I'm Obsessed Thank You Very Much - Brow Bar Sunglasses

Maybe it's this cold weather that won't quit, or my love of vintage looks but I can't stop obsessing over sunglasses with a brow bar. I've spotted them on a few fashionistas, while checking out fashion week street style and can't stop thinking about owning a pair. The vintage styles are great but I especially like the modern take on this trend. I am 100% sure that I will own a pair of these sunnies by the time warm weather hits. I already have quite a large collection of sunglasses, but nothing with a brow bar. I'd love to add a designer pair (the Dior pair below center) but a more economical pair will likely make their way to my collection. Since these are definitely trend shades and not a classic style, bargain options will be my picks. As luck would have it, I even found a look for less version of the Dior pair!

Clockwise from top left -   1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

I may have squealed a little inside when I saw these white sunnies with blue lenses and a gold bar. They just look like summer to me. At $14.95 (plus free shipping) they are a great bargain. The severe cat eye of this pair by Quay is statement making. Round and blue, I may have had a pair like this in the 80's. I'm a sucker for mirrored shades and this pink and orange version is cool. The clear frames on this pair look sophisticated. The mirror lenses on this tortoise shell pair give them a little extra oomph. Green, combined with the unique brow bar of this pair from Asos make them stand out from the pack. The black and blue pair from Steve Madden lean more toward classic. 

I fell hard for this pair (center) by Dior, but at $505, they are quite a bit more than I'm willing to pay. As luck would have it, I found this pair when searching.  They are a great look for less, at $12.99! I've already added them to my shopping cart. Can you guess which one below is the Dior pair and which is the look for less? Hard to tell isn't it?

Dior left, Look for less right

 Obsession satisfied! What are you obsessed with for spring?

Go Get Yourself Some Cheap Sunglasses

The DC area got another round of snow yesterday. It's March and we are only two days away from the first day of spring, people!  This is nuts!  Despite this cold and crazy weather, I can't stop thinking of warm weather and summer. I love sunglasses year round and have my fair share of designer pairs but when I'm at the beach, out on a friend's boat or doing any activity that might endanger my precious designer shades, I always go for cheap sunglasses. Here are a few fun pairs to check out for your summer fun. All of them cost less than $20!



Click on the photos for buying information.

I'm especially loving white sunglasses this year. I'd also love to snag a pink pair. I've selected styles to suit all sorts of face shapes. If you are unsure about ordering online, you can use a try-on app like this one from glasses.com and try on a pair with a similar shape. You can also buy your glasses from a place with a liberal return policy or free return shipping (like asos.com ).

Bring on the sun!

The title of this post is from the lyrics of the ZZ Top song, Cheap Sunglasses.

Vacation Recap - Fun, Sun, DIY, and Beach Hair

As I type this, my brain is filled with all of the things that I have to do at work tomorrow.  We are reluctantly home from vacation.  It was a great week. I firmly believe that I pay for vacation before I leave and after I return.  My email box was packed with unread messages and I'm still catching up on work while attending every meeting that exists. Tonight I may need a vacation from my vacation. I'm planning an evening swim and and early bed time.  There may also be wine involved. I'm trying to get back to blogging as well. I've missed you all.  Since time is limited I thought I'd share some pictures from our vacation.

From top to bottom....

• My soon to be, sister in law Erin works for a sailing and boating company.  She got us the rental of two kayaks for the week. That's Erin sitting in the kayak (and my other sister in law Mary, she coordinates our yearly trip).   
• DIY ring made from copper wire.  I made a quick trip the local hardware store on our first rainy day and grabbed some wire, pliers and other crafty items.  DIY details coming soon.
• Sarah (my soon to be niece) standing in front of the wild horses.  I snagged this one from her facebook page (thanks Sarah!).
• One of my beach hair styles. This one made me feel like a kid. I don't think I've worn pigtails in years. Glasses are Foster Grant from Walgreens (similar). Hat is Eugenia Kim for Target from a few years ago (seen here). 
• Nightly, family volleyball game. The house we rent has a volleyball court on the attached lot. I didn't get any pictures but we also use the court for the BeerLympics. It's a crazy, drunken obstacle course that starts with holding a bat and turning in a circle ten times!
• All of our SUVs and Jeep lined up next to our towels and chairs. Our 4-wheel drive on the beach.  In this section of the Outer Banks it's legal to drive your vehicle on the beach. It was an wonderful day.
• It's not crowded at all.  I love these photos of my family in the distance walking on the beach and in the surf.  
• Me with beach hair, french braided and posing with Liz. Swimsuit from Target (no longer available).

