Backwards N High Heels

Balancing work and play while wearing many hats (I mean heels).

The Perfect Beach Cover Ups

On the eve of the first official day of summer, let’s get our excitement levels up as we swoon over the return of a great season. Life is better in the summer.  I always feel healthier, have a little more pep in my step and enjoy the carefreeness that comes with the season. Who is with me?

With vacations in the near future, I find myself more concerned and excited over the perfect beach cover-up than the swimsuit itself. Think about it – you are showing off your cover-up more than your actual suit in most cases.  I mean we choose this assemble for that very reason – to cover us up from our itsy bitsy teeny bikinis.

I get more excited over cover-up fashions than swimwear and this season there are some great cover-up finds.

Swimsuit Cover-up FashionsSwimsuit Cover-up Fashions

 

1 – ASOS Cold Shoulder Beach Cover Up | $38.11
First, this one looks like an adorable dress. Paired with some wedge heels, this cover-up can take you from day to night as to hit the local hot spots or beach bars.  Plus, the color is perfect for the season!  Remember my Pantone Spring Fashion Report round-up? It is that Dazzling Blue.

2 – Forever 21 Floral Swim Cover Up | $15.80
Can you beat this price? I think not!  Plus, bold colors and bold prints are very much in trend this season.

3 – Anthropolgie Offshore Caftan | $120
This would be my summer splurge! I adore everything about this cover-up. It is distinctly feminine, un-restrictive and reminds me of the perfect go-to as you walk the beach at night.

4 – Victoria’s Secret Relaxed Linen Pant | Orig. $49.50 –  Sale $39.50
I love everything about this look. Particularly the word “relaxed.”  That is just what a beach vacation or day at the pool should be… relaxing.  With this outfit, you don’t have to care, but you look good doing it!

Happy Summer!

 

 

Hey, Ladies… It’s Swimsuit Time!

It is the most dreaded time of year for females all over the world… Swimsuit Season.  You know, the time where you psych yourself up, maybe throw back a shot or two and over and over in your head you prep yourself… “I got this!”  And, then it happens. You stand there in front of three, sometimes you are lucky and there are five or maybe you have hit the jackpot and get the dressing rooms with full panoramic mirrors and, if you are like me, you cringe.  Thoughts that go through your mind may include…

“I am so pale I can see my veins.”
“Who the heck invented florescent light?”
“Why does St. Patrick’s day fall between Winter and Summer? Darn dark beers!”
“Who the heck invented low-rise bikini bottoms?”
“Who the heck wears low-rise bikini bottoms?”
“Why does Easter fall between my New Year’s Resolution and Summer? Darn chocolate!”
“I could always walk sideways to the ocean.”

But Summertime comes and our mentality changes.  I just love this saying…

Summer Quote
It is true though! Especially, once you finally, finally get by the water. Cares seem to fade away.  You forget about the materialistic side of life and the stress of being perfect and as you put on your summer swimsuit to head to the beach, you pass a mirror and say, “I got this!” and you mean it!  Because who cares?  It is summer!  And hopefully, you are work and stress free with a beverage in-hand.

So, as I get into my summer mindset and face the reality that it does include swimwear of some kind.  I actually push all those negative thoughts behind me and find the excitement in a new season and the carefree attitude that comes with it.

I cruise the internet instead of stepping foot in the store to find the perfect swimwear.  For me, trying on my purchases in the comfort of my own home is much more appealing.

These are some of my favorite swimsuit fashion trends for summer 2014:

  1. Bright Colors – Think Neon
  2. One Pieces are back
  3. Hello, Fringe and Ruffles
  4. Lace and Vintage Looks
  5. Bold Prints

Summer 2014 Swimsuit Fashion Trends

 1 – Saks Fifth Avenue – 165 | 2 – Victoria Secret – 42.50 (Top) and 18.50 (Bottom) | 3 – AE – 19.99 (Top) and 14.99 (Bottoms) | 4 – asos – 50.80 |- Anthropologie – 132

In honor of social media’s appointed #ThrowBackThursdays… I thought I would be vulnerable and share a picture of my all-time favorite swimwear.  In all honest, after this winter it feels like it has been this long since I enjoyed sweet summertime!

Summer 2014 Swimsuit Fashion Trends

Soul By The Sea – Nautical Trends

I am pretty sure that my soul belongs by the sea.  During a stressful day or situation, when someone says, “Go to your happy place,” mine is always by the water.  If I had my choice or say, I would always go with the ocean.  The waves, the sand, the breeze… there is nothing better in my opinion.  However, give me a lake, stream or bay and I am an equally happy girl!

Maybe it is the way of life of such waterfront towns that pull me in the most?  Especially, those off the beaten path.  Drive the coastal Carolina’s or even along the bay of good ol’ Maryland, and you will understand what I am saying. Kent Island, St. Micheal’s, Easton, Cambridge – all Maryland Bay towns, that you not only remember for their attractions but for the way you feel when you visit.

