Patent Sandals!

Hey there lovebugs!
I'm back from my family vacation! Thank you so much to my fabulous guest bloggers: Erika, Autumn, Sarah, Ashley, and Marisa! I loved your posts and I can't thank you enough!

Today I thought we'd get right back into things, with a summer sandal option I'm loving right now: patent leather.  Nothing terribly frightening about this look but I think the sheen of the leather really dresses up the sandal.

Steve Madden, Sheilaa, $28

I LOVE the tiny wedge and the gold hardware on this shoe.  Perfect for jeans, shorts, or a sundress.

Cole Haan, Air Tali, $50

These are like a glass of lemonade.  I like them because they go with black or brown.  Also could be fun for colorblocking with an outfit.

Sam Edelman, Hamilton Sandal, $63

These are a lighter take on gladiator. More like a shallow end jump into the pool instead of going off the diving board.

Nine West, Makai Sandals, $29

The only way to describe these shoes are fun.  I love them. 

What do you think? Of course you can go a little more expensive but when I'm buying a flat sandal I like to stay under $60.

Be fabulous today!

Guest Post: Country Chic

There's a time and place for city living and then there's the much needed escape to a place with trees, fireflies and a sky full of stars...especially in the summertime. Head for the hills (or the plains), mason jar full of lemonade in hand and some bluegrass on the radio, while wearing these southern belle inspired country chic pieces. They are feminine and sweet -- just the way you'll have your tea while wearing them. 

Modcloth, Outdoor Potluck dress, $48

This gray color is on trend for the city but transitions perfectly for your long drive out into the country. This sweet summer dress with tiny gingham, ruffles, pleating and eyelet packs a load of design into one feminine, southern charmed package at under $50!

Nordstrom, Kendra Scott Celeste Leaf Cuff, $68

The turquoise color center stone whispers southwest jewelry and is the most country chic of the three color options. I see this with a flowy white dress and medium brown leather cowboy boots for an afternoon out.

Forever 21, Belted plaid woven top, $20

You can't get much more country than a red plaid shirt -- but the tunic length and belting of this one makes it feminine as it accentuates your waist. The price is also pretty unbeatable. Pair this with skinny jeans and fringed out sandals for the complete casual country look. 

Etsy, Feather Earrings, $10

Feather earrings are huge right now -- and for good reason! They're natural, beautiful, complement your hair and add an additional soft texture near the face. These ones on Etsy are a great price and a beautiful color. Country chic is about appreciating the finer things in life -- and that includes the beauty of nature. 

There are plenty of other country chic trends to watch -- what are some of your favorites? 

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