how to wear sneakers with a dress

while this isn't a new trend for 2017, pairing sneakers with a

dress is somewhat new to me! i have always enjoyed

wearing my beloved white converse with various dresses and skirts.

however, it was not until recently that i felt

comfortable (or perhaps confident enough) wearing

athletic-looking sneakers with anything other than active wear;

in my mind, sneakers were meant to be worn to the gym,

but clearly, i have been missing out! 

of course, sneakers may not be appropriate with all

dresses (or subsequently, in all environments). a cocktail party, for 

example, would require a more formal shoe. additionally, when

attending a meeting with my supervisor, i trade in my sneakers

for a ballet flat or ankle boot.

disclosure: brooks graciously provided us with the sneakers

photographed in this post. all opinions are my own!

a few weekends ago, jenn (fellow blogger and friend from

 hello rigby) and i spent an afternoon in the city and styled our 

sneakers two ways: the first was a casual look (blogged here), and 

today, we are back wearing our brooks heritage

shoes with a dressier outfit in mind. we had fun collaborating!

putting these outfits together, and seeing the way jenn wore

her shoes, provided me with a few ideas on how else

i can style my sneakers -- hello sneakers with rompers, 

floral shorts, etc. etc.

^^^ great minds think alike --

pink sneakers call for matching pink bags! ^^^

when putting together this outfit, i wanted the focus

to be my shoes. thus, i avoided a printed dress (as i thought

it might look too busy and/or distracting), and chose a simple white, 

lace dress. unfortunately, i purchased this dress last season, but i have

seen similar styles in a variety of department stores this year. the dress

is feminine, and the sporty sneakers are a fun addition!

whether you're a new or longtime brooks lover, be

sure to order these ice cream inspired sneakers (or other

heritage style shoes) soon, as they are returning to the vault! this 

line was released to celebrate brooks' 100 year anniversary.

they will be available in store and online until they're sold out.

i am currently lusting after a few different pairs, as they're comfortable,

 affordable, and can seemingly be worn with anything!

 exploring upper queen anne required a stop at

top pot doughnuts for iced coffee, followed by a smoothie date

to emerald city smoothie. peaches and greens (complete with 

peach, spinach, banana, almonds and chia) 

is my go-to drink!

photos by karya schanilec photography

  on megan: 

dress: old navy (last year), denim jacket: asos,

purse: zara (exact here), sneakers: c/o brooks (exact here)

on jenn:

jumpsuit: sears, jacket: autumn olive boutique,

scarf: vintage (thrifted via value village),

purse: kate spade, sunglasses: foster grant via fred meyer,

sneakers: c/o brooks (exact here)

are you a fan of sneakers with dressier clothing items?
don't be afraid to pair your favorite spring dresses,
skirts and rompers with sneakers; it adds a fun pop
to your outfit and will keep you comfortable while enjoying
other springtime activities -- on my ever-growing bucket list
this year? a visit to the tulip festival, attending a
taco truck showdown, and of course, frequent outdoor walks.

how do you typically style your casual shoes?
be sure to stop by jenn's blog to see her full look here.

xoxo.

i'm a fan, a simon g. fan!

one of the things i most enjoy about blogging, is the creative

process that takes place behind my blog. being a fashion and lifestyle blogger is

 more than simply snapping a few good photographs, writing copy, and hitting 

the 'publish' button on my computer screen. 

it is a process that requires innovation, diligence, research, as well as

writing and editing, maintaining a professional relationship with 

brands, and of course, representing (and staying true to) yourself 

on your little corner of the internet. 

between brainstorming potential content, photo shoots, writing and 

editing, publishing one post takes a great deal of time. however, i greatly 

enjoy every aspect of the creative process; in fact, if i could blog full-time, i would!

additionally, i love the thrill and challenge that often accompanies coming up 

with new content to share with my readers. today's post, for example, is different

from my usual outfit post. instead of a new dress or pair of shoes, 

i am styling two diamond engagement rings from robbins brothers, 

the engagement ring store.

the first robbins brothers store opened in 1995 in fullerton, california. 

they now have 15 locations in texas, arizona and washington (our

local stores can be found in downtown seattle and bellevue). 

while i am not engaged (a girl can dream!), i simply could not pass up 

the opportunity to borrow and style a few diamond engagement rings on my 

blog. the rings i am sharing are by designer, simon g. 

