Velvet Glamour

I'm back today with my last of three outfits featuring pieces from Zaful.  If you missed them, take a peek at my cozy blanket scarf look and my trendy choker experiment!

As much as I love the pieces I've already featured, I've saved my favorite for last!  I've been itching to try the velvet trend, especially for the holiday season!  To me, velvet just exudes warm holiday glamour.  For that reason, I put together a party look featuring this beautiful blue velvet dress from Zaful.

Let's start by highlighting what I love about this piece: the color!  It is even more vibrant in person than it is on the website.  It also comes in a pretty green that I wish I could see in person.   And the price absolutely can't be beat.  I guarantee you won't find another holiday party dress for such a steal!

The one downside is that this dress can't really be worn as a dress, at least not on my body (and I'm pretty average in height).  Admittedly, the dress looks a bit short on the model but is extremely short on me.  It will definitely be worn as a tunic but makes for a super comfy holiday look paired with leggings!  I'm wearing my typical size medium but wouldn't size up because the rest of the dress fits well and I don't think it would add enough length.

If you are interested in your very own velvet tunic, comment below with your e-mail address and a link to something else from Zaful that you are coveting for your chance to win a $100 gift certificate! Today is the last day to enter!

What I'm Wearing:
Tunic: c/o Zaful (exact)
Leggings: LulaRoe
Necklace: Rocks Box (similar, similar)
Bracelet: Stella&Dot (exact)
Clutch: LouLou (similar, similar)
Heels: DSW (exact)

Where I'm linking-up!
SaveSaveSave

Dark Green + Tangerine = Summer Queen

Confession: I consulted a rhyming website to come up with this post title.  I'm still not in love with it but sometimes the inspiration just doesn't strike when you need it!

Similarly, I struggled to style this dress for a summer look.  The cut of the dress fits the warm weather, but to me the color works better during the fall.

I wore this outfit to my cousin's rehearsal dinner and I really wanted to repurpose a dress I already own instead of purchasing a new one.  I had only worn this trapeze dress once before so it seemed like the perfect dress to wear...until I got stuck on making it work for a summer event.

I thought that some fun, pop-of-color shoes would brighten up the look but again, I didn't want to buy anything new.  I've had these tangerine hued shoes for at least five years and dug them out from the shoe bin under my bed.

Alright, so I have a contrasting colored dress and pair of shoes, how do I make this outfit cohesive?  Enter this fun little patterned clutch!  It's funny, the purse doesn't actually feature the green of the dress or the orange of the shoes but it somehow ties the look together.  I guess it goes to show that an outfit doesn't have to be matchy matchy to go together.

Do you experiment with typically cold-weather colors during the summer!  What's your favorite way to heat them up?

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: LOFT (similar fit different color)
Clutch: Boutique in D.C. (similar, similar)
Heels: DSW (similar, similar)
Earrings: Kate Spade (exact and included in the Nordstrom sale!)

Where I'm linking-up!
SaveSaveSave

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Red, White and Blue

Happy Fourth of July, my dear blogging friends!  May your day be filled with friends, hot dogs, cold drinks, sparklers and a swell of pride for the 'ole U.S. of A!  And while you're at it, will you have an extra hot dog and cold drink for me?  Because I will be spending today driving across this great country of ours for about ten hours.  It's not exactly the way I would prefer to spend my holiday but I will make the most of it by taking in the landscape that our nation has to offer!

For the past two years, I have been invited to a wedding during Fourth of July weekend.  I love holidays and I love weddings so I think that this is a perfect way to celebrate the Fourth!  Add to the mix a self-imposed challenge to create a wedding-appropriate, not cheesy, red, white and blue outfit?!  I am in closet remixing heaven!

I purchased a beautiful, red maxi dress for the wedding last summer and decided that because I love it so much, I wanted to wear it again for this wedding!  I wanted to do red, white and blue again but in a different way than I did last year.  The dress and the shoes remain the same but I spiced up the accessories!

