maxi and lace

{maxi skirt (that's really a dress): shop bop (similar) | shirt: F21 | jacket: jcrew factory | bag: target} 

Happy Monday. Hope you all had a good weekend. I'm not sure that I have anything noteworthy to report today. But that won't stop me from typing something....

This weekend I painted my nails white. It reminded me of 6th grade when I used to cover my nails in Whiteout.  That was also the year when my favorite outfit was Junco jeans that were 2 sizes too big for me and an XXL t-shirt that said GKB- girls kick butt.  I would have been happy wearing that outfit every single day. My how the times have changed. 

Now I pretty much have a new favorite outfit every week (one that is actually my size). This week, it's maxi and lace. One of my favorite things about maxi dresses (or any dress really) is that you can also wear them as skirts. Don't believe me? see above. 

WHITE TEE: 3 WAYS (a dailybuzz style 9x9)

When I was selected for the DailyBuzz Style 9x9: How Would You Style The Classic White Tee Shirt, the first thing that came to my mind was the simplicity of a casual jeans and tee look. A white tee shirt has always been a go-to item for me when I want to look comfortable, relaxed and effortlessly chic.

But for this feature, instead of sticking with familiarity, I decided to stretch my creativity and come up with three unique ways to style a white tee. I chose this Loft tee, but any simple white tee will do the trick for all three of these looks.

LOOK ONE: WORKING GIRL

(Skirt: Loft (similar) | Necklace: Bauble Bar | Shoes: INC | Watch: Michael Kors}

For this look, I combined the white tee with a classic, black pencil skirt for a polished, office friendly feel. The addition of a staple necklace in a bright, bold color really pops against the black and white and makes the whole outfit look and feel more fun (and in my mind, fun is always a welcome bonus for office attire!)

LOOK TWO: STATEMENT VEST 

(Vest: H&M (similar) | Jeans: Paige Denim | Shoes: Payless | Belt: Banana Republic | Necklace: Eastern Market DC}

For this look, I added some character to my jeans and white tee look by adding a simple black vest. This gives the look a more styled feel and would be perfect for a casual date or an afternoon on the town.

LOOK THREE: SHAPED MAXI

(Dress: Off 5th | Shoes: Anthropologie | Necklace: Anthropologie}

I've had this maxi dress for a while, but sometimes the tie-dye like coloring and the boxy shape leave me less than satisfied when I try to style this dress. Tying a white tee over the dress is the perfect way to tone down the pattern and most importantly, it adds a flattering shape. 

So there you have it. Three not-so-ordinary ways to style a white tee shirt that can easily be recreated with similar items in your closet! And as always, thanks for reading!

SUMMER MAXI DRESS: 3 WAYS

I plan on being MIA for the memorial day weekend, but I wanted to share this special post with you all before I go. After yesterdays hot mess post, I've officially switched over to summer mode. And one of my favorite summer staples is the maxi dress, so I'm sharing three ways that I like to style my favorite one. I picked up this dress on sale from Anthropologie at an end of summer last year. But some of my current favorites can be found here, here, here, and here.

LOOK ONE: BEACH BUM

{Hat: Target (similar) | Scarf: Nordstrom (similar) | Shoes: Old Navy}

A maxi dress is perfect for a day at the beach. For this look, I simply added my favorite lightweight sandals, a big beach hat, a scarf that can be used for warmth or to cover my arms from the sun, and a gold watch and earrings to add just a little flair.

LOOK TWO: DATE NIGHT

{Jacket: Zara | Bag: thrifted | Shoes: Sam Edelman | Necklace: thrifted}

To fancy up a maxi dress, I like to add a structured jacket. Here I've added my favorite leather jacket, but a black blazer would also do the trick. A simple bag, necklace, and strappy sandals complete the look for an evening feel.

LOOK THREE: BRUNCH

{Shirt: Brass Plum (thrifted) (similar) | Belt: Banana Republic | Shoes: Seychelles | Bag: Coach (thrifted)}

If you stick around my blog for a while, you will quickly learn that brunch is one of my favorite occasions. It is perfect for a casual date or an outing with girlfriends filled with mimosas and laughter. For this look, I paired my maxi with a belted chambray shirt to to give it a casual and chic feel. You could use any button up shirt, or even a jean jacket, for a similar effect. 

So there you have it. Three simple ways to style a maxi dress. And the best part is that you can take any maxi you already own to create similar looks.