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?

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?

Frugal Fashion Friday - Friday's Fancies Edition Budget Picnic

My blogger friend {av} of long distance loving, hosts a great link up each Friday.  It's called Friday's Fancies and each week there  is a theme.  Quite some time ago I did a Friday's Fancies post for Gal Time. It was so much fun, I decided that I would like to start doing it on a semi-regular basis.  This week the theme is Primped for a Picnic.  All I needed to do was to select a fun outfit to wear to a picnic.  Of course I had to do it Real Girl style and find great style for less.  I decided to select designer items and then find their duplicates for less. I've assembled the budget version. Just click the links below to see the designer inspirations. Since maxi dresses are a favorite spring and summer staple for me, I started with a great version.  A convertible maxi dress!

The Budget Versions

Dress
Designer - Butter by Nadia Jersey Wrap Gown (Cherry) $315
Budget - Target Mossimo Multi Style Convertible Maxi Dress (Florida Coral) $35
How can you go wrong with a maxi dress that can be wrapped and twisted to create 10 or more different looks? It's like getting 10 dresses in one! The Target version comes in eight colors.  I love Florida Coral and Bookoo Leaf.

Sandals
Designer - Giuseppe Zanotti Crystal Studded Toe Ring Thong (Turquoise) $650
Budget - Carlos by Carlos Santana Florida Flat Sandal (Parrot Blue) $49
Crystal studded flat sandals in a fun blue color.  They work with pants, shorts and dresses.  I love all of my flat sandals and live in them all summer.

Earrings
Designer - Ippolita Sterling Silver Cascade Earrings $495
Budget -   Paula's Oversized Silver Disc Charm Chandelier Earrings $28.95
Bright silver chandelier earrings are a little boho and always fun.  They go with everything from t-shirts to a beautiful dress. 

Ring
Designer - John Hardy Dragon Head Ring $795
Budget -  Giant Dragon Head Pewter Ring $13.57
I'm a huge fan of statement rings.  They are always conversation starters and they will never over power your outfit. 

Watch
Designer - Michael Kors Runway Two Tone Chronograph Watch $250
Budget - Vernier Two Tone Chrono Bracelet Watch $29.99
This watch is classic styling with the modern twist of mixed metals and the oversized look.  It's a watch that will be on your arm for years to come.

Sunglasses
Designer - Prada Arm Detail Sunglasses $290
Budget -  GirlPROPS Curlycue Big Lense Sunglasses  $17.99
I fell in love with these unique sunnies a while ago.  But the curly side and the "it" factor kept me from spending the big bucks. Lucky for me there is a great duplicate available.

Champagne
Designer - Dom Perignon $181.99
Budget -Nicolas Feuillatte Brut $22.99
Quite a few years ago a sommelier recommended this champagne to me.  He said it was one of his favorites and he liked it even better than Dom Perignon.  I was shocked but gave it a try.  Up until that point champagne wasn't my favorite but that was because I'd only had sparkling wine. I fell in love and now it's a staple at my house and parties. True champagne is from the Champagne region of France.  It's leaps better than any sparkling wine.


TOTALS
Designer    $2934.99
Budget         $197.49
Savings      $2737.50

An entire outfit for just a little more than the cost of the champagne alone!!!  Now that's budget shopping.

Happy Friday Real Girls!!!

Easy Weekend with Flair ala JewelMint

When I was younger I would haul ridiculously large suitcases with me for weekend getaways.  I'd take a ton of clothes and only wear a few items. Years of travelling, hauling my own suitcase and TSA restrictions have turned me into a traveller that can pack for a weekend in a small carry-on bag. That means easy to pack items, double duty clothes and accessories to spice up my looks.

You all know my love and obsession with JewelMint. I love their jewelry. Every month I have to decide how many of the new pieces I can afford.  When my friends at JewelMint offered me the chance to choose three of their amazing pieces to style for a weekend trip, I jumped at the chance. Inspired by the Egyptian influences in some of the July pieces, I picked a ring, earrings and a necklace.  The pieces I chose were the Scarab ring, Isis earrings, and the Farrah necklace.  One of my favorite pieces of jewelry is a vintage scarab bracelet given to me by my dad and the Scarab ring is a modern take on that bracelet.

When choosing the items to style, I wanted pieces that could be worn together or separately and I love the possibilities in the Farrah necklace.  I styled three looks using all three pieces. Since I received my new jewelry I've worn them toether but I've also worn these stand out pieces alone at various times. 

For a day time look I paired a simple white tee with a flowy skirt, scarf and sandals. The JewelMint pieces compliment the look and give a little bit of an Egyptian touch.

Tee - Old Navy, Skirt - Lane Bryant, Scarf - Goodwill, Sandals - Simply Vera Vera Wang for Kohl's



Combining a halter style tankini, a sarong and the JewelMint pieces, I created a chic look for a pool party or the beach. I decided to wear the Farrah necklace as a bracelet to give the look a bit of a different flair.



Takini - Target, Sarong - Beach shop in Key West





Farrah Necklace as a bracelet, Scarab Ring - c/o JewelMint



  

Inspired by the caftans of Morocco I chose a comfortable maxi dress for an evening look. I added some strappy wedges and the JewelMint pieces but tied the Farrah necklace as a bit of a choker.

Farrah Necklace as a choker

I have a special offer for you my dear readers.  Do you love these JewelMint pieces or want to see more? Compliments of my friends at JewelMint, they are offering you 50% off of your first piece of JewelMint jewelry, for one week only! 

