Paris Part One

DETAILS.
Pink Maxi Dress (size small) // Birkenstocks // Prada Bag // Sunglasses (25% off - code FAMILY25) // Gold Watch // Tassel Bracelets
BECKAM'S OUTFIT. 
White Tee (STAPLE- have like 10 of these they are cheap and great basic white tees) // Baby Skinny Jeans
MOM STUFF.
Stroller (more colors here) // Car Seat (snaps into stroller)

Today I am excited to share a few pics from our trip last month to Paris. Paris has been high on my bucket list since I was little. One of my good friend's Amber and I decided it would be fun to do a mama trip with our babies. She also brought her friend Jaci who is an amazing photographer and snapped all these shots for us. Paris is hands down my new favorite city. Everywhere you look feels like a postcard or picture out of a magazine. The old architecture, the quaint little flower pots in the wind sills, it's everything I imagined and more. The first day we spent roaming around the Eiffel tower, sitting in the park with the kiddos, eating ice cream and riding the carousel. Usually when I'm site seeing it's go, go, go - on to the next, but I didn't want to leave.  I know it sounds so cliche but the Eiffel Tower really is a magical place.

XOX, 

Christine

* Photos by Jaci Marie

Shopbop is starting their friends and family sale today! One of my favorite sales of the year. Get 25% off your entire purchase. These leather pants I wore here are over $200 off. Also these jeans I wear on repeat are over $50 off. I just ordered another pair because mine have gotten hammered from wearing them so much. 

Tibi Brigid Brocade Booties

Helmut Lang Stretch Leather Pants

Blue Oversized Moto Jacket

White Asymmetrical Slouchy Tunic

Thela Halo Backpack

Black Leather AQ/AQ Wayne Skirt

ElevenParis Basic Dress

Burgundy Temperley London Honeycomb Jacket

Black Rag & Bone Dunaway Hat

The Animal Inspired Pieces You Need 20% off

DETAILS.
Coral Dress (wearing size US 2 (TED 0) - also loving this embellished collar one) // Leopard Heels (went half size down) // Moti Envelope Clutch (obsessed!) *ALL PIECES ON SALE USE CODE: 20DAY at checkout - TODAY ONLY

Animal-inspired pieces are the essential neutral for fall and winter. On top of adding detail and texture to a look, animal prints help balance brighter pieces to make them more transitional into the new season. I especially love the look of this pump. The cream base is lighter than a lot of the standard leopard patterns on the market, which makes it feel like a completely different print. Keep an eye out for variations like these to incorporate more animal patterns into your wardrobe. Although you can never go wrong with a classic animal print, your animal inspiration doesn’t have to end there. Go beyond the basic leopard print and add a bold faux fur statement clutch to your look. I'm in love with the oversized fur on this clutch. It adds the perfect bold contrast against a minimal look. I was laughing out loud one of my friends likes to call it my "bambi bag". 

One of my favorite details from today’s ensemble, animal prints aside, is the embellished collar dress. I am so grateful for this trend! There is no need to worry about layering or matching other pieces of jewelry because the work is already done for you. Plus, it makes accessorizing on the go effortless – literally. I'm loving this classic black and white version and this beautiful blue midi. 

Get 20% off site wide at Ted Baker's Fall Shopping Event (use code: 20DAY at checkout) Below are a few more favorites along with today's look:

1. Embellished Collar Dress (also loving this pink one) // 2. Leopard Gloves // 3. Pink Coat 

4. Bow Belt // 5. Pearl Watch // 6. Bow Cell Case // 7. Sunglasses

(code: 20DAY at checkout)

XOX, 

Christine

* Photos by JessaKae

6 Month Salvation - 3 Ways to Style A Faux Leather Dress

LOOK 1.
Vegan Leather Dress // Black and Grey Plaid Scarf  (also loving this plaid one) // Two tone Baseball Hat // Grey Boots (also loving these) // Black Cross Body // Karen Walker Sunglasses

LOOK 2.

Vegan Leather Dress  // Grey Jacket // Pink Purse // Gold Knot Bracelets // Karen Walker Sunglasses // Necklace

LOOK 3. 

