Crop tops always seemed daunting, and something a 16-year old girl would wear, not this 34-year old. But, listen up: crop tops are where it’s at, and are figure flattering on a variety of sizes (including bust sizes). Don’t be intimidated… they can be more flattering than a typical top when styled right. I purchased the rhinestone top below before my NYC trip (wearing it here), and I also got the scalloped tank in black (styled here, wearing these earrings); it’s actually such a steal I might buy another color. In both instances, pairing it with higher waist skirts did the trick. Just yesterday, I convinced a very hesitant friend to grey quilted try one at Target (can’t find online)… instant purchase. She looked so fantastic, and inspired me to do this post.
A few tips to keep your crop top age appropriate:
- Ensure your bottoms meet up with our top so when you move around, only a sliver of skin shows (if that).
- Pairing it with a knee-length pencil skirt or a more voluminous midi length (just past your knees) is a great way to balance the tinier top.
- Nervous about baring skin? Add a blazer!
- Go matchy-matchy! You’ll find tons of crop tops with coordinating skirts; it’s a fresh take on a typical dress (remember my spring example?).
work: rhinestone top // vegan leather pencil skirt // booties (or this, for less) // purse // watch
weekend: cropped sweater + and heels (identical)
date night: scalloped tank // midi skirt // heels // earrings // purse (all black hardware… goes with everything!)
It’s officially shorts season! While shorts are typically considered daytime or more casual wear, it’s also fun alternative to a dress or skirt during the summer, day or night. I wore this outfit on Sunday to a special little celebration for a new baby, and simply swapped out the wedges for nude flip flops to run errands. The scallops and touches of gold — particularly in the tank buttons — are built-in ways that make this a little dressier. For evening, consider an ivory lace blouse with strappy nude heels.
While denim can go dressy, it’s a bit more challenging; playing around with eyelet, lace, scalloped hems, linen, and even faux leather or other great textures to dress up with a beautiful blouse. I recently wore these faux leather shorts with this blouse (seen here) and heels for a girls night out. Perfect + stayed cool… and the entire outfit cost around $100!
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Bar carts are having a moment when it comes to interior design. While I’m the most ‘average gal’ out there when it comes to decorating, my love affair for blogs convinced me that we needed a bar cart in our home, despite having two children under 5, being clumsy and not really having a dedicated space to put it. Catch this recent post loaded up with bar cart inspiration? Yeah, such good ideas! So, when I saw this cart for under $130, it had to be mine. Luckily, it fits perfectly in a dining room nook. While it’s just jazzed up for now since we haven’t had any big dinners, it’s really the perfect spot for anything — from water pitcher, overflow from your table, or even cookbooks, flowers or picture frames — to the more traditional storing liquor, wine and glassware.
Be creative with its uses; it’s really just a table on wheels, and check out after the jump more ways to style this specific one (love the DIY one where she refinished it).
bar cart // nate berkus plates // target ‘cheers’ glasses, shaker and urchin // three fav cookbooks: it’s all good, worth tasting, barefoot contessa // jewelry box (used as storage)
And, four more ways to style the same bar cart:
clockwise: 1, 2, 3, 4
Whichever smart woman said, brows define your face, knew what she was talking about. A strong brow can make you look more youthful and alert. I’ve always had really light, thinner brows so a few years ago I started waxing in the hopes of better definition and shape. I liked that it getting a stronger shape however they always felt so thin so filling them in made it appear so ‘fake’ to me.
A few months ago I saw a friend on Facebook inquire about a brow rec, and resoundingly, at least a half dozen friends chimed in with Brows by Connie! I was intrigued. After the first visit, I was hooked. She’s pricier than my waxer ($25 vs. $10), but with good reason: she spends about 25 minutes with me…. instead of maybe five. And, after just three visits — and controlling my desire to tweeze - I’m seeing a real difference. I’m obsessed. She looks at my personal shape, waxes, cuts, tweezes, fills in, the whole thing. My key has been creating a thicker brow in that space just above my nose; I was so focused on creating the arch that I was trying to create it too soon in the line. Plus, filling in with shadow instead of a pencil gives a much more natural appearance. Letting an expert help you, or at least get you started on the right track is key.
Do you know which brow shape you have? Does your wax hurt? Want to see my brow before and after? Keep reading to get yourself better brows STAT. Keep Reading —>>
