one. striped. button-down. // three. ways.

I knew this blue and white striped button-down shirt would be on repeat the moment I bought it. It’s lightweight, slightly oversized and incredibly effortless.
It’s confession time: I have a slightly unhealthy obsession with button-downs. We all have that one hero piece in our wardrobe, and a tried-and-true button-down shirt just so happens to be mine. What can I say, they’re the first thing I reach for when a case of the outfit blahs hits and nothing else seems to measure up. Over the past few years, I’ve accumulated more plaid, gingham and striped shirts than I care to admit — some are structured while others take on a more laid-back chic vibe (just the way I like it).
 

There’s my favorite silk shirt from Equipment that looks exquisite paired with skinny jeans, a slouchy gingham button-down from Joie that can be styled no less than a million and one ways and there’s even a slim oxford that I once snagged on sale from the men’s section at J.Crew. It fits like a dream BTW. The list goes on. To share just how versatile a button-down can be, I’m sharing three ways that I’ve recently styled this summery striped shirt from Splendid.



Easy does it. When in doubt, black skinny jeans and a button-down will always do you right. Although I have yet to master the perfect half-tuck (one day…), there’s nothing I love more than being able to toss on a button-down with jeans and d’Orsay flats for a low-key afternoon at a coffee shop.



Just a little preppy. This #OOTD was actually from Memorial Day weekend (#longlivesummer). It doesn’t get more summery than seersucker shorts (here’s the skirt version), navy Keds and a knotted button-down. For a day spent out and about, I even toted around my go-to Old Navy bucket bag. 



Ultra-femme with a twist. Last but not least, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to style my favorite striped shirt with this classic white French Connection skirt (a great T.J. Maxx find!). Once again, I knotted the ends for a chic accent and accessorized with a mint green necklace and clear rubber Ancient Greek Sandals

Scroll through for more shoppable button-downs below:


What’s your favorite way to style a button-down? Let me know in the comments below!
xo,

A
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weekend. sales.

With summer sales in full swing, I thought I would share a few of my favorite finds. Walking through the mall this weekend, I was surprised to see so many stores already with 50-70 percent markdowns! Thankfully, summer is nowhere near over and you'll still be able to get plenty of wear out of whatever end-of-season finds you manage to snatch up. Take a peek below at what I found.

 
Melody Mini Dress (Free People) // ICYMI: Free People is offering an additional 50 percent off all sale items this weekend, which is ah-mazing. I'm not sure how long the sale's going on, but I ended up getting this gorgeous floral frock for under $30. I'm obsessed with the ultra-feminine floral print, the short sleeves and the effortless silhouette (perfect for those dog days of summer). The length was just right, too.

Printed Gia Mini Dress (American Apparel) // American Apparel is currently offering an additional 60 percent off all clearance items. That said, I immediately fell in love with this fun floral dress with retro appeal. I recommend going up a size if you want a more laid-back chic look! I plan on putting it away for late summer/early fall, so that I can pair it with ankle booties and maybe even riding boots once it gets really cold. I also purchased this easy-breezy ponte mini skirt in mustard melange. It's a basic that I know I'll get a lot of wear out of (think: everything from oversized sweaters to chambray shirts).
Cara Faux Leather Bow Headband (Nordstrom) // I've been eyeing (and proceeding to try on) this gorgeous faux leather bow headband for several months now. You can imagine my delight upon discovering that it was finally on sale. Although it's available in several different colors, I simply can't get enough of the cognac. It's classy, sophisticated and just right if you want to channel your inner Blair Waldorf. I know I do.

Gemma Glitter Flats (J.Crew) // I initially stumbled upon these sparkly #shinyponies in store last weekend, but they weren't my size. Determined to snag a pair of my dream ballet flats, I checked online and J.Crew thankfully still had them in stock. Let me tell ya — they're a major steal. Use the code SUMMER to get an additional 60 percent off the current sale price. Pssst: They come in at around $30 once you factor in shipping.

Have you stumbled upon any amazing summer steals lately? Feel free to share 'em with me below!

xo,

A
0

july. the. list.

Welp! We’re more than halfway through July and I’m not one bit happy about it. (Side note: Brace yourself for a summer ice cream/frozen treats bucket list, ‘cuz it’s coming to the blog later this week!) While fashion mags and websites are slowly beginning to introduce fall’s top trends, I’m all about those dog days of summer. Think: Breezy skirts, printed shorts and sandals for days. Here’s a snippet of a few things I’m currently coveting this month — enjoy!


