Falling for Fall

 

Dress || Booties || Bag || Vest- Here, Here & Here || Other Natural Amethyst Earrings

One of my favorite things about fall is the opportunity to layer. An easy fall staple for layering is a vest. This olive green vest could also easily be paired with a pair of jeans, leggings, stripes and patterns, long sleeves, short  sleeves, skirts...and the list goes on. I loved it paired with this lace up black dress, it was just warm enough and it created a perfect amount of texture to my outfit. What are some of your favorite versatile fall pieces?

Ps. I am obsessed with this vegan leather bag from Urban Expressions.

 To get 25% at Urban Expressions use promo code: UE25GQ5J8 

xx,

Melody

Summer Crush

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Dress // Heels: Here & Here // Clutch: Similar

 

Heyyy! So, long time no blog, I know! Life has been busy in the best kind of way. Between work (sigh, not a full time blogger yet :) )  working on our fixer upper, our engagement (wahoo!) weddings, bridal/baby showers, and Jonathan's baseball games- life has been none stop, but it's been filled with all the good stuff, so I will not complain! I miss you guys though!  Let me know if there are any summer trends you are looking to try or have questions about. I am happy to give you an example or show you different ways to wear certain pieces.

 

I am currently crushin' on all things, Lulu's. I mean I have always been a fan but I am swooning over all their summer styles. You can find this fabulous maxi there for under $50! You can wear the dress a little lower than I did as I was with the fam so I chose to not have the neckline plunge so much but I love the plunging neckline for a winery day, or beach day.  Gotta love a dress that makes you look dressed up but makes you feel like you are in your most comfortable t-shirt. Ps. No bra necessary with this maxi, and in my book that's always a win! LOL

 

Where are these heels from, you ask? Lulu's #mysummercrush. Lulu's has Steve Madden's this style and they also have Social Scene in this style. Have your pick!

 

Hope you are enjoying the sunshine!

Let me know about those summer trends- what summer trends are you looking to try or have questions about? I am happy to share tips & tricks and show you various ways to wear season selections!

 

xx,

Melody

Photo Creds: Rachel Gross Photography 

 

Black + Blonde

UO BDG Parker Cardigan || Leopard Bangles: Similar ||

 Layered Necklace: Similar & Similar  || Levi Jeans || Folded Combat Boots: Similar ||

Rebecca Minkoff Micro M.A.C. Crossbody: The mini or similar || UO Crop Top: Similar ||

Fall colors with weather temperatures...I could live like this forever!! I adore this outfit too by the way, a little edge, a little cozy, and a little boho. Whether it's layering necklaces and bangles, tops and sweaters or full skirts and prints - I am into it! And fall is the perfect season to show that layering off! Ya know, before everything is covered up by our winter coats! Bluuhh (don't remind me) ...although I do love a good snow day...I  am not a fan of the bitter cold and in PA, it gets bitter cold.

Anyways, I am focusing on the positive- a wardrobe change! I included links below to some of my wish list sweaters for this season.

This time of the year I look for those rich earth tones, deep cool colors and timeless prints (gingham, plaid, animal print, herringbone, stripes, & polka dots). For fabrics I love cable knits, wool, tweed, and cashmere..to name a few.

Tory Burch- Plaid

 Anthropologie -Faux Fur-Trendy Piece

Halston Heritage - Knit

White + Warren - Leopard

LuLu's - Tan

Stay tuned for some more winter wardrobe wisdom & keep an eye out to see how I layer up in my posts to come!

xx,

Melody

Edit Your Wardrobe In 5 Simple Steps

What makes the cut?

Are you revamping your style, spring cleaning or in desperate need for space? Going through your wardrobe is not for the weak hearted. It can be overwhelming, so make sure you have wine to help focus on your end goal. I promise you can do this!

Let's start with some samples to have in your closet. You want to have at least one: Blazer, Blouse/Button Down, Dress, Pair of Jeans, Sweater, Printed Top, Skirt, and T-Shirt. 

Step 1: Categorizing:

• Sort your entire closet into 3 piles.
• Keep, Maybe, Sell/Donate/Bin
• Keep
• They are are staying
• Maybe
• It's still a toss up whether this guy is staying or going
• Sell/ Donate/ Bin
• Sell/Donate- someone else will where it more or may need it
• Bin- it's out of season and it needs to be stored

Step 2: Continue Categorizing: 

• The Keep's and the Maybe's: While keeping these categories separate, sort them by what they are. 
• Blazers
• Blouses/Button Downs
• Dresses
• Jeans
• Sweaters
• Printed Tops
• Skirts
• T-Shirts
• Trousers

Once your Maybe piles and your Keep piles are itemized, move to the 3rd step!