It is a way of life.  A slower pace.  A calm.  I long for it this time of year.

The nautical trend is seeing its way back into stores and closets.  Here are some of my favorite picks from this season’s trend.  I plan on embracing the style while I work away in the mountains and long for my summer days by the sea!  Enjoy!

Nautical Fashion Trends
1. Anchor Wallet – J.Crew Factory 44.00 | 2. Anchor Necklace  ASOS – 35. 18 | 3. Rope Belt – Loft 34.99 | 4. Knot Ring – Bauble Bar $28 | 5. Striped Wedges – Modcloth 39.99 | 6. Boatneck Pullover – J.Crew Factory 34.50 | 7. Red Jeans – Olivia Bonas 32.07

Top 10 Spring Must Haves

The warmer temperatures have me re-evaluating my closest, and I must say… it is pretty dreary!  I am so over my leggings and sweaters, and so ready for new options. I want to look in the mirror and say “ah!” instead of “eh…”

In my quest for a new outlook on my wardrobe and some direction for Spring shopping, I took some time to investigate what the fashionista’s are labeling as the top trends this Spring.  There are lots of fun trends this season, but I rounded up my Top 10 Spring Must Haves below.

So, out with the winter wear and hello, Spring fashions!

Please share in the comment section below, what your favorite Spring Trend is or what you must-have this season. Enjoy!

Spring 2014 Must Haves

 

TOP 10 SPRING 2014 MUST HAVES:

1 – FLORALS
Sundress – J.Crew Factory | $118.00 – ON SALE NOW for $58.00

2 – ESTATE JEWELRY
Ring – ModCloth | $12.99

3 – BOYFRIEND JEANS
Pants – J.Crew | $135

4 – TRENCH COAT
Coat – YesStyle | $53.90

5 – WHITE PANTS
Pant – The Loft | $69.99

6 – FRINGE
Top – YesStyle | $18.90

7 – FLATS
Shoes – Express | $39.90

8 – WHITE PUMPS
Shoes – ASOS | $47.04

9 – CROPPED JACKET
Jacket – AE | $99.95

10 – SMALL HANDBAG / PURSE
Purse – Anthropologie | $88.00

 

Pantone’s Spring Fashion Report… Style Looks

Spring officially arrives March 20th; however, I am kind of annoyed with Spring’s mother.  You know her, right? Mother Nature.  I mean at this point I think either A) She clearly plays favorites to her children and apparently Winter has her heart or B) She has some weird sense of humor and gets great pleasure out of watching us switch from flip flops one day to snow boots the next, all while sniffling and sneezing.

Sometimes we all must take matters into our own hands, and at this point I am sticking my nose up in the air at Mother Nature.  If you won’t give me the sunshine and warmer temps I need to physically feel like Spring is actually near, then I will trick my mind into believing Winter is on its way out and my old friends, Spring and Summer are coming out to play.

I have already redecorated my home. Removing all traces of Winter.  Spring florals and candle scents have now taken its place.  I actually did that a few weeks ago and Mother Nature reared her ugly head at me and gave a few more shots of Winter.

So, I attempt again… as I write this and stare out my window at the SNOW that covers the green grass that was there this weekend.  That white, white, white, white, okay some dirty from the road, white, white, white SNOW.   I need some color in my life.  Catch my drift? Along with all the wonderful things Spring brings, what I think I am missing the most is the return of great Spring fashion and fun Spring colors.

So, here we go… let’s forget what is actually outside our windows and begin mentally preparing for spring.  Please let me introduce you to Pantone’s Spring 2014 Fashion Report!

Photo courtesy of Pantone.com

Photo courtesy of Pantone.com

Each year Pantone puts together its list of colors, which will pretty much guide the design word. So, get use to seeing these. The Color Of The Year for 2014 is Radiant Orchid, which I am actually excited about. Wondering how these colors translate to your closet? Below are three Spring Style Looks I put together in preparation of Spring’s return.

 
SPRING STYLE LOOK #1

Spring Style Look #1

Spring Style Look #1

Striped Skirt – J.Crew 98.00 | Top – J.Crew 79.50 | Necklace – Forerver21 9.80 | Shoes (Dolce Vita) – Piperlime 139.00 | Handbag – H&M 34.95

SPRING STYLE LOOK #2

Spring Style Look #2

Spring Style Look #2

Earrings – J.Crew 85.00 | Top – J.Crew 69.50 | Heels – (Ivanka Trump) Zappos 125.00 |  Jeans – H&M 39.95 | Watch – Michael Kors 160.00


SPRING STYLE LOOK #3

Spring Style Look #3

Spring Style Look #3


Dress – ModCloth 44.99 | Scarf – Banana Republic 35.00 | Sunglasses – (Ray-Ban)  J.Crew  145.00 | Hat – (Michael Stars) Piperlime 38.00 | Sandals – (Steve Madden) Piperlime 50.00

Which look do you like the best?  Share in the comments below.  Time to get Spring Shopping!