Staple This.

August 25, 2014 Kelly Donohue

August 25, 2014

Santa Monica, CA

Summer vacation may be coming to a close but that doesn’t mean your wardrobe needs to undergo a drastic shift. In fact, August and September often bring about some of the warmest days of the year. Having spent the majority of this past weekend sprawled out at the beach, sipping cold beverages, I can’t imagine that these temperatures will be going away anytime soon and that means, like it or not, you have to find ways to stretch out your summery attire for a bit longer.

I personally love the breezy, colorful clothing of this season, but I know that around this time of year, there are a lot of people who are antsy to switch over to booties, scarfs, and plaids. For all of you eager beavers out there, I have found that adding a simple staple, like this jean vest from the Gap, helps to quickly refresh your tired summer look. Not to mention, the vest adds a light layer of warmth for chillier days. Providing each outfit with an extra bit of dimension, there are so many ways to integrate a jean vest into your wardrobe.

I raided my closet to come up with three different looks for this vest, but as it is such a versatile piece, the possibilities were really endless. All of the outfits I chose are casual and comfortable and with the help of the vest, they’ve been given a bit of a facelift.

Look #1: Maxi Dress

For this first look, I paired a printed, flowy maxi dress with the fitted denim vest. While this look is hardly a new fashion trend, it’s always great to be reminded of classic pairings that work well together.

Maxi Dress: American Eagle (Similar)

Sandals: Franco Sarto (Similar)

Necklace: c/o Aplaya Jewelry

Rings: TopShop

Look #2: Florals & Stripes

I paired a striped tee with a high-waisted skirt and was able to tie the entire look together with the jean vest. In this case, the denim layer is essential to balance out the rest of the look. I’ve found that a great way to create fresh, new, stylish outfits is to mix prints with other prints, which is what I played around with here. Matching the long sleeve stripes with the bright florally skirt also creates for a great outfit for transitioning from the summer to the fall.

Purse: Kate Spade

Floral Skirt: American Eagle (similar)

Striped Long Sleeve Tee: Joan Vass via Marshalls (similar)

Sandals: Franco Sarto (Similar)

Look #3: Denim on Denim

This fun and simple denim look is improved with the addition of more denim! Once a fashion faux pas, I love playing around with mixing denims. The key is the pair different weight and washes, and keeping accessories simple. I added some stripes to this look as well but I feel it adds a nice balance.

Boyfriend Jean Shorts: Urban Outfitters

Striped Tee- Michael Stars via Marshalls (Similar)

Seacoast Canvas Sneakers: Sperry Topsiders

Get These Looks Here!

Photos Taken By: Art Voskonian

Weekend Wear.

August 16, 2014 Kelly Donohue

August 15, 2014.

Los Angeles, CA.

Whether your weekend plans are nonexistent, you have a list of errands that is now so long you’re beginning to think it deserves its own file cabinet, or you’ve got nothing but friends to catch up with and adventures to take part in, it’s important to break free from the confines of your typical workweek getup and treat yourself to a casual dress-down day because let’s face it, heels just don’t make sense all the time!

Casual does not necessarily mean frumpy. There are plenty of ways to dress up an otherwise basic look. In college, I made the mistake of confusing the two. I’d pair a baseball cap with an oversized tee and sweatpants and call that “casual”. It got so bad that my best friend used to say, “Oh god you’re wearing a hat, I better watch out!” Now, as funny as it was to see me brave the outdoors dressed for bed, I have since discovered that there are wonderful ways to make this look more polished, public-worthy, and heck even cute!

This is definitely my weekend casual outfit! I paired a comfy striped Joan Vass long sleeve tee from Marshalls with a pair of my favorite denim shorts and Oxfords. The colors balance well with the simple jewelry I’ve added and I covered my messy hair with my favorite Red Sox hat. What does your weekend wear consist of?

Happy weekending everyone!

Joan Vass Striped Long Sleeve Tee: c/o Marshalls

Dark Wash Denim Shorts: Urban Outfitters (Similar)

Oxfords: Macy's

Purse: Kate Spade

Pink & Navy Anchor Bracelet: Keil James Patrick

Photos taken by: Courtney Locks

Day & Night.

August 11, 2014 Kelly Donohue

August 11, 2014

Los Angeles, CA.

Slipping from BBQ’s, to work events, to after-dinner cocktails, and everywhere in between, these long days can be tough on your toes, but it shouldn’t mean you have to compromise your style. This comfy and effortless outfit will wear well no matter what the time of day, keeping you looking lovely round the clock!

It’s always a good idea to wear comfortable shoes or bring a pair of heels in your purse for a quick change. Also a statement necklace/ pop of lipstick can really help to dress up the look. However, this navy and white striped maxi dress from Lulu’s, paired with classic NineWest nude wedges, makes for an easy transition, as is, from casual daytime events to dressy summer evening activities.

What’s better than an outfit that feels like pajamas but looks like a chic little ensemble? Nothing. This dress is quickly becoming a go-to for just about all of my summer events. While the styling options are endless with a classic piece like this, I chose to add some classic touches with a blue and gold beaded necklace, a pink Nantucket whale bracelet, my sail-bag clutch, and a white jean jacket from Old Navy for chillier temperatures.

Oh, and check out my new friend, Sam! He saw us snapping photos over at the dog park and quickly stole the show and a bit of my heart. This tiny white fluffy dog followed us around the park, posing alongside me whenever he noticed I stopped. He was a perfect model, making the shoot so much more enjoyable. You never know what your day has in store for you, but with an outfit like this, you know you’ll always be looking you’re best.