dressed down sequins

As someone who always buys too many sparkly things for the holidays, I really love the trend of dressed down sequins for every day wear. This skirt from Asos is only 23 bucks! AND it doesn't look like a tarty tube top (some of the inexpensive ones do). Another thing I love is layering, which is obviously all over this site. This particular set of layers is a little more realistic for me personally because it features a sleeveless collared button down with a tshirt over it. I'd love to be able to layer shirts-under-sweaters-under-jackets-under-etc, but I have a little body mass of my own, and sometimes  that just looks bulky. This gives the look of layers without adding much heft (and it's cooler for spring, as well). Taking it out of the silver/black/brown neutral world, I've added some pops of purple and blue to finish off this casual sequined look. 

sleeveless chambray shirt, polka dot boat neck tshirt, sequined skirt, necklace, bangles, flats

Outfit total: $122.12

spring strip-down

I remember, growing up in the Midwest, the first moderately warm day of spring every kid would try to wear shorts to school. We were usually covered in goosebumps until the glorious sun would come out and warm things up in the afternoon, and then it was all worth it. I feel like every day in Los Angeles is kind of like that, and I swear that's why the whole Uggs+miniskirts combo became a fad: Uggs warm you for the cold morning, the miniskirt cools you off for the afternoon. It's a splitting-the-difference kind of combo. 

Layering is key. I find that if my feet are warm, the rest of me can handle the cool weather. I usually pair boots with a skirt, and then pile the rest of the layers on top. I have a cool option (a tank top), with a medium weight (chambray shirt) with a chunky sweater on top. Add a scarf, and I'm all bundled up for the morning. Then you can just remove layers as the day goes on! (Or if you are like me, you will continue to add and remove layers over and over throughout the day based on a cold front or a hot flash). 

tank, skirt, chambray shirt, cardigan, belt, boots, scarf, necklace

music festival staples

Coachella is just days away, and the rest of the summer's music festivals aren't far behind. Here are a few items to beat the heat and battle the elements of outdoor concerting: 

fedora, white tank, feather necklace, chambray shirt,
maxi dress, lime green scarf, black and brown sandals,
black sneakers, sunglasses, lime culottes, floral dress,
white polka dot dress, grey scarf, duster cardigan,
brown and white bikini, pink bustier bikini,
grey tshirt, grey culottes

• A fedora or other lightweight hat to shield face, prevent scalp and ear sunburn, and cover up unwashed hair.
• A trusty pair of sunglasses. Or a few. I tend to lose/break mine, so I stick with the cheap kind. No one wants to hear you fussing about your expensive shades getting lost in foot traffic.
• Flowy tanks and tshirts that can be layered over swim suits, paired with skorts. 
• Yes, I said skorts! You thought you left these skirt-short combos on the grade school playground, but they are perfect for a sweltering day when you are still trying to look cute. The two below look like breezy little skirts, but with that added shorts panel to keep your thighs from touching. (I know there are plenty of ladies at these things whose thighs don't touch, but the rest of you will be thankful). 
• A button down chambray shirt to throw over everything when your shoulders start to burn a little, or when the sun goes down and the temperature drops.
• Scarves to tie in your hair or around your neck to shield your chest from the sun. Also soak one in water and have a fashionable little cooler around your neck. 
• Both sandals and sneakers to rotate if you start to get blisters. Sandals fasten around ankle so you won't lose a shoe in the mud, sneakers are black since they'll probably end up pretty muddy too. 
• A couple of cotton dresses. You'll be happy you left the polyester at home for some breathable pieces that make getting dressed a one-step process. 
• A variety of swim suits. Since these will often serve as your underwear for the day, have a rotation of bikinis (easier for port-a-potties) to wear. Different necklines and silhouettes can help ease the pain of a strap over a sunburned spot too.  
• A maxi dress for a more-coverage option. Can be tied up in the front to keep it from dragging and to have a little more breeze around the knees. 
• A cardigan. I love this waterfall cardigan duster because you can belt it closed and wear it like a dress, wear it open as a swim suit cover-up, and wear it over everything else you brought. It is cozy, flowy, and breezy all at the same time! 

dress like vada sultenfuss

I know I am not the only kid in the nineties who wanted to dress like Vada Sultenfuss in the movie My Girl. Costume designer Karen Patch, who also did The Royal Tenenbaums, among others, struck a lovely balance of a tomboy look with feminine touches-- Vada's cute little peasant blouse with overalls-- and also just pieces from the seventies that would be accessible to a modern (1991) audience. I think these costumes hold up well today, and I find that I still want to dress like Vada. I think I'll leave the overalls behind with my 11 year old self though. 

peasant shirt, jean shorts, sandals
floral chambray shirt, khaki shorts, sneakers

Click here for more screen captures of all her looks.

only old navy

I once read this quote from Drew Barrymore on IMDB: "I didn’t wear certain designers because I didn’t want any animals to suffer for beauty and stuff, and so I literally was dressed by Old Navy at one point." I remember thinking, it could be worse! Here are three looks that answer the question, what if you could ONLY shop at Old Navy, like poor Drew?

jeans, blouse, necklace, sandals, bag 

sweater, tank, shorts, wedges, sunglasses

dress, shirt, scarf, bracelets, sandals