Adapting Style from...Jennifer Hudson

Louise of St. Louis rocked a look I'm loving - a bandage skirt and tucked in blouse with caged booties. Let's recreate it, shall we?!

J. Hud's skirt has some texture to help make the skirt more appealing than just some stretch of cotton & spandex. There are three skirts at Urban Outfitters...I know, I know I pull from this site a lot. It just continually sells such varied and unique pieces that it's really hard not to come here immediately after searching the internet unsuccessfully for the pieces that mimic those being worn by celebs and more financially blessed fashionistas. 

 

 

The top should be very loose and flowy, even consider buying a size up. Remember that the focus for attention is on your bottom half, so keep the blouse neutral. These from Zara are perfect!

 

 

Like I said, the focus should be on the bottom half, which includes your shoes. Make them as interesting as the skirt! These from Piperlime will work gloriously.

 

 

 Happy imitating and adapting :)

Minimalism by Forever XXI

I have spent enough time and energy at Forever 21 over the years to know that it can be difficult to actually walk into the store and not walk immediately back out! There is an assumption (for some) that it will take hours to go through it all and come out with some thing worthy of your time. I can promise you that I have never had a trip in to the depths of cheap and trendy that was unsatisfactory! Cross my heart. That being said, I want to encourage each of you to give it a shot by showing you what they have to offer that is on trend and likely under $30. I have made a personal commitment to spending less money on quantity and more on quality pieces; however, when it comes to something that can or should come and go with the season, Forever 21 is your place. Please note that even though the items are perfectly on target trend-wise, be sure of your purchases, or at least the possibility of another journey to the store, as their return policy includes merchandise credit only for clothes and no returns for accessories. A small price to pay, in my opinion, and hopefully, after seeing what they have to offer, in yours as well!

I'm planning on doing a few trends by creating outfits solely at this retail giant. First up? Minimalism. Let's get an idea of what exactly this means. I think of it as clean lines and tonal combinations - no prints, frills, or embellishments.

3.1 Phillip Lim

1. Jersey dress and a oversize button down

  2. Double breasted blazer, colorblock tunic, and black leggings

 

 

3. A cropped, boxy knit and A-line skirt

4. Red strapless maxi

The keys to this trend are to consider unconventional pairings, both in tone and in shape - the boxier the better! Also, keep accessories on trend...

 

 Have you found anything awesomely minimalistic at XXI? Do share!

The suite suit of summer

The white pantsuit. If you are required to be "business" at any point during the next five months, go and get one! After being in North Carolina on a business trip earlier this month in a khaki cotton suit and absolutely sweltering, I can't even fathom the idea of putting on my black poly blend pantsuit until it drops below 60 degrees. While still looking crisp and polished, a cotton or maybe cotton & linen white pantsuit from J.Crew allows your skin to breathe and capitalize on the summer glow you are sure to quickly obtain this Memorial weekend. 

Although I'm all for brights or black & white, you will quickly resemble John Travolta in "Saturday Night Fever" if you go with too much contrast. Therefore, I recommend taking a cue from Rihanna and Halle, by pairing your jacket with another white shirt, not necessarily all white but with a white background. Consider any of the below beauties from Anthropologie a perfect compliment... 

 

 

  As far as accessories, nude heels...not brown or black, and some minimal gold accessories, like a boyfriend watch and hoops. I promise it's making enough of a statement already!

 If you are wearing this fab ensemble for a night out or bridal/baby/wedding shower, why not opt for wearing some metallic strappy sandals with a cocktail ring and tee rather than a blend into the crowd summer dress?! The following options from Anthropologie will help create this look.

 

 

In addition to stealing the show in this seasonal trend, consider the options that a white blazer and white pants have with your existing summer items!

I cannot wait to wear...

 A printed pencil skirt, Paris tee, blazer, and oodles of pearls make the office your runway.

 A floral dress, tied up striped oxford, and straw fedora are perfect for the farmer's market.

 Roses, purple, eyelet, and espadrilles? Nothing could be more girlie for a lunch date.

Downplay the metallic tube top with a jean shirt and a flouncy striped skirt to stay cas for an outdoor concert.

Be fancy...in shorts!

We had a bit of a taste last week, but soon enough, the warm weather will be hear to stay! I might love my skirts, evidenced by the amount in my closet in comparison with pants, but shorts get a lot of my love in the summer. You'll definitely see me in jean cut-offs and bright or patterned chinos throughout the season during the day, so I am uber excited about trying out the fancy varieties for night that are popping up everywhere!

 

Scalloped edges? High-waisted silk? Leather? Bring 'em on! How about lace, embellished, and patterned silk? You betcha. I don't know about you, but full length jeans in the middle of summer? It makes me overheat just thinking about it! Therefore, skirts and shorts will be thrown on for a night out a large percentage of the time, pretty much any time you're not wearing an adorable summer dress. So what are our options for purchasing your own perfect pair of evening shorts? Let me share my finds from Shopbop, Topshop, and Anthropologie....

Wear these with a tucked in ivory tunic (to show off that waistband) with the sleeves rolled up...and espadrilles.

These can be worn with a boyfriend blazer in a muted neutral, just like Kate...and a chunky heel.

A beautiful coral chiffon embellished with beading looks great with a chambray shirt or a striped tee to downplay the fancy...and metallic wedges or nude heels. 

 A loose olive silk can play handle additional flow with a patterned tank (like mine from Francesca's) and gladiators, as shown, or a white tank, statement necklace, and strappy sandals. 

Each of these gems have one thing in common...they're loose. The last thing you want is looking like you're wearing the spandex reserved for the gym! 

Bring on the heat, Chi town...we're ready for it.

May-spirations

A few things that are making me swoon... <3 <3 <3

The ease of Gwen's dress paired with structured booties

A single feather earring paired with a plain silver stud

A vintage tin sign adorning a kitchen wall

Subdued tribal, ikat, and Aztec patterns

Whites & brights, like you'd see in Santorini