BLAH BLAH BLONDE

Sometimes it’s best to wear simple items of clothing and let your accessories do the talking. I’ve found this is a good approach when putting together outfits for a casual setting (such as my workplace) where even a pencil skirt can make me feel overdressed. With accessories, you can add or take away until you’ve got the look you feel is right. So today, I started with a simple black t-shirt and fitted pair of classic blue jeans. Rather than grab flats, I opted for these fabulous (and surprisingly comfortable) Proenza Schouler platform sandals and delicate magnetic gold bracelet. Still looking for something more, I put on this amazing snake print necklace (featured in trend watch from recent issue of Time Out New York) and grabbed my trusted RM for a complete look.

I have a few key rules of accessorizing:

1. You MUST have it all organized! To really know what to pile on or match together, you need it all separated in front of you by type, color, and whatever else works. One of the best ways to do this is to color code bags, hang necklaces (I use a mounted tie rack), and keep bracelets together by metal or color, and ditto for earrings. Scarves and sunglasses should also be stored together for easy rotation. Then you know exactly where to grab what you are looking for and you can scoot on out the door!

2. Get rid of old fashion rules. Just because forever ago someone said you can’t mix metals or earrings shouldn’t be worn at the same time as a statement necklace or whatever, try it and see how it looks. Take a pic on your iPhone. If it looks silly on camera, choose the piece you like best. Sometimes the most glamorous photos feature women wearing 3 necklaces or 5 bracelets and 2 rings, etc. Play around with it and wear what you love!

3. Steer clear of low quality jewelry. Unless it is Halloween or a bachelorette party or something and you only plan to wear the jewelry once, old jewelery LOOKS and SMELLS cheap. It turns your skin green from a few hours of wear, and it smells brassy and gross. Get a few classic pieces you can wear on a regular basis and build a well curated costume/statement jewelry collection from there. Buying accessories can prove more cost effective than buying a bunch of clothes, and they won’t take over your closet like a bunch of apparel will. PLUS, lose 10 lbs or gain 5, accessories will generally always still fit!

On moi: Old Navy tee & jeans, Gucci sunglasses, Rebecca Minkoff bag, Proenza Schouler sandals, Gemma Simone “Badu” necklace, Dafne gold magnetic bracelet, Zoya nail polish in Shelby.

Happy Thursday! Today I am wearing a comfy pair of animal print cropped pants for an easy professional look. I love animal print and I am a huge trouser fan, so these are a perfect (sale!) piece that I know I will wear again and again. I decided to keep everything else basic black, with the exception of my bright yellow bag. It is summer, after all–a little pop of color never hurt anyone.

I was recently given this beautiful Gemma Simone tassel necklace (also seen on actress Jamie Lynn Sigler), and even though I am normally drawn to gold I can’t resist how light and versatile this piece is. I love it and have worn it 3 days this week!

On moi: Animal print carnegie pant, essential long sleeve tee, black pumps, Rebecca Minkoff covet satchel (available in taupe for under $200!), Gucci sunglasses c/o, Gemma Simone tassel necklace c/o, Pura Vida bracelet.

We’ve had a rainy week so I was beyond thrilled when I woke up this morning to see the sun shining. Then it hit me that it is not only sunny out but REALLY REALLY HOT. Getting dressed this morning I knew sleeves had to be tossed by the wayside and hemlines needed to creep up a tad. I love mixing classic pieces like this pencil skirt and blouse with modern accessories like these white pumps and clear clutch.

Side note, I’m loving this Essie manicure I got last Saturday that still looks FLAWLESS! I need to find a South FL nail salon as great as the one I hit in DC. Suggestions welcome.

On moi: Ann Taylor sleeveless blouse, LOFT metallic pencil skirt (similar), Tildon sandals, clear clutch, Ann Taylor bracelet, H&M sunnies.

Let me start by saying I never in my life envision a time where I will ever wear a traditional suit. Like a formal pant suit or skirt suit, no never. I DO however love the tailored look of matching separates, such as the printed shorts and blazers all over the fashion world as of late. It’s just not my thing, I would feel completely alienated from myself in a full on suit. I’m too casual, and any suit I’ve ever seen is so corporate and stuffy. For me, it’s not realistic to buy suit separates, but it is totally sensible to pair items I already own, like this black blazer, with some tailored black shorts.* And voila, we have the closest I will likely ever get to wearing a suit.

*I realize these are probably a tad short for most offices (maybe even mine), but it’s hot and it’s Florida and I did squats last night, so oh well.

On moi: Gibson blazer, Alexander Wang silk top (old, newer style here), J Crew shorts (old, similar here), LOFT sandals (sold out, similar here), Olivia + Joy handbag (old style, similar here), Lolindo necklace c/o, ebay sunglasses.

I have a bit of a shorts addiction and I saw these bright green ones and had to have them. Paired with other shades of green and blue, I feel oh-so-springtime and can also stay cool in this crazy Florida heat. This floral cap was my first Moda Operandi experience a few months back and I love it so much- Taylor Tomasi Hill even featured it in a spring trends post for Harper’s Bazaar, so I feel like I made a smart choice.

On moi: MSGM Floral baseball cap, Forever 21 basic knit tee in teal, essential pocket shorts, Rebecca Minkoff Covet Satchel (only available in this color scheme now), Sam Edelman mint sandals c/o, mirrored-lense aviators, Bulova watch c/o, Essie nailpolish.