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June Stitch Fix

July 2, 2016

Hello, loves!
Another month, another shipment to drool over! For my June Stitch Fix, I asked for a large tote, a blush-colored item, a breezy maxi dress, a pair of embellished sandals and something off-the-shoulder. To be completely honest from the get-go about my shipment, the items I received were for the most part, all things that I would love to add to my closet. However, I don’t feel that my stylist honored my request to keep things on the less pricey side. When filling out your style profile, they give you the option to chose a range of price points that you would like each type of item to fall in to. There is “the cheaper the better” which I have checked for everything but outer layers. The next tier up is $50-100, which unfortunately, is where every item I was sent fell in to. I understand that some items are going to be of higher quality, made with better materials, from a prestigious designer, etc., but considering you get 5 items in each shipment, if I fell in love with everything and wanted to keep it all, that would REALLY add up quickly. I prefer to be offered several items at lower price points, so there’s a higher chance I’ll want to keep more of them. Anyway, moving on to the main event, here is what I received in my June Stitch Fix.

Necklace / Le Tote // Sunnies / Amazon
This dress was pretty damn gorgeous. The pattern featured the unexpected pairing of navy and orange, could be easily dressed up a bit with some platforms/wedges and a statement necklace or down with strappy flat sandals and a simple lariat. I think the fit was good, not great, but the thing that sealed the deal for me was that although the thin straps appeared adjustable, they would not budge. I even had Mark try to play around with them and nothing. At the length they were basically set at, the straps were just a touch too long and exposed my strapless bra underneath, a look I’m not a fan of. I probably would have kept it otherwise! Dress, $68, not purchased.

Sunnies / Amazon // Bag / Cambridge Satchel Co. from the Box of Style // Sandals / Steve Madden
Next up was this off-the-shoulder navy dress. I loved the slightly crinkled material (perfect for packing up and taking with me to Puerto Rico because I won’t have to worry about ironing it!), and it could even work for a beach cover-up or paired with heeled sandals and a long gold necklace for a night-out look. The neckline had a pretty snug elastic band, which I appreciate because I won’t have to be fussing with it constantly to keep the sleeves in place. Dress, $68, purchased.

Necklace / Elysian & Grace // Sunnies / Amazon // Sandals / Kenneth Cole // Jeans / Target
This shot features two of the items I was sent… The blush-toned corded lace blouse and the reversible tote. The top I was SO close to saying yes to but I couldn’t pull the trigger. It’s a gorgeous, well-made piece, but the price and expected cost-per-wear just didn’t add up for me. As for the tote, I’d actually tried out the same style from the same brand from a Nordstrom Anniversary sale last year, and that too went back. I just think they look kind of cheap, with the unfinished edges and construction of the bag. The color of the bag is exactly what I asked for, so that was great, but the rest failed in terms of good quality for the money. Lace top, $68, and reversible tote, $64, not purchased.

Top / BCBGeneration // Jeans / MaviUSA // Sunnies / Amazon
This look also shows two items from my June Stitch fix… The reversible tote (switched to the light blue material), and these gunmetal rhinestone-emblazoned gladiator sandals. I hate to say it, because it sounds harsh, but the sandals looked cheap. Like I could have found the same style at the ghetto-girl store for $25, tops. The little crystals were glued on and I can picture them falling off immediately with a little bit of wear. The kicker is that they weren’t cheap, they were $68 :O Back they went.

So overall, my June Stitch Fix was a little unsatisfying. I would have kept more had the price guidelines that I had set been followed. I ended up keeping just the off-the-shoulder dress because I know I’ll get tons of use out of it this summer.

What items did you request in your last Stitch Fix, or what would you request if you were signed up to receive shipments?
😀

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.

3 Ways to Wear a Sarong

June 29, 2016

Summer is officially upon us!
Welcome the days spent poolside and at the beach, backyard BBQ’s, picnics and music festivals. One thing I’ve always wanted at my own house is a pool. Growing up, my weekends were spent at the association pool, along with everyone else in the community. We’re just renting right now but I would eventually love to have a place with it’s own pool, or at least to make friends with the neighbors so we can use theirs! As for now, you can find me crashing friend’s houses and hotel pools to get my time in the water (and sunbathing next to it).

