The Look For Less :: Embellished Sandals

TGIF! How 'bout kicking off the weekend with some weekend wear on today's 'The Look for Less?' 

I have been crushing on jeweled + embellished sandals for casual summer wear, and absolutely LOVE  these Gemma sandals  {left} from Sole Society. They ring in at $64.95 -- not a bad price, but we can do better for a pair of sandals! 

Sole Society Gemma, $64

Mossimo Belinda, $19.99

Enter, these Mossimo Belinda embellished sandals {right} from, yep, good ole Target. They are about 1/3 of the price, ringing in at $19.99. I saw these babies on one of my weekly "quick trips" into Target and even went to another store just to find my size. You can now find them glued to my feet with everything from shorts and a tee shirt, to a maxi dress and more. They are super comfortable, the tan color goes with everything, and the best part? They don't look like they're from Target.

Shop both //

the shirtdress

Happy Wednesday! Today I'm bringing you a style staple that can go year-round :: the shirtdress. This casually chic and effortless look is perfect for throwing on in a jiffy while also looking polished put-together. I'm particularly loving this chambray stripe shirtdress from Loft right now. It's so Nantucket-esque, which just so happens to be my favorite place on Earth. So it's only fitting that I snatched it up!

The shirtdress is great by itself, but belt it around the small of your waist if you want to draw it in a bit; especially if your shirtdress is a bit more billowy.

Chambray is the perfect neutral color, especially for the summer and fall. The nautical stripe adds that little extra something.

It's all about the accessories! Chambray is perfect for adding a bright pop of color.And don't be afraid to stack on the bangles, link bracelets and more! These Kendra Scott jewels paired perfectly with the basic shirtdress ::

So are you ready to jump on the shirtdress bandwagon? Here are a few other favorites ::

 Is there a trend, product or item that you'd like featured on the blog? We'd love to hear from you! Simply comment below or email courtney@lifestyledatlanta.com.

made in america :: part one

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a Happy Fourth of July and a relaxing weekend. Our beach trip is officially over, and I am still refusing to accept that it's back to the real world. Anyone else? So in honor of the great U.S.A., we're kicking off a series highlighting some of my favorite brands and products that are made right here in America...

Today for part one, I'm highlighting a fun little company based here in Atlanta that makes beaded tassel jewelry :: Just Peachy. Rachel with Just Peachy Blog is a fellow fashionista and her lovely tassel necklaces were a welcomed addition into my casual wardrobe! These are so easy and fun to throw on with anything from a tee, to a basic dress by adding some bright colors & some tribal flair.

This  beaded necklace with hints of coral and lavender paired perfectly with a basic navy + white striped tee.

How about this citrine green paired with fuchsia accents? Two of my favorite bright colors combined into one. Perfect for pairing with chambray and much more. {paired here with chambray LOFT romper}I am also loving Rachel's other tassel necklaces {like this peach tassel below}, some of which are available in her ETSY shop. {custom orders welcomed}

LIFEstyled loves supporting local businesses and products! If you have any suggestions or own a business yourself, we'd love to hear from you!

Stay tuned tomorrow for part two of our 'Made in America' series, where I'm sharing my new favorite beach coverup and many more fab items from a fun Chicago company!

spotlight on :: calypso st. barth

Happy Wednesday, style lovers! Today is my Friday  and my hubby and I are flying down to the beach for some much-needed R&R this Fourth of July weekend. So today I'm bringing you some of my favorite looks from the beachy Calypso St. Barth. This line is ritzy  + unique + dreamy. It comes with a bit of a heftier price tag, but brings you lots of looks that you won't find elsewhere.

• the silk dress

This bright teal silk dress is so light and airy; perfect for both day and night. It has the most intricate stitchings around the neckline in bright golds, pinks and blues to compliment.

•  the morrocan maxi

Y'all... this dress is everything. The pattern, the colors and the detailing are nothing short of fabulous. Perfect for dressing up and down, summer outings and taking into the fall with a jacket.

