From Summer to Autumn

With only one more week left in August, it looks like summer is finally coming to a close. Overall, I would definitely say it's been a lot of fun, with plenty of warm sunny days and lots of great memories! After all, I got married this summer, so obviously it was a very special one for me! 

But alas, every year summer can only last so long before the leaves start to turn, the weather cools down, and the kids go back to school in the fall. Even though I'm no longer a student, I still very much enjoy the idea of "back to school" shopping, although for me, it's more like "time for autumn" shopping instead.

When I was younger, I used to beg my mother tirelessly for an entirely new wardrobe full of the latest styles every time we went back to school shopping. Now that I'm comfortable with the knowledge that having good style doesn't necessarily mean being trendy, I am much happier continuing to build on my more classic wardrobe by working in versatile and timeless pieces here and there.

Now, in terms of making an effortless transition from summer to autumn, it's important to know what to store and what to buy. 


Store
*shorts (denim, twill, cotton..pack them all away until next summer)
*brightly colored tops (anything in aqua, lemon yellow, coral, or magenta) 
*linen (linen pants, tops, skirts, and shorts..appropriate for beach weather only)
*swimsuits and cover-ups (no longer acceptable as casual wear)
*sundresses (sadly, as pretty as they are, you'll have to put these away until next year)
*sandals and summer hats (no need for straw hats and flip flops anymore)

Buy
*denim (medium to dark wash, least one pair of skinny jeans, and one pair of boot cut jeans)
*fall colored tops (oxblood, plum, hunter green, navy, mocha, black, and charcoal grey)
*prints (herringbone, tweed, nautical stripe, fall florals) 
*knit sweaters (relaxed, chunky, fitted...you can't go wrong)
*scarves and boots (cozy knits in fall colors and stylish yet functional boots in sturdy leather)
*jackets and blazers (perfect way to top off your look and keep warm as the weather cools)

Making the style transition from summer to autumn isn't quite as daunting as it may seem. Many pieces already in rotation throughout the summer can be adapted to the cooler weather by adding layers and accessories. 

For example, a blue and white striped summer dress can make for a stunning fall look when paired with the right accessories!

Similarly, that perfect summer chambray dress can be worn with a classic tartan cape to create an effortless fall look.

*Featured outfit combinations available from ModCloth. 

What's At The Top Of My Fashion Wishlist?

I am a 'list-girl' and proud of it! It might come off as a bit too hyper-organized some times, but it really helps give me peace of mind. One of the things I most enjoy writing lists about, is fashion! In fact, I've even got (please don't laugh!) a list of things that I hope to eventually add to my wardrobe that I've organized by month and stretches over two years. I call it my 'Shopping List'.

So anyway, today I want to share with you What's At The Top Of My Fashion Wishlist. I'm going to be limiting this post to only one item (I know, gasp!), but I will be including a couple of ways I've imagined styling it. So without further ado, here it is:

ALDO DRIZZONA clucth in bright multi.

I personally think that this clutch is beautiful! I love the turquoise stones and the bright beads! To me, this is one of those special and unique finds that you have in your wardrobe that you can use to punch up just about any outfit. One of the great parts about the clutch is that it's made up of many different colors, which makes it an ultra-versatile piece that you can pair with everything from blue, to green, to orange. 

Because the clutch itself is such a fabulous piece, I envisioned going fairly casual with most of the outfits I put together in my mind. 

The first one I put together here consists of classic jean shorts (American Eagle Outfitters), a bright pink cami blouse (Aritzia), chunky wedges (Steve Madden), and a mint statement necklace (Modcloth). Without the featured clutch, the outfit is still quite nice, but with the addition of the clutch, the outfit really steps up its game. The blend of textures (silk, denim, faux-snakeskin) with the brightly colored stones and beading on the clutch creates a very fashionable look. 




The second outfit I put together is also a variation of classic pieces, compiled very specifically to create a unique and fashionable look. The simplicity of the white tee, paired with rugged denim, pink heeled sandals, and a blue statement necklace provides an effortless look that highlights the intricate beading detail of the clutch. 

What To Wear: Beach Wedding

For the final installment of my What To Wear (Wedding Edition) series, I've put together a number of outfits designed to suit a beach wedding. One of the distinct features of a beach wedding is that it is completely outdoors. Surrounded by incredible views of the water, soft sand, and salty air, beach weddings can be some of the most beautiful, relaxed, and effortlessly chic ways to tie the knot.

       

However, just because the venue is on the beach, doesn't mean it's necessarily appropriate to wear a swimsuit and cover-up to the wedding! Given that the venue is in a more natural setting, you'll want to keep things casual, while still retaining the proper tone of such a momentous occasion as a wedding. Dresses and accessories featured in this post are available online from ModCloth.

First up, I've selected a beautiful watercolor maxi dress, paired with gold sandals, and a gold clutch in a shell-like shape. The colors of the dress reflect the blue/green hues of the ocean, while the pink adds a bright pop of color that is reminiscent of a sunset. With such a beautiful and bold dress, accessories in neutral metallic shades (like gold) compliment the look best.  

Secondly, I've selected an empire-waist floral dress, paired with white wedge sandals, and a bright pink coral necklace. The floral pattern of the dress is reminiscent of a tropical garden, while the pink of the flowers is complimented by the pink of the coral necklace. The laser-cut white wedge sandals are fresh and modern, while adding a glamorous flare to the outfit. 

Third, I've gone with a simple indigo blue linen sheath dress, paired with a gold leaf necklace, and floral print espadrilles. The dress itself is a simple design in a beautiful rich color reminiscent of the sea. The floral print on the wedge espadrilles is an exotic, tropical print that compliments the dress, while the gold necklace adds an element of sophistication and class.

Next up, I've selected a bright pink chiffon sheath dress, paired with rose-gold wedge sandals, and a mint statement necklace. The light, airy design of the dress is perfect for a beach wedding, while the rose-gold wedges and the mint statement necklace work together to complete the look.

Next up, I've selected a beautiful jade halter dress, paired with floral print wedges, and gold shell earrings. The rich color of the dress is reminiscent of the sea, while the gold shell earrings and tropical floral print wedges provide stunning accents to the look.

Finally, I've gone for a slight twist on a classic nautical look, with a navy and white striped dress, black wedge heels, and a bright yellow statement necklace. The specific design of the stripes on the dress create a natural hourglass shape, while the black wedge sandals add glamour to the look. The bright yellow statement necklace provides a fun pop of color that perfectly compliments the effortless nature of a beach wedding.