FALL FLORALS + MY FAVORITE JEANS

ABERCROMBIE TOP  ||  ABERCROMBIE JEANS (size one size down!)  ||  PERFORATED SADDLE BAG ||  SIMILAR ANKLE BOOTS  ||  RING

Since I rediscovered Abercrombie a few months ago, I've become completely obsessed with their clothing. When I was dating my husband, I bought my first pair of Abercrombie jeans, and here we are ten years later coming full circle. Who would have thought? I'm just super impressed with their rebrand to be age appropriate and a little more mature.

I don't know what it is about them, but they just have the best jeans. They always have. They're soft, they hug all the right places, they have great washes, and they're just so darn flattering. I get far and away the most husband compliments on them -- so if that's not reason enough to pick up a pair...  ;)

I bought this pair a few months ago and have been wearing them to death, and then I found this distressed pair and now have been wearing them nonstop.

Also I've been itching for fall lately, and instantly fell in love with this dark floral top. It's an easy top to throw on with jeans and ankle boots, but it makes a statement and really makes the outfit. Plus it's lightweight so it's a good piece to wear when transitioning to fall, and it comes in a ton of other colors!

I'm loving a bunch more pieces from their new fall line, but especially this cozy sweatshirt I picked up and this gorgeous burgundy swing top. Shop all my favorites in the widget below:

photos by rad and happy

created in partnership with abercrombie

TWO TRENDS TO TRY THIS SEASON

RED TOP  ||  SIMILAR JEANS  ||  SIMILAR HANDBAG  ||  NECKLACE  ||  ANKLE BOOTS  

Does anyone else find it so funny how cyclical fashion is? I love seeing "new" trends pop up that are total blasts from the past.

Two huge trends this season are chokers and bell sleeves, both of which are recycled trends, but they're back this time in a fresh and modern way.

And that's the trick with these old/new trends -- choose modern versions and then style them with modern pieces, and you won't feel like you stepped out of an old decade. Nordstrom is always so up to date on what's trending, so they're one of my top go-to shopping spots since I know when I shop there I'll find pieces that are both on trend and modern.

I thought I would hate the choker trend, but the more I see, the more I'm loving it. I found a few fun ones at Nordstrom, including this bolo tie style choker and this double banded one. I've also seen thicker velvet ones, like this one, which are more of a statement and so chic. They're all fair game -- just stay away from the little plastic stretchy ones we all used to wear back in the day!

And bell sleeves -- we've been seeing so many ruffles and flutter details on tops this season, so bell sleeves fit right in and make sense. There are so many good ones out there, like this white boho one I just picked up.

How are you feeling about these trends coming back??

Shop my favorite chokers and bell sleeved tops right here: 

photos by rad and happy

created in partnership with Nordstrom

A FEW ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES ( AND A GIVEAWAY!)

TOP  ||  JEANS  ||  BAG (on sale today! different color but gorgeous   ||  SUNGLASSES c/o ZENNI LA  ||  BOOTS

When I put together an outfit, I never feel like it's finished until I add accessories. I didn't used to be much of an accessory girl, but once I realized how much of an impact they made on my outfit, I was converted.

I don't wear a ton of accessories, but the few that you'll pretty much never see me without are a watch, a handbag, and a great pair of sunglasses.

Zenni Optical recently released their new line of sunglasses inspired by the LA streets and fashion, and now they're some of my go-to glasses. They originally sold just prescription glasses, but I love how they've expanded to include fun framed sunglasses, but you can still fill those frames with your prescription glass. I've told you so many times before that I love basics with a little twist, and these tortoise shell frames have a subtle hexagon shape that I just adore.

The best part about Zenni? The price point is fantastic. And even better...they're giving away a pair to one lucky reader today, up to $150!

TO ENTER: 
- hop over to Zenni Optical's youtube video and watch the short clip they made about this collection. It's all about LA! Now leave a comment telling me your favorite place in California -- where you've been OR where you'd love to visit.

Giveaway is open to US readers only, and giveaway ends in one week on August 31st. Good luck!

photos by rad and happy

created in partnership with Zenni Optical

THE OUTFIT THAT FEELS LIKE ME

TOP  (similar here)  ||  JEANS  ||  ANKLE BOOTS  ||  JACKET  ||  BAG 

Do you guys have outfits that just feel like you? I don't think there's just one of these kinds of outfits for everyone -- I have a lot of outfits that I put on that feel like me (like this one and this one). But I love putting something together that just feels right, you know?

I sometimes have a hard time pinpointing my own style, but consistent thing is basics with a little twist. My ankle boots are a classic style, but the cutouts make them special and unique. I love a good striped top, and this one has a tie up neckline that makes it stand out. I love a neutral bag with a fun tassel, or a pair of jeans with just enough distressing. They're just the little things that add personality and interest to an otherwise basic outfit!

Shop my look and a few other "basics with a twist" pieces from Nordstrom in the widget below!

photos by rad and happy

created in partnership with nordstrom

4 PIECES YOU NEED FOR FALL

Splendid Cardigan  ||  Ankle Boots  ||  Felt Hat  ||  Tassel Bag

created in partnership with Zappos

August always brings Fall Fever for me. It's still super hot, but all of the sweaters and boots are hitting stores so I have it on the brain. So I'm starting to prep for those cooler months with pieces that transition well, and then work through Fall and into winter. 

These are four pieces you should have in your closet for Fall! 

1. Lightweight cardigan. This one is so insanely soft, and also warm but lightweight enough to wear in the evenings on a cool summer night, or on a crisp autumn afternoon. It's also great for traveling or layering! 

