Bold Prints, Bolder Bricks: Street Walking, Blake Lively Inspired Hair, & More

Recently, I had a friend in town (hence the slacking on posts, oops), and one afternoon we took a trip down to the Miami Design District. The artwork is amazing: block after block of vibrant, graffiti-covered walls. It was almost surreal.

Dressed in our bold boho prints, this outdoor gallery made the perfect backdrop for my latest Style post. 

 

A healthy dose of goofing around is good for the soul.

We both opted for flowy, breathable outfits (it was a new level of scorching outside) with fun prints. Paired with cute sandals, and we were ready to go!

I have a new-found love for jumpsuits. I didn't know that they even came in such short sizes, but I found one that was the perfect length for me at the Saks Off 5th sale! They're so easy and comfortable to wear, and they make my legs actually look kind of long. Unheard of.

Another easy summertime favorite is this Blake Lively inspired braid.

 I used a large barreled curling iron to achieve a bit of wave and body. Then I pulled back half of my hair and braided it to one side. Super easy for second day hair! (Please excuse the mid-blink.) The half-braided look carried over perfectly to the rest of the afternoon spent at the beach: hair out of my face, but still partly down so I could feel like I was taking advantage of the body my hair mustered up from the sea water.

Also, I found a little sidewalk inspiration.

And with that, I bid you adieu! I hope you're all having a great week.

xoxo,

Madison

Barbecues, Beaches, Bikinis, Oh My!

Hello lovelies! I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July weekend; I know I did! We had guests in town, and it was a blast. We went to the park, ate great food, and visited the beach.

I changed clothes more times than I'd like to admit that day, but the opportunities presented themselves, and who was I to deny fate? Though these outfits were fitting for the occasion, they're still great for relaxed summer days at a barbecue, at the beach, or just around town shopping. Here are a few snapshots of my weekend adventures and some favorite casual styles.

A classic sibling photo-op: nobody is looking in the same direction, and Coco is trying to break free of her festive bonds.

  But alas, I managed to keep her in her shirt that *coincidentally* matched me for long enough to take this picture.

I'm kind of loving the matching red lips, belt, and clutch combo because they're all small accents. Maybe it was a bit matchy-matchy, but it was the 4th of July after all. One thing is for sure though, this Stila lip glaze in Strawberry has been a go-to for years. It's the perfect glossy red.

And of course a cheesy salute was necessary in honor of the land that I love. 

This combination of a gingham button down, lightweight daisy-lace shorts (similar), and a cute belt is so classic (and SO easy) for a casual day of hanging out with family and friends. 

 On the beach I was loving this piece I got last year from Ralph Lauren that is unfortunately no longer available (especially since I managed to drape it over recently stained outdoor furniture... which was not done drying. Tragic.), but here is a tunic that offers an entire beach cover-up rather than just the top half in a similar material. Paired with some favorite cut-off denim shorts and my polka dotted bikini, I was ready to go!

Side note: I fulfilled my lifelong dream of becoming a mermaid. The sand covering my top half unfortunately kept cracking, so I settled for just the tail.

Another favorite? Fireworks. They're like a bright, loud handful of glitter being thrown into the sky. Sorry I haven't quite figured out how to get great shots of fireworks (feel free to leave suggestions in the comments).

Well that concludes my holiday style favorites. If you have any casual summer staples, post them below! Any favorite holiday memories?

xoxo
-Madison

Style Edition: Feeling Dottie

 

 

Okay, first off, this park is like a jungle and enchanted forest all in one... most amazing place ever. The mosquito bites that I am coincidentally allergic to? Not so much. Here is another take on a cool yet flirty, sophisticated style to keep cool for the coming month of July.

I adore my Express Portofino shirt (they don't have the long sleeve black with white polka dots anymore, but here is the reverse! And they do have it in a sleeveless shirt that I must check into ASAP.) It is so flattering, lightweight, classic, and it can be dressed up or down. I am definitely guilty of over-wearing it because anytime I can't decide what to wear, it's an easy choice when I'm crunched for time. From interviews to afternoons shopping at the Bay, it's perfect.

As for the shorts, I can't get enough of scalloped hemlines. Who says shorts can't be dressy? (Similar in pink (!!!).)

Since the mostly black ensemble isn't exactly bright and summery, my Kate Spade crossbody adds the perfect pop of color. 

But my actual favorite part? My puppy, Coco. Look at that puppy smile (or, more likely, pant)! She is a bit of a diva and an attention hog, but she's just too cute to resist.

PS. SERIOUSLY, check these trees out!! So. Cool.

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Tropical Breeze

I don't know if it's just the spirit of Summer getting to me or if it's the Miami influence, but I am loving all sorts of tropical prints right now. From flamingos to palm trees, I'm obsessed. Here are a few of my most wanted items right now:

Flamingo Skirt

Flamingo Studs

Kate Spade Phone Case

Lilly Planner (I used to have the flamingo print!)

Tropical Bikini

And of course, the big pineapple moment that's happening:

Pineapple Bikini

Adorable Pineapple Print

Pineapple Studs

Since the pineapple prints are trending so much, here's my DIY print for my magnet board. Organization, monograms, pineapples, and pink: a few of my absolute favorites! All you'll need are pink, yellow, and green markers, a gold paint pen, ribbon, hot glue, a magnet, and some card stock. Mod Podge is optional if you'd prefer a shiny finish!

Let me know if you have any DIY prints and what your favorite summer trends are in the comments below!

xoxo

Style Edition: Peekaboo Back

I recently paid a visit to my local TJ Maxx in search for some new (and affordable) summer pieces that would be nicer than the well-loved summer staples of cut offs and casual shirts, while keeping me cool in this Miami heat. I absolutely fell in love with this romper. It has a beautiful summery color and a bold print balanced by feminine lace details and a bow above a peekaboo back!  The best part? It's one piece. SO easy to slip on and go. Who said cuter meant more effort?

*Note: I don't know if 'peekaboo back' is an actual term, but my mom used it the other day and I thought it was adorable. Thanks, Mom!

This breezy summer favorite reminds me of a picnic, a stroll by the bay or through the park, lunch at a cute coffee shop--you get it. Here's my roundup of must-haves inspired by this outfit!

(P.S. The sunhat is from Forever 21.)

What are your favorite summer staples? From clothes to beauty to music and beyond--let me know!


xoxo

The Buzzzzzzzz: Current Craze

            Lately, I have been loving all things bee-related. I just can’t seem to get enough. The bee motif is not only adorable, but it symbolizes many of the qualities of the “golden standard”, which inspired the name of this blog. Bees represent focus, productivity, teamwork, and leadership, all of which are admirable qualities to pursue. Incorporating these elements into a cute, stylish product? Perfection.

I absolutely love this Sloane Stationery notebook. It would be perfect for to-do lists and little notes to self! How fitting is the busy bee pun?

Perfect to spruce up a messy bun on a lazy day (which I have more of than I should like to admit) or to add some interest to a more polished look, these hair pins are definitely a conversation starter. Too cute.

This Laura Mercier honey bath is oh-so-tempting. The smell of honey is certainly among my favorites, and I'm a sucker for creative packaging details like the honey dipper. The countdown until I can take a real bath begins... #dormlife.

And, of course, the Queen Bee herself. As finals approach and the dread of the impending all-nighters and caffeine binges sets in, there is nothing like some good pump up music to get the mood and the pace up. Beyoncé never fails to get the productivity going for me! And maybe, just maybe, the motivation could even extend as far as a visit to the gym. No promises.

What are your current favorites?