THE Summer Sandal

This Sam Edelman "Trina" Sandal is currently the top shoe I am coveting for summer. You can't go wrong with a simple, leather sandal and I love this current version with its short, chunky, gold heel. 

While it is a "splurge" item, I believe it would be well worth the investment as I would be able to wear them every single day, dressed up or dressed down. The hardest decision is which color to choose!

Sam Eldeman Trina Sandal, $100 at Nordstrom, Zappos, Piperlime

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I envision the "whiskey" brown or nude/yellow pair with a chambray top and pastel scalloped shorts for a simple summer look:

Chambray Shirt $69.50 via Madewell (worth the investment), Scalloped Shorts $17.80 via Forever 21

Spring Party Blazer

 

LOFT Blazer: Was $98, on sale for $89.99 (+40% off = $53.99) 

I've been stalking this blazer for awhile now, and am thinking I might have to make it mine soon as the price keeps going down (see, stalking can be a good thing). It'd be the perfect almost-spring pick me up (so sick of winter!). What makes it such a great piece is that you can wear it so many ways - with an LBD, jeans, or a pop of leopard print. Pair it with one of the biggest trends of the season - bold black and white stripes (like this tee, this dress, or this tank dress) - for a super chic look.

Trying Trends

 

Beanie & Camo Shirt: Primark (London); Tee: Gap (old), Jeans & Bag: Forever 21 (both recent); Sneakers: Target

 

Like I have mentioned previously, I'm obsessed with the beanie trend (now that winter is almost over... not the best timing, but also not sad about spring coming). So when I saw this neon pink beanie in London for just over $1, I had to have it. I'm also loving the camo trend, and the wedge sneaker trend - ok lots of trends. I think trends are great, but I make sure to keep a couple of things in mind when wearing them:

 

1. Buy trendy items on the cheap - check stores like Forever 21, H&M, Target, etc. No one (with the average wallet) wants to drop a ton of money on a piece that they don't like the following year.

 

2. Pair trendy items with classic pieces. In this outfit I wore basic jeans, a striped T (that I wear to death), and a classic black bag. Classic pieces are a better bang for your buck as you will wear them over and over again, season to season.

How do you wear trends?
 

Travel Uniform

Beanie: Gap, Jacket and Scarf: Zara (sale), Crab Sweater & Jeans: Forever 21, Purse: Kelsi Dagger via T.J. Maxx

I tried to dress both functionally and fashionably while sight seeing on my trip (stepping it up from my last European adventures four years ago where hooded sweatshirts and a North Face jacket were outfit staples). It was absolutely FREEZING in France so I opted to wear lots of layers. I pretty much stuck with the same uniform each day, except for swapping out the sweater/shirt underneath my jacket(s). I'm currently obsessed with the beanie trend - both warm and an easy hair fix! Thanks to my brother for photo-bombing my elevator selfie.

Change of Heart

Have you ever thought that something was really, hideously ugly, come to find a few months (or weeks) later you can't live without said item and need it in your life ASAP? This experience has happened to me many times over the course of my life (bell-bottom jeans in 5th grade and UGGs in high school, to name a couple and is how I currently feel about high-top and wedge sneakers. Many months ago, when I first saw wedge sneakers, I was like WTF?, but now I think they are hideously wonderful. I always look to Jules of Sincerely Jules for ideas on how to wear sneakers, as she always looks uber cool and even made Sambas look stylish (I used to wear them for Marching Band).

 

 

I can't stop thinking about these Michael Kors Glam Studded High Tops. Can I justify the $195 price tag for a pair of shoes I can only wear 2/7 days a week? Time will tell...

 

 

These Marc by Marc Jacobs Cutout Sneaker Wedges are just too cool. How functional they are or what socks (if any) you wear with them remain big questions in my mind, but the color is so me (the price? not so much).

 

 

 

While still a little pricey at $129, I obviously love these leopard print sneakers from Zara.

 

I ended up picking up this pair of MIA high top tops (in tan) for $29.99 from T.J.Maxx and these metallic wedge sneakers from Target (on sale in stores for $24.99!). I don't know if I will keep both, or hold out for those Michael Kors at the top... What do you think of the sneaker trend?

 

images: 1, 2, 3

 

Snaps from London

I recently returned from a wonderful ten day trip to London, Paris, and Bayeux, France with my family. We were visiting my sister who is studying abroad in London this semester. It was so much fun to have my entire family (all six of us!) together and explore Europe for the first time as a whole group. London holds a special place in my heart because I studied there four years ago. It honestly felt like no time had passed since then! Below are some of my favorite pictures from the first half of our trip.

I love the colorful buildings in Notting Hill 

My sister Bridget and I in front of Kensington Palace 

Signature vehicles 

In front of Tower Bridge at Sunset


Big Ben at day...

...and night