Dress: Urban Outfitters {similar here and here}, Sandals: DSW, Hat: Urban Outfitters {similar here}, Bracelets: Aldo & Forever21

Summertime here in New Orleans can be brutally hot, and we’re already starting to feel the heat. On a little day outing last week, I decided to keep it cool in this Urban Outfitters cut-out dress along with my favorite summer hat. I’ve had this hat for several years now, and it’s definitely one item I’d recommend you purchase for the summer and spring time. Perfect for festivals, warm days spent outdoors, and bad hair days. In the thick of summer I’m literally pulling it out every weekend to wear! My cut-out dress was an impulse buy from Urban Outfitters last summer, but it has definitely proved its worth in my summer wardrobe. If only more of my impulse purchases turned out as great as this one…the world would be a much better place. No more buyer’s remorse. I’ve been known to have a bout of it every once and again! Happy Monday everyone!

I have to say, this week was a pretty great one. I had some downtime yesterday and the day before so the bf and I got a chance to get started on the last of our home decor projects. We’ve been collecting prints for a few months now for our gallery wall and yesterday we finally got the matting and frames for our prints! I’m so excited to finally get our gallery wall up! One of our prints is a vintage photograph that my dad took way back in the 70′s of the flame throwers at a Mardi Gras parade. I’ve always loved that picture and wanted to have it framed, but never got around to doing the deed. It looks so great in the frame with the matting we picked out and I can’t wait to see it up on the wall. Anyone looking to do a gallery wall project – check out your local Michael’s if they have one in your area. We got all of our frames along with the matting from there, and all for a really good price! I hope everyone has a great weekend! Enjoy this weeks links!

30 Days Worth. If you’re like me, it’s pretty much a guarantee that there are some days, well plenty of days when you’re getting dressed in the morning and have absolutely no clue what to wear. I know I’m not alone, right? Well the good people over at Kate Spade have put together a little guide – complete with the cutest illustrations – with 30 days of outfits to try. Definitely a good source for some style inspiration when needed.

Gold Everythanggg. This week I came to the realization that I like an interior space with some gold details – which I think add a little glam to the space. If you check out my home inspiration pinboard, you’ll see exactly what I mean. How did I not notice this about myself earlier?

Summer Reading. I’ve always been a bookworm, don’t judge. Two of my most recent reads were ‘Divergent‘ and ‘Insurgent‘ both written by Veronica Roth. As of this month, there’s a movie being filmed based on the first book, and the third and final book of the trilogy is set to be released later this year. I can’t wait!

New Scent. I’ve wanted to try out this fragrance for about the past 6 months or so! I finally got my hands on a bottle and I have to say its quickly become my new go-to summer fragrance. Any other favorite fragrances you like to wear during the summertime?

{image via DesignLoveFest}

About a week or so ago I decided to throw the bf a birthday party for his born day in June. We’ve been slowly but surely decorating since we moved in our place, but when I decided to actually have a real life soiree and invite people over to my place I started panicking about all of the finishing touches we haven’t gotten around to yet. Major anxiety moment.

Enter operation finishing details on our space. Am I the only one who thinks that putting all of the last little bits and pieces together in your space often times proves to be the most difficult part of decorating? I happen to think it’s so tough! But once I managed to pull myself away from the anxiety attack this unfinished space of ours gave me, I went to my Pinterest boards to troll around for inspiration. On my home board, I definitely noticed a theme amongst all of the pretty spaces I’ve pinned. Ya’ll I’m definitely into metallics. Brass and gold tones to be exact.

I love how the metallics, acrylics, and gold tones give some instant glam and polish to a space. It’s glamorous enough for my, but not too girly for the bf to get with the program either. I’m somewhat ashamed to say I’ve spent the last couple of hours browsing around online for some brass and gold pieces that I can use to add the final touches on our space. On my newly minted bookmark list is this brass lamp, these pillows, and these super cute wall urchins. I can’t wait until our space is done. Well, as done as it can be. The best interior design is one that changes with your most current inspiration right? And I’ll be sure to share photos of our space when it’s done. WIsh me luck!

{images Little Green Notebook, The Everygirl, Style Spellbook, Style at Home}

The past several weeks have been filled with beautiful weather and festivals. It’s really one of my favorite times of the year here in New Orleans. I happen to love festivals and every year when this season rolls around it seems as though there’s one happening every week. It’s also crawfish and snoball season here in here in the city. Believe me, nothing is better on a relaxing Sunday than a sack of boiled crawfish, a snoball, and/or an ice cold beer or frozen daiquiri! Pure heaven I tell ya!

My outfit of choice lately for Sunday crawfish excursions, festivals and the like, have consisted of comfy printed pants and statement accessories. I seriously can’t get enough of printed pants. I realized I had a problem the last time I was out shopping and reached for yet another pair. They’re just so good though, I can’t resist! Anyone have any favorite times of the year in their city? Do tell!

Top: Old, Sweater: Tory Burch, Pants: Gap, Wedges: Prada {similar here}, Sunnies: H&M

Sometimes more is better than less, because if you have more of less…you might want to have some more of something and your parents just won’t let you. We want more, we want more. Bonus points if you know what commercial those lines come from!

