Stars & Stripes

When thinking of a look for the 4th July for some reason I always refer to festival wear.  I imagine care free people dancing & drinking in front of a stage to Sweet Home Alabama until the sun goes down & the fireworks begin. 

I am kind obsessed with this patriotic cut off shorts, they look super comfortable & easy to wear for the day.  Seen as they make a statement I opted for a comfy tee & a wrist full of bracelets to finish the look. 

This was my first official 4th of July as a citizen so I added a little nail art to my day, although it looked a little more wonder woman rather than American in the end. 

Oh well, I tried.  I hope everyone has a great weekend.  I am off to watch the X Factor auctions in North Carolina this weekend!  Not sure what to expect but hopefully its fun!

Don't forget to stop by and see the other looks at {longdistanceloving} today!

Happy Monday

So I sat down this morning to blog about my Jewelry & the pressure I put on myself because I am not where I want to be!  Then I sat back & decided against a negative post.   Well then I had writers block because I wasn't inspired by anything.  I have been letting my weaknesses in business take over the good.  It's clouding my mind.  I won't go into the details, instead I want to share some of the exciting things from the past week! 

The response to the bracelets I posted here has been so overwhelming from friends & family.  It is beginning to become our most popular piece, yet I haven't been allowing myself to enjoy the excitement, I have been pressuring myself to fill those requests & stressing because I can't add the item to online yet.  I am always worried about rushing to add something when its not 100% & then I worry about loosing the online buzz.  Today I decided to stop worrying & appreciate the fact my friends will be rocking the new bracelets.  It always mean's the most when someone you love admires your work.

I am determined to get these online this week!  I just need a name, anyone want to help??

In other exciting news I am teaming up with a Angels POV, (street style blogger) for an exciting little project!  I think all you Friday Fancies ladies will love it!!  I can't wait to share the details soon!  In the mean time go check out his blog.  I am super jealous he photographed Michael Knight from Project Runway.  Micheal was one of my favorites & I'm loving his new Bridal line which he debuted at Charleston Fashion Week.  

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I am also in love with this girls look!  Adorable & on trend top knot, clean make up & a perfectly executed bubble hem.  Bubble hems can look to childish when badly done, where as this dress looks chic & classic with a modern twist.  

Oh & is anyone else excited Adam Levine & his girlfriend broke up?? 

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I know I shouldn't be excited someone is going through a break up but I mean look at him!! Gorgeous & now single, well he's just even hotter!!

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend & thank you for the sweet comments on my Friday Fancies look!  I am of to catch up on everyone else's looks now!

April Showers

Last weekend Virginia had some crazy storms & the temperature has been up & down all week.  I am hoping it settles down into a calm Spring  soon with nice 70 something days.  I am also hoping there won't be to many April Showers but just in case I have come up with the perfect rainy day look with Friday Fancies this week.

Part of being British means you should be prepared for April Showers all year round.  It also means Wellies (rain boots) & trench coat's are wardrobe staples for necessity not a fashion statement.  My Dad thinks its funny that the local college girls wear Hunters even when its not rainy. Clearly he doesn't understand fashion trends.  

Being 5'2 I can't wear knee length trench coats without them looking like they drown me, so when I saw this Burberry coat I fell in love.  The detailing is classic yet modern & the length much more appropriate for us shorties.  The Red Hunters provide a great contrast to the navy jacket & I thought the striped top was a lovely compliment to overall look without being to casual. 

Don't forget to visit {av} over at {longdistanceloving} to see lots of fashionable rain wear!

Have a great weekend!!

Lets Fly Away.....

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My list of dream vacations is endless.  There is so much beauty to enjoy & cultures to experience, I can't imagine a life without travel &Greece comes close to the top of the list. Gorgeous blue waters, amazing weather & interesting history to learn about.  Ill just ignore their awful economic situation right now!

For today's Friday Fancies, I was inspired not only by the gorgeous colors but also by European style.

