Guest Post: Wedge it

The day ballet flats came into style, I stopped wearing heels. If I have to wear heels to dress up my professional attire or a special occasion, my go-to shoe is the wedge.  Thank god the wedge is so popular these days! I can get the height, because let’s be honest the taller you are the skinnier you look, and they are a billion times more comfortable! So Kelsey gave me $100 to guest blog, to buy my very own pair of wedges and to blog about the experience. At least I think she is giving me money.  Here are my picks:

Gomax Frasia Wedge, Piperlime.com - $29.99

I cannot believe this deal! I actually just bought these because they were such a steal.

Gosh, guest blogging can get expensive! But really, these shoes will go with anything,

and because of the color and texture they work in any season.

Nine West, Smooch, $48

Okay, I really wanted to buy these too, but alas they didn’t have my size! The shoe is

on sale at Nine West and Piperlime (I really did go hunting for my size), and I think it’s

the perfect mixture of summer and work attire with the cork heel and patent material. I

also love a nude shoe because it goes with almost anything.

Sam Edelman Randall, HSN - $69.00

I LOVE a cap toe on a shoe! These shoes retail for $140, and I have been eyeing them

on virtually every online store. They are on sale on the majority of the sites I look at,

but not as much as HSN, and they have the most sizes available! I think this shoe is

versatile with the playfulness of the espadrille heel and the polish of the cap toe.

Lands’ End Cara Wedge Closed Toe Espadrille, Lands’ End - $34.99

While wedges are in, so are sky high shoes, and sometimes you need something that

is more reasonable to walk around in. This shoe from Lands’ End offers an appropriate

heel for running around the city in the unbearable DC heat. They’re also a lot nicer

than a standard pair of flip flops. These shoes are perfect for sprucing up an a boring

outfit with a punch of color, since I wear a lot of navy, grey, and black. Also available in

white, black, and navy if the orange is too much for you!

Okay, that’s it for me on my first ever blog post! Kelsey don’t forget to send me that check. That is the deal right? Blogging can be expensive!

Guest Post: 21 Forever

Hi everyone! My name is Marisa and I’m so excited and honored to write a guest post for Kelsey’s blog! I’ll be honest, though I love love love reading TCB, the only thing that ever catches my eye is her Forever 21 picks! I’m beyond obsessed with that store (the result being every clothing item I own is from there), and since I’m 21 myself, I decided that it would be the topic of my guest post!

Forever 21 can be a hard store to navigate. Not only is the layout of their stores and changing sizing charts frustrating, but it often seems like they are hiding their gems among a lot of clothing that to be honest, very few people would want to wear to anyplace other than a costume party.

Below, I’ve come up with two fun summer outfits that won’t break the bank, and that will add articles to your wardrobe that are easy to mix and match so you can wear them again and again!

It’s not easy to find a white or cream dress that can be dressed up or down, but I think

this one just might be the perfect LWD. The square neckline, the delicate details, and the

barely there polka dots…I love it!

Satin Dotted Dress, $32.80

I’m a huge Sperry’s fan, but these metallic gold knockoffs are to die for. The best part,

they’re only 1/3 of the price – I’m adding a size six to my cart as we speak!

Metallic Leatherette Loafers, $22.80

If you want to class up the dress a little bit (to make up for the fact that you’re going to

wear flats), I love this simple necklace that will sit high enough on your neck to finish the

look.

Vintaged Floral Necklace, $5.80

I’d wear this outfit out on a dinner date or to grab drinks with friends, or maybe even

on the weekend I’m feeling a little snazzy. All together this ensemble costs only sixty

dollars, and when I look at each piece separately, I’m thinking of countless outfits that I

could include them in!

Is it just me, or does this look like the most comfortable shirt in the world?! I really

like the different tones of light pink on this, as well as the fluttery features of the longer

sleeves.

Muted Print Top, $17.80

I had originally picked a pair of chocolate shorts for this outfit, but I could not get these

out of my head! Teal is one of my favorite colors; and is rich enough to wear right into

the throws of early fall. It’s a done deal!

Cuffed Woven Shorts w/Belt, $17.80

Usually I just throw on a pair of black flip flops during the summer because they go with

everything, but I wouldn’t mind jazzing up even the most simple shirt and shorts combo

with these!

Bed Of Roses Flats, $16.80

This statement necklace is fun, and plays off of the Bohemian-chic look I love to play

around with. It’s set on a longer chain, so it really will help you make a statement even on

the most simplest of tops.

Beaded Statement Necklace, $8.80

This outfit brings together teal and light pink, which might sound like an unexpected combination. The importance is to maintain the continuity of the colors, which in this case are balanced between the shoes and the shirt and the shorts and the necklace.  I’d probably wear this on the weekends when the DC heat is really getting to me: the looseness of the shirt will help me stay comfortable, and the bright shorts will keep a smile on my face as I’m melting my way down the National Mall.

Forever 21 (the store and the age) can be overwhelming, but when you find something you love, all of your time will suddenly seem worth it. I hope you enjoyed my picks for today!

xoxo,

Marisa

Guest Post: When Anything Works at Work

Hi everyone! I am Ashley from A Fashion Fixation and about two months ago (gosh, time flies) I left my corporate job and my business casual style to work in a doctor's office where pretty much the dress code is anything goes. It has been an adjustment to say the least but I have been trying to incorporate some dressier pieces that I used to wear and make them more relaxed...here are some of my favorites.

THE BLACK SKIRT

Now:

Then:

THE STRIPED SKIRT

Now:

Then:

THE BLACK CARDIGAN

Now:

Then:

Thanks to The Capital Barbie for letting me share some of my favorites!

Guest Post: Beach Coverups

Erika here, while Kelsey is off to New England, likely to return with a few blog posts on Vineyard Vines, yacht attire and delectable seafood recipes. Assuming you're not also on a beach/boat/porch but instead reading this in your office/cube/class, let's play make believe and talk beach coverups!

Target, Xhilaration® Juniors Ruffle Smocked Strapless Coverup Dress, $17.99

Usually I'm not a huge fan of strapless because I worry about it falling down but this kind of beach coverup has never failed me - and feel like I can walk straight into a (beach) restaurant as if I'm wearing a dress. I own one similar and wear it all the time - even away from the beach, around my apartment in this DC humidity.

Victoria's Secret, Tank Dress Cover-up, sale $28

I love the idea of this. It's so light and effortless. Great mix of feminine and, dare I say, athletic? 


But as someone with the palest skin known to man (like Edward from Twilight, I'm basically monochrome), the next few are what I'd choose if I'm not wearing any spf.

Asos, O' Beach Tamarin Sequin Kaftan, $41.37

This is just so fun, flashy and bright that it's hard to say no to. What I like about the kaftan is that you can cover your shoulders but still show a little of your swimsuit. 

Zappos, Lole Dreamy Shirt, $60

So this is a little pricey for a beach coverup but it's so cute that it could double as a shirt. Cute for the beach but also imagine pulling on some wide leg work slacks and tucking this baby in. Yes please!

Asos, Cotton Beach Shirt, $34.48

Sometimes less (skin) is more. I mean, how sexy is this?! Complete coverage from the sun, it's not too flashy and I would be totally comfortable in this.

What do you think? A bunch of different styles here. Although they all are meant for the beach or pool, I'm not one to discriminate. I can see myself slipping on shorts with these or wearing them as a dress during these hot DC summers. Okay, make believe is over - back to work.


Extra: Who in their right mind considers this a coverup?!?! No thank you.