You'll take a quick style quiz and then you'll get personalized recommendations from JewelMint stylists. They have great new pieces each month. Every piece of jewelry is just $29.99 which includes beautiful packaging and free shipping.

Click on the link and when you check out, just enter the code below.

http://jmnt.co/q0Od8i

RealGirlRunway50

Code expires: 8/25/2011

Using easy to pack pieces and great jewelry, I created three outfits for a weekend trip.  The beauty is that some items can be changed up depending on your plans. How do you pack for a weekend getaway?

Calypso St. Barth for Target

It must be the warm, balmy weather we are having lately because I can't stop thinking of our annual July beach trip. I'm obsessed with flowy skirts, sundresses, and tropical colors. Luckily, on Sunday May 1, Target will release its latest designer collaboration, Calypso St. Barth for Target!

The Calypso St. Barth line is known for their resort wear and easy summer style as well as housewares with a tropical influence. The dresses are priced in the $200 range.  I don't know about you but $200 for a dress I'll be wearing at the beach or by the pool is too much. The Target collection also includes items for the home. Prices for the entire collection range from $1.99 to $79.99.

In addition to the affordable prices, many of the items will be available in all size ranges (petite, women's and plus).  The collection also contains items for little girls.

Here are my favorites from the collection.  These items are available in all sizes.

There are so many items in the collection. I couldn't possibly show them all to you. You'll be able to mix many of the items, which I love.

The collection also includes accessories. I really love these...

You know that I firmly believe that no matter size you wear, you should have access to great fashion. Kudos to Target for including so many of the items in all sizes.  Below is a list of the items that will be available in petite and plus sizes. The items in blue will be available in all sizes. 

PETITE

Split Neck Dress in Khaki Fan Print

Split Neck Dress in Pink Floral Print

Fan Print Dress in Turquoise

Sleeveless Dress with Orange Embroidery in Khaki

Cinch-Waist Tank with Embroidery in Pink

Cinch-Waist Tank with Embroidery in Turquoise

Tie-Dye Maxi Dress in Pink

Sleeveless White Dress with Pink Beading

Sleeveless Dress with Beading in Khaki

Linen Maxi Skirt in White

Linen Maxi Skirt in Blue

Dip-Dye Tiered Maxi Skirt in Green

Shirt Dress in White

Shirt Dress in Grey

Big Shirt Dress in Blue

Big Shirt Dress in Grey

Romper in Grey

Embroidered Ruffle Dress in Navy

Embroidered Ruffle Dress in White

Embroidered Ruffle Dress in Grey

¾-Sleeved Tunic in Khaki/Green

Crochet-Bib Tunic in Blue

Crochet-Bib Tunic in Pink

Linen Short in White

Linen Short in Grey

Sleeveless Dress in Pink

Sleeveless Dress in Turquoise

Crochet Dress in White

Wrap Dress in Grey

Sleeveless Crochet-Bib Tunic in Pink

Sleeveless Crochet-Bib Tunic in Blue

PLUS

Tie-Dye Maxi Dress in Pink

Linen Maxi Skirt in White

Linen Maxi Skirt in Blue

Dip-Dye Tiered Maxi Skirt in Green

Slub Flutter Sleeve in Oatmeal

Shirt Dress in White

Shirt Dress in Grey

Big Shirt Dress in Blue

Big Shirt Dress in Grey

Romper in Grey

Embroidered Ruffle Dress in Navy

Embroidered Ruffle Dress in White

Embroidered Ruffle Dress in Grey

¾-Sleeved Tunic in Khaki/Green

Crochet-Bib Tunic in Pink

Sleeveless Dress in Pink

Sleeveless Dress in Turquoise

Crochet Dress in White

Wrap Dress in Grey

Sleeveless Crochet-Bib Tunic in Pink

Sleeveless Crochet-Bib Tunic in Blue

Happy Shopping Real Girls!

Take it to the Max

I'm thrilled because all of the Spring magazine issues are heralding that the maxi is here to stay.  I love a great maxi dress or skirt because the styling options are endless.  I have several favorite maxis and here are some ways I've styled them.

There is a great site that coordinates a fun activity every month.  Fashion bloggers style the same piece of clothing in different ways.

I can't wait to style this skirt and dress for Spring and Summer. They are so soft and flowly and will make a great base for exciting warm wearther outfits. 

Looking High and Low

When I found this dress on ASOS I knew I had to order it right away.  I was even more convinced when I realized it was on sale for $35. The top has an angled zipper and the bottom is higher in the front and lower in the back. From a distance I think the pattern looks like camouflage but it's actually a floral pattern.

Dress - ASOS (no longer available), Sweater - swap, Belt - Lane Bryant, Boots - Silhouettes,
Necklace - JewelMint, Bracelet - JewelMint

The design of this necklace looks bohemian and a bit mystical. I really like the mix of colors. The chain is adjustable.  It can be worn long or shorter. The cuff has a stacked look. As you know I love stacking bracelets so wearing a single bracelet that gives me a similar look is ideal.

Potion Pendant Necklace - JewelMInt (no longer available), Crux Cuff - JewelMint



Summer Dress Recycle

Fall is here and the shift in temps from cool in the morning to warm during the day, brings challenges. I also have yet to tackle the massive closet rotation of summer to winter. I'm forced to find options to use my summer duds as fall duds. My summer maxi dresses are getting the fall treatment with sweaters, jackets, and either boots or tights.

photo credit: redcarpet-fashionawards.com (top photo)