polka dots + sunshine.

outfit chat: first off, how do you not fall in love with these fabulous pants?! the bright color makes my heart so happy! these are more of a professional type capri that are fabulous for work. typically i dress them up more, but when planning this look i was feeling a little more fun + casual so i styled them with this polka dot tee to dress them down a touch. adding the belt to this outfit brought the excitement + interest that was totally missing! between the nude flats, yellow + light colored tee i was finding the outfit quite plain. the polka dots also help with added interest to the look. i opted for a pretty lipstick look rather than flashy because it just seemed to fit the classic look i was going for. unfortunately, between my little lips & the subtle shade of lipstick that it was-- you are unable to really tell how fabulous the color is! it is my go to shade + is always found in my purse. 

let's be friends! become a follower of my blog + my instagram. don't be shy! do you have a fashion blog as well? or do you have a question about any of my posts? leave me a comment! i would love to meet you. 

outfit details: polka dot top | forever 21

                     pants | j.crew factory

                     belt | j.crew factory

                     nude flats | aldo

                     watch | bp nordstrom

                     sunnies | bp nordstrom

[xoxo] allyLou

vacation styling.

i love to travel. if i could quit my job + travel everywhere i would instantly! it's too exciting to be somewhere new, fabulous + exciting! the hard part for me, is the stress of having a limited wardrobe! i do not like to plan outfits ahead. i like to wake up, decide what my mood is, + find an outfit based on it. when you have a suitcase you can only pack it so tightly. as you might expect, i certainly have tested this to the limit! thanks to my family for letting me take up the largest space for packing on this road trip. because on the flip side, shopping for a vacation is too fabulous! so, as i've already somewhat mentioned this post is just a little mix of a few of my outfits on our California vacation that started our summer off all too perfectly! here are a few of my favorite outfits of the week. 

    balboa island day: 

skirt [j.crew factory] tee [j.crew factory] leopard flats [aldo] watch [bp nordstrom] crossbody bag [michael kors] sunnies [forever 21]

   balboa island day's evening look: 

skirt [j.crew factory] chambray top [forever 21] yellow cardigan [target] leopard flats [aldo] watch [bp nordstrom]

       

disneyland day:

green bermudas [j.crew factory] polka dot tee [forever 21] leopard belt [american eagle] glittery sandals [target] crossbody bag [ross] sunnies [bp nordstrom] nail color [shocking pink by china glaze]

     bike ride at huntington beach:      evening at dodger stadium:               huntington beach day:

white tee [target] striped skirt [forever 21] white sandals [forever young shoes] sunnies [forever 21]

yellow cardigan [target] striped boat neck tee [j.crew] leopard belt [american eagle] skinny jeans [love culture] glitter sandals [target] watch [bp nordstrom] crossbody bag [ross]

striped swim cover-up [j.crew factory] sunnies [bp nordstrom]

    evening in vegas:

green bermudas [j.crew factory] tan top [forever 21] gold bracelet [forever 21] leopard belt [american eagle] glitter sandals [target] crossbody bag [michael kors]


re-wearing clothing is a huge issue with me. i hate to do it! for example the green bermudas + yellow cardigan. they were perfectly clean AND had perfectly good reason each time! otherwise, i hate to re-wear so soon in one week. just a little exclamation before you jump to conclusions.

when i travel, simple outfits are my favorite! have a fabulous tuesdsay! [xoxo]allyLou

perfectly imperfect.

outfit details: gingham button-up [jcrew factory] polka dot skirt [jcrew factory] sandals [target] sunnies [bp nordstrom] watch [bp nordstrom] lipstick [MAC girl about town] tortoise barrette [jcrew]

outfit chat: to some, this outfit seems ridiculous. let me explain why it is absolutely perfectly imperfect! i loved styling this + going out for an afternoon drink with my honey + then on to a girl's dinner date. what is better than wearing a fabulous outfit + having fabulous plans!? so this skirt will most likely be one of my top favorite purchases for my summer wardrobe. i purchased it at an awesome jcrew factory sale for our week in california + have worn it so many fun ways since. let me get explaining this fun outfit! pairing this skirt with the gingham button-up makes sense for a few different reasons. [first], pattern play is everywhere right now! it is so fun to feel so mismatched, a little on the wild side, but yet look so classy + clean. [second], because the colors, together, still look pleasing to the eye. [third], because the patterns make sense together. if i had a gingham shirt + a plaid skirt? now, that is horrible pattern play + shouldn't be worn. the lines of the patterns would make you confused & it just doesn't work. if you notice, i used my accessories to tie the outfit together. when trying to accomplish a pattern play look it is important to keep the accessories very clean + coordinated.

