the ultra-cheapy lbd

Happy Friday! Today we're talking about the LBD because, well, it's Friday. If you've got fun weekend plans with your girls or your man, the LBD might be in your future. And the best news for all you bargain shoppers and deal hunters? This one won't break the bank. It comes in at UNDER $20 {$17.80 to be exact}. "But Courtney," you might say, "if it's under $20, there is no way it is made well." To which I would answer, "You're probably right." Let's be honest, we all know the quality of Forever 21 doesn't rival Neiman's or Nordy's, but we also know that sometimes we need to grab that cheap little number for a certain occasion, and this fits the bill.

You can dress it up or down, layer with a cardigan, blazer or vest into the fall and add tights and boots in the winter. It's a year-round dress with a flattering cut at the shoulders and high neckline, and although it's a shift dress, it's fitted enough that you won't feel the need to belt it.

One of my favorite go-to statement pendants, the Stella & Dot Phoenix pairs perfectly with this neckline. It also transitions seamlessly from summer, to fall, to winter to spring.

Top it off with a leopard clutch and your favorite heels or booties, and you're ready to go!

 I'll be transitioning this LBD into the fall, so stay tuned for more versatile ways to wear it from season to season!

Wishing you a fun + stylish weekend ahead, whatever your plans may be!

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!

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!

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!

my FAVORITE go-to necklace

Happy Friday, y'all! Today let's talk about my favorite necklace. This necklace screams my name every time I open my jewelry box, and it's no wonder why. It's versatile, neutral, fun and sophisticated. Enter, the fabulous, timeless and perfect PEGASUS.

I'm not kidding when I say I wear this several times a week. And with a not-so-cheap pricetag, I have TOTALLY gotten my money's worth. It goes with everything, from day to night, from casual to formal.

See? I told you I wear it all the time ::

...the Pegasus really has it all! If you're looking for the perfect neutral and versatile addition to your jewelry wardrobe, look no further. I can promise you WON'T regret it!

Wishing you all a happy, stylish weekend ahead! Until next week...

spotlight :: Peter Pilotto for Target

Happy Wednesday! I hope all of you had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend with family and friends. Thank you to all of the men and women who sacrifice for our freedom!

Today, as I'm getting back into the groove of things, I'm highlighting the Peter Pilotto for Target line. These edgy, bold patterns are perfect for summer and only need minimal accessorizing. Here's a Peter Pilotto dress I scored on clearance for $11.88. And now, all of the Peter Pilotto line is now on clearance on Target's website so you can score some great deals!

Here are some summer favorites {for CHEAP!} on the Target website ::

So there you have it... The bold & spunky Peter Pilotto line for Target, all at clearance prices! That's a way to try a new fashion statement without breaking the bank. And, stay tuned for this Peter Pilotto look to be featured on Style Under 40.

Tomorrow, I'm talking about the summer sweater!

Until then - stay stylish,

Menswear Monday :: Suiting Guidelines

When it comes to suits, some men are very lost. Let's start with the basic guideline :: Fit is EVERYTHING. It doesn't matter how expensive your suit is, if it doesn't fit correctly it is going to look sloppy. So here are some rules to follow when you're suiting up ::

1) Fit - Your pants should be a "slimfit." This means that they shouldn't have any bulkiness or bunching excess fabric. This only gives the illusion of added weight. The shoulders should be narrow, and the waist nipped.

2) Length - Trousers should be hemmed to reach the top of a standard dress shoe. Your socks should not show, and you should not have bagginess around your ankles. This gives a sloppy, unprofessional look. Your suit jacket should come down to the first knuckle on your thumb. If your jacket is too short, you will look heavier through the middle.

3) No contrast stitching. Visible stitching on a suit is okay, as long as it is subtle and the same tone as the actual suit. Contrast stitching looks cheap!

4) Pinstripes :: If you're going for the pinstripe, choose a subtle and understated stripe. A pinstripe that is visible up close, but barely recognizable from afar is a good choice.

5) Watches :: Never pair a sporty or plastic watch with your suit. Save it for your evening run or weekend activities.

6) Don't over-accessorize. A tie bar, pocket square and lapel pin are not necessary! A rule of thumb -- choose two of the three at most.

