Striped Tank + Pleated Skirt

This is going to be a quick post today as I didn't give myself enough time to write this as usual. Don't get me wrong, I'm not crazy busy or anything. I've just gotten addicted to Chopped and haven't made time for anything else. It's all very healthy, I swear.

This is skirt has become my go-to Sunday skirt. I wear it fairly often, but for some reason, I tend to gravitate toward it on Sundays especially. Something about it feels perfect for going to get breakfast and then relaxing the rest of the day. It's a good brunch skirt, and we all know the value of good brunch skirts. This top is actually a dress that I had intended on wearing as is, but as I was heading out to my dad's restaurant, I realized that I needed to come to terms with how short it is. So in a hurry, rather than find a completely new outfit, I grabbed this skirt and put it over the dress. I'm really the best problem solver.

Two-Year Anniversary Giveaway

Somehow, after years or unsuccessfully starting blogs and wishing I could actually be part of the fashion blogging community, I managed to keep this old thing up and running for two years. Last week marked my anniversary, and I wanted to celebrate the same way I did last year: with a giant giveaway to thank everyone who has supported me. As I've mentioned before, one of my favorite parts of blogging has been getting to know some great small businesses. I love supporting "the little guy," and I'm grateful for the opportunity to help give them the exposure I think they deserve. I'm so happy to announce that SEVEN of my favorite small businesses are donating some amazing items and store credit, and one person will win it all. Even if you don't want to enter (but why wouldn't you?), I still hope that you'll at least get to know the businesses and follow them after reading this. I do hope you'll enter though, since getting to know all of you has also been one of the best parts of blogging, and the least I can do is make you all compete for a bundle of great prizes. Just kidding. I wish I had enough awesome items to give to each and every one of you. 

Should you choose to enter, here's what you'll win, and who you'll win it from:

Everything Darling is an online store that's just that — darling. Run by two of the sweetest girls, Natalie and Grace, from close to me in Southern California, Everything Darling has an adorable selection of clothes and accessories. I'm completely smitten with the fit and flare dresses and cute satchels. All of the items in the shop are wonderfully feminine and completely versatile. You can read more about Everything Darling (and see how I styled one of their dresses) through my interview with Grace and Natalie here, and the two are offering up $20 to the shop today. 

Jennifer of Hello Cheeseburger just gets my taste in jewelry. The store's mix of statement and every day pieces is perfect, and I find myself wanting just about everything. Jennifer sent me one of my favorite statement necklaces, and it's pretty obvious by the selection in her store, that each piece is chosen carefully. Among the sparkly jewels and simple state necklaces (that we all need), are great stamped pieces like an ampersand necklace (my weakness). But let's be honest. Would anyone really want this necklace to say anything other than pizza? Okay, that's just an example she uses and you can have it say whatever you want, but come on. We all need pizza necklaces in our lives. Jennifer is offering $25 to Hello Cheeseburger. 

I never thought of myself as a headband person until I was introduced to Salvage & Stone. The shop's owner, Nic, crafts some of the cutest ones I've ever seen, and she successful converted me into a lover of them. Not only does Salvage & Stone offer some top-notch headbands, they're all made from mostly recyclable materials, as is everything in the shop. This means that you can look cute and feel good about yourself while doing so, which is really just an added bonus. Nic also has a personal blog, and she always nails it with her outfits. You can read more about Salvage & Stone and see how I styled a headband in my post here, and get a chance at winning a custom-made headband through this giveaway. 

A fellow Flock Together girl, Lisa of Lala Faux Bois is constantly giving me reasons to be jealous impressed. Her killer style and adorable cat definitely near the top of the list, but lately, it's been her jewelry making skills that I'm in awe of. Not only is Lisa incredibly sweet and funny (trust me on this; I met her in person), but she also makes the most lovely jewelry. Her shop, Paperplane, is stocked with gorgeous minerals and quirky charms, all of which I'd love to call my own. That's not even mentioning the great vintage pieces that round out the selection. Needless to say, the winner of this $30 store credit that Lisa is offering up will have plenty to choose from.

