Friday, May 31, 2013

Fancy Friday

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Its that time guys; when all you want to do is sip a cold drink, stake out a seat on a patio, and hope you'll find someone to fan you with palm leaves. I should be doing at least one of those things tonight, though fingers crossed I hit the jackpot with all three.

Its not earth shattering to say that when the temperatures go up my desire to wear breezy dresses increases exponentially, but this one is especially heatwave perfection  Low back? Check. Flowy? Check. White? Yep, that too. I'll take one please, and throw in that view while you're at it.

Have a great weekend!

Golden Girl

Today I decided to take my love of gold to the next level and have half my body draped in liquid metallic-- in other words, not too different than most days... Seriously though, I did try to tone it down {a little} with my trusty blazer and breezy ladylike-length skirt. 

White and gold is one of my favorite color combinations-- it immediately makes me think of beautiful beaches and island breezes. I felt very Grecian gold digger, but in a good way of course. Throw in the rope belt on the top {scored at a consignment store} and you can throw nautical into the mix as well.


Blazer: Kulson // Top: 3.1 Philip Lim {try this or this
// Skirt: BCBG Max Azria {similar here and here}

Watch: Michael Kors Oversized Runway // Nail Polish: Essie 'Cute as a Button'

Details // Earrings: Low Luv x Erin Wasson // Cuff: H&M {similar here and here}

{obligatory blogger shot}

Ballet Flats: Sofft

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Hot Child in the City

This is the first of what I am sure will be many posts that could fall under this title, but you gotta somewhere right? Also, the song just happens to be currently stuck in my head...and now, likely yours too. (You're welcome!) I'm sure in a month I'll look back fondly at a mere 90 degree day, but right now I'm pretty sure this is what the Wicked Witch meant when she screamed she was 'melting.'

So without further ado, my lessons for surviving the heat:
1) Stay Inside.
2) If 1 is not possible, wear a dress.*
3) Hydrate (water and champagne work wonders!)


Linen Jacket: James Perse {try this or this} // Dress: Aryeh {similar, but this is a dream version}
// Necklace: Vintage from my Mom {similar}

Bracelets: J. Crew Golden Gears // DIY {try layering this}

Ballet Flats: Report // Nail Polish: Essie Hip-Anema

*shorts are obviously encouraged (for boys and girls!) but at least for me, are not office appropriate (sigh...)

Friday, May 24, 2013

Ruffle Party


This outfit is thanks to....my mom...again. While its a much higher neck than I usually wear, I loved it anyway because of the cut. My favorite part about this top is that the ruffles are so detailed that there is no need for a necklace-- its like having jewelry built in!

So I guess this outfit is party in the front, business in the back?


Blouse: Moschino Cheap & Chic {similar here and here} // Skirt: Lola
// Belt: Linea Pelle // Earrings: Betsey Johnson {similar} // Watch: Michael Kors

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Ring: Vintage // Bracelet: J. Crew {try this}
Nail Polish: Essie "Bottle Service"

Ballet Flats: Pour La Victoire {similar}

Fancy Friday: Beach Dreams


While I'm (sadly) not going to the beach this weekend, I'm still of course looking forward to a long weekend. Even a mini vacation at home is a wonderful thing!

For those of you who are going away, have a wonderful time and I'll see you all next week.

xo,
Hillary


Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Flower Power

My amazing sister gave me this Milly dress (with tags still on!) a few years ago because she wasn't wearing it. I adored it but for some reason never wore it until today-- and now I want to wear it every day! The beading alone is just crazy cool, but add in the sunshine yellow and the 60's vibe? Perfection.

It also has a great low (but tasteful!) back, but even with extreme acrobatic attempts I just couldn't get a decent picture of it. Perhaps one day when my photos aren't all selfies (hey, a girl can dream....) Anyway, I love my sister for a million reasons, but this dress bumps it up to at lease a million and one.


Jacket: J. Crew {similar here and here} // Dress: Milly {old but try this or this}

Ring: Ambiance // Nail Polish: Essie "Come Here!" // Bracelets: All vintage

Ballet Flats: Sam Edelman

Friday, May 17, 2013

Easy and Breezy

Oh look! I'm wearing stripes...and gold chains...again. Obviously, its a go-to combo for me and I have no shame admitting it. I can think of much more unhealthy addictions than striped clothing (see how well I rationalize everything??)

The best part about this outfit though? It took under 2 minutes to put together. Gotta love an easy breezy dressy that you can just throw on and go, especially on a Friday when thinking should really be at a minimum...

Dress: Old Navy // Necklace: Vintage Ben Amun {similar here and here}
// Earrings: Sorrelli // Cuff: H&M {try this or this}


Wedges: Nine West {similar here and here}

Fancy Friday


I think we can all agree that this dress is stunning. Another one of those, take your breath away can't even believe that someone gets to wear it, dresses. This dress just screams, well more like politely whispers in a ladylike voice, that warm weather is here to stay. While we may lament the heat in a month (or hey, even a week), I'm going to relish liberating the rest of my sundresses from the dark depths of storage.

Although I have been under the weather most of the week, I'm still in full on TGIF mode...even if I may swap peppermint tea and a movie for the usual wine and night out. Hopefully your plans are much more interesting...

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Anchors Away

This skirt was an amazing find at Mustard Seed a few weeks ago (if you live in the DC area and haven't been there, what are you waiting for????) I've been going there for over 10 (um maybe even 15?) years and I have found everything from scarves to vintage Chloe (seriously.) 