In my opinion when it comes to accessories – more is definitely better than less. The number of pairs of shoes a girl owns – more, more, more please. But sometimes for your outfits more isn’t always better then less. What I mean is – there’s alot to be said for classic simplicity when getting dressed and also in our wardrobes. Certain classics – in my case these Gap wide legged pants, and Tory Burch sweater take the guesswork out of figuring out what in the heck to wear some mornings! They also can be worn time and time again and I’m all about the cost per wear factor my friends.

I love my trendy pieces just as much as the next gal, but sometimes all it takes is a classic sweater in a fun color, always wearable wedges, and classic pants to get your Monday going. Oh, and I was told my ensemble was very Jackie Kennedy like – I’ll take it.

{This post is being submitted for IFB Project #95}

This week things finally started to get back to normal around here for me. Work, blogging, and a more routine schedule were very welcome after the roller coaster couple of weeks I’ve had. Yesterday I spent the day with my mom which was a welcome bonus! That lady sure knows how to put a smile on my face! I also got to meet my new baby cousin for the first time and he is oh so tiny and adorable! I don’t really have much on the agenda this weekend besides Mother’s Day and relaxation, which is totally fine by me. Here’s this week’s link love! I hope everyone has a great Mother’s Day weekend!

Wall Art. I happened to come across the cutest wall decor from art.com. I browse their site pretty frequently, but this time I discovered the Ayalisa collection. Cutest. art. ever. I’m totally obsessed with this one, this one, and this one. Cutest. art. ever. I definitely bookmarked several of the prints for when its time to decorate my home office!

Dressed Up. Topshop’s latest selection of dresses is pretty amazing! It’s pretty difficult to choose a favorite! I’ll take one of each please.

Inspired Home. I have spent way too much time on Domaine Home. I’m absolutely in love with Katie Nehra’s rocker chic glamorous space. Note to self – need more skulls in our space asap.

Print Shop. I’m loving these quirky prints from Heartfish Press. The home decor gods have been full of all sorts of inspiration goodness this week!

{image via Harper’s Bazaar}

Yes, you read that right. I didn’t type skirt, or shorts – yes I did type skort. Do ya’ll even still remember these things? They were pretty popular back in the 90′s. I bet if you’re an 80′s baby like I am, you’ve worn your share of these growing up! Well, I’d like to announce to you all that they are back. Yes, the skort is back and is surprisingly stylish this go around. The particular skort pictured above happens to come from Zara, and has been all over the blogosphere lately!

I have to confess, there was a period of time where I was over seeing this skirt everywhere! It happened to be a very brief period by the way. I mean the more I pondered on it, business in the front and party in the back – what’s not to love right? Sadly, this skort of choice did absolutely nothing, and I do mean nothing, for me when I tried it on a few weeks ago. Too short and too tight are definitely the main descriptors that come to mind for that disastrous fitting room experience. So gals, my search for the perfect modern skort continues. Hopefully, the shopping gods will smile upon me and I’ll manage to snap one up as equally stylish and modern as the Zara one. Fingers crossed!

{images 1, 2, 3, 4}

All this week I’ve been fretting about what on earth to wear to work! I’m on my feet alot so comfortable shoes (aka flats, wedges, or a low heel) are a must. But lately it seems as if none of my clothes go well with any of my more comfy shoes! The last thing I want to dress like is boring, but I’m stuck in a rut recently comprised of outfits which make me feel like a 40 year old woman. No bueno.

On the bright side – if there is a sunshine filled road where this situation is concerned – I’ve noticed a trend amongst the pieces I throw on time and time again in the mornings while rushing out the door, and some gaps in my wardrobe that could use some filling. I reach for my black slouchy trousers time and time again. They go with everything and the fit is insanely flattering. Dresses are also an easy option for me in the mornings, and the fact that they don’t require much thought when I may have not already had my morning caffeine fix is an extra bonus! And I love to pile on details when I’m getting ready for the day. Lately, I’ve been wearing these  rings non-stop along with some thin gold bracelets that give my outfits a bit more detail and interest.

Now for the hard part, filling in the wardrobe gaps. I absolutely, positively do not have enough blazers/jackets, flats, and pants! Living in a warmer climate, jackets aren’t something I usually purchased often, but I’m in dire need of a few options that I can mix and match with skirts, pants, and dresses. Added to the jackets is frustration with finding some stylish pants options. I don’t particularly care for a traditional width leg opening paired with flats. I mean, hello senior citizen lady right? I think a slimmer trouser is so much more flattering and modern. If only I could find more somewhere I’d be a happy camper. Lastly, flats. Where’s a stylish and affordable flat when you need one? Anyone have a work uniform essential that I left out? Do share!

Dress: Forever21, Boots: DSW, Sunnies: Old, Bag: Urban Outfitters, Watch: Michael Kors, Bracelet: Forever21

Sorry for my lack of posts last week. Sadly, I had a death in the family and needless to say this past week hasn’t been one of my best, or a good one for my family. I’ll be attending the funeral today, and hopefully getting back to a more routine blogging schedule this week. I hope everyone has a great Monday!

I’m headed to Atlanta for a girls weekend today and hopefully a concert stop by Rihanna while we’re there! She’s cancelled a couple of her most recent stops due to illness so fingers crossed she’ll show! No fun links this week, as I’ve waited to pack until the last minute (as usual) and am running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to get everything together before I leave. But I at least wanted to stop in and say happy weekend! Have a great one ya’ll!

{image via Luleka’s Love}