Travel With Style

(Click on picture for item details)

Have you made any summer vacation plans? If so, then this is the post for you! I picked out a few tote bags that would be cute for your airplane carry-on. I like the idea of a tote bag for my carry-on because I am able to stand my magazines and books up in it and they won't bend or fall over. You can just easily slide the bag under the seat in front of you once you get on the plane.

Later your bag can easily be used as a beach bag or even a gym bag. I love an item that can serve multiple purposes.

A Few Travel Must-Haves

(Click here for product info)

(Click here for product info)

Here are a few of my travel tips:

1. Pack all of your clothing in a squishy bag (like this) and carry it on. (If I pack in a squishy bag then I am able to put it and my small personal item under the seat in front of me. I hate fighting for room in the overhead compartment.) I pack all of my clothing (not including my shoes) and carry it on with me every time. I would rather get to my destination and risk losing my checked toiletries than my checked clothing bag. You can always buy more make-up and skin care. Can you really replace that awesome pair of jeans?

2.  Do anything you can to maximize your packing space. (See picture above.) I pack a fold-up tooth brush and I save a tiny bit of room for something else equally as important.

3. Leave the nail polish at home. Pack some funky stick on nail art instead. You won't have to worry about your polish bottles leaking or breaking in your bag.

4. Check out your local retailers for travel size items. The Target in my town has a whole section devoted to travel size items. I usually stock up on mini shave gels, stain sticks, hair spray, etc., before I go on a trip.

5. Wear your biggest pair of shoes and pack the rest. I always wear the clunkiest pair of shoes possible so that I can save room in my bags for more shoes.

6. Get a color passport cover. Although this is not necessary at all, it is nice to have a passport cover in a vibrant shade that you can quickly spot in your purse. 

I hope you guys have a fantastic day!

Your Look: Dinner Date

(Click on picture for details)

It's finally Friday and I can't think of anything better than going on a date with my husband. Of course our date isn't until tomorrow, but that didn't stop me from putting together a date night look that I adore. The more I look at it, the more I want all of the pieces. I suppose that is the life of a fashion blogger!

As I have mentioned before, I tend to be a minimalist when it comes to accessories. (This has only been a recent revelation of mine.) I loved this Zara clutch with an attached bracelet and thought it was brilliant to combine the two. Of course the worrier in me would be paranoid the whole evening about being mugged.  I can imagine some thug dragging me down the street by my clutch. Chances are that won't happen though...

I hope you guys have a great weekend! I plan on doing some reading, a couple of DIY projects (they will show up as posts if they turn out cute), and of course my date night tomorrow. Don't forget to like my facebook page!

Weekend Getaway - Part 1

Weekend Getaway by amyshaughnessy

The beautiful spring weather (and my desperate desire to take a mini vacation) had me thinking about a trip I took to Maine one summer. I visited a small coastal town and fell in love with it. I remember strolling down the quaint downtown streets and taking in the sights and smells of a seafaring village. I don't live near water (unless you count the alligator-infested lakes) so seeing the sailboats sprinkled out in the water was a new but welcome sight to me.

I put together this look because I think it would be appropriate for a day of shopping and sightseeing (hence the title). Maybe the navy and white striped dress is too cliche (nautical-themed wardrobe for a nautical town) but I still love it. Keeping the jewelry and shoes simple are perfect for a day of walking around. The large tote bag will be perfect for storing all of the treasures you pick up along the way. Adding a bright yellow sweater will keep your look cheerful should the weather decide to turn chilly.

After the first segment of this series, I am ready to take a vacation!

Shorts 3 Ways

I don't know about you, but when I buy an article of clothing, I like options. Now, I don't always know right away what those different options will be, but that is part of the fun of shopping. You purchase a great piece and then bring it home to see how it will work in your closet.

I really liked these shorts and thought they would be fun to build a few outfits around. A pair of shorts has endless possibilities. The three looks I put together are definitely great for spring before the super hot weather sets in. For the two blazer options, just pair a basic t-shirt under them. Adding a blazer will break up the casual look and leave you looking crisp and polished. And in the summer? Ditch the blazers and throw on some statement jewelry (or a scarf if you don't live in Louisiana like I do) to dress the t-shirt up. As I said, the possibilities are endless.

Miss Selfridge shell top
$61 - missselfridge.com

Cropped jacket
$110 - topshop.com

Jacquard jacket
$150 - topshop.com

Topshop metallic shorts
$60 - topshop.com

Forever 21 lace up oxford
$25 - forever21.com

Zara shoes
$80 - zara.com

Leather bag
$116 - topshop.com

Miss Selfridge snakeskin handbag
$38 - missselfridge.com

Metal jewelry
$28 - topshop.com

Metal jewelry
$28 - topshop.com

Chunky jewelry
$28 - topshop.com

Miss Selfridge tahitian pearl jewelry
$15 - missselfridge.com

Miss Selfridge gold jewelry
$18 - missselfridge.com

Marc by marc jacobs jewelry
$68 - couture.zappos.com

Mostly Sunny/Partly Cloudy

One Jumpsuit Done Two Ways by amyshaughnessy featuring zara bags

I was looking through some of my favorite websites, trying to decide what my next post would be on when I saw this jumpsuit. I hate to say that it 'jumped' out at me (so cheesy, I know), but it did. I immediately knew that it was a piece that could be styled many ways. For time's sake, I chose two different looks.

The first look (mostly sunny) is styled specifically for the hot, sunny days that are most certainly ahead of us. I really like pairing aviators and a fedora together. They just seem to be a natural match. The scarf adds a little visual interest to the top of the jumpsuit and looks chic with the hat and glasses. The stacking rings are another cool accessory in an all-together cool look. This is a look that is completely 'me' and I would wear it in a heartbeat! (Did I just call myself cool? Because I'm most certainly not! More like, borderline nerd with hopefully decent taste).

The next look (partly cloudy) is probably more appropriate for those cooler, cloudy days that hit in early spring. Just because the weather may be cool and cloudy, doesn't mean your outfit has to be drab! The bright blazer will keep your arms covered and keeps the jumpsuit from looking too summer-like. I really like the floral scarf with the hummingbird bracelet. The bracelet and delicate earrings keep this look pretty and elegant.

I found several different blazers (here and here) that I thought would be appropriate with this second look as well. Take your pick!

Have a great Wednesday!

* For some reason the rings did not show up in the thumbnails. Here is a link to the website where you can purchase them.

Garden Party

Garden Party by amyshaughnessy featuring high heel shoes

Spring is in the air! Trees are finally blooming and we are starting to see temperatures in the 70s. Well, we never had a proper winter so we have been seeing unnaturally high temperatures to begin with, but I am not complaining. I am definitely not a winter person so I welcome the change in the weather and blooming trees even if it means my allergies will be going haywire.

Spring is a perfect time (or maybe not for you allergy-prone people) to host a garden party...after you have worked hard planting all of the flowers, that is. You can host a bridal luncheon, baby shower, or just throw a party to celebrate the arrival of spring. If you are like me, you never need an excuse to dress up and get together with friends.

Here are a few things I put together for what I think would make a stellar look for an outdoor affair. If you think wearing heels outside is a bit nuts (I can already hear my mom joking about my obsession with 5 inch heels) then opt for something more turf-friendly like a wedge. It will offer more support and leave your grass without holes.

A floppy hat will offer some much-needed shade for an outdoor affair. The sunglasses give the whole ensemble a slight hippie feel, which I love.

I hope you are enjoying the spring-like weather wherever you are. I know some of you are still experiencing snow but hopefully the warm temperatures are just around the corner for you!