thrifting pretty

The prettiest loft studio I ever did see! Oh how I loved playing dress up here! This perfect little place is in Chicago where an old friend, Louie Abellera, snapped some shots of this fun little vintage outfit! I found this skirt at our local thrift shop and just loved how flowy it is. It is very light weight so its great for summer day. Lets be honest though wearing a maxi is pretty much the best. You look stylish yet feel like you've got your soft clothes on! I encourage you, when you like a print but think the skirt looks dated, just try it on! A tied up tank, cute crop, or your your favorite necklace I love all of my Bashful Owl jewels) can pull it all together! Happy thrifting!

What I Wore

Skirt | Thrifted

Necklace | Bashful Owl

Top | BDG UO

Sandals | UO

shades of yellow

Since being in Florida, mine and Erik's lives have been constantly challenged - from changing our everyday routine (every month because of school) to clothes that we wear because it's SO HOT. The friends that I've made here have inspired me tremendously through their outfits and the way they encourage me to try new styles. Even though I absolutely love the color, the length, the pleats, just everything about it, I've only worn this skirt once since I bought it! I've always struggled with styling it so I left it up to Melissa (my beautiful photographer friend) and Alli (my sweet, insanely gorgeous, pregnant, California-native friend) to make this outfit happen. Alli brought this shirt from her closet, it was one that her friend had gotten her at a garage sale in San Diego! Melissa swooned as soon as she saw it so we put this outfit together and went out to the Maitland Art Center to shoot these incredible photos.

This headband is from an online boutique called Heirbloom. I met Ahndea through our church in Rockford and fell in love with her stuff - especially this headband! I love that for almost any outfit this headband is all you'll need. It's amazing because of its simplicity yet it still makes a bold statement.

What I Wore 

Headband | Heirbloom

Top | Alli's Closet

Skirt | Old Forever 21 - Similar Here!

Shoes | Nordstrom Rack

Who is inspiring you this summer? Whether it be fashion, art, photography, music, blogs - we would love to hear what is motivating you this season!

all photos by Melissa Audrey Dahlman - check out more of her work on Tiny Bones. I'm thankful for her, her talent, her friendship, and her zucchini muffin baking skills. 

Mens Style | HM Summer Style

A post for all of the men out there! This style post is inspired by my husband John. His style is very classic and simple. Don't get me wrong he loves a good band tee and looking a little rugged, but most of the time you will find him looking like James Dean. Haha. 

I always love the Men's section at H&M. It's a perfect shop if you're looking for that classic clean look while keeping a nice budget. I actually love styling for men, so I had a lot of fun creating these outfits for a full summer day! Take a look at some of my picks! What are all of you men wearing this summer? Will you be adding any of these to your closet?

H&M Beachwear | Sunglasses. Trunks. Sandals. Cap.

A cool and clean beach or pool look. Guys, don't forget your cap!

H&M Summer Day | Tee. Shorts. Boots.

A lightweight and simple outfit for a summer day. You can never own to many basic tees!

H&M Summer Night Option One | Blazer. Shirt. Oxfords. Chinos.

A classy look for a summer night.

H&M Summer Night Option Two | Shirt. Chinos. Boots.

Men wear your boots year round. They are always a good idea :)

I hope this inspires our male readers out there!

Sara

tennessee maxis

hey y'all! I'm excited to show you this cute little outfit I threw together a couple weeks ago when we visited Nashville. I wasn't expecting to be as chilly as it was so I didn't pack very well. Thank goodness I thought to bring this super comfy maxi skirt! I was hoping to not have to wear a jacket and just this cute new top from UO! I love it! It's fun to wear with high waisted bottoms or if your feeling sassy to show off a little midrif. It was a bit to chilly though so I grabbed my favorite Levi's jean jacket and threw on my HM booties!

What I Wore

Skirt | Old Navy

Top | Urban Outfitters

Jean Jacket | Levi's via UO

Boots | HM

Necklace | OU

Sara

summer loving

1. rag & bone tee

This summer, I am all about wearing what I feel comfortable in and choosing things that I really love. Insert this tee. I love how freeing it looks and of course, the color.

2. o.p.i "Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees"

This is my favorite nail polish of all time - s e r i o u s l y. It is the perfect mesh of black and gray so it doesn't look too dark for summer. And, of course, o.p.i is my go-to for affordable, durable nail polish.  

3. levi's jean vest
Erik has changed my life in a lot of ways. He made me a wife AND a lover of vests. I am obsessed with vests and strongly believe they can make any outfit better. I love the detail of the zipper in this one! A nice alternative to the classic denim vest. Well done, Levi's.
4. modcloth "Rule of Thirds" necklace
What is there to say about this killer? I'm usually a simplistic necklace wearer but Sara has shown me that us little gals can wear statement jewelry just as well as the rest of them! I think it would make this shirt more than just a black tee and take this outfit to the next level while still being versatile.
5. top shop "Folk Stud" skirt
This skirt is a beauty - a little pricey, but I think it might be worth it. The pattern makes me so excited and it's a great spring-summer-fall transition skirt. What else could you want from a piece of clothing?
6. baggu clutch
We got this lovely lady in the storefront at Rifle today and my heart fell for her in an instant. I've been sticking with darker, more neutral colors lately but maybe, just maybe, it's time for another pop of color in my life. I love her.
7. mia "Lila" sandals
My most recent purchase and absolute favorite so far for the summer. They go so well with pants, leggings, dresses, AND skirts. They are perfect! I got them at Nordstrom Rack. Thankfully, we have one close by and it's the greatest thing! Discounted Free People? Okay! Cheap shoes? Absolutely.
I've saved so much money since I started shopping here - go check out their online store now or visit one close to you!

What are some things that you guys are loving for this summer?

V

patterns please

 I saw these shorts on ThreadSence and had to have them! I've always been afraid of putting patterns into my wardrobe but this year I feel like it's all I own. These shorts are great because they are incredibly comfortable while still looking stylish! Here I'm just wearing a plain black crop tank but they would be totally cute with a boyfriend tee or a ratty band tee! Be creative!

What I Wore

shorts | threadsence

top | windsor

kimono | h&m

shoes | vicky's closet

Sara

on wearing white

This post is about stepping outside of my comfort zone - in a lot of ways. I always felt that white would wash me out because I am P A L E. I strongly believ(ed) that wearing a white dress was only for a bride (or a Kardashian). There are also too many rules ABOUT wearing white & I certainly couldn't memorize them all. Mostly, though, black. Black is my favorite thing to wear, decorate with, paint on my nails, look at and/or do anything with. So, in honor of a new blog and a new journey, I decided to try something new: wearing white.

This may not inspire you to go out and start wearing white - but let it represent trying something new & being free from others opinions! Try a new drink at Starbucks (my latest favorite is a Hazelnut Soy Misto, so yum!), maybe quit going to Starbucks at all and support local, listen to a different band (Sir Sly, anyone?), find more people who inspire you to live a creative life. Whatever it is - have fun and take chances!

What I Wore:

dress | H&M

vest | maurice's

necklace | maurice's

shoes | target

jewelry | all over the world

Also, besides my wedding day, this is the only time I've felt truly comfortable in front of a camera. (Maybe this is a sign - I was wearing white that day too. Hmm!) Some major props to my new vegan eating|midwestern soul|tattoo loving|skull collecting friend & photographer, Melissa. I cannot wait to have more fun with her! Please show her some love on her new blog: Tiny Bones & follow her on insta @melissaaudrey.

V