Moto In the Tropics

I love a great biker jacket. I own quite a few in different fabrics. When I spied this one, while standing in line to check out at Kohl's, I knew I had to have it. Impulse buys are rarely something I indulge in these days. In the past, I spent lots of money on items that I didn't really love and rarely wore. Last spring I saw a biker jacket, in a fun print, on one of my favorite clothing store sites. It was amazing and I loved it but the price was close to $200. I just couldn't justify spending that much. When I saw this similar jacket in a fun tropical print, I flipped. It was a great substitute at a great price. I've already worn it to work a couple of times, with a skirt and pants. Casual but polished was what I needed to go to a few appointments one day last week. This jacket and the heels, amped up my basic outfit.

This jacket was a perfect excuse to try the jeans and heels look. I grabbed my favorite black kitten heels and threw together this combo. 

Jacket: Kohl's, Top: BB Dakota via Amazon, Jeans: NYDJ via Amazon, Shoes: Target (no longer available), Sunglasses: Ray-Ban via Amazon, Jewelry: Stella & Dot

Frugal Fashion Friday - Boyfriend Jeans Summer Look

One of the best ways to save money is to remix items in your closet. We are heading to visit my mom this weekend and I like to wear something comfy in the car but also something stylish. That way, when we arrive, I won't have to rush to change before we go to dinner. I recently revamped an old pair of boyfriend jeans by distressing them. I've loved wearing them lately because they are on trend but really comfy too. I knew they would be my base and I added a few more of my favorite items to create my outfit.

Click on the photos for buying information.

I purchased this peplum top to wear to work, under jackets but I love it to dress up this casual outfit. My gold gladiator sandals have been a great addition to my summer wardrobe. They make a bit more of a statement than more basic sandals. Originally I pictured them with my fun summer caftan but I've worn them tons of ways. The Secret Garden cuff from Stella and Dot is one of my go to styles. It's so pretty but simple enough to be worn with lots of outfits. Sadly, it's no longer available. Here is a similar bracelet from Modcloth. I also love this bracelet from Stella and Dot. I have been on the hunt for a great matte pink lipstick. I found this one from NYX. It was less than $5 and it's a bright matte pink. Many years ago I bought a nude tote by Donald Pliner from Saks Off 5th. It was a great deal on a high quality bag. I use it often. I love this "almost Celine Luggage Tote" from Daily Look. It costs less than $75 and is a steal compared to a pre-owned Celine version for $2,549! One of my summer splurges was this pair of green mirror flash Ray-Bans. I found them on Amazon for a little over $100. The green mirrors just scream summer to me.

 

Happy Friday Real Girls!

Easy Beach Maxi

Somehow dressing for the beach demands bright colors and easy combinations. When the weather started getting warmer I knew I needed a colorful maxi dress. If you follow me on Pinterest, you know it's been on my must list. As I've told you, back in the spring, I scored this amazing caftan at the Goodwill spring trunk show for less than $6! Designer caftans can cost $100 or more. The colors are just perfect for the beach and pairing it with some sandals and great shades made for an easy outfit.



Caftan - Goodwill, Sunglasses - Ray-Ban via Amazon (great price), Sandals - Circus by Sam Edelman via Amazon (discounted price), Bracelet - gift



I decided that I didn't even need earrings or extra jewelry for this look. I never take off this bracelet (that {msL} gave me) and my wedding ring. They are always with me. I didn't bring lots of accessories with me to the beach this year. I wanted simplicity to be my mantra.

What's your favorite beach look?

Beach Packing - Must Have List

We leave for our annual beach trip on Saturday. Every year when I pack, I promise myself that I won't overpack. I pledge that I will take less and that I will wash clothes if needed. That pledge hasn't exactly worked out well in the past. We rent a house with a washer and dryer. There is no reason I need to bring tons of clothes. It's just more "stuff" to bring. But the fashionista in me is always afraid that I will get there and won't have what I want to wear. It is likely a fashion girl freakout instead of a real fear. We are at the beach in North Carolina, after all. Everyone is wearing casual clothes and relaxing. It's not a see and be seen kind of place. I am working hard to stick to the "no overpacking" mantra this year. I've created my must have list and the other items will be held to a minimum.

My Goodwill Trunk Show Caftan

Jersey Dress

San Diego Hat Company Sun Hat

Target Panama Hat (I bought mine last year.)

 

DIY Cut Off Shorts

Ray Ban Green Mirror Aviators (great prices on amazon.com)

Silver Birkenstocks

Gold Gladiator Sandals (bought on amazon.com)

Sarong (bought years ago)

 

Of course bathing suits are on my list but the items above are the additional ones that I can't live without. Some are new (the gladiators, aviators, and the caftan) but the rest are old standbys and items I wore often last year. Add a couple of t-shirts and tank tops and I will be set. By choosing silver and gold sandals, I can minimize the shoes I take. These metallic shades work with everything. I'd also never go to the beach without a big hat and sunscreen. Neutrogena is my favorite face lotion because of the high SPF and it doesn't make me break out. Hawaiin Tropic lotion is always my choice for my body, when I'm lounging. I love the smell. When I'm active, I use a spray that is water resistant like Coppertone Sport. Please be safe and don't forget your sunscreen. Just one burn can damage your skin for a lifetime. I'm battling brown spots that are the result of sun damage from my teens and twenties.

 

 



 

 

What are your beach must haves?

