Summer Love Designs!!

I am always looking for new and fun jewelry lines, and while shopping recently in Athleta in Morristown I found one, called Summer Love Designs (they were holding a pop up shop that day)!! I immediately found 10 things I wanted, grabbed their business card and called them the next day to collaborate! Their jewelry is amazing and appeals to a wide age range. The pieces are super fun and wearable, and are available at awesome price points. I brought home many pieces from their collection and my friends and 3 daughters went crazy. They wanted it all!

Here's a little back ground on how mom (Kate) and daughter (Ginger) created Summer Love Designs:

The business started back when Ginger was in 10th grade! With a need for a little pocket money and a love of fashion and all things beach, Ginger came up with the idea for some cute affordable jewelry that girls her age could actually afford. Four years later the business is still going strong. Keeping true to their favorite colors and light, effortless easy to wear looks - the jewelry collection works for all seasons! Over the years their age bracket has increased as the moms of these girls wanted in on the trend, and their line now even includes some more formal pieces. Ginger is now a sophomore at High Point University majoring in entrepreneurship. She is looking forward to growing the business for many years to come....and continuing to do what she loves....being creative and making jewelry!

LWD - "Little White Dress"

There's nothing better than a cute white dress for Summer! I loved this one because of the eyelet detail AND because it was off the shoulder (still a huge trend). This dress is perfect for day or a casual evening. I'm counting down the days until my fanny hits the beach chair and my toes are in the sand -- and i can get rid of those tan lines :-) !!

This dress is from Shopbop and at a great price point--it is the kind of piece that you will wear repeatedly throughout the Summer. I loved these Jcrew wrap sandals the minute I saw them because I knew I would not only wear them with jeans and shorts, but also with casual dresses. Accessories - my new quay sunnies from Nordstrom - super fun and on sale! And all my jewelry is from Summer Love Designs - blog on this amazing jewelry line this Thursday! This look makes me ready for warm weather, a good tan, and the beach. Thankfully, it's all around the corner!

All blog photography by Monika de Myer

Hair by Katy at Bloom Morristown

Makeup by Idalia at Bloom Morristown

(Cute) Gym Hair!

I try to work out a couple days a week and I have accrued some really cute work out clothes over the past few years. There are so many great choices out there! However, one thing that I always struggle with is what to do with my hair when I work out! My go-to is a pony tail (boring!), but I find my hair slipping out as I'm running and panting on the treadmill. And then add in the fact that I am growing out my bangs, and well, I'm a sweaty mess! So, I decided to collaborate with the very talented Katy from Bloom Morristown and share with you a great "work out hair" look and how to do it (step by step)!

Easy steps from Katy:

One thing I love to do is use dry shampoo BEFORE I work out as well as afterwards. Kerastase’s powder bluff is an instant style refresher absorbing oils for lasting blow dries. Finding a dry shampoo that doesn’t have a white residue is hard to find- thank you Kerastase!

Do a zig zag part in the back of the head and it doesn’t have to be perfect...
1. Starting on one side of the head do a 3 strand UNDERhand braid (practice a regular 3 strand that most of us know, but try to remember to go under instead of over - the final outcome looks so much more appealing! )
2. Repeat on opposite side.
3. Marry the two sections and do a ponytail.

And just like that you have cute work out hair that stays in place! Head to Bloom Morristown for great hair products, including Keratase and ask for Katy - she is a true talent!

Let's Go Mets!

When I moved to NYC after college I immediately became a Mets fan. I did get some slack from a few friends who were die hard Yankee fans, but my loyalty never wavered. So, when this nice gentleman asked to be in my photo shoot, how could I say no?? Mets fans stick together!

On a recent shopping trip with my mom (aren't those the best?!), I found this super cute dress in Madewell. At the age of almost 43 (gasp!), this dress is age appropriate (cut outs are not too big), but still young and fun. I added a pop of color with navy wood platforms from Aldo (on super duper sale!) and jewelry from Summer Love Designs (check them out on instagram and stay tuned for a blog on them!). This is the perfect Summer dress and can be dressed up or down. Mix it up with an open toe sandal (cocktail party) or flip flops (beach party).

Repeat after me: "I will not overpack"

I'm going away this weekend to FL with my 13 year daughter and my bestie to visit some great friends of ours! I'm super excited for some more vitamin D (my spring break tan has already faded) and relaxation! I have already started to pack (yup, I'm a bit type A) and my goal is to pack versatile pieces that work together in order to NOT overpack. This may sound difficult, but it really isn't! The only obstacle for me is not packing 10 pairs of shoes!

The first thing to go into my suitcase besides my bathing suit is this gorgeous Rachel Comey strapless jumpsuit from Dot Reeder in Montclair! It's really comfortable and can be worn with heels, wedges or flats. I kept the shoes neutral for this look, because these Club Monaco shoes will work with the other looks that I am packing! The multi colored lizard handbag (similar by August Designs) gives the look the texture it needs and final touches are: gorgeous necklace and earrings from Dot Reeder!

What else am I packing for my weekend get away? 

Here's a list of a few definites: Lem Lem Coverup, Levis vintage jean skirt, espadrilles, Athleta tank top (in a few colors), Aritzia overall shorts, JCrew flip flops, white jeans, PJ's and not much more!