• casual stretch pant I've always been a little iffy about this type of pants. I still won't say they are my go-to for flattery purposes, but man are they comfortable!! I would throw these babies on around the house or to run some errands. So lightweight and already pre-wrinkled for you moms. **A post on this cute tassel necklace coming up tomorrow!**

• the metallic tee

This has to be one of my favorite pieces. I love everything gold and metallic, and this simple tee is no exception. Easy for throwing on, layering and dressing up. Not to mention the perfect amount of metallic. Not too flashy, not too soft.

• the embellished teeThis light peachy linen tee has gold sequins. Need I say more?

 And for all you Atlantans, be sure to check out Calypso St. Barth and their dreamy store at Westside Provisions District. We'll be back in a few days to kick off a new blog series, "Made in America," where I'll feature some of my favorite locally made products & companies. Wishing you a Happy Fourth of July and God Bless the U.S.A!

going nautical

Summer is here, the Fourth of July is around the corner, and the nautical trend is isn't going anywhere! I'm headed to the beach tomorrow {yay!} which makes today the perfect time to talk  about going nautical with your look this summer; when done right, nautical is timeless, classic + chic. Not to mention the perfect amount of preppy.

Here's how to get it right ::

• Start with cool blue stripes. A thinner stripe can go horizontal or vertical, but if you go thicker, make sure it's vertical for slimming reasons.

• Add a warm accessory or statement. Yes, you've got the BLUES, in essence, but don't go too crazy with it! Add some contrast with another color, particularly a warm one if your stripes are cool.

• Don't be too matchy. This is more of a *life rule* that just happens to also apply to the nautical trend. Don't match your shoes to the exact blue hue in your blouse. Don't do the matching earring / necklace set. Don't be afraid to add something bright and bold into your nautical look, like neon, or play around with complimentary colors.

 So there you have it, nautical done right! This summer, pair your nautical with any denim; from white, to dark, to coral or mango.

Wishing you a happy Fourth of July week ahead! Tomorrow, we'll kick it off with our Beauty Giveaway, just in time for your sunny weekend plans. If you haven't entered, now is your LAST CHANCE! Click here and leave your comment to enter.

how to :: make your casual summer look chic

Happy Monday and a happy short work week to those of you who have Friday off! Today we're going back to the basics and talking about your casual summer wardrobe. For many of you, comfort is key; whether you are a mom running and playing with your kids, or are in a professional setting and can't wait to throw on those comfy clothes at the end of your work week! How do you make a plain ole' t-shirt and shorts look chic + put together? Today we're talking how to make your casual look chic ::

• The half-tuck :: Rather than leaving your tee shirt hanging over your shorts, accentuate your waist-line and polish up your look. Tuck the front half of your tee into your shorts, and then pull down around the sides and back. This gives a more put-together look, without the constant adjustment and sometimes discomfort of a full tuck all the way around. Pick a short that's breathable and fun, like these navy crochet trim linen shorts from LOFT.

• Patterns + sleeves :: Try a fun patterned tee that is still comfortable and breathable.  Experiment with a cap sleeve or a tank,  rather than your basic sleeve. You can do the same with necklines. How about this LOFT floral tee?

• Accessorize! :: Accessories are the finishing touch. NO outfit is complete without at least some minimal accessorizing. And since it's summer, try something fun! Add a bright warm color to a cool-toned outfit, or vice versa. My summer go-to accessory? These neon pink Kendra Scott 'Danielle' earrings. They are bright, bold and FABULOUS.

• Dress it up from day to night :: I'm all about an outfit being versatile enough to go from day into night. During the day, pair with a flat sandal or a flip flop. Then take your look into nighttime by switching to a wedge and amping up your accessories. Add a white jean jacket for those cool nights, like this one from GAP.

