Poolside/Beach Essentials: Rash Guards

As part of the Poolside/Beach Essentials Series I had to post about rash guards.  They cover well and ensure that fun is had without any mishaps.  They also protect you from the sun.  I think they are so elegant and chic.  You may be thinking, isn't that so hot?!?!  It's not.  When you are out of the water it keeps cool, it's not like a towel that warms up.  My friend Scottie mentioned that she would love to see some other rash guards.  Now, once again, I need a million dollars because I want all of the rash guards below! 

Rash Guard- J. Crew, Watch- -Michael Kors , Red and Gold Bracelet - J. Crew Factory on eBay, Gold Bangle - Kate Spade,  Sunglasses-Ray Ban at Nordstrom, Gold Hoops- J. Silver

J. Crew

Free People

Free People 

Pret-a-Surf

Free People

(Photos by Mallory Lee)

The Tissue Tee Dilemma: They're so See Through!

I may be the only one but I have had the hardest time wearing tissue tees because they are so see through!  I wear camisoles under them, of course, but I was looking for some alternative uses.  A light bulb went off and I realized I could use them as a swimsuit cover-ups.  As another option, I like to wear them to workout with a fun sports bra.  You may be saying, I've been doing this for forever, ha!  Oh well, here's to all of you that have slow "light bulb" moments like me, cheers!

Tissue Tee- J. Crew, Swimsuit- J. Crew,  Shorts-Banana Republic, Watch- Michael Kors, Necklace- for similar, Max and Chloe, Short Diamond Necklace - a bientot, Sunglasses-Ray Ban at Nordstrom, 

Hey, don't blame me, my Hubs cut his hair.

(Photos by Mallory Lee)

Poolside/Beach Essentials: The Fedora Trend and How to Wear It

I love the new fedora trend.  As part of the Poolside/Beach Essentials series I wanted to post about my new hat.  I love it because it's sun hat meets fedora. This fedora from San Diego Hat Company is perfect, because it's a classic spin on this new trend. I love San Diego Hat Company because their hats are UPF 50.

Hat- San Diego Hat Company,Watch- Michael Kors, Necklace- for similar, Max and Chloe, Earrings- J. Silver,
Dress-Luxury Apparel for similar, Target, Clutch- Noonday Collection

Hat- San Diego Hat Company

If I had a million dollars, this would be my next purchase. Hat- San Diego Hat Company

(Photos by Mallory Lee)

Poolside/Beach Essentials: The Perfect Cover Up and Jellies

Summer is here and all I want to do is be in the water.  I find myself in swimsuits all the time!  I thought it would be fun to do a Poolside/Beach Essentials Series.  It's hard to know exactly what to wear over your swimsuit.  Sometimes I'm tired of wearing the same cotton coverups I bought from Target.  I just bought this chambray shirt dress from Urban Outfitters.  I thought it made a perfect coverup and I wanted to share this idea with you!  Any shirtdress would be a really cute coverup alternative!    

I love the pockets!

Wear it open while your swimsuit is drying.

Dress- Urban Outfitters it's on sale at the store for $30 less, Jellies - j. crew for similar,  earrings - Noonday Collection,  headband - Goody, Short Necklace- Nashelle, Long Necklace-J. Silver, Watch- Michael Kors , Gold Bangle - Kate Spade, Bag- Restoration Hardware way long ago

I love jellies.  I love these jellies specifically because they're jellies with a touch of class.  Like my Facebook page for C. Style Exclusives: http://www.facebook.com/CSLStyle

(Photos by Mallory Lee)

Don't Judge a Dress on it's Hanger

I saw this dress on the hanger at Nordstrom.  I passed it up at first.  I loved the colors and I was just drawn to it, but the bottom with all that fabric wouldn't look good, right?  We all have these preconceived notions that we just can't let go.  They go way back, these notions, maybe even junior high when our bodies were completely different!  But...I knew it could look good and I kept hearing in the back of mind my Mom saying, just try it on- it just looks that way on the hanger.  And so I did!

I'm so glad I did!  It has pockets!

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Next time you see something on the hanger that you love but you're not sure it would look good on you, for whatever reason, try it on for goodness' sake!

Dress- French Connection, Flip Flops - J. Crew,  Short Necklace- Nashelle, Long Necklace-J. Silver, Watch- Michael Kors , Gold Bangle - Kate Spade, Gold Ball Bracelet - Ralph Lauren/gift,  Earrings- J. Silver, Sunglasses- Sunglass Hut

The Perfect Gold Bangle and The Perfect Gift- Kellison

I'm kinda in love with my new Kate Spade bangle.  It reads hand in hand on the outside and there's strength in numbers on the inside.  It's part of the Kate Spade Idiom Bangles Collection.  It's the perfect gift for someone who you're wanting to show your love and support.  My sister and I recently gave it to my cousin, Kellison.  

 Kate Spade Hand in Hand Bangle

The perfect bridesmaid gift! Kate Spade Bridesmaid Bangle

Love this bangle for a girlfriend who has a summer birthday! Kate Spade Sink or Swim Bangle

This is my A-mazing cousin who we gave the bangle to, Kellsion.  She is fighting stage IV melanoma.  If you know Kellison, then you are blessed.  She fights with the most amazing attitude, like no one I've ever seen.  I'd like to think if I were facing the challenges she faces day in day out, that I would be half the person she is but I just don't know if I would.  She's incredible and I love her so much.  We wanted her to know that hand in hand we pray for her (and there are so many of us praying) and that there is strength in numbers.  "WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN"-love, Kellison

The five of us with my Cousin Tori and my Aunt Nancy wearing our bangles as we sip on our cocktails.  

The necklace I really wanted to give her.  I'm just sayin. Nashelle

This Season's Swimsuit Trend

A vintage-style suit from Nanette Lepore

A Tomas Maier Suit

I absolutely love one piece swimsuits.  I always have.  In fact, I still have the one piece I wore in college.  Lucky for me it's the season's trend.  I bought this suit on Wednesday at Nordstrom.  On Thursday I opened the Wall Street Journal to an article titled "The Summer of Modesty, Pin-Up-Girl Returns and Is Kind to Women's Curves; Bye-Bye, Bikini."  YES! It's my season!!!!!  The two suits above were featured in the article.

Suit- Vince Camuto, Bag- Restoration Hardware way long ago, Sunglasses-Ray Ban at Nordstrom,  Flip Flops - J. Crew

I love this one piece by Carmen Marc Valvo.  I use a strap I had from another swimsuit to add a little glam.

My college suit.  I still love it!