Neon Nautical

Ann Taylor Blazer, J. Crew Tee (similar & on sale!), Gap Shorts (similar), F21 Sunglasses

I decided to brave the cold (classroom) today and wear shorts. To balance that out, I made sure to layer on more durable elements on top. The tee is actually a thicker material, and the blazer ($10 Goodwill find) added another layer of warmth. I'm sure most people thought I was crazy for wearing a black blazer on such a sunny and humid day, but as long as I can make it through class, I'll do whatever it takes. The sunglasses I wore today resemble the iconic Ray-Ban Wayfarers; Wayfarers don't frame my face properly (or please my wallet), so I was thrilled when I saw a budget-friendly substitute at Forever 21 that had a more flattering fit. In my book, $6 is better than $150+ any day.

Sheer Cut

Nasty Gal Cut-Out Blouse, American Rag Jeans, Aerie Lace Bandeau, Urban Outfitters Belt, Ray-Ban Aviators, Naturalizer Penny Loafers

The weather today was extremely humid, so wearing a sheer chiffon blouse was probably not the best idea. The blouse is probably one of the few "edgy" pieces in my closet as I tend to play it safe when shopping (I'm trying to branch out) It has two cut-outs in the back near the shoulder blades and a slight high-low hemline. I already own a plethora of button-up blouses, but I reasoned with myself that this blouse would be a unique addition. I aimed for a casual yet streamlined look, so I paired the blouse with some light-washed jeans and penny loafers.

Comfort in the Classroom

 

  

   H&M Top, Gap Khakis, Vince Camuto Sandals

I tend to wear pants or jeans during the weekdays just because I'm in class for four hours a day, and the rooms are too cold to handle (I am extremely sensitive to cooler temperatures, unfortunately). It's always a struggle finding pants and jeans that fit me properly since the lengths are usually too long or the ankle areas are too loose. When I found these skinny mini skimmer khakis from Gap, I knew I hit the jackpot and was willing to pay a bit extra for them since I knew they would be a versatile staple. The khakis end slightly below my ankle and have a relaxed but fitted silhouette. I cuffed them today for a more casual look and wore a pair of black sandals for comfort. For work attire or something dressier, I'd pair them with a white blouse, blazer, and nude flats.

Something To Look Forward To

Gianni Bini Dress, Kate Landry Crossbody, Fossil Watch, Vince Camuto Bangle, LC Lauren Conrad Platform Heels

I've never been in the habit of having brunch (I actually can't remember the last time I had brunch), but for this week, my friends and I decided on a brunch outing at Benjy's as something we could eagerly anticipate. What better way to explore the city of Houston but through food; you really can't go wrong with trying out new cuisines and enjoying the ambiances of each restaurant. Ambiance has become a much bigger factor for me when choosing restaurants just because many restaurants in Houston do a fantastic job on making their places unique. The restaurant experience has turned into a feast for both my taste buds and eyes!

Here's to the rest of summer and a little something to look forward to each week.

A Different Kind of Sandal

1 // Dolce Vita; $158

2 // Ted Baker London; $200

3 // J. Crew; $198
4 // Marvin K; $350
5 // Zara; $70
6 // Prada; $720 $423 (on sale)
7 // Valentino; $745 $447 (on sale)
8 // Sam Edelman; $100 $70 (on sale)
9 // Rachel Zoe; $295 $118 (on sale)*

Since I'm vertically challenged (5'2"), I appreciate any sort of heel, whether it's 1 inch or 5 inches. As much as I'd like to wear heels every day, I know my feet would not be thanking me for the treatment. Luckily, the trend of a lower and chunkier heel is up and coming. This means more support and comfort for your feet while still adding a bit of height to your shoes! Now all I need to do is find a pair that are reasonably priced for my college student budget.

*As much as I'd like to purchase all of these shoes I've showcased, I just want to clarify that these prices are sadly but definitely out of my price range (even at $70). I chose these shoes because I feel they are perfect examples of this type of heel.

Weekend Recap

My lovely roommate and me

Passion Pit greatly exceeded my expectations

As close as I could get to Calvin Harris

Free Press Summer Festival was exhausting but such a great experience. The weather was actually bearable (particularly the second day). I'm already looking forward to the announcement of next summer's artist line-up!

What I wore (unfortunately not pictured):
Day 1
Cami: Aerie (similar)
Shorts: Levis (similar; mine were a thrift store DIY)
Bandeau: Gilly Hicks (similar)
Sunglasses: F21 (similar)
Shoes: Gap x Keds (similar)

Day 2
Top: F21 (similar)
Shorts: AE (similar)
Bikini: Victoria's Secret
Sunglasses: F21
Shoes: Call It Spring (similar)

Music Under the Sun

credits // 1 2 3 4 

The school year has ended, and I'm on summer break! Work and summer school have not begun, so I'm taking advantage of my free time by getting accustomed to the apartment lifestyle, working out, and doing some poolside reading. As the days go by, one of the highly anticipated events this summer slowly approaches. Houston's annual Free Press Summer Festival is coming to town June 1st and 2nd, and the lineup is pretty terrific (and eclectic!). Just to name a few, I'm particularly excited to see Passion Pit, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and Calvin Harris.

In addition to providing great music, music festivals also give us the opportunity to have some fun with fashion (not that we can't do that everyday anyways). I've definitely been brainstorming hot + humid weather-friendly clothing, and here are my top options:

1 // I'm absolutely in love with basically anything Olivia Palermo wears. She manages wear outfits that look effortless but completely put together. Her breezy tank top + maxi skirt are great options to beat the heat. I would also advise wearing comfortable shoes as well since music festivals require quite a bit of walking and standing as well as a pair of sunglasses.

2 // I really love the crochet pattern on the cropped tank, which is both aesthetic and practical for keeping cool. The patterned high-waisted shorts give her outfit a dash of fun, and the crazy sunglasses scream fun in the sun.

3 // This outfit seems to be a classic in music festival fashion. You can't go wrong wearing high-waisted jean shorts, a bandeau top, and a cover-up!

4 // I would not advise wearing a long-sleeved blouse in Houston during the summer, but switch it out with a sleeveless blouse, and you're good to go. Jean shorts pair fantastically with any sort of white top. While wearing short boots may seem illogical in the summer, they may save your toes from the countless people that may step on them; they would also incorporate some edge into an outfit.

I won't lie; I'm probably just as excited about dressing up for FPSF as I am for the performances!