Hair Style Look Book: Beachy Waves

We've got to admit, we love the beach babe style - that fresh out of the water, tousled and care-free, I know I have sand everywhere and I don't care kind of look.  And, not just for the day at the shore, but for any occasion! Pairing formal dresses or flirty frocks with tossled beachy waves creates a style that is casual, but still glamorous and romantic.  It's summer time, so treat yourself to a swim and let nature take it's course, transforming your locks to resemble the rolling waves of the ocean.  Sure, maybe saltwater isn't the best for your hair, and might leave you feeling a little grimy, but there's no denying that it can give it some serious texture and volume. If you're not a fan of the sun and salty seas, don't fret; you can easily get this look indoors.  One way is to use a styling product that essentially acts just as the salt water and helps texturize your hair.  But, if you do not have naturally wavy hair, we suggest wrapping some sections of your hair around the outside of a large barrel curling iron to create this care-free, bohemian look.  Here's a look at some of our favorite examples of this sexy style:

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Summer Office Attire 101

Hey, Dolls!  First off, Happy Monday, and second, congrats to Spain on their World Cup win! Now on to business!

We've been experiencing quite the heat wave here in the Northeast this past week, so we graciously accept Hillary's newest post on summer office attire.  Have you seen some women in your office wearing grossly inappropriate items?!  Don't be one of them! Read Hillary's summer style tips below to make sure you are looking professional even on the hottest of days!

Though you might be dreaming of relaxing on the beach while you’re working 9-5 this summer, your office attire shouldn’t look like you are sitting poolside! Office dress codes tend to adjust for the changing temperatures, but there is a distinct line between office appropriate and plain old too casual. The following are a few do’s and don’ts of summer office dress:

Don’t...

Wear flip-flops to the office. In addition to the sometimes obnoxious noise that accompanies wearing this summer favorite, many office environments frown upon this casual footwear. Though it might be tempting to slip on the flips, leave these shoes for the sand, or at least hide them under your desk or in your purse (only if they are clean, please!) for after work!

Do...

Wear professional or dressy sandals - if your office allows open-toed shoes. The above Rampage Madyson Patent Sandal, available at DSW, has a comfortable low heel and also allows you to flaunt your pedicure.

Don’t...

Wear shorts. Though the above shorts may look slightly dressy with a belt and heels, there is no hiding that showing too much skin in the office can make you look unprofessional.

Do…

Consider wearing longer shorts, like the above Drew Double Button City Short from The Limited. This crisp look has a dressy tone, and just coming over your knees this pair won’t be too showy for the office.

Don’t...

Wear a see through sundress. Though Lauren Conrad’s white sundress is cute and light for those heat waves, it’s clear she’s outside enjoying “The Hills” and isn't in the office.

Do…

Consider wearing a bright colored dress to summer it up, like this Secret Treasure Dress from Anthropologie. Or, should you really be set on wearing one of your more summery strapless dresses, make it office-appropriate by wearing a cardigan to cover up and fight those freezing office temperatures.

Don’t…

Wear spaghetti strap tank tops (like the above from American Apparel) unless it's worn as an under shirt (or unless your office is a dance studio). Regardless of what season it is, staying away from showing too much skin in the office is key to looking professional!

Do...

Know it's ok to wear a conservative tank. If you feel the urge to go sleeveless, consider wearing a tasteful top like this Cowl Neck Top from The Limited.

We find it amazing how many people, on a daily basis, we see breaking these simple rules.  Thanks, Hillary, for bringing us these much needed tips!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Summer Style: Beach Bags

Summer is all about relaxing days at the beach (or park, if you're a city dweller). In order to make the most of your day in the sun, you need a whole lot of accessories. We're talking sunblock, towels, blankets, reading material, water bottles, snacks, etc. Clearly you'll need a pretty durable bag to tote around all of these "essentials." So, here are some of our favorite picks for summer fun that have both form and function:

This bag from Walmart is cool and neutral and is certainly large enough to hold a thin blanket, towel, and then some! 

Looking for something a little more wild?  Try this reversible Billabong tote! One side is more subdued and  features a graphic screen print of a cheetah  while the other is a definite statement, with a full and brightly colored cheetah print!

You can never go wrong with bright colors on the beach.  We love this spacious, golden yellow bag by  Urban Outfitters.  It just screams summer sunshine.

Oversized graphic prints are a fun way to add personality to your beach wear. Anchors and nautical prints are perfect for summer and this simple white bag from Anthropologie features a bold red anchor that we adore.