1. Plaid Pleated Tank Top (Madewell) // Enter the perfect pleated top, featuring a swingy silhouette, that will keep you cool even on the hottest days of summer. You can style the plaid print with white skinny jeans, denim cutoffs or a cute mini skirt. Your move.  
2. Pintrill Emoji Pin (Madewell) // It’s official: I need to invest in a denim jacket just so that I have an excuse to pick up a few of these enamel emoji-inspired pins. I call dibs on the sprinkled donut, pizza and info desk girl.  
3. Multi-colored Sandals (H&M) // Too much color? No such thing. As far as budget-friendly sandals go, these rainbow lace-up stunners are everything. Not only will they lend major pep to your step, but the outfit possibilities are endless. 
4. Ivy Round Sunglasses (Henri Bendel) // Yes, I apparently do need to add yet another pair of sunnies to my collection. Equal parts sophisticated and glam, these round tortoiseshell shades won’t go unnoticed. I imagine them looking perf with a LBD or jeans and a button-down. 
5. Mini Sofia Crossbody (Rebecca Minkoff) // I’m low-key obsessed with this mini crossbody bag featuring playful tassels (!). Can you blame me? It just screams SUMMER. The compact size is perfect for the girl-on-the-go who wants to carry just the essentials when out and about.  
6. JM Drygoods Embroidered Vintage Jean Shorts (Madewell) // It’s hard to say if I would actually wear these vintage floral denim shorts IRL or not, but I love how they’re styled on Madewell’s website. Wear ‘em for an outdoor concert, the county fair or a weekend spent glamping.  
7. Striped Cotton-Jersey Mini Dress (Net-a-Porter) // OMG, how comfortable (and Parisian chic) does this striped t-shirt dress look? Toss it on alongside a crossbody bag and lace-up sandals for a daytime casual look or wear it with a denim jacket come after-hours.
8. Taking Flight Pelican Ring (Kate Spade) // Leave it to Kate Spade to design the most whimsical rings possible. Just think how cute this little pelican fella would look perched on your finger. Pssst: there's a matching bangle, pendant necklace and tote (my favorite!), too.

What are your summer must-haves? Leave a comment below!

xo,
A
0

artifact. uprising.



I was scrolling through my camera roll the other day when I realized that I had never shared a post on Artifact Uprising, a VSCO company that makes custom prints, photo books and cards. If you’re anything like me and appreciate VSCO Cam’s minimalist presets for editing photos, then you’ll love Artifact Uprising’s dedication to storytelling even more.
We are only as great as the community behind us. we believe in its power to ignite creativity. we strive to cultivate a community of inspired storytellers—of movers, shakers, do-ers, designers, artists, thinkers, joy-makers.
With all the snapshots you’ll be taking this summer (everything from drippy ice cream cones and selfies at the beach to pretty sunsets), it only makes sense to turn some of your favorite pics into works of art that you’ll cherish for years to come. Several months back, I received a discount code for 25 free square prints (I only had to pay shipping) and was thoroughly impressed with my experience.

Between Artifact Uprising’s intuitive interface (more on that in a second) and the presentation of the prints themselves, I will 100% be using their services again in the future. I was especially pleased with the durability of the prints, which are printed on a recycled cardstock with a textured matte finish. The square shape — complete with a white Instagram-esque border — further gives off an incredibly streamlined appearance. I have to admit, the prints ended up being a lot larger than I had expected, but their 5 x 5’’ size (which is listed in the product description online) actually works just fine. If anything, the size makes each print more tactile and special.


Did I mention that the uploading process is incredibly seamless? When you’re ready to pick out your prints or create a photo book, you can directly upload pics from your Instagram feed, camera roll or Dropbox. Once you log into Instagram on your computer, the photos will instantly appear along the bottom of the screen — simply drag and drop, and you’re good to go! It’s that easy.

Although I’m not sure what I’ll do with my 25 prints (perhaps, I’ll get them framed for a gallery wall some day?!), they admittedly make great photo props for Instagram.




For more inspiration, be sure to follow Artifact Uprising on Instagram, VSCO Grid and Twitter.

Will you be using Artifact Uprising's services to print your photos this summer? Let me know in the comments below!


xo,

A
1

june. outfits.

The gang's all here. (From L to R: Madewell, J.Crew + Kate Spade.)
Is it just me or do the summer months always fly by the fastest?! I can’t believe June is officially in the books and that July 4th weekend has arrived. Thankfully, summer’s nowhere near over (in fact, summer technically just started two weeks ago!) and there’s still plenty of easy-breezy #OOTDs on the horizon. Today, I’m recapping some of my favorite looks from June — I even managed to style a few athleisure(ish)-inspired ensembles!

An oldie, but a goodie... Every girl needs a dress this twirl-worthy on standby.

My favorite bicycle shorts EVER. Period.

This neon coral top always lends a little extra "pop" to my outfits.

Chinos on repeat all summer long...

My idea of athleisure... When I snagged this gingham skort on sale at Gap last fall, I knew that it would be too cute for working out. Naturally, I did the next best thing by styling it with a striped tee, a versatile cross-body bag and leopard print slides.

My #kedsstyle.

A gingham top that can be styled a million and one ways...

What are your favorite summer outfit essentials? Leave a comment below!

xo,

A
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