Spring Style: Casual Chic

I think that one of the best things about spring and summer is how easy it is to mix and match more casual items with things that might typically be seen as dressy. In the winter this requires tights and layers and layers and all kinds of work. But when the weather is warm you can slip on a skirt and a pair of sneaks and be ready to go for just about any social gathering or outing. Ice cream, bike rides, BBQs, all the fun!

Levi's levi shirt, $67 / Dolce & Gabbana striped skirt / Superga lacing shoes / Coach leather shoulder bag / Samantha Wills / Wet Seal jewelry

Fun Frocks: Butterfly Print

Friends, I have a problem. Or maybe it's more of a confession.

I really really really like butterfly print clothing.

Like an abnormal amount.

I'm just one or two items away from becoming that weird girl who wears butterfly prints too much.

But I'm not sure it's actually that much of a problem. Butterfly prints are perfectly suitable for spring, and even a great way to keep winter from getting to drab.

See below, this lovely butterfly print dress from Wallis Fashion and two spectacularly springy ways to style it. Maybe everyone should love butterful print this much?

Wallis print dress / Elie Saab strappy shoes / Tory Burch cage sandals / Beige handbag, $290 / J.Crew crossbody handbag / Bangle bracelet / Rachel Reinhardt jewelry / Accessorize sparkly earrings / Forever 21 turquoise jewelry / Butter London / Butter London nail lacquer, $18

Wedding Wednesday: Teal and Gold Inspiration

So it's no secret that I've been a little indecisive about what colors to officially pick for our wedding (it's in January, we've got time?) 

Though I did settle on gold as an element a long time ago.

With the bridesmaids dress shopping appointment made for Saturday I've been giving the topic some much needed more thought. Even though I think teal can be the kind of color that is commonly done wrong, or overdone within weddings I always find myself drawn to photos of bridesmaids dressed in teal. The deeper mix of blue and green seems so regal when done the right way. I especially love how it looks when paired with metallic gold and simple creams and whites. 

I'll keep you updated on what we end up deciding after Saturday! 

Tumblr Tuesday.

Happy Tuesday!

I'm thinking lots of spring-y thoughts here today because it really doesn't feel like spring outside.

We've had maybe two or three nice sunny springy days mixed in with a lot of cold, grey days.

Anywho, thanks for stopping by the blog today, if you're looking for more tumblr fun on the daily, check out my tumblr blog: Heather Hearts

LOVE this short wavy haircut, the floral shorts and how they are styled.

pictures like this make me think that maybe this denim vest trend has some merit, maybe it can be chic?
maybe? but I don't think that I can pull it off...

lazy day inspiration

Music Monday: Birdy

Happy Monday! I'm home sick today and the weather has been gray and rainy for a few days here in Iowa so mellow music feels fitting.

I've known of Birdy for a while but lately I've been really loving her mellow, musical covers.

Her style is perfect for background music while reading or studying.

And. here are a few of my current favorites, enjoy!

Spring Style: Black & White Prints.

It's no secret that I love a good black and white print (nor is it a secret that I love anything polka dotted). The runways were covered with this chic color combo in various printed forms for spring, and if my girl SJP has anything to say about it, mixing these bold prints is the way to go for spring. 

Sarah Jessica Parker looking amazing as always. 

and some more friendly print mixing help from the blogosphere

and here are some of my favorite pieces to help get you in the mood to do some black and white print mixing for your spring wardrobe.

Dorothy Perkins white and black dress / Wallis dots dress / Printed cardigan / Patterned shirt / Sleeveless t shirt / Yves Saint Laurent yves saint laurent / Dorothy Perkins petite skirt / Zara skimmer shoes / Truth or Dare shoes / Zara leather handbag / BaubleBar black earrings / BaubleBar white stud earrings / Dorothy Perkins white shawl / Forever New , $14

Shoe of the Week: Espadrille Wedges

I love Target.

I love shoes.

I love Target shoes. 

I'm glad that we have that out in the open now. 

I've almost bought these snazzy, sassy espadrille wedges every time that I've been Target since I first spotted them in March. And  I go to Target on at least a weekly basis 

(I have a problem, I know).

I'm not sure how much longer my resistance can last. 

I am especially fond of the vibrant green ones 

(I totally have earrings that would be an exact match)

but really any color would be super cute for all of your spring and summer needs. 

Without further ado, here is the Merona Marguerite Espadrille Wedge from Target.

Spring Style: Light Pink & Yellow

Next in line for my new favorite spring color combos is light pink and shades of yellow. 

