A Not-So-Basic Bikini

Hey Cats!

Happy Wednesday! I’m getting a bit of a late start again this week…but this time I really have no excuse. But! At the end of this week (so Friday) I have a HUGE announcement that I cannot wait to share! Eeeeee!! But I’m determined to keep it in until then. So let’s jump right in!

I’m sure some of you may be tired of hearing about my trip to Miami, but honestly, I don’t care because it was fabulous. However, one thing that was not so fabulous was trying to cram all of my clothes into a carry-on. I am a severe over-packer, so even though we were there for just two days, I had trouble deciding what I needed and what I could live without. I mean, I’ve got to have options! One solution to this dilemma? A bikini that you can change every day!

This BeachGal bikini comes with different attachments you can add to shake up your look! Pictured above is the bikini by itself with no attachments, which is a fun, classic look. This is perfect for day one on the beach!

For Day 2, add a fun ruffle to both the top and the bottom- or just one! The attachments snap on quite easily, but hold well enough so you don’t lose a ruffle on the beach- no one wants that.

Looking for a little more bling? This sequin trim is perfect for laying by the pool! Keep in mind that each trim option comes with pieces for both the top and bottom of the bikini. There are also many other colors- black, coral, leopard, and hot pink. I went with Aqua since it matched my floppy hat!

I received this product courtesy of BeachGal Swim in exchange for a review, so I’m going to give my honest opinion. This bikini is very well-made, definitely better quality than the Target swimsuits I own! However, if I were to try it on in the store, I don’t think I would have taken it home with me. The bottoms fit well and have a lot of coverage, but the top did not cover everything the way I would prefer. I’m pretty modest when it comes to swimsuits, and the cut of the top didn’t exactly match my taste. But other than that, I think this is a great concept in swimwear, and is a great option for those of us with Severe Over-Packing Syndrome!

How do you save room in your suitcase? Let me know!

That’s all for meow!

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Instagram Recap

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Hey Cats!

Happy Wednesday! I apologize for the lack of post on Monday-This was just too long of a post to start at 9pm the night before! So I decided to postpone it for a couple of days, hopefully you understand. So let’s just jump in: here’s the details on my latest Instagram posts! And if you’re not following along, you can do that here!

I found the perfect substitution for the Naked palette! The Gilded Gold palette by Ulta is my new favorite thing! It’s definitely comparable in colors and quality, but for about half the price. I also purchased my go-to mascara, Colossal Cat Eye by Mabelline, and got a free gift that includes everything else that’s pictured! It was a great day for makeup!

One of the few work outfits I’ve featured lately! This Chambray Shirt Dress from Old Navy is one of my new favorites! It’s perfect for work or church, and you can wear it with heels or flats. It’s like the full body version of a chambray shirt, which I wear like every week, so obviously this is on repeat. I paired it with leopard smoking slippers, my Kendra Scott Alex earrings in chalcedony, and my Barrington bag!

These Vince Camuto heels have popped up quite a few times on the blog lately! They’re my new go-to nude heel for summer. They pair well with sundresses, rompers, and white jeans!

Still can’t wait to take these to the beach in a week and a half! My Marley Lilly hat proved to be an excellent choice for a Derby party, and I’m excited to wear it at the beach as well! Paired with my coverup from Forever 21, which I couldn’t find online but found similar options here, here, and here.

This gallery wall in my bedroom is the pride and joy of my home decor. My prints were a gift, but I believe they came from Etsy! I like the prints from Luxe Art Prints, ItsLikeGoldDust, and Wall And Wonder. The arrow is from Hobby Lobby, as is the “K”! Perhaps my favorite part of this wall is the rhino. I got it at Target, but like literally everything else, I can’t find it. BUT! I found one that I also love in gold at Anthropologie! They also have a colorful collection of exotic animal busts, if your decor is a bit more eclectic.

This white top is a summer staple! I love this off the shoulder option, this similar option, and this short-sleeved option. I paired it with my Gap Girlfriend jeans and trusty Target sandals for a casual Friday work look.

A great mail day! This nameplate necklace from Marley Lilly is great for layering, and a Southern Living is always great for reading!

