Throwback Tunic Top

It's important to not neglect your clothes from the past because - let's face it, if we did... we'd all be broke! For this simple casual Friday look I dug back in the archives and pulled out a T-bags Tunic Top to wear with simple light colored jeggings and flat Dolce Vita Sandals. T-bags was a go-to brand for me in college and I got a lot of comments on this retro-bright print when I wore it. I carried a LV Speedy Cruise Collection Print Bag from several years ago. This bag has been a summer staple for me for years but it is beginning to wilt a little hah. For my jewelry I wore my BCBGeneration FREE lime green Affirmation Bracelet, an MCM Pink Wrap Bracelet, and Badgley Mishka oversized ring. The MCM Pink Wrap Bracelet was actually from my desk fairy. I have this amazing designer/friend at work who happens to occasionally leave trinkets at my desk from events or designer shopping field trips and it always makes my day. Happy Friday Yall!

Maxi Slits with a Bun on Top

As I mentioned in my last outfit post, high-low skirts were really big for Spring/Summer 2012 but I feel like that has evolved to the maxi skirt. I got this amazing shocking pink Jennifer Hope maxi skirt 60% off at BigDrop. Beyond the amazing color, I was drawn to this because of the slit on one side. There is a shorter skirt layer underneath to avoid any potential wardrobe malfunctions so that's a plus haha! The skirt is sold out now but here are some options from ASOS that I love: option1 option2 option3

 

I know the sockbun thing has been huge for a while now- but believe it or not I am terrible at hair styling so this is totally out of the box for me but I used an insert from Urban Outfitters- it's like the modern day bump-it!

 

I carried this adorable Rebecca Minkoff bright green crossbody bag with silver spike studs.

 

No big surprise here, I rocked my most recent Jen Hoodenpyle necklace purchase. I know, I'm an addict but I can't help myself. This one has amazing colors for Spring and Summer and the shape is so different from all the other ones I have!

 

 

Lastly I wore my Dolce Vita sandals. Every girl needs a pair- or three!

Bikini Ready

I just got back from a quick 24 hour work trip to LA and although I didn’t have time to shop, tan, or live it up – the 91 degree weather was totally refreshing and really got me excited for SUMMER! With a girls Miami trip within days, I figured it would be only fitting to post about the best places to go bathing suit shopping online & stores – NOT including Victoria’s Secret – since that’s an obvious fall-back. Here are my Top 5:

Kayokoko is a bathing suit Mecca based in Canada. In the dead of winter when I need to book a beach trip, I always find myself spending 3 hours on this website trying to narrow down my top 3 picks. I love that you can buy tops and bottoms separately so you can mix and match to put together the best styles for your body type. I rarely ever buy a full bathing suit “set”. My favorite brand on this site is Luli Fama. 

 

South Moon Under – for those that are from NOVA this is probably a staple location for you but for those that live other places this is a great online venue for all clothes but specifically bathing suits. South Moon Under started out being a Surf Beach Shop in Maryland and has now blown up to be a specialty chain store for Mens & Womens Clothing. Here is a Mara Hoffman Bottom from their site that I have been eyeing

Target – okay you might think I’m crazy for saying this, but the Bathing Suit section has never disappointed me and not only that but how can you feel guilty when you’re buying multiple bathing suits when they are only $35.99??? With amazing colors and prints, I dare you to take a trip to Target and see if you don’t walk out with at least one bathing suit. Here's one that I found online that I love

Beach Bunny Swimwear – this website is the definition of Sexy. Beach Bunny Swimsuits try to emulate the same sexy fit as lingerie --- but with that comes $$$$ Higher prices. So if you’re looking to invest in a perfect bathing suit for Vegas or Miami, BeachBunny would be my recommendation. Here is my favorite one that is up on the site now

 

 Revolve Clothing - I'm putting this website on my list but really it's specifically for the band Tori Praver, I love this brand particularly their bottoms and I own a few. Here is a set on Revolve that I love

 

30 Day Squat Challenge

In preparation for an upcoming Miami trip, I decided to try a 30 Day Squat Challenge. Doing little challenges and setting goals helps me stay on track and hold me accountable. At first I was gliding by thinking this was going to be a cake walk. I wanted to challenge myself further so I decided I would do the squat challenge with weights. Then- I hit Day 17 with 150 squats and I hated myself. Days 17-21 were rough and then I found myself becoming stronger and today marks Day 29! My second to last day - have you guys done any similar challenges? I'd love to try them out so please share them. This challenge is great because it offers break days for your body to recover. I'm not sure my bod looks like the picture below yet HA, but it every bit helps