Reppin' Merica

 Sweater: "Shooting Star Destroyed Sweater" - Forever 21 (out of coral, but white and black options available)

Shorts: "Hi-Rise Festival Shortie" - American Eagle 

Sunnies: "Ava Tortie Shades" - Anthropologie

Boots: "Kalayla Studded Cowboy Ankle Boot" - Target 

Ring: Jewelmint - different color option HERE

 I wore this outfit a week ago, but you better believe it will be making a re-appearance today in honor of the 4th. I'm reppin' MERICA!

This sweater sat in my Forever 21 cart FOREVER. It looked like a pretty good alternative to the Wildfox Seeing Stars Lennon sweater, but I wasn't sold. When I read rave reviews on Katie's blog (one of my favorite bloggers...check her out HERE!), I knew I had to buy it. I ended up getting a medium on Katie's suggestions, and could not be happier with the fit. I won't lie, since I've had this little gem, I've worn it more than once a week. It's just too cute, guys!!

Anyways, I paired the sweater with my other latest favorites:
Shorties: These American Eagle shorties are the perfect hi-rise, destroyed shorts.  Yes, they do show a little booty, but they are comfortable and I love the distressing. Hey, I might as well wear short shorts while I'm still young and can get away with it, right?
Booties: Target has been killing it in the shoe department lately. I got these on super sale (I paid $10 for them!), but didn't even know they were marked down and was about to pay the regular price for them. It was a nice little surprise.
Sunnies: You've probably seen these sunnies everywhere. These Anthropologie "Ava Tortie Shades" are the perfect Karen Walker sunnies knock-off's without the hefty price tag. Every blogger and their mother has them, but I can totally see why. LOVE them.

Well, I'm off to celebrate the 4th of July in typical 4th fashion: lazy day on the lake, floating and paddle boarding, eating hot dogs and potato salad, and watching the fireworks overhead from a boat in the water.

Have a wonderful 4th!

What are your plans for the day?

June Favorites

I'm back! I've been MIA for awhile as the past few weeks have been a littttle crazy. I'm starting a new/old summer job soon (I will fill you in later, but don't get too excited, it's really not that great), and I traveled this weekend to see one of my besties get married! The wedding was fantastic and Nichole looked GORGEOUS. Sighhh. I love weddings. Overall, it was just a great weekend spending time with my boyfriend (we've been together for 6 YEARS on the 3rd!) and celebrating our friends!
But without further ado, my....

{June Favorites}

The Things I've Been Loving All Month Long

Persun: I have been all over online boutiques lately. I love that the internet has made buying unique clothing SO easy! Persun is one of my latest discoveries. They sell everything from a variety of different style clothing, jewelry, handbags, accessories, shoes and even a special site (http://www.persunmall.com.au) especially for special occasion wear.  Ladies, you can even get your wedding dresses there, and they are really reasonably priced (so you could totally have a 3 dress wedding...wedding,cocktails and rehearsal...Real housewife style without the gigantic price tag:) ). They also carry a wide variety of formal dresses, which would have made my life SO easy in high school as there so many colors and styles to choose from. I'm really feeling blue this year (actually, my prom dress was minty blue!), so check out some of the gorgeous blue formal dresses they have in stock.They add new things to the sites daily, making the options of cute items endless. Here are some items on my summer http://www.persunmall.com wish list:

0. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10

0. Slim Fit Chiffon Shirt: This little beauty comes in 3 colors (pink, white and navy) and is so pretty for summer. I love that it's light and sheer and has gorgeous ruffle detailing on the front to add the perfect girly touch.

1. British Straps Pocket Long Sleeves Shirt: I love stripes. This shirt is trendy perfection and would look SO cute paired with florals. Plus, it's the perfect piece to transition all year long.

2. Vintage Style Paillete Skirt: I'm obsessed with this skirt. Sequins and flowers makes for the prettiest summer item. Dress it up or down.

3. Opera Types Of Facial Skull Ring: Persun has a wide variety of fun cocktail rings, and this Dia de Muretos-esque version would be the perfect colorful ring bling for the summertime. 

4. Vintage Style Embroidery Short Jeans: SO cute. The embroidery detailing is so boho chic, and paired with a sweet denim wash, these shorts are something I would be wearing every day. 

5. High Waist Printed Chiffon Dress: A carousel pony printed dress. There are no words. Need this now. 

6. Rivet Golden Alloy Bracelet: Sparkles AND spikes?! Girly meets edgy at it's finest. 

7. Retro Buckled Flap Satchel: A bright bag for summer is a must. This sunshiny yellow option is gorgeous and the style of this bag is perfect. Whats better? It comes in a variety of different color options.

8. Fashion Strawberry Polka Bag: I love the fun polka dot print of this tote bag. It would be the perfect bag to take out shopping or make a nice beach bag to stash your beach necessities. 

9. Cute Lace Half See Through Dress: I am in love with this dress! The color, the see through floral lace, and the cute tea party feel, make for a dress perfect for summer weddings or date night with the boy:) 

10. V-Shape Triangles Pendant Necklace: A pretty necklace that has an edgy feel. I also love the goldy-bronze color and etched detailing.