'in simon g.'s modern workshops, the most innovative designs 

are born and then developed into superbly crafted, award-winning 

pieces of jewelry.'

source

simon g. 18k white gold halo diamond engagement ring

simon g. 18k white gold diamond engagement ring

#RobbinsBrothersRings #ImASimonGFan

photos by elizabeth kathryn photography

simon g.'s diamond engagement ring designs are absolutely stunning!

i was drawn to the more classic, halo styles and love how seemingly bold, 

yet delicate both engagement rings (and the accompanying wedding band)

felt on my hand.

simon g. (short for simon ghanimian) began setting diamonds upon
moving to the united states. while striving to earn and save money to
attend college, he sold his jewelry door to door.
simon now works with designers all over the world, and his unique,
hand-crafted jewelry and engagement rings are sold in over 900 locations.
simon's passion for jewelry design is seemingly tangible -
just try on one of his pieces!

^^^ wedding season is in full swing around here! ^^^

i have had the pleasure of attending five weddings this summer
(with two more on the calendar!) and have several newly engaged friends.
love and friendship and engagement rings are on my mind -
i greatly enjoy celebrating the love a couple shares at engagement parties,
bridal showers, and of course, the actual wedding ceremony.

all this talk of true love and marriage has me scouring the robbins brothers website.
if you are planning (or hoping!) to get engaged, the staff at
 robbins brothers are kind, supportive and knowledgeable about engagement and
wedding rings. and of course, be sure to try on some of simon g.'s gorgeous
engagement ring styles!
xoxo.

**this is a sponsored post. robbins brothers graciously
lent me the above rings to share in this post. all opinions
are my own!

dressing comfortably while looking stylish!

...it's chilly, but not quite cold enough for a jacket...

...i want to wear leggings as pants, but need to cover my bum...

...i can't wear a sweatshirt to work...

...i want to try this fashion trend...

...it's seemingly comparable to wearing a blanket, but a fashionable blanket...

...i need a layering piece...

...seattle weather is very unpredictable. you never know 

when you'll need a hood...

...i ate too many cookies after dinner last night (post dinner food baby)...

...it's terribly picturesque... 

just a few reasons you need this poncho in your closet to wear

at the most opportune time (like today when you need to hide the fact that you had 

one too many slices of birthday cake over the weekend... or was that just me?). 

other peoples polyester (OPP), founded and designed by malia peoples, 

is a local and handmade clothing line featuring ponchos, cardigans and soft accessories.

malia was born in hawaii and raised right here, in the pacific northwest. 

her line is inspired by vintage silhouettes and eclectic patterns, japanese street fashion, 

and the comfortable (and practical) style of a seattle fashionista. 

i kept my outfit relatively simple today, as i wanted

the poncho to be my statement piece. i love these distressed skinny

jeans, as they're incredibly stretchy. because they're such a dark grey color (seemingly black), 

they can be paired with almost any blouse or top. my cowl neck tee is 

also from sassafras. with summer just around the corner, it was time to dig out all my favorite

open toed shoes and sandals for the season. i bought these dolce vita studded 

sandals several years ago and am eager to pair them with my shorts and dresses. 

hair & makeup by sharell katelynn; photos by jenna lynn photography

poncho: other peoples polyester (borrowed from sassafras), jeans: american eagle,

top, rings & earrings: borrowed from sassafras,

sandals: dolce vita (old), bracelets: urban outfitters & forever 21

other peoples polyester is available at sassafras, located in belltown.

sassafras is one of my favorite boutiques for unique, handmade pieces.

the clothing and accessories are absolutely beautiful, and several of the designers

are based in the store (crafting their gorgeous items in belltown!). 

in case you missed it, be sure to check out my other collaboration

with sassafras (and designer, boho republic) here!

xoxo.

