Break Out The Crop Tops (Maybe)

I've never been more ready to sweat. I mean it, people. I've been freezing since October and it's finally time to defrost. Summer is upon us and it's time to start dressing appropriately. Put away your jeans and Chelsea boots and break out the crop tops!

I love walking outside and feeling the immediate presence of the sun's rays beating down on my skin. It's like a giant hug from a heated blanket you didn't know you needed. Even if you're not cold, the warmth of the sun feels so very comforting. 

Let's get real, though. This season can be brutal. Last summer I commuted to my internship in DC on the Metro each day. I remember how disturbingly sweaty I would get just WALKING to the Metro, much less on the suffocating 30 minute ride into the city. Summer can feel even more brutal when you're trekking to work instead of lounging poolside. 

The remedy? Dressing appropriately. Some of you are probably wondering how a blog post with "crop top" in the title can be about dressing appropriately. It's all in the styling. There's a way to rock a crop top and look put together without trying to be the Victoria's Secret Angel that we are not. 

The first step to rocking a crop top anytime anywhere is to find one that is long enough to "tuck in" to a skirt or a pair of pants. This trick can also work with high waisted shorts, like I wore here. Once you've found the perfect crop top, you should find the right bottoms to wear depending on the occasion.

You can pair a crop top with a pencil skirt to create the chicest office-appropriate outfit ever. Not in the office? Pair your crop top with a shorter skirt like I did to look like a summer style queen who has risen above the short shorts/spaghetti strap combo. 

For even more ideas, shop a few of my favorite crops below from Subdued, a little shop I discovered last summer in Milan. 

sleeveless turtle neck | Subdued $23

off shoulder crop | Subdued $28

boat neck tank | Subdued $18

How to Avoid Cliché Coachella Style

If you're confused about the increasing amount of suede, fringe, crochet and knitwear appearing in major retail stores, there's a good explanation for it. It's festival season!

Every spring, music festivals roll out one after another, after another.... Coachella is the most famous music festival of them all as hoards of celebrities, models, and generally COOL people attend year after year. These people claim to go for the music but I know they only go to show off their Coachella-fied designer clothes.

You've seen the types: bohemian chic with a rocker vibe, 70s glam with a modern twist, and edgy punk with feminine glam. These are the style combos I heavily associate with music festivals like Coachella.

I find myself loving certain pieces of these outfits but feeling overwhelmed when they're all combined. It can be a little *too* much, you know?

Here are a few outfits I find to be cliché (RE: overdone) at Coachella and other music festivals...

Doing the most:

photo | Vogue.com

photo | E Online

These outfits have a million different things going on at once. Mixing trends is great but it needs to be done tactfully.

The left photo shows how fringe can go wrong when paired with an intense graphic tee.

Similarly, the right photo mixes an uber-popular suede front button skirt with a printed long cardigan. Verdict: too busy!

Doing it right:

photo | E Online

photo | Splash News

You can't go wrong with black and white. I've said it before and I'll say it again and again!

These two looks stand out because they are getting the festival feeling across while looking fabulously chic.

I love the monochromatic look on the left, accented by a ribbon choker and long chain necklace. The booties are an excellent update to the gladiator sandal.

The look on the right is SOoooOo cute! I'm loving the front button shorts - a nice update to the front button suede skirt from above. The double-buckle belt is trending and fabulous.

Doing it yourself:

Shop these affordable pieces to get your music festival wardrobe fix! 

TASSELED CROSSBODY forever 21

LACE DRESS zara

SPLIT ROMPER missguided

WESTERN ANKLE BOOT missguided

Interview Season: The Power Outfit

The first chance you have to make a good impression is always through your outfit. This is particularly true when it comes to speaking with potential employers. 

Let's pretend you're interviewing someone for a job. They walk into your office wearing tight ripped jeans, a wrinkled shirt and worn out shoes. What does this tell you about this person's attitude? For me, this outfit says this person doesn't think the interview is worth looking their very best. 

Don't be that person. Don't let your friends be that person. To avoid being that person, you must invest in your appearance. You need to buy a classic outfit that will take you the distance so that you will get the job that pays the distance. It's a cyclical process.

I bought a suit from Express when I was a senior in high school because I had a tour of The White House. At the time I didn't know I would be relying on that suit for nearly every job/internship interview or professional event during my college career. You don't have to buy a suit, but you should definitely consider buying a go-to professional outfit to wow everyone around you.