[xoxo] allyLou

all things nautical.

i don't know about you but this sunshine has me all giddy & just happy! life is just so exciting when the sun is shining! of course my favorite part of any season change is the fun changes in my closet. i am so excited about all of the spring trends & styles that i'm able to play with. i'm currently obsessing over all things nautical. so, take a look at an easy, effortless way to style this look!

outfit details: striped tee [gap] red skinnies [love culture] leopard flats [aldo] gold chain bracelet [forever 21] anchor earrings [forever 21] glasses [forever 21] lip color [mac matte red]

outfit chat: like i said, i am currently loving all things nautical. this was a very simple, day at the park, way to style such a look. i love the sequin touch to this tee! unfortunately you don't get that from the photos, but the stripes are lined with sequins. just enough to not be flashy, but enough to make it feminine & extra adorable. so, okay... red + blue creates an obvious nautical look. right? the leopard shoes were added to give a trendy touch. it totally matches with the colors i was working with, and at the same time gave the look something to create excitement & added interest. i think it made the whole look classy! the only change i would make would be to add more interest in the jewelry i chose. maybe a large gold watch? some more bracelets to create a fun arm party? and even some fun necklaces to add interest! oooh, i can't wait to give this look a repeat! and check out those fun glasses. loving this style! give it a try. i dare ya.

[xoxo] allyLou

bows & collars.

outfit details: top [forever 21] denim skinnies [love culture] flats [aldo] bracelets [forever 21] earrings [forever 21] lip color [MAC matte red] nail color [sephora by OPI call your mother]

outfit chat: first off, i am obsessed with my mini bow earrings! i have three pairs that are all similar just different colors so you may be seeing them a lot for a minute. i think bows are fabulous because they are so feminine & classy. a combination i love! peter pan collars are also something i'm crushin' on lately. i have to admit this is my first top with this amazing use of collar [after months of trying to find one that was just right!]. there are a few different styles of tops with the peter pan collar, all which are absolutely a must have right now. i love when they are sequined as well! this outfit is a fun, simple way to pair leopard with stripes. as you notice the colors are pleasing to the eye & yet nothing is so simple that you find yourself bored with it! i felt a little bit of a retro feel all day long in this cute thing & i was totally loving it! next time, i would most likely opt for lose curls instead of the top knot simply to cover up my tacky downeast tee underneath. but for today, i felt that the top knot completed the classic, feminine look that was being given by the red lips, bows, & peter pan collar!

[xoxo] allyLou

let's talk casual.

outfit details: striped turtleneck [j.crew] chambray top [forever 21] pants [love culture] flats [aldo] bracelet [forever 21] lip color [MAC Viva Glam Matte Red] nail color [OPI pamplona purple]

outfit chat: this outfit must give full credit to the leopard flats. they are the aspect of this outfit that makes it all work. i also really find the rolled sleeves to be a fun part of this. when pairing a chambray with a blue jean, pattern & color is totally vital! i struggle a little with the denim on denim look [even though the top is considered chambray not actual denim] but this is a fun way to pull off such a look! to me this outfit is a classy, trendy way to pull off a relaxed look. this is not my go to outfit when planning on an evening on the town with my sweetie. I, personally, find this a look for work or even to run errands in. it took the little details to make it feel fabulous &amp feminine! Today's Friday... Hooray!! Have a fab weekend everyone!

[xoxo] allyLou

neutral lovin' + stripes.

i miss my blog everyone!! wanna know why i've been forgoing my little hobby? because it is cold, i don't like it one little bit & i'm ready for some spring fashion talk! but, that's a terrible attitude because there are a few more months of this "fun" so i better be enjoying life, right?! right! here's to enjoying every minute of this crazy, cold weather! 

i quickly want to share something i did while away from my fashion blog. an adorable friend of mine let me go through her closet & play!! she let me loose in her closet to put together outfit options for her. i had a blast both playing with clothes that are not my own & also spending an evening with her cute little self! thanks mckall! i hope you're enjoying those fabulous outfits. i wish that was a full time job option because i would be in heaven each day! it's like a painter that is allowed to use their creativity to paint each day... i just prefer some fun fabric, patterns, colors & some brand names that give me a little thrill. 

 outfit details: top [bohme] leggings [h&m] shoes [aldo] coat [old navy] gloves [h&m] lip color [MAC Matte Viva Glam Red] 

outfit chat: this is very simple. yes, yes it is! i'm not usually this simple. the reason i am able to wear this & still feel so fabulous would be because of those leggings! seriously, did you see them? they are the cutest. i have a thing for leggings without a doubt & the fun these bring to an outfit make me so giddy. i do pair them with several other more interesting outfits, but sometimes a simple, neutral, relaxed look is good & needed. a good way to spice up this ensemble a touch would be: a bright shade of shoes? a pair of tall black or brown boots? a pair of combat boots? a bright cardigan? a bright top of any style? well, any style top that is acceptable with leggings of course! i am sure these leggings will make a repeat appearance so keep watching for fun patterned legging ideas! until then, go purchase a pair! dig that pair out of your closet that you have been nervous to wear! rock a pair of patterned leggings with confidence, doll! i promise it'll make ya feel sassy & cute. 

