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!

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!

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...

working girl wednesday :: breathable summer tops

It's Working Girl Wednesday! You'll have to pardon my little hiatus from this topic the past few weeks. But nevertheless, we're back and ready to give you some breathable summer top tips as the temperatures rise! Many of you work in office environments where they crank up the AC to arctic levels in the summer. You want to dress for that, but then you are drenched by the time you get to your {also hot} car. Wearing a breathable fabric can make all the difference. Try a sleeveless or short-sleeved top like the ones below, then throw on a cardigan or a blazer once you get inside the office.

Another trick? A peep toe, although only exposing a slight bit of your feet, is WAY more breathable than a closed-toe pump.

Always look for a silky fabric that doesn't wrinkle when picking out work tops. A heavy cotton or anything that hugs and clings to you is only going to eliminate breathability and make you.  hotter. Linen looks great, but be careful when you wear it! The car ride to work could leave you wrinkled and unpolished for the rest of the day.

Hope these workwear tips help you during this hot summer ahead!

Stylishly Yours,

Courtney

working girl wednesday :: the nude shoe

Happy Hump Day! Today I'm talking to all you working women about the perfect spring/summer shoe for the workplace. A nude shoe is the perfect color for warmer months, goes with everything and is classically chic. Whether you prefer a wedge, a pump or a flat, go nude this spring! Don't darken and dull your outfit with a black or brown shoe; brighten it up with a nude hue.

Here's what I mean when I say "nude" ::

Here are a few of my favorite nude shoes for all tastes & styles ::

I don't know about you, but my nude wedges will be my go-to shoe for the spring and summer when I need a neutral.

Stay tuned tomorrow for an exclusive Spring Giveaway featuring Painted Earth Cosmetics! You won't want to miss out.

Until then,

Courtney

Back to Reality with Emerald Accessories

After a much needed vacation to Deer Valley, Utah, it's back from my blogging hiatus and into reality! We had a great time skiing in perfect weather with wonderful friends, but I am excited to get back into the swing of things.

While Wednesday would normally be "Working Girl" focused, since we left off there last week I'm going to change it up a bit. In the spirit of Saint Patrick's Day at the beginning of the week, I'm sharing my favorite emerald green accessories that you can use to add the perfect pop of color to your spring wardrobe!

I love emerald because it is a bright tone that is still classic and elegant. It looks great with virtually any color, especially navy, white and corals/fuchsias. It is the perfect addition to your spring outfits, from work to play, day to night.

Who doesn't love a fabulous statement necklace? Statement necklaces can really take your outfit from "drab" to "fab" {pardon the cheesy cliche}. These are no exception to that rule ::

I'm loving the peacock tones in this necklace... Emerald and cobalt are the perfect color combination ::

This cuff is perfect for layering with other bangles, bracelets and watches ::

Love a good statement earring? These picks won't leave your ears {or your style} lacking! ::

I am loving these fun studs incorporating a little more of a minty green. ::

Last but not least, you can never go wrong with a chandelier earring. These are a bit more muted shade of green, for those of you who prefer pastels & paler colors ::

What are your favorite emerald accessories this season? We'd love to see how you style them & hear your feedback!

Until tomorrow, stay stylish!

Friday Feature :: The LIFEstyled Launch Event

Hello, fellow fashionistas and Happy Friday! Today I'm sharing some photos from a our fabulous launch party last Thursday. This served as an official kick-off for LIFEstyled and we had so much fun celebrating with clients, family and friends. Andrew Klein of Sam Sniper played some awesome music, the talented Kathryn McCrary did her thing and provided us with these lovely photos, and we had so many generous sponsors : Winter Wren & 310 Rosemont Boutiques, Tweeds Mens Shop , Britt Bass Turner art & Onward Reserve. We had a great turnout, with over 65 guests attending to mingle at The Wrecking Bar in Atlanta with cocktails & bites and learn more about LIFEstyled.

  

  

  

 

 

  

  

  

  

  

 

A great night was had by all! Thank you to all those who came, and for your support of this company that I so believe in!

Thursday's Tip :: Tone on Tone

Try mixing it up in your wardrobe without having to shop :: The tone-on-tone look. Pair some of your similarly-toned pieces together. Tone on tone can be done with a shirt and a necklace, cardigan & shirt, etc. Simply choose a piece in your closet that you like the color of, and then choose an accessory that has the same tone, yet not in the exact same shade. {i.e., a turquoise sweater with a pale turquoise/mint necklace, or a pale purple blouse with a plum blazer}

Courtney did this with the Pantone Color of 2014, Radiant Orchid. Styling an orchid dress with a darker-toned cardigan is one way of rocking the tone on tone look ::

Here are some other tone-on-tone looks to inspire you ::

What are your favorite tone-on-tone looks? We'd love to hear from you. You can hashtag #toneontone on social media and tag us, @lifestyledatlanta on Instagram or visit our facebook page.

Wishing you a stylish Thursday! The weekend is almost here!

The Oscars :: Best & Worst Dressed

The Red Carpet is by far the best part of any awards show... {Well, for the Oscars, Ellen as a host comes in as a very close second} I absolutely love seeing the Red Carpet looks for the Oscars... So much glamour and elegance. So many trainwrecks.

Here are some of my picks for BEST & WORST dressed at the Oscars ::

BEST -- Kate Hudson

I love everything about this dress :: The cut, the fit, the neckline and the draping. It is perfect for her. The plunging neckline is flattering on her small chest, and the rusching around the midsection adds detailing and shape to her boyish figure.

BEST -- Olivia Wilde

Proof that you really can never go wrong with an LBD! How cute do Olivia and her baby bump look in this black gown?! I love how simple and elegant this look is, and the neckline works perfectly on her. Also, I'm loving the pockets!

WORST -- Liza Minelli

I just don't even know what is going on here. Jumpsuits are tough to pull off. And when you are that age, and that short, you just can't do it. The fabric choice is wrong and everything is drapey and bulky on her short figure.

WORST -- Chrissy Teigen

I've never been the biggest fan of black and pink patterns. To me it usually looks cheap, unless it's a little black dress with hot pink accessories. This dress is no exception. I don't like the pattern, the colors or the fabric.

BEST -- Naomi Watts

I am loving the simplicity of this white gown. The embellished collar is amazing, the fabric is perfect and I love the cap sleeves. Naomi can pull this off perfectly with her ultra-slim frame. It is a win-win!

BEST -- Emma Watson

Edgy and elegant -- two words that always describe Emma Watson and this look is no exception. The a-line is perfectly figure-flattering and I love the contrast between the top and the bottom. The top is all edge, bottom all elegance. Love!

WORST -- Sarah Paulson

This color - is just wrong! When you have such a fair complexion, you should never opt for a color that is virtually the same. She is totally washed out and blending in with the dress. Maybe if it were a different color it would be different. But then again, maybe not.

BEST -- Jennifer Lawrence

Who doesn't love Jennifer Lawrence? She is quirky, fun and shows us a side of normalcy in Hollywood. I'm loving this peplum red dress on her. It flatters her shape nicely and accentuates her curves. I kind of wish the top were a sweetheart shape, but I wouldn't know until I saw it! The straight-across neckline might be best for her shoulders and chest. Either way, she looks stunning and did everything right with this one!

What about you? Do you agree? Disagree? Feel free to share the looks you were loving, and not-so-much!