WHITE ON WHITE, SPORTY STYLE

RACHEL ZOE SNEAKERS  ||  WHITE JEANS  ||  EYELET TOP  ||  SIMILAR SUNGLASSES  ||  QUILTED BAG    

If you follow me on instagram, you probably know how much white on white I've been wearing this season. Neutrals are huge this year, but the all white look is so fresh and crisp that it's my favorite of all the neutral looks for spring.

One of my favorite ways to wear the all-white trend is to add a little pop of color, and this time I did it with these pale pink sneakers from Rachel Zoe's new line at Zappos. I love sneakers, and I love how this pair makes my all white outfit a little more casual. Although you could easily throw on a pair of pale pink pumps and it would make the outfit instantly dressy!

I've been on the hunt for a new pair of white jeans for a few weeks, and since there's no way I'm braving the dressing rooms at a department store with three kids, I turned to Zappos to find a pair. I ordered a couple, tried them on at home, and then sent back the pairs I didn't like with their super easy and free returns. One of the pairs I tried was this pair from BlankNYC. I wanted to try them because I own a pair of their boyfriend jeans and they're the best jeans ever, and this new white pair didn't disappoint. They're so comfortable, perfectly fitted down my legs, not too thin, and a great ankle length. Plus they have a little raw hem at the ankle which is a fun, subtle detail. I'm pretty sure you'll be seeing them on repeat all summer long!

created in partnership with Zappos  |  photos by rad and happy  

HOW TO STYLE ATHLETIC SHOES FOR THE EVERYDAY

OUTFIT: WHITE TEE (40% off!), similar with more sizes here and here  | |  DENIM  | |  FRINGE BAG, c/o LULU HANDBAGS, similar here  | | GINGHAM TOP (on sale!)  | |  SIMILAR LEATHER JACKET (50% off)  | | NEW BALANCE SNEAKERS c/o RACK ROOM SHOES (on sale!) | |  SUNGLASSES

When the athletic sneaker trend started popping up, I instantly fell in love with the casual, laid-back look of it. The only problem is that there's a fine line between chic sneaker clad lady and frumpy sneaker lady...it's all about the right styling so your look doesn't fall flat.

Try these three tips for styling sneakers with your outfits so they're a win every:

1. Choose the right sneaker. There's a difference between an actual athletic shoe (like these) and a stylish sneaker (like these). Can you tell the difference? Save the athletic shoes for real running, and instead choose a slim, sleek, and maybe even colorful sneaker that looks less like you're about to run a marathon. It's not impossible to pull off true athletic shoes with a non-athletic outfit, but it's much trickier. Also make sure you look for a pair that make your feet look thin, rather than wide and bulky (maybe that goes without saying). Stores sometimes categorize them as "athletic shoes" and "sneakers" so you can tell the difference. New Balance sneakers are my favorite, but Adidas and Nike also have great choices.

2. Skip the skirts. Skinny jeans and leggings are your best friend when styling athletic shoes because they give you a very slim and chic silhouette (in contrast to larger shoes).  I'm definitely an advocate of converse and other thin white or black slip on sneakers with dresses and skirts, but when styling your sneakers, stick with your jeans or leggings. (Not to say you can't ever wear athletic shoes with skirts and dresses -- it's just a much harder look to pull off well).

3. Keep the rest of your outfit casual chic. The key to this effortless look is to pick classic, casual, basic pieces that play well off of your shoe choice. If you go too dressy or overdone, the shoes look out of place. But if you go too casual it looks like you just left the gym.  Find an in between with leather leggings and a sweatshirt, or distressed denim and an oversized tee, or a striped tee and basic jeans, or an all-black jeans, tee, and leather jacket look. Layer up your basics for a visually interesting look, while still staying simple. There are so many fun ways to wear these (sometimes) colorful shoes!

Now think you can style them??

Also I've rounded up a few of my favorite sneakers right here in the widget below. Click each image to shop!

photos by rad and happy

SNEAKERS + LABOR DAY SALES

MY OUTFIT: WHITE TEE (40% off!), similar with more sizes here and here  | |  DENIM  | |  FRINGE BAG, c/o LULU HANDBAGS, similar here  | | GINGHAM TOP (50% off and all sizes available!)  | |  SIMILAR LEATHER JACKET (50% off)  | | NEW BALANCE SNEAKERS c/o RACK ROOM SHOES (on sale!) | |  SUNGLASSES

B'S OUTFIT:  BASEBALL TEE (on sale)  | |  SHORTS (on sale)  | |  VANS, c/o RACK ROOM SHOES

FOS' OUTFIT: DENIM c/o DL1961  | |  HENLEY TEE (on sale)  | |  NEW BALANCE SNEAKERS

As much as I adore heels, sneakers are essential to mom life. They're comfortable, easy to throw on, and allow me to run around all day no matter what I have to accomplish. I love how athletic sneakers are on trend right now, and paired with jeans and a structured jacket, you have a sporty chic mom look!