[xoxo] allyLou

Gingham Lovin'

outfit details: button-up [J. Crew] sweater [J. Crew] pants [love culture] shoes [aldo] jewelry [forever 21] lip color [MAC girl about town] nail color [sinful colors easy going] crossbody bag [michael kors]

outfit chat: i am currently obsessing over these three things: gingham, bright colors to break up the cold, dark winter months & also all things J. Crew! and this fabulous post includes all of thee above! this also was my first real go at online shopping! I must admit I am all about going in to my favorite store & walking out with a bag full of my most favorite items! I may be okay trading that feeling for the happiness felt when the UPS truck pulls up to my home! so fabulous! well, what can i tell you about this fun little outfit? first off button-ups are so fun right now! you can throw them under a sweater [as in this look] or you can put them underneath a cardigan. i went with a basic, blue denim because of the already fun use of colors in the outfit. i also did this because this is a classic look, putting a pair of black leggings with it would have made it look harsh & confusing. it needed the denim to calm the look down & help give it that simple, classy look that a sweater + gingham button-up already totally gives! so you may be wondering why i went with a leopard print shoe if i was trying to keep in simple, right? i could also have pair this outfit with boots. that would have been safe & perfect for the wintery weather. although, that would have been safe & typical. i like to think of leopard as a neutral color [even though it's not just one color] and since mixing prints & patterns is all the rage right now i can be brave & bold by mixing a gingham print with a leopard shoe! a few things to keep in mind when mixing prints: the colors go perfectly together, i didn't have patterns or prints that were too much together & the mix of color [as in the button-up and sweater] was simple enough that a bold shoe just made the look complete! lets just say, i always like to try & add something a little bold to my outfits. a little something to make it exciting & different! go grab a fun button-up top & get playing with this fun look, why don't ya?

[xoxo] allyLou

polka dots & mint.

outfit details: top [cotton on] pants [bohme] boots [steve madden] bangle bracelet [h&m] lip color [MAC girl about town]

outfit chat: my cute little sis let me borrow this fabulous polka dot button up & i had way too much fun with it! i already can't get enough of the fun lose, flowy button-up look so when i saw this polka dotted version in her closet i knew i could do way too many good things with it! when putting this cute thing together i first knew i needed, & wanted, a fun splash of color. a bright shade of colored shoes would have also been a fabulous option. for example, a bright royal blue flat with a denim skinny would have been fabulous. for this outfit i went with my mint skinnies because it just seemed too fun to pass up. i also knew i would want to pair it with boots since the shirt alone is not a very wintery look [being three quarter sleeved and all]. i also opted for the boots because black flats just made the outfit seem so plain, the nude flat option didn't quite seem right with the bright white in the shirt & when i tried on the boots it gave it a little bit of excitement. i am not a huge fan of black boots in the first place, but black boots with this would have just been so typical. so matchy matchy. i am all about mixing the right shade of browns with blacks when appropriate. and something about the mint skinnies with that shade of brown boot just makes me so happy! 

[xoxo] allyLou

Monday's Fabulous Must-Haves

Here are a few purchases totally worth making! I struggle to finish off many of my looks without these fun items. Some I use daily, some I find myself thankful for on occasion. Either way, go to your nearest mall & give your closet and makeup collection a little boost!

Details: [OPI By Sephora Top Coat] [MAC Lipstick] [Aldo Nude Flats] [pearl earrings] [Colored/Denim Skinnies] [Colorful & Patterned Scarves] [Gold Stack Bracelets]

Chat: Let me explain my personal ideas & touches to these simple items! I went ages without a good topcoat. I would freak out every time my nails would chip after only a few hours of wear. My cute Santa added this to my stocking & I feel like a whole new woman! MAC lipsticks... Do I even need to explain?! If you want to feel fun & flirty apply a bold, bright shade. Feeling simple & classy? Grab a more neutral, softer shade. Whatever mood, just make sure you are making good use of those kissers! My Aldo nude flats are my best friend & a fabulous idea! They go with everything I own & talk about classing up an outfit ?! I'm in love. My pearl earrings are my go to earring. I truly don't wear anything else. A good pair of skinny denim or colored pants are an obvious must. The color of a fun pair can truly add a lot to an outfit & goodness, take advantage of this fun style!! Scarves can add something that a piece of jewelry just can't do. I love to throw a floral scarf with a simple outfit (or even vice versa) to give a little something to the outfit. & last, my gold jewelry is my best friend! go create a fun stack of bracelets for a fun look on your wrist!

