Blogging Besties: Nude Sandals

Ahh, it feels good to be creating Blogging Besties posts with Alex again!  For those of you who are new to this series, you can find an explanation here and all of our past posts here.  Having just a little bit of inspiration makes getting dressed so much more fun, in my opinion, and Alex provided lots of good ideas with her outfit last Friday!

Of all of her adorable pieces, I chose to pass-on a pair of nude sandals!  They are a perfect neutral upon which to build a fun outfit!

I don't know about you, but I'm already itching to buy fall clothes.  I admit to purchasing a few sweaters on a recent shopping trip but I also picked-up this bright maxi skirt on clearance at Old Navy.  It's the perfect piece to keep me excited about summer ensembles for the next month or so!

For its first outing, I didn't want to pair the skirt with an expected color...so I chose this moss green tee from Everlane.  While I wouldn't have initially thought these colors would pair so well, the scarf really pulls the palate together!  I also took notes from Casey and added a statement necklace underneath the scarf for added interest.

Now we want you to take an element from my outfit and incorporate it into one of yours...then we want you to link-up next week and show us how you wore it!  Here are the items you have to choose from: a neutral tee, a (bright) maxi skirt, a scarf, a statement necklace, a scarf with a statement necklace or nude sandals.  Check back next Friday to see what Alex passes-on!

P.S.  I'm guest posting again for Ada of Elegance and Mommyhood!  Pop on over and say "hello!"

What I'm Wearing:

Tee: Everlane (exact but different colors)

Skirt: Old Navy (exact)

Scarf: Target (similar, similar)

Necklace: Kendra Scott (exact)

Wedges: France (similar, similar)

Previous Editions of Blogging Besties

Featured On:

Whitney à la mode

Undergraduate Style

What did you pass-on from Alex's look last week?

Create28: Summer Color Combos Look

Happy Monday (if there is such a thing), and welcome to day six of Create28: Lovely Summer Looks!  It's Whitney and I'm here to show you one of my favorite Summer Color Combos.  When Carrie, Casey and I decided that I would be the one to post about this topic, I have to admit, I was a little bit overwhelmed.  There are so many color combinations that make me think of summer!  There is sunshiny yellow, beachy coral, nautical navy and so many other colors that can be combined every which way!

Ultimately I chose an almost mono-chromatic look composed of shades of blues and greens as my summer color ensemble.  It's so much fun to spend this time of year outside and these hues remind me of the grass and the sky.  I also feel a bit nautically (is that really a word?) in this outfit...although I'm not sure that a sequined tank top is entirely appropriate boat-wear.  Although let's face it, I could find a reason to wear sequins just about anywhere!

What's your favorite summer color combination?  Here are a few other ideas that we found:

Follow Whitney R.'s board Summer Color Combinations on Pinterest.

You can show us your favorite warm-weather hues on Instagram (#Create28SummerLooks) or by linking-up TODAY!  You can find the link-up below and don't forget to link each of your Create28 looks from the past week!  Then, stop by tomorrow to see Casey's Summer Bright Look.

What I'm Wearing:
Tank: J.Crew Factory (similar, similar)
Skirt: Banana Republic (similar, similar)
Belt: Target (similar, similar)
Wedges: France (similar, similar)

An InLinkz Link-up

Bad Hair Days and Picture Problems

Do you ever feel bummed when you waste a great outfit on a bad hair day, or is it just me?  I know it's silly but when I wear my favorite pieces from my wardrobe, I want my whole look to be perfect!  Unfortunately, my curly hair has a mind of its own on most days.  I'm trying to convince myself that an adorable dress (like this little ASOS number) should make me feel more confident on unruly curl days instead of feeling like a waste.  Try as I might, though, it can be so hard to overcome mindsets like this. The struggle is real, my friends.

Speaking of struggling, I have been having a hard time getting the quality pictures that I want for this blog lately.  I mentioned in June that I had parted ways with someone who had been a big and important part of my life for a really really long time.  While I absolutely feel that I made a healthy decision for myself, there have also been challenging moments as a result of this major life change.  One of the (albeit more minor) difficulties I have encountered is the loss of my regular blog photographer and the fancy camera.

(An attempt at creative posing.  Maricel, you do this so much better!)

For awhile, I was having girlfriends snap photos of me as we headed out for brunch or happy hour.  While these lovely ladies have never complained, I feel bad asking them to do this so frequently.  Not to mention, I have a self-imposed feeling of having to rush during these situations.  So, I have decided to work on taking these pictures myself...but this is hard.  And as a perfectionist, I feel frustrated with the quality of the photos I'm taking.

(Changing from flats to wedges takes this dress from day to evening.)

