for a little bit of classic elegance, or layer it with some trendy necklaces for a more casual look. A good southern girl knows you can never go wrong with a good monogram and a nice set of pearls…trust me y’all!

 

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Side Braid How To

Braids and Side Pony Tails:

I like to combine these two for a nice side braid. This is especially handy on “dirty hair” days or days when I just can’t get my hair to do anything else. It’s appropriate for work (as long as it’s not too messy) or for an outdoor concert (wear it as messy as you want). A low side pony with curly hair and some pieces pulled out can look a little bit more stylish than just pulling hair back, or do one of those trendy face framing braids for a festival look. The possibilities are endless with these styles, so you’ll never get bored!

This is one of my favorite and fairly easy side braided styles to do for work. Make sure to pull and stretch the braid after you secure it to make it look fuller and thicker.

 

Fun with Fashion

Hey y’all! It’s finally warming up around here and everyone is coming out of their winter hibernation to sit on patios and have cocktails. Audrey did such a great job of highlighting some wonderful wardrobe staples for the warmer months last week, and I want to add to that. We talked a lot this past weekend (did y’all know that I went to Texas last weekend?) about ways we play with our own personal style. Some of it has to do with what works with our individual personalities and shapes and sizes, but I think there are certain things that everyone can do to maximize what they have hanging in their closet. I love shopping, but I don’t have the budget to go out and buy something new every time I want a new look, so I have to find ways to make the stuff I already have look new and fresh. Not that I don’t go shopping a little more than I should from time to time…

1. Find Inspiration: I am more than happy to admit that I am not quite creative enough to come up with inspiration on my own. I love the Women’s Fashion section of Pinterest. I try to find looks put together with items similar to something I already have in my closet. I love In Style and People Style Watch magazines. People Style Watch especially because they do a really great job of finding great trends for reasonable prices. They also do a great “This Works” “This Doesn’t” section for both clothes and hair with great explanations as to why something works vs. why something similar doesn’t.
2. Accessorize: There is no better way to make an old outfit look updated than adding some accessories. A bright scarf, a chic belt, some trendy sunglasses, the right shoes, or some great jewelry can take jeans and a white t-shirt from ordinary to extraordinary. The right accessories can change the look of a basic outfit. A leather jacket and some ankle booties and you’re biker chic. A bright scarf, some killer earrings, and some heels and you’re a trendy fashionista. Sandals and a headband…you’re a hipster. You get the idea.
3. Layer: One of my favorite things about spring, before it gets too hot, is that you can add layers to change up your look. A good denim or leather jacket. A cute sweater or well tailored button down can add dimension to an outfit. The key here is fit. Too loose and you look sloppy and too tight and you look like a busted can of biscuits. If you are wearing lots of layers up top, keep it simple on the bottom. You don’t want to draw people’s eyes all over the place. Think of one thing as the “showstopper” and the rest of your outfit should compliment and highlight it, not take away from it.
4.Get Your Hair Done: It may seem obvious. It may seem ridiculous. But how you fix your hair can say a lot about what you are trying to say about yourself. A ponytail says “I’m getting stuff done today” while a blow out might say “I’m fabulous”. Putting your hair in an up-do can give a sense of elegance to any outfit. If you want to add a little pizzazz, headbands or hair clips can do the trick. Just remember, don’t put a lot of thought and effort into your wardrobe and then forget to fix your hair. That just says, “I tried, but I don’t really care that much”.
5. Play with Color: Like Audrey, I tend to gravitate toward neutrals. Black, white, and tan are my favorite colors when it comes to my clothes. I tend to buy those things because they are easiest to mix and match, and especially with traveling, that is what I need. But I try to add color in my accessories. Nothing spices up a classic LBD like a bright pair of heels, and a bright scarf can take jeans and tee from drab to fab. Obviously, on Wednesdays, you should wear pink. (Kidding…but, really.)
6. Be Yourself: If you only hear one thing, hear this…if you don’t dress in a way that you think represents you in the way you want to portray yourself, you’ll never feel at home in your own skin. I am a big believer in the whole feeling your best when you look your best, but that doesn’t mean that you have to be someone you’re not. Ultimately, none of the other stuff matters if you don’t like it, so play with looks. Mix and match and don’t be afraid to try new things! Be fabulous…but be yourself.
Namaste…or whatever.
XO ~Cassie