However, girls like me? We have a constant wish list, and when I say constant I mean constantly growing. I can't tell you how many conversations I have with my best friends about whatever we are saving for, what we want, or what we are asking for for our birthday.. and don't lie, you know you do it too. It's not always all about fashion but about 9 times out of 10 it's a safe bet. We occasionally throw in a trip to Europe or tickets to a Mavericks playoff game but those larger items on the wish list usually take a backseat to a Rebecca Minkoff bag we just could not live without (sorry I'm not sorry).
Down here in good ole Texas we have two seasons: fall, with an occasional day or two of winter, and summer. So when things start to warm up around here my pocketbook gets a little trigger happy.. and sadly it does the same thing when things cool down too, oops.
I thought I'd share with y'all a couple of my current wish list items so here goes. (... and don't all go buy them at once now because once I go to finally purchase them and I click the checkout button and they are out of stock we are going to have serious issues, just kidding, kinda.)
First things first, I am a sucker for a good dress and I absolutely love the modern take, or what I like to call the reverse mullet trend (business in the back party in the front), and what others have dubbed the 'hi-lo' trend that has emerged in the dress and skirt department. I have a million mini and maxi dresses and now I have a new division of dresses to add to. I have found four (Yes four, can you tell I really love this trend?) hi-lo dresses that I am dying for:
I feel like this is the perfect piece to curb my craving. I absolutely love the coloring, I have green eyes so I'm a sucker. You can dress it up with heels and a statement necklace or dress it down with a pair of nude sandals and a jean jacket. I also feel like this piece is seasonal-ish. The coloring can easily transition into fall and priced at $96 I think it's a total steal.
Here she is, my obsession. I feel like this dress and I need to be best friends ASAP. How perfect is she? Plus she brings together two trends: florals as well as the hi-lo hemline.. with some added ruffles. What more could you ask for? Besides maybe a lower price point, at $286 I might be waiting for this beauty to go on some type of sale. I should've snagged her last week during the ShopBop 20% extravaganza, silly me.
Three words: MINT, HI-LO, + WAIST. This dress is also a stunner, and a little more budget friendly. The mint color is absolutely on trend for spring and I think the waist line is always flattering. I also love the wrap aspect, I think it adds an extra little flair to an already stunning piece. This is also another dress up or dress down number.. anything I can wear with wedges as well as my favorite Tory Burch sandals is a winner in my book.
Lastly I thought I'd throw in what I think would just be a casual only piece (I prefer the coral color, black is too overdone). I'm sure you could dress this dress up as well but when I look at it all I can see are some flat sandals, some type of feathery necklace, and possibly an acid wash denim vest or maybe a white denim vest. Complete with beachy waves and my aviators. Boom.
Next I'm going to show y'all some of the staple pieces I have on my wish list, and don't judge me for not already owning them. I try real hard but some of the trendy things tend to catch my eye and wallet before the classics. I know I know, that's unacceptable but my to die for Mary Jane Louboutin heels beg to differ.
I will be purchasing these, the question is will I stay traditional or will I break the mold and get them in neon yellow? Chances are the later (or possibly even both). I'll be pairing these with anything from a simple tank and a fun statement necklace, a button up silk blouse, and even the always classic chambray top. Speaking of..
Hi, perfect. I attempted to purchase a chambray blouse from the Nordstrom BP department a couple months ago but once I got it home the fit was all wrong and just not what I had dreamed up in my head. Enter this Madewell option. It is perfect. I love the slight bagginess but it still allows for your frame to show through. I am also a huge fan of the faded tone, I think the typical jean coloring is overplayed, this one is a perfect balance of all I could ever dream of in a chambray. Love at first sight you might say.
Well you can't have a classics section without an LBD, le duh. I know everyone has a couple little black dresses in their closet, and if you don't you should probably get on that, but mine all seem to be a little more structured and some even conservative. I came across this one and immediately though this was a good spring and summer piece. The chiffon fabric is light and flowy, plus the cut out adds a little sass instead of just the typical overdone tubed black dress. Since the neckline is so distinct a necklace isn't really an option in my book, I'll be pairing this fun dress with some serious arm candy.
One more LBD, it came in a coral color as well but I just can't seem to find it so it's going to go under the classic section even though this has bachelorette written all over it. I am going to go out a on limb when I say this dress does not go with heels, period. Wedges yes, sandals yes, heels.. nah. Maybe if you had a flat heel you might be able to prove me wrong but a platform would be a huge no-no in my book. I believe the genius Courtney Kerr said it best when she stated that certain outfits buy you certain shoes. A cover-up at a pool party bought her a wedge.. still classy, but I think it should be written in the fashion bible and actually in the woman bible that a swimsuit should never be paired with heels. Same idea here. I love this flirtaciousness of this dress! Such an easy piece to throw on with your statement already built in, or technically cut out, same thing.
