Embroidered Peasant Dress

Dress: Forever 21 // Sandals: Old Navy (sold out but similar here and here) // Sunglasses: eBay 

The embroidered peasant dress is is the epitome of summer chic! It's all easy breezy, this old thing, flowy and fresh, all wrapped up into one! My favorite part about this one pictured is that it came from Forever 21 which means mega affordability. 

The one I'm wearing is out of stock, but fear not! I've linked a whole bunch of my Forever 21 favorites below and NONE of them are over $34! 

Vegas Blogcation

{Image borrowed from Rachel from Rachel's Look Book}

Most normal families go to family friendly locations to spend time together on vacation, but in my family, when you grew up with a dad who owned race horses and dressed you up in pink baby jockey uniforms, then your family goes to the gambling capital to spend quality time together.

I'm not a gambler, I prefer to spend my money on things I can wear or see, so I will be spending time with my fashionista-in-training niece Allie at Fashion Show Mall and Caesars Forum Shops because that's how we Hovanes Gals do Vegas!

Other than that it will be pool time with the whole family at the Mirage and date nights with Andrew. We may even bring the niece and nephew along for a date too!

And to truly make this a vacation, I'm taking the week off blogging. I will be Instagraming constantly I'm sure, so keep up with me there and on Facebook!

Don't worry, I wouldn't do you like that, leave you high and dry on a Friday without planting a little shopping seed in your head. Let me share with you the miracle that happened yesterday at Woodfield Mall. I went to Lord and Taylor to return a pair of shoes and walked past a huge rack of bathing suits all for just $39! Now since this is a family trip, I was in need of some modest one-piece suits, and they had a ton! I actually found two adorable ones which is unheard of in bathing suit shopping history. And to prove it I rounded up all these one piece suits that are all just $39! Believe it! Shop it. Also an additional 15% off regular and sale price items and 20% off clearance online with promo code SAVINGS.

Have a great week everyone! 

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!

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

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!

Gray Maxi Weekend Look

When we drive past an open field, I see the perfect canvas for pictures. Certainly not like the backdrops I am provided with in the city, so I jump at the chance. But minutes after I step out of the car, all that greenery ignites my allergies. Yep, it may be pretty, but city living with its lack of nature is best for me. 

This maxi dress was perfect for a long drive. It basically was like wearing a bed sheet. cozy, cool and comfy. It was a steal for just $12 at Forever 21. I tied up an old gauzy Target button-down and off we went to a family wedding in upper Wisconsin. Don't you worry, I changed dresses for the wedding, but more on that later.

Sandals: Sole Society // Dress: Forever 21 // Button down: Target // Bar Necklace, Pendant, and Cuff: Forever 21 // Watch: Custom La Mer // Nails: Essie "Bond With Whomever" // Bag: Akira

Here are some other affordable maxis to shop right now!

ASOS Pretty Floral Maxi

I had been waiting for the perfect time to wear this dress because it's just so gosh-darn pretty. I wound up wearing it to a friend's bridal shower where I just knew a floral maxi (seriously considering buying this one too) would be appreciated and in its element around a bunch of lovely ladies. 

Much like last week's lace Ann Taylor skirt, this dress also got about a million compliments. It makes a statement when you walk into a room with its floaty fabric gliding behind you and also makes you feel super tall (then again, not feeling tall is a problem I don't ever really have). I added my J. Crew Seville Wedges which made me feel even taller. 

I highly recommend this dress (20% off till 7/8/14) if you have a girly event coming up. You will feel like a walking garden and also comfortable and covered up. So ladylike! Only thing to keep in mind is that the back is open so you will definitely need a bralette like mine with a back that is too pretty not to be seen.

Btw, if you are loving my new two-tone sunglasses I picked up in Brooklyn, here is a super easy DIY to make your own with any old pair of sunglasses! So cool!

Dress // Bracelet // Wedges // Lips // Sunglasses // Bralette Options