Denim Shortalls: American Eagle | Lace Off the Shoulder Top: Wayf | Palm Print Sneakers: Zara (on sale!)| Snake Embossed Leather Saddle Bag (mine’s in Melon): Gigi New York (On Sale!)

This weekend’s look for a BBQ at a friend’s house was comprised of summer classics, old (denim overalls) and new (lace off the shoulder top) with a tomboyish spin (printed sneaks) and a pop of color– in this peachy-melon colored leather saddle bag by Gigi New York– literally the PERFECT slip-on-and-go summer satchel! It even fits Nolan’s dinner bottle, aside from my own personal essentials! I’m not usually one for bright colors, but this summery shade of melon (the Kelly saddle bag comes in lots of other colors too!) was too perfect to pass up, and really is just what this outfit of an otherwise neutral palette needed! The white lace in this season’s ubiquitous off the shoulder version gives the outfit texture, the denim shortalls a classic boyish twist, and the palm print sneaks are the unexpected part that I love — all together, I would wear this look pretty much anywhere! Shop my pieces through the links above– and GUYS THE BAG IS ON SALE STARTING TOMORROW (June 29th) at 30% off! 

Happy shopping, and have a great week!

xo, ❤

Christine

 

Every summer, I try and restock and update my collection of shorts– I’m pretty obsessed with denim cutoffs, but I really try and rotate through my repertoire of shorts to keep things interesting.  Below, find and shop my 6 Picks for essential summer shorts!

1. Your Basic-no-so-basic Classic Denim Cutoffs: The Bandits by One Teaspoon

If you’re looking for the most perfect, flattering, easy to wear, lasts-forever classic denim cutoffs, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE One Teaspoon Bandits! I cannot say enough times how amazing these shorts are– once you go One Teaspoon, believe me, you will NEVER WEAR ANY OTHER DENIM CUTOFFS AGAIN. Period. Cut high on the sides, just the right amount baggy and fitted in the correct places, with perfectly worn in distressing…OBSESSED.

2. Faux Leather Shorts: Forever 21 Zippered Version

My second favorite type of shorts to wear in the summer are faux leather ones, in black…they make an outfit edgy, and look great with heels, booties, flat sandals or sneakers, completely changing the vibe of the look.  No need to go crazy and spend on real leather shorts– it’s summer after all, which means these need to be easy to clean and not too heavy! My fave way to wear these is with a flowy, loose (to balance the slick feel of the shorts) lacey top.

3. Suede or Faux Suede shorts: Shopbop Re_Named Faux Suede shorts

 

I’m also a fan of suede or faux suede shorts, in a tan-ish color– they’re perfect for floralish, hippy-ish, festival-inspired looks.  Just don’t get ones TOO close to your skin color, for fear of looking like you forgot to put pants on!!!

4. White Lace or Crochet Shorts: Topshop

Don’t these just scream summer?! Nothing better than a pair of these in white or cream to show off a tan– love them paired with a white top for a monochromatic look, or white a summery color on top like coral or blue– perfect to bring on any tropical vacays you guys have planned! Also, these kinds of shorts are usually drawstring or elastic waisted– so needless to say, they’re pretty comfy!

5. The Floral/Printed Short: Urban Outfitters

Similar in vibe to the white crochet/lace shorts above, a floral or hippy printed short is a summer must– I like to wear these over a one piece bathing suit (sometimes as an outfit), with a solid bodysuit, or a simple tank — they are perfect for the beach or running casual errands in the summer– I wouldn’t go heels with these– they look best paired with a casual flat sandal (a little fringe couldn’t hurt here!)

6. The Dressy Short: Nordstrom by Leith

Last but not least, a dressy, longer, more sophisticated pair of shorts is a summer must– look for pleated, crisp, tailored details like on the ones above, in a classic, or muted tone.  I love these with a blazer and sneaks, or with a heeled bootie and a cool t-shirt– something unexpected!

 

So those are my six picks for essential summer shorts guys! Shop them thru my links above and comment below to let me know what shorts you guys love to wear in the summer!

xo, ❤

Christine

Red floral Off-the-Shoulder Dress: Forever 21 |Tan leather fringe heels: Zara (last year’s, but similar options here and here) | Gold choker: J Crew (similar here ) |Pebbled leather clutch: Gigi New York

I’m usually  not one for anything too girly, so this red, floral, off the shoulder number that I wore for a datenight last weekend was a little out of my comfort zone– but surprisingly, I really loved it! Even though we just went to a local steakhouse for dinner, my look totally said “tropical vacation” and I’m totally fine with that!

