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