 



I'm Obsessed Thank You Very Much - Rose Gold

I've found myself reaching for my few rose gold pieces often. I'm loving that they mix so well with silver or gold. The pretty pink color is so warm and summery and you know how I love metallics. I have found myself wanting a few more rose gold items to add to my collection.

Click on the items above for buying information.

I saw these fantastic Ray-Ban aviators on some fellow bloggers. Then I lucked out and found them on amazon. They were a great price and I love them. It's hard to tell but they have the most amazing rose gold mirror lenses (even though they are called Copper Flash). The rose gold Stella and Dot Renegade bracelet has been on my must list for a while. I'd love to get a rose gold monogram necklace. This Rebecca Minkoff cross body bag would be a fun addition to my summer wardrobe. Essie polish in Penny Talk is a fun metallic to add to your collection. Just be sure to use a ridge filling base coat because the metallic finish shows every ridge and flaw. I love the geometric shapes of these rings. This belt would look so pretty on a white dress. You know my obsession with oxfords. These by Cole Haan would be a perfect addition to my collection. The Manolos are a pipe dream but I love them. The flat sandals are a pretty and more realistic option.

Do you love rose gold as much as I do?

Summer to the Max

Maxi dresses are one of my favorite summer, go to, outfits. They are just so easy to wear and a no brainer when it comes to styling. I think they are one of the most versatile items in your closet. By just changing your shoes and your accessories, one dress can be worn multiple ways, dressed up or down. I love all types of maxis.



Click on the photos above for buying information.

 

I was lucky enough to snag this caftan at the Goodwill spring trunk show. I'd been searching for a fun summer maxi. I had a flowy option in mind but at $6, it was an amazing buy. I'll be adding my new crystal green mirror Ray-Bans, these easy gold gladiators and a matte pink lip. All of  these items are all recent purchases and were great deals.



Click the photos above for buying informaiton.

 

A flowy, halter maxi is definitely on my summer must list. This one reminds me of the DC cherry blossoms. I'd pair it with my black Birkenstocks, sheer pink lipstick, and pink mirror aviators. I could also change out the Birks for heels and add some sparkly jewelry for evening.



Click the photos above for buying information.

 

If you're headed to a summer evening party, you could switch out your little black dress for a little black maxi. Silver flat shoes will be dressy but let you stand and chat. A sheer red lip says sophisticated in a easy summer way. Matching mirror shades will greet the sunset in style.

There are so many great maxi options, in every style imaginable. They work at the beach or at a cocktail party. I love them most because the look pulled together, with minimal effort.

Will you be wearing a maxi dress this summer?

I'm Obsessed Thank You Very Much - Mirrored Aviator Sunglasses

Many years ago, I spent some of the money that I'd earned baby sitting on my first pair of "designer" sunglasses.  I bought a pair of gold framed Ray-Ban Aviators.  I loved those sunglasses and took good care of them until they bit the dust one day while I was on a friend's boat.  I had them on the top of my head as I bent over the side and I could only watch as they quickly sank to the bottom.  A friend even tried retrieving them but the river water wasn't exactly the crystal clear ocean of the Caribbean and they were gone.

Click on the pictures above for details.

Aviators are a classic style and they look surprisingly great on almost every face shape.  I'm especially loving the mirrored versions that are cropping up lately.  I scored a great pair of Foster Grants at Walgreens for just $12. You've seen those in my beach pictures.  I just bought another pair at Target.  The frames are black and the lenses are a orange and pinkish red mirror (top left above), just $12. Next on my list are the Ray-Bans with interchangeable lenses.  An investment but I'll really be buying three pairs of sunglasses.  Fantastic!

Inspiration - Summer Evenings at the Ballpark

My Uncle Tommy loved baseball.  He loved it so much that he took his vacation every year during the World Series.  He wanted to have time to devote to the watching the games.  My Dad had fond memories of traveling to Washington, DC with Uncle Tommy to attend Washington Senators baseball games.  The Senators are no longer an MLB team but now we have the Washington Nationals.  I occasionally catch part of a televised game if {msL}or my soon to be brother in-law are watching but I don't watch games on my own.  When I was in college I attended my first major league game at the ball park and was hooked. I love watching sports live.  I'm not a true fan, I don't know stats or even the name of every player.  I understand most sports and love the excitement of watching a game live.  Being at the ballpark is like nothing else.  We love attending Nationals games and I was inspired to pick some of my favorite ballpark attire.

1) Stella & Dot Heiress Hoops, $44
2) Stella & Dot Moondance bracelet, $39
2) Stella & Dot Nugget Wrap bracelet, $31
3) Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses, $97
4) Washington Nationals Hubris MVP Adjustable Cap, $19
5) Baseball Manicure via Pinterest
6) Washington Nationals Women's Practice T-Shirt, $28
7) Converse winter white shoes, $50

There is nothing like a summer evening at the ballpark.  The weather is always warm. A cool comfortable outfit is a must.  I always go casual to the ballpark.  I wear jeans or capri pants, tennis shoes or flat sandals, simple but stand out jewelry, and great sunnies. I already own a Nats ball cap and awesome silver Ray-Ban Aviators but I'd love to get a Nats t-shirt.White Converse are also on my list. When I spied this baseball manicure on Pinterest, I was truly inspired.

If you've never been to a pro baseball game, I highly recommend it.  Even if you don't have a MLB team close by, you could catch a minor league game.  They are so much fun!