Dressy Affair

Dress: Blue Door Boutique (similar) | Necklace: Francesca's | Shoes: Francesca's (similar)

I have been contemplating my next dressy outfit post, and I thought this was a perfect choice. Big shout out to Blue Door Boutique for this beautiful dress! The second I got this dress in the mail I knew it was going to be paired with my coral statement necklace. (I just so happened to have coral nails and toes as well)!  I think this would be the perfect dress for a summer wedding or a nice dinner in the city. The dress is breezy, loose fitting and perfect for the hot Midwestern summer months. I am a casual dresser majority of the time, but I love showing off my super girly side every once in a while!

Instagood

Just sharing some of my favorite Instagram pictures for the month of July! I can't believe it's been almost a month already since I started my blog. There is definitely some exciting things to come, and I can't wait to share all of it with my readers! Look for an outfit post here within the next couple of days. Have a great weekend!

Jean shorts

Jean Shorts: Urban Outfitters | Eyelet Top: Urban Outfitters: | Shoes: DV by Dolce Vita

It's been in the high 90's this past week, so shorts and an open top was a must! I have recently been straying away from jean shorts and substituting them with skirts, dresses or dark skinny jeans. But, with the weather lately the less clothing the better. I realized after my last outfit post that those were about the only plain jean shorts I owned that weren't high-waisted, so I decided to go out looking for a new pair! I am definitely satisfied with my selection. I was looking for just a medium wash with a mid-rise fit and I found just that. I paired my new shorts with a breezy cream top and a pair of nude flip flops. Simple, as always.

Weekend at the lake

(All photos were taken with my iphone, sorry they aren't the BEST of quality, they'll do though!)

This past weekend me and my guy spent 4 days at Patoka lake with his family. It was definitely a much needed get away for him and I! We both have spent the majority of our summer working at our jobs and internships, so a few days in the sun and water was just the cure for our no longer a kid blues.

His family is amazing and I couldn't thank them enough for what they did for us all weekend. We spent our first day just relaxing and unpacking our things into our cozy little cabin, finishing off the night with pizza and a movie. The second day was spend at Holiday World in Santa Claus, IN. It was my first time, and it was so much fun. I'm like a little kid when it comes to theme parks, so I was totally in my element that day. The next two days were spent on a boat in the middle of the water with a cold drink in our hands. (Honestly, what is better than that?!) After too much sun, too much beer and no more sunscreen or lunchmeat it was time to head home! Thank you Michael, Todd, Tammy, Brittany and Lauren for a fabulous weekend. I'm a lucky girl to have such great people in my life! 

On a side note, my recent post with U lala went live. I gave you all a preview a little while back, and now it's finally out there! In need of some serious retail therapy? Check out my favorite places to shop in my favorite college town here.

Stay tuned for an outfit post this week!

Casual Thursday

Shirt: Loft | Shorts: Old Navy (old) | Shoes: Converse | Sunglasses: Ray Ban | Watch: Michael Kors

Hi guys! I am writing a short and sweet post today before I head to the lake for the weekend with my boyfriend and his family. I decided to show a more casual side of my wardrobe. For the most part, my style is very laid back. I thought this was the perfect outfit for today because it's comfortable for the long car ride, but stylish at the same time! These beautiful ivory colored converse just came in the mail this week so I could not wait to finally wear them! I would wear a pair of converse or vans over pumps any day of the week. New shoes are my biggest weakness, I'm sure you'll realize that as my blog grows! Hope you all have an amazing weekend! Stay cool, it's going to be a hot one!

Liebster Award

Hi guys! Hope you're all having an amazing week! So yesterday I received a comment on my latest outfit post from the lovely Katherine at Series of Serendipity. She complimented my outfit and shoes, and told me she was nominating me for a Liebster Award! Basically, this award is for up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. It's a great way to get the word out on all the new great blogs and maybe make some friends along the way. The rules, along with the questions Katherine gave me are listed below!

                                                                             Rules

1. The nominees must answer the 11 questions provided by the nominator

2. Choose 11 of your favorite blogs (with under 200 followers) to be nominated

3. Make up 11 new questions for those bloggers

4. Let the nominees know they have been tagged/nominated

5. You cannot tag back or tag the same person

I am more familiar with the well known blogs, so this was a bit of a challenge. I decided to pick people all of whom I do not know, and whose blogs I came across by complete chance to make it more fun. 

Heres who I tagged:

1. just kate

2. my.pearl

3. Patterned Love

4. & Pretty Things

5. A Sequin Love Affair

6. The blonde latte

7. The Darling Prepster

8. Four Seasons Style

9. katie marie v 

10. Alison Wonderland | Fashion, Beauty, & Lifestyle Blog

11. Missmacbeauty

The questions given to me were:

1. What's been your favorite summer trend so far?

Anything with a floral print or a pop of neon color! 

2. What's your favorite brand?

As far as clothes go, the Loft and anything from Francesca's! (I am a sucker for those girly boutiques.)

As far as jewelry and purses go, Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors are my guys. What girl doesn't feel that way though, am I right?

3. Who is your fashion icon?

Gisele Bündchen. In my opinion, one of the most beautiful models of all time. 

