Trend Watch: Blue and White Embroidery

I've seen so much white and blue embroidery on tumblr, YouTube, and instagram & it's safe to say I'm obsessed. White with blue looks so fresh for spring and summer. I love white for spring and summer, but this is the perfect amount of pop and color for the outfit. I love embroidery rather than just a print. Here's 16 white and blue embroidery finds almost all under $100:

click pictures for direct links

My Favorites: 

Forever 21 Hoodie, Love Sam Tie Dye Dress, 

J. Crew Shift Dress, Boohoo Romper, & Club Monaco Shorts 

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Let me know which is your favorite!

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Summer Wedges Under $100

I'm all about saving money, if you haven't realized, so I've decided to share with you my picks for summer wedges under $100 and the perfect pair if you do want to invest. Since wedges aren't shoes most people wear daily, I don't think you necessarily need to invest in an expensive pair, especially since they are seasonal. Here's my top 9 picks broken down into 3 different categories: 

my favorites are 1, 6, & 7

Casual: 

1. Daisy Chains Natural Tan Wedge Sandals: I find these really similar to Tory Burch wedges (my #1 pair of wedges to invest in), but these are a fraction of the price! The wood like platform keeps them super casual and perfect as your go to casual sandal.

2. Steve Madden Women's Esme Wedges: I think cork platform wedges are perfect for summer. The cork keeps them super casual and the double strap is simple yet classic for a casual sandal.

3. Charlotte Russe Gold Ankle Strap Espadrille Wedge Sandals: I decided to include this metallic pair, because metallic is very trendy for the summer. I thought this was a casual metallic since they are only metallic on the strap rather than the entire wedge. These remind me of the Lilly for Target wedges that came out earlier this spring!

Formal:

4. Vince Camuto Nina Wedge: I wouldn't say these are the most practical shoes to buy for formal events since they are blingy. However, they'll definitely be a statement and good for formal events more at a high school level. 

5. Call it SPRING Fralirien Women's Wedge Shoes: These are super neutral and could easily be transitioned into the fall. These wedges lack the wood or cork platform which I think makes them more formal and not quite as casual.

6. MICHAEL Michael Kors 'Posey' Espadrille Wedge Sandal: I think these shoes look like they are excellent quality, which I think makes them a bit more formal. Instead of the wooden or cork platform, it's instead woven with two leather straps that I think are the perfect color. These are a great versatile item that could be dressed down and made more casual. 

Bold:

7. High Jinks Leopard Platform Wedge Sandals: I love that these are super neutral despite being a little bit more bold. I think cheetah is the perfect way to make a statement with a pattern, and is an easy pattern to style. I think cheetah can easily be mixed & matched with other patterns, making these a great pair of wedges to have for summer. I think these could easily be dressed up with a little black dress or dressed down with black skinnys. 

8. Jessica Simpson Eila Light Luggage Leather Platform Wedges: These are extremely bold with the patterned platform. I like how they used the platform to make a statement rather than typically adding the statement to the straps.

9. Steve Madden Women's Binty Wedges: I love these floral wedges because they have the perfect amount of floral. Sometimes designers go over board by making the entire wedge floral, but I think these were done very tastefully.

 Platinum $217.75 | Black $227.50  | Ivory $227.50 | Natural Blush $262  

When I first saw these wedges on tumblr, I fell in love. I love how these could easy be worn with a dress to a more formal occasion or dressed down with white pants for a casual dinner. These will make you look put together with the perfect amount of detail. Tory Burch really nailed it with these wedges with the perfect amount of detail in the straps and keeping the classic cork platform. If you are looking to invest this summer on wedges, I don't think you could go wrong with these!

Thanks for reading!

Let me know which pair were your favorite!

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Prep for Less: Places to Shop --> Clothing

Welcome back to my series "Prep for Less," for this post I'm going to be focusing on where you can get clothing similar to J. Crew for a fraction of the price, but not necessarily sacrificing on quality. Of course there is also outlet and factory stores but that'll come in another post! Let's get started!

