Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays for outfits! Think about it…Halloween is not flattering to anyone, Thanksgiving is drab, Christmas has too much tendency to be totally cheesy. But the Fourth is crisp and summery and involves pretty colors that flatter everyone! Here are some of my favorite patriot pieces for this summer:
1. ONE | TWO (dress version) | THREE | FOUR | FIVE | SIX | SEVEN | EIGHT | NINE | TEN | ELEVEN | TWELVE | THIRTEEN | FOURTEEN
Although they are a staple in any woman’s wardrobe, black pants are definitely not all created equally. This Enza Costa pleated “Easy Pant,” however, has earned the title of current favorite! For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a pair of go-to black pants. Thinking back on how my favorite styles have evolved, I get a little tickled (and maybe a tad embarrassed) as I recall the trends! The first pair of LBPs I remember having a relationship with was a wide-leg pair from Banana Republic my senior year of high school. My sister gave them to me for Christmas, and I thought they were just so chic. With the faintest hint of a pinstripe on the draped silk (or more likely, rayon) fabric, those pants made me feel like I was going places!
College in the late 90s, for better or worse, dawned a new era for “fashion.” Going out meant one of two things: black Express pants with a cropped top or black Express pants with a business casual button down. There was no in between; you either looked like you were about to get on stage and dance backup for Britney or head to your summer internship at Arthur Andersen! And there was really no rhyme or reason as to which direction you went on any given night. You might have anywhere from three to four bare bellies in your group right alongside the buttoned down law clerks. I suppose it could have been based on just how dedicated you’d been that week to your Abs of Steel VHS tape? The common denominator, however, was always the black stretchy, bootcut pants. So invested was I in the ubiquitous black bottoms from Express, I opened a line of credit just to purchase my outfits for evenings out. (No worries, Mom, it had a $500 credit limit!) 
Law school and early career days ushered in the introduction of 7 For All Mankind jeans, thank goodness! We finally began dressing normally for happy hour, and black pants were reserved for court appearances and somber occasions. Hence the Theory suit pants still hanging in my closet. They were a splurge at the time, but I’m happy to say they are still “in” and well worth the investment! These days, however, black pants are just a great staple and great way to embrace trends while keeping a classic look intact. I’m in love with the silhouette of these pleated, tapered Enza Costa ankle pants, not to mention the comfort level. They pretty much feel like wearing pajamas, but paired with a pair of sexy stilettos, they make for a foxy little date night number. I can’t think of a better combo to earn the title of best LBPs ever! 
Black pants: Enza Costa (similar by Vince Camuto) | Tank: Bobi | Shoes: Stuart Weitzman (similar by Steve Madden) | Clutch: Saint Laurent | Similar Gold Feather Earrings | Watch: Larsson & Jennings | Python cuff: Similar by Stephen Mikhail | Gold bangle: Marco Bicego | Gold feather cuff: Similar by House of Harlow | Hermes bracelet: Consigned version
Spring in Texas can be confusing…85 degrees the day before school let out for spring break and down in the 40s once the kids were out! So aggravating! But the one thing we can always count on is rain. I have a severe aversion to the air conditioning settings most places utilize on a good day, but when I’m wet from rain and have to be indoors, I can get chilled to the bone. I’ve learned to just cover up. No matter what season we’re in or what the thermometer reads, I need my arms, legs, and toes covered when it rains! This is the perfect outfit for a day like today!
This Free People split-back top has been such a favorite of mine. I’ve worn it with jeans, yoga leggings, and cutoffs. The fabric is woven in sweater-like fashion, but it’s lightweight and not the least bit scratchy. It also comes in an array of colors for those a little more adventurous. I usually wear it with a tank underneath for a little coverage, but the amount of skin exposed from the split-back is minimal and just adds a cute detail. It is the perfect transition top, from cool to warm weather AND from barre class to carpool!
