Transitional Style: Red Flare Dress

While I do love summer and warm weather, the idea of the -ber months bring a new level of excitement. In the Philippines, we are anticipating the Christmas season as early as September. Last year, I incessantly (yes I am aware of that) talked about how excited I am about spending our first holiday season at our new home. This year, I still feel that same level of excitement. But I also have a December trip coming up to a tropical island. So while my mind is set on getting ready for the colder months ahead, I can't just shake off the idea of buying summer dresses just yet. The perfect compromise to that is to buy transitional dresses that can be easily styled depending on the weather. A red flare dress fits that bill for me.

Shop my picks for transitional dresses below...

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I've always loved to wear bright colors for summer; hence, red is a no-brainer for me. But at the same time, red has a sense of warmth to it, which also makes it an ideal choice for the colder months. By opting for fit and flare dresses that are easy to dress up or down, you can have a piece that can be styled for different seasons.

With the picks above, you can easily transition them by changing the shoe options and adding layers. For example, you can wear these dresses with wedge sandals or strappy sandals for the warm weather. If it's cold, you can layer with a jacket or cardigan, and then toss in some ankle booties into the mix!

What is your go-to style for transitional dresses?

xo, Abby

5 Types of Stripes You Need to Have

When it comes to classic patterns, I think stripes beat them all. The versatility of stripes also contribute to its universal and classic appeal. Depending on which stripe you are wearing, you can create different looks from them too. If you are a fan, this post is definitely for you. You can learn about the five different types of stripes that you can incorporate into your outfit and you'd be surprised how they look so distinctive from each other: 

Nautical Stripes

Source

The wide sized stripes that are evenly spaced with a solid background is the staple of a nautical striped look. It is ideal for creating a formal look such as a workwear outfit. But it can have a laid back vibe to it as well. The versatility of nautical stripes render the best example for the lasting appeal of stripes. 

Striped Georgia Peach Tee / Capistan Stripe Dress / Cut-Out Midi Dress / Seaboard Stripe Off Shoulder Top

Breton Stripes

Original Post: Trend Spin Linkup: Stripes

This is one of my favorites and a true style icon. Since its origin as a French naval uniform pattern, it is a street style favorite for modern fashionistas. It is also versatile since you can style it glam, casual or a little in between. 

Scoop Neckline Pencil Tank Dress / Striped Lace Up Sandals / Chic Black and White Striped Set / Sequoia Stripe Tee

Pin Stripes

Original Post: Feminine Stripes

This particular type of stripes is my go-to as of late. I am drawn to the feminine detail of the pin stripes. It is the perfect choice for casual silhouttes such as a jumpsuit, romper or wide leg pants. It is recommended if you want a classic yet modern style. 

Embroidered Pinstripe Wrap Dress / Pinstriped Off Shoulder Bodysuit / Free People One Piece Swimsuit / Cold Shoulder Lace Trim Dress

Barcode Stripes

Original Post: Fishtail Madness

The resemblance to a barcode makes this type of stripes so unique and eye-catching. It is characterized by different sized stripes in one pattern. This is a good choice to bring an eye-catching flair to a simple striped outfit. 

Off Shoulder Dress / Striped Midi Dress / Maxi Striped T-Shirt Dress / Striped Linen Dress

Candy/Rainbow Stripes

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This is the most fun take on playing with different stripes. It is characterized by the use of different colored stripes to resemble the look of a rainbow. This is the ideal choice for women who aren't afraid to stand out and be noticed. 

Celeste White Striped Dress / Stripes in the Spotlight Midi Skirt / Fuchsia Print Swing Dress / Striped Linen Slippers / Printed Maxi Dress

What is your favorite stripe to wear?

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Cutest Nail Art Ideas for Summer

I do believe that there is no better season than summer to experiment with nail colors and nail arts. It is also that time of the year when your manicure and pedicure are an integral part of your style. After all, you will be wearing sandals and open-toe footwear a lot. Make sure your nails are ready to show themselves off in fun, bright and creative nail art ideas! If Instagram and Pinterest were any proof, then you know great nails is an integral part of your style!

