.:Guest Posting on Mindy Mae's Market:.

Hi Everyone! I'm guest posting today over at Mindy Mae's Market today!  Head on over to check out my post discussing basics.  

xoxo,

Abbie

.:Candy Stripes:.

//Sweater:  Loft (old; similar) // Skirt:  Loft // Pearl Necklace:  Stella & Dot // Crystal Necklace:  Mindy Mae's Market c/ o // Pumps:  Sam Edelman (similar)//

If I could be an outfit this would be it.  The full skirt just epitomizes what I love most…girly chic.  The print mixing combination also keeps this outfit young and modern.  

On a side note, these pictures were taken seconds before I saw a mouse and totally freaked out.  I am still adjusting to country life and I have to say that all the critters freak me out a little.  I've seen more crawly things in the past few weeks than I have in years.  Hopefully soon I will be able to see a creepy crawler without screeching.

xoxo,

Abbie

.:San Francisco Dreaming:.

//Blazer:  Banana Republic (similar) // Tee:  Victoria's Secret // Scarf:  Alexander McQueen (on sale!) // Denim:  Paige (similar) // Flats:  Steve Madden//

The Future H & I spent Saturday in San Francisco.  While we live in the country now, and I grew up in a very small town, I'm starting to feel like I am somehow a city girl at heart.  I absolutely love visiting the city. There's something almost magical that it holds over me.  I use our trips to the city as a way to gain fashion inspiration and add to my wish list.  Sometimes, I come home with a new prized possession and other times, I leave the city and save for months in order to get something on my wish list.  This trip brought home this fantastically timeless Alexander McQueen scarf (and a fantastically priced pair of Tory Burch kitten heels (75% off!!!)).  I apologize ahead of time for the abundance that you will be seeing the scarf in future posts!  That said, Regardless of if I'm shopping shopping or just window shopping, nothing beats shopping in San Francisco!

xoxo,

Abbie

.:Pops of Yellow:.

//Blazer:  Banana Republic (wanting to order this polka dot version; love this) // Sweater:  Loft // Pants:  Target (in store) // Flats:  J.Crew (Factory Version) // Necklaces:  c /o ShopUrbanite (top); J.Crew (bottom; old)//

xoxo,

Abbie

.:Chevron Sparkles:.

// Top:  J.Crew (similar here; chevron summer version here) // Skirt:  Anthropologie (nearly identical here) // Necklace:  J.Crew (nearly identical) // Pumps:  Christian Louboutin//

I missed the boat on this top nearly a year ago and always kicked myself for it.  I hunted on eBay and Poshmark for this baby for nearly a year in my size at a decent price.  I was so excited to find it!  If you do hunt yours down, size up a size or you won't be able to bend.  This top is a size bigger than I normally buy and it fits comfortably!

xoxo,

Abbie

.:Dots & Stripes:.

Sweater:  J.Crew (adorable as well) // Skirt:  Loft (similar; also similar) // Necklace:  J.Crew (factory version) // Pumps:  Nine West //

I love jeans…more than anyone should.  However, at times, jeans become so very boring.  I have decided to start, no matter what, switching up pants for a skirt or dress at least once a week (at least while the weather is gorgeous)!  Skirts create such a different vibe to your look and often elevate your style to a point that is oh so very fancy without really trying.

Tip:  While this outfit has different patterns in it, it works because the patterns don't compete with one another.  Print mixing is easy as long as one pattern is stronger than the other.  The small dots and large stripes also complement one another because they carry colors from the same color family (blue).

xoxo,

Abbie

.:Bright Stripes:.

// Sweater:  J.Crew (this year's version) // Skirt:  J.Crew (identical Factory version) // Necklaces:  J.Crew (nearly identical) // Flats:  Steve Madden//

Spring has sprung here.  We are enjoying days filled with eighty degree sunshine at our house lately.  Skirt weather is in full effect.  In hopes of not looking like Casper the ghost, I have been testing out sunless tanners (in hopes of not exacerbating my skin cancer risk as I was a complete sun worshipper up until the age of 22).  Do you girls have any favorite sunless tanners and tips on how to apply it?  I'm in search of a fabulous tan out of a bottle that looks as great as my dark, natural Italian sun created one does.  Please help by leaving a comment down below about what sunless tanners you love!

xoxo,

Abbie

.:Chic Camo:.

//Jacket:  Old Navy // Brooch:  Chanel // Tank:  Hollister (similar) // Jeans:  Gap // Clutch:  The Providence Story // Shoes:  J.Crew (identical from factory) 

.:Fancy Skirts:.

// Chambray: J.Crew Factory // Skirt:  c/ o Avery Lane // Flats: Valentino // Necklaces:  J.Crew (nearly identical)// 

Boutique shopping is one of my favorites.  It gives you a way to find pieces that are unique.  I love having something that is a little different from what everyone else has or is wearing.  Avery Lane is a fantastic little boutique & online destination for great skirts and dresses.  I am impressed by the thick material of this skirt that reminds me so much of my much more costly Anthropologie versions.  I plan to head back to Avery Lane for a few more spring/summery pieces.  

xoxo,

Abbie

.:Leather Sleeved:.

//Jacket:  Forever 21 via PoshMark (similar) // Tee:  Victoria's Secret // Necklaces:  J.Crew (similar) // Denim:  Hudson // Bag:  Celine// Brooch:  Chanel// 

.:Fancy Basics:.

//Jacket:  J.Crew// Lace Top:  Marshalls (similar) // Pants:  Gap (similar) // Flats:  J.Crew (old; Factory Version)//  Necklace:  Stella & Dot//

There is something so comforting about dressing in basics for me.  I feel like they are so difficult to mess up that it is fabulous for a morning where you need to be out of the house quickly.  The quirky detail on this outfit (like the statement necklace, bows on the flats, and lace detail on the top) help to add interest to an otherwise simple outfit.  

xoxo,

Abbie