Becca swimsuit (c/o);  Theodora & Callum scarf (c/o);  Swell tank (c/o);  Bijouterie bracelets;  Jane Basch necklace;  Ray-Ban sunglasses

Summertime is officially upon us, and I'm teaming up with Veet to declare this the Summer of Smooth.  For me, summer is all about letting loose, taking a trip or two, and spending as much time as possible at the beach.  Lucky for me, I live only a couple blocks in from the ocean in Newport Beach, California.  I really am so fortunate to be able to step out of my front door and take a three-minute walk to the beach, and I try to take advantage of it as much as I can.  I keep my beach bag packed and ready to go so that anytime I get a couple of free hours, my toes are in the sand.  My summertime essentials definitely include tons of sunblock, a favorite swimsuit, and smooth legs.

Whether I'm headed for the beach down the street or packing for someplace tropical, nothing brings me down like discovering I forgot to shave.  (After all these years, how it's possible to still forget, I have no clue, but I do know that fuzzy gams aren't my favorite beach accessory.)  Although I've never really been into the whole waxing thing, this week I checked out Veet's Ready-To-Use Wax Strips for legs and body, and I must say I am impressed.  The process is really easy (simply warm the strips by rubbing your hands together, peal, stick, rip - you know the drill), and the results last up to 28 days.  Seriously - 28 days.  Kiss that accidental fuzz goodbye, and forget about packing a razor for your next beach getaway because it's the Summer of Smooth, people!  What would you do if you had 28 days of freedom?
xoxo

Veet® helps you feel smooth all summer long.
There's nothing like the feeling of freedom that summer brings. https://www.facebook.com/veet

“Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Reckitt Benckiser via MODE Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Reckitt Benckiser.”

Forever 21 bag, hand chain, rings, sunglasses

Forever 21 dress

Forever 21 flatform sandals

Photos thanks to Taylor Cole Photography

All clothing and accessories (c/o) Forever 21

Sometimes there's nothing quite like a brand new outfit, and it's even better when you feel like you got a great deal.  I'm constantly on the search for brands and stores that offer great style for a great price, so I'm really excited to team up with one of my favorite bloggers Love, Olia for a little shopping fun and a style challenge.  I met Olia last year during the Nordstrom YOUphoria campaign and event down in San Diego.  She's a fellow Southern California blogger who shares in a lot of the same joys and frustrations as a blogger, and she's just downright adorable.  We're always bouncing around ideas and thought it would be fun to bring our readers a little budget-friendly fashion, and given the same amount to spend ($100), see how different (or similar) our looks turn out.  We're partnering with brands and boutiques to bring you "Style Under $100", and first up on the list is a definite go-to of mine: Forever 21. 

In case you've been living under a large rock for a while, Forever 21 is the true definition of affordable fashion.  With a selection that spans tons of clothing and maybe even more accessories at times all at prices to love, there's really an outfit for every occasion or mood for me.  Armed with $100 to spend, this shopping challenge took forever because it was so hard to decide!  I wrestled with a few bohemian looks for a while (and ended up buying a couple) before finally deciding on this high-neck little black dress.  I love the sleek simplicity, and the accessorizing options are seriously endless.  I'm a big fan of "flatform" sandals for summer, so I headed in a retro direction complete with cat-eye sunglasses, something I pretty much never do.  (If you follow the blog, you may notice I've got a little thing for aviators.  Well, a big thing.)  Although it's an all-black look, the colorful sunglasses and luxe-looking jewelry really make a statement.  (I mean, these rings!)  While I went with a modern-meets-retro take, Olia went with a bohemian summer feel, and I've got some serious skirt envy.  To check out her full look, head on over to Olia's blog for her "Style Under $100" point of view.  Hope you guys enjoy!

xoxo

Well guys, the "New Voices of Beauty" campaign that I've been fortunate enough to work on over the past six months is coming to an end, and I'm one sad turtle.  It's been such a pleasure working with COVERGIRL, Pantene, Secret, Olay, and the lovely ladies over at Lucky Magazine, plus the experience has been amazing.  Beyond the travel, beauty product overload, and picture in Lucky Magazine (pinch me), I've made a couple of really great friends along the way.  Naty, Amy, and Katie are all brilliant contributors to this blogging community and are, in general, just really rad girls to know.

It all started back in October at Lucky FABB in New York.  On a whim, I signed up for some video competition even though I'm definitely no ace in front of a video camera.  Remember this shaky little audition video?  Painfully awkward.  But the powers that be over at P&G saw honesty, and hopefully you guys did too.  You voted and voted, and that little video was watched over 1,300 times.  Bananas.  I still can't even believe that I was one of the winners. In January we headed to New York to film the fabulous video you see above.  Despite warnings from Lucky editors about filming outside in 10-degree weather, I wore heels in the snow with no tights, gloves, or a hat.  Listen, when you get your chance to film a video with a few super beauty brands and Lucky Magazine, it's not the day for comfort shoes and a beanie, no ma'am.  I survived, and the video is something that I'll always love. 

In April, the New Voices of Beauty train moved on to Lucky FABB West where our duties included chatting all things fashion and beauty with other bloggers over brunch at the SLS Hotel.  Tough job, but someone had to do it.  I've been to Lucky's Fashion and Beauty Blogger conference a few times now, and seeing my name on the program as one of the co-hosts of the brunch was surreal.  Getting to meet Eva Chen, Lucky's Editor-In-Chief and all-around-cool-girl, wasn't so bad either.  

I'm beyond thankful to everyone at Lucky and the P&G team who made this campaign a really fun success and even more thankful to all of YOU who voted and voted to get me here.  As a thank you, I'm sharing the beauty wealth and giving away a bunch of my favorite products from COVERGIRL, Pantene, Secret, and Olay worth over $100.  (Who loves ya, baby?)  Just click around below to enter.  One winner will be announced on Tuesday, July 1st.  Thanks so much for following along on this journey of mine, and good luck to everyone who enters!
xoxo

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Photos thanks to Hadasa

Zara dress;  Forever 21 shorts;  Jessica Simpson "Marah" wedge (c/o) Fatal Obsessions;  Julie Vos necklace and cuff;  Gorjana cuff and ring;  Olivia + Joy bag;  Ray-Ban sunglasses

I swore I wouldn't do it.  When I saw that mules were making a comeback, I turned my nose up and declared them "not for me".  I've never been a fan of them, but then it happened.  I found myself scrolling around Fatal Obsessions, oddly drawn to the enemy shoe, and I knew I had to try them.  I love the strap details and two-tone look of the sides.  I hate to admit it, but they go with so many things in my closet, and they're so easy to just slip on and go.  I couldn't wait to wear them, and this breezy little white dress that I scooped up recently at Zara was the perfect companion.  A simple black handbag, a few scattered gold accessories, and a bold red lip finished off the easy summer look.   And just like that, my mule "thing" is gone, and I'm a convert.  What's your verdict on the return of mules: yay, or nay?
xoxo

P.S. - Please follow me over to the Pose Instagram account today where I'll be taking over and sharing a little fashion, food, and fun from Newport Beach, CA!

Photos thanks to Taylor Cole Photography

Forever 21 shorts (similar);  Aqua sweatshirt;  Just Fab sandals;  Tory Burch bag;  Ray-Ban sunglasses;  C.Wonder cuff

In today's final look with this Aqua printed sweatshirt (see the other looks here and here), I'm pairing it with my favorite faux leather shorts and the gladiator sandals that have become my summer go-to.  It's such an easy summer look, and a bold handbag adds a needed pop of color.  Hope everyone had a great weekend and an amazing first day of summer!
xoxo