Other accessories pictured ::

Kendra Scott Cassie Bracelet in white

Kendra Scott Jordan Bangle Bracelets in gold

Vince Camuto Rose Gold Watch

So amp up your casual tee + shorts look this summer. It doesn't have to look thrown on and tired. Use these tips to keep your casual comfort while looking chic and put-together!

stay stylishly patriotic this 4th of July!

The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and today I'm bringing you some outfit inspiration to stay true to the red, white & blue in style! Whether you're headed to a backyard barbecue, the lake or beach, or a fireworks show in the park, you can ditch the Old Navy flag tees from 1990 {yes, you know what I'm talking about! Don't act like your family of 4 never did the matching Old Navy tee move on the 4th of July...}

How about pulling the colors together in a simple, non-cheesy way? Not only are these pieces great for your 4th celebrations, but they are classic staples that will remain versatile in your closet for the rest of the summer ::

 Here's how you can get the look ::

Stay cool, stylish + patriotic this 4th of July!

beachy keen :: summer beach necessities

It's officially summer and we have been reminded of that with these sweltering {miserable!} temps in Atlanta. The kids are out of school, and that beach trip of your's may just be right around the corner! Today we're bringing you some simple beach necessities that will keep you cool, effortlessly stylish & beach-ready ::

1. WHITE, LIGHT + AIRY BUTTONDOWN {like this one, from Anthropologie}
2. CASUAL DENIM SHORT {like these, by Rebecca Taylor}
3. TASSEL NECKLACE {like the Rayne necklace, by Kendra Scott}
4. JEWELED SANDAL {like these, from JCrew}
5. WEEKENDER BAG {like this elephant print, by Stella & Dot}
6. STRAW HAT {like this one, from JCrew}
7. BRIGHTENING CC CREAM by Painted Earth {I use this everyday!}
8. THE PERFECT BEACH TOWEL {like this "Hello Sunshine" from Wayfair}

Now that you're beach-ready, all that's left to do is grab your favorite book, pack up and go!

GIVEAWAY TIME ::

What's your favorite beach read? I'd love for you to share... Comment below and you'll be entered to win my favorite Brightening CC Cream from Painted Earth! Put it on under your makeup everyday and brighten your complexion while protecting your face from the sun at the same time. Use it as your facial sunscreen at the beach and give yourself a flawless face while beaching it!

friday feature :: the romper

Happy Friday, y'all! It's the weekend and I'm giving you the perfect weekend piece :: the romper. It's like a dress with shorts. What could be better? No worrying about showing anyone your *panties,* it's figure-flattering and fashion-forward. I especially love how you can take a romper from day to night and make it more versatile. Throw it on with a pair of flats and a long necklace during the day, then amp it up with some wedges, a statement necklace & clutch at night!

Many of you think you can't pull it off. I promise, you can. Being able to rock a romper is all about finding the perfect one. You have to make sure you will be COMFORTABLE in it, or you'll never wear it. Find one that accentuates your waist and has shorts that are long enough for your body and age. If this is your first go at a romper,  go with a black. It's slimming and you won't feel as much out of your comfort zone.

I've sported the romper a few times this season so far, with many more to come {my apologies for the poor photo quality... Instagram pictures somehow aren't as pretty & arsty when you blow them up ;)}!

Some chambray options. A more casual approach to the romper ::

Some LBR options for you. Some prefer a sleeveless, while many of you may prefer to keep your arms more covered if you're showing off your legs ::

So rock your romper this weekend! You'll be looking effortlessly chic, fashion-forward and a little bit sexy all at once!

Have a stylish & fabulous weekend. Until Monday!

cover up in style this summer!

Happy Thursday! Although it's a little dreary in Atlanta, we're talking about our favorite cover-ups for some fun in the sun this summer! What is your favorite swimsuit without a fabulous cover-up to enhance it? Here are our picks to help you stay stylish at the pool or beach this summer ::

So cover up in style this summer! I hope you'll be enjoying some fun in the sun soon.

Until tomorrow!