Bikinis and Beaches: Sensi + Ventura

Memorial Day weekend typically marks the kick-off of long summer days, weekend pool parties, and beach dates (YAY!) so what better time to launch a bikinis and beaches series! As I've mentioned before, my SoCal up bringing has made me a beach loving, bikini pursuing girl. I really enjoy discovering new swimwear brands and playing at all of our amazing beaches!

A few weekends ago I hit Ventura for some fun with the family wearing a Sensi bikini. Sensi is all about creating flirty and functional suits. They're made to stay put through surfing, paddle boarding, even handstands!

Ventura is about 1 hour up the coast from LA and it's just oh-so relaxing. Tons of beaches and sailboats plus great restaurants and shopping. My grandparents have a beach house there and I've been going for as long as I can remember -lots of great memories!

There are some incredible houses around the channel that give me series beach house envy. The best part is that you can rent a kayak or little boat and go in and out of the channel islands which is a great way to get some ocean time without being OUT in the ocean. 

{sensi sierra top c/o // sensi dominique bottom c/o // sephora hair tie}

The suit is fabulously on trend with the fringe top and multi-string bottom + it does what Sensi says: stays put. Something's got to hold the girls in during an afternoon of beach handstands! It's nice to see a sporty racerback top with a little sex appeal. Absolutely loving the tribal print; it feels very festival-ish. Fit, you ask? The top and bottom are true to size. You could actually size up in the top if you thought you might be in between sizes.

If this video doesn't sum up my hopes for this weekend, I don't know what does:

 

Happy long weekend! Here's to hoping we all get a little bikini and beach time in. 

Floral Skirt & Co.

This season is all about skirts: pencil skirts, skater skirts, maxi skirts, leather skirts, patterned skirts...you get the picture. One skirt look that's beyond easy to pull off is the casual tee combo:

{american apparel v-neck // asos floral skirt // zara heels - last season (similar here) // sole society 'smythe' sunnies}

It's safe to say we all have a basic tee in our arsenal, right? There's something so effortless about pairing a simple tee with minimal heels no matter what bottoms you choose. Try it! I spotted this skirt  on Pinterest a few weeks ago (darn you, Pinterest) and instantly scooped it up. Floral is such a versatile spring print that just puts you in the best mood + it can easily transition to summer. I definitely see this skirt making the rounds over the next couple months. 

Brand Crush: Tildon

Last week Nordstrom hosted a young Hollywood event with Nylon Magazine and when I saw these babies on the red carpet, I fell in love. Tildon is a new NPG brand that has trendy pieces at a great price point - everything below is under $90!

The high-heeled sandals also come in a great textured black color... obsessed! This collection is all about on-trend silhouettes in classic solids: black, white, grey with a dash of florals and color. What do you think of the styles? I'm looking forward to seeing the new pieces in store for fall! 

The Peplum Trick

One of the reasons I'm always hesitant to buy "fancy" dresses (I'd rather borrow) is because they're usually one wear and done! That is, unless you try the peplum trick...

{naven heartthrob dress // polka dot peplum - similar here // c. wonder tassel clutch // victoria's secret collection heels (on sale!)}

The pink "skirt" is actually my Naven dress from '12! Peplum tops instantly create a waistline so they can really be thrown over any dress to give the illusion of a skirt. Genius! Take a quick look through your closet tonight and see what new outfits you can create. Also, I think Kate Spade's iPhone case may have been the inspo for this look! 

Spring Style Refresh

If you know me well then you're totally aware of my ridiculous Starbucks obsession. So you don't see me every morning?  Well let me tell you... I'm not a functioning human unless I have my iced coffee, 7 days a week. (Yeah, I'm a gold member!)

 Anywho- when Starbucks asked me to share my Spring style upgrades and try out their new iced coffee, I thought to myself "Try your iced coffee?!" Did they know that I've already been drinking the new iced coffee for over a month because my new place is BLOCKS from a Starbucks. (Mind you, my old place was on the same block as Starbucks.) It's a sad but true reality: I can't just wake up and walk to Starbucks every morning. Thank goodness for the bottled iced coffee that tastes exactly like my old go-to + it's so easy to grab when I'm running out the door for work or packing for a Saturday beach day.

What else am I loving this spring besides Starbucks iced coffee?

I know I'm late to board the cool hair tie train but these things are genius! To be honest I don't wear my hair up that much except for workouts, but as the temperature rises I always have the mid-day itch to pull my hair back. Thanks so these lovelies it's so easy to keep a fun colored tie on your wrist all day and not look like a hot mess!

I have the blues and I don't mean the sad kind. It's a cool color that compliments almost every skin tone + works with all the hottest trends right now. You can tell I'm loving it from my fingers all the way down to my toes!

Let's talk fun in the sun. While I'm all about showing some serious skin at the beach, I also strongly believe in protecting it! You won't find me hiding under an umbrella (sorry, I like to play in the water and do handstands in the sand) but you will find me with an arsenal of sunscreen. Nivea's new lip care with sun protection has got to be my fave spring beach find so far. Remember, the essential beach bag has the perfect mix of functional and entertaining goodies in it! No one wants an awkward sunburn. 

What are your fave spring style upgrades? Speaking of spring, is it summer yet? TGIF! 

The new line-up of bottled Starbucks® Iced Coffee beverages gives you great-tasting, energizing refreshment with premium Starbucks® coffee from 100 percent arabica beans. Starbucks® Iced Coffee ready-to-drink beverages are perfect on-the-go refreshment to help you through the daily commute, the midday slump, or an exciting road trip adventure with friends. Best enjoyed chilled from the  bottle, look for it at major grocery and convenience stores, available nationwide.


Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, produced in collaboration with Glam and Starbucks. I received a Starbucks Iced Coffee sample to review. The opinions shared in this post are my own.

All White Everything

When all else fails go white on white! It's a crisp and fresh look that works for almost any occasion + you can always spice it up with accessories: 

{zara blouse & multi-colored heels // joe's jeans}

If you can't tell, this blouse and pair of jeans have been in heavy rotation the past couples weeks! I'm definitely the kind of girl that gets hung up on new buys until the next purchase happens. Is it just me?! Love this look for an easy breezy, everyday outfit. It's a good "I don't know what to wear today" solution! Plus, the shoe options are endless. Can we talk about these Zara lovelies? I keep them out in my living room as decoration because they're just so amazing! 

If the Shoe Fits: Zara T-Strap Heels

Another Zara shoe that the blogosphere can't get enough of:

{zara t-strap heels}

Looks like we all had the same idea when styling around these beauties: go neutral! 

Melanee went with this season's black & white trend for a sexy and sophisticated look. Girl can rock a hat! Swooning over the flirty white outfit, too.

I love how Mattie of Mattieologie paired the t-straps with a leopard blazer (that's a neutral!) with two fab pops of color! Also can we talk about her scarf turned turban? So chic! 

 Is it just me or is anyone else having headwear FOMO? Need to get a hat asap. Another look I've been known to rock with these multi-colored heels: distressed denim and a white tee for a casual Friday ensemble. 

Make sure to check out the last "If the Shoe Fits" for some more Zara action.