Stripes and Suede

 

A few posts ago I apologized for taking a couple of weeks off from blogging and promised to be more consistent with posting in the future. Well, I topped that hiatus with a personal record of being gone for almost a month! Now that the holidays are here, I hope to get back to a more regular posting schedule. Before getting into holiday looks (I personally think it's still a little too soon for Christmas for this), I have some fall looks to share with you, because the weather has just recently started to feel like fall here. Today's post features a casual look that I wore last week that includes a colorful striped henley sweater that is now on sale with a pair of jeans and yellow suede pumps.

 

These suede pumps are from a brand that I am excited to collaborate with called Ally Shoes. I really love that Ally's shoes are designed with optimum comfort in mind. In fact, their shoes are designed by a podiatrist and, after wearing them all day, I can personally attest to how comfortable they are! I actually get a fair amount of blisters when breaking in shoes, but I had none of these issues with my new Ally kitten heels! As many of you know, I am a teacher, so I am always looking for comfy shoes that I can stand in for long periods of time and I have a feeling that these will be my go to shoes for work! Last but not least, you know I love color, and Ally shoes come in a variety of colors. I got my kitten heels in the color Saffron, but there are lots of other fun colors along with classic ones to fit everyone's tastes! If you want to try out Ally shoes, you can get $40 off your first pair of heels with code KATIEGIRL40 at checkout!

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Sweater: LOFT here

Jeans: J. Crew Factory here

Shoes: c/o Ally here (Save $40 off your first pair of heels with code Katiegirl40)

Bag: Kate Spade similar camera shaped bag here

 

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All Day Fraise!

 

I'm sure you've all heard the expression "All Day Rosé" but I'm here to coin a new expression: "All Day Fraise"! This cute strawberry tee shirt from LOFT has Fraise, the French word for "strawberry" on it, so my new expression would mean something like "Strawberries All Day"! To be honest, I don't speak much French, but I have learned some French through the various articles of clothing I have purchased with French words on them. I guess you could say that this tee is not only really cute but is also educational, at least if you want to learn French!

 

I think pairing cute fruit prints with gingham skirts is one of my new favorite combinations for spring! You might recall that a couple weeks ago I featured a cherry print sweater with a maxi length gingham skirt. I decided that I would replicate this formula with this strawberry tee shirt and a different gingham skirt. As you can see, not only do I have a lot of clothing with French words and phrases but I also have a lot of gingham skirts!

 

Tee: LOFT here

Skirt: J.Crew Factory similar here, here and here

Shoes: Target similar red sandals here

Sunglasses: YSL budget friendly version here

Bag: Zara

 

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Happy Fourth of July!

 

Happy Fourth of July! This year we are celebrating Independence Day the way we always do with a little family BBQ followed by watching fireworks from our backyard. To me, it is the perfect way to spend the  holiday! These firework shorts are also the perfect thing to wear for a casual BBQ in the backyard! Last week I featured the dress in a colorful version of this print and today, as promised, I am sharing these shorts.  One of the things I like about these shorts is the abstract firework print and also the elastic waistband that makes them very comfy so that I can eat as much BBQ as I want!

 

As I wrote in my post about the dress in the firework print, I really love that these shorts technically depict fireworks exploding in the sky but because the print is more abstract, they really could be worn all summer long, not just for the Fourth of July. The next time I wear these shorts, I thought I might opt for a yellow top to make the shorts more bright and fun for summer. For today's patriotic look, I opted for a white top. While there's no blue in this outfit, I added a fun American Flag pinwheel as a "prop" but you could add a blue bag or sandals to complete the red, white and blue color scheme!

 

Shorts: LOFT here

Top: J. Crew similar white ruffle top here

Sandals: Brooks Brothers similar gold sandals here

Earrings: J. Crew similar here

 

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Firework Dress

 

Summer is really flying by, as it always does! I can't believe the Fourth of July is right around the corner but I'm gearing up by getting out my patriotic red, white and blue! I also love this fireworks dress as another, less traditional option for something to wear for the holiday. The print depicts fireworks but in a colorful and abstract way that makes the dress perfect to wear all summer long, not just on the Fourth. The print also comes in a red and white version that I think is even more fitting for the Fourth. I purchased a pair of shorts in that particular print and I'll be featuring them this weekend on the blog for a special Independence Day post!

