Fashion is a Verb

Shorts of the Summer

Now that the weather is consistently warm and I can wear shorts everyday, my love for One Teaspoon denim has become an obsession. I wear my One Teaspoon jean shorts all the time. I have already bought three pairs – with a fourth pair en route! I have never had great luck with denim shorts in the past, but that all changed once I discovered One Teaspoon. They are stylish, they fit me perfectly, and they are extremely well made – check, check, and check!

Since I have already blogged about where you can buy them, this go around I am going to show you how I have styled mine so far this Summer.

blue buoy

Although the One Teaspoon bandits are a bit short, you can still make them look like more than just a pair of cut-off booty shorts. This was actually today’s “fourth of July” outfit – which I wore to work.

bb 2

These are the exact same shorts from the first picture, just styled a bit different, since this outfit was for date night.

free love

These bandits are the same exact style as the ones above, just in a different color. Unfortunately, these ‘le surf’ bandits are practically sold out everywhere. Which is no surprise since they are so awesome! You can hardly see in this picture, but the left side has “Free Love” embroidered above the front pocket.

white

Since I love the bandits sooo much, I have decided to get them in white. It was clearly meant to be because I just found the on sale via ShopBop!

bonitas

These One Teaspoon bonitas were beyond difficult to get my hands on. Not only have they been sold out for months, they also appear to have been discontinued. However, I recently stumbled into a local boutique and found one pair left – that just happened to be my size!! Oddly enough, it was my first time at Bungalow Seven and I had no clue that they even carried One Teaspoon. These shorts were clearly meant for my closet!

I just bought the bonitas a few days ago, however, I’ll be sure to share how I styled them once I break them in!

Outfit #1

Top (JCrew), Shorts (Blue Buoy Bandits), Mules (Stubbs & Wootton), Sunglasses (SMU)

Outfit #2

Top (ASTR), Necklace (Anna Beck), Shorts (Blue Buoy Bandits), Sandals (Schutz)

Outfit #3

Top (Sanctuary), Shorts (Le Surf Bandits), Sneakers (Comme des Garcons), Sunglasses (Quay)

Après Sun

It is officially Summer and the heat is upon us! As much as I looove a beautiful beach day, my skin and hair don’t always agree. In order to combat flaky skin and brittle hair, I have gradually acquired a group of products that help my skin and hair recover from the salt water and sun exposure. Because, what good is a deep tan and blonde hair if it looks like sh*t!

I have always been a huge fan of the Kerastase Elixir Ultime, but I recently decided to give the Oribe Gold Lust oil a try. Honestly, I love them both. Each one smells amazing and keeps my hair soft and frizz-free. I apply the Gold Lust oil to my wet hair after I get out of the shower, or when I get home from the beach and decide to rock my salty hair to work. It truly makes such a difference – especially when you have long tangly hair like mine!

Another Oribe product I just started using is the Royal Blowout spray. Since the heat protectant spray I used before is no longer available, I decided to go with Oribe. The damage from the sun and salt water already takes such a toll on my hair that when I blow it dry, I have to use a protectant spray. The combination of the Gold Lust oil with the Royal Blowout spray makes my hair sooo soft and keeps it feeling nice and healthy!

I also recommend using an Oribe shampoo and conditioner! My favorites are the Gold Lust and the Bright Blonde collections.

Now, when it comes to my face, I have several products that I use when I get home from the beach. The Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate is amazing. I have posted about this stuff before, but it works miracles on a sun burnt face. I either apply this under my tinted moisturizer if I am going out for the night, or I apply it under my Kiehl’s night cream.

sk-II

After that, I apply my SK-II eye cream. My eyes get super puffy and red when my skin gets dried out from the sun and this eye cream not only combats that, but it also prevents signs of aging! It also comes with a tiny little application spoon so you apply just the right amount.

mask

It doesn’t happen very often any more, but when I get super burnt and my skin is in serious need of moisture, this Kiehl’s mask is unlike any other. Every time that I use this mask, I wake up the next morning with the best dewy skin a girl could ask for. I have even made Rob use it on his hands at night when they get torn up at work and it works wonders!

maui babe

While there are a million products out there for your face and your hair, there are hardly any products meant for sun burnt skin, aside from the standard Aloe Vera. I have been a big fan of the Maui Babe browning lotion for some time now; however, I recently discovered their After Browning Lotion and I am obsessed! This stuff is truly the best stuff I have ever used on my sun burnt skin. It is packed full with all of the nutrients your skin craves after a day in the sun. I will apply this on top of my Kiehl’s body lotion after I shower, and then I reapply as needed throughout the day. My skin not only is extremely soft, it smells absolutely amazing! I highly recommend this product!! The best part is that you can likely find it at your local grocery store – I get mine from Harris Teeter.

Hanky Panky

Finding the right under garments can be such a challenge these days. With all of the different style tops and pants out there, it can be quite difficult to find under garments that give you the appropriate amount of coverage and comfort. One of the perks, of being a lifetime member to the itty bitty titty club, is that I can get away without wearing a bra – most of the time. However, whenever I find a great top that is sheer or has an open back, I am at a loss. Luckily, I have discovered a few brands that have made getting dressed so much easier!

shapers

These Breast Shapers are a game changer. Not only do they provide full coverage, but they actually give you some lift. On top of that, they are reusable up to 25 times. I love them. When it comes to a low back top or dress, these are perfect.

