Anything but Ordinary

Blouse: Urban Outfitters, $10 // Skirt: Urban Outfitters, $5 // Shoes: Forever 21, $25 // Scarf: Swapped with Kendi // Ring: Courtesy of Accessorize

While this look is made up of basics, the little details make it feel special. The paper-bag waist of the denim skirt and pleated collar of the white button-up add interest to the silhouette, and sky-high floral platform wedges certainly don't hurt! Happy Friday, everyone!

Sponsor Spotlight + Lulu's Giveaway Winner!

A couple of covetable items from some of my July sponsors...
  

The Blues Interrupted Dress from Poetrie and the Contradiction Purse in Orange from Lace Affair

And I'm excited to announce the winner of the Lulu's party outfit contest! Narrowing down the entries was not an easy task. There were so many fabulous looks, but Stephanie of Lulu's and I agreed that the set submitted by the Daily Fashionista (shown below) was postitively perfect. To our winner, great job! Email me to claim your prize. Thank you to everyone who entered!

Stay tuned for an outfit post later this afternoon!

Hippie Spin

Dress: Courtesy of Threadcase // Necklace: Antique Mall, $6 // Belt: Thrifted, $2 // Shoes: Target, $12

When I first received this darling frock from Threadcase, my instinct was to style it in a pretty and proper way. Rather than go the expected route, I decided to give it a more bohemian treatment with a chunky wooden necklace, bold suede belt and casual platforms. I loved the result, but next time around, pink pumps and pearls it is.

Color Me Happy

Shirt: French Connection via Plato's Closet, $14 // Skirt: Urban Outfitters, $15 // Shoes: Target, $12 // Bracelet: Loft, courtesy of Lucky  Magazine

Here are some shots from earlier this week. I went for a colorful combination to add a little cheer to my Monday.

A Faraway Look

A sampling of sweet selections from my sponsor, vintage accessory boutique A Faraway Look.

Hazy Lazy Day

Shirt: Urban Outfitters, $10 // Skirt: Urban Outfitters, $5  // Shoes: Target, $12 // Earrings: Courtesy of So Quaint // Cuff: Loft, courtesy of Lucky Magazine

Here's what I wore last Friday. This is my kind of casual outfit: loose, breezy blouse, knit skirt with plenty of stretch and some locally made earrings to complete the look. I stayed nice and comfortable and still felt pulled together.

Summer Soiree

Dress: Ruche, $43 // Shoes: Target: $12 // Necklace: JCPenney, $8

As you can probably tell, I don't keep up with designer fashion, but once every season or so, I become enamoured of a particular piece. This spring, it was this colorful Marc by Marc Jacobs silk dress. When I saw a similar frock on Ruche, I snatched it up immediately and wore it over the weekend when some friends came over for drinks. Perfect for a summer party! 

LuLu*s Party Contest!

Kansas Couture is teaming up with LuLu*s to bring you a fabulously festive contest that is all about you! Imagine there's a party being thrown in your honor. What would you wear? It doesn't have to be fancy, just something that captures your personal style and would make you feel amazing.

To enter the challenge, create a look with Polyvore using only items from LuLu*s and leave a link to your set in a comment on this post. The LuLu*s ladies and I will select our favorite entry, and the winner will receive a $50 credit to LuLu*s! You have until midnight central time on Wednesday, July 27th to enter. Open to residents of the US and Canada. One entry per person, please. If you have any questions about using Polyvore, feel free to email me. Let's party!

Sweet & Sour

Shirt: TJMaxx, $7 // Skirt: Vintage via Goodwill, $3 // Shoes: Thrifted, $1 // Belt: Thrifted, $1

While I had never thought to pair these two pieces before, I really like the cheery combination. The skirt is vintage and the top definitely has a throwback feel. With the bow and pocket details, I went sans accessories and still felt pulled together.

Too Cute

Shirt: Urban Outfitters, $10 // Skirt: Thrifted, $3 // Shoes: Lucky Brand, courtesy of Lucky Magazine // Bag: Thrifted, $1 // Hat: Payless, gift

I took my girly style to the max today with a Peter Pan collar, a pink skirt and matching lips. I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but this miserably hot weather is really taking a toll on my outfit inspiration. It's hard to care very much right now! But there are some exciting things around the corner including a super fun contest that I'll announce soon.

Carefree Friday

Tank: Forever 21, $14 // Shorts: Urban Outfitters (cut by me), $28 // Bandeau: Urban Outfitters, $5 // Shoes: Dolce Vita via Gilt, purchased with Credit // Necklace: JCPenney, $10 // Ring: JCPenney, $7

In an attempt to beat the heat on Friday afternoon, I donned a sheer lace top, cut-offs and sandals. It was a nice, laidback outfit to kick off the weekend. As much as I love this necklace and ring, I'm getting slightly sick of them after wearing them repeatedly the past few weeks. Some costume jewelry shopping might be in order soon!

My Favorite Flavor

Shirt: Wild Man Vintage, $12 // Shorts: Urban Outfitters jeans, cut by me, $28 // Necklace: Vintage, thrifted, $1 // Shoes: Vintage, thrifted, $1.50

I've barely talked about anything besides the weather this week, so I suppose I'll just continue with that theme! After covering up too much on Monday, I wore a summery dress on Tuesday, only to realize/remember that my office is frigid! Since wising up, I've been "bundling up" for work and then disrobing as soon as I get home and realize that, in reality, it's pushing 100 degrees. This is what I wore post-work today -- basically just switched into shorts. Speaking of shorts... every time warm weather rolls around, I seem to be lacking in that department (particularly cut-offs). Not sure why it happens every year, but each summer more jeans get sacrificed. I cut these shorts today, and I'm actually quite pleased with the length and fit.

The Delightful Dozen

I'm excited to announce that I have joined the amazing ladies of the Delightful Dozen! For those who don't already know, it's a group of twelve bloggers from across the country who swap clothes. In addition to good old-fashioned outfit posts, the Delightful Dozen blog boasts other fun features like Music Monday and 12 Delightful Things. I'm happy to be part of such a great group. Thanks for having me, ladies!

Feel the Burn

 
  Shirt: Thrifted, $2 // Pants: Urban Outfitters, $28 // Shoes: Thrifted, $1 // Bracelet: Forever 21, $9 // Ring: JCPenney, $7 // Sunglasses: Target, $15

What possessed me to wear black pants during a heat advisory, I can't be certain. I'll blame it on Monday morning grogginess. Though it would be better suited to a cool fall day, I liked this neutral combination punctuated by bold red lips. I'll be sure to stick with decidedly summery selections for the rest of this warm week!

Pants on Fire

Top: Britches, $10 // Pants: Urban Outfitters, $10 // Shoes: Dolce Vita via Gilt, purchased with credit // Necklace: JCPenney, $10 // Bracelet: Gift

I'm digging quirky printed pants these days. The fit of this Urban Outfitters pair isn't ideal, but they'll have to do for now. Though most of my Sunday was spent in either a swimsuit or pajamas, this ensemble made a brief appearance in the evening. Even with a tube top and sandals, it was just too hot for this much coverage! Kansas summer is in full swing.

Over Dressed

Dress: Vintage via a shop in Austin // Shoes: Lucky Brand via Rue La La // Necklace: JCPenney, $10 // Belt: Forever 21, $8 // Ring: JCPenney, $7

Thanks to the sweet, swingy frock, this outfit was super easy to pull together; I just threw on a few accessories and called it good. While I didn't intentionally opt for a formal look, I got a few "Why are you so dressed up?" comments throughout the day. I guess that's what's great about dresses... they're both effortless and elegant.