A Little Mangover

I refreshed an outfit with inspiration from mangos and I love the pops of color it adds to an otherwise minimal look. Besides the colorful accessories, I'm also wearing Essie's Mango Bango on the nails, naturally and Clinique's Heftiest Hibiscus. I've had so much fun creating this mangover and reminds to be a little more playful in my styling (note: try to incorporate more color!)

Before and after the mangover!

[thrifted CK jacket, top and shorts from Forever 21, heels c/o Nine West (2011), necklace and bracelets from Francesca's, clutch c/o Jennifer Haley, initial cuff c/o Kristine Lily, sunglasses c/o Shades Daddy]

Check out some of the other Mangovers on the National Mango Board's Facebook and Twitter!

Girls' Night

This dress seamlessly transitioned from work to girls night. For work, I styled the dress with a black leather jacket and black heels, but it was a little dull. I wanted to liven it up with color and pattern for the girls, so I styled it with cobalt blue and a leopard clutch. In true rebel form, I ditched the slip and didn't think twice about my friends perhaps catching a glimpse of my underwear.

[Nameless black sleeveless open back dress c/o Flat84, heels by Schutz, clutch by Clare Vivier, Silver on Gold Initial cuff c/o Kristine Lily]

Photos by Andrea Ragan

Layered Up

I recently discovered I'm not actually 5'4". I'm a little under 5'3" and I feel like I've been living a lie. I have no idea what led me to believe I was a little taller, but I confirmed my height when I randomly stood next to a height chart. 
Being on the shorter side, I've been wary of flats, but these are easy for travel (they fold up!) and in leopard print pony hair, they've become a staple already. I have a hard time owning up to my body shape and I like to pretend I'm tall with six inch heels, but I'm going to be done with that nonsense! Not done with heels, but open to the sake of comfort when I need to be a little more practical.

[sweatshirt by Zoe Karssen, Samara Pony Hair flats c/o Yosi Samra, shorts from Gap, hat by Nine West, thrifted jean jacket by Ck, bag by Cole Haan]

I love wearing sweatshirts with shorts. It doesn't make much sense, but I love it. I'm on the hunt for more fun crewneck sweatshirts for beach nights and patterned shorts. Any suggestions on where to find more fun shorts?

Camera Talk

I layered up on a chilly day in Chicago a couple weeks ago for a fun day with Verizon Wireless where a surprise device was unveiled to us. A Samsung Galaxy camera was bestowed upon me. The camera--basically some star trek shit is like a smart phone yet has more capabilities than the typical smart phone or point/shoot camera.
Let's be real, I'm still a camera snob and these photos don't add up to the quality that my DSLR and 70-200 mm lens lend, but I could fit this into my clutch and it actually worked well in low light situations. I'm excited to bring this camera around and capture life's happenings while reserving my D700 for my outfit photos and my photography work.

[top + jacket from Zara, jeans by J Brand, necklace by Merl Kinzie, heels by Elizabeth and James, clutch by Clare Vivier, watch c/o BCBG]

Rachel of Chicago Chic with her cam!
Disclosure: I'm participating in the Verizon Style Voices program and have been provided with a wireless device and six months of free services in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.

$75 Lulu's Gift Card Giveaway!

Lulu's, one of my favorite online shops, is offering a $75 gift card to the lucky reader who wins this giveaway. Right now, I'm loving all of their maxi dress options for this summer! 

To enter, share the link to your favorite item from the site in a comment below. For a second entry, share the giveaway on Facebook or Twitter and leave a second comment indicating which platform you shared it on. Open to US and Canada only. The giveaway closes on Sunday, May 19 at 9 p.m. EST. Good luck!

Pep In My Step

I styled this preppy, wee bit nautical look for work on Monday. A little popped collar, classic blazer and pops of pink. I felt like I was dressed classy enough for lunch at one of finer dining restaurants downtown and oh, I was. I ate my Italian grilled sandwich with so much class, it hurt.

After getting home, I shed the blazer and added the white denim vest and animal print clutch, a more appropriate look for frozen yogurt out on a patio with my friend Ashley.

[corduroy pants + shirt from J Crew, blazer c/o Club Monaco (last year), Summerlin watch c/o Sperry Top Sider, heels from Steve Madden, bag by Cole Haan, glasses from Warby Parker, knuckle ring c/o Style Lately]

[denim vest c/o Aeropostale, clutch by Clare Vivier, Rayban aviators c/o Shades Daddy]

Braided Hair, Don't Care

My mom accompanied me on a trip to Chicago last weekend and this meant: two horrible singers together in a car arguing over what music to listen to for too many hours, her asking me uncomfortable personal questions in which I delight in telling her the truth and tiring shopping trips where she tells me how much she dislikes what I like and I do the same. It was fun.

For the drive back to the mitten, I knew the weather would be much warmer and so I styled an ombre shirt dress with a jean jacket and pink heels, upon my mom's suggestion. It was a comfortable travel outfit and I can't wait to wear the dress more this summer to the beach!

[Mink Pink Great White Dress c/o Lulu's, thrifted Ck jean jacket, Shiva heels c/o Shoemint, bag by Cole Haan, Rayban aviators c/o Shades Daddy]

My mom braided my hair, which is so much easier to do when it's straight. I just got it colored to more of my natural color. I want low maintenance hair, but at the same time, I miss something a little more exciting. We'll see how long this lasts.

Photos by mom