7) Camel vs Brown :: If you have the choice between a chocolate brown and a camel / sandy tan suit, go for the tan. It will prove to be more versatile and flow between seasons more effortlessly.

8) Polka Dots :: When wearing polka dots, make sure they are big enough to be recognizable and seen, but not so big that they look goofy and cartoon-like.

So follow these guidelines the next time you're suiting up or shopping for a new suit. You can be sure you're doing it right!

Stylishly Yours

The Swing Dress

As the temperatures here in Atlanta reach the 60's and spring is approaching {wishful thinking!}, I wanted to discuss a spring staple in my closet. Enter, the swing dress. I love this classic and casual dress that is versatile enough to dress up or down. I like to call it the "daytime dress." So many of us have the little black dress and others that we pull out for cocktail parties, dinners out and more. But what about a daytime dress? I'm thinking the swing dress fits the bill this spring. It has a girly, classic shape and can be accessorized in almost any way. Here are a few examples, many from one of my favorite online shopping sites - asos.com {if you haven't been to this site, they always have great deals and totally unique pieces!}::

1) ASOS Swing Dress in Knit - pair with a bright patterned scarf, like the Stella & Dot Wild Hearts

 

2) Carmina Halter Swing Dress - I love this pretty shade of pink. Take it from day to night with a white blazer, and belt to draw in the shape a bit

3) Anthropologie Savant Swing Dress - I love this for a casual day of errands, lunch, or whatever your day might bring you. Simple black and white stripes make this an effortless look. Just pair it with a long necklace like this Makena Pendant Necklace. Pairing a blousy dress or top with a long necklace as opposed to a short one will draw the eye up and down, creating a slimming effect.

4) ASOS Swing Dress in Paisley - This pattern is so much fun. Dress it up or down with booties or heels. It doesn't need much in terms of accessorizing, just a simple long necklace like my favorite Rebel Pendant, and you're good to go!

5) ASOS Vero Moda Swing Dress - This casual fabric is perfect for almost any activity, and the dark color allows it to be taken from casual to dressy in no time. Pair with a leopard belt, and dress it up with a black pump at night.

So will you be adding a swing dress to your closet? I'll be posting some real outfit photos of swing dress ideas on Instagram and Facebook, so be sure to follow along!

As for now, I'm headed to sunny Florida so I won't be blogging for a few days! But you can keep up-to-date on my beach-chic outfits through social media, as always.

Wishing you a happy & stylish week!

xoxo.

Valentine's Favorites

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and we're sharing some of our favorites for the day of love! Whether you're single or taken, Valentine's Day calls for all things red & pink. What more could a woman ask for? From clothing, to nails, to accessories, we've got you covered! Here are a few LIFE{styled} favorites ::

Alice + Olivia Bryant Printed Silk Shirt

OPI Big Apple Red Polish

Kate Spade Fair Maiden Stacy Wallet

Stella & Dot Sardinia Pendant

Fringe Scarf, Steffen Schraut

Kate Spade Studs, Flo Pink

Fuchsia Scalloped Flats {these will be making an appearance in my wardrobe VERY soon!}

Red Swing Dress

We hope you have a Happy Heart Day! Wishing you lots of love & style!

XOXO,

the look :: for less

It may be snowy in Atlanta, but we've got spring on our minds! Case in point, these springy floral dresses that make you happy just looking at them. In today's "The Look for Less," we'll show you which is a style steal!

#1 :: Anthropologie Quinby Dress. This dress is flowy and effortlessly chic. Perfect to throw on with some sandals, wedges or even boots. As we inch our way into spring, pair with a military jacket, cardigan or blazer ontop and add your favorite gold jewelry. We are loving the bold floral pattern and colors on this. It rings in at $168.

And, onto #2 :: Sightsee for Yourself Dress from Modcloth. This also features a bold floral pattern in beautiful colors, but we are loving the neckline on this dress even more than the Quinby. Fashion tip :: A v-neck is more universally-flattering on various body types than a crewneck or boatneck. So, at nearly 1/3 the price, why not "spring" for this lovely?

As always, if you'd like us to find you a particular look for less, just comment below or shoutout on facebook or instagram using the hashtag #lookforless

Stay tuned tomorrow for our Friday Feature!

Stylishly Yours,