When Bri hosted an online Stella & Dot party a couple months ago, I found the perfect necklace and clutch to create the look I had been daydreaming about!  By purchasing these items, I won the spot of surprise hostess for the party and received some credit to purchase another couple of Stella & Dot pieces.  Thank you, Bri!

With that, have a lovely Fourth (and don't forget about that extra hot dog)!

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: Nashville Boutique (similar, similar)
Wedges: DSW (similar, similar)
Necklace: Stella & Dot (exact)
Clutch: Stella & Dot (exact)

September Wedding

It seems relatively easy to think of a pretty outfit to wear as a guest during "wedding season."  You know, June through August when it seems like you have a wedding to attend almost every weekend.  Just throw on your prettiest sundress and your strappiest sandals and you are ready to go!

Now fall weddings, that's another story entirely...especially in September!  First of all, there is the weather to contend with.  The temperatures could soar into the 80s or dip into the 60s (here in Michigan at least).  And weather aside, I know that I'm ready to look a bit more ready for fall.  So what's a girl to do?!

It's a good thing my friend Ada of Elegance and Mommyhood invited me to collaborate with her and two other lovely bloggers to feature our favorite fall-transition wedding guest looks!

So what's my answer to the September wedding-wear conundrum?  Two things: light, pretty layers and fall colors!  I know I've discussed my trouble with kimonos before, but I do love this one!  Not to mention its floral print gives it a feminine and romantic vibe-- exactly what I'm going for at a wedding.  On the practical side, it provides a bit of extra warmth on a chill almost fall evening but can be easily removed for a night on the dance floor!

Using the quintessential little black dress as a foundation, I've added elements in colors that make me think of fall!  Vibrant orange heels and floral print plus a deep green clutch take this basic dress into the cooler months.

And did you notice that my clutch speaks French?  Le Tote sure knew the way to my heart with this one!

And now let's take a look at how Ada, Carrie and Jennie dressed-up for a September Wedding!  Make sure to stop by their blogs to read about their beautiful choices!

Looks like I missed the pink memo!

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: Banana Republic Outlet (similar, similar)

Kimono: Ruche (similar, similar)

Heels: DSW (similar, similar)

Clutch: Le Tote (exact)

Where I'm linking-up!

Create28: My Summer Date Night Look

Happy Friday, ladies!  Do you have any fun plans this evening to celebrate the start of the weekend?  Perhaps you have a date tonight with a special someone!  What are you going to wear??  It's a good thing that's what we're discussing on day 24 of Create28: Lovely Summer Looks...summer date night looks!

My favorite date night look will always consist of that perfect little dress.  You know, that one that fits in all the right places, feels a bit flirty and makes you feel like a million bucks!  Add some cute wedges and I am ready for a night on the town!

I wore this Milly for Kohl's dress for my birthday dinner in May and just knew that I had to pull it out again before the end of the summer.  Sometimes with such bold pieces, I struggle to think of remixing options.  But ladies, it's all about the accessories.  You may remember that I wore this dress before with pink pumps but navy espadrilles give it a different vibe.  I also added a bold Kendra Scott necklace for a bit more glamour.  And don't forget that cute little clutch!

What is your go-to date night look.  Perhaps some short shorts or a sexy romper?  Carrie, Casey and I want to see you all gussied-up on Instagram (#create28summerlooks) and for our link-up on Monday!

Looking for some more ideas...

Follow Whitney R.'s board Summer Date Night on Pinterest.

And don't forget to enter our giveaway!  At the end of the month we will mail the lucky winner a $75 gift card to her choice of Gap Brand Stores, LOFT, Nordstrom or Target!  Check-out how to enter below.

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: Kohl's (similar, similar)
Necklace: Kendra Scott (exact)
Clutch: South Moon Under (exact in black)
Wedges: DSW (exact)

Entry-Form