Another great mail day! This druzy cuff from Kinsley Armelle is a perfect addition to my wrist. Also, I am obsessed with this brand! They’re based right outside of Houston, and have adorable pieces that are unique and affordable, which I’m all about. Check them out!

You may have seen on Insta that I rediscovered my old Converse when I went to my parent’s house this weekend! I have a pair of hot pink high tops and a pair of black low-tops that I’ve had since middle school. I rescued them because they’re on trend again! Yay for shopping your closet!

Be sure to follow along on Instagram (@sweetcatsblog) for regular updates!

That’s all for meow!

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Packing List: Beach Trip

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Hey Cats!

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend! I went to the pool twice, slept in, got sub-par pedicures with my besties, and  bought the cutest flamingo tee, so I would say it was a success. But today it’s back to work!

In a few weeks, I’m headed to Florida on vacation with two of my friends, and I’m beside myself with excitement! This is my first big trip with just my friends, so it should be tons of fun! Not to mention I love the beach. I’ve had months to procure the perfect pieces to stuff into my suitcase, and I’ve honestly probably spent way too much money. But whatever. Here’s what will be in my bag:

SWIM:

 

I tried so hard to find a new swimsuit for this trip, but I couldn’t find anything I liked. But I have plenty of suits from past summers that I still love, so it’s okay! I’m bringing my monogrammed bandeau from Marley Lilly paired with coral bottoms, which is probably my favorite swimsuit ever. I’m also bringing a one piece, since one pieces are in right now. I’ve had this one since high school so obviously it’s no longer available, but I’m loving this palm print, this simple blue, and this bright Mara Hoffman suit! My third suit is from Old Navy and also is no longer available, but this one is really similar!

BEACH ACCESSORIES

I bought this monogrammed floppy hat for two reasons: my Kentucky Derby-themed Junior League party this week and the beach. They have so many fun colors, but I chose blue because it matches my Lilly dress I’m wearing to the event (insert hair flip emoji). It also matches my cover-up! I’m loving the simple white with blue stitching! I bought it at Forever 21, but unfortunately can’t find it online (I did see one in the store this weekend!), but I’m loving this similar option, this similar color scheme, or this colorful caftan!

CASUAL OUTFITS

We’re planning on going to do lots of fun things like snorkeling and riding jet skis, so honestly I will probably be wearing Norts and a tee for those activities. But I will need a few cute outfits, of course! I’m bringing my new flamingo tee paired with my favorite boyfriend shorts, which will be perfect for exploring! I’m also bringing my leopard shorts and black tank, which will be great for a casual dinner. Of course, I can’t forget this integral part of my romper collection. It’s Lilly for Target (from the kid’s section), but I love this Lilly Pulitzer option, this solid blue, and this cute print!

GOING OUT ATTIRE

I don’t anticipate going out too much, except for fancy dinner one night. But we’re still three weeks out and I cannot decide for the life of me what outfit to bring! It’s a stressor for me right now. I’m loving this striped romper (similar options here, here, and here) and nude heel combo, but I’m also loving the below options!

I bought this black romper a few months back and I’m in love! I think it’s definitely going to be a staple this summer. There’s also my bird dress that I’m obsessed with and am always looking for excuses to wear. P.S., if birds aren’t your thing but you still want to wear something out of the box, try this dress! It’s on my “to buy” list for sure.

So that’s it! Those are the only pieces I’m taking to the beach. And if you believe that, you obviously don’t know me. What are your beach essentials? Let me know!

That’s all for meow!

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Last Week’s Look

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Hey Cats!

The weekend has flown by! I went to College Station this weekend with my parents, and it was great to be back at my favorite place on earth, as always. We went to a baseball game with a few of my friends and got incredibly sunburned, then we visited a few of our favorite restaurants, stores, and places on campus. Now I’m back in Houston praying it doesn’t flood again this week!

Today, I’ve decided to do “Last Week’s Look”. It was supposed to be “Last Night’s Look” but I had massive technical difficulties Friday morning and I was going to be late to work so I had to cut my losses.  My friend and I went to Aggie Muster last Thursday, and I loved my outfit! It’s one that will be on repeat for quite a while this spring and summer I’m sure!