Anytime I wear chunky stripes like this, especially in blue and white, I can't help but feel like I should be heading out to a yacht for a quick getaway...instead of the metro for work. Add in my usual assortment of chunky chains and I'm a regular sailor in the city.


Blazer: Kulson {similar here and here// Blouse: Piazza Sempione {Sleeveless option here}
// Skirt: Anne M. Cramer {or try this J. Crew one} // Necklace: Vintage from Mom {similar here}

Bracelets: J. Crew Golden Gears // DIY

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Something Old, Something Borrowed, and Something New

I've been meaning to do a post on what I wore to my girlfriend's fantastic wedding last weekend but was hoping I could find some fancy high quality shots. Instead, I somehow I managed to not get a single shot of the head to toe look that wasn't a selfie. Whoops, guess someone was having a little fun!

Can we just talk about this dress for a minute? As usual, my amazing mom came through and let me borrow what she calls her 'prom dress.' It had a perfect retro vibe without being too over the top, and the photos just don't capture the detailing in the bodice and skirt. I can't remember the last time I danced/twirled so much!

Most of the jewelry (Again, as usual) was thanks to my grandmother's love of costume jewelry, so the only thing I had to buy were shoes. Not only were they crazy fun and made me at least 6 feet (love) but they were comfortable. I literally was jumping up and down in them and didn't fall once. I could go on and on about what a wonderful weekend it is, but that's not why you're here is it?

Practicing my twirling before getting all done up...

Dress: Nougat London {love this and this is just stunning}

Earrings: Asos // Pearl Bracelet: J. Crew {similar}

All jewelry: Vintage from my grandmother // Nail Polish: Essie "Hip-Anema"

Evening Bag: Christian Dior

Friday, May 10, 2013

Fancy Friday

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I gasped a little when I saw this photo-- further proof that I need to dress up more and certainly travel much much more...
For now though, no fancy weekend parties or exotic getaways, but excited to catch up with an old friend tonight and (hopefully) enjoy some sunny spring weather. At least the good times with my girlfriend are guaranteed!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, wherever you are!

Baubles and Butterflies

Tibi is one of my absolute favorite labels, and if I could, I'd snap up every single piece they made (but especially the skirts and dresses!) The styles and fabrics are always edgy classic and just girly enough, which is pretty much my ideal work and play wardrobe. Sure I have my over the top outfits, but one can't live on silver sequin dresses alone!

The skirt is great because the material is light enough that it'll be perfect in the summer with a hot pink tank, but works in the spring with a light sweater. I'm all about the multi-season wearability, it helps me rationalize the majority of my purchases. 

Sweater: H&M // Skirt: Tibi {old but I love this Tibi and this floral Asos} 
// Necklace: BaubleBar {similar here and here}

Bracelet: J. Crew // Nail Polish: Essie 'Madison Ave-Hue'


Ballet Flats: Sam Edelman {got them in nude too at Nordstrom's Rack!}

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Technicolor Tulle

Yes, I love tulle. You know what makes tulle even better? Rows of ribbons and colors so bright they could practically blind you. So pretty much, this Asos skirt is a favorite.  The pearls and higher neckline are my attempts to make it more work appropriate.

Now, excuse me while I go prance around the office practicing my jetés
Sweater: 3.1 Philip Lim {old but try this J. Crew sweater} // Skirt: Asos 

Watch: Michael Kors // Ring: Vintage from my Grandmother 
// Nail Polish: Essie 'Madison Ave-Hue'


Earrings: Betsey Johnson {similar} // Pearl Headband: Betsey Johnson {similar}

Bracelet: J. Crew {similar} // Ballet Flats: French Sole

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Making a Statement

Its pretty obvious that I love a chunky chain necklace-- even if you've never met me! When I saw this one on BaubleBar I just had to have it, because lets face it, you can never have enough statement pieces. As an added bonus, its lighter than most of my similar necklaces, so no danger of back problems.

Its a perfect way to dress up a simple white tee so that its work appropriate, but still has character. Just because I'm wearing 'basics' doesn't mean I want to look it!


Blazer: Kulson {similar here and here} // Tee: Old Navy // Skirt: Forever21 {try this or this}

Necklace: BaubleBar // Bracelet: Forever21 {similar} // Nail Polish: Essie "Hip-Anema"

This necklace. I mean, I'm dying. So amazing!

Friday, May 3, 2013

Fancy Friday


Oh hey there Friday. You are looking mighty fine today. Seriously, I've been thinking about you all week long and just can't get you out of my head {cue Kylie Minogue.}

Yes, weekends are always great, but I'm heading out of town--ok Charlottesville but still-- to a girlfriends wedding and couldn't be more excited! I'm taking today off {um again} to get ready and relax since I know it's going to be an epic party.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend too!

Stopping Traffic

Its no secret that I like bright colors, and neon yellow has a special place in my heart. It wasn't until today walking to work that I realized my dress was literally the same color as the vest guards use to stop traffic. This of course made me like it even more. 
Some days, the last thing you want to do is blend in with the crowd.


Jacket: Guess {try this or this} // Dress: Asos {old by similar here and here}
 // Belt: Linea Pelle {try this}

Bracelet: J. Crew Factory // Nail Polish: Essie 'Borrowed & Blue'

Earrings: BaubleBar


Ballet Flats: Pour La Victoire {similar here}

All About Oxblood

Dress : Petit Bateau {almost identical here } // Jacket : Rachel Zoe {try this , this  or this } // Necklace : Baublebar // Hat...