Madison and Berkeley Showroom

Since today is #tbt, I guess it's only fitting that I drop this post from the first week of summer break when I was in NYC. What an utterly amazing trip. Peggy and I were rocking all of our New York connections and having a blast. We were so grateful that on our first day there we were able to meet up with blogger buddy Maria, who was on her way out that afternoon, have lunch together at Fred's to have lobster sandwiches. Yep, that actually happened! After that we were off to meet Annette at the Madison and Berkeley/ Ten-Sixty Sherman showroom in Times Square (check out this view!) and get a inside look at what's to come this summer and fall. I have to say that this black tank below with "eat your lettuce and be sad" on it is my personal favorite. We even left with a few goodies of our own (you may have been admiring one of them here.)

Later that night we went out for Greek food and had a full-on Dan Humphrey from Gossip Girl sighting! Peggy was even sly enough to unknowingly-to-me snap this pic of him!

If that wasn't enough the very next day we got to take a tour of the Lucky Magazine offices thanks to the Lucky staffers that I met during the Best Dressed Teacher in Chicago Contest I was a finalist in. We got to see EVERYTHING! We were even just feet from Eva Chen right outside her office door! She was busy of course but we did get a peek inside since the door was wide open. I was even brave enough to send her an Instagram message later that day and she responded with such sweet words thanking me for doing the most important job in the world, teaching! Her words, not mine. I nearly fainted! 

Such an amazing trip. Have fun perusing my snaps from the Madison and Berkeley showroom and of course, shopping what I wore there! Hope your #tbt is as memorable as mine!

Annette, our adorable tour guide through the showroom!

And of course there were outfit pictures on the library steps in Bryant Park.

 Loft skirt // Zara top (from last year) // La Mer watch // Vintage bracelet and necklace // Sole Society Tilda sandals // Target jacket (super similar on clearance) // ASOS bag

Cover-Up Pool Style

In my personal opinion, swimsuit coverups can be pretty tricky, but my girl Samantha of the blog Gold Coast Girl nailed it! Samantha and I got a chance to get together poolside and hang out all while showcasing our summer swimsuit cover-up style.

I love how chic her look is, and how easily it could be worn to a beachside cafe. Samantha mixed a bold pink coverup and mirrored sunglasses with neutral summer basics like her black Tory Burch sandals and a straw hat and beach bag. 

Outfit details: Cover-up: Roberta Roller Rabbit (on sale) // Hat: H&M // Sandals: Tory Burch // Bag: Old from Spain (cute option here) // Towel: Target // Sunnies: H&M (similar)

Learn a little more about my summer-break-loving, fellow teacher friend Samantha here!!

What made you want to start a blog and how did you come up with the name?

I have always had an obsession with fashion ever since I was little. I am a huge fan of reading fashion blogs so one day I just went for it and decided to start my own. I wanted to express my own voice, style, and creativity. I came up with the name Gold Coast Girl because I grew up in that area and live there now. I liked how it sounded, so I went for it.

How would you describe your style? 

I love all things black, gold, leopard, sequined, and hot pink. I feel like my style is a mix of preppy + feminine with a splash of edge.

What trends are you loving this summer? 

I too am obsessed with rompers. They are super fun, extremely comfortable, and a great go-to when you want to give your summer dress the day off. I also love the comeback of the overalls. They too are very comfortable and go great with tanks and sandals. 

What are your beach bag essentials? 

When packing my beach bag, I must include: sunscreen (I am currently into Coppertone Clearly Sheer SPF 30) , a water bottle (loving the glass Lifefactory ones), my iPhone and headphones, EOS lip balm, a headband to keep my hair back, some mirrored aviators (like THESE), and THIS fabulous towel I got from Target (it has pockets and I am loving it). 

Tell me about your favorite summertime activities in Chicago? 

I LOVE Chicago in the summertime! I am all about going for walks and runs on the beach bike path, having picnics in Millennium Park, and meeting friends for some rooftop cocktails. I also love the weekend street festivals and dining al fresco.

Sam also shared what she keeps in her beach bag...

Magazines, Old Navy swimsuit, EOS lip balm, Henri Bendel bags, Sunscreen, iPhone

See my outfit details and more over on Samantha's blog today!

Photo Credit: Peggy of HAMR

Shop this post by clicking the images below!

H&M Colorful Jacket

This is an old outfit from when school was still in session. Lucky for you, if you like this jacket, I've been seeing it around in the H&M clearance section. Apparently there aren't many girls who like to wear insanely colorful jackets to work, let alone pair them with stripes, so there were quite a few left. To all of you out there who fear no color or pattern, go check the clearance rack and score this jacket for an amazing price!

Side note. It was on the day I wore this that I was told by 2 separate incoming Middle school girls that I looked like Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande. Should I be ashamed or proud?

Jacket: H&M // Pants: Zara // Shoes: J. Crew Janey Flats // Necklace: eBay // Sunglasses: Forever 21 (get almost identical here for $3)// Sweater: Old Navy (about 3 years old) // Earrings: Nordstrom // Lips: Nars "Yu"

Stormy Weather

This top (on sale now for just $15) is actually from the swim section of Old Navy, but I think it makes for a perfectly acceptable shirt. And if your as tall as me it is nothing else but a shirt. Because even if Old Navy wants to label it as a swim tunic, its no tunic on me.

The Joe's Jean shorts were a last day of school find from Nordstrom Rack. I was so excited for school to be over and freedom from my pencil skirts that i bought these destroyed jean shorts. Turns out they have been the best buy of the summer! They are comfy, easy, match with everything and most importantly, they represent summer in a nutshell for this teacher on break!

Tunic: Old Navy (on sale for $15 bucks right now) // Shorts: Joe's Jeans // Spike Necklace: Alimonada // Bar Necklace: Forever 21 (comes in a set of two for $7!) // Bag: Coach vintage Willis (buy a new one here) // Sandals: Dolce Vita (get them here on mega sale in 3 color options) // Lips: Burberry Lipstick and Gloss

Photo Cred: Peggy of HAMR

Cobalt Flare

Seeing these pictures from when school was still in session made me think just where is this dress now? I haven't seen it in awhile which lead me to realizing it, and I'm guessing many other items, are still at the dry cleaner. My summer wardrobe requires pretty much zero dry cleaning. And since I don't really drive during the summer I guess I won't be seeing this dress for some time. Too bad, I think it would be great for the upcoming wedding we are attending this weekend. 

These flats I saw on a shop girl at Anthropologie and had to know where they were from. Surprisingly enough they were from Amazon for around $20. Naturally, flats are the easiest option when running around my classroom so these were a great buy that will get a lot of wear when school is back in session.

You've also seen this necklace this week on this post, but did you know it's less than ten bucks? That's right! Click here to get your own.

Have a lovely weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Dress: Gap (sold out but similar style here love this one too) // Shoes: Amazon // Nails: Bikini So Teeny and Truth or Flare // Necklace: eBay

Ann Taylor Flounce Dress

Sometimes all you need is a good green wall (in this case a fence) and a light jacket to make a summer morning look classy. This super simple drop waist flounce dress from the Ann Taylor sale is easy to throw on and even looks good with my Shoemint Ashton sneakers! Perfect casual outfit if I do say so myself!

By the way, Ann Taylor has done it again. Their sale selection is 60% off right now. I do love when they have a sale. It almost makes me wish I had to get dressed for work again...maybe not.

Dress: Ann Taylor // Shoes: Shoemint "Ashton" (super similar for $15 here)// Jacket: H&M (old but similar style here) // Necklace: H&M // Sunglasses: Target

Brooklyn Brights

This is an outfit from a few weeks back when I was in NYC. This is from our day of bumming around Brooklyn. We were staying in Greenpoint and walked to Williamsburg to explore. I didn't get the memo that I wasn't supposed to dress like a J. Crew add to fit in, so I kind of felt out of place. This lady isn't as cool as the kids of Williamsburg. 

Thanks Brooklyn for making me feel like an old lady, I still love you anyway.

Shorts: J. Crew (on sale right now for less than $20 with code TREAT +free shipping on all orders) // Crop top: H&M (fun option here) // Bag: ASOS // Sandals: Sam Edelman "Trina" (My very favorite sandals of all time. have them in 2 colors) // Belt: J. Crew (cute silver bow option here) // Watch: La Mer // Necklace: eBay // Sunglasses: In God We Trust

Photos by Peggy of HAMR

And just so you know Shopbop is having a great sale but it ends TONIGHT!!!

Shop it here!