Speaking of Flock Together girls, it's no surprise that another one, Marisa of The Shades of Monet Chronicles has a darling vintage shop, Ally Hoot Vintage. Marisa is not only the master at pattern mixing, but she has a keen eye for unique pieces to keep in her store. Right now, Ally Hoot Vintage is stocked with bright colors and fun prints that are begging to be paired with sandals and wide brimmed hats for summer. The winner of this giveaway will receive $30 to Ally Hoot Vintage, but everyone else is in luck too. Marisa is being kind of enough to offer my readers 20% while this giveaway is running using the code "Room 334." Cheerful vintage frocks for everyone!

In case it wasn't made obvious by both this giveaway and my style, I really dig minimalist, but interesting jewelry. This brings us to Aether Design, another great jewelry shop that I'm in love with. I can't tell you how long I've been drooling over that antler ring, but it's not the only thing worth mentioning. Amber creates pieces that work well for every day, but manage to feel special. Maybe just knowing that the pieces are handmade in England has something to do with their appeal, but either way, they're all gorgeous. Amber is offering the lucky winner $40 in store credit, which could do some serious damage if you're looking to buy me that antler ring. Whoever wins is planning on sharing the prizes with me, right?

Ever since I worked with Amanda of Two Tickets on another giveaway not too long ago, I've loved keeping up with the shop through social media. There's something about the way Amanda crafts her pieces. They're all completely unique and unlike anything else I've seen before, which is tough feat to accomplish. For this giveaway, Amanda is offering up this lovely coral tassel necklace. I think we can all agree that the color is gorgeous and it would make a great piece against a simple black summer dress. I can see this necklace working a number of ways actually, and I can't wait to see how whoever wins will style it.

Just enter through the Rafflecopter widget below! This giveaway closes on Monday, 06/16 at midnight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Let's Chat With: Everything Darling

Let's just get this out of the way: I don't do orange. It's just never worked very well with my hair, and I've always stayed clear of it. However, when my new favorite online boutique, Everything Darling, offered to send me this polka dot frock, I couldn't resist. I decided that it was time that orange and I set aside our differences and give this friendship another shot. And what do you know? I love this dress. It's fun, it's flattering, it's well-made, and it's polka dotted — basically everything I look for in a dress. I still felt that it didn't work too well with my hair, so I tried to put some distance between my hair and the dress with a denim jacket and a scarf. And voila, an orange piece exists in my closet that I plan to get plenty of wear out of.

As you all know, I'm a huge supporter of small businesses. I try my best to use my blog to promote them as much as I can, but I decided that I wanted to do a little bit more. Starting now, whenever I write a post that highlights a small business, I'll be including a Q+A with the people behind the shops so you can get to know those who work so hard to bring you the unique items that you see. Today, I'm incredibly happy to start off my "Let's Chat" series with Natalie and Grace, who  the women behind Everything Darling.

How did you two meet? 

Natalie & Grace: Grace moved out here 7 1/2 years ago from New Jersey and was invited to a party by a friend. Natalie (a California native) noticed Grace did not really know anyone and struck up a conversation. We became instant friends, discussing how and where we grew up only to find out we were living blocks from one another. The rest is history.We became best friends, roommates and now business partners.

How and when did the idea for Everything Darling start?

It was something we had both been thinking of for awhile. With Grace's degree in business management and desire to start her own business and Natalies degree in fashion merchandising it just seemed like the perfect time. We both have a strong love for fashion and a good background to build on so we worked hard and created Everything Darling.

 What is your favorite part about running an online boutique?

We are involved in every aspect of the business. From the time its picked out to the time it is shipped out. We put our personal touch on all that you see. Because of this we are able to personalize everything and really enjoy creative freedom down to the packaging.