I'm sorry, really. I don't really have much of a wish list when it comes to sandals and etc. for summer because with one of my Christmas Nordstrom gift cards I went ahead and bought the Tory Burch sandals I'd been drooling over for a couple seasons. I basically have the entire footwear department covered when it comes to key pieces but just for the record let me go ahead and tell you what you'll need for basics in life:
Black Heel
Nude Heel (enter this option that I'm saving for)
Black Wedge
Nude Wedge
Nude Flat
Black Flat
Black Flat and Heeled Boots
Nude Flat boots
Black Sandal
Nude Sandal
... catch onto the pattern yet?
Now believe me, my shoe collection screams color as well and I have some intense sandal and boot options too but the above was just the basics that every woman should have. I do have a pair of nude heels currently but they aren't too comfortable and I just can't help but drool over these and feel like I need them. This is the perfect time to say.. sorry I'm not sorry. (These should be on my LUST list instead of my wish list but I have full hope that I will save up for these so for now they remain here.)
Now onto some flirty and fun pieces and accessories:
I suppose this isn't exactly classic but let's be honest, it basically is. I am obsessed with anything neon and neon denim is no different. How fun are these? Dress up or down, again something key to things that I invest in when it comes to my wardrobe. Pair with a t-shirt or simple tank and sandals with whatever accessories your heart desires for day and then throwing on a black or nude blazer with heels can take this look to night. This is a must have for me, I actually can't decide between the pink or yellow.. maybe I'll get one in jean and one in a short.. oops.
How fun is this? I think it's flawless and simply styled by Nordstrom.com.. but you could also pair this fun kimono blouse with neon denim (told you I loved it), black denim, any style or color short and you could even throw this in your beach bag as a cover up. Clearly it's great for travel! I absolutely love this piece and you can't beat the vibrant colors. It is a great option instead of a typical jacket or cardigan and let's be honest during those warmer months a thinner option is always a perk.
I am a pretty classic girl, but the occasional spike or leather will catch me eye. This was one of those pieces. A couple weekends ago my best friend and I were picking through the racks at one of my favorite stores: Zara, when I came across this piece. I tried it on with a neon oversized tank and I fell in love but I had some other items on my wish list that were higher priority.. but now I'm kicking myself for not getting it. She is clearly a going out skirt and not so much a work skirt but I think that this will transition into fall with a blazer so I'm hoping the next time I make a trip to the Dallas Galleria this beauty is still there. If not, there is always Zara.com.
What would a wish list post for spring and summer be without a swimsuit? I have had my eye on this 'foxy' piece for a while and if you can't see why you are totally blind. Finding the perfect swimsuit is basically like finding the perfect man, close to impossible, but I feel like this gem is giving my main man a run for his money. Bandeau is key for those pesky tan lines and this top has the fringe extra that I just completely fell in love with. The bottoms are a moderate coverage which is key for me as well, let's be honest, after age 21 it's probably in every ones best interest to be a least a little modest.. unless you're Jennifer Aniston. This suit comes in an array of colors, and I love every single one of them. The hard part won't be deciding if I should buy this.. it'll be what color to get!
Uh, how fun is this scarf? I saw this from a fellow blogger and let me just tell you that this pathetic picture doesn't do it justice at all. It's bright, lightweight, on trend, and FABULOUS. Throwing this over a t-shirt with shorts and sandals would totally make an outfit as far as I am concerned. I will own this, no questions asked.
What is summer without a little head accessorizing? What could be cuter than a Kate Spade fedora? Nothing. I have a good ole go-to black fedora that I got from BCBG two summers ago and I love it, it has been a total staple for sun protection but I can't deny the retro goodness that this Kate Spade option offers, and neither should you.
Yes, it says folding. How stinkin' cool is that? Perfect for those days that you want to carry a small cross body or your fabulous new clutch but you just don't have room for your massive sunglasses case. I have a sad story with a hopefully happy ending: Last fall right before my best friends wedding I went ahead and bought myself the original wayfarers I had been lusting over for a while, since my aviators had completely changed my life I figured another pair of Ray-Bans would only positively impact my life, and two months later I found them broken in the backseat of my car.. I'd like to blame it on my fur baby but it was probably me. I was devastated. That was until I saw that they came out with these. I am just going to go ahead and nickname these my 'glass slippers', destined for a happy ending.
Well ladies I hate to tell you (but really I don't) that this is actually no longer on my wish list.. it's hanging in my closet. Yeah buddy! I went ahead and added it to this post anyways because I think that everyone needs a fun, light and preferably a cross body or clutch bag! I had been drooling over this one for months and when I found myself with some extra cash I had been saving up for a trip that ended up costing less than I thought, I thought.. why the heck not? Let me be clear, you can NEVER got wrong with Rebecca.
Now onto some jewelry. I don't really have much on my wish list jewelry wise. I treated myself to a Kendra Scott ring (sadly for me now it's on sale, but not sad for you!) a couple months ago and I feel like that has been a total game changer as far as adding some punch to my outfits and I also snagged two Spike The Punch pieces earlier this month that I had been hunting. However I thought it couldn't hurt to add one or two more statement pieces to my warmer weather outfits.
Uh how freakin' cool is that? I am obsessed. It is the perfect turquoise necklace with a little hint of coral (two of my absolute favorite colors and one of my favorite combinations) but an added bonus is that it can double as a belt? I'd have to say that's one of the most genius ideas I've heard in a cool minute. Throw this on over a tank and shorts when you're on your way out for a Sunday Funday (one of my favorite days) or throw it on around your waist while your wearing a simple black or white maxi dress on your way to church or a baby shower (I spend many a-Saturday's at those).
I'm a sucker for turquoise if you cannot tell, in fact I almost named by blog turquoise addict or something of the sort. These earrings are simple and bold, a combination that cannot be beat.
COLOR COLOR COLOR! If this doesn't satisfy your color tooth I don't know what will. How fabulous are these? I love that it comes as a set and I love the power that these bangles can have over an outfit. The second I saw these I saw black shorts, a military inspired jacket or vest over a white oversized tank and then BAM, these babies. (I also saw a white button up and black jeans with black pumps and BAM, these babies just FYI.) The possibilities are as endless are the amount of colors they have.
I couldn't resist just one more, more of a classic piece if you will. My best friend has a little flair about her, think feathers and aztec prints. I also feel like she should have been a hippie in another life but that's another story. She's so fun and when I was flipping through shopbop.com I saw this and immediately thought of her. Then I thought of how fun this bracelet would look stacked alongside some of my other pieces like my Stella and Dot spike bracelet or my go-to J Crew pave link bracelet. However I think this piece alone can make quite a statement, I just love it, almost as much as I love her.
Lastly I thought I'd throw in a couple little beauty products I've been lusting after. Beauty products and I have a love hate relationship, well actually my bank account doesn't like them one bit but I love them. There is something to be said about the way a new lip color or scent can make you feel.
I was walking through Nordstrom last weekend 'window shopping' through the new summer collections in the beauty department when my nose caught a glimpse of this. It screams summer and the beach, seriously. It smells like sand and ocean with a splash of glamour.
I am going to pre-cursor this by saying I use Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzer Universal (or makeup base, it's know by a couple different things) and it is my holy grail bronzer. It is seriously amazing and I don't think anything will ever take it's place but that bronzer could seriously have a post all it's own. Now onto this one: I have this bronzer currently and I really enjoy it, however the color is just a little light. First off don't be fooled by the 'moisturizing' name, I have super oily skin and it sits on my skin lovely. I love it's packaging and I think it's the perfect 'throw it in the bag' bronzer. I have a lighter color currently (62) and I'm waiting until I get a little bit more of a tan before I splurge again and buy the darker shade (63).. which I wish I would have just done in the first place.
This lipgloss is so nifty, it changes to a specific color based on your skin tone. I would go ahead and just read what Sephora.com has to say about it since clearly my explanation will not do it justice. Once again my best friend has it and got it around Christmas time and I have been wanting it ever since then. I think it would be a nice little go-to when I want a slight tint on my lips. Natural-ish looking and has a the perfect mixture between a gloss and balm finish.
Now on the other end of the lip color spectrum there is this. I feel like this should have a post all it's own but she will have to settle for this wish list post since I think it might be my next purchase. I have found it ladies, the perfect red for me, but I have yet to commit to it. I have tried it on a couple times when I find myself wondering around Sephora and I love it every single time I put it on but I have never been a big fan of red lips, that was until she came along, Cruella. My other best friend always says 'put some color on those lips!' and I have bought a few lipsticks in the past couple months such as Kate Spade supercalifragilipstick! in Pop Art Pink (which I am going to have to say might be my spring and summer go to, it's absolutely fabulous.. I mean seriously go buy it) as well as YSL 'Rouge Volupte Pearl' in 02 Coral Sun (which is the most perfect iridescent coral color). I used to think that a red lip should be kept for fall and winter but I'm starting to believe that not only is it timeless, but seasonless.
I'm going to end this post with something a little off the wall, and something that I'm dying to try. I'm a huge fan of nail polishes, in fact I'm a little bit of a nail junkie. I'm all about the neon trends for summer and I've even purchased a couple from Essie's new Poppyrazzi collection. I also snagged a Butter London polish is Slapper that I'm completely obsessed with, so I highly suggest you check it out, but how could I possibly ignore the fabulous that is caviar nails? I'll be trying this in the near future, and of course posting about it, le duh!
Happy lusting and shopping blogger friends, get your closet and beautiful selves ready for summer! I hope y'all have had a fabulous Monday!
(Also, I'm super jealous of anything at the Lucky FABB conference.. enjoy every single second, and make sure to enjoy it all enough for me too!)
xox, Ashley
I just watched a tutorial on the Caviar Manicure! I am kind of obsessed. Although I feel like I would have to wait for a special occasion since it only last 1-2 days. Still very cool!
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