2. Light colored ankle boots. If you follow me on instagram, you'll see how obsessed I am with these ankle boots right now. A light colored pair is great for the end of summer, and the cutouts make them easy to wear even on warm days. They would also look amazing with shorts or a skirt (I wore them with a pencil skirt right here) during the warm months before Fall.

3. Felt hat. A felt hat is a total Fall staple. I love how they instantly add texture and warmth to any outfit. This one is the perfect neutral color and is only $36!

4. Neutral crossbody bag. With all the rich textures and hues of Fall, I like to have a neutral bag that can go with everything. My bag size of choice is always a medium/small sized crossbody bag, and I'm in love with this one. The braided strap and tassels make it unique and fun while still being really neutral and simple. 

What are your must haves for Fall? 

ONE SUMMER DRESS, TWO WAYS FOR FALL

NECK SCARF  ||  CHAMBRAY  ||  WHITE DRESS  ||  SIMILAR STYLE ANKLE BOOTS (another good styling option here)

SIMILAR BLACK LEATHER JACKET  ||  BLACK HEELS (less expensive version here)

Although I love the changing seasons (not that we have much of that in SoCal), I hate putting away my summer clothes for several months while they're not as appropriate.

But instead of putting them away for Fall, a little styling makes them totally appropriate for cooler months.

I picked up this white midi dress from Nordstrom (which also comes in pink!) a few weeks ago, and although I should have bought it months ago since I could have worn it all summer, a little layering completely changes it up.

I paired it with a black leather jacket and heels for an edgy black and white look. It's a really simple outfit, but makes a statement with the bold black and white. Plus I love the combination of the romantic, flowy midi against the leather.

And for a more casual look, I wore a knotted chambray, some ankle boots, and added a neckscarf (which are super trendy -- and this one is only $12, but I'm also loving this one). The ankle boots make the outfit feel more seasonal, and the chambray and neckscarf add some warmth and texture.

These are two easy ways to change any summer dress into a dress appropriate for next season, but you can also see it here without any layering!

Shop more of my favorite midi dresses below -- I'm completely in love with the print on this one and this one, and this is a great transitional one!

photos by rad and happy

created in partnership with Nordstrom

THE JEANS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD OWN

This post is brought to you by CJ Affiliate’s VIP Content Service. Thank you American Eagle

Outfitters for sponsoring this post. While this was a sponsored opportunity from AEO, all

content and opinions expressed here are my own.

AEO Sweater (wearing size small) ||  AEO Jeans  ||  AEO mini crossbody bag 

Jeans are my most worn clothing item. I wear them pretty much every single day, and every single pair of jeans in my closet (with the exception of maybe one or two pairs) has something in common -- they're jeggings. 

If you ladies are not wearing jeggings yet, you need to get on it right now. They are literally the only kind of jeans I wear anymore. The denim has added stretch so they're easy to slide on, they sculpt your legs, they're soft and stretchy, but they're also real denim. Plus, they're easy to run and play in so they're perfect for moms! 

Back in the day, when jeggings first came out, most of them were thin and more like a fake denim that would stretch out and sag. But now they're made of actual denim but now with the perfect amount of stretch so they're super comfy and easy to wear. They are THE PERFECT JEANS. 

I'd heard great things about American Eagle jeans recently, so I tried out a few pairs from their AEO jegging line and instantly fell in love. They fit the bill for all of the things I mentioned above, and they even have these ones with trendy distressing but no holes (you guys are always asking for distressed jeans with no holes). These ones are my next purchase (also with no real holes), and these are a perfect basic pair.  Pair them with a comfy sweater (also love this one), and you have the outfit I'll be living in all through Fall.

Go check out the entire line of AEO jeggings right here -- the entire line of denim is buy one get one 50% off through the end of the month!

photos by rad and happy

HOW TO STYLE SNEAKERS WITH DRESSES

dress (made by me, tutorial here)  ||  sneakers  ||  bag  ||  sunglasses

I haven't done a dressed up/dressed down post in ages, but when I made this ruffle hem dress last week, I just had to shoot it casually. In fact, as I was making it, sneakers were the styling choice that kept coming to my brain. (you can see how I dressed it up here)

Dresses and skirts are always a little trickier to dress down, but with the right combination it can create such a chic and effortless look.

It's pretty easy to dress up -- heels and a clutch make everything dressy. But with dressed down, try these tips:

1. Choose the right sneakers. For me, the less bulky the sneaker, the better. I recently got these ones and have been wearing them to death, but I also love these ones and these ones.

2. Go with a small semi-casual bag. Since your dress is dressy and your shoes are casual, you want a bag that bridges the gap between the two. I think crossbody bags are the best choice for a semi-casual bag, and I love this one, especially because it's white so it ties in the shoes even more.

3. Don't you dare wear socks. Especially with skirts and dresses, this kills the entire look. Find sneakers that are comfortable enough to wear without socks, or get those little half socks that won't ever show.

4. Think about the silhouette of your dress. Basically any style of dress will work with the right pair of sneakers -- t-shirt dresses, fit and flare, maxi, midi, cocoon, and trapeze. But the key is to pair the right sneakers with the right style of dress. For a midi dress, choose a sneaker with a stacked sole to give you a little extra leg lengthening.  For your t-shirt dresses, anything goes --  try a sleek athletic sneaker, a converse sneaker, or a slip on sneaker. And for more feminine dresses, wear a smaller, more subtle sneaker like I'm wearing above.

shop some of my favorite dresses here:

and favorite sneakers here:

photos by rad and happy