Free People bralettes are another favorite of mine. They come in a variety of great colors and they have so many fun designs. I actually haven’t worn a real bra in years because these bralettes are so stinkin’ comfortable!

If the Free People bralettes aren’t for you, then check out Hanky Panky. The one pictured above is my absolute favorite bralette. It is so unbelievably comfortable and the colors are great!

undies

I actually first discovered Hanky Panky underwear back in high school and was instantly hooked. I have just about every color they make in the boy short. The thong is one of their most popular styles, however, I am a huge fan of the boy cut. You can wear these under anything and you won’t see an underwear line. Not only will you love how comfy they are, but you will love the fact that you can wear the light colors under white pants and not worry about color showing through! I haven’t owned any other brand of underwear in years and I doubt I will ever find another brand that I love as much.

cami

As far as a camisole goes, Nordstrom’s has the best selection. The Nordstrom brand cami is my favorite because it is reversible from front to back and it is seamless. Most camisoles dig into your collar bone or are cut wrong so they keep riding up, but not these! This cami is perfectly cut and super comfortable. To top it off, they are well priced!

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I haven’t worn a real bra in years, but I have grown up watching my sister and mom struggle to find the perfect bra. I must say that Nordstrom’s has the absolute best selection of bras. I highly recommend going into your local Nordstrom and get properly fitted by one of their specialist. They will help you find exactly what you need and, as always, the customer service is excellent! One of my mom’s favorite brands is Wacoal, which she was introduced to by the Nordstrom’s lingerie specialist.

I hope this helps getting dressing a bit easier for y’all!

Beach Bag Essentials

Although the official start of Summer is still a month away, I’ve always considered Memorial Day weekend the start of Summer. So in preparation for the weekend ahead, I want to share my beach bag essentials! I always have my beach bag on standby so I can scurry on up to the beach at a moments notice and these are my must-haves for any beach day.

For as long as I can remember I have always used either a Billabong back pack or a Vineyard Vines tote as a beach bag. However, this year I am buying myself a woven tote because it is much easier to dump the sand out of than a bag with pockets. It is also way cuter! I have narrowed my choices down to the following three bags. The Kayu St Tropez tote (above) which comes in a handful of great colors.

sundry bag

This fun Sundry bag.

giselle

Or this Giselle tote. Each one is so cute but I have yet to make up my mind!

beach people

When it comes to beach towels, I am always trying to find a huge blanket style towel that actually will absorb water. The Beach People towels have been on my radar for a few years now and this guy is officially mine. They make a variety of great towels in tons of patterns and colors – which makes it hard to only buy one!

S&L

My other choice for a nice and big beach towel is Serena & Lily. The aqua color is perfectly beachy and the size is great for sharing!

bain

Now, being born and raised by the beach has given me years to test out all of the tanning lotions out there and there are only two that I use – and swear by. Bain de Soleil Orange Gelee has been an integral part of my tanning routine for years now and it is amazing. This stuff not only helps you tan it also seems to prevent me from burning. Of course, it only has SPF 4 in it, so if you have fair skin then I recommend using a much higher SPF.

maui

Maui Babe is my other favorite tanning lotion. This one literally smells like coffee beans, which I love! It does a great job of helping you achieve a dark tan. The only complaint I have is that the color gets all over your swimsuit when you apply it. The color washes out, but I would recommend the Bain de Soleil on the days that you are wearing a white swim suit!

nuetrogena

As much as I love a deep dark tan on my body, I never play around with my face and neck. My sister always makes fun of me because by the end of the Summer by body is ten shades darker than my face. However, I am trying to protect my face and prevent any sun damage – which could lead to premature aging. Neutrogena makes my favorite face sunscreen. I have been using this for several years and not only does it work well, it also doesn’t make my skin break out. I also use their Ultra Sheer Stick for my lips.

hat

To provide additional protection and to help keep the sun out of my eyes, I found this perfect cotton sun hat from JCrew. They have several great hat options – each for a great price! I particularly love this hat because it is soft and made from cotton which won’t make my head itch.

shades

One thing that you will never catch me on the beach without, is a pair of sunglasses. I typically like my Ray-Bans the best for the beach because they are polarized and sturdy. However, I also love a cute pair of shades that match my bikini, so sometimes fashion out weighs practicality.

The most important item in my beach bag will always be my water. I am honestly not a fan of the Swell water bottles because they don’t hold more than a bottle and a half of water. I drink a ton of water each day – especially when I am out in the sun. I recently discovered these awesome BKR water bottles which actually hold a liter of water. The little spiked guy is so cool, but, at the moment, the spiked collection only comes in the 500mL size. So for the time being I’ll stick to this pretty blue bottle and stay hydrated!

Two additional items that I keep in my beach bag at all times are It’s A 10 leave in conditioner and Off bug spray. The conditioner helps prevent my hair from turning into dreadlocks and of course, the bug spray always comes in handy when the wind suddenly switches and sends the bugs right at you!