Everything is linked below- Happy Shopping!

dress (on sale!)

cardigan

sandals

earrings

necklace (on sale!)

bracelet

That’s all for meow!
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Fall Shopping List

Hey Cats!

Fall is upon us! Well, here in Houston, fall is still working on making its entrance. It’s being a little shy, but hopefully it will be here to stay within the next couple of weeks! Until now, it’s been too hot (I’m talking still in the 90s) to wear fall clothes, so I’m a little late to the autumn wardrobe party. However, last weekend I went shopping and got a bit more inspiration for my fall must-have list. Here’s what I’m wanting this season:

1. Blanket Scarves

ALL OF THEM. Just kidding, I’m going to limit myself to only buying one (okay, maybe two) this season, mainly because I’m not sure how many opportunities I’m going to have to wear them this season. I’ve been told that it doesn’t even get very cold in Houston, and I honestly don’t like to bundle up if it’s not necessary. I have the classic, camel-colored plaid from last year (that I wore the CRAP out of), but I’m loving all of the monogrammed options from Marley Lilly! I’ve got my eye on the Jingle Green, Jade Plaid, and Royally Plaid.

2. Utility Jackets

I’ve been wanting this olive-colored outerwear for a couple of years now, so it’s probably time to get one! I love the color, and the relaxed silhouette is the perfect way to pull together a casual outfit. Plus, it looks like it’s not too heavy, which is perfect for this Texas autumn. The jacket pictured is from Sideline Sass, but I’m also loving this maroon JCrew option!

3. Patterned Open Cardigan

I love a good cardigan, and I’m in need of some variety in my collection of knits. I have about 5 oatmeal-colored sweaters, and I love them all, but they’re all basically the same. The pattern on this Old Navy cardigan is perfect for fall, and would pair well with a solid tee or a chambray!

4. Destroyed Denim

As you may have noticed, ripped jeans are back. I was actually talking to my sister about this last week, and she said she found some from high school that still fit, so she can be trendy without spending any money! Unfortunately, the first time that trend rolled around, I was in middle school and my parents bought all of my clothes, and they weren’t big fans of the destroyed denim look, so I don’t have any. Anyways, these girlfriend jeans from Gap are definitely on my list. I actually just bought a dark-wash pair a couple of weeks ago, and I love the fit! I’m also a fan of cuffed jeans with loafers or booties, so these will be perfect for my fall footwear!

5. Black Booties

Okay, so I actually already have a pair of black booties, but they have heels so obviously, I need some that are flat. My brown booties are a staple in my fall/winter wardrobe, but sometimes I find myself wishing I had black as well! This Topshop pair from Nordstrom fits the bill perfectly- simple, but the strap detail keeps it from being boring. These would pair well with a piko top and some black jeans for a sleek and chic look.

What are your must-haves for fall? Let me know!

Instagram Round-Up

Hey Cats!

I’m sitting here watching the Bachelorette finale and eating ice cream, because it was definitely a Monday. All around my office, actually. We all left a few minutes early because it was just that bad. I cried at my desk, not a joke. But I went home early, went to the gym, and then watched hours of reality tv and ate ice cream, and now I feel a lot better about my life.

Today, I’m sharing a few of my favorite photos from the blogstagram! I try to at least tag where everything is from, but sometimes I can’t find the official Instagram account/I’m running late to work and don’t even have time to be posting to Instagram in the first place, so this is a great way to share the details with y’all! Here are my latest snapshots!

This is a shot of my coffee table that is the pride and joy of my apartment. Seriously. I knew I wanted a hot pink coffee table, and I decorated the rest of my living room around it. I keep this chic Sarah Hansen Annapolis Queen Bee tray on it, and my Kate Spade planner. It’s from last year, but I’m loving this year’s options!

I LAHVE the geometric print on this top from Loft. It’s bold without being overwhelming, and I love the teal color! Also, this top is super comfy, it’s t-shirt material on the body, and a flowy, gauzy material for the sleeves. I paired it with my BaubleBar monogram necklace and my gold triangle studs. I couldn’t find them online, but these are super similar!

This is one of my go-to work outfits. I actually wore it yesterday, but with different shoes (still leopard, obviously). I paired my trusty JCrew Factory chambray with my black jeans from Old Navy, and these leopard wedges that I got at Target a few years ago! Once again, I couldn’t find them online but I love these!

I bought this monogrammed bandeau swim top from Marley Lilly at the beginning of the summer, and I’m obsessed with it. I love this font, and the bright green! I’ve paired it with both bright coral and black bottoms, and it’s adorable! However, I will say I ordered a medium and it’s a little big, and it doesn’t come with pads, which is obviously necessary for a white top. But there are spots to add them yourself, so I just stole them from one of my old tops and it’s perfect!

This flouncy little top with Eiffel towers all over from Francesca’s is another work go-to. This top doesn’t have little Parisian icons on it, but it’s a similar shape and color! I layered my BaubleBar monogrammed necklace with this BURDLife pendant for a fancy look.

Green pants can make any day a little brighter! I bought this spring green pair at JCPenney, and they’re some of my favorites! Also, these brown simple sandals from Target are so great that I have to limit myself on how often I wear them.

These polka-dot Pixie Pants from Old Navy are what I wear when I want to feel really put-together. I added a pop of color with this orange button-down (similar) and tied it together with my Kate Spade leopard bag.

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Trending- Tassels

Hey Cats!

It’s Pre-Friday! AND it’s theSkimm‘s third birthday! Click on my fancy new button to your right, or the link in this post to Skimm with me every day!

But on to the main event. I’m usually not one to follow trends- I tend to go for more classic looks. However, I often break that rule when it comes to jewelry. Jewelry is one of the cheaper  things to add to your wardrobe, and most jewelry trends tend to last for a while. One of my favorite trends this summer is tassels! I started to love these last summer, but now I’m sure that they’re going to be around for a while, need it. Last summer was beaded tassels, but now there are embroidery thread tassels, fabric tassels, and so many more! Here are a few of my favorites:

LAHHVE these Lisi Lerch tassel earrings. These are probably my all-time favorites, even though I have no idea where I would wear them. But how cute would these be with a hot pink romper and wedges for a fancy night out? Too cute.

I’m also loving these bracelets from BaubleBar. They’re so summery and fun, and would make a great addition to your arm party!

I’m also obsessed with these tassel and stone necklaces from Nordstrom. I love the natural stone with the pops of color from the thread tassels. These would be great layered with your everyday necklace to dress up a basic tank! Love it.

What’s your favorite jewelry trend this summer? Let me know!

That’s all for meow!

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In My Closet- Striped T-Shirt Dress

Hey Cats!

Happy Hump Day! I’m writing this while watching this week’s RHONY, where Heather loses her mind because she woke up with unattended strange guys in their vacation home thanks to Ramona and Luann’s antics. And I’m having mild PTSD because unfortunately, I was in Heather’s shoes more times than I wanted to be in college. But I digress.

As you may know, “In My Closet” is a series in which I highlight an article of clothing that I personally own that I feel is a staple in the wardrobe of a fashion-forward young woman. Today, I’ve chosen something that you have probably already seen on my Instagram, but I love it so much that I wanted to share it again!

This striped swing dress from Old Navy was a wonderful addition to my closet last spring! It’s so comfortable, versatile, and classic. It’s the easiest outfit ever, you just throw it on and go! The stripes are a basic print that look great alone, but can also be spruced up with fun accessories. I love wearing mine with a statement necklace and sandals, as pictured above, with a bright colored scarf and fun earrings, and I’m looking forward to trying it out with my brown booties and a chunky scarf in the fall! Also, the stretchy t-shirt material makes it easy to wear all day and not be annoyed or uncomfortable. When I bought this, I didn’t think it would end up being such a great investment (ps, it was under $20, so it was also a steal!), but I could wear it every day in a million different ways. Add a simple, striped dress to your single girl closet and see what you can do with it!

That’s all for meow!

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Be Flat

Hey Cats!

When I first started working, I would wear heels all the time. I wore them to my internship at the law firm (until I tripped on the rug and nearly dropped everyone’s lunch…true story.), stuffed them in my tote bag to change on the bus for my internship at the School of Public Health, and of course, wore them on my first day of work at my big girl job. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that my office is much more casual, and eight hours is wayyy too long to wear heels. So I’ve switched from pumps to flats, and I’m not even sorry about it. Sure, I still wear wedges and heels occasionally, but for the most part, flats are my friends. I have a few pairs of flats that go with everything, but as we all know, you can never have enough shoes. That being said, I like a lot of versatility in my shoes- I’ve got to be able to wear them with quite a few outfits. I tend to lean towards more neutral shoes, with a few exceptions here and there. I’ve got my eye on quite a few pairs, and I thought I’d share them with you!

First on my list is the timeless Reva flat from Tory Burch. I’ve wanted these for YEARS and to be honest, I’m not sure why I haven’t gotten them yet. Actually, I know exactly why, I’m horrible at managing my money. But anyways, I wear my other black flats at least three days a week, so another pair is definitely going to be needed soon. I love these because they’re high quality, and add a stylish twist to a basic wardrobe staple. I’m hoping they’ll be on sale next week at the Nordstrom Annual sale!

Next up, I’m loving a classic pair of brown driving slippers, like these Nancy loafers from Coach. These look so comfortable, and are a nice change of pace from regular ballet flats. They’re a sleek and chic shoe that would look great with a paper bag skirt, cuffed jeans, or white cigarette pants.

Next up are these scalloped nude flats from DSW. I’ve wanted nude flats for quite some time, and I love the scallop trim on these! They add a girly touch to a basic shoe. These would look great with practically anything!

Two other styles I love are pointed-toe and D’orsay flats, and these Sole Society flats cover both of those! Now I know I said I like to keep my shoes pretty neutral, but these are just adorable. They would be an easy way to add a pop of color to a basic black and white outfit, or outside of work with rolled boyfriend jeans and a slouchy tee.

See, flats can be fun! I know most of these are pretty basic, but keep in mind that these are choices for work, so they’re more on the conservative side. Except for the floral pair. But the great thing about neutral shoes is that they can be worked into so many different outfits! What’s your favorite pair of flats, and what do you wear them with? Let me know!

That’s all for meow!

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Red, White, and Blue

Hey Cats!

Hopefully everyone’s week is off to a good start! And even if it’s not, it’s going to be a short week, so you won’t have to deal with it for a long time. I’m excited to get a chance to sleep late an extra day, and maybe go shopping because #payday. Except maybe not because I’m still terrified to spend money because I’m still trying to learn how to be an adult. But I digress.

July 4th is such a fun holiday in my opinion. I wish more holidays were in the summer, just because it’s more fun to be at the lake or outside than inside and cold. Also, I love picking out a red, white, and blue outfit to wear to whatever get-together I’ll be attending. I bought a super cute red bandana-like tank last summer, and I’ve promised myself that I was going to wear that with my blue jean shorts. But if I hadn’t planned ahead, which is usually the case, here are a few things I would be considering for the 4th!

How adorable are these Fireworks shorts from Old Navy? I almost want to go buy them and wear them instead of my other shirt! Plus, they’re under $15 right now, which gives you a great excuse to run out and buy them if you don’t know what you’re wearing yet. Paired with a white eyelet tank or a red solid tee, these would be the perfect pants for a backyard barbecue!

This flag scarf from Sideline Sass would be the perfect way to spice up an outfit of basic pieces, like white jeans and a black tank. But only if you’re planning on being inside, because hot.

If you’re looking for a slightly more girly option, a sundress is a perfect choice. This Monterey Tank dress from Lilly Pulitzer is a wonderful combination of patriotic and feminine, mostly because it has a little touch of pink!

If you’re planning at hanging out by the pool or at the lake all day, this Stars & Stripes bikini is an easy way to squeeze red, white, and blue into your day. Pair this with a cute cover-up and lots of sunscreen!

And as always, it’s not the 4th of July without this little gem:

I hope you all look like a true patriot this Independence Day, whatever you choose to wear. That’s what Paulette would want.