Also, most of the pieces in our outfits are on sale today for Labor Day! There are also tons of other great sales going on, and you'd better believe I'm taking full advantage of them to pick up a few new things for Fall and a few summery pieces for our upcoming Palm Springs trip. Here are a few of my favorite sales going on right today:

NORDSTROM: 40% off sale! They just had their Anniversary sale, but they're back with their 40% off sale and there is some good stuff, including my favorite pair of blush heels (!!!). Hurry and snag a pair before they sell out!

OLD NAVY: Entire store up to 60% off. We finished up all of our school shopping here over the weekend. The sales are amazing, but the pieces are even better -- I had to refrain from buying one of everything for my boys. I also have my eye on these pants and this sweater.

J.CREW FACTORY: 50% off the entire site.  If you're looking for a good chambray button up, these ones are amazing. Also, I'm loving this sweatshirt, this love bird sweater and their wool pencil skirts (which I own and they're amazing).

BAUBLE BAR: 50-60% off select pieces. They have the best jewelry around. I'm obsessed with this pretty little tassel cuff.

ANTHROPOLOGIE: extra 30% off sale items with code EXTRA30. I'm in love with this delicate chambray dress and this beautiful eyelet top. Also this gingham swing tee.

LOFT: 30% off fall styles, and 50% off summer sale items. I would live in this pretty sweatshirt tee. And if you need a perfect striped tee, here it is. I also love this animal print slouchy blouse.

 Have a safe and happy Labor Day -- we'll be barbecuing, and roasting s'mores over our brand new fire pit. Can't wait! 

photos by rad and happy

STATEMENT SNEAKERS

OUTFIT DETAILS: bucketfeet shoes "blue east," c/o || j.crew eyelet top (sold out, similar here and here) || chicwish jacket (sold out, very similar here for 40% off!) || dittos jeans (on sale!) || sassy steals bag, similar here || karen walker sunglasses || michael kors watch

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANA LAURENE

Last Fall, I was introduced to BucketFeet, an artist-designed footwear brand. Being an artist myself, I have a huge appreciation for art, especially creative and accessible art, so I love what BucketFeet has created. And art you can wear?? Even better. They manufactured the most amazing art-covered sneakers designed by more than 10,000 painters, graffiti artists, writers, illustrators, tattooists, and other original creators from around the world. You can learn more about their brand right here.

I love a good pair of statement shoes, and typically I gravitate toward statement heels, but sneakers are so much more practical for my lifestyle and are so trendy right now. They even have men's and kid's shoes, in addition to women's! I couldn't pass up on this feminine floral pair of statement sneaks -- they go with pretty much everything in my closet, and I'm having a hard time not wearing them every single day.

Sneakers are perfect for summer, and they have tons of super cute options including aztec prints, ikat, geometric, polka dots, and even pineapples! 

Check out all their cute styles right here, and the first 20 readers to order will get 25% off your BucketFeet purchase when you use the code MERRICK25 at checkout!

this post was created in partnership with BucketFeet

HOW TO STYLE IT: SNEAKERS FOR FALL

outfit 1:
dots canvas bucketfeet sneakers, c/o

dress made by me (similar here and here -- tutorial coming in a few weeks!)

j.crew hat

nordstrom bag (sold out -- similar here)

outfit 2:
richer poorer sun bucketfeet sneakers, c/o

old navy jacket (sold out -- similar here, here, and here)

ily couture tee, c/o

sheinside leather leggings, c/o (similar here)

lily jade bag, c/o

urban outfitters sunglasses

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANA LAURENE

Today I'm really excited to introduce you to BucketFeet, an artist-designed footwear brand that is changing the way people interact with art. As an artist myself, I love seeing art and style mixed together (in fact, it's giving me the itch to paint some fabric or something), and when you can make an amazing shoe that is crazy versatile and insanely comfortable, you know I'll be all over that.

All of BucketFeet's amazing shoes are designed by graffiti artists, tattooists, illustrators, writers, and other awesome original creators from around the world, and I love how each of them is so unique and interesting and tells a story. The entire purpose of this brand is to connect people and start a conversation, and they totally do because it's literally like wearing a piece of art right on your feet! They have more than 20 new styles for Fall, and with sneakers being huge this year, they're the perfect addition to your closet. Plus, they have styles for not only women, but also for men and kids!

Typically I think of pairing my sneakers with just jeans and a tee (and I certainly do that a lot), but there are so many fun and interesting ways you can wear your sneakers this Fall. Try them like I did here with a dress and baseball cap for a sporty chic look, or with a pair of leather pants and a camo jacket for an edgy, but laid back look for Fall. They also look amazing with shorts, skirts, white denim, distressed denim, maxi dresses, tunics and leggings -- seriously, everything. If you haven't hopped on the sneaker trend train, now is the time.

Here are a few of my faves:

Splash // Peacock 

Pineappleade // Delta

Sentrock // Kinetics

And, since I know you'll want a pair too, BucketFeet is generously offering 25% off your entire purchase to the first 25 buyers with promo code MERRICK25, so hurry, hurry and snag yourself a pair (and then try not to wear them every single day of the week!)