Mermaid Style Cocktail Dress

Outfit Details: Mint Market Dress, Necklace, & Seashell Vintage Clutch (available in-store only), JCrew Heels, Roman Luxe Ring, Madewell Layering Rings

Summer goal: become a mermaid.

Style from the sea should be the theme of today's post. This lacey pink cocktail dress from Mint Market exudes the perfect amount of mermaid inspiration for a one-of-a-kind look. What's a mermaid dress you ask? Mermaid dresses cling very closely to your figure and offer a fishtail flare at the bottom. This dress in particular features a stunning lace hemline that elegantly drapes from the front and then lengthens down the back. You can see the high/low hemline in some of these photos, but in person it's even more dramatic and makes the dress so unique. My favorite part of the dress is the keyhole back. The intricate lace details look so beautiful against bare skin. I've been on the hunt for another statement cocktail dress, and this one perfectly fits the bill.

I chose a vintage seashell clutch to top off the look. It's a guaranteed go-to summer clutch and offers a refreshing twist to your wardrobe. I hope this inspires you to opt for exciting new accessories and silhouettes this season. Happy shopping!

xx,

Jess

Photography by Art Petrosemolo

Summer Wardrobe Essentials

Outfit Details: H&M Dress (check out their summer collection here) & Straw Hat, JCrew Slide Sandals (love this pair on sale), Chevron Clutch (similar), Goldtone Swag Collar Necklace

White jeans, a chambray top, big sunglasses, a floppy hat, billowy dresses, tunics, and brightly colored accessories will all help to create multiple looks this summer. The best styles are super soft and have a relaxed, casual feel to them. Treat your outfits like a blank canvas and layer on accessories for a more dimensional look.

It's no secret that H&M is one of my favorite places to shop when stocking up on seasonal essentials. Luckily, I'm surrounded by them in NYC and can quickly pop into any store when I'm looking to refresh my wardrobe. Nothing beats their variety of clothing at an affordable price. How adorable is this polka dot hat I scored for under $15? It can be dressed up or down, and provides the perfect amount of shade when lounging on the beach. 

Now, onto the fun stuff. H&M has partnered with Bloglovin' and three fashion bloggers, Arielle from SomethingNavy included, to offer fashion lovers the chance to win a blogging mentorship, a trip to the #BlogLovinHMAwards, and of course, H&M swag. Hello, you could win a new wardrobe! This is my entry, and if you are interested in learning more you can view all the details here.

xx,

Jess

Fancy Feet Friday

Photo via Anthropologie

It's Friday people!! Let's all do a happy dance and smile for the weekend ahead of us. I have been majorly crushing on printed espadrilles and flats lately. Of course, I love sandals in the summer, but lightweight flats are super comfortable. Not to mention, espadrilles pair really well with denim pieces. If you follow me on instagram, you probably saw this pair that I posted this morning. They are not included in some of my favorites below, but they are under $15 and I highly recommend you go check them out here before you swoon over the others below. As always, you can click on any product below and it will bring you directly to the retailer's site.  Enjoy!

xx,

Something Blue With Violet Ray

Outfit Details: Violet Ray Blue Spike Hasp Satchel, Halogen Fit & Flare Dress, Olson Pointy Studded T-strap Flat, Urban Outfitters Sunglasses (similar), Madewell Pave Spiked Pendant Layering Necklace (on sale!)

One of the most flattering silhouettes, the fit and flare, just so happens to be one of the most trendy shapes for this season. This style dress is fitted through the bodice and then flares out into a fuller skirt. I have a really short torso and have trouble with shift dresses, or any style that doesn't offer some sort of shape. Which is why I tend to lean towards fit and flares for the summer season. While browsing in Nordstrom over the weekend I stumbled upon the Halogen section of dresses and skirts. I spotted this printed dress and couldn't help but snatch it up after I tried it on and realized how perfect it would be for work. 

This dress runs true to size and feels so comfortable and can be easily dressed up with chunky statement jewelry for a cocktail event. For this outfit, I decided to mix in some shades of blue with this Violet Ray Satchel to create an overall classy feel. This handbag is so unique and easy to carry. Personally, I love the little spikes along the handles. It's so stylish! This bag comes in Taupe and Brown. To browse the full collection click here and don't forget to follow Violet Ray on instagram for more street style inspiration.

I wore this outfit over the weekend for a quick little brunch with my family. We stopped into our favorite cafe afterwards, Cloveberry in Sparta, and picked up some delicious peach tea. We sat outside overlooking Main street and enjoyed the light breeze. It was so refreshing. Hope you had a great weekend and cheers to a speedy full week ahead.

xx,

Hibiscus Maxi Skirt

Outfit Details: Topshop Hibiscus Maxi Skirt & Sleeveless Crop Top similar (also love this Tibi Crop), Steve Madden Sandals (similar), Nordstrom BP Hat, Aqua Bracelet (love this one)

Maxi skirts always strike the proper balance between casual and glamorous. This hibiscus printed maxi skirt from Topshop's new collection feels right at home in my summer wardrobe. It's no secret that light weight fabrics and pretty prints instantly add a hippie chic vibe to any outfit. An added bonus to this style? It keeps you cool and covered up. Part of the reason I'm rarely seen wearing mini skirts or shorts in the summer is because I'm usually uncomfortable in them. I don't enjoy worrying about my bottoms riding up. No thank you! 

Since I'm 5'4, I typically reach for midi skirts because maxis always wind up being too long. Thankfully, this skirt offers a high/low hemline. It gives the outfit just the right amount of 'sweep' and  overall dimension.

Maxi skirts are comfortable, flattering, and extremely versatile. Get creative with your outfits and don't forget, these skirts also make for a great layering piece and can be easily rolled up and packed into a beach bag.

Happy shopping!

xx,

Little Mistress White Dress

Outfit Details: Little Mistress Evie Dress (c/o), Aqua Cuff (also love this one), LuLu*s Handbag (sold out), Little Mistress Black Glitter Cut Out Shoes (c/o)

Is there anything more romantic than a delicately pleated white maxi dress? I think not. The simple black and white print along the bottom of this Little Mistress dress offers a fresh take on summer's nautical trend. This style exudes elegance and I love the criss-crossed neckline. It's very rare that I stumble upon a dress that needs minimal accessorizing. The cinched waist topped off with a classic black and gold belt adds just the right amount of structure. I paired this outfit with a few light accessories including a bangle and stud earrings. The fabric is so refreshing and comfortable, and it's absolutely perfect for grabbing a cocktail with friends, or even for a fancy summer soiree.

While I can't decide if I'm more in love with the fun details on the bottom of this dress, or the edgy neckline, I can tell you that these black glitter cut out shoes rank high on my favorites list. The glitter is very subtle, but it adds just the right amount of flare. I'm also a sucker for a thin ankle strap and chunky heels. It makes for a true statement piece! 

If you're interested in shopping for unique and one-of-a-kind pieces, then I definitely recommend stopping by Little Mistress. Their new collection in collaboration with Look Magazine is swoon-worthy. How gorgeous is the Elsa dress? It's next on my purchase list for summer!

To learn more about Little Mistress you can give them a follow on Twitter & Instagram.

Happy shopping!

xx,