Vegan Leather Dress (similar under $100 here) // Leopard Cardigan // Leopard Slip Ons (also have the black quilted version) // Black Linen Scarf // Black Cross Body (also loving this quilted one) // Karen Walker Sunglasses // Gold Knot Bracelets

One of the best ways to salvage your favorite pieces from becoming forgotten is to restyle them. By pairing old favorites with new additions to your wardrobe you can break away from your typical, repeat combinations. Last week I pulled out this faux leather dress (similar under a $100 here) that has sat untouched in my closet for over six months. I wanted to restyle it in three new more casual ways than the typical "heel - dress" combo. Below are tips that inspired each look.

·      The first transformation is purely the result of accessories - one of the easiest ways to breathe new life into a piece. A baseball hat and checkered-print scarf add a masculine vibe to the dress while posh booties and a classic cross-body bag complete this combination for a sporty chic look. Together these accessories revamp the basic dress.

·      The second look was about soft layer hues. The minimalistic combination of a neutral trench and pink cross body add a feminine contrast to the edgy black dress. A basic grey trench dresses down the ensemble and gives it a more approachable vibe.

·      The final outfit remix was all about pattern play. In this case it was leopard on leopard. A lightweight leopard cardigan and leopard slip ons make this outfit perfect for weekends. To transform this look further, you can take this look from weekend to work-appropriate by swapping out the slip-ons for a pair of leopard pumps and ditching the scarf.

Don’t give up on your old favorites just yet. With a little creativity, you can remix them with new layers to make them feel new. 

XOX, 

Christine

Photos By JessaKae Photography

* Special thanks to Target for sponsoring this post. Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are not indicative of Target. 

Flaunt it Friday - Tips to Making Your Legs Look Longer

DETAILS.

Blush Sweater // Geometric Dress (under $30) // Nude Patent Heels (also loving these) // Chanel Bag (similar here) // Karen Walker Sunglasses // Dual Pearl Earring Stud (on sale $14)

As women I think we all have insecurities. It's easy to pick a part things we want to change. Recently Target challenged me to do a post featuring an asset I enjoy "flaunting". At first I was caught off guard, why is it so easy for us to pick a feature we want to change, but deciding on a feature we want to flaunt takes more considering. I think too often we focus on how we want to improve ourselves instead of embracing and appreciating the features we already have. So today I wanted to share some tips for flaunting your legs and making them look longer. 

1. Heels! Pumps! Stilettos! Oh my! - I can’t say it enough. Adding height instantly emphasizes and flatters your legs. Stay away from ankle strap heels these make your legs appear shorter. 

2.  Aim High - Opt for high waisted skirts and pants. A high waistline adds inches to your legs by creating the illusion that they start higher than they actually do. 

3.  One Color - A monochromatic look will create an uninterrupted vertical line. All black and all white are the popular monochromatic looks that add length to your legs.

4. Go Nude - When picking a shoe color - go nude. This often blends with your skin tone and makes your legs look longer. In the cooler months you can use this trick by pairing black tights and black heels for the same effect.  (Nude shoe options: short heel //  high heel)

5. Tuck it - We all love the look of a long flowy top, but these actually elongate your torso and shorten your legs. Tuck your tops into your waistline and pair it with a crop jacket.  

6. Show Some Skin - In some cases shorter is better. Choose a hemline you a comfortable with, knee length and shorter is best when wanting to add length to your legs. Loving this short navy and green plaid skirt. 

7. Point it Out - If you can avoid round toe shoes. Pointy stilettos extend the length of your feet adding length to your legs. 

8. Cuff it Later - Avoid cuffing your bottoms at all costs. This instantly shortens the length of your legs. 

9. Go Tall - Over the knee and thigh high boots are great for creating a long visual line down the leg. Pair it with a dress or jacket that doesn't show a gap where the boot ends and your legs will appear even longer. 

10. Vertical Patterns & Lines - Vertical lines draw your eye up and down which give a lengthening effect. Pleated skirts or vertical stripe pants work great for creating a lengthening silhouette. 

Whatever your favorite asset may be, wear it with confidence. Have a great weekend! 

XOX, 

Christine

Photos by JessaKae

* Special thanks to Target for sponsoring this post. Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are not indicative of Target. 

A Basic Tee 4 Ways from Flats to Heels

With 365 days in a year and only so much room in a closet, rethinking the ways you wear an item is a must.  It is easy to get stuck in a rut, always pairing the same or similar pieces together, or to let older pieces get tucked away with out reusing them.

A basic tee is one of the most versatile but also most underrated pieces in a closet. In hopes of sparking your creativity, here are a few ways to restyle your favorite basic tee with simple basic pieces you may already have in your closet. I choose a colored tee, but all these looks work great with any color. 

LOOK 1:

Pink Tee (size medium - size up for oversized look) // Black Moto Jacket (size small - on sale) //AG Distressed Skinny Jeans (size 26) // Pink Patent Heels (similar here) // Celine Bag (not available online similar here) // Sunglasses // Black Watch // Nars Lipgloss  

1. Date Night: While it might seem counterintuitive to grab a t-shirt for a date, pairing it with edgier and feminine accessories gives a basic tee a life of its own. Feminine colors and a pair of heels add a softer touch, while a black crop jacket and black accessories add an edgy, masculine balance.

LOOK 2:

Pink Tee (size medium - size up for oversized look) // Black Slim Jogger Pants (size small) // Quilted Slip On Shoe (runs a little small - went half size up) // Marc Jacobs Bag // Sunglasses // Black Watch

2. Weekend - Daytime: Weekends seem to scream “T-SHIRT!”, but a pair of jeans is expected.  Add a twist with a pair of crop sweats paired with a dressier slip-on shoe instead of a workout shoe. I am obsessed with these new jogger pants. I got them in three colors - they are super soft and a sleek sweat pant. Pair a few simple accessories to your daytime look to create a laid back but put-together weekend ensemble.

LOOK 3:

Pink Tee (size medium - size up for oversized look) // Black Slim Jogger Pants (size small) // Pink Patent Heels (similar here) // Sunglasses // Black Watch // Celine Bag (not available online similar here) // Photos by JessaKae 

3. Day to Night: If your weekends are anything like mine, sometimes it feels like the day’s activities necessitate a wardrobe change but allow no time for it. This is always a great opportunity to rethink a basic tee. Swapping your slip ons for a pair of heels instantly elevates this look from day to night-appropriate. This on-the-go look is always a great option for transitioning from errands to a girls’ night.

LOOK 4:

Pink Tee (size medium - size up for oversized look) // Grey Maxi Dress (similar under $50 here) // Report Ankle Boots (similar here and here) // Sunglasses // Silver Michael Kors Watch // Prada Bag (almost sold out - also loving this one) // Knot Bracelets

4. All day, everyday: My final look is one that you could wear anywhere. By layering a knotted tee over a maxi, you create a dimensional look that is both comfortable and flattering. Paired with a structured bag and ankle boots, this relaxed, unexpected combination is an outfit appropriate for any casual occasion.

XOX, 

Christine

Special thanks to Target for sponsoring this post. Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are not indicative of Target. 

How to Transition a Summer Maxi into Fall

DETAILS.
Pink Maxi Button Dress (size: small - also loving this mint one) // Cardigan (old similar here & here) // Grey Boots (under a $100) // Prada Bag // Photos by JessaKae
ACCESSORIES.
Grey Floppy Hat (color: charcoal grey) // Alex and Ani Bracelets // Sunglasses // Rings // Scarf // Nars Lipgloss

Even before September arrives, it seems everyone gravitates towards fall pieces. I think we are so anxious for a new wardrobe we often forget to transition our favorite summer items into the new season.

One of the easiest and most forgotten summer pieces to bring into fall is the maxi dress. Here are a couple tips to make this maxi fall-appropriate:

1. Layers. Add neutral, lightweight layers like a oversized scarf or a loose cardigan. Layers are a great choice, especially in early fall when the weather fluctuates constantly. Removing a sweater or scarf during a particularly warm afternoon can be a much simpler solution than an entire change of wardrobe.

2. Pattern or Textures. Pick at lease one of your layers to have a varying pattern or texture. It creates dimension. For this look I went with a patterned scarf to add contrast. Here are some other cute patterned scarves here and here. 

3. Dress it Down. I opted for a cross-body bag and a floppy hat to give this look a more relaxed feel. A fedora (love this wine one) or baseball cap work great too. Casual pieces like these help create a more day friendly look.

4. Pair with Neutrals. Another trick to maximizing your summer pieces is to pair your summer hues with neutral tones. Balancing this pink dress with shades of grey makes for a great fall color scheme.  

Below are a few other pieces I love that are versatile enough to style for both warmer and cooler weather:

Grey Open Back Side Maxi

Chaser Hooded Cardigan

Black Zip Bootie

Pale Pink Maxi Dress

BB Dakota Edison Cardigan

Fringe Bootie

White Helena Quinn Isla Maxi Dress

dolan Drape Front Cardigan

Black Chain and Buckle Bootie

XOX, 

Christine