Preppy and Pretty

I love the whole preppy, pretty, been on a boat style that's so perfect for summer days on patios and running around town.  I think Lands End Canvas does it best in the mid range price point, and I've got my eye on these pieces from the summer collection:

 

However, it's worth pointing out that some designers take the look a bit too far...  :)

Do you have any preppy pieces in your closet?  How will you be wearing them this year?

Reader Request: Warm weather wedding guest dress

After lots of down time this weekend, I'm back!  Thanks so much for all the nice comments last week.  They really make me happy  :)

Today I am helping out a friend from high school in her quest to find the right dress to wear to a family wedding this summer in Georgia.  That means it's going to be hot and muggy outside.  She also wants the dress to come in around $70 or less and flatter a curvy frame.  Challenge accepted!

Pretty in Persimmon
I like this dress from Lands End Canvas, but it takes a bit of imagination to picture it as a wedding outfit.  The wide straps allow for a regular bra, and the empire waist will make the skirt flow over the stomach and hip area.  Losing the belt and adding fun jewelry and fancier sandals will make the look appropriate for a wedding.

Perfectly Pink
I love the defined waist and lace detail on this dress from The Limited, and the color is unique too!  The price is a little more than the budget allows, but coupons are easy to find and it feels like there is a new discount code on Facebook every day.  I would add metallic accessories to keep things fancy.

Full Skirted Floral
I like this dress from Macy's because it would be flattering on so many shapes.  The full skirt is very forgiving, and I like the print for a summer event.  I think the look is very southern and could look nice with some fun shoes and jewelry.

If you've got a request you'd like me to post about, send me an email.  I really enjoy doing it since it feels like shopping  :) 

Weekend Link Love

This week has been really stressful, and to be honest, I don't have any more good posts ready to share yet.  I haven't gotten to comment on all the fantastic blogs I follow, and am so glad I wrote my own posts in advance or you'd have seen old content all week. 

Thanks so much to everyone who comes here and reads what I have to write.  I can only partake in the blogging world at night and for about 10 minutes at lunch, but please know how much I love seeing the comments pop up on my phone and it makes my whole day better.  I just can't always respond until now (at 11pm).  I wish I could be a blogger all day long.

So, instead of subjecting you to Polyvore sets that just aren't working, I'll send you to some ladies who posted some great stuff this week. 

Attend the Royal Wedding (kinda) vicariously through Aspiring Kennedy

DIY Inspiration from Belle Maison

Gorgeous navy blue roundup at Breakfast at Toast

Drool over gorgeous wedges with Bud & Leo

Zooey Deschanel envy at Cornflake Dreams

Amazing greek meatball recipe from Fitness Food and Faith

J. Crew shoes at Gold & Gray

Fabulous shower curtain (coming soon) from I Suwannee

Gorgeous peonies (my favorite!) at Love, Julie

Rough around the edges items at Things That Sparkle

Cohabitation Decoration Inspiraton at Tilly Maison

Super cute big boy room at Tipsy Society

And finally, please let me know if you'd like to participate in my Things Every Girl Needs guest series or if you have any reader requests for outfits or mood boards.  I love hearing from you!

Happy weekend, everyone!  Relax and enjoy it!

Mother's Day gifts... for the procrastinator

In case you haven't realized yet, let me remind you that if you're going to see your mother on Sunday you probably need to show up with a little something for her.  Yes, you could do flowers, but if you want something original and don't have time to order anything online, here are some ideas that will look like you planned in advance:

Mini Bathroom Makeover
I did this for my mom once since she was still using old towels in her bathroom and I wanted to surprise her.  I bought a great shower curtain, 8 new towels (on sale at Target), some new counter accessories and a piece of art from TJ Maxx.  While she was at work, I put the room together (with the tags still on) and waited for her to find it.  It was a hit, and only cost me about $60.

 curtain, rug, towels, trees print, countertop stuff

Pre-framed Artwork

Stores like West Elm, Crate and Barrel, and Z Gallerie are an awesome source for art, and you can walk out with a pre-framed piece ten minutes.  This is especially good if you have siblings who also didn't plan since one item may be $100+

 one, two, three, four, five

A Year of Magazines

I inherited my mother's magazine addiction, and subscriptions are always a good gift in our family.  Depending on how much you want to spend, you could head to Barnes and Noble and pick up copies of whatever magazines appeal to your mom's interests and then create your own certificate good for a one year subscription to four magazines of her choice.  (I like to let the recipient have a chance to make requests before I actually pay for the issues online, so if she is happy with my choice I go home and order all of them at once)

What did you get your mom this year?

Dream Decorating: For the Boys

I have a friend who bought a house and his taste skews more toward college frat house than professional man.  Also he is cheap.  I made him a mood board, because that's the kind of thing I do for my friends, and thought I'd share it with the internet in case you (or your man) are in need of some inspiration for a decidedly non-girlie space on a budget.

I think a bold abstract piece of art will wake up the room, and some touches of both modern and industrial will keep the space looking manly, but not so much that girls won't want to hang out there.  I know he'll hate the rug, but I couldn't resist the touch of yellow to jazz things up.

 Rug, Paint, Art, Side Table, Chair, Lamp, Coffee Table, Pillow, Pouf

Do any of you struggle to decorate for men?  I most often have to to convince my husband that something like wall art or a rug is even necessary before I even broach the topic of price.  However, if our house is any indicator, I think I'm winning.  :)

Things I found at Target that look expensive.

I think the title of this post says it all, no?  I went to Target on Sunday afternoon and managed to leave with only the ruffle wrap dress, which I am returning because it is the most wrinkle-prone thing I've ever put on.  Now I wish I'd gotten the tote and the scarf.  However, I thought the rest of these items were worth sharing since I inspected all of them in person and they're definitely worth the price!

Did you score any of the Calypso St. Barth items this weekend?

Necklace, Necklace, Scarf, Bag, Bracelet, Dress, Dress, Pouf, Bedding, Shoe

Style I Love: Astrid Berges-Frisbey

Last month, while flipping through an issue of Glamour, I came across some photos of a gorgeous French-Spanish actress I'd never seen before and was instantly a fan of her glamorous vintage style.  It turns out that Astrid Berges-Frisbey is a popular European actress with lots of indie films to her credit, and she'll be playing a mermaid alongside Johnny Depp in the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie this year.

And since I love nothing more than playing around in Polyvore, I've styled a couple of Astrid-esque outfits that I think capture her style fairly well for those of us looking to emulate the french glamour girl look


Le tapis rouge
The look is vintage, feminine, and sheer.  Add some serious eyeliner and a messy hairstyle to keep things from looking too perfect.

Astrid Berges-Frisbey 1 by Cardigan Junkie featuring a sheer dress

Première de film
A killer jacket dresses up a basic black mini dress and ankle boots.  Run a brush through your hair and add some color to your lips and you're ready.

Astrid Berges Frisbey 2 by Cardigan Junkie featuring an ankle bootie

Are you a fan of the often-admired French girl look?