Here are three different outfit choices I recommend for that important occasion:

1. The Power Suit 

This is a classic outfit for virtually all ages. As a matter of fact, I envision myself wearing only Chanel tweed suits when I hit age 70. For now, I'll stick to wearing things like this Express Columnist suit with a flattering fit and swoon-worthy price:

Express Columnist Suit

2. The Do-It-All Dress 

How many times have you reached for a dress in your closet but couldn't wear it because it was either too short or too tight for a professional occasion? It's amazing how long my legs look when I'm trying to be ~appropriate~ UGH. Here is a dress that does it all, for every business occasion:

LOFT Paneled Sheath Dress 

3. Skirt and Top Combo

When all else fails, grab a skirt and go. It is SO important to choose wisely. The wrong skirt could cost you the job. My rule of thumb is this: if you can't decide whether or not your skirt is appropriate, you shouldn't wear it. There should be no second guessing about your outfit because you want to feel 100% confident. Here are some combos to do the trick:

J. Crew Pencil Skirt 

Spring Loving and Sandal Shopping

I love this time of year because the air is filled with a floral perfume so sweet, it can only be produced by nature. I enjoy seeing flowers right before they bloom; these flowers are always my favorite because I can already see their full beauty even though the rest of the world may not yet be able to.

Spring seemed to appear out of nowhere with sunshine and tee shirt weather beckoning me to pack away my winter clothes. Although the weather still differs on a daily basis (thanks Northern Virginia) I am leaning towards warm weather clothes over the chunky knit sweaters I've been living in for months. 

Shoes are typically the last layer to change between winter and spring, simply due to the fact that the weather still likes to play with our emotions by being super cold in the morning and super warm in the afternoon. However, you can get started shopping for sandals and the warm weather will be here to stay before you know it. 

Last summer I discovered Forever 21 sandals. If you've been following my blog since the beginning, you may have seen me slightly trash talk Forever 21 here. I have a new attitude towards the store ever since discovering their sandals. I wore them non-stop last summer in *Milan* (brb, crying). They were the perfect walking shoes and I can't wait to break them out again.

I prefer sandals without a strap around the heel simply because I always get blisters. Always. These shoes are the remedy for my sensitive heels because they simply slide on my feet. 

Shop my favorites from the Forever 21 website below:

Faux Suede Sandals (+colors) $12.90

Crisscross Faux Leather Sandals (+colors) $8.90

Braided Faux Leather Sandals (+colors) $8.90

Refresh Your Cardigan Collection

I love wrapping up in a cardigan on a breezy day that is too warm for a coat but too cold for short sleeves. Cardigans can be one of the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe since they easily transition from season to season when paired with the right outfit.

If you want to take your cardigan game to the next level, you've got to try something different. From chunky knit to sheer fitted - there are endless styles of cardigans. My favorite one of the moment is the long cardigan.

Long cardigans are a favorite among celebrity stylist Monica Rose, who dresses Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, both of whom wear long cardigans ALL the time. While I don't enjoy keeping up with anyone in the Kardashian crew, I do enjoy keeping up with what is trending in fashion. Long cardigans? Definitely trending.

I found some great long cardigans at Zara and I can't stop wearing them! The price is right and the fit is perfect. Whether you're at the office, on a college campus, lounging at home or going out at night, these long cardigans will elevate your look and take your cardigan game to the next level.

photos, editing | Michael Collins Design 

// shop this look //

necklace: DIY ribbon choker

cardigan: Zara 

The Hottest Jeans Right Now

It seems like every spring there is a new style of jeans taking over the streetwear scene. Last year it was all about wide-leg, 70s-esque flares, while prior to that we watched American Apparel inspired mom jeans flood the stores. This year it's all about the ankle crop.

The ankle crop jean is very different from the ankle roll, which is essentially any old pair of skinny jeans rolled up twice at the ankle. The ankle crop is a style of jeans that only reach the top of the ankle rather than reaching the heel.

These jeans have been seen on top fashion bloggers such as Danielle Bernstein of WeWoreWhat, top models such as Bella Hadid and it-girl celebrities like Selena Gomez.

While I'm super aware of how on trend these jeans are, I'm still on the fence about buying them. I didn't totally love the mom jean trend and the 70s flare jeans weren't ideal for me to wear on a college campus. The ankle crop, however, are so easy and fun so I'm pretty sure I need a few pairs in my closet this spring.

I've scoured some of the best sites and included links to buy these jeans below.  I hope that you'll grab a pair for yourself!

Selena Gomez 

Bella Hadid

Danielle Bernstein

________________

Where to shop: 

J Brand low rise ankle skinny crop

RE/DONE black ankle crop 

ZARA relaxed fit crop

7FORALLMANKIND ankle crop

DIY Choker Tutorial

photos/editing | Michael Collins Design

I love them. They're everywhere. If you don't own one by now, that's about to change. I've already written about where to find cheap chokers, but it's time to add to that collection. I am SO thrilled to share my DIY secret to make the very best chokers.

Why are these the very best chokers? They're the exact style that is the most popular, they are available in virtually every color or texture imaginable, and one more thing... they cost about 10 cents each!

These chokers are made out of ribbon and stick-on Velcro. That's it! I went crazy in the craft section of Walmart and bought spools of ribbon (about $1.67 per spool) and then found small pieces of stick on Velcro (about $2.00 per pack). What did I end up with? TONS of chokers.

Here's how you can do it:

1. Buy desired ribbon and adhesive Velcro 

2.  Roll out ribbon, measure around middle of neck, cut

3. Stick one piece of Velcro on one end, flip ribbon over

4. Stick remaining piece of Velcro on opposite end

5. Wrap around neck and stick together

Online Shopping With thredUP

It's no secret that I love online shopping (who doesn't?), which stands to reason why I am always browsing for new sites to feed my addiction. My aunt recently introduced me to thredUP and I've been loving it ever since.

