how to wear red white and blue. 01

the fourth of july is coming and that means three things...bbq, beach, and beverages red, white, and blue! i found this chambray shirt dress in my friendship swap bag and thought it would be the perfect backdrop for pops of red and white. a subtle way to show my patriotism.

this weekend, we hiked up diamond head at high noon. it was so hot. we definitely didn't plan it that way, it just happened. it was also crowded and there was no parking on site, so we had to park far and walk. i really didn't mind the extra distance...if only it weren't so hot. super proud of mini-he; this hike was probably a bit much for him, but he made it to the top.

if you're in the US, do you rock red, white, and blue for the 4th?

how was your weekend?

ugh...more stairs! 

loved the tunnels...respite from the sun!

view from the top...did you catch it on periscope?

he made it!

(enzo angiolini shoes; gucci bag)

bohemian chic.

bohemian can mean different things depending on the individual. in general, the look gives off a romantic and free-spirited feeling. it's easy to say you want to look like nicole richie but difficult to execute, so make sure to tailor the look to suit your personal style.

here's the breakdown of my bohemian outfit:

(and ideas for creating yours)

1. a soft, flowy dress

(think gauzy dresses, soft flared denim, comfortable maxi skirts, denim cutoffs)

2. tie dye pattern and ruffled hem

(details - unconventional patterns, embellishments and embroidery, crochet insets, fringe)

3. cute sandals
(think open-toed sandals or slippers for dresses, chunky platforms for flared denim)

4. a crossbody bag

(satchels, sling bags, natural fabrics or colorful patchwork)

5. loose waves

(keep hair unfussy with natural loose waves or a messy bun, or throw in a braid or try a headscarf)

(necklaces top to bottom: kendra scott; capwell & co.; 9th & elm)

6. pile on the jewelry

(instead of one statement necklace, try layering several pieces in varying lengths; add a second or third ring)

i didn't do this last one because it's still hot here, but...

7. layer up

play around with proportions and lengths. a long scarf is just right over a tee and flared denim, cardigans and jackets layered over dresses, and kimonos over cutoffs.

i have a hard time finding bracelets that fit, so i have been loving jewelry inspired tattoos like these from flash tattoos. they are super easy to apply and last at least a week for me. after i cut the length to fit my wrist, i love using the extra on my fingers as rings. however, the rings don't last as long since i wash my hands a lot. good enough for a night out, though!

(dress via local boutique; JustFab bag;

Sole Society cooper shoes)

how would you rock a bohemian look?

try these:

stars stripes whiskey.

i'm not going to lie; i have a thing for gray tees.

long-sleeved, muscle tee, v-neck, heather gray...i can never pass up a good one. here's one i didn't have...distressed. it's super soft and worn in, complete with holes.

how to wear gray tees?

- with lace shorts

- with liquid leggings

- with white denim

- with a saying

- with utility jackets

- with neon

- with sequins

- with more gray

and with statement heels + a colorful necklace like below.

how do you wear your gray tees?

(9th & Elm triangle necklace; Shop Lately statement necklace)

the weather was beautiful this weekend.

even at 5pm, it was blue skies and sunshine.

(tee c/o 9th & Elm (buy); UO leather shorts;

JustFab shoes; Victoria's Secret bikini top)

a few to try:

a week of summer essentials. sunscreen.

sunscreen is an integral part of my daily routine, even more so during summer months when we are outdoors more often. year after year, it's easy to get lazy and sloppy about our application, so here are a few simple reminders and myth-busters.

how much SPF should you wear?

a sunscreen with at least 15-30 SPF is recommended.

higher SPFs offer little additional benefits. they may create a false sense of security - making you think that since you aren't red or burning, you are not damaging your skin, or that it's ok to stay in the sun longer.

when should you use sunscreen?
always. sunny, rainy, or cloudy, you should always wear sunscreen.
the sun is there, doing its damage, even if you can't see or feel it.

how much sunscreen is enough?

nickel size each for face and neck. don't forget your ears!

one ounce (shot glass) for your body, more or less depending on your size.

most people apply only 1/4 of what is needed and aren't getting the full SPF protection stated on the label. if you use the same tube for the entire summer, chances are you aren't using enough! if you have left over after summer, chances are you didn't use enough!

here's an example for the products i'm currently using:


how often should you apply sunscreen?
apply sunscreen 30 minutes before exposure, then generally reapply every two hours.
reapply more often with excessive sweating or swimming.

does layering products increase SPF?
no. the product with the highest SPF is what you would get - in this case, 55.
however, it's likely you're not using enough foundation or powder to get its full SPF, so don't count on them solely.



order of products: ideally, your sunscreen should go on last. if you are wearing makeup, moisturize first, apply sunscreen second, and makeup last. give each layer ample time to soak in (3-5 mins).
mixing products: adding moisturizer (with no SPF) to a foundation with SPF 17 will dilute the foundation, and you may not get the full SPF 17 protection. make sure each product has a minimum of SPF 15 to maintain their effectiveness.