If you don’t have an off the shoulder dress yet for this summer, well I don’t know what the heck you’re waiting for! They are literally EVERYWHERE, IN EVERY STORE, AT EVERY PRICE POINT– so my advice is, wear them now before we all get totally sick of the trend! The one that I’m wearing here is a cheapie find from Forever 21 (linked to shop above!)… I paired it with super neutral accessories in tan and gold since the dress is the show piece here (as are the tan lines on my shoulders from wearing my fave one piece (seen here!) to the beach the past few times! oops…gotta do a bandeau next time, yikes!) If you’re picking up a few off the shoulder looks for the summer (or building a repertoire of summer dresses of any kind), my guideline is this: at least one in denim or chambray, at least one white one in lace or crochet, a floral dress like the one I’m wearing here, and of course, a black one.  Those four are a good place to start in terms of building a collection that you can pair with lots of different accessories for lots of different occasions!

Shop my exact look using the links above, and try and carve out your own datenight this week (new baby or not!)<3

xo,

Christine

There’s nothing better than throwing on a crisp or flowy white top after a day spent in the sun on a summer evening– and this summer, there’s no shortage of cute white tops to pair with your cutoffs, culottes, overalls, and skirts! Below, shop my 6 picks, each playing to one of summer’s top trends:

1. The White BodySuit : Topshop

If the term “bodysuit” causes you to break into a cold sweat, seriously, have no fear.  I already own two of these, and let me tell you, I am 4 weeks post- C-Section, and they are super flattering, easy to wear, (albeit, a pain in the neck to use the bathroom in!), and the biggest  plus, you don’t have to keep tucking your top in when you want a fitted look! This Topshop wrap front style is flattering on all types– I’d wear this under overalls, with a poufy skirt, or with denim cutoffs, worn on the baggy side.

2. The Lace Top: Endless Rose via Shopbop

I love the high neck and covered up/not covered up look of this top– a lacey white blouse is a summer must if you ask me– I’d pair this girly piece with something tomboyish– baggy ripped jeans or shorts, or a leather mini with zips and booties or sporty sneaks!

3. The Off-the-Shoulder Top: J. Crew

Even though off the shoulder tops and dresses are becoming a tad ubiquitous at this point (can you even scroll thru Insta without seeing like 03480549 posts about them!?!?), its def with good reason– they are a welcome, fresh change from showing off cleavage, but still maintaining a hint of sexiness, plus no one has “bad” or “ugly” shoulders! Sure they propose the challenge of a strapless bra, but once you find a good one, the sky is the limit with these tops! They scream carefree summer, and look great paired with both slim and baggy silhouettes.

4. The Crisp Tie-Front Shirt: Zara

I just picked this top up myself from Zara, and I can’t wait to use it as the base for so many summer looks! It has the appeal of a classic white blouse, but the “twist” (ha, get it?!) of a tie up front, adding visual interest and a flattering shape.  Pairing with flowy culottes (see above) is a great, unexpected idea– I plan to wear it with high waisted shorts, fitted mini skirts and baggy jeans.

5. The Lace-Up Blouse: Equipment 

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The lace up top trend has been around since last Fall, but I really love it for summer in a bright white– this Equipment silk blouse does it right in the perfect light and flowy, sheer-ish fabric, perfect for tucking in or leaving out blousy.

6. The Ruffled Tank: Jason Wu via Nordstrom

Oversized ruffles are another big spring/summer trend that look awesome on a white top– again, adding visual interest and a little something extra to an otherwise basic wardrobe staple.  I’m a fan of an oversized ruffle, because to me they read as less prissy and girly and more substantial and statement making.  This one from Jason Wu is a little pricey, but super classic and timeless.  A more affordable, similar option can be found here by Topshop.

So that’s the new and improved “Weekly Round Up”– I’ll be doing a post like this once a week, highlighting my 6 picks for my fave trends, style staples, and fashion must haves!

xo, ❤

Christine