Archives for April 2015

Stripes Please

April 28, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Stripes are by far my go-to pattern for the warm days ahead. A good stripe tank or tee will solve any “I have nothing to wear day!”

{Stripe tank: Scissortail Clothing} {Panama hat: J. Crew}
{Jeans: J. Crew Factory} {Bag: Kate Spade}
{Shoes: Loeffler Randall, similar here}
{Necklace: Gorjana; Rocksbox}
{Ring: Pink Peonies}

I saw this tank on one of my fav local fashion bloggers and I just had to have it for my recent trip to Florida. My husband had a wonderful 4-day adventure visiting our families and friends!! (Thank you to everyone who wished us a fun & safe trip! xo) How adorable is the neckline of this top?? Most importantly, it was only $17!! I love this Gorjana necklace with the high, narrow neckline of the tank. It was a purchase of mine from my Rocksbox subscription.

Stripes are a significant part of my wordrobe, especially in the spring and summer. Stripe tops are great since you can dress them up or dress most of them down. Wear a stripe top with flats for a casual look or wear a stripe tank with some wedges and hit up happy hour! Don’t be afraid to mix stripes with some other patterns for a little pattern play! A stripe top is a real staple in my closet! How do you wear stripes?

Keep in touch,
Dani

Spring Salad

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April 27, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Enjoy spring with this fresh spinach salad tossed with tons of delicious toppings. Begin your next dinner party with this colorful salad.

{Time} 30 minutes
{Serves} 4 people

{Ingredients}

1 bag spinach
¾ cup chopped tomatoes
¾ cup chopped cucumber
¾ cup chopped strawberries
¾ cup chopped walnuts
¾ cup crumbled feta
¾ cup raisins

*Recommended dressing: light soy ginger or light balsamic

*use 1/2 cup of the ingredients for 2 people, use 1 cup for 5+ people

{Steps}

Chop the spinach until it is fine, place in a large serving bowl.
Chop the tomatoes, cucumber, and strawberries into tiny pieces.
Place the ingredients in 6 triangles to give the salad a creative & colorful look.

This salad was inspired by The Beverly Hills Hotel’s, Polo Lounge’s, iconic McCarthy Salad. While the McCarthy is more of a Cobb salad, the toppings are placed on top of the greens in the same “pizza-slice” (first thing that comes to mind) display. The presentation of this salad is a fun way to impress any dinner party guests that you may have over this spring! I believe this fresh mix is a great alternative to any traditional salad. I am always looking for a new salad creation to change up my usual boring blend. Hope you enjoy!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Window pane + Scallops

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April 22, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

This skirt has been on repeat from my closet. I wear it with several different tops, but I think I finally found my favorite one for spring, a scalloped tee!!

{Skirt: Loft} {Scallop Top: Nordstrom}
{Bag: Rebecca Minkoff, similar RM} {Shoes: Ralph Lauren, similar RL}
{Bracelets: Bourbon & Boweties}

This window pane skirt is very versatile to wear through several seasons. I bought it at the end of winter, keeping in mind spring was just right around the corner. Now that I have been wearing it all spring, I am keeping summer in mind! Needless to say, at 40% off this skirt is on my must-buy list! Loft hit the nail on the head with this classic window pane look. I am loving my shoes with a pop of color for the win! These shoes are older, but Ralph Lauren makes a similar pair each spring/summer.

How gorgeous is that view?? If you live in the NOVA, DC, or Maryland area, I highly recommend visiting the National Harbor in Maryland. The harbor features some retail shopping, a ferris wheel on the Potomac, and numerous awesome restaurants! Hope everyone is having a lovely week. Mine is extra lovely since Jason and I leave for FL in just a few days! Can’t wait for some warm weather posts!

Keep in touch,
Dani

#LillyforTarget

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April 19, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Today was the launch of Lilly Pulitzer for Target… today was also the ‘closing’ of Lilly for Target because they sold up online and store wide. Here are the juicy details of my choatic shopping experience.

I have been anticipating this day for quite some time. The preppy, pink and green designer, Lilly Pulitzer, was launching a clothing & home decor line at my beloved Target. This collaboration hits close to home, literally. The iconic Lilly Pulitzer begun her successful career in Palm Beach, which just so happens to be where I am from! Nothing says sunny South Florida quite like Lilly and all of her vibrant color clothes.

The collection has been available to preview for about a month on Target.com. The preview included a listing of each item, the price, and whether it could be found online, in store, or both. The best part about #LillyforTarget is that it is (was) actually affordable. Needless to say, I had a “A List” and a “B List” of the items I wanted. On my list were some mother’s day gifts too (my mom is the queen of Lilly). There were dozens of fun items, the line featured anything from cups, plates, blankets, and pillows – to – shorts, dresses, rompers, and bathing suits.

