Summer Lust List

Call me old-fashioned or boring, but for me, summer is all about floral prints & bright accent colors. Living in Florida, it has been hammered into my head since I was 5 that black absorbs heat & it's not really an appropriate summer color, but I will always have a love affair with black & I've never been one to follow the rules anyways.

Here's a brief list of some items that I have been obsessed with this summer:

1) This daisy print cut-out TopShop dress ($92) is absolutely to die for. I might be a little biased towards the situation because I've seen it on Alexa Chung & Miranda Kerr, but I would kill to have this gorgeous little frock hanging in my closet. I would probably pair it with a worn in pair of boots or a pair of red flats.

2) When I really want something, I tend to get a little obsessive about it & that is exactly how I've become with these amazing Tom Ford 'Nikita' cat eye sunnies. Every time that J & I are at the mall, I always make him come into the shop so that I can try them on over & over again. My problem is that they are a whopping $360 & that just isn't doable for a college girl like myself, but at least I can still dream about them... 

3) Leandra Medine of The Man Repeller is an everyday inspiration for my personal style & when I spotted this gorgeous Dannijo Helena rosary ($445) in one of her Instagram selfies, I immediately fell head over heels for it. I love chunky, floral inspired jewelry & this piece reminded me of some necklaces that I own from J. Crew. These pieces are brilliant because they make a simple outfit effortlessly classy.

4) Whenever I walk into Urban Outfitters, I have to talk myself out of wanting to buy all of the Kimchi Blue bags that they have in stock. I'm obsessed with their bags because they are well-made for how reasonably priced they are. I adore this specific cross-body satchel ($34) because of its gorgeous gold heart accents & the black (p)leather of course.

5) Last, but certainly not least, J has been trying to get me into sneakers & I know he would adore these sweet kicks just as much as I do. As a die-hard sandals girl, sneakers are an uncharted territory for me. Socks make my feet kind of hot & my toes feel slightly claustrophobic under all of that canvas, but sometimes you just have to give new things a try. I'm crazy about these daisy print Vans because they are mainly black with the addition of my favorite summery print on top. They would look super cute paired with a little sundress & a topknot. And at $55, they fit right into my college girl budget. I just might have to give these a try...& I swear not only because they are the only remotely affordable thing on this list...

What are some pieces that you have been lusting over this season?

Love,

A

Beat the Heat

Now that it's officially summertime in Florida, it's time to start thinking of some interesting ways to avoid losing your cool in a heatstroke-induced rage blackout. Rather than letting the sweltering temperatures & daily thunderstorms cramp your style, check these tips to stay cool in the summer heat:

• Roll your pants - Instead of letting your chinos collect dust in your drawer until the fall, cuff them up above the ankles to let your legs breathe without having to rock a pair of chubbies.
• Get a pair of summer shoes - They're great in the cooler temperatures, but leather desert boots won't get you through July. Invest in a cheap pair of canvas sneakers, like my summertime favorites, Vans or a printed pair from Urban Outfitters.
• Visit your local bookstore - If the rain has got you down, get lost in a new novel or find a new favorite magazine (like Aisha's, i-D). I finally have a break from cramming information from required textbooks, so some pleasure reading of my choice is a luxury these months.
• Find a bucket hat - Braving a summer music festival? My Milkcrate Athletics Tie-Dye bucket hat got me (& the back of my neck) safely through Bonnaroo this month, sans-melanoma. Dunk it in a chilly bucket of water & put it right back on. Trust me, you'll thank me later.
• Get breezy in a chiffon top - Chiffon is the perfect summer fabric because it is super comfy & lightweight. Grab a few in bright whites, pastels, or floral prints & even navy or black.
• Go on a popsicle date - Take yourself back to your childhood & bring your date to Whole Foods for some Fruitfull fruit bar popsicles. These frozen chunks of heaven are loaded with bits of real fruit & can take the edge off of a 90°  afternoon.

Love,

J

Aisha // Blouse: Forever 21 // Shorts: Levi's x Urban Renewal // Shoes: Staccato // Bracelets: J. Crew & Pulsera Project Sunnies: Topshop 

Jake // Shirt: Fourstar // Pants: Levi's // Shoes: Vans // Sunnies: American Apparel