American....not 'Ameri-can't"

Dressing red + white + blue doesn't ever have to include the American flag on your shorts. To celebrate the past Patriotic week, I enjoyed kicking it off with a mix of my own.

Hope everyone had a fab holiday week! Happy Summer! <3

Lady-like

 Skirt: Ted Baker London (on sale now!), Bag: Ted Baker London (currently craving this style too), Wedges: Styles For Less, Blouse: H&M, Jewelry: Michael Kors, Swarovski, Styles For Less

I was obsessed with my new floral skirt and lady-like bag from Ted Baker London. There is nothing like a beautifully structured bag and feminine skirt to make a woman feel like a lady!

Happy Summer and TGIF! XO

Lunch Date

Top: Piper, Skirt: Like Mynded Both (via Savvy at Nordstrom), Sunnies: Free People, Bag: Rebecca Minkoff, Wedges: Enigma, Watch: Michael Kors, Necklace: Forever21

My good friend, and amazing stylist, Jill, has the ability to perfect an outfit for any occasion: including lunch in LA. 

As we met for lunch at Cuvee, I was loving her perfectly balanced combo of covered up yet showed some skin, flowy yet fitted, colorful yet black on top, bohemian yet carried a classic chain purse. 

The woman knows how to balance her looks, and I am a fan of her easy, CA girl style (yet she is originally from Pennsylvania....go figure).

Hope you enjoy!  XOX 

Traveler

Traveler by stilettostyle featuring ray ban optical

Cocktail Dress, Casual Dress, Tee, Leather Jacket, Trench Coat, Sleepwear, Skinny Jeans, Riding Boots, Classic Pumps, Wedges, Clutch, Scarf, Sunnies, Hat, Lipstick

I am beyond excited for my upcoming travels to Germany and England, but the one issue I've hit for years is over-packing. (Take it from my experience, it is so not chic to be lugging a bulging suitcase, and what fun is to shop in foreign countries if you already know that you can't fit one more bobby pin into your luggage?)

After turning into a frequent flyer, I have gained the knowledge of how important it is to stay focused, take the essentials, only take pieces you will want to be photographed in (and look at years later without being embarassed about how you look), and keep it basic, yet be ready for any circumstance. (Who knows if a cutie on a Vespa will sweep you off your feet for a romantic adventure? Any Roman Holiday fans?...) 

With my pieces above, you can go to a fancy dinner,  casually stroll the streets, be ready for rain or shine, and of course, look fab while exploring the world. 

I know the U.S. is facing a ton of issues at the moment, but the LAST thing we need is for locals in foreign countries to look at another American tourist with the stereo-typical "Family Vacation" scrunchy socks with tennis shoes, track suits in the airport, or ill-fitted jeans. If our economy is openly down in the dumps, we might as well look good doing it! 

Life in Black & White

Dress: Styles For Less (similar here), Blazer: Ted Baker London  Sandals: Styles For Less (love this style too), Bracelets: Styles For Less, Watch: Michael Kors

What's better: black & white or color? My opinion changes on the daily, but this amazing summer dress from Styles For Less put me in the mood for the light & dark combo. A touch of metallic gold brightened the look up a bit, and made it feel like summer.

Some days, there are no gray areas, it's just as simple as black and white.

Feelin' Adventurous with StylesForLess

Trousers + Shirt + Jewelry: Styles For Less, Heels: Miss Sixty, Jacket: Theory, Watch: Michael Kors, Sunnies: Ted Baker London

I have admired the printed loose trouser trend from afar for a long time now. I would be envious as I would watch confident women strutting down the street rocking the trend, or "off duty models" pulling the look off flawlessly in fashion mags. 

My envy turned to love when I spotted these trousers on a rack at Styles For Less. I figured, if you can't push the envelope with fashion, or at the very least, push your own comfort zone, then what fun is fashion anyway?

Top Tips to pulling off the look:

1) Wear a heel or wedge with this look; any flat sandal or shoe can make the look feel frumpy (unless your legs resemble Miranda Kerrs, then you can wear whatever the heck you want!)

2) Keep the rest of your look monochromatic; let all the focus be on the trousers

3) Confidence, sister!!!!

Neutral Summer

Blouse: H&M (similar here), Skirt: H&M (also love this style), Wedges: StylesForLess (also loving this style), Sunnies: Michael Kors (last seen here), Necklace: BCBG, Wallet: Michael Kors, Cuff: Ted Baker London (love this style too)

I am normally such a fan of color, or pops of color, during the summertime, but I was recently inspired to try the neutral monochromatic trend of all white/creme shades.
Sometimes things need to be shaken up, but in this scenario, it needed to be toned down...actually toned down into one tone: all white.
Hope you enjoy! XO 

Mixin' It Up

Blouse: Tory Burch, Shorts: Ted Baker London (on sale now!), Sandals: Target, Sunnies: Michael Kors (tortoise version here), Jewelry: vintage, Michael Kors, Swarovski, F21

I have been a little timid to try the "mixed prints" trend, but I was feeling brave and decided to give it a go. And I must confess, I have never received so many compliments on my look (especially the shorts). I wasn't sure if people were shocked by my daring behavior, or they were shocked by the combo choice, but whatever it was, I felt good. 

I realized there are four key components to pulling off this trend:

1) keep the patterns within the same color family

2) Make sure the patterns aren't too similar, where they would compete

3) Keep all jewelry/shoes/accessories simple

4) Confidence! If you're going to wear it all day; own it!

Denver, CO

It was a VERY busy week last week...NYC, then Denver for the weekend. But no complaints here...the weather, the company, and the shopping were fantastic in both cities! <3

Hope you enjoy these snippets from Colordado!

 I was LOVING the fun decor at my hotel...

 It was a gorgeous day as I shopped around Downtown Denver

Hanging on the golf course for a portion of the afternoon...it turns out that I'm not very good at keeping quiet! <3

I (heart) NYC: Photo Diary

It was a very busy week of meetings, but I hope you enjoy this photo diary of my recent trip to NYC last week...XO

All my jewels I packed for a 4 day work trip...no wonder my suitcase weighed so much!

 View from the top

 Some amazing pieces at the Ted Baker London 5th Ave. flagship store 

 Myself with two of my fabulous colleagues....love them! <3

 A blurry shot of the Empire State building (tried to get it while my taxi was jetting past)

 Bloomingdales 59th metropolis before heading in for some meetings!

 My dear and long-time friend Robert, from ABC <3 

 Highlight: Breakfast in bed before meetings <3

 Taxi cabbin' around the city from store to store 

View of Lincoln Center from drinks one night