Step 3: Should I Stay or Should I Go? I would do this with the Maybe's then do this again with the Keep's.

• Blazers
• Stay: Best Blazer      
• Go: Tight or Faded/Worn
• Blouses
• Stay: Maintain a solid selection of office appropriate blouses
• Go: Ill Fitting or Stained
• Dresses
• Go: You know what to say bye when...you have tried it on three times in the past year and still have not worn it! It's time to go!
• Jeans
• Try every pair on, make a piles of the different styles
• Skinny
• Boyfriend
• Flare
• Etc.
• Stay: 1-3 pairs of each style
• Exception to the rule: Keep more of the style that fits your bod the best!
• Go: Everything else you don't wear, or "are going to wear one day" if you haven't worn it in the past year it's time to say bye! 
• Sweaters:
• Stay: Only 3 of a similar style
• Go: It Shrunk, the pilling is out of control, there are holes that are not worth fixing
• Printed Tops:
• Stay: Timeless Prints- Gingham, animal, stripes, & polka dots- favorites stay!
• Go:  Not worn in 6 months, or too trendy. 
• Skirts:
• Can you think of 3 occasions or 3 ways to wear it? 
• If so, STAY!
• If not, GO!
• T-Shirts:
• Stay: It still looks presentable and fits properly.
• Go:  Neck is stretched, stained, belonged to an ex, smells.
• Trousers:
• Stay: Tailored, still fits properly.
• Go: Tattered, stained, no longer fits properly. (Hint: If tailored properly, no tattering on the ends will occur.)

Okay, so you've done it!!! You have filtered through all your Keep's and Maybe's. 

Step 4: Go back to the Sell/Donate/Bin piles. 

• Sell what is still usable if you are not donating! 
• Save the money you made: for STAPLES that will unleash some interchangability in your fresh wardrobe. (Reminder: AVOID impulse buys or you will end up here again) or use that money to go celebrate, you just did some serious work and organization! 
• Bin: what is out of season
• Money earned from selling, could also be used to purchase bins, storage bags, or shelving.
• Spring and Summer stay together
• Autumn and Winter stay together
• Helpful tip: Label- so you know what is what and which is which.

Step 5: Organizing your Keep's!

• Get creative: 
• Itemize your wardrobe by style, color, wearability, however you like.
• What do you need to have your ideal closet:
• Create a wish list: Things to think about...
• Make purchases that you think about for at least two weeks-avoid impulse buys.
• What staples do you still need or need more of?
• What will add more interchangability in your wardrobe?
• Buy what is on your list, online shopping helps keep you focused. 
• Quality over quantity 

There you have it, you have completed a wardrobe edit! Feel free to use this process on accessories, shoes, and bags as well! Keep an eye out for my post in the near future that will focus on staples and pricing! Let me know if you have any questions or if there is something you want to know more about! 

xx,

Melody

Mercia- the girlie way to say Merica

Bodysuit: Forever21 // Shorts: Urban Outfitters

Rings, Earrings, Necklace: Silpada (Yes, I may have an addiction) // Bracelet: Similar or Similar //

Sandals: Similar // Cross Body: Old Navy

 

What's more American than wearing red, white & blue while attending a baseball game??? 

If you're still on the hunt for a 4th of July ensemble, I hope this casual little number gives you some inspiration! 

 

xx

 

Melody

 

 

 

Whimsical Neutrals with a Pop

 

 

 

 

 

 

So you may be a neutrals gal but you are seeing all these bright and colorful accessories for Spring & Summer that really have you thinking, you just might venture to the bright side of things. I can totally relate. While, I am adventurous with colors and mixing prints, I love a simple, classic piece. If you are shy about breaking out of your neutral pieces, this style is the perfect segue, to trying something new. Simply, add one pop of color at a time to your neutrals.  It doesn't have to be shoes, it could be a necklace, belt, clutch, head wrap, whatever but it is completely do-able and so worth it.  You'll be giving those neutrals a fresh look while embracing trends and spicing your wardrobe up. I am in love with these gladiator sandals.  Pairing them with these lace and whimsical neutrals, gave this outfit, the perfect trendy pop. I think they are a standout for a pop creation no matter what you wear them with -- or when.

 

Shop this Look:

Bralet: Free People

Top: Forever 21

Shorts: Urban Outfitters

Gladiator Sandals: Breckelle's

Necklace: Tory Burch-Similar ToryBurch

Bangles/Midis: Forever 21

Earrings: J.Crew

 

xx,

Melody