Live Your Best Lobstah Life

I can choose to talk about how confusing the day-off-on-Tuesday-but-still-got-work-on-Monday impending holiday is or I can choose to start the patriotic party early with some inspiration courtesy of the crustacean sensations that are themselves staples of summertime celebrations. I choose the latter, and hope you too are living your best lobster life, both in this give-me-a-long-weekend-or-give-me-death week and the next. 

Gingham Lobster Napkins - Julia B// White Ruffle Lobster Dress - Adriana Degreas// You're My Lobster Clutch - ByChelsi// Mirrored Sunglasses - Krewe// Red Gingham Top - Rosie Assoulin// Blue Gingham Skirt - Asos// Lobster Earrings - Lou Taylor// Lobster Loafers - Stubbs & Wootton// Pareo - India Amory// Gold Lobster Bottle Opener - Clementine Living// White Peplum Top - Peter Pilotto// Gingham Embroidered Culottes - Zara// Lobster Clutch - Charlotte Olympia  

I See You, Friday

Oh yes, I do. May today usher in a weekend filled with good vibes, happy times, and violent delights without violent ends. And if that's easier said than done, we can always rely on our old friend the evil eye to ward the zero-chill spirits away (at least until Monday). 

Embellished Sunglasses - Mary Jane Claverol// Gold Flower Earrings - Jennifer Behr// Pink Off the Shoulder Top - Isolda// Ruffled Skirt - Lalo// Evil Eye Pouch - Coral & Tusk// Evil Eye Heels - Gucci// Evil Eye Ring - Daniela Salcedo// Light Blue Clutch - Gedebe// Python Eye Charm - Ximena Kavalekas// Phone Case - Rebecca Minkoff

Armarium: For When You Get That Fancy Feel

Every now and then (you know, when I'm not waiting in line for Chick-Fil-A in my go-to downtown Houston food-court, driving my husband's F150 around town, or picking cat hair off my athleisure weekend uniform) I get bit by the fancy fly and get an itch for the kind of dress up that makes you forget you drink cheap wine and indulge in What-A-Burger on the reg.

If you find yourself experiencing such fancy feelings, I would direct you to Armarium, a luxury fashion rental site that offers couture and ready-to-wear dresses and accessories from some of the designers you've only dreamt about rocking - until now. Armarium's inventory is unreal - I'm talkin' gowns you see on the red carpet, Matches, or Farfetch that make you daydream about what it would be like to be the kind of person who drops a couple Gs with a few clicks (whoever those lucky maniacs are). The idea behind the rental service is to "introduce you to the dream of the brand and the runway message of the designers" and they make it easy, by offering alterations and assistance from their high-profile stylists. 

With wedding season in full summa-time swing, it could be fun to give Armarium a test run. That way, when you get a "Er-mar-gerd I love your dress! Remind me where I've seen it before?" you can respond with "probably the Cannes red carpet" while flaring your nostrils and making this face.   

Malachite Petal Earrings - Oscar de la Renta// Gold Paillette Dress - Prabal Gurung (via Armarium)// Sea Urchin Purse - Jamin Puech// Green Velvet Heels - Kate Spade// Ball Drop Earrings - Oscar de la Renta// Ostrich Feather Dress - Marchesa (via Armarium)// Blue Rhinestone Heels - Frances Valentine// Light Blue Clutch - Bottega Veneta// Black Feather Earrings - Oscar de la Renta// Gold Circle Midi Dress - Kris Goyri (via Armarium)// Embroidered Velvet Bag - Gucci// Black & Gold Heels - Charlotte Olympia

Summer Hoops: Summer Steinfeld

Feliz Summer Solstice, party people! What better way to celebrate the official first day of the season that we've been feeling for weeks already than by introducing you to Summer Steinfeld Jewelry, or as it is better known by the likes of me, the va-va-voom I'll be rockin' all verano.

Founded by its namesake in 2012, the Dallas-based accessories brand popped up on my Insta newsfeed last week and the disc hoops passed the shout-out-worthy earrings test with flying colors (criteria includes but not limited to: 1) fun (le duh),  2) unique (we must admit, your ball drops and tassels deserve a vacay), 3) light on the lobes and 4) affordable). The 14K gold hoops are constructed with African vinyl discs from Ghana and the brand is actively involved with humanitarian groups Akola, Arise Africa and Kershaw’s Challenge, which makes them not only easy on the eyes and wallet, but also on the spending justification spectrum. The only hard part? Choosing a color - check out the rainbow of options here. 

'Cause I Only Got Eyes for Blue

One of my Insta followers recently asked me if I could put together a nautical-type themed collage with longer, floor-length options. Your wish is my command, honey bunny.

Blue & white stripes seem like they're dominating the air waves recently and as a I'd-tattoo-"light-blue-4-eva"-on-my-shoulder-cuz-thats-how-much-I-lurve-it kinda gal, I'm totally okay with that. But sometimes a girl needs more options than the off-the-shoulder seersucker that everyone and their mamasitas are rockin' (don't get me wrong - I got blue & white stripes a plenty & I got off-the-shoulders galore). But you want more - you want that shade of blue ensemble you won't feel silly for buying when you see a replica priced at 1/10th the price next week on a is-this-website-even-real? online store. I've been there, and I got you. And I won't let anything stand in the way of our azure-cyan-navy-cobalt-cornflower blue love affair. 

White Ruffle Top - Keepsake// Bird Ruffle Skirt - Peter Pilotto// Blue Evening Bag - Hayden Lasher// Seersucker Dress - Staud// Striped Mules - No. 21// Striped Bon Bons - Rebecca DeRavenel// Striped Bustier & Pant - Sandra Weill (Top, Bottom)// Striped Tote - Antonello Tedde// Strapless Striped Gown - Halston// Acrylic Striped Clutch - Edie Parker// Ruffle Tartan Dress - Gemasach// Striped Sandals - Nanette by Nanette Lepore