The beach is still calling but I'll have to be satisfied with pool time. 

Frugal Fashion Friday - Beach Trip Style

Today's Friday's Fancies challenge is beach style.  I knew I could come up with great style on a budget for our upcoming beach trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  It's an awesome family trip that I look forward to every year.  I try not to over pack but still have great style.  Today's outfit fits that bill in full retro style and for a bargain.

Beach Chic by realgirlrunway featuring a slimming swimwear

Retro Swimsuit, $33
Flat thong sandals, $36
Sequin tote bag, $21
Stella & Dot black pearl bangle, $22
Stella & Dot pave jewelry, $24
Chiffon Maxi Cover-Up, $25
Silver and White striped sun hat, $23
Rounded Cat Eye Sunglasses!, $5.99
L'Oreal Sublime Sun Advanced Sunscreen Hydra Lotion Spray SPF30 $11
La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid., $30
Spoiled Nail Color Shrimp On The Barbie, $1.49

I've had a retro style swimsuit on my list for a few summers.  This year, I might actually buy one.  A retro halter suit with runching is flattering to all body types. I never hit the beach without a great hat.  It's stylish, I don't have to think about my hair and it's a great way to keep wrinkles at bay by protecting my face from the sun. A few simple pieces of jewelry are it for me at the beach.  Stud earrings like these from Stella & Dot are pretty and won't get in the way when you are active.  The stretch bracelet is easy to slide off before you get in the water.  Fun retro shades are definitely on the bill.  I love sunglasses and own way too many pairs but these are only $5.99 from GirlPROPS.  You can afford to own more than one pair.  I always take a book, my towel, water and extra sunscreen to the beach, this sequin bag is perfect for a fun way to tote your stuff.  Cute sandals and pretty toe nails are always on the bill for my beach trips.  I love this pink and orange shimmery polish. The name cracks me up: Shrimp on the Barbie, Spoiled by Wet n' Wild.

You've read my tirades before about using sunscreen and protecting your skin. I look for bargains everywhere but I never skimp when it comes to sunscreen, especially for my face. I can replace a suit or pair of flip flops but once you get wrinkles or melanoma, you can't go back. I've taken the Sun Savvy pledge and wear sunscreen every day and even more at the beach. Most people don't apply sunscreen correctly or often enough.  This site has great tips. Don't worry you'll still get a great tan.  

Nothing on this list is over $40!  Great bargain style finds for any beach.

Do you have beach or pool plans?  It's supposed to be over 100 all weekend here in DC.  I think I'll be trying out my beach style this weekend.

Happy Friday Real Girls!

Sunshine and Flowers

I had a great Sunday afternoon. It was a beautiful, warm and sunny day. My Honey and I did a little shopping and then went to visit family and have dinner. It's so great to see the world through the eyes of a child.  That carefree look at life is amazing.  I got to take some outfit pictures with my favorite modeling partner Laila, who obviously upstaged me.

Sweater - Old Navy, Shirt - Kohl's, Pants - thrifted (Goodwill), Belt - Talbots Outlet
Shoes - Tory Burch via Nordstrom Rack, Sunglasses - Chanel, Necklace - Kohl's, Watch - Loehmann's and DIY

Fashionable Sun Protection

This past weekend, my sister, Mom, and I did a little vintage shopping. We happened upon a few great vintage hats. Unfortunately, they were the right price but the wrong size. As luck would have it, in a couple weeks, we'll be able to pick up some great vintage inspired hats at Target.

My love for Target's designer collaborations knows no bounds. They are great, inexpensive ways to have designer style at affordable, fiscally responsible prices. I love hats and beginning April 18 (through June 28), Target launches it's collaboration collection with hat designer, Eugenia Kim.

Kim's fabulous designer hats, cost upwards of $100 each. She designs lots of different styles and colors for her high end line. Her Target collection includes a broad range of styles as well. This Engineer's Cap at $14.99 is a steal.



It is almost identical to a her higher line Marissa hat that sells for $195.


Some of my other favorites from the Target collection include the mint green fedora and the striped cloche.






Both the fedora and cloche retail for $16.99. There are twelve hats in the collection, including four fedoras, two engineer caps, three cloches, and three sun hats. Each is made in a lightweight summer fabric or straw. They are great ways to protect your face from the summer sun and much more fun than adding more sunscreen.