I know that pink and yellow together is not exactly the most groundbreaking combination but I love how using light pink instead of a bright pink makes the look new and fresh. 

Inspiration: 

And here are a few ways to style this new and improved color combo, from a day at the office, to a night out on the town, to a summer daytime adventure.

J.Crew j crew dress / Mint Velvet lace top, $105 / Elizabeth and James shirt / HUGO summer blazer / Karen Millen layered skirt / Chino shorts / DV by Dolce Vita strappy sandals / Prabal Gurung strappy high heels / Elie Saab snakeskin shoes / Charlotte Russe canvas trainers / Coach leather bag / Dorothy Perkins / BaubleBar cuff bracelet / Neon earrings / Kate Spade daisy jewelry / Banana Republic earrings

Wedding Wednesday: the hunt for bridesmaids dresses and a monogram addiction.

So, every time someone asks me how wedding planning is going I pretty much always say 

"it's not."

Surprisingly, having a blog (and a wedding feature) and several overly active pinterest boards does not make wedding planning that much easier. If anything it gives me all kinds of unrealistic (aka unaffordable) ideas for the wedding. But something I do always love to see is all the different looks and styles brides have chosen for their bridesmaids. While I've had quite a few ideas myself I always seem to go back to simple, flattering, short dresses. We are planning on going shopping for them this month (finally!) and I'm hopeful that we can find something flattering and not too expensive. 

Here are two dresses that I really love!

this pink number is so chic and classic. 

I think the natural waist and pleats in this dress would be universally flattering,
while the natural color and lace texture keep it modern and not too boring. 

Next up, Monogram fun!

It's no secret that I love a good monogram. And all this wedding fun has made me even more of a monogram enthusiast. I recently stumbled onto Shop Dandy a super cute blogger and boutique owner who definitely shares my love for monograms. She sells everything from monogrammed tanks to clipboards, here are a few of my favorites.

I feel like you can never find a good canvas bag with a cross body strap.
Plus the color block and monogram are a chic bonus!

I love this bangle so much I'm tempted to get one now and one for after the wedding.

everyone needs a good baseball hat for summer activities right?

Spring Style: Mint & Poppy Red

Spring means new, growing, colorful things, and now just for the earth and world outside but for your wardrobe too. I've seen quite a few fresh new color combos around the blogosphere and I promise I plan on sharing all of my favorite with you! First up to bat (baseball season has started so I had to through at least one metaphor in there) is mint and bright poppy red! This color combo is vibrant and unexpected but when paired with the right accessories and some nude shoes, is totally wearable for any occasion. 

Inspiration :

Photo found on Pinterest. 

And here are a few ways you can style this chic color combo, 

from a day at work to a night out with friends. 

Bodice dress / Sleeveless tank top / See by Chloé short sleeve shirt / True Religion denim skinny jeans / Salvatore Ferragamo swing skirt / Platform wedge sandals / Kate Spade leather thong sandals / Tory Burch ballet flat shoes / J.Crew flower jewelry / Crystal earrings / Mint jewelry

Tumblr Tuesday; Femme Feminist Edition

Welcome back to Tumblr Tuesday! 

I hope you enjoy all the lovely, empowering inspiration I put together for you today.

Check out my Tumblr blog for daily doses of inspiration and fun!

wise words from the one and only DVF.

Baseball player Dorothy Kamenshek played for the Rockford Illinois Peaches between 1943 and 1953. Team name sound familiar? The adventures of Kamenshek and her teammates inspired the film A League of Their Own!

Beatrice Hill-Lowe, the 1908 Olympics bronze medalist in archery. (via NPR)

laughter cures all ailments. 

Music Monday: One Republic "Native"

Hi! Welcome back to the blog! Or maybe I should welcome myself back to blogging? 

Anyways, life has been more than hectic lately, I mean working 30+ hours a week, going to classes and doing schoolwork, writing a senior capstone project, looking for a full time job and planning a wedding makes for kind of an overwhelming schedule. 

But  I am really excited to get back into blogging mode and once summer hits I plan on showering all of you with plenty of DIYs and Foodie posts :)

But for today let's start off with some new tunes!

I've always been a fan of One Republic so I was pumped when their new album came out. Their music is so actually musical and involved, I love it. 

Another super cool thing is Spotify's new feature! You can embed songs or entire playlists into blogs now (learn about it here). 

Needless to say, I think this is super exciting especially for my Music Monday Feature!

Without any further ado, here are two of my favorite songs from one Republic's new album "Native"

I'm Back!

Everyone get excited! I have a whole week's worth of blog posts planned for you this week.

Spring has sprung, rejoice, celebrate, be merry!