 

Speaking of fireworks, the (illegal) fireworks festivities have already started here in Los Angeles and can be seen and heard in some neighborhoods already. (I guess some people really are excited about celebrating!) Luckily our dog William doesn't seem to mind the fireworks too much so we don't have to deal with him hiding, shaking or barking. I am looking forward to seeing the legal fireworks that they have in our city and surrounding cities from our backyard this Fourth of July, as it's one of my favorite traditions associated with the holiday!

 

Dress: LOFT here

Bag: Mansur Gavriel similar round pink bag here

Sandals: Brooks Brothers similar gold sandals here

 

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Ice Cream Cone Sweater

 

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! With the hot temperatures of summer quickly approaching, at least here in Southern California, it's time to start thinking about breaking out the ice cream for a cool, refreshing treat! As much as I love to eat ice cream, I also like to wear it on my clothing! (No, not by spilling it on myself...although that sometimes happens!) This ice cream sweater from LOFT is the perfect way to enjoy ice cream without the mess and the the calories. The pastel colors representing different flavors of ice cream make the sweater too cute to pass up!

 

The weather here in Los Angeles has been all over the place lately. As I mentioned before, the temperatures are going to soar to the 90s by the tomorrow but, luckily, last weekend the weather was overcast and in the 60s, which is my favorite kind of weather. Thankfully, this sweater arrived just in time for me to wear it at least once before it becomes too hot here for a sweater. On the next cool day, I suppose I can break it out again or, perhaps, wear it out the next time I go to get ice cream. However, I wouldn't want to spill any ice cream on such a pretty sweater!

Sweater: LOFT here

Skirt: J. Crew Factory similar skirt here

Shoes: Target similar here

Bag: Chanel

Sunglasses: Celine similar white sunglasses here

 

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Blue Skies Ahead!

 

There's just something about looking at a blue sky with puffy white clouds that is so comforting and relaxing, so why not have a sweater with blue skies and white clouds on it? Last month, I fell in love with a cashmere cloud sweater from Boden but I didn't quite feel like spending the money on it, so I looked for more affordable options. Luckily, when I Googled "Cloud Sweater", I came across this blue one from LOFT that was more affordable! (Although I might still get the Boden version if it goes on sale because it's pink, thus making it different than this one!) Anyway, this sweater definitely makes you feel optimistic and light as air! It's almost like you're walking on cloud nine!

 

Initially, I thought this sweater would look good with just a simple pair of white jeans but I then decided to go with a pop of color and opted for pink pants. Pink and blue is always a lovely combination and I also thought it would look fabulous against this rainbow wall that has been one of my favorite murals to take photos at in the Los Angeles area. One of the things that makes me wary about this location is that, technically, you are not supposed to take photos here. (I wrote a whole post about this last summer!) Well, I lucked out because there was no security in sight until the end of the photoshoot and when the security person did arrive, she just walked by like there was nothing to see. So, maybe, I lucked out or, maybe, the cloud sweater made her feel mellow and happy too!

 

Sweater: LOFT here  and Boden version here

Pants: Old Navy similar pink pants here

Shoes: ASOS similar silver loafers here

Bag: J. Crew Factory similar yellow clutch here

 

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Pastel Rainbow Sweater

 

Over the last month, I've worn a lot of red, green and darker colors for Christmas, so it feels good to get into some light pastel colors again now that the holidays are over! (For example, I looked at my Instagram account and I couldn't believe that I had on a black sweater in three posts in a row!) One sweater that I purchased just before the holidays is this rainbow pastel one from LOFT. Not only do I love the colors, it's also super soft and has the most adorable ruffle details on the shoulders! You definitely can't help but smile when you are wearing such a cute sweater!

Speaking of things that bring a smile to one's face, this pastel rainbow mural turned out to be the perfect match for my pastel rainbow sweater! It's almost like the sweater was made for the mural, or vice versa! I love this mural because it's hidden down a back alley in Old Town Pasadena. The alley, which doesn't seem like anything special, is lined with dumpsters but as you start walking down it you'll be rewarded with this colorful surprise! So, while I'm a little bummed that the holidays are over, there are, luckily, still rainbow sweaters and murals to brighten the mood!

Sweater: LOFT here

Jeans: Old Navy similar distressed boyfriend jeans here

Shoes: J. Crew similar lavender pumps here

Bag: Chanel similar purple quilted bag here

  

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