[xoxo] allyLou

lazy legging lovin'

this was my lazy look for the first day of the new year! after a night of celebrating & waking up when half of the day was already finished i was looking for a simple, comfortable, fashionable look to go out with my honey. this was what i came up with! and i have to admit it felt fabulous. take a look!

 

 

outfit details: chambray [forever 21] floral top [buckle] black legging [wet seal] scarf [new york & company] boots [steve madden] bracelets [forever 21] crossbody bag [michael kors] lip color [MAC coral bliss] nail color [sinful colors timbleberry]

outfit chat: i love leggings with all of my heart! i wear them several times a week [i have too many pairs] & i think that is because they make an outfit feel simple, flirty, relaxed, & can throw in a pattern to really add to the look you are trying to achieve. leggings can be best paired with long loose button ups or sweaters, cardigans, or blazers. just to name a few. the options really are endless, which is why i plan to do several posts showing a few different uses. this simple pair helped with the relaxed, somewhat grungy, look i was going for. i am not a huge fan of "grunge" at all so this is my version. the unbuttoned chambray went fabulously with the look & paired with a floral top i was able to make the outfit look feminine. fun, right? the scarf & boots topped off the wintery look i was needing on this freezing cold january day, as well as allowed for good color additions to the outfit! whenever i am feeling the relaxed look i find the top knot my first choice in hairstyle for the day. and since we were going out on the town i had to class up the outfit with my Michael Kors crossbody bag. which is my most favorite possession by the way! now go make sure your closet owns a pair of this fun & flirty substitute for pants & put them to good use! 

[xoxo] allyLou

bold stripes & a little leopard.

 

      oufit details: top [forever 21] pants [love culture] boots [steve madden] belt [american eagle] jewelry [forever 21] lip color [MAC girl about town] nail color [essie sand tropez & china glaze swing baby]

outfit chat: this outfit is a way to mix pattern and print in an interesting, yet subtle, way. i paired the belt with the shirt with the idea in mind that the colors went together fabulously yet together they gave the pattern play i needed to complete the outfit. typically with this outfit i would put a colored belt with it, but since the print gave it that pop of excitement i was safe with the matching color scheme. when wearing an outfit with not a lot of color fun happening, i like to make sure my lip color is bold, bright & able to give my look that pop of color that the outfit itself is missing. a little side note on these fabulous new boots? my husband completely picked them out himself & had them waiting for me on christmas morning! what a perfect guy, right?
 have a fabulous snowy weekend everyone! 

[xoxo] allyLou

sequins & chambray.

this outfit is a flashback from last month's fabulous anniversary date with my cute guy! i won't typically do posts of flashback outfits, but this one is one of my favorites i have worn this season so i think it's fitting for my first actual outfit post. also, the chambray is most definitely my favorite item of the season & i am certainly guilty of over wearing this cute thing! here is my outfit & the details i incorporated to make the look so fun, yet classy at the same time! take a look why don't ya?

outfit details: 

chambray button up [forever 21] 

sequin sweater [bohme/last season] 

denim jegging [love culture] 

nude flats [aldo] 

gold stack bracelets [forever 21]

 lip color [MAC coral bliss cremesheen] 

nail color [NYC skin tight denim]

outfit chat: you can pair a chambray with leggings, colored denim/pants, blue denim, under a colored cardigan, with a cute colored or patterned skirt, you can dress it down, or even make it look a little more dressy?! it is the perfect go to item. for this look, i put it under a fun sweater with sequins. i used a darker denim jegging for a simple, classy look which my nude flats finished off perfectly! gold jewelry is my favorite this season so i threw together a little collage of gold bracelets. this bracelet look you may see a little too often in my posts. i love this look with jewelry. the blue nail polish? this brand i do not recommend, but let me explain. i am a shades of red & pink kinda girl, right? i just knew that this color would be fabulous with this outfit so i purchased a cheap shade of this blue to try it out & i absolutely fell in love! and i stole my cute michael kors wristlet out of my purse because it went with the simple look i was trying to achieve.

[xoxo] allyLou