This is a website that allows users to consign and shop for top name brands at a fraction of the price. The catch? There isn't one. I've purchased cozy Vince sweaters for under $30. That's unheard of!

There are more benefits to thredUP than just the price. Shipping is free on orders over $70 and returns are FREE within 14 days. What does this mean? You can basically have clothes shipped to your doorstep and try them on to see if you like them. If not, you simply box them up and send them back. No harm, no foul.

It's like being in a dressing room of a name brand store. Except you're at home. Choosing from hundreds of name brands. Swoon.

Today I'm featuring this lovely blue top by LNA that I ordered back in December. It's the perfect texture for days in between winter and spring when the weather can't decide what it wants to do.

Anyone who knows me knows that I don't typically opt for ~blue~ unless it's a super dark navy or a denim. However, when an item is this affordable I'm always willing to branch out and try it. I definitely recommend seeing what the hype is all about and shopping thredUP for yourself.

Let me know if you have any luck!

Want It, Need It, Gotta Have It

As the winter weather continues to hover over my closet, forcing me to layer up instead of trying out new spring trends, I have had ample time to think about what I want to add to my wardrobe while I'm waiting for the sunshine.

I mean lets be real, we all have wish lists. You don't need to apologize for it either. I love curating lists of things I have been eyeing, because then I won't be an impulse buyer. It's all about saving money, really. (LOL). From accessories, to interiors, to shoes and clothes, makeup, and everything in between, these are the things I've been craving lately. Be sure to scroll all the way down!

1. PAIGE Denim 

Sure, they're expensive. Like $230 expensive. But they're stunning!

I definitely see a pair of these in my future. Maybe once I have a 

steady income, yes?

2. MAC Nude Lipsticks

I fell in love with MAC Half n' Half lipstick and I want to try

more of their nude shades. They stay on my lips the best and I 

love the amplified ones - they really do last all day!

3. Contemporary Cowhide Rug

I am in desparate need of a new rug but until I finish college (next May),

I don't want to make any major changes to my simple room. But hey, wouldn't

this rug look ultra luxurious in a NYC apartment after I graduate? 

4. Reformation Top(s)

I fell in love with Reformation last year and I haven't stopped stalking their

site since. I love their bodysuits and have had my eye on this top for a while 

now. How precious is it?

5. Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette

I credit Kathleen Lights (search her on Youtube) for hooking me on this.

I subscribe to her channel and love watching her product reviews and makeup

tutorials. She raved about this palette and I think I need it in my life.

6.  Swell Bottle 

You know what they say, you're only as chic as the water 

you drink. No one says that. No one has ever said that. But I mean 

how fantastic is this rose gold bottle? It keeps your water ice cold for

24 hours. Can't beat it. 

7. Guns N' Roses Tee

Trust me when I say I knew the words to "Paradise City" and 

"Welcome to the Jungle" when I was in the third grade. My parents 

are awesome. But anyways, I love graphic tees and can't think of a better

time to buy this one as Guns N' Roses is headlining Coachella this year.

8. adidas Ultra Boost Shoes

Confession: I'm an undercover sneaker head. I don't own a ton

of sneakers but I still obsess over the latest and greatest. I am a huge

fan of adidas and I know these Ultra Boosts are something to seriously up your

level of cool when it comes to streetwear. 

9. Velvet Choker 

Don't pay more than $10 for this. To be honest, $10 is still way too much.

Go to your fabric store, find some velvet and cut away. It's such a hot accessory 

right now and there's no need to spend egads of money on it. Here's one from Etsy -

10. Beverly Hills Wallpaper

Frivolous but fun. I am in love with Danielle Bernstein's apartment (blogger

of We Wore What), and I haven't stopped thinking about her wallpaper ever since

she revamped her apartment. I love this print and think it would be stellar on an 

accent wall or even in a bathroom.

Significant Other: A Boyfriend Blazer

If you don't have a boyfriend for Valentine's Day, don't worry. I'm here to give you the hottest ones on the market. That's right, I'm talking about boyfriend blazers. They're perfect for days in the office, classroom, grocery store, coffee shop, mall, and virtually any other place you might find yourself wanting to look amazing.

Boyfriend blazers are different from normal blazers because they offer versatility whereas regular blazers can look more formal. I wear boyfriend blazers with super skinny jeans and heels to define my body shape while contrasting with the boxy silhouette. 

If you're new to dating the boyfriend blazer, I recommend starting small like I did with the grey one pictured below. I bought mine from Zara and paired it with Express black skinny jeans and black Kenzo loafers. 

Check out my look and be sure to shop below for a few of my favorite boyfriend blazers for you to wrap your arms around this Valentine's Day: 

photos | Michael Collins Design

Zara | $69.90

Zara | $99.90

Zara | $99.90

Zara | $99.90