Photos thanks to Taylor Cole Photography

Aqua sweatshirt;  Gentle Fawn pants (c/o);  H&M bag;  C.Wonder sunglasses;  Just Fab sandals;  Ettika necklace via Pose

Because one can never have too many comfy track pants (right?), I just couldn't resist this denim pair from Gentle Fawn.  I love the easy fit and stud detailing along the pockets.  These will go with so many pieces in my closet, but I love the updated sportswear feel of pairing them with a printed sweatshirt.  A blush handbag and mirrored aviators add a bit of color to complete the look.  Hope everyone has a great weekend!
xoxo

P.S. - You can now shop this handbag along with other pieces from my closet on Pose. If you haven't already, check out Pose for style inspiration, outfit ideas, and maybe a little bit of shopping.  (You can also sell pieces from your own closet!)

Photos thanks to Taylor Cole Photography

Aqua skirt and top (both on sale!);  JustFab sandals;  Rovi Moss handbag;  H&M necklace and bracelet

Contrary to every prior time in my life, these days I'm really loving a matching set.  I picked up this skirt to wear with a floral top back in April and was thrilled to find the matching top recently on the sale rack at Bloomingdale's.  Simple sandals and bold accessories finished off the look.  This top is such an easy outfit-maker, so I've decided to style it two more ways coming up on the blog.  Stay tuned!
xoxo

Last week I took a little roadtrip up the California coast with Eric and my parents, so today I'm sharing a few snaps (via Instagram) from the trip.  We spent one night in Cambria and had dinner at the Sea Chest, an absolute must-stop if you're ever in the area.  It's such a cozy little restaurant, and if you have to wait for a table (which is pretty likely), you can do it with a glass of wine at their outdoor fire pit.  We headed out after breakfast and took a quick tour at Hearst Castle before making it to Big Sur.  We stayed two nights at Big Sur Lodge and spent most of our time taking in the sights, enjoying the food (a little too much), and hanging out by a fire.  It was a really great trip and one that I'd definitely recommend to anyone looking to roam California's coast a bit.  What are some of your favorite places to visit via roadtrip?
xoxo

7 For All Mankind jeans (on sale!);  Gentle Fawn tank (c/o);  Theodora & Callum scarf (c/o);  Banana Republic wedges;  Henri Bendel bag (c/o);  Zero UV sunglasses (c/o);  Karen London cuff;  La Mer Collections watch

There's probably nothing more excessive in my wardrobe (besides fun costume jewelry I suppose) than scarves, and for good reason.  Even in the dead of summer here, it can get pretty chilly at night, and an oversized scarf is the perfect accessory to help keep warm without looking too wintery.  My motto with scarves is "the bigger the better", and this one from Theodora & Callum is huge.  It easily doubles as a swimsuit coverup, and in fact, on their website, you can find dozens of seriously cute #waystowear these.  It's the perfect summer accessory to throw in your suitcase or beach bag for any upcoming summer travel.  Today I'm pairing the neutral accessory with muted skinnies and an easy white tank for a low-key and comfortable look.  What are some of your go-to summer accessories?
xoxo

H&M sweater;  Free People "Shark Bite" shorts;  BDG plaid (serious favorite);  DV by Dolce Vita booties (on sale!);  Scala hat;  Ray-Ban sunglasses;  Jane Basch necklace

Today I'm rejoining the real world after a few beautiful days traveling California's coast with my family.  We spent two nights in Big Sur which is one of my favorite places in the world because you can disconnect and just enjoy the beauty around you.  We snapped these pictures on the way out to Pfeiffer Beach (which turned out to be WAY too cold and windy for us).  I pretty much lived in these Free People shorts and DV booties the entire trip, and I picked up this hat in our hotel gift shop.  A lightweight sweater (last seen here as a dress) was the perfect windy-day topper.  Overall it was an amazing trip, and I'll be sharing a few more snaps tomorrow.  Stay tuned!
xoxo