A Straw Bag for Summer

There's no denying that the straw bag is BIG when it comes to summer.  Whether you tote it to the beach or find a cute straw clutch; the straw bag is the bag for when summertime hits.  My latest straw bag has a story and one that makes me cherish it all the more. Not my latest straw bag but a cute one all the same. Last month my Mom visited and as she was getting ready to leave she handed me this butterfly straw bag.  I told her how cute I thought it was and she told me how she wanted me to have it.  It was the last birthday present my grandmother, her mother, had given her.  I knew instantly that I would keep it forever and use it with care. For every day I think the butterfly straw bag looks cute with a simple set of shorts and a tank.  Add a delicate pendant with a set of … [Read more...]

How to Style White Pants

The days of waiting until Memorial Day to break out the white pants are O-V-E-R, over. Now we can wear white pants all year round.  That means figuring out more ways on how to style white pants. I bought this super lightweight and snuggly soft gray sleeveless turtleneck last summer and wore it only once.  That made me sad.  I love it, but once June hits in Virginia it is straight up straps and tanks. This year I was determined to break it out early and find new ways to style it.  Enter my new white ankle pants from Old Navy. With white pants, both pieces can shine. It is basic but it works for a variety of occasions depending on what shoes or accessories you pair them with.  I wanted to play down the shoes but add a small amount of color and the necklace I received at Christmas … [Read more...]

Flipping a House Style Edition

Many of you know that H and I are flipping a house right now. It's what we do. I've shown my staging style on Whatcha Wearing Wednesday before too. Whenever people find out that we really like flipping a house they always ask one question, "Do you watch all those shows on HGTV? OH! So and so is my favorite..."  And yes, sometimes we do.  But almost every time I cringe and here is why.  Flip flops and heels of any kind could seriously injure you while on the job.  What do I wear when visiting a potential flip?  The same thing I wear when we I'm on the site and it is under construction. But almost every time I cringe and here is why.  Flip flops and heels of any kind could seriously injure you while on the job. I typically don't carry my purse, wear a lot of jewelry or anything nice. … [Read more...]

10 Styles You Need for Spring

Some of you might know this already but I write for Social Moms on a regular basis.  '10 Styles You Need for Spring' came out last month and I wanted to share it. It’s time to start packing away your woolly sweaters and heavy coats—and taking a look at the latest fashions. The warm weather has been hanging around a few weeks now and it is not going back to cold. I’ve compiled a list of the ten trends that are sure to put a spring in your step. Color Prep In case you missed it, Pantone released their latest color of the year and it’s “Greenery,” which suggests all things growing and blooming. If green is your thing, wear this shade anywhere and every where. If it’s not, here are some of the hot hues of the season: Read more... Get a Sneak Peek Raw Hem Styles are a particular favorite … [Read more...]

Cinco de Mayo Inspired Looks

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner.  If you are like us you like to host parties during the warmer months when you can get out and enjoy the best of the outdoors and party spaces you create inside your four walls.  H and I decided that we would hold a Cinco de Mayo party this May to change up last years 'Celebrate Summer Water Balloon Fight' party or the previous years housewarming. I'm already planning what to wear. Oh, and the menu and decorations too but what to wear.... it sets the tone, right? Top 3 Cinco de Mayo Looks Black Ella Moss Jumpsuit by victoriamason featuring Ella Moss SHOP THE LOOK Ella Moss 'Stella Jumpsuit'/Shashi Lilu Seed Bracelet/Steven Vienna Leather Sandals This one seems the most versatile.  I could swap out the heeled sandals for the fringe sandals below … [Read more...]

Olive Green: The New Neutral

Spring, means revitalization and pops of punched up color.  Using olive green a new neutral just makes sense.  Seeing olive green as a neutral creates a new way to use those items in your closet and makes it move beyond drab and into a more wardrobe maximizing staple.     Olive Green as a Neutral by  Jojobride featuring slip-on shoes SHOP THE LOOK Olive Green Blouses (similar/similar/similar)/Pink Ankle Pants/Olive Green Flats (similar)/Yellow Pleated Skirt/Steve Madden Carrson Yellow Heels/Red Palazzo Pants/Tan Mules I put together this olive green look earlier this week when the temperatures finally reached above 50 degrees. Hello, spring! I have had these olive green pants from Old Navy for a few years. I bought the pink blouse (similar) last spring and loved … [Read more...]

5 Reasons Rent the Runway is Worth Trying

I've been a fan of Rent the Runway (RTR) for a long time.  So much so that I have come to rely on it for business dinners, galas, special events and even a meeting or two. My love for it and its convenience goes beyond pretty dresses. Just look at this tuxedo-style jumpsuit that I wore to a gala I attended with H last Friday. Badgley Mischka 'Emma' Jumpsuit I loved this jumpsuit for a lot of reasons. It has pockets.  It's a jumpsuit and not a dress and it shined on its own and didn't require me adding more accessories to it.  I felt like I could throw it on and go.  The next day I just bagged it up and sent it on its way.  It was worn to a real estate gala but it wasn't going to take up any real estate in my closet. BOOM!  It's fast and convenient.  But you already … [Read more...]

Whatcha Wearing Wednesday: Stripes and Leopard for Spring

Stripes and leopard. It's all about mixing prints and patterns and it isn't as hard as you think. Spring is a great time to experiment. Think about matching a floral pencil skirt with a stripe shirt. Still not sure? Here's an easier way. Start with neutral colors like black, white and navy if you are feeling skittish and work from there. I took my neutral leopard heels and paired them with my tried and true black ankle pants and a new striped shirt I picked up from J.Crew Factory. The stripe shirt gets and update with the ruffle added to the sleeve. Ruffles are really big this spring. Wearing a navy blue multi-strand necklace adds a hint of color while also staying in the neutral zone. I felt like this look was both fresh and classic.  It's updated with the ruffles and has an … [Read more...]

My Uniform

They say many designers and fashion editors wear a uniform.  A certain combination of clothing that is a mix of form, function and style.  I have a uniform too. Emmanuelle Alt, Editor-in-Chief- Vogue, Paris For as long as I can remember I have loved button down shirts.  It can't be a tunic or pullover. It has to be a straight up button down. French cuffs?  Yeah, I'm fine with that. But I just LOVE a button down- tucked in a variety of ways or not at all.  When I'm unsure of what I want to wear, the button down never fails me. It's my uniform.   Do you have a uniform? I love a good button down shirt with jeans, slip on sneakers, ballet flats or even heels on some days.  The beauty is in the button down.  It makes me feel both efficient and sexy all at the same time and with the … [Read more...]

What I Wore: Instagram Style

What I wore: Instagram version because I am F-O-C-U-S-E-D. Focused.  Goals mapped out.  Vision board created (yes, really), accomplishment notebook and pages are being written.  I'm busier and quieter than ever, social media-wise, but I'm feeling good.  I'm excited again and that in and of itself is motivating! Lunch with a friend and a side of networking.  Practiced my staging skills for flips too. It ended up being too warm for even the trench coat but I was overjoyed that I could drag it out of the closet. I adore this trench.  I have bought a few in the past and while I like them they don't have the liner, the shape and perfect khaki color that this one from Uniqlo possesses. Work out and get to work.  Those are my days now.  5-6 days a week I'm sweating to feel better … [Read more...]