OH, and Carrie Bradshaw of course! 

4. What is in your purse right now that you can't live without?

Oil blotting sheets for this sticky Midwestern summer humidity, and my minty eos lipbalm.

5. What is your favorite color to wear?

As my blog says, I'm rather simple. I like nudes, blacks, whites, and a pop of coral or mint every now and again.

6. What's your favorite thing to cook or bake?

I'm not much of either, but if I could pick one thing it's definitely chocolate cupcakes with creamy chocolate icing!

7. What do you hope to accomplish with your blog in the next six months?

Gain more followers! I want people to enjoy what I post and look forward to seeing a new update every few days. I also want to get more acquainted with HTML. 

8. What piece of advice do you have for any other bloggers starting out?

I waited and had excuses for why I shouldn't make one. "I don't have enough time." "Nobody will read it." "I don't have anything interesting to say." JUST DO IT! I am new to the scene, but I love the feeling of writing something I think my friends will like! As a journalism major interested in fashion journalism, I highly recommend practicing with a blog.

9. What's your favorite movie?

Oh my goodness, such a tough question. I'd have to say Stand By Me. Its held a special place in my heart since I was a kid.

10. What is your biggest accomplishment?

I think it's been branching out and growing as a person since I've been in college these past two years. I've got involved, and had a lot of amazing opportunities! I also have learned a lot about myself and who I am since moving out of a small town, and I think that's definitely a huge accomplishment. 

11. Where has been your favorite place you've traveled? 

I went to Montego Bay Jamaica a few years back, and it was amazing. The place in general was breathtaking and all the people are so relaxed. There is no time in Jamaica, everything is all good mon. 

My questions for the next group are:

1. Do you prefer iced coffee or hot coffee?

2. If you could eat anything for the rest of your life what would it be?

3. What is your dream job?

4. What is your dream city to live in?

5. Who is your celebrity crush?

6. Are you a dog person or a cat person?

7. What are 3 items you absolutely cannot leave the house without?

8. Who is your favorite designer?

9. What is your go to nail color?

10. What is your biggest pet peeve? 

11. Who inspires you the most in your life?

Patterned Shorts

shorts: Loft | tank top: Loft | shoes: Restricted | sunglasses: Ray Ban Watch: Michael Kors

I just bought these shorts over the weekend and I LOVE THEM! My favorite part is the loose fit and comfortable flow they have. (I also love anything high waisted!). I adored the pattern and the color combination, knowing when I bought them that they could be paired with just about any top or shoe! As you can probably tell by my first post, I keep things fairly subtle. I like my basic colors with my gold jewelry! I always think to myself that even the most basic of combinations can be the most flattering.

Peach And Nude

top: Francesca's (similar) | jeans: Urban Outfitters (similar) | shoes: Steve Madden (similar) | earrings Francesca's (same color, different style) | watch: Michael Kors 

Here we have it ladies and gents, my first outfit post! I was thinking about what outfit I wanted to feature first, and this peachy ensemble was what came to mind. 

I love the color of this blouse, I think it is a shade that looks flattering with just about any skin or hair color. I also love how loose fitting and breezy it is! Even though the sleeves are long, it's so light that during the hottest of days you're still cool! 

As for the jeans, I bought these this spring and I am obsessed with them! Nothing puts a smile on my face quite like a good fitting pair of jeans, and these did just that. They are my favorite summer jeans because of the cigarette style and dark shade that look good dressed up or dressed down!

When picking shoes I am always leaning towards nudes, browns, or blacks. You won't find me with too crazy of a shoe anytime. I love love love these nude pumps, especially because they go with just about anything. They pulled the outfit together and gave it that dressy look that would be perfect for a summer night out with the girls or a date with a special someone. 

I tied it all together with a pair of chandelier earrings and my beloved Michael Kors watch! 

Bloomington photoshoot for U lala!

As most of you probably have seen, I am a contributor to the new fashion and lifestyle blog U lala. I was used to writing strictly style advice posts with the website College Fashionista, so I was super excited to cover other loves of mine! My first post with them I covered a festival in downtown Bloomington called the Taste of Bloomington. It was a huge event devoted to all the yummy restaurants, wineries and breweries that all us Hoosier kids are obsessed with. It was definitely a good time, and I was excited I was able to experience it for the first time!

My second post I decided to do a segment on my top 5 favorites places to shop in Bloomington! Below, I gave a little bit of a sneak peak of the post, but to see the rest you must go to U lala's site early next week to check it out!

I will also be posting my very first outfit post this weekend, so stay tuned! Have a great day! 

My first post :)

I have been talking about making my own blog for months, but now I finally did it! I have been writing and contributing to other sites like College Fashionista and U lala, and this summer I am interning with Jessica Quirk, creator of the blog What I Wore. I am always brainstorming ideas for posts and things I think people would love to see and read, so what better way to express myself and my ideas than to create my own lifestyle blog? I am a journalism and apparel merchandising student at Indiana University. I couldn't imagine doing anything else, I love it! I am crazy about fashion, so writing about it comes easy for me. Through my blog, I hope to share with you some of my own personal style, my thoughts, my journey through life and anything/everything in between. Stay tuned!