Focus on fragments

Fragments is a designer jewelry site with a beautifully curated collection and a strong focus on the individual designers. They like to feature new, up and coming designers, in many cases launching their careers  I love that each designer has a little Q & A on their page. While the focus is on higher end pieces, there are still a lot of really beautiful items to be had for under $100.

As summer is finally in full swing, I spend more time with my hair pulled back which makes it the perfect time to invest in some eye-catching and attention getting earrings.

Here are a few of my favorites from a couple of designers, Azaara and Anton Heunis; I will be sure to keep an eye on.

La Plonche Earrings by Anton Heunis, $65
Bee Earrings by Azaara, $69
Maneby Studs by Anton Heunis, $140
Ciel Frame Earrings by Azaara, $165

This post was sponsored by Fragments, however my views and opinons are my own.

I can be cool and wear my jacket over my shoulders

I think I mentioned how much I love my new denim jacket, and I feel like it makes all my little sundresses instantly more awesome.

The jacket over the shoulders... it's a challenge keeping it there, for sure. Of course it was too hot to actually warrant putting it on, and to be honest, it's not something I would have ever thought about doing before the blog. It is a very overt way of saying "This is all about the look, and not about the function."

What do you say? How often do you choose fashion over function?

P.S. Don't forget, it's your last chance to enter for your chance to win $1000 from London Times for your Savviest Summer Ever!

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The Rundown
Striped Dress Forever 21 similar
Denim Jacket Gap
Leopard Sandals Target
Bag Thrifted similar
Gold Cuff Nugaard Designs similar
Midi Ring Urban Outfitters
Crystal Bar Ring Upper Metal Class
Sunglasses Ray-Ban Meteor c/o TJMaxx

Printed pants + Chambray

These printed pants make me feel like I need to keep the rest of the outfit super casual. Thankfully it was just cool enough to get away with this chambray shirt, which is actually quite thick and generally can't be worn during the summer without overheating. (Which seems silly, because isn't that when you'd want to wear it the most?)

P.S. Don't forget to enter for your chance to win $1000 from London Times for your Savviest Summer Ever!


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The Rundown
Chambray Tuxedo Shirt J.Crew similar
Printed Pants Old Navy similar
Sandals Nine West via TJMaxx similar
Bag Lucky Brand via TJMaxx similar
Bling Earrings c/o JoJo Loves You
Crystal Spike Bracelet c/o t+j via LuckyFabb similar
Watch c/o Caravelle by Bulova via Lucky Fabb
Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Midi Ring Urban Outfitters
Hammered Metal Ring Thrifted similar
Sunglasses Ray-Ban Boyfriend c/o SmartBuyGlasses

Shorts + Sequins

I definitely see getting a lot of use out of this sequin top - the light color and the matte sequin makes it such an easy piece to do in the daytime.

As someone who has struggled in the past to dress down a sequin, this top makes it so easy!

P.S. Don't forget to enter for your chance to win $1000 from London Times for your Savviest Summer Ever!

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The Rundown
Sequined Top Loft via Coco's similar
Floral Shorts Gap similar
Silver Sandals G by Guess similar
Green Clutch Avon similar
Yellow Belt TJMaxx similar
Cascading Pearls Earrings Wendy Mink
Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Hammered Metal Ring Thrifted similar
iPhone Case Kate Spade
Nail Color Essie Brazilliant

Honey bee

Bright yellow is one of my favorite colors to wear during the summer. I don't even mind any bumble bee references.

P.S. Don't forget to enter for your chance to win $1000 from London Times for your Savviest Summer Ever!

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The Rundown
Little Yellow Dress Pim + Larkin c/o Piperlime similar
Boucle Jacket Kohl's
Gold Sandals Onex
Sequined Clutch Gap
Chain Necklace Home d'jour consignment similar
Bee Bracelet Target
Signature Spade Ring Kate Spade similar
Sunglasses Ray-Ban Meteor c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color Essie Brazilliant

Happy Summer!

The first weekend of summer was simply perfect.
The weather was the best it's been, I got to shop again, and did so with Megan. My new bag arrived, and it's gorgeous.

I'm finally wearing the Joie dress I scored at T.J. Maxx last fall with bare arms, and my new statement necklace garnered lots of compliments.

Here is to a very happy summer!

P.S. Don't forget to enter for your chance to win $1000 from London Times for your Savviest Summer Ever!

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The Rundown
Cloudburst Dress Joie via TJMaxx similar
Sandals Enzo Angiolini Karezza
Turquoise Satchel Charm & Luck via TJMaxx similar
Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Midi Ring Urban Outfitters
Flower Ring Avon similar
Crystal Bar Ring Upper Metal Class
Sunglasses Ray-Ban Meteor c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color Essie Brazilliant

Elegantees

Elegantees is a company created by a woman with a vision, to make wearable, trendy, affordable clothing that is also modest; and a mission to help women who have been rescued from sex trafficking, and joining in the fight to end it.

They work with the Nepali Rescue Project and Restore NYC, creating fair trade sewing jobs for these women who are trying to get their lives back.

Elegantees is also working hard to raise awareness of this issue. It's easy to think of sex trafficking as being a problem in a third world country which you are far removed from, but the reality is that it is an international problem and the U.S. is the second highest destination for trafficked women.

I hope you will visit and support Elegantees, and find out what you can do to help fight sex trafficking.

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The Rundown
Top c/o Elegantees
Leopard Skirt Forever 21 similar
Sandals MRKT identical
Turquoise Satchel Charm & Luck via TJMaxx similar
Earrings The Cavernous Jewelry Box similar
Turquoise Cuff TJMaxx similar
Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Signature Spade Ring Kate Spade similar
Sunglasses Ray-Ban Meteor c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color Essie Brazilliant

End of the shopping ban / Guest posting

It's June 20th. The shopping ban is officially over, and I wasted no time placing the order for my cute, studded Linea Pelle bag. Good thing too, since it was the last one in the color I wanted!

I must say, it took me the better part of the month to stop browsing all my favorite online shops and tormenting myself. I think the key to a successful shopping ban is to just avoid temptation. I haven't stepped foot in TJMaxx or a thrift store in a month!

I did, however, have two small transgressions, the first at Coco's on the Green. They were having a half off the entire store sale and I had a gift card. I did not spend more than was on the gift card, so this wasn't really bad.

The second was a clear violation last Saturday at my town festival; lots of vendors and local businesses set up tents on the green and typically offer great, one day only sales. I found myself at the Sparkle Jewelry table a.ka. super cheap statement necklace heaven, and was besides myself. Of course I didn't need another necklace, but they were so pretty, and all half off! Honestly, I'm wishing I'd gotten two. I know, I'm bad.

Overall, I think I did really well with my shopping ban, and forced myself to think more about the closet additions which will be more valuable and versatile than one hit wonders. I need to work harder to respect the budget I've set for myself, and taking some time off from shopping is probably something I should do more often.

And if you didn't want to read any of that and are just looking for the outfit photos, then check out my guest post over at What's Hanging!

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Work wear / Summer flare

As long as it can be done without any possibility of midriff baring, I love knotting my button down shirts and pairing them with pencil skirts for work.

Of course I could just tuck it, and it would still look good, but there is something about that little knot that feels like summer, and just a little more carefree.

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The Rundown
Paisley Shirt J.Crew similar
Berry Pencil Skirt Talbots similar
Sandals Frye similar
Tote London Fog c/o Linger Rose
Hoop Earrings Amazon
Watch c/o Caravelle by Bulova via Lucky Fabb
Twisted Glamor Bracelet c/o Swarovski Elements
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Pave Link Bracelet c/o LydellNYC
Bracelet TJMaxx similar
Green Onyx Ring c/o RedEnvelope
Sunglasses Ray-Ban Meteor c/o TJMaxx

Shortcake

Strawberry shortcake at my towns annual festival is amazing. I look forward to it every year, and being able to enjoy a fresh, local summer fruit is a great way to start the season.

I did actually plan to wear this dress specifically to coordinate with my shortcake - that is how much I love it.

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The Rundown
Gingham Dress c/o eShakti similar
Sandals Onex
Bag Thrifted similar
Panama Hat Gap similar
Bee Bracelet Target
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Ring The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Sunglasses Ray-Ban Meteor c/o TJMaxx