Way-to-Wear Series: The White Tee {At Work}

If you guys are anything like me, you find yourself hoping and wishing for a bigger closet and more options in your day-to-day wardrobe. It's nice to feel like you're changing things up and not cycling through the same outfits each week! For many of us, money is tight and we're on a strict budget, so we have to work with items we have. This week, I'm going to focus in on quite arguably THE most important wardrobe staple to have (at least in my opinion): THE WHITE TEE.

Having a go-to white tshirt is like, a lifeline. When all else fails you can throw it on for any occasion, and, with my help, I'll show you how you can style it for all occasions!

It can be tough finding that perfect white tee - the one that feels slouchy and worn but fits perfectly in all the areas you want it to. I found a great one at BCBG last month, and it was on sale. I was totally on Cloud 9. Then I decided to wear it out on New Year's Eve. Crowded bars + people dancing + me drinking cranberry drinks all night = ruined white tee. I literally laughed out loud when I looked at my shirt the next morning. What a dummy I am.

Anyway - for the first installment of this series I'll show you how you can dress up that white tee for an option at work. Who knew a white tee could be so versatile!? You're probably thinking umm..a white cotton t-shirt at work!? Yeah right. Well, my sweet friends, it can be done. And it can be done oh so perfectly.

Though many corporate offices require business professional attire, there are ways to look trendy around the workplace without feeling like an old lady. Incorporate color, accessories and pattern into your daily looks for a chance to personalize otherwise bland attire. There's no reason to not show a little bit of who you are and glam up the office a little bit!

You can pair your favorite white tee with a great pair of tailored, cropped pants. The white tee will dress down the slick pants, and vice versa. If the work place allows it, wear some colored pants. Many retailers make great options for the office in gorgeous jewel tones and shades. If not, then use the chance to wear a great statement necklace or scarf over your white tee and slacks or skirt to spruce it up a little. Fun shoes are also a a great way to make a statement!

Your casual cotton white tee can be so appropriate around the work place if you dress it up and disguise it with some fab accessories. No one will even notice your comfy staple of a top when your whole outfit is making a presence!

Here's how I'd style my white tee with items from my own closet for a day at the office!

Stay tuned for more ways to wear that tee!

What I'm Wearing: Tee: Gap; Pants: Express; Scarf: F21; Clutch: Target; Shoes: Aldo

Designer Spotlight: Sam Edelman

Ever had one of those "If I only had all the money in the world..." moments? I think we all have. There's always those items or vacations or houses or cars that we see and think YES. I NEED that. In every color, actually. I probably have these moments way too often. Well, that's how I feel anytime I'm at Nordstrom or browsing online sites and see Sam Edelman's masterpieces. Seriously, I'm obsessed. The colors, prints, styles and designs of every shoe are so unique and are truly perfection. The designer has a shoe for every occasion and every style. The unexpected combinations of colors and prints are sure to make a statement in any outfit. Sam Edelman plays with girly meets sophistication meets edgy meets casual meets traditional. From the classic flats and oxfords to beachy espadrilles and studded pumps, the designer truly has it all and it's truly caused a somewhat dangerous love affair in my life. I have a hard time saying no to purchasing every pair in store. And maybe I have to wipe the drool off of my lip everytime I sit and swoon over the beauties. Here are a few of my faves right now...it really was hard to choose just a few because I kid you not, I love them all.

The Mabel / The Odetta / The Aster / The Lorissa / The Yelena / The Louie

July Wishlist

I've had my eye on a few new items to add to my wardrobe this month. Like that's anything new, though. I ALWAYS have my eye on things I'd like to purchase for my closet. Window shopping truly is painful for me, as I tend to get my heart set on things that I know I'm not going to go home with. I'd love it if I was able to go out and buy things to my heart's desire, but let's be honest here. Not all of us have endless supplies of cash. So, until I make my big break in music (totally kidding) and knock T.Swift off the podium as the highest paid celeb under 30, I'll just dream of endless shopping sprees and stocking my walk-in closet that's as big as my house.

Anywho...here are some things I'd love to add to my closet right now.

1) A Colorful Cropped Jacket (the featured one is no longer online, but is still on sale in store at Zara and is SO amazing! Also beyond obsessed with this one and this one.)

2) A light-wash denim top

3) A white Panama hat

4) YSL Arty Oval Ring

5) High-Waisted Dyed Denim Shorts ( In love with this pair from UO!)

6) Leopard Loafers

7) A Sequined Mini Skirt (Also love this one!)

Monday's Must Haves: Safari Style

I don't know what it is, but I'm loving the safari look right now. Something about it is so chic looking and it's such an easy day-to-night look. The army green military jacket is so versatile and can add a little bit of an edgy, tough look to a girly ensemble. I love it paired with other neutral hues and animal prints as seen in the inspiration photo below! It also looks amazing over a simple lace dress or skirt. I'm always drawn to a look that combines dressy, dainty pieces with harder, edgier combinations. A nude pump, chic clutch and sparkly statement necklace can take this same outfit from daytime casual to a night on the town. I pulled a few pieces to show you how you, too, can create this same look!

Jacket / Tank / Shorts / Boots / Belt / Bag / Earrings (similar style) / Bracelet

Vacation Essentials: The Tote

Vacation season is among us, girlfriends. Hooray! July is a crazy month for most people and tends to be THE month for traveling, family time and parties. I know for me, it can be stressful trying to figure out what to throw in our suitcases and pack for that week-long getaway. You want to keep it as minimal as possible for traveling purposes, yet you don't want to forget those essentials that every girl just has to have for the perfect vacay. Right? I'm the queen of overpacking and thinking too far into it. It's a gift, really. My husband applauds me when I can fit everything into one bag when we go visit our parents for the weekend. It miiiight be a slight problem. With my upcoming trip to Cancun, I've been slowly but surely figuring out what I need and what I'll just have to leave at home. Since you basically have to give away your left kidney in order to check a bag or two at the airport these days, everything I travel with must be carried on with me. I know that we'll be walking from our condo to the beach each day we're in Mexico, so I'll definitely need some sort of tote to hold all the necessities. So, I've kept my eyeballs peeled for the perfect beach tote. One that's big enough to fit all the essentials, yet comfortable enough to double as a beach bag and carry-on for the flight. Carry-on problems solved! Use a fab tote as a second carry-on item, and you can throw your purse in there, magazines and any other items you might not be able to fit into your suitcase. And then once you're on the beach, it's perfect for your towel, sunblock, hat, glasses, snacks...whatever it is you need! The perfect beach tote is a must have for those vacations this summer! I found these gems and kind of fell in love. Definitely wishing I could have all of them for different occasions (and for my many vacations this summer....not.). How adorable are they!? Fun, festive, trendy and the ultimate essential item for your vacays this summer!

DVF/ Wallis / Charlotte Russe / J. McLaughlin / Billabong / Epice