I know this was a long post, but these are truly the essentials when it comes to packing a bag for the beach. Fingers crossed the weather is nice this Memorial Day weekend so I can grab my bag and head off to the beach!

Summer Denim

I cannot believe that Memorial Day is only a week away – which means it is time to bust out those white pants! I know white denim has been super on trend lately and it’s no longer considered a fashion faux pas to wear white during the colder months, however, for me, white pants are meant for Spring and Summer. Perhaps it’s because I have always associated white pants with warm, sunny days and a dark tan, but regardless of when you decide to wear white, these are the pants you’ll want in your wardrobe.

I have posted about these jeans a few times now – they really are that awesome. They fit like a glove, yet have so much stretch to them. I am a big fan of skinny jeans that truly are skinny from top to bottom and these Frame ‘Le Skinny’ jeans are perfection. Now the rips may not work for everyone, so if you prefer a milder version, than these JBrand jeans are another favorite of mine.

avedon

If you are looking for a classic pair of white skinny jeans, then look no further. These Citizens were the first pair of white jeans that I bought many years ago and I still love them. The quality is great and so is the fit. I actually have this exact pair in black as well! Being 5’9″, sometimes it is super difficult to buy a ‘crop’ or ‘ankle’ pant because they look like capris on me – however, these jeans are the perfect length which is probably why I love them so much!

These Hudson jeans are a new addition to my closet and I looove them. I would have never picked these out online, but when I saw them in person at South Moon Under I had to have them! They are so stinkin’ cool and unlike any other pants that I own. Hudson’s tend to stretch out a bit over time, so I recommend buying down a size.

shorts

One Teaspoon is most certainly my favorite brand for denim shorts. The cut is exactly what I have always wanted in a pair of shorts and the quality is excellent! I bought the ‘Bandits’ in the buoy wash a little while ago and fell in love. So, of course, now these white ones are going to join them!

Summer is officially creepin’ up on us, so check back tomorrow for my Beach Bag Essentials!

Gettin’ Graphic

I have always been a fan of feeling comfortable while looking chic and lately I’ve had this new found obsession with graphic tees. They are perfect for transitioning an outfit from day to night while still allowing you to feel nice and cozy. Below are a few of my favorite new tees and how I have been wearing them out and about!

The lighting in my photos doesn’t do this t-shirt justice, but it actually says “JEANS JEANS JEANS”. I mean how can you not wear this shirt with denim? It’s such a fun play on the classic t-shirt & jeans. My shorts are One Teaspoon and the sandals are from Madewell.

I am super obsessed with this tank top for two reasons. One – because I think that vintage band tees are so cool. Two – because the back of this top is open!

Now I know that everyone can’t get away with going bra-less, but I have recently discovered these Commando “covers” and they are life changing. I highly recommend them! Back to the outfit, my jeans are Blank NYC and the sandals are Madewell (same as above, but in black).

I have always loved the look of camo – perhaps, because I was raised on the Eastern Shore! This t-shirt is soooo soft and cozy, but really cool looking. It also comes in a few different color options. These jeans are also amazingly comfy and have a ton of stretch in them. I could have taken a nap in this outfit! My jeans are Frame and my sandals are Schutz.

Sadly, I don’t know much about the Rolling Stones nor the Grateful Dead, but I love these tees! I actually wore this outfit out to dinner last week for date night and got tons of compliments on my shirt. The back of this tee has all of the cities from the Stones tour, so it actually looks like a real vintage concert tee! It does run small though, so I recommend ordering up a size. My pants are Blank NYC, my shoes are Sam Edelman, and my sweater is Autumn Cashmere.

Thanks for reading!

Bikini Season – Part II

As I mentioned in my last post, there truly is no limit to the amount of bikinis you should have. With all of the amazing options out there, it’s impossible to choose just a few. So, I have a few more suits that I am adding to my list for this Summer!

Vitamin A has always been one of my favorite bikini brands. They have the best quality swimwear and some of the cutest beach coverups! This particular suit comes in a variety of colors but I am a major fan of this blue. My favorite part is the braiding detail on the straps – it adds that extra little something that makes this suit amazing!

I have mentioned my obsession with Andi Bagus in previous posts and how much I love all of their products. This top can be worn with the ties in the front which is super cute or it could be worn as an actual top – not just a bikini top. They offer a wide variety of bikini bottoms that you could pair with this top.

These bottoms are my favorite. Since the top is the statement piece, I want my bottoms to be subtle, and these are perfect. You can buy the top and bottoms in almost any color but this periwinkle is perfection!

Next up is this feminine suit from Marysia. I discovered this brand on Instagram about a month ago. They have a small collection of suits but each one is beautiful. This suit comes in white, pale pink, and black. Each color looks so amazing that I truly cannot decide which one I want the most!

mollyj

Another great Insta find was Molly J Swim. This top is perfect for girls like myself – lifetime members to the itty bitty titty club! I am not normally a fan of pink but this “dusty rose” color is so pretty and would look great with a tan.

Now all I need is for Summer to get here so I can break out all these great bikinis!!