A Game of Thrones: I finished the first book! It only took a little over a month....but, I finished! I feel like watching the series first helped me to better understand what was happening and helped keep me interested. It definitely had some slow parts, but overall it was an enjoyable read! I gave it a 4/5 on my Goodreads, and while I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, I think I might take a little break to read a light, fluffy summer read.

Girls: My newest obsession. I blew through both seasons in a matter of days. It's SO good, guys! Girls follows the lives of a group of close knit girls (obvi!) in their early twenties, navigating adulthood in New York City. As I am in that age group, it's ridiculously relatable and entertaining. Once again, as it is HBO, it's pretty adult (mature content). My favorite girl is definitely Shoshanna, for her crazy hair and naive, girly, cray-cray personality. Watch it. You won't regret it:)

Monster's University: Monster's INC is my all time favorite Pixar movie. Therefore when I heard they were making a prequel, I was beyond excited. Monster's University was everything I hoped it would be a more. I got my Mike and Sully fix (seriously, they are the cutest animated characters!) and left with that warm fuzzy feeling a good Disney movie always leaves you with. Plus, the college stereotypes were pretty hilarious. I definitely give it a 9/10...it was that good. Go see it!

I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles): My boyfriend and I love How I Met Your Mother. One of our favorite episodes involves Marshall and Ted and I'm Gonna Be on repeat (watch the clip before to get the gist). After watching this episode this song has popped up randomly multiple times when we are together. It's ridiculously bizarre. For example, we were listening to it in my car and when we got to his apartment, his roommate was playing it. Weird right?! It's not like it's a new song, and that is only one incident of it popping up when we were together. A sign maybe?! Anyways, while watching Grey's Anatomy, I heard a cover by the band Sleeping At Last. It's utterly perfect.

What were some of your June favorites?

Colors of the Wind

 Dress: 'Aztec Heavenly Maxi' c/o Retro Darling

Wedges: Target (last season) - DV by Dolce Vita makes this identical version HERE

Belt: American Eagle

Bracelet: Target

Ring: Old Navy

 Okay, okay, I know...another Pocahontas reference. Yeah, I'm sort of obsessed, but the second I saw this 'Aztec Heavenly Maxi' from Retro Clothing, the soft, sweet chords of 'Colors of the Wind' began to play in my mind, and I immediately envisioned myself as my favorite Disney princess. Love at first sight? You better believe it.
When I received this dress, my expectations were blown away, as this dress far surpasses the pictures. It is SO much better in person. From the gorgeous, bright, neon colors to the slit up either side, this is one of those dresses that just makes you feel pretty. It's the perfect summer piece as it is light, airy and sheer.   This is the dress to wear to picnics and parties and any summer outing. Hey, I would even just wear it around the house...thats how perfect it is.
Although it came with a fun belt, I paired it with a sturdier braided belt for a more dressed down feel. Wedges and a few simple accessories made this the perfect outfit for a day at the lake.

Press play and sing along...you know you want to :) 

PS Since our BFF Google Reader is going bye-bye July 1st (that will be a sad day:( ) Don't forget to follow me via bloglovin! 

Just click here ^ 

Hot Cross Bun

 Dress: Forever 21 - Find HERE

Jean Jacket: Abercrombie - SO old

Boots: Delia's - Want THESE Steve Madden "Troopa's"

Necklace: Forever 21 - Find HERE

Bracelet: Target

Every girl needs a few comfy dresses in her wardrobe. They are the perfect pieces for days when you don't feel like thinking about what you are wearing, but you want to look cute. They are easy to accessorize and can be made into a million different outfits by simply changing up shoes, jackets, and jewelry.
This recent Forever 21 purchase of mine is one of my favorites. I love that it is super comfortable, has a flattering fit, and a high-low hemline which allows me to spend time outside without the worry of the wind blowing up my skirt (you all know what I'm talking about!). I paired it with my favorite combat boots, a jean jacket, and a pretty necklace for a night out with friends. We actually ended up bowling, which had I known, I probably would have worn something else, but this dress was easy enough to move around in (and looked super fantastic with bowling shoes).

As for my hair, I love rocking a top knot. It's not always super flattering, but it's a quick fix for when I'm in a hurry and is perfect for keeping my hair out of my face. I actually end up wearing it like this to work often, which has caused for some very fantastic comments from students. One of my favorites? "You look like a Disney Princess!" Probably not...but I'll take it!
The best comparison yet, happened in a second grade classroom, while I was teaching a lesson on sea life and oil spills.

Me: "So, when oil spills happen in the ocean, it makes sea creatures very sick. Whales and dolphins often die because the oil gets in their blow holes so they cannot breathe."

Student: "HEY!"

Me: "Yes?!" (Waiting for an insightful comment about this dire situation).

Student: "Your hot cross bun looks like a blow hole today!!!!!!!!!!" (Ridiculously excited by this observation/comparison).

Me:"..................." 

Rest of class: "Yeah!!!" "It DOES!!!" "Sometimes my cousin wears her hair in two hot cross buns like that!!"

Me: "Well...thank you! That's a great comparison! Now moving on..."

(All the while trying desperately not to explode with laughter).

Yes. Thats right. My bun, or my "hot cross bun" was compared to a blow hole. Your pretty jealous, aren't you?