I wanted to share 3 ways to wear a sarong, because you need to mix it up a little bit throughout summer to keep your look fresh. Sarongs (or pareos or wraps) are the ideal poolside topper because they’re so versatile. Aside from the obvious swimsuit coverup, they can also be used as scarves or even as a makeshift blanket to sit on in a pinch.

Sarong / Mara Hoffman // Bikini top & swim shorts / JcPenney // Wedges / Kork-Ease / Sunnies // Amazon
This first look offers a bit more coverage. You take an oversized scarf, (this one is from last summer’s Box of Style), hold two of the ends and wrap them across your chest and tie at the back of your neck. Depending on your size and the amount of material in your scarf, this can actually act as a dress for a pool party, or for hitting happy hour after a dip.

Swimsuit / JcPenney (similar) // Sarong / Pool to Party c/o BohoCheri // Sunnies / Amazon
Next up, a more classic take. This works with a longer length scarf, or an oversized one folded in half. I love that you can still show off the upper half of your suit. The one-piece I’m wearing here (my fave swimsuit that I own) has a drape neck and cut-out, which are features I wouldn’t want to hide.

Swimsuit & Sandals / JcPenney // Scarf / Forever 21 // Sunnies / Amazon
Lastly, I was really excited to come across this style on a YouTube video recently. You take opposite ends of the scarf and tie a knot so there is a huge loop in the middle. Put the scarf over your head and slip your arms through so the fabric is behind you and you’re now wearing the scarf like a vest! It’s a great casual cover-up and I loved using a more silky scarf for this look because it drapes beautifully.

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.

What’s your favorite type of coverup? A little sundress? A sheer caftan? Share with me below 🙂

Mesh & Brushstrokes

June 16, 2016

Hi, loves!
I’m so excited to share this fun look with you today!
I found these crazy brushstroke print TOMS at Nordstrom Rack during the last “Clear the Rack” sale (side note, another sale starts today!!) and have been waiting to find the perfect outfit to wear them with around town. Best thing is, they’re so comfortable! I love how platforms (or flatforms) give you height like heels, but don’t kill your feet. A strap across the ankle helps as well to hold you in and to alleviate pressure. These particular wedges are sold out, but the black & white brushstroke version is still available here.

On another, wildly different note, I’ve been working on editing my closet. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a purge, but I’d been noticing that there are lots of dresses, tops, shoes, etc. that I just haven’t been reaching for and basically, no longer care to keep around. If you’re interested in shopping my closet, check out my Poshmark account, where I’ve been posting a lot of goodies (at a fraction of retail.) If you don’t have an account, feel free to use my code “PTVAA” when signing up and you’ll get $10 off your first purchase. Full disclosure, I also get $10 when you buy something, but I wouldn’t recommend it if I didn’t love it already!

I’m also putting together a “how-to-organize-your-closet” post, but it’s difficult to find ideas that don’t sound cliché or that you haven’t heard a thousand times before. Turn the hangers when you wear something, use the “have you worn it in 6 months” rule… Then there’s the Marie Kondo method of thinking – does it spark joy. I read her book with such excitement and motivation after the completion of each chapter. I, of course, could not wait before reading to the end of the book before I started off on my cleaning exploration. I did end up clearing out a lot of things that I wasn’t using anymore, but the “sparking joy” part was much more difficult for me. It actually made me kind of sad! I would hold up a top I bought 2 years ago, tags still attached, and ask myself “does this blouse spark joy for me?” The truth is that I had bought the top even though it didn’t fit me at the time, and it still doesn’t fit! Did it go in the toss/donate/sell pile? Nope. It stayed right where it was. Partially because I do think that I will eventually lose the weight to be able to fit into it, but I’ve also learned that I love to collect beautiful things. Even if they don’t serve a practical purpose, and even if I can’t wear them out of the house right now, I like to have pretty things around me. So it made me sad because I realized I could never be one of those people with the gorgeous, minimalist, and streamlined closets with 2 coats, 4 t-shirts, a pair of pants and 3 pairs of shoes. I’m a girl who loves having options, and as superficial as it sounds, I enjoy shopping my closet each morning. So yes, I’ll hold on to the things that might not fit currently, or the things that might be considered not on-trend anymore but they fit really well. So instead, my post will be more about organizing what you do have and making it so you’ll be excited to get dressed every morning and taking some of the stress out of it. Until the post us up, feel free to check out the Pinterest board I’ve created of some of the most inspiring closets around 🙂

Button-down / StitchFix // Skirt / ASOS // Platforms / TOMS // Sunnies / Amazon // Bag / vintage // Bracelet / Fab.com // Necklace / Kyle Chan Design

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.

