Top 3 Workwear Tips

It can be hard to express yourself and feel fashionable while staying within your employer's dress code, especially when it's as restrictive and casual as mine- jeans and sneakers required. But hopefully these tips will help you out. No heels? No skirts? No problem!

1. Work within the guidelines. Remember how I mentioned sneakers are mandatory here? Well, while everyone else is running around in tennis shoes, I prefer to interpret the rules in my own way.

My favorite Rocketdog "sneakers"

Sinfully comfortable, thankfully free of that squeaking noise sneakers can make against a linoleum floor, and far more expressive of my personal style than exercise sneakers. I'm so obsessed with these that I even got my gym teacher to accept them as sneakers, and I wear them so often that they are literally falling apart- the canvas is worn thin, the edges are fraying, and the red thread at the toe has unraveled. This beat up effect, along with the model of the shoe, adds a rocker/grunge vibe to any outfit. My style changes from preppy to boho to edgy depending on the day, so having these shoes is great for instantly changing the feel of an outfit while sticking to my dress code!

2. Use colors, cuts, and textures to your advantage. Although I love jeans, somehow being told I can't wear any other pants makes me resent them a bit. When I really think about it, though, the category of jeans is so expansive, I know I can't get bored! Especially with the trends this summer, it's so easy to incorporate jeans into your wardrobe. For a girly, flirty look try floral jeans, which have been everywhere this season!

Try these adorable jeans from Wet Seal!

Not into patterns? Bright solids are also huge right now.

These awesome jeggings from Delia's come in a bunch of pretty shades!

3. Use makeup to express yourself! First check what other people are wearing- if absolutely no one else puts on any makeup, you might feel awkward. But otherwise, it's a great outlet! Try a bold winged or cat-eye liner for an edgy look.

For a flirtier vibe, go with a fun lip color- as I said above with the jeggings, brights are all the rage this summer!

This bright pink is super daring and sure to make you stand out!

Hope these tips help you keep sight of your style within the restrictions placed upon you at work, and have a great rest of the summer! Back-to-school posts will be coming your way soon :)

The Perfect Summer Shoe

Does anyone else go through that slightly manic phase the week before summer, trying to find a shoe that is absolutely perfect? I look for the three C's- comfy, cute, and cool. You'll probably be walking around town, so they can't be uncomfortable, they need to be wearable for nights out with friends or dates, and of course they have to let your feet breathe and not be stifling! With these three things in mind, I set out shopping and I think I found the perfect pair.

Rocketdog is one of my favorite brands for comfy/casual shoes, so I wasn't surprised to find this cute option in their section of DSW. The exact pair isn't available on their website, but they have a very similar style here, and another cute summery one here. White shoes are a classic for summer (SageTip- for a shoe this casual, don't be afraid of white- you can just toss it in the wash if it gets too dirty!) and this floral eyelet detail adds interest and trend points by tying into the huge lace trend this season. While not overpowering, the little flowers are so cute and keep this basic from crossing over into boring.

Great for wide and narrow feet alike, they mold to your feet and are sort of a mix between the shape of a ballet flat and loafer. I already picked up another pair in black, which should bring me comfortably into the fall!

Happy Independence Day!

How are you celebrating? My family likes to wipe down the grill and enjoy some burgers and hot dogs. Sometimes we watch a patriotic movie, but otherwise we like to maximize our time outside, whether chilling on the patio with some lemonade, watermelon, and yummy Popsicles, or at the pool. A few years we've gone to the beach, but this year that was unfortunately not the case. At night, we either go to the public fireworks display in our town and meet up with friends, or if we don't feel like getting eaten by mosquitos, stay in and tune into the televised NYC fireworks, which everyone knows are the best anyway :)

So how do I show my patriotic spirit through fashion and beauty? Here are some ideas.

Sundress:
Last year, I wore a navy and white striped sundress with white shoes. To finish the trifecta, I added a pop of red with my lip color. The dress is in a flattering fit, ties in to the nautical trend that's been big the past few summers, and can be easily worn for other events. A red lip is flattering on most skin tones and makes your teeth look whiter! Play around with blue and yellow toned shades to find the one that's right for you.

The lovely dress by Motel. I don't think it's available anymore, but the brand has some other lovely pieces through Asos. I'm eyeing this dress, which is also patriotic... for Brits!

This year I'm going more casual with a red tee, blue shorts, and white shoes. Boring, I know, but I'm away from home for an internship, so I don't have much to choose from! Instead, here's what I would choose in a perfect world for a casual but still patriotic look!

This floaty tank- stylish and practical for those muggy summer days.

Pop on this bandeau underneath to add some extra spirit and stay appropriately covered.

With these trendy shorts from Lulu's

Over these awesome tights from Asos if you're feeling adventurous.

This is a cute and practical shoe for running around, at barbecues and fireworks displays.

C'mon, you knew I was gonna include these. Not for the weak of heart, these bold shoes make any Independence Day look complete, though I'm not sure when else you'd wear them. Surprisingly comfortable, don't rule them out for a day of partying and fun, but I wouldn't recommend wearing them on a hike or anything.

Hope you all are having a lovely 4th of July. Remember to appreciate the freedoms we often take for granted, look back and take pride in the incredible and unbelievable moments of victory in our history, and learn from our mistakes. Enjoy the fireworks!