If you would like to skip the constant trip to the nail salon (and hence save your budget!), I'm happy to share this fun new website that I've discovered that lets you easily create your own nail art at home: NailSnaps. No more dealing with the expense of a custom nail art because this product was designed with that purpose in mind. The fun part that is you can explore existing nail art collections from the website or make your own. 

Below are just some of my favorites that I would love to wear this summer:

What is your thought on nail arts? Is nail art an essential part of your summer style too?

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links; however, the opinion expressed are my own.

Crushing on Pastels

OUTFIT DETAILS
Top (c/o) / Watch (c/o) / Pants / Earrings (c/o) / Handbag (c/o) / Shoes

Pastels are a welcome change to signal the start of a new (hopefully) warmer season. There is something about sherbet-colored hues that inspires creative and energetic mood. Pastel is a happy hue for me. When I want to feel good and warm, I reach out to any pastel shade in my wardrobe and it does the trick every single time. Whether or not you feel the same way, you cannot deny that soft hues are a classic spring/summer staple. It might look trendy but it has a timeless appeal that will enable you to wear your pastel pieces year after year. 

OUTFIT DETAILS
Top (c/o) / Watch (c/o) / Pants / Earrings (c/o) / Handbag (c/o) / Shoes

So... how do you wear pastel? My favorite way is with mixed pastels, just like I had done here. I take more than one pastel piece and wear them together. In this case, the blush top, mint watch and the powder blue tote complement each other for a soft yet bold look. 

If you want something more bold than my take on pastels, you can go monochrome with your outfit. You can wear the same color palette together. My favorite idea is to wear a risque crop top with a wide leg pant or high waisted pencil skirt.

If you want to stay on the classic route, though, you can also get some hint with my look today: wear it with neutrals. In this case, I opted for a black ripped denim jeans to go with my blush top and a neutral toned pumps. This will highlight the pastel hues and make them more noticeable.

Lastly, you can pair pastels with brights (just like I've done here too with a pair of bright earrings). This will provide a contrast by adding edge to the soft pastels.

What is your favorite way to wear pastel?

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Preppy in Stripes

Dress: Shein
Chambray: Shein (sold out, similar here)
Sandals: Sammydress (c/o)
Tote: Deux Lux
Watch: JORD (c/o)
Earrings: Kenneth Jay Lane

I wouldn't call my style preppy but it's fun to try out new styles and looks from time to time. Case in point: this outfit I have for you today. But what exactly is preppy style? It is the focus on casual and simple but polished outfit using just a few key accessories. The use of classic pieces make it such an enduring style since there are several possibilities to create your desired outfit and it will never go out of style. 

SHOP THIS LOOK
Dress: Shein
Chambray: Shein (sold out, similar here)
Sandals: Sammydress (c/o)
Tote: Deux Lux
Watch: JORD (c/o)
Earrings: Kenneth Jay Lane

In this case, the classic striped shift dress is the base of the look. Pairing it with a classic chambray top provides endless possibilities for styling: 1) wrapping it around the waist to provide a cinching effect, or 2) wear it over the dress for light layering effect. A classic black tote is also a great way to compliment this preppy style. A basic black tote can go with any outfit, but works beautifully with a preppy look with some nautical freshness to it!

The best thing about preppy style is that there is a certain sophistication with the look. And yet, it is easy to put together. As long as you basic and classic pieces in your wardrobe, it is easy to build up a preppy look from there. In general, try to avoid incorporating pieces that are too flashy or too sexy. The pieces you wear should be moderate length and clean-cut at all times.

Here are some pieces that would be good to build up on your preppy wardrobe:

Pencil Skirts

Left to Right: Moschino Pencil Skirt / Velvet Knit Skirt / ATM Striped Rib Skirt / Free People Skirt

Cardigans

Left to Right: Long Sleeve Belted Cardigan / Long Sleeve Pocket Cardigan / Open Front Loose Fit Cardigan

Crisp Button-Downs

Left to Right: Splendid Fringe Cotton Shirt / Equipment Slim Signature Blouse / DVF Lanzi Blouse / McGuire Denim Hideaway Shirt

What are your thoughts on preppy style?