GINGHAM DRESS FOR SUMMER

This weekend we we're lucky with incredible weather. On Saturday, I headed up to Sonoma for a friend's birthday and Sunday in the city was clear, sunny skies. It's one of the first times that Summer has actually felt like Summer. It had me mentally planning barbecues, picnics, and pool days... with a wardrobe to match.

Dress, Modcloth $24 - Sandals, Even&Odd $36 - Bag, LucLuc $26
Earrings, Kendra Scott $32 - Signet Ring, Banana Republic $35

WHAT I LOVE LATELY PART 3

These posts are starting to become my favorites, because I really enjoy sharing products I love with my readers. I have been on a bit of a spending spree lately (oops) because the sales have been so good. Plus, I have a beach vacation coming up and living in San Francisco hasn't left me with much of an appropriate wardrobe for warm weather and beach activities.

1. Headband, Zella $10 - Usually headbands do not stay on my head, but these ones have little stick spots on the bottom so they stay put really well. I found them at Nordstrom Rack for $3!
2. Sandals, Gap $23 - As much as I love the slide trend, I walk a lot so I need an ankle strap to keep my shoes on. Especially cause you never know what is on city sidewalks...These sandals are perfect cause they give the slide look, but are very secure.
3. Cologne, Kenneth Cole $52 - I tend to enjoy how cologne smells more than perfume, and I was randomly smelling men's fragrance when I came across this Kenneth Cole cologne. I am obsessed, so much so that I bought a bottle for my boyfriend.
4. Sunglasses, Free People $18 - I love these updated cateye glasses, they make me feel like a cool girl, ya know? I also love that they are black on the top of the frames, and the bottom are a dark tortoise.
5. Veggie Burgers, Trader Joe's $2.50 - I don't usually include foods, but these are amazing! They taste like samosa filling. Yum.
6. Earrings, Banana Republic $23 - I am a firm believer that sales in-store are always better than online. Case in point, I bought these earrings at Banana this weekend and they were $17, plus an additional 50% off.  I still am into the cluster earring trend, and I love the art deco feel of this pair.
7. Sandals, Madewell $25 - I actually bought these in black, which are no longer available online. They are great quality and on crazy good sale.

Edit: The Gap sandals sold out shortly after this post, so I would definitely check at your local Gap for the sandals. Also, the Madewell sandals are nearly sold out, but they have a crazy amount at the SF Madewell, so check that out if you are in the area! I think they take orders by phone also. Both sandals fit true to size.

CROP TOPS

You know what? I really just want to wear crop tops and skirts all spring and summer. I have serious problems with keeping my shirt tucked in or having the hem of the shirt showing through my skirt. I know I'm a bit late to the crop top game, I just never saw one in a store and thought "Yeah, I would wear that". Cause I seriously despise high waisted shorts and crop tops. The one below shows a little more skin, but the stripes with the cut are so cute.

Crop Top, River Island $44

Skirt, Dorothy Perkins $49

Sandals, Topshop $45

Bag, Target $40

Earrings, Banana Republic $45 (40% off with code BRHEAT)

Sunglasses, A.J. Morgan $24

MEOW.

Word around town is that leopard is being declared as the new neutral... seeing as I have been rocking leopard as a neutral for quite some time now, I'm feeling pretty good about being ahead of the curve. Leopard is so fascinating because it tiptoes that line of chic and cheap with as much precision as a tightrope walker. The best way to handle the print is in small doses, a skinny belt here, leopard flats with a chic dress there... as long as you stay away from dressing in the print head to toe. I am dying for the Zara heels below, omg.

Long Sleeve Top, Romwe.com $56 - Peplum Top, River Island $40 -

Slingbacks, Zara $80 - Booties, Bqueen $79 - Smoking Loafers, Liz Claireborne $60

Clutch, Topshop $45 - Tote, Dorothy Perkins $73

Earrings, Juicy Couture $30 - Ring, Nelly Accesories $10

Watch, River Island $29 - Scarf, Chicnova.com $15 - Belt, Banana Republic $50

POST GRAD ADVICE: DRESSING FOR INTERVIEWS

Dressing for your first interview can be a scary task. After living on the beach in college, I was used to slumming in my cut off shorts and crop tops. Obvi not suitable for the professional world. Too many times have a seen my friends leaving for interviews wearing black skinny jeans, or a top that is too revealing for the professional world. So, here are my tips on how to dress the part to get the part.

1. Buy a Suit - I personally am not a fan of pants suits, so I scoped out Banana Republic and got nice skirt suit on sale. I have worn it to every interview and conference I have been to since. And so have my friends. It's like sisterhood of the traveling suit. And none of this short or 3/4 sleeve blazer nonsense. The boyfriend blazer you wear out is not appropriate in a professional setting.

2 Nothing too tight, too revealing, too see through - This is a mistake I often see in my friends. While to our standards your skirt might be verging on loose, remember that if you are going on an interview you don't want to be wearing anything that requires Hanky Pankys. Same goes for sheer shirts. Even though sheer is in for street wear, if it is at all sheer for your professional wardrobe, put a cami on under it. Lastly, do not wear anything that shows off too much chest area, another mistake I see a lot of my friends make. The neckline should be VERY MODEST. If you are unsure about a top, put it on and bend over in the mirror, any bra? Don't wear it.

3. Shoes - Low to mid heels or flats in neutral colors. Avoid wedges or anything too trendy. Banana Republic and J Crew are excellent places to find appropriate shoes. Don't rock the platform pumps that you wore clubbing last weekend. Also important, make sure they are clean and not scuffed up.

4. Bags - A briefcase is obviously the best option, but not many postgrads own one. Instead, use a bag that has a shape similar to a briefcase that you can easily put paper or a folder in. Again, neutral colors and nothing too trendy. 

5. Accessories - In the accessories, make sure they are classic and understated. Smaller pieces are generally more appropriate, but bigger accessories, such as the necklace pictured, are appropriate as long as they are not too distracting.  Tip: If you wear a watch, make sure you don't glance down at it during the interview, it will make you seem uninterested.

Finally, bring your resume! hopefully you know this already, but if you don't, MAKE SURE YOU BRING ONE. A leather portfolio with a notepad is also a good thing to bring as well. Good luck on those interviews! 

Jersey Blazer, Mango $70 - Lace Stripe Shell, JCrew $35 - Pencil Skirt, JCrew $70
Shoes, Banana Republic, $128 - Briefcase, Dooney & Bourke $525
Necklace, Banana Republic $45 - Earrings, Zales $109 - Watch, Kate Spade $225

JOB INTERVIEW - RETAIL

Top, Joie $84 - Sweater, J Crew $50 - Skirt, J Crew $80

Bracelet, Banana Republic $45 - Necklace, Max and Chloe $45 - Bag, Zara $30

Shoes, Corso Como $88 - Belt, Topshop $28 - Makeup, Stila $45

I have a job interview today... wish me luck!