Faux fur: H&M. Aviators: 1903s c/o Ellison Sunglass Co. Black jacket: Springfield (purchased in Spain, Spring 2009). Sheer black button-up: Pleione via Nordstrom Rack. Camisole: Banana Republic. Bootcut denim: Gap Long & Lean. Bordeaux handbag: Astrid Satchel by Michael Kors. Black pumps: Steve Madden. Men’s watch: Invicta, borrowed from le hubs.
This outfit was very quick to assemble and get out the door. We had places to be and people to see without time to get ready — which is why I love stocking up on go-to pieces like these that don’t require much strategizing in case of emergency.
Xo, Sarah
P.S. A smile is always in season and is the easiest accessory
Last weekend, two of our good friends held a gorgeous wedding celebration in Sonoma, California, and it was the most magical wedding. In addition to the mermaid swimming about the pool, the unicorn at the end of the ceremony, the bagpipes and the custom cocktails in mason jars, the love this couple celebrated at their wedding is a thing of beauty so rare and so special, it’s the stuff of legends.
The night before, le hubs and I met after work for a quick dress shopping session and landed this beauty. As soon as I saw it, I knew — despite it being in the Petites’ sale section and me being 5’11″. Luckily, I didn’t even need to alter it! Serendipitous sartorial success, I say. I wanted something a little more romantic than my go-to LBD, and this silvery, lace dress was just what I was hoping to find for the “garden cocktail” attire.
Tip: wear wedges to any wedding that will be outside. You don’t want to aerate the lawn with your heels!
My favorite part of this ensemble? I fully plan to layer this dress with a sweater and make it werk for work. Just as I repurpose my wedding jewelry on a weekly basis, I love wearing pieces chosen for special occasions in everyday life. It keeps the magic alive (and makes the cost-per-wear even better).
Sequin sweater: H&M // White button-up: Banana Republic // Waxed denim: Target // Round sunglasses: Target // Rhinestone watch: Relic // Tan handbag: Michael Kors Hamilton // Leather wedge heels: Steve Madden
Sometimes, you just need full-frontal sequins to make the day happen. On days like that, I wear outfits like this. To make it work for the office, simple black pants (or even a pencil skirt) bring werk to work without confusing everyone who isn’t a fashion blogger.
The power of a pretty outfit is quite remarkable. A good wedge heel can lift spirits, too, and sequins can add sparkle back to the disenchanted eye. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but confidence also lies within the #getitgirl who expresses herself.
What is an outfit shoot without a little Coco Rocha risk-taking pose work? And what would my wardrobe be without some brights to add a jolt to my classic black staples?
I have been loving my Maybelline Super Stay 14-Hour lipstick, of which I now own three shades. This hot pink ‘Eternal Rose,’ a fierce, red ‘Continuous Cranberry’ and an oh-so-sweet pink, ‘Ultimate Blush.’ I have gotten more compliments on my lipstick than ever!
Since I don’t get to model for my day job, I’m living out the dream here. (But, Karl, Michael, Valentino, Diane, Donna . . . if you’re reading this, I wear an 8 in couture sizing.) The beauty in this is that as long as I fit into my own definition of “the right measurements,” all is well.
If you’ve been paying attention to the Olympics, you know that swimmers’ bodies aren’t exactly 34-24-34. I have the medals and the scars to prove my allegiance to the sport, and although a positive body image is a concept I still struggle to wrangle on a daily basis, seeing people who have the same body shape as me (obviously with more muscle) on TV has helped me embrace my lanky limbs and athletic shoulders better than ever before.
I can’t tell you how many times I have started a shopping trip feeling inspired, excited to try on all of my amazing finds, but instead leave empty handed, feeling simultaneously deflated and bloated. When you’re 5’11″ and your inseam is 5″ longer than average, it’s difficult to get hems to lay in the right places and easy to feel like the ill-fitting clothes make a misfit of you.
We all have our hangups. I’m just trying to make the majority of mine be on the people who plant these seeds of doubt — instead of myself.
Tuxedo blazer: H&M (similar here) // Cream half-button tank: Gap // Black pleated maxi skirt: Laundry by Shelli Segal (similar here) // Black wedges: Steve Madden (similar here) // Tan Hamilton handbag: Michael Kors
White dress: Max & Cleo (from my wedding, similar here) // Faux leather moto: Target // Black leather wedges: Steve Madden (similar here) // Black wristlet: Coach (similar here)