How to Get Your Legs Sexy for Summer

June 15, 2016

Hello, loves!
Let me start off by saying that I was not always a fan of my legs. As a matter of fact, I hid them whenever I could. It was a combination of my (horrendous) ex-boyfriend telling me he didn’t like my legs and that I shouldn’t show them in public, but also me not being able to accept that they were far from perfect. It took me some time to know that I’m not the only one in the world with cellulite, stretch marks and spider veins. That being said, just as I put makeup on my face to even my skin tone and blur imperfections, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with putting a little extra effort in to making my legs look as gorgeous as they can. Today, I wanted to share how to get your legs sexy for summer and the products I use on my own stems (Clueless reference!) Most of them are very budget-friendly and available at your local Target or Amazon.

Pre-shower, I definitely recommend dry exfoliating with a body brush. Fair warning, your first few times using a body brush are a little intense. You use it before a shower, before stepping in, against your bare skin. Use a circular motion, starting at your ankles and working your way up to your thighs. It’s gross/cool that you’ll literally see flakes of skin just float up and away. The intenseness that I mentioned isn’t exactly “pain” but more of a discomfort, sloughing away all of that dead skin can feel a little rough until you get used to it.
Another option for exfoliation is an in-shower scrub. I LOVE the Tree Hut brand sugar scrubs and purchase them frequently off Amazon. They all smell incredible, from the Mango to the Coconut Lime, I haven’t tried a single scent that I didn’t like. They’re also super cheap as add-on items with Amazon Prime, around $7 for a nice-sized tub.
A good razor is imperative, although I think it’s slightly ludicrous to suggest swapping out after only 3-5 shaves, I would end up spending the same each month as I do in gas! I personally swap out about every 3-4 weeks and don’t ever have an issue with it getting too dull. Truthfully, the only time I ever get irritation is when starting to use a brand new razor!
For shaving lotions, I love the EOS shave cream. It’s about $3-4 at any drugstore, is super smooth and you don’t need a lot to get a nice, clean shave. I’ve used several other pricey lotions (around $15-20) and none have really compared to this really inexpensive version.
Large toiletry bag, BohoCheri.

Moving on to after-shower items, the very first thing I do when I know that I’ll be applying self-tanner is to rub some lotion on my knees and around my ankles/heels and allow a few minutes for it to soak in. There are a few tanners that I adore, of varying price points. The Bath & Body Works Bronzing Self-Tanning Lotion is my out-and-out favorite. It’s a bit pricey, at $15 a tube, but it leaves the most gorgeous slightly shimmery, believable and streak-free glow. The Summer Color “Light/Medium” lotion from Banana Boat is also pretty great, but doesn’t leave the same sheen once it’s dried.
For any nicks that may have occurred while shaving, or if I feel any area is a little raw, I apply Bikini Zone cream to prevent/help with any ingrowns and soothe the area. It has lidocaine in it, so it temporarily numbs any irritation.
On a day-to-day basis, I try to keep consistent with Nivea’s Skin Firming & Toning Lotion. My absolute favorite product like this is from Clarins, their Body Lift Cellulite Control Cream, but I don’t know anyone who can afford to blow $70 every few weeks to keep up with that regimen. The Nivea one is quite effective as well, and SO much less expensive. Working out is of course great for toning, but something for your skin is helpful as well.
For a little fun-in-the-sun sheen, I adore Kopari’s Coconut Body Glow. It looks a little scary orange in the bottle, but it leaves this gorgeous sheen on legs, blurring imperfections and making them look a bit more toned. Any shimmer product will work, but I have a little rule. I prefer to look for more neutral/gold-toned shimmer products for daytime and being in the sun, and more silvery-toned shimmer products for nighttime and going out. The gold particles warm up your skin, while silvery ones can look really obvious and not as flattering, especially on paler skin tones in the harsh direct sunlight.
Large toiletry bag, BohoCheri.

I’d love to hear what products you use and how you get your legs summer-ready!
😀