**this is a sponsored post. all opinions are my own! 

casual chic with boho republic

happy wednesday, everyone! this week has seemingly flown by (thank goodness!), 

and i think it's because i feel refreshed and content after a family trip. my mom,

dad and i went to visit my younger brother, nick, where he attends college in 

martin, tennessee. nick plays baseball in martin, so we had the pleasure of 

attending two of his final games as a college athlete; it was bittersweet!

my parents and i have been watching him play for eighteen years. they won 

both games, and we could not have been more proud.

nick's baseball career started at a very young age - i remember him using 

my fisher price toy kitchen oven mitt as a baseball glove. he would scoot around on the floor, 

chasing after his plush baseball. and to see the dedicated and immensely

talented athlete he has become is incredibly rewarding!

we arrived home from tennessee on monday, just in time for me to share

this fun collaboration with local, seattle boutique, sassafras.

i first discovered sassafras, located in belltown, a few years back.

they feature locally and handmade clothing and accessories. the styles and designs

are very pacific northwest - i love shopping here! 

the dress i am wearing is boho republic. boho republic is a casual, chic lifestyle

brand that's about 'looking your best every day, not just on special occasions.'

source

boho republic is designed right here in seattle, and all items 

are handmade in the united states.

i absolutely love the 70s-inspired print and silhouette of this dress!

it's incredibly comfortable and versatile. 

pockets are always a win for me, and the tapered waist is both elegant and flattering.

i wanted the focus of this outfit to be my dress. 

thus, i paired it with simple, brown ankle boots, earrings, and of 

course, a statement ring! this dress can easily transition from spring to fall or winter.

simply layer your opaque tights, a blazer or knit cardigan, and 

a necklace for a day at the office or an evening out.

hair & makeup by sharell katelynn; photos by jenna lynn photography 

dress: boho republic (borrowed from sassafras), boots: lucky brand (exact here),

earrings & ring: borrowed from sassafras

if you're loving this boho republic dress as much as i am, the third annual 

spring preview and sample sale is taking place this week! shop boho republic

may 19th-22nd, with a champagne reception thursday, may 19th from 5:00-7:00pm

at sassafras (2307 first avenue, seattle, washington). 

you can see additional information about this event, as well as upcoming

events here. happy shopping!

xoxo.

**this is a sponsored post. all opinions are my own! 

the perfect transitional piece

happy sunday, everyone! what have you been up to this weekend?

i'm enjoying the sunshine, going for a walk around green lake, drinking

far too much iced coffee, and meeting up with the girlfriends for a pizza date.

today i'm sharing how to transition this adorable printed tunic, from local boutique, 

lika love, from day to night. with a few simple changes, your outfit can go 

from daytime casual to nighttime chic!

for a morning coffee date and errands, i wore my favorite light-wash chambray,

shorts, and comfortable flats. this fringe bag is the perfect statement piece

(it's practical, too and can fit all my junk - wallet, keys, phone, chapstick, gum

and a granola bar or two).

photos by jenna lynn photography

my gorgeous friend, malika, owner of lika love (and total #girlboss),

shows how to style the same tunic for an evening out. 

simply throw on your go-to leggings, heels, and leather jacket.

to accessorize, malika paired her favorite coral clutch and statement necklace. 

a bold lip color ties her outfit together. 

what we're wearing

on megan

tunic: lika love (exact here)

chambray: lika love (exact here)

shorts: lika love (similar here)

bag: lika love

rings: lika love and leia beila (similar here)

flats: thrifted (via goodwill)

on malika

tunic: lika love (exact here)

vegan leather jacket: lika love (exact here)

leggings: lika love (exact here)

necklace and clutch: lika love

we had so much fun styling and shooting these photos together!