When the big morning came along, I did not know what to expect! Target opens at 8am on Sunday, which to me is a bit early, so it was throwing me off on what to prepare for. I joked that there would be a huge line wrapped around the building filled with crazed preppy women, and well….

the joke was on me! I was shocked!!! To be honest, I am still shocked several hours later. I hate to sound naive, but I had no idea it was going to be this packed! As I was standing toward the end of the line I was thinking that there would be nothing left by the time I stepped foot into the store. At 8am the doors open and the line began marching toward the door…

The craziest part, people just starting jumping out of line and running toward the door!! People who pulled up as they opened the doors just b-lined toward the front, ignoring the giant line of patient customers! At this point I was confident that there would be nothing left on the rack and…

I was correct!! Not ONE thing on the clothing rack!! We ran to the home goods where we found one of the last 3 beach towels still available. My mommy requested a beach towel!

You know that scene from Mean Girls, right after Regina turns in the burn book to Principle Duval and the school breaks out into a mad jungle of vicious students… that is pretty much what my Target was like. Each section (beauty, clothes, shoes, home goods) was spread out all over the store, so people were running throughout the entire store.

After staring at the empty clothes rack for a few minutes and feeling like a failure, it dawned on me that the customers who had 15+ pieces in their hand may not purchase all of them. I stood outside of the fitting rooms and stalked people who did not want each item they tried on. I got lucky, a girl gave me an adorable pair of shorts she didn’t want and a woman who goes to Pure Barre with me was nice enough to give me the green and white “boom boom” palm jumpsuit that I really wanted!!

Let me tell you, it was INSANE, women and girls were trading, bargaining, and arguing over things. It was a bit sad even, people grabbed sizes that were not even close to their own size just to hold on to pieces and try to “trade” them to others for items they wanted. In the end, I am feeling really grateful! Stay tune to see how I style them on my trip to FL next week!!

Sorry to overuse to exclamation points and a big thank you to my husband for capturing the mayhem on camera. Did you make it to Target? Did you make it out alive?! Do share your story please!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Sporty Spring

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April 15, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

The weather is finally starting to have some mercy on us, that means it is time to break out the sporty tee and comfy kicks for a weekend stroll.

{Shirt: Patterns & Pops Athleisure Top} {Distressed Jeans: J. Crew Factory}
{Bag: Rebecca Minkoff, similar} {Sneakers: Converse (I wear kids size)}
{Jewelry: Ring; Wanderlust & Co. // Earrings; Slate- Rocks Box}

I know all my Florida folks have been battling the heat already, but here in Virginia it is finally beginning to warm up. This past weekend the sun was shining and it was the high 60’s, my ideal weather!! I am beyond excited to be able to wear some short sleeve shirts without a heavy coat or jacket. I had my eye on this athletic-inspired top from Patterns and Pops for awhile, so I finally had to have it for myself. There is nothing like a cool, breezy top to own the spring sunshine in! The scooped sides on this shirt is everything!! Do not let this casual look deceive you, this shirt can definitely be dressed up! Although I wore this top with distressed boyfriend jeans and sneaks, I plan to rock this shirt with some black skinnies and a leather jacket for date night! Run… do not walk, this atheltica top will go fast from Patterns & Pops. The two ladies behind the online boutique are super sweet and helpful if you have any questions. You will def want to follow them on insta too, @patternsandpops.

Keep in touch,
Dani

Rocks Box It Girl!

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April 13, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Have you signed up for a Rocks Box subscription yet?? Read my review and find out why it is a must for any jewelry loving gal. Plus my Rocks Box It Girl code to get your first month free!!

{Arrow Ring: Wanderlust & Co.} {Earrings: Slate}

You may have heard of Rocks Box by now, but if not, it is a monthly jewelry subscription.. aka the Netflix of jewelry!! This genius idea comes to us from San Francisco, CA. The subscription costs $19 per month and you get to borrow ENDLESS designer jewelry. Some of my favorites include: Gorjana, Wanderlust & Co, and Kendra Scott.

When I heard the term “borrow” I was slightly skeptical. Spending money for something that is not mine to keep sounded silly. Did I want to spend $19 a month on jewelry that is on loan? After reading other friend’s reviews and doing the math, I realized that I often spend a lot more than $19 dollars on jewelry that I wear only a few times. So I decided to try it for myself! Now I get 3 designer pieces of jewelry with the click of a button! And when I am tired of wearing them, I send them right back (for free) and get 3 new pieces immediately!

Now you may be thinking, “What if I fall in love with a piece??” The answer is: You have the option to buy any individual piece! (At a discounted price, of course!!) Just go online and purchase the pieces that you want, and return the others (whenever you are done wearing them). I am on my third box, which means I have tried out 9 designer pieces. I enjoyed wearing each of them, and decided to keep one for myself!

Another innovative feature is that you can leave feedback on each item and also request particular pieces by updating your very own “Rocks Box wish list”. Rocks Box does not just send you random jewelry: after taking a “style questionnaire” they assign you your very own personal stylist who picks your pieces. My stylist has sent me several of the pieces that I requested, but I actually bought a piece that she picked out for me! But if you don’t find what you’re looking for, at any time you can send back your box and get a new box. As many times as you want each month! So your options are practically limitless…

If you are still not sure, you can use the discount code “dccoldxoxo” to receive your first month of the subscription FREE! You won’t be disappointed with Rocks Box‘s selection and quick turnaround… it only took me a few days to get each box! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask me! If you already have a subscription, are you enjoying it??

Keep in touch,
Dani