  

Vacations really should be about relaxing, for filling life long dreams & creating memories.  However, photographs will last forever so your outfits are almost as important! To ensure I don't waste my time stressing about how I look I like to make sure I have great accessories along with layering & versatile pieces.

Light dresses are always perfect for Spring Vacations, they are easy to pack, comfortable while site seeing in sandals & can be dressed up with fab heels  for those endless nights of dancing & a few too many wines!  Aren't these color block heels perfect??

What are your favorite travel pieces?? 

p.s. hope on over to {longdistanceloving} to see the other looks!

Friday Fancies ~ Blog Swap

Its time for Friday Fancies with a little twist, we are swapping blogs! I couldn't be happier to be paired up with Ivana of Macarons and Pearls!

I really envy her bold sense of style & today's look is no exception! Definitely a perfect look for shopping!

Thank you Ivana for pulling together such a great outfit!

Once again, Allison from Long Distance Loving had a great Friday´s Fancies idea. We´re doing a blog swap today, and I couldn´t be happier, being paired with Roxy. I´ve only recently discovered her lovely blog, but
I´m already completely smitten with her beautiful jewelry designs. I think we have quite a similar taste and I´m really happy to share my favorite shopping outfit with you! So here it goes:

Hi, my name is Ivana, and I´m a shopaholic. There. I said that. I love shopping, it´s no good denying it. Once I wrote that shopping was my cardio, and it´s still true. Obviously, my bank manager would disagree, but I love going through racks full of clothes, searching for the hidden treasures. Of course, if you want your shopping trip to be successful, you need the perfect shopping outfit. To me, this means simple clothes and nothing too fussy. I love myself a well fitted pencil skirt, but I´m sure I´d hate it wholeheartedly if I had to put it off and on ten times in several different changing rooms! My perfect shopping outfit consists of a pair of skinny jeans, a simple button down, a cardigan and a big tote that holds all my essentials and that can serve as a shopper when in need. Of course, the most important rule is: no high heels! A pair of well-worn boots in winter, or some ballet flats in summer are just as stylish as your favorite pair of stilettos, and your feet will thank you infinitely! Steer clear of  tons of jewelry (I personally hate when my chandelier earrings get all tangled up in the sweater I´m just trying on). A statement watch and a pair of stylish sunnies is all you need to look amazing while on the hunt for your next perfect closet addition! Don´t you agree?

What does your favorite shopping outfit look like? And thanks so much for having me as a guest, Roxy, I really had a blast!

1. Topshop Dropped Back Sleeveless Shirt, $60.00

2. Current / Elliot The Skinny Jeans, $194.00

3. BCBG Max Azria Roz Leopard-print Wool Cardigan, $56.96

4. Frye Wyatt Harness Boots, $288.00

5. Michael Michael Kors Hamilton Rock N´Roll Leather Tote, $450.00

6. Ray Ban Wayfarer, $145.00

7. La Mer Collections Bali Stud Wrap Watch, $115.00
8. Dior 5 Couleurs Garden Edition Couture Colour Eyeshadow Palette in Garden Pastels, $59.00
9. Dior Le Vernis in Waterlily, $23.00

To see my look hop on over to her page & leave us both some love! 

Lucky me

As usual the weekend flew by entirely to fast however I am thankful I got to spend time celebrating a friends daughters 1st birthday!  Working so much I tend to miss out on a lot of events.  

Today I am linking up with Jenni of Story of My life for her best of Instagram.  Again my pictures are kind of boring, I really have to step it up.

I know I already posted about my nails, like I said I need to step up my Instagame!!  I celebrated Brianna's birthday with a yummy Margarita! Not sure if that's appropriate behavior at a baby's party??oops! Saturday I broke out the Wonder Woman eye shadow's to feel like a super hero & how cute are my are my cats?  I just love them. 

 I am also thankful for all the lovely comments I received on my Friday Fancies look!  You are all so sweet, I love connecting with other bloggers.  In fact one of the new blogs I discovered is lili & mae, seriously cute & lucky me I won her recent giveaway.  A $20 credit to Sweet Musings Paperie.

