Summer time, livin' easy

Since I work basically everyday of the week my family and I love anytime we get to spend together when I have a free day from work. So today I made the drive home and we had the whole family together for a pre-memorial day picnic and it was splendid. Beautiful weather, great food, good wine, and the soundtrack to Dirty Dancing playing in the background...it doesn't get much better than that.

So the outfit for the day was summery and casual.

Tank Top : Hanes pack of 4 - $11.00

Men's Style Button Down Shirt: Thrifted - $2.00

Shorts: On CRAZY sale at Old Navy - $2.50

Ballet Flats: Bitten (SJP's discount clothing line) - $5.00

I spent the morning relaxing with a wonderful Iced Chi Tea from Teavanna, which I must admit I am a total tea junky and love everything from this fabulous store, and a lovely book my mother got for me that explores the world of old Hollywood and the golden age of Broadway, "Underfoot in Show Business" by Helene Hanff.

A little hummingbird nest that fell from a tree in the backyard.

The youngster and I picked flowers after we took the dog for a walk.

Strawberries!!...almost

Summer grilling doesn't get much better than this!

Momma and Skyler playing after a long afternoon in the pool.

 

From begining to end this was a wonderful day and a great way to start the summer! (And if you don't own the soundtrack to Dirty Dancing I recommend you download it asap :)

-xoxo.

Style Muse

I've decided to dedicate this post to the lovely and talented Zooey Deschanel. I think her classic beauty and vintage style make her one of the most interesting people Hollywood has to offer.

Zooey can be seen in many films, my favorite of which include: Elf, Almost Famous, and 500 Days of Summer. She also has a great cameo appearance in Failure to Launch that makes perfect use of her deliciously dry humor.

I don`t want to be a babe. I don`t want vanity to ever get in the way, because I think to maintain that, you have to be aware of yourself all the time, and that gets in the way of acting. My job`s not to be the beautiful person. My job is to be the best actor I can be. "
                                                                        
 

Zooey is also one half of the quirky sound of "She and Him" whose new record just recently released.

I recommend you check it out -- if not the new album, then at the very least check out "Why do you let me stay here?" from She and Him Volume One. It's a great tune for the summer.

Bathing Beauty

So long story short, I have been wearing the same bathing suit since about my sophomore year of high school for no other reason than the fact that I can never find a bathing suit that I like that is in my price range. Well, recently the bathing gods have smiled and I found this simple, understated yet beautiful seafoam green suit on the Victoria's Secret website for only $16... total! Yes, that is combined for both the top and the bottom.

The bandeau style top is also a great way to give the illusion of a more hourglass figure

So to honor my wonderful purchase and  the quickly approaching summer, I went in search of other beautiful bathing suits

I love this image for many reasons, the most of which is of course the lovely Miss Zooey DeChanel.

I'm also currently obsessed with the idea of a swimming cap

And for you Fashion Frugalistas out there I found this gorgeous green suit at Anthropologie (aka - the place where all of the world's most beautiful things live) For about $116 (ouch)

 BUT there is a suit that is almost identical at Old Navy for a fraction of the price.(About $40)

-xoxo.

Flew the Coop

Well everyone the day has finally come..........my first apartment!!!! Now granted I'm only subletting for the summer but it is quite a freeing experience to proudly say "my apartment" ....if only for the summer :)

So the big move in day required a low key outfit.

A lightweight, gauze top paired with skinny jeans and a scarf to keep my hair back seemed

like the perfect fit.
Top: Thrift Store - $5
Jeans: Forever 21 - $9.50
Scarf: Thrift Store - $3

 Ring: Thrift Store -$1

 Being a grown-up also includes grocery shopping for real....not just Ramen. So I went out and stocked my pantry with as many grown-up foods as possible. And with my couponing skills I got it all for $40 which I was very proud of :)

And the most fun part of the day was finally getting to decorate my room

I bought this adorable bedding from UO. I love that all the little birdies have their own little personalities. Here are two of my favorites:

So excited to spend the summer in my grown-up apartment!

-xoxo.

Happy Mother's Day

Today I'm saluting the most amazing woman I know. My mother has taught me so much about life. She has helped me become the person I am today and I am so eternally grateful.

Thank you mom!!

-xoxo.

Fashion Frugalista

 

This week I have a double whammy 'Fashion Frugalista'. The first is shown above and it is a fabulous dress that I wore to the opening night of Chess. Now, I've never really been a fan of the ruched dress but the detailing in this dress won me over. And even better still, it cost only 5 dollars!! A steal indeed. 

The lovely Natalia pictured here with me in a gorgeous Nanette Lepore dress (who crazily enough is her aunt!) I love the pattern and draping on this dress. It reminds me of a stained glass window. So lovely.

The second outfit this week is a forties inspired ensemble that I wore to school today (and picked a couple of flowers...shhhhhh).

 

Top: A gift

High Waisted Shorts: second hand store from The Short North in Columbus- $6.00

Belt: Antique Store- $2.00

Shoes: T.J. Maxx- $19.99

 

-xoxo,

Let the pieces fall

Hello! So sorry for the delay. I've been quite the busy bee lately. Finals week has just begun and I just finished performing in a production of the musical Chess at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland.

If you love everything 80's then you can be sure that you would love this show. The entire show is set to the wonderful electronica ABBA sound that defined a generation.

So, in honor of Chess, here are some wonderful 80's inspired fashion that has been hitting the runway.

Jason Wu

Marc Jacobs

Charlotte Ronson - A very 'Chess' inspired look!

A space age look from Alexandre Herchocovitch