hello again, my dear readers!

thank you so much for tuning in.  i really appreciate all the encouragement and support that everyone has given me throughout this process, as well as the positive reception.  the simple fact that you are reading this means a lot to me. this is my third post!  i wanted to show you all a more “everyday” outfit rather than continue to bombard you with what i consider a more “stylized” version of myself (don’t worry, you’ll get another dose of that soon).  it’s not that the two outfits i featured before aren’t something i would actually wear.  fear not, my friends, i am not afraid to pair pieces together unexpectedly or to shy from an over-the-top item.  believe me, i can cook up some strange outfits.  no, those items and the looks are me, they just aren’t me everyday. that said, this is an outfit i wore to explore St. George with my parents during the day.  we found this spot (featured in my last post; we liked it so much we had to come back to take those photos) on the the secluded bay side of the island.  basically, the entire look is current free people product but is actually more affordable than you probably think (i assure you, i own other brands and no, i do not work for them!).

top – free people; bralette – free people; shorts – free people; sandals – birkenstock; bag – proenza schouler; watch – michele; bracelets – chan luu; turquoise ring – vintage; delicate rings – considerthewldflwrs; crescent moon necklace – free people; bar necklace – considerthewldfwrs; sunglasses – ray-ban.

the cost of this outfit is actually $108 — you’d be surprised at the affordability of some of free people’s most popular pieces.  if you are interested in the brand but daunted by the prices and unsure of the items’ wearability, i recommend sticking with some of their most popular items from the intimates line — bandeaux and bralettes, camis, and slips.  not to mention, sweaters and thermals come fall.  the brand churns these out every season because they are items you can continue to wear in different ways and are meant to be layered differently each season.  peep through the brand’s monthly catalogues (they are first and foremost a beautiful portfolio of pretty clothes, exotic locations, stunning models, and beautiful, layered style) and look at the inventive ways the pieces are styled, then take those ideas and translate them into a way that makes sense for your style.  or just ask me to come over and i’ll help you. for example, this $30 top can be worn with denim shorts (my summer uniform), tucked into a high-waisted skirt, and layered over a dress or skirt.  i also have it in white and wore it with a pair of breezy silk shorts to dinner with friends.  not to mention the fact that it would look phenomenal with a good pair of slouchy, distressed boyfriend jeans (cuffed, of course) and a pretty pair of shoes — heels for a night out, or flats for day.  layer on your favorite jewels and you are good to go.  don’t be afraid to make your pieces work in a variety of looks…that’s what makes them worth your hard-earned money.  at all costs, you should avoid buying pieces that you can only envision wearing in one “outfit.”  if you try it on and can only think of one or two ways to wear it, skip it.  or call me because i can probably help you come up with three other ways to style it, especially if i know what’s already in your closet.

this is the back detail of the bralette.  cute, huh?  it’s also super comfortable.

now i want to take a second to profess my love for the birkenstock arizona sandal.  first of all, they are comfortable (duh.) and are actually good for your feet.  now, i won’t sit here and act like i’ve never hated on these granola girl sandals.  but the more i saw them on cool-girl bloggers and boho goddesses, the more i just kept thinking, “ok, i see what you’re doing…and i like it.”  i mean, really, they are a well-made shoe from a brand with an extensive heritage.  one trick, though, is getting the sizing down.  they run quite large.  for reference, i wear a size 7/37 euro.  i had to get these in a size 5!  know why?  because birkenstock considers a european size 36 to be a size 5 us.  so, if you are looking into a pair, go by your european size, then size down.  or, go to a good shoe store and have those folks help you (or, you could call me and i’ll go with you to the good shoe store for moral support).

it was a struggle to get a good photo without my sunglasses – that florida sun is blinding!

i assure you, i do not think i am a model.  i just sometimes like to pretend to be one.

thank you again for reading!

let me know what you think in the comments below.