what research is showing...
sunscreen does not provide 100% protection. harmful infrared radiation can penetrate UV filters (our typical UVA/UVB sunscreens) and cause damage to the skin. try layering an antioxidant serum under your sunscreen for greater protection.

try these:

it happens.

even with our best intentions, we sometimes forget to reapply sunscreen or miss a spot and end up with a nasty burn. take cool showers and apply an after-sun care product with aloe to cool and prevent peeling.

my favorite:

do you have any sunscreen application tips?

a week of summer shorts + shoes pairings. flats.

the last pairing for this 'week of' is short shorts and flats. pretty sandals are the easiest way to dress up denim cut-offs, even if you are wearing shorts and a tee. plus, it's a great way to show off those manicured feet and bright summery polish. i paired my denim with yet another button up; dressier material, but the short sleeves keep it appropriate for these frayed shorts.

and if your hair is anything like mine, it's a tangled mess after the beach. but those salty tresses are the perfect texture for creating a low chignon. the messier the better. and with that, you're ready for lunch or a matinee.

scroll down for today's inspiration board.

summer love...dinners at the beach til sundown.

(top via gilt; f21 shorts; sole society shoes;

h&m bag; shop lately necklace)

short shorts + flats

[oomph.] on polyvore

in case you missed it:

monday's knee length shorts + high heels

tuesday's mid-thigh + mid heels
wednesday's inspiration

product links:

linking up to summer cutoff style.

a week of beauty. sephora haul + review.

sephora recently had their beauty insiders 15% off ticket,

so i picked up a few products i've been wanting to try.

here's what i got:

- beautyblender [pure for my sensitive skin]

- bite beauty agave lip mask

- obsessive compulsive cosmetics lip tar / matte in black dahlia

beautyblender pure, $20

i recently switched back to liquid foundation, so i decided to invest in a beautyblender. it does a nice job of applying the foundation evenly, and the end result feels lightweight. i used to use flat sponges (typically the ones that come with your makeup) to press and drag the makeup into my skin. after using the beautyblender to "bounce" the product into my skin, i can comparatively say that the beautyblender is much easier on the skin. is it worth it? yes. life changing? no. similar sponges would give you the same result for less money like this one by sephora ($13) and this one by real techniques ($6).

tips for using:

some people say that they end up using more product with the beautyblender. the type of foundation you use makes a difference. the sponge will naturally soak up liquid, so choose a foundation with a thicker consistency. if you pour a dab of liquid foundation on your hand and it immediately drips or runs, the beautyblender will soak it up and less product will make it to your face. 

tips for cleaning:

two words....ivory soap. don't wash your expensive products down the drain...literally! beautyblender has its own liquid ($18) and solid ($16) cleansers, and i've heard some people use their pricey face washes, like philosophy's purity ($23). if you want a cheaper alternative, ivory soap is pure (no synthetics) and simple and washes out easily. i used to bathe my kids with ivory, and if it's good enough for my kids, it's good enough for my brushes and sponges! baby shampoo works, too, if you have kids (and shampoo on hand). otherwise, you can get 10 bars of ivory for under $4 and use it for bathing, dish washing, and laundry!

bite beauty agave lip mask, $26

i've been desperate to find a product that works for my extremely dry and chapped lips. after hearing youtubers rave about this lip mask, i had to try it. this stuff works and keeps my lips hydrated all day. no more peeling!

it looks and feels like an ointment, is heavy but not uncomfortable, and has a nice scent. some may prefer to use it overnight, but i use it like a primer in the morning and apply my lipstick over it when i get to the office. it has a nice long-lasting shine if worn alone. although it's pricey, a little goes a long way. this little smudge on my finger is too much product for one application. is it worth it? yes. life changing? yes.

occ lip tar: matte in black dahlia, $18

i've been wanting a dark vampy red lip color, and i heard black dahlia was it. the product in the tube is intimidatingly dark, but one coat produces a beautiful radiant orchid shade (above). these lip tars are buildable and will easily give you that deep red with a couple of coats. the lip tar has great pigmentation, and lives up to the matte name. perfect for an event, particular look, or the runway.

the bad? they are super drying! it's like i took two steps forward with the agave lip mask, and one step back with the lip tar. my lips instantly dried up and peeled after using. (i expected some dryness with a matte product). you definitely need to use a lip primer (occ has their own here), and i had to apply lip balm to keep my lips moisturized throughout the day. the color also needed to be touched up after a few hours. because of the multi-step process (apply lip primer, unscrew cap, apply to brush, etc...) it would not be an everyday lip product for me. is it worth it? no. if you are looking for a deep red, try jordana matte lipstick in merlot. if you have tried regular or metallic occ lip tars, let me know your thoughts on those.

have you tried any of these products?

do you prefer brushes or sponges to apply your makeup?

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