our printed tunic is the perfect transitional piece, 

and i can't wait to wear it with my ripped skinny jeans and sandals

as the weather gets a bit warmer. 

xoxo.

fuchsia handmade shoes

hello spring! though wet, it was surprisingly warm 

in seattle this past weekend. i said goodbye (temporarily) to my wool jacket and 

down puffer coat to enjoy a walk at coulon memorial beach park. 

it was fun to dig through my closet and find brighter colors, 

a lightweight sweater, and finally try out my fuchsia handmade shoes.

fuchsia graciously sent me their 'orchid' ballet flats, and i couldn't wait to style them!

sweater: gap, skirt: peridot boutique, necklace & handbag: thrifted (via a local estate sale),

flats: fuchsia handmade shoes (c/o), lipstick: kat von d everlasting liquid lipstick (exact here)

photos by elizabeth kathryn photography

fuchsia handmade shoes started in order to introduce this pakistan-style 

ballet flat to the local, western fashionista. each shoe is hand crafted (over the course of

several weeks) with special attention to the colorful fabric, creative details 

and intricate embroidery. the heel and outsole are leather, and there is an additional

pad inside to shoe for comfort. i wore my fuchsia flats throughout the day,

and my feet felt supported and comfortable, despite a great deal of walking.

knowing how much love, creativity and craftsmanship goes into 

each pair of fuchsia handmade shoes makes wearing them feel extra special!

i am currently lusting after these adorable sandals and this pair of flats, too.

fuchsia launched a campaign this week to expand their production process, 

and with your help, fuchsia hopes to hire additional craftsmen, cut down on 

delivery time and take their small business to the next level. 

you can learn more about the campaign and how to contribute to fuchsia's efforts here.

as the spring weather continues to make an appearance in seattle, 

i look forward to styling my fuchsia ballet flats with dresses, denim, and 

all things colorful. be sure to visit their website to see additional shoe colors and 

styles, and happy shopping!

xoxo. 

**this is a sponsored post. fuchsia handmade shoes graciously

provided me with the 'orchid' ballet flat to style in this post. all photos

and opinions are my own!

happy valentine's day, with cupcakes!

^^^ cheers! with cupcakes, of course! ^^^

happy valentine's day, everyone! 

today i'm collaborating with my favorite, asa of 

lace & pearls. we shared a casual holiday-inspired look earlier this week,

and today we are back with cupcakes, tutus, and all things girly!

while i love any excuse to purchase and eat cupcakes (ours are

from here), this year, i'm looking forward to a more laid back, relaxing day.

i like the idea of celebrating 'love' and plan to remind those most important 

to me that i love and appreciate them!

and now, for our outfits -

when planning this shoot, asa and i opted for a more dressy, feminine theme.

then came the idea to wear tutus; i love how well our looks came together,

and both would be perfect for a dinner date, night out 

with girlfriends, or a visit to your favorite, local cupcake shop!

what we're wearing

on megan

sweater: forever 21

tutu (dress worn as a skirt): target (old)

necklace: francesca's (similar here)

flats & purse: thrifted (via goodwill)

rings: endless knot

on asa

sweater: ann taylor (similar here)

tutu: club monaco (similar here)

broach: vintage

rings: gorjana & nadri

bracelet: j.crew (old)

purse: old navy (similar here)

shoes: dr. scholl's (exact here)

^^^ prior to this shoot, i wanted to purchase a red handbag and

some other fun, valentine's-inspired accessories. i visited my local

seattle goodwill, and they didn't disappoint! i absolutely love this purse

and patent, pointed toe ballet flats. when the total cost for both was less than $20, 

my bank account was thrilled, too (!!!)! ^^^

photos by michelle dorman photography

this was probably one of my favorite outfit shoots

to date! snacking on desserts while taking photos may have helped, too :) 

be sure to visit asa's blog to see additional photos.

and happy valentine's day everyone; i love you!

xoxo.