Club Monaco

Having a blog has become more than just a platform I use to document my style and ramble about my favorite beauty products, surprisingly it has become a huge creative outlet for me and my husband. If you didn’t know, my husband is the one that takes all my outfit pictures (I take all my beauty/product pictures) and it has truly become a labor of love for both of us. When I first met him, he had a fancy camera and a passion for photography but no outlet to showcase his work. Over the past few years, taking my style photos has become a lot about the clothes but even more about the artistic aspect behind the photos. My day job does not afford me the opportunity to express my creative side which is something I craved for so long, so thankfully this blog became the place to share that side. And while I want the focus to always be style and beauty, living in NYC has allowed me to incorporate the beauty of this city into my photos. Whether it is a graffiti door of a new hotel or the steps of the New York Public Library, the city of New York plays as much a part in my blog as beauty and clothes do. It’s still important to me that the blog represent what I actually wear rather than an outfit put together for the sake of a post, so I will always stay true to my style instead of amping it up for the camera. But that being said, I still strive to create beautiful photos that inspire me (and maybe a few of you) and constantly push myself creatively. It can still feel unnatural standing out in the middle of a crowd (though I try to avoid that as much as possible) and having my picture taken, but to be honest I have come to truly enjoy the finished product and am proud of what we have created. Everyone needs an outlet in their life to express themselves in some way – be it by cooking, singing, painting, photography, heck even knitting! Whatever it is, it’s great to feel inspired and it can often be therapeutic to develop that inspiration. Thanks for following along as I share my inspiration with all of you each week. I truly appreciate it!

Blouse – Club Monaco | Shorts – Tibi (on sale!, dress version here, top here, another dress version here) | Shoes – Loeffler Randall | Purse – Sophie Hulme (color is sold out, but other colors here) | Bracelet – Giles & Brother | Sunglasses – Stella McCartney (love these leopard print ones!) | Lips – Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Sunset Orange

When I first ordered these Equipment shorts, they felt like pajamas. Actual flimsy-flamsy silk pajama shorts that when you hold them up to the light become 100% transparent. I showed them to my mom, who was up visiting at the time, and she was as confused as I was as to how one wears these thin, yet ridiculously comfortable shorts in public. And then I put them on and it was like magic! They were not even remotely see through nor did the material seem too thin. They run a bit big so I recommend sizing down but nonetheless they feel easy and effortless. And nothing pairs better with leopard than denim, right? I’m convinced that no one does denim or chambray quite like Madewell, except maybe it’s sister store J.Crew. I have quite a few denim/chambray long sleeve button downs that make their rounds in my wardrobe but this is my first sleeveless and has probably been my most worn shirt this summer. It may rival my L.L Bean tote, shown above, for the most worn item. I bought this tote in hunter green and camouflage a few years back and I swear it has been a lifesaver. I carry it everywhere – to work, on vacation, to the beach and it holds everything. The only down side is that it doesn’t have any inside pockets so I end up carrying tons of little clutches inside to help divide everything up neatly. Who’s a tad OCD? Certainly NOT me.

Shirt – Madewell | Shorts – Equipment | Shoes – Loeffler Randall (similar here and here) | Hat – Club Monaco (similar here) | Sunglasses – Ray-Ban | Bracelet – Giles & Brother | Tote – L.L. Bean (I have the medium size)