Sometimes you need a flat shoe option in the warmer weather that’s a little more interesting than a flip flop, a little more boyish or substantial than a laceup sandal, but more polished than a sneaker…enter the loafer, or more specifically, the loafer mule.  I love these because they instantly give any look a little more style cred, and they lend a sophisticated and unexpected sharpness to an outfit.  I wear ’em with skirts, dresses, skinny jeans, cutoffs– you name it, and a loafer mule can “slide” (hahaha) right into place with the look! Below, find and shop my 6 picks, all under $150:

1. Patent Leather Tassel Loafer Mules ( a great neutral option!) by ASOS- seen above:

2. Silver Metallic Loafer Mule by  ASOS:Silver Metallic Loafer Mule by  ASOS:

3. Classic Black Loafer Mule with a Twist, by Zara:

4. Black and white Menswear Inspired Loafer Mules, via Shopbop:

5. Pastel Suede Loafer Mule by Jeffrey Campbell:

6. Calf Hair Textured Loafer Mule via Nordstrom:

xo, ❤

Christine

 

 

 

 

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