I’m wearing it here with my fave Mother Denim distressed skinny jeans. I heart Mother jeans so much (you may recall from this post about the flares I fell in love with). The fit is so good, and their washes are spot on. Another favorite, my studded Anine Bing booties, have gone everywhere with me since I got them last fall…to the point my daughter has decided I need to wear some of my other shoes every now and then. They are super comfortable and go with everything. I love them with jeans; I love them with dresses; I love them with shorts….I love them in a car; I love them in a bar! 😉 And of course a rainy day calls for hair protection. Brixton makes such great hats at such approachable prices. I’m wearing the Indiana fedora, and I also love the Pacific straw version for summertime.
It’s a mess out there today….stay dry and covered!!
Top: Free People | Jeans: Mother (similar by BLANKNYC) | Booties: Anine Bing (similar by Vince Camuto) | Fedora: Brixton (summer straw version) | Bag: Chanel (similar Chanel and Jerome Dreyfuss) | Belt: J.Crew, sold out (similar by Anderson’s and less expensive option by Halogen) | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
Whether you are a hopeless romantic or a cynical “Valentine’s Day is a made up Hallmark holiday” kind of girl, one thing we can all agree on is that this “love day” is the perfect excuse to get dressed up! (Not to mention the candy!!) I ran across this flirty little ruffled number by After Market when I was recently checking out Pomp & Circumstance Boutique’s precious new Rice Village location. I’m a sucker for seersucker, and the flattering ruffled double v-neck on this dress sealed the deal for me. These ombre BaubleBar drop earrings gave this outfit the perfect Valentine’s vibe, and a hot pink lippie by NYX was just the right finishing touch for a romantic look. Although my real V-Day evening plans include ballet class, tae kwon do, guitar lessons, and the final pee wee basketball game of the season, at least I have an outfit ready should another Hallmark holiday appear on my calendar in the near future!
I won’t let the day go by, however, without some festivities. My kids get way into celebrations, and my daughter adores “setting up” (i.e., decorating) for each and every holiday. We were a little late to the party for Valentine’s and only got things “set up” last night, but exuberance is high today with the anticipation of class parties and boxes of mystery chocolates. We have decorated a Star Wars box to receive cards from friends and drawn hearts on lollipop-adorned princess Valentines. These two have my whole heart today and every day!
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. — 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
Dress: After Market, available locally at Pomp & Circumstance Boutique (also love these ruffled dresses by Sea, Chelsea28, Miss Selfridge, and Joanna August and this cute tie-back dress by the same designer, After Market) | Shoes: Vince, sold out (similar by Steve Madden and Missguided) | Clutch: Moyna, sold out (similar by Steve Madden, Tory Burch, and Figue) | Earrings: Bauble Bar | Lip Gloss: NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Funnel Delight
There is just something about a flowy off-the-shoulder maxi dress, and when the fabric is this pretty, I just can’t pass it up! I was shopping for a quick post-holidays Cabo trip with my five year old, and she spotted this dress on a mannequin, quickly falling in love with it. If you know my Kate, you know she has pretty strong opinions about things and can be quite persuasive, so when she asked me to add it to my fitting room stack, I obliged. She was delighted when I chose “her dress” to take on my trip, and it felt pretty special for me too!
The warm Baja sunshine gave me the perfect opportunity to break out some of my favorite accessories usually reserved for summer, like this fun little embroidered clutch. You can never go wrong with turquoise jewelry, and it especially feels fitting when in Mexico. Winter just made its way back to Texas, but I’m counting down the days until I get to wear this pretty dress again!
Dress: Eliza J. (a few other pretty blue print dresses by Faithful the Brand and Steffen Schraut) | Clutch: similar by Steve Madden and Tory Burch | Earrings: BaubleBar Belt: similar style by Aspiga and a gorgeous splurge by Isabel Marant | Earrings: Impressions of Santa Fe (love this pair Chaco Canyon cluster earrings | Bracelet: similar Chaco Canyon turquoise cluster cuff | Lipgloss: Nyx Intense Butter Gloss in Funnel Delight