For those of you who take your own blog photos (or who have done so in the past), what are your best tricks?  What equipment do you use?  Any suggestions for someone on a pretty tight budget?

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: ASOS (exact)
Flats: Hand-me-downs (similar, similar)
Wedges: France (similar, similar)

Linking-Up:
DC In Style- Monday Bloom
Greater Than Rubies and Tucker Up- The Lovely Lookbook
I Do DeClaire- Confident Twosday
Pink Sole and Cha Cha the Fashion Genius- #HowIFall
Style Elixir- Style Sessions

Vintage Romance: an eShakti Dress

While on a certain level, clothes are just items that you use to cover and protect your body, I find it interesting and fun that clothing can make you feel certain things about yourself!  A great outfit can make you feel confident, focused, sexy or relaxed.

And I love the way this dress makes me feel!  It is beautiful and has a sort of vintage romance feel that I absolutely adore.  When I wear it, I feel oh so lovely and feminine!  The floral print is beautiful and the seaming is really flattering!

Where might you find such a pretty dress as this, you ask?  Please take a moment to visit the online boutique, eShakti.  eShakti is a clothing company based in India.  They create and produce beautiful and unique pieces...and the best part?  You can customize any of the items to fit you and your style perfectly!  You can simply choose a standard size or you can give them your measurements for an exact fit. You can also request to change features of the item like the neckline, sleeve-length or skirt length.  I'm so excited and thankful that eShakti gave me the opportunity to choose a dress and to wear it here on Whitney à la mode!

For such a beautiful dress, I want to show you two ways to style it!  My first look is a bit more fancy.  I chose some sparkly pearls and nude wedges to highlight the vintage vibe of the dress.  This ensemble would be perfect to wear to a summer wedding or for a romantic evening on the town (would anyone like to invite me to a wedding or set me up with a handsome date??).

For my second look, I wanted to make the dress a bit more casual.  I added a denim jacket and booties for a more relaxed vibe.  Adding layers is also a great way to take a summer dress into the fall!  I can't wait to wear this for brunch with my girlfriends!

I couldn't be more pleased with this dress from eShakti!  I hope that you will visit their website and that you will perhaps treat yourself to a unique piece that has been customized just for you!

Disclaimer: This dress was provided to me by eShakti but all opinions are my own!

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: eShakti (similar, similar)

Pearl Necklace: Simply Charming, Winchester, VA (similar, similar)

Wedges: France (similar, similar)

Denim Jacket: Hand-me-down (similar, similar)

Booties: Belk (similar, similar)

Linking-Up:

DC In Style- Monday Bloom

The Modern Austen- Sunday Best

I Do DeClaire- Confident TWOsdays

Style Elixir- Style Sessions

Oh the Lazy Days of Summer

Soooo, I've been a little bit absent from the blogging world of late.  I wish I had a good excuse for you but the truth is, I've been enjoying my lazy summer days.  Have I had the time to write a blog post, respond to comments, and visit my favorite blogs?  Sure!  Have I been reading books, napping and drinking wine with my family and friends instead?  You betcha!  Alas, all of this glorious relaxation time will soon come to a close as I trade my yoga pants and MSU t-shirts for teacher clothes and alarm clocks starting a week from today!  But don't worry, I'm prepared to squeeze out every little bit of this summertime calm before I'm back to spending my days teaching French, grading papers and creating lesson plans.

Speaking of being lazy, however, I wore this outfit over two months ago but just now got around to posting about it.  I wore this ensemble for my birthday...in May.  The coral dress and gold accessories felt really pretty and special, so I really don't know why I didn't blog about it!  Anyways, better late than never, right?!  (At least until my students start trying to use this logic regarding their homework).

This is an outfit that is truly a result of my exposure to the world of style blogging.  This dress came with a thin sash/belt in the same color and fabric as the dress.  Before learning about remixing clothing and incorporating accessories to change up a look, I would have just stuck with that sash.  While the sash makes for a pretty ensemble, it is a lot more fun to play with different belts!  

I had to throw in a selfie to show off the adorable Kate Spade earrings that were a birthday gift from my thoughtful sister and brother-in-law.  Thanks, Kayla and Brad!

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: Simply Charming Boutique, Winchester, VA (similar, similar)

Belt: Francesca's (similar, similar)

Shoes: France (similar, similar)

Earrings: Kate Spade (similar, similar)

Linking-Up:

Cha Cha the Fashion Genius and Pink Sole- #HowISummer

DC In Style- Monday Bloom
The Modern Austen- Sunday Best
I Do DeClaire- Confident TWOSdays
Style Elixir- Style Sessions