Limeade and Skorts.

Skorts are back. If you grew up in the 90′s like I did, you may remember these peculiar skirt-shorts combos. (I rocked said trend with stacked neon socks and snap bracelets because I was just that cool.) The modern version of skorts are more structural, like this white number from Zara. Moonlights as a skirt from the front, but a side/back view reveals it for the simple pair of shorts it actually is.

I wore my skorts with a floaty lime tank, bright white Zara sandals, and a layered chain statement necklace from Bauble Bar. All those cool colors needed some warmth to balance ‘em out, so I slipped on a coral cheek and my favorite lip stain/gloss hybrid: YSL Glossy Stain in 08 Orange de Chine.

Tank- ___; Skorts and Sandals- Zara; Necklace- Courtney Kerr for Bauble Bar

Tank- BP (pink and aqua); Skorts and Sandals- Zara; Necklace- Courtney Kerr for Bauble Bar

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A few of you have noticed I’ve been wearing my hair straight more often (tame the lion waves!), which is rare for me in the spring and summer when the humidity arrives here in Kansas City. Sweating under a hair dryer (typically a 40-minute commitment for this girl and her mane) when it’s already muggy outside is not my idea of a good time.

But for the past few weeks I’ve been using the HanaAir Professional blow dryer (courtesy of Misikko*), which has cut my dry time down considerably– drying my hair from just-toweled used to take the better part of an hour, and I can now do it about 15 minutes with the HanaAir.

The dryer packs a punch–  2300 watts. A ceramic heating element (as opposed to metal or plastic) heats the hair more evenly, which minimizes damage. This is huge improvement over dryers I’ve used in the past– now after a blowout, my hair doesn’t have that slightly frazzled, I’m-in-shock look.

Toying around with the idea of a beauty post… I’ve had a few emails about my beauty routine/what products I use (mostly black magic and trick mirrors, ha), so drop me a comment or an email if this is something you’re interested in seeing on the blog.

Happy Tuesday!

*Misikko sent the HanaAir dryer for my review; thoughts and opinions are my own.

Coral Shorts and Stripes.

Brights and stripes, a girl can’t go wrong.

Standard striped tee + coral shorts + bright accessories is a winner every time and an easy choice for a lunch date. Sporting another piece from my Courtney Kerry for Bauble Bar haul; this time it’s the lariat necklace. Just drape and go. Added a mini bubble necklace to pull some orange into the mix.

striped tee, coral shorts, blue flats

Tee and Flats- Zara; Shorts- Old Navy; Watch- Michael Kors; Orange Necklace- J.Crew Factory; Lariat Necklace- Courtney Kerr for Bauble Bar

striped tee, coral shorts, blue flats

striped tee, coral shorts, blue flats

striped tee, coral shorts, blue flats

statement necklace, orange necklace, tassel necklace

Not a bad little combo, eh?

Weekend’s on deck! First anniversary… Whoa, time sure flies. :)

Baubles and Boyfriend Jeans.

Sometimes it’s fun to wear a blank canvas (in this case, a simple white v-neck and cuffed boyfriend jeans) and let your accessories do the heavy lifting.

I scored this gorgeous necklace last week. It’s part of the Courtney Kerr for Bauble Bar collection (which I loved so much I bought several pieces from it). The necklace is so bright and happy; definitely perfect for summer. I used turquoise striped wedges to get a little height– sometimes the slouch in a pair of boyfriend jeans can make one look squatty (or is that just me?), so the wedges add some length to the look.

boyfriend jeans, white tee, statement necklace, bauble bar, wedges

Jeans and Tee- Gap; Wedges- R2 (similar); Necklace- Courtney Kerry for Bauble Bar

boyfriend jeans, white tee, statement necklace, wedges, bauble bar

white tee, statement necklace, boyfriend jeans, wedges, bauble bar

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Such a stunner, right?

Congrats to Shannon F., Alice B., and NuRya– they’re our winners for the Summer Essentials giveaway! Congrats, ladies. Now go check your email. :)

Happy Tuesday!

Instagram Jam.

I’m all about Instagram– and aren’t we all these days? I think everyone should feel like a super slick photog now and again, and I’ve always been a fan of photo-documenting. Here are a few snaps from my Instagram; come follow me for lots of fashion hauls, flowers (the landscape endeavor continues!), and really ornery/adorable rat terriers.

Instagram collage: flowers, stilettos, bracelets stacks, and tequila.

I’m in transit today from Minneapolis for Confab 2013, so apologies if I’m slow to respond. Regular blogging resumes next week.

Don’t forget to enter the summer essentials giveaway! You could win one of three gift cards to get your shopping spree on. You only have until Monday, June 10th to enter. Bonne chance!

Feeling Blue + Summer Essentials Giveaway.

First of all, a massive congrats to Rachel, as she’s the winner of the Mitzie necklace giveaway! Wanted a summery suit for a sushi dinner + painting party with girls last Friday. A beautiful navy blazer from Elizabeth and James (scored at a deep discount via my favorite sample sale site, HauteLook. Are you signed up? Do it!), a pair of cute cobalt tie-waist shorts, and some killer striped wedges that scream summer. These pieces weren’t necessarily meant to be worn together, but the navy + cobalt combo work for a summer suit that isn’t too matchy-matchy.

Navy blazer, blue shorts, striped wedges, summer suit.

Blazer- Elizabeth and James; Tank- Hinge; Shorts- Romeo & Juliet Couture (on sale!); Wedges- Tommy Hilfiger; Necklace- Bauble Bar (similar)

Navy blazer, blue shorts, striped wedges, summer suit.

Navy blazer, blue shorts, striped wedges, summer suit.

Spike Bracelet- ASOS; Bangles- glint & gleam

Navy blazer, blue shorts, striped wedges, summer suit.

It’s giveaway season on LSR… Excited to announce a fun giveaway, brought to you by a few of my blogging  friends + yours truly. Enter now!

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This giveaway is for one $150 giftcard to Lulu’s, one $50 giftcard to Victoria’s Secret, and one $50 giftcard to Sephora. This giveaway is open internationally to people 18 years and older. If the winner of the Sephora giftcard does not live in a country which Sephora ships to, a Visa gift card will be substituted. The giveaway will run from Monday, June 3rd, 2013 12:01 AM CST to Monday, June 10th, 2013 12:00 AM CST. All entries will be verified. The winners will be announced on the affiliated blogs after the winners’ entries are verified. The winners will be contacted via email. This giveaway is not affiliated with Lulu’s, Victoria’s Secret, Sephora, Facebook, Bloglovin, Instagram, GFC, