Dear Diary, meet the twosie

Asos Reclaimed Vintage crop top and skirt

Rompers are one of my favorite trends because like a dress, one piece can be the entire outfit. Onesies are also great because the shorts factor keeps you feeling secure and ready for wherever the morning/afternoon/evening will take you. The problem with onesies, like with one-piece swimsuits, is that in order to go to the bathroom, you essentially must strip down to nothing to get your business done. This can be incredibly awkward, uncomfortable and without a doubt annoying. Luckily the fashion industry heard this, and the twosie was born. 

Asos Lotus Floral Frill top and skirt

This matching top and bottom trend has been around for a few seasons and I'm totally in love. Both pieces worn together makes you look trendy, and each piece can function on its own in your closet! Three options for two pieces? What a deal. 

ASOS Palm Beach Twosie 

If you are looking at this trend and think, "How odd, this is how toddlers dress," that's okay. Certain prints and styles are a bit more Hanna Anderson circa 1996, but there are plenty of options out there. Unfortunately not all stores have caught up to the 'twosie' lingo, so finding these sweet sets can sometimes be tricky. Luckily Asos.com has picked it up and has twosies (and onesies) easily accessible on their website. 

Asos In Floral Print jacket and shorts

The matching jacket and bottoms are a look I'd love to rock in the office, but I'm pretty sure you'd have to be working in a very relaxed environment, or at least one that encourages trying all kinds of fashion trends to get away with it! Don't eliminate this trend too soon though- the midi length skirts with the matching top or jacket would be a perfect look for any working girl. Just be careful not to have an exposed stomach! The more fitted twosies look better with a little midriff while the looser cut styles can happily meet in the middle. 

American Apparel Raglan top and skirt

XOXO

Dear Diary, Blair is going to be so pissed

Snaps to Blake for landing her fourth Vogue cover before her 27th birthday

All hail the tall, caucasian, blonde Queen B! My favorite girl Blake Lively has made headlines has once again made headlines in a purely positive way (starlets and B-Listers take note) by launching her own website. Preserve is the shop/blog/editorial's title and serves as an ode to 'preserving' artisan craftsmanship. Guests can find a range of prices and products from curry ketchup to a wooden cutting board in the shape of the continental United States. 

This Lindsey Thornburg wrap dress sold out in 8 hours. 

Aside from the shopping, there is a feel-good aspect to the e-commerce site. Preserve is a proud partner with Covenant House, an organization dedicated to providing to the homeless, as well as the trafficked and abused youth. They state on their Greater Good page: 

"We have set our first goal of giving 5,000 children a meal, 2,000 children a blanket, and 2,700 children a warm hoodie, all within the U.S."

Sounds pretty sweet to me! 

I can't afford to buy this bandana for $62, but you know Serena could and would. 

Many people look at this turn to the local, handmade industry with hope that it's popularity will last for years to come. I certainly hope so! It's a return to the way (I'm assuming) things used to be, before factories and machines made everything we touched. That may be the reason our generation is so nostalgic for hand-crafted goods and farmer's markets, they're things we only heard or read about, not something we experienced growing up. For me, homemade food has always been part of my life because I am blessed with a mother and grandmothers who have a passion for cooking, but it leaves most of my friends shocked. I've made blackberry ice cream at my grandmother's house in northern California, and not from berries in a plastic carton. We would pick them wild off the trail near the river and carry them in sacks over our bike handles back to her house. My mother makes her own tomato sauce and no, she's not Italian. Just this weekend I used Mom's recipe to make cinnamon rolls from scratch (it's so easy I swear) and my friends who ate them with me were bamboozled. 

My 20th birthday gift made by my Jamma - easily the best thing I've ever received! 

I love the direction our popular culture is swinging and I love Blake's latest endeavor. If you'd like to read more about the growing local industry, check out this article from Seattle Pi and if you'd like to read more about Preserve check out any of these articles: 

Vogue // US Weekly // Elle // Popsugar

It's unclear who the 'us' is that the website keeps referring to, or who else is contributing to the web design, marketing or editorial aspects. Maybe Mrs. Ryan Reynolds will be looking for an intern soon? I'll keep my fingers crossed. 

XOXO

Dear Diary, a white skirt round-up

White skirts are the ultimate summer staple. They're versatile, seasonal, and easy to wear (if you can avoid spilling!). This must-have style is also a great item to wear for Recruitment, and may even be required by your school or chapter. There are hundreds of options, so finding the right white skirt for you can be tricky sometimes. Whether its required for you or not, a white skirt is something every girl should have in her closet. Here is a collection of skirts I found that range in style and price, hopefully one of them will work for you!

White House Black Market – Pencil Skirt {on sale for $36.99}

White House Black Market – A-Line Skirt {$88}

White House Black Market – Tiered Lace Pencil Skirt {$150}also comes in Petite

 

Vineyard Vines – Eyelet Margo Skirt {$125}

Vineyard Vines – Dayboat Skirt {$78} *one of my favorites!

Ralph Lauren – Striped Organza Skirt {on sale for $179}

French Connection – Sunshine Walk Skirt  {$99.50}

Nordstrom's - Topshop Scallop Hem A-Line Skirt {$76}

Nordstrom's - Painted Threads Knit A-Line Skirt (Juniors) {$28}

Norsdstrom's - Chelsea28 Pleat Chiffon Skirt {$78}

Rachel Zoe – Indio Skirt {$150}

Party Skirts - {$195}

Urban Outfitters - Silence + Noise Ashton Double-Layer Mini {$59}

Old Navy – Eyelet Pencil Skirt {29.94}

Old Navy – White Denim Pencil Skirt {$32.94}

Gap – Pleated Linen Skirt {on sale for $37.99}

American Apparel - Natural Denim Circle Skirt {$54}

XOXO

Dear Diary, mid-summer sales are in full swing!

Hello everyone! I know it's been a while, but I've been adventuring overseas (post to follow). Great news for everyone's closets though- mid-summer sales have arrived! Shops are ready to get rid of early summer merchandise to make room for late summer and early fall items, so you get to snap up that sun hat you've been eyeing! Here are a few hot sales to get you started on your summer break bargin hunt:

Kate Spade New York

Take an extra 25% off sale items with code MORESALE

J. Crew

30% off select styles plus up to 50% off sale styles with code HISUMMER

Vineyard Vines

Take an extra 30% off sale items with code SUMMER3014

Ralph Lauren

Take an extra 25% off select sale times with code SUMER14

Urban Outfitters

Up to 70% off

Anthropologie

Up to 50% off

ASOS

Up to 50% off

White House Black Market

Take an extra 25% off sale

Gap

Up to 40% off select styles

Banana Republic 

Up to 50% off and an extra 30% off summer sale styles with code BRSALE30

Modcloth

30% off all Swim

Party Skirts - Check out this new company, their skirts are adorable!

Up to 30% off summer styles

BCBG Maxazria

Take an extra 20% off all sale merchandise 

Piperlime 

Take an extra 20% off select designer items with code DESIGNER

Macy's

Summer sale plus an extra 20% off home & select departments

Dillard's

Take an additional 30% off sale items

Forever 21

Who thought it could get cheaper?

Happy shopping!

XOXO

Dear Diary, it's Monogram Monday!

Last week my article in our all-Greek newspaper here on campus was on monogramming - you can read it online here! You'll find tips, guidelines and fun facts about the best way to mark something as yours. Below is some monogram inspiration from my personal collection... you know what they say- if it's not moving, monogram it!

XOXO