First of all how adorable are her illustrations & how perfect is that after this post about letters?

I hope you all had an amazing weekend & enjoy the week ahead!

Friday Fancies ~ Channeling Mila

                 

I spent most of Friends with Benefits jealous of Mila Kunis, I mean she has killer legs, perfect hair, steamy scenes with JT plus amazing clothes! Ugh Movie Stars are so lucky!

 For this weeks Friday Fancies I decided to channel one of my favorite looks to be more my style.  Instead of the jersey skirt I opted for a more structure with similar lines & not so short! Although if I had her legs I would rock her skirt!  As for the shoes I am not a sandal fan so I added a fun flirty Mary Jane to compliment the top.  I prefer lighter bags that aren't so slouchy & the clean lines of this Kate Spade purse are perfect.  Finished off with some gold hammered bracelets for a little glam.

What do you think? 

P.S. Thank you for all the comments last week, I loved all the input on my look!!  I hope you all have a fab weekend!

and the winners are......

Can you imagine how many millions of dollars there are in jewelry at one awards show?  This is one of the random things that runs through my mind while watching TV.  Seriously security must be crazy.  

I was so excited that two of my favorite movies over the past year won Golden Globes. Michelle Williams was stunning in My Week with Marilyn & Midnight in Paris was a witty story that made me fall in love with Paris & the 1920s again.  

When it came to fashion everyone looked stunning & glamorous however I wasn't wowed by any over all look. Here are some of my favorite elements from the night.

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Mila Kunis's make up is perfection, so simple & elegant, I just wish you couldn't see through the top of her gown.  After the Color Crush Friday Fancies I couldn't resist posting Heidi's necklace.  A beautiful statement piece, unfortunately the overall look seems out of place on the red carpet.  More St. Bart's than Golden Globes. 

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I am obsessed with the back of Clare Danes dress.  It is so perfectly fitted adding a little excitement to a safe dress.  Charlize's headband was the clear winner in the accessory department for me.  Who wouldn't want to wear that many diamonds in your hair? 

Did you have a favorite overall look from the awards?

Oh & how handsome were the men!  Adam, Bradley & Leo all looked yummy!!

Friday Fancies ~ Color Crush

Call me predictable but I am always in love with turquoise so it had to be my color of choice for today's Friday Fancies.

I have never been one to wear bright colors, well except for the neon orange & yellow Lycra outfits when I was 8! Thank god I don't have a picture of that lol. 

However, I am a huge fan of color in accessories.  With the clean lines & lightness of the dress the bib necklace would be a stunning contrast.  While the Coral bracelet & ring adds a playful pop to the overall look.

I would love to hear your opinions on what shoes you would pair with this look!  I thought Nude would be to plain & turquoise to much. 

Don't forget to check out the color overload over on {longdistanceloving}

Friday Fancies ~ Winter White

Although it's after labor day, an all white look seems to cozy and perfect for winter to me. 

I opted for a simple cardigan and a fun layered panel skirt. I love the distressed seams. Nude booties seemed like a must seen as I hate white shoes.  They belong in a bad 80s music video.

.........and lets talk about the ring, the perfect amount of color. I am insanely jealous of anyone who can rock this piece!

Are you for or against white this time of year?

Take a look at the other Friday Fancies over at {longdistanveloving}.

Friday Fancies

 

I find myself overbooked often in life, so many obligations personally and professionally.  With the holidays fast approaching my calendar is always full.

For this weeks Friday Fancies I pulled together a look to carry me through the holiday parties.  What I would give for this gorgeous Victorica Beckham dress, its only $3200, bargin right? With the high neckline of the dress I wanted to concentrate on the earrings and ring being focal points & those Fendi Shoes, I NEED.   

Now I need to get it together and buy some gifts, reading about all the bloggers who are done & have everything wrapped is making me feel a little insecure.  Are you done yet?