When it comes to beach bags, size matters.  And, the bigger the better! We really like this extra large black, white, & pink bag from Roxy for it's size and retro style.

And, what better way to admire the beauty of mother earth's beaches and parks than with an eco-friendly beach bag! This one, by ikabags, is made of 100% cotton canvas and is sturdy and durable enough to use as a beach bag, laptop bag, or general tote.

These cruelty free bags, by ShopJessBecause, that are made from fabric remnants and re-purposed burlap/jute coffee sacks. This material is very durable and the bag itself is modern, bold, and big enough for all your essentials. Don't forget to pack your sunblock, otherwise you might end up getting dark roasted yourself.

Make waves!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Color Day: Magenta/Fuchsia and Navy

Nautical, masculine navy meets frilly, feminine magenta in this hot color combination for summer. Inspired by nature's fruits, raspberries and blueberries, this palette is sweet and delightful.  We love the way these colors blend and how the elegance of the navy is perfectly offset by the playful magenta for an absolutely harmonious balance.  Be sure to accent this mixed berry combo with a cool metallic silver, and if you are going for a combination like this one, basic white should act as your blank canvas to make these two colors really pop!

Images from: Bridal Buds, Lucky n Love,  Miss Havy, Natalie Bradley, Amy's Gifts, Zappos, Amazon, Doilies and Daisies, regansbrain , Red Stamp, Links of London, Alfred Angelo, Urban Outfitters   

   

XOXO,

Jen & Saira 

Tips for the Maid of Honor: Luau Bridal Shower

Happy Friday, dolls! Today we say "Aloha" to you as we revisit our "Tips for the Maid of Honor" segment and provide you with some helpful inspiration.  If you're hosting a bridal shower over the summer, a fun and easy option is to throw a luau! Theme based showers are a great way to get some color and energy at your soiree, and it's easy to find luau decorations at any party store this time of year. You can make it as over-the-top as you want, and your guests are sure to have fun and really hang loose.

1. Location: Once you have a theme, the next big decision is where to host your shower. We love the idea of throwing a luau because you have so many options in terms of location. You can throw it at a house, in a backyard, at the beach, or at a restaurant. Where you have it is really based on your budget, and you can easily transform any space into a Hawaiian getaway with some skillful decorating.

2. Invitations: Your invitations can be as formal or informal as you want. This really depends on your bride's style, your personal tastes, your guest list, and the overall tone you are looking to set. It's easy to find informal stationary at party stores, but for a more sophisticated look we suggest taking it to the web to find simple,  invitations with maybe one or two bright tropical colors, modern graphics, and crisp, clean lines.

3. Decorations: You have so many options for decorating for a luau. Just walk into any party store, and you'll be bombarded with giant inflatable palm trees, grass skirts and table cloths, coconut center pieces, tiki torches, and everything in between.  And, even if you don't have a huge budget to work with, you can make the biggest impact with colors. Luaus are all about bold and bright colors, so have fun with it!

4. Flowers: Flowers are important for any shower and are the perfect, natural decoration. While we don't expect you to get hibiscus flowers ($$$), try to opt for some "tropical" flowers. Our suggestion is to try to find beautiful and brightly colored lilies.  Now, these aren't always readily available, so talk to your florist to see what you can arrange. Or take a trip to Ikea and get their fun and inexpensive little bamboo plants! Flowers and plants not only  make a great table decorations, they can also pull double duty and serve as a party favor!

5. Food: You have a lot of great options when it comes to luau food as well. Not all of us are into roasting pigs over a fire (gross!), but you can definitely barbecue your meat of choice, have fruit salads, pasta salads, and of course some cute drinks with tiny umbrellas! Basically anything with pineapple, coconut, or mango is a safe bet, but here are some recipe suggestions to get your started:

6. Party favors: Party favors at bridal showers tend to be pretty standard: candles, flowers, candies, scented soaps, basically anything small and cute. To incorporate it with your luau theme, just get things in consistent flavors, scents, and colors: coconut candles, hot pink candy boxes, etc.

7. Attire: If your guests are party people, then you can really get them involved by having a strict dress code: Hawaiian shirts, coconut bras, and grass skirts only! Of course this isn't ideal for most of your guests (just imagine your boss or great grandmother in a coconut bra! yikes!), but most guests will come dressed for the occasion in pretty summery dresses and skirts. Plus, you can make a big impact on a little budget by channeling the island vibes and greeting your guests with colorful leis and flowers for their hair. 

Mahalo!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira