🍦 I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For ICE CREAM 🍦
ICYMI today is NATIONAL ICE CREAM DAY so to celebrate this sweet + tasty holiday, I wanted to round up some of my ice cream related essentials for ya’ll to enjoy this summer! From amazing ice cream makers, to ice cream themed home + pool decor, to cute ice cream designed clothing + accessories, there is enough ice cream to go around + plenty of non-sugar, non-fat + healthy alternatives to celebrate the holiday without loading up on calories hehe :p (ice cream pool float counts as a way to celebrate without the sprinkles right?!
BUT first for my ice cream themed outfit – I LOVE this striped dress from Red Dress Boutique! The bright + colorful stripes scream summer + make me dream of cotton candy flavored ice cream while my pink bow hairband just makes me dream of fun summer days. To tie the whole look together I paired this outfit with pink ankle strap heels (perfect to wear year round with any ensemble)!
If ya’ll know anything about me, you know I LOVE some good designer goodies. Ever since I was a teenager, I began my handbag obsession, saving up for designer bags like Gucci, Dior, LV etc + as I got older I moved on to Chanel, Hermes + more. Recently I have been also stocking up on designer shoes like Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Stuart Weitzman + more. While I love designer must-haves, I learned that sometimes buying brand new in store isn’t the most cost effective so I am sharing my secrets with ya here!
First up, SHOES! So I have scored tons of designer heels, boots + more all for 40% Off or MORE! How?? Easy, research baby. I search the SALE section of my favorite sites that have all the designers I love + keep an eye out for certain styles I am lusting after or staple pieces I can interchange with various outfits etc. I found that investing in classic pumps, sandals etc that are nicely constructed really last a while PLUS they are easily repaired from your local shoemaker or one of my go-to shoe + handbag magicians, PurseRehab! They can fix ANYTHING! From resoling your shoes to fixing fabric damage, stains etc…such a must-have if you are a designer lover like me so you don’t worry about messing up your higher end pieces.
While certain staples like the Manolo Blahnik Hangsi Pump may not go on sale brand new from certain retailers, a great option is to search for them ‘New with Tags‘ from eBay Fashion, Poshmark, Yoogi’s Closet, FashionPhile, The Real Real + more! These second hand retailers often have shoes + bags in MINT condition and you can usually save on shipping, tax or snag them under current retail price AND they are all GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC (make sure you 100% verify the seller)!
When it comes to buying second hand designer goods here are some things I look for:
Box, Authenticity Card / Papers, Dust Bag
(these are helpful to verifying the shoes or bag are REAL + AUTHENTIC, plus they are helpful when going to resell in the future if that is something you are interested in doing)
Condition
(examine the photos very carefully, look for discoloration, damaged threading, piping etc, marks, tears etc…while these aren’t deal breakers, they do contribute to quality factor however you may be able to use these hiccups to your advantage + simply go to a place like PurseRehab to repair those issues at a relatively low cost making the items look BRAND NEW for less!)
Compare Costs
(just because you find a Chanel for a killer price doesn’t mean that is the best deal out there, search the serial number of the item – any reputable seller should have that or the full product name for you to do a quick search + compare pricing, condition etc from other sellers)
Whether you are searching for brand new pieces at a trustee retailer like Net-A-Porter, Saks Off Fifth etc or want to score a deal at a second hand luxury site, either way you are sure to find some amazing + unique finds at a fraction of the retail cost, perfect for avid collectors or first time buyers if you are trying to save a little!
Whether you are heading on vacay, the beach, a fun backyard BBQ or going to check out some fireworks, showing your patriotism is always a must when it comes to the 4th of July! Everyday I am beyond grateful to live here in the land of the free, land of opportunity + land where you can be anything you want to be. While I’m always been proud to be an American, more so now than ever before I have been feeling even stronger about my patriotism to this amazing country. I cherish all of the things that makes America great + showing that off by embracing our country’s colors feels better than ever!
From stylish swimwear to fun accessories to great graphic tees, I am rounding up all of the style essentials you need to embrace your inner Red, White + Blue this July 4th ♥
Summer is in full swing + other than bright pops of color, one of my favorite go to’s is wearing all white everything! From chic white dresses to white shoes, bags + more, summer is the perfect time to wear your favorite white pieces. Whether you like an all white ensemble or opt for styling white jeans or shoes with other colorful or neutral hues, having white pieces in your summer wardrobe really brighten up your looks!
If there are one or two white pieces you must have, I would say they would be a classic pair of white skinny jeans like these + a white denim jacket like this. There are tons of ways to mix + match those pieces for multiple outfits to rock throughout the summer so totally worth investing in ’em!
Although there is currently a little June Gloom here in LA, the temperatures are in triple digits (well this past week at least) so that means it is time to hit the pool! Whether you like one pieces, bikinis or anything in between, I rounded up various styles at great price points from your favorite retailers that are sure to have you enjoying some fun in the sun. From swimwear to coverups to cute towels, accessories, sandals + more, I am rounding up everything you need to relax by the pool, head to the beach + everywhere else!
