Fun and different hostess gifts!

This time of year is filled with many social events...cocktail and dinner parties, BBQ's, birthday parties...the list goes on! So, you not only need several outfits, but you also need hostess gifts! Most of us just grab a bottle of wine as we run out the door (one that was probably given to us when we hosted a dinner party!). So, why not step outside the box and give a different and unique hostess gift?

I went on two of my favorite websites: shopbop.com and amazon.com (who doesn't love quick delivery?) and found so many great gifts! My favorite is the Orbit key finder...how often do you misplace your keys? Other great finds include: table book, lipstick mug, hand cream, turkish hand towels, avacado slicer, fun magnets and post it notes! All of these items can also be paired with a nice candle and/or a bottle of wine!

All blog photography by Monika de Myer Photography

I love jumpsuits!

I really love jumpsuits. They are such a nice alternative to a cocktail dress and also a perfect weekend, casual look! When it comes to jumpsuits, I look for a few key things before I'm ready to hand over my credit card. 1) does it have pockets??...I LOVE pockets. 2) Color: I always buy jumpsuits in a neutral color: navy, black or white = longevity! 3) It has to be a little different than the others in my closet!

I found this great jumpsuit on tobi.com. I loved it immediately because it not only had pockets, but it was navy too! And as a total surprise and bonus...this strapless jumpsuit comes with straps! So, you can wear it two different ways. I kept the accessories simple and in the blue color scheme. Shoes: Malone Souliers,  handbag: Rebecca Minkoff (great price point!) and earrings: Gorjana.

One Dress - 3 different ways!

How many times have you bought a dress for a certain occasion such as a bridal shower or school function...the list goes on, and you never wear the dress again? What a waste! So, today I chose one dress that works 3 different ways:  WORK, a NIGHT OUT, and on the WEEKEND!

Goodbye to the days of wearing a suit to work. Nowadays, women have so many more options! I fell in love with this Rebecca Taylor dress the second I saw it. It's sophisticated, but fun and girly at the same time.  As a work look, I paired the dress with a low Michael Kors navy espadrille, navy gorjana tassel earrings and a navy August Designs tote!

For a night out, all you have to do is make the accessories a little bit dressier. Swap out the espadrilles for sandals with an acrylic heel, add a gold chain navy August Designs bag and Anthropologie drop earrings!

Finally, the weekend look....I'm loving the wrap up flat sandals this season, especially in the super on-trend blush color! Then add simple stud earrings and a Foley & Corinna crossybody bag and you are set for brunch on Saturday!!

Best casual dress EVER!

With the weather getting warm- 90's in NJ in May?!?- I am on the search for light-weight and comfortable summer dresses. I finally found one that met all of my criteria: loose fitting, but not a tent...and flattering!

The dress is from tobi.com and sold at an awesome price point. I put a white tank top under it for a layering look. Final touches...these great flatforms (so comfortable you'll want to run in them!), a Botkier back pack, which I love because it frees my hands to carry the 20 other things and simple drop earrings from Anthropologie!

Simple Black Skirt

I was recently invited to a cocktail party and I really wanted to wear a new black skirt I had bought. But the cocktail party was outside and more on the casual side. So, how could I wear my new black skirt and not look too dressy? The answer: pair it with a white tank top!

I found this super cute black high-waisted skirt (with inverted pleats) on Tobi. Tobi is an amazing women's clothing site for a wide range of ages and with great price points too! To dress down the skirt, I wore my fave white Athleta tank top and black sandals (similar). Final touches - pink tassel earrings from Bauble Bar (for that pop of color) and a Star Mela straw clutch from Shop Bop. Super easy look that is put together and chic!