Lately in Photos

I am fully embracing the peplum trend with this cream shell from ASOS, black shirt, and navy tank from Lulu's.

My Birchbox from April! I was already obsessed with the Yes To Carrots facial towelettes in cucumber so I was thrilled when I saw this travel size pack in blueberry! Why is everything so much more fun in mini size?!?

I have been seeing this necklace from J Crew EVERYWHERE so I was thrilled when I found an identical version on Etsy for a fraction of the price! Ive already paired it with a pink dress, black tank, and this striped tee! It just makes everything look so much better! 

Found this black and white chevron fabric the other day at the local craft store and couldn't resist making some pillows out of it....even though I move out of my apartment in one week haha. 

Reggae looking precious as always cuddled up with my Missoni for Target blanket. On a side note, do you remember a couple months ago when all the Missoni for Target merchandise was selling like crazy? Well I got my blanket the day the collaboration launched from our local Target for $50 and now they are selling on Ebay for OVER $300!! Its a great blanket, but really??

One In Every Color: Equipment Blouses

I absolutely love a nice, tailored silk blouse for any and every occasion but when the summer weather hits, these sleeveless options from Equipment are so breezy and cool that it leaves me craving one in every color available! I especially love them knotted at the waist! There are many less expensive versions of the sleeveless blouse available (there are some good options on Forever 21) but I think that it is such a staple that will never go out of style that its worth the extra money for a well made real silk one!

Super Lemon / Candied Apricot / Rosewood / Emerald / Nature White / Orange Peel / Turquoise / Nature White With Print

I also am LOVING these other styles from Equipment like this romper and shirt dress!

Floral Print Sleeveless Earl Romper / Cheetah Print Sleeveless Lucida Shirt Dress

Friday Faves 4/27/12

Happy weekend!!

1. French Sole Clearly Soft Gold Flats / 2. Zig Zag Crochet Knit Headband / 3. Banana Bunch Romper / 4. Josie Maran Bohemian Waves Argan Hair Mist Texture Volume and Moisture / 5. Jonathan Adler Universal Smart Phone Dock / 6. CC Skye Whitney Pave Line Ring / 7. Juicy Couture Wavy Stripe Scarf / 8. Danielle Nicole Mia Shoulder Handbag / 9. Funktional Picnic Dress / 10. Voluspa Makassar Ebony and Peach Candle

Lust vs Must: Diane Von Furstenberg Adele Croc Clutch

Must

Lust

Rachel Zoe Handbags

Remember here where I said that I had a hard time finding quality handbags that I loved right now? Well, I take that back because I am IN LOVE with Rachel Zoe's line of handbags! I knew that she had great taste, but these bags truly are perfection! At such a high price point, I think there a little trendy for me to invest in at the moment, but a girl can still dream!

Kate Middleton Dress

Like most women, Kate Middleton can really do no wrong in my eyes! Every time I see a new press photo of her at a charity event or on a red carpet, I literally get giddy with excitement to see what she is wearing!  I love that she keeps her looks so polished, classic, and sophisticated while still being on trend, thats very difficult to accomplish now-a-days! Today I saw a photo of her and her gorgeous prince attending the movie premiere of African Cats and two things instantly popped in my head; first, I LOVE that dress, and second, I've definitely seen a very similar dress before! This dress from ASOS has been on my radar for MONTHS (I was even considering the cream version for graduation but decided It would be way too hot for May in Alabama!) and I was so excited when I saw that Kate picked something so similar! Her version is gray and has a wonderful peplum waist, but these navy and cream versions are only $136 and equally as stunning and classic! (It also comes in a dusty pink color!)

More on Kate and William attending the African Cats premiere in London

Warehouse Jewel Neck Shift Dress

Graduation Gift Guide

I absolutely love jewelry of all shapes and sizes! Despite this love affair, I have very little expensive jewelry, but the few pieces I do have, feel so much more special because they have some meaning behind them (my favorite is a diamond solitaire necklace that used to be my mom's). Graduation is the perfect time to give expensive jewelry like this because you can always look back and remember that day! Like with any investment piece though, you want to make sure that the item is classic and great quality! All these pieces are ones that you could wear every single day without feeling like your all "blinged out"!

Diamond Earrings / Tiffany and Co Somerset Knot Earrings in 18K Gold / Meira T Diamond and Morganite Ring / Janna Conner Starburst Ring / David Yurman Freshwater Pearl Bracelet

Another great investment piece item that makes a great gift is purses and wallets! My favorite brand for this kind of stuff is Tory Burch, I think she makes some really classic pieces that you will have forever! I would have included more on my list above, but I really could not find a ton of options that I was obsessed with (except for these three!).

Tory Burch East to West Tote Bag / Michael Kors Hamilton Large Tote / Tory Burch Amanda Clutch

I love a great watch! I have one Michael Kors chunky gold watch that I got a few years ago and I literally wear it all the time! I could see myself getting a lot of use out of either of these options as well! 

Kate Spade Cooper Bracelet / Michael Kors Tortoise Jet Set Watch / Marc By Marc Jacobs Amy Multicolored Glitz Watch / Michael Kors Bradley Watch

And of COURSE anything monogramed I love! These pieces are quite a bit more affordable (but actually some of my favorites from this whole gift guide!) which would make them great gifts for friends! And if you want to bump up the wow factor, you can combine the gifts! For example, the monogram wine glass; why not give a set of three along with a fabulous bottle of wine! For the monogramed wallet; why not tuck in a gift card to the recipients favorite store (see below)! For the monogramed jewelry box; why not throw that monogramed ring or necklace in there as well!

Dabney Lee Memo Notes / Monogram Zip Wallet / Cathy's Concepts Travel Personalized Jewelry Case / Monogramed White Wine Glass / Jennifer Zeuner Monogramed Ring / Gigi New York Refillable Journal / Gigi New York All In One Bag / West Avenue Jewelry ID Necklace

Other great gift items include anything having to do with the school that the recipient is graduating from, gift cards, or something more homemade like a scrapbook with pictures from all throughout college! 

Now back to gift cards.... I know some people find them impersonal, but if your like me, shopping myself is half the fun! So when I get a gift card, most of the time, its my absolute favorite gift because that means that I get EXACTLY what I want and I get to enjoy a fun day of shopping! If you want to make it seem a little more thought through though, make sure the card is for the recipients favorite store, or even to some place like a winery or spa!