1. Gap: Gap is my go to when I need good quality basics but don't want to spend a ton of money. Gap is constantly having sales, so you'll never have to spend a ton of money again. Their sale section always offers great deals on still stylish items, I was able to find pants before for under $15! My favorite things to buy are sweaters, t shirts, tanks, and jackets. Here's some side by side comparisons of J. Crew vs. Gap: 

2. Old Navy: I've just recently started shopping here but I do think there are many items similar to J. Crew especially when it comes to bottoms. Old Navy is always offering great deals and sale prices. Old Navy offers pixie pants, shorts, graphic tees, and jackets similar to J. Crew. Here's some Old Navy examples: 

3. Marshall's | TJ. Maxx: The thing is with these stores, you can't go in looking for anything specific. You have to keep an open mind, but with that you can find some really great things and even some great brands for a lot less than if found in their retail stores. I've been able to find a lot of Ralph Lauren sweaters and tees and every once and a while Kate Spade. I always like checking the teen section first for clothes then the women's. 

4. Forever 21: Forever 21 is a great place for trendy pieces, however, they really lack on quality. Since they lack on quality, I would steer away from buying basics, because since basics are worn all the time quality is important. Forever 21 is better for statement jewelry, I'll talk more about that in my next "Prep for Less" post!

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Let me know what your top stores are for saving money on prep!

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Orientation Outfit Ideas & Tips

Welcome back to my blog! If you're going to be a freshman in college, I know how stressful it can be. Orientation is right around the corner and the stress about the perfect outfit is probably starting. It's important that your outfit makes a good first impression and that you are comfortable. Make sure to check the weather before hand, but here's some of my outfit ideas: 

top || jacket || shorts || sandals || watch || necklace 

top || shorts || sandals || necklace || watch || cuff

top || shorts (similar)  || sandals || necklace  || watch || sunglasses

top || shorts || shoes || necklace || watch || sunglasses

top || shorts || sandals || earrings || watch

I had the greatest time at my college orientation and made so many friends. It was nice going to school in the fall and seeing familiar faces on campus and in classes. Here's some of my tips to make your orientation the best possible: 

1.  Be approachable and approach other people! Orientation is the perfect time to start to get to know your future classmates. You'll be happy in the fall if you see a familiar face in one of your classes. If you don't vibe that well with anyone that's okay too, you'll have plenty of opportunities to meet people in the fall on campus!

2. Realize everyone is in the same boat as you! Everyone is nervous, excited, and feeling all the same emotions. Along with that, everyone is trying to make friends so don't worry too much because everyone feels the same and everything will fall into place!

3. Stay off your phone! Orientation is the time to start meeting new people and you don't want to be the person constantly on their phone and not engaging in conversation.

4. Ask questions! Literally ask anything, whether you're worried about something or just want more information about campus. The orientation leaders are there to help you and make your experience nothing but positive, so ask them anything because they are more than willing to help!

5. Have fun! This is the start to college and where your first college memories begin, so enjoy your time and make it the best time possible. 

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Let me know what your favorite outfit was!

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Lilly Pulitzer Graduation Gift Ideas Under $50

It's that time of year again: high school graduation. And this means time to think of meaningful gifts to celebrate the accomplishment. You could simply give the grad money (who doesn't love that) or gift cards to dorm shop (Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, Walmart, etc), or you may want to give a more meaningful tangible item. Here's some of my favorite Lilly Pulitzer items under $50 that will be perfect for the grad as they get ready for college or what ever their future endeavors may be: 

Multiple prints available making the perfect 

gifts to give to multiple graduates!

1. Key Fob: perfect for car keys, house keys, or dorm room key. 
2. Tumbler: perfect for carrying water to stay hydrated throughout the day, much cuter than your typical water bottle.
3. Agenda: perfect for staying organized between class projects, homework, extracurricular, sporting events, other campus activities, and/or work schedule (my favorite size is large, but the agenda does come in two other sizes)
4. ID Case: perfect for carrying around the essentials such as your phone, keys, money, etc 

--> if you want to make the gift a bit more personal, include a framed photo of you and the grad &  a card with a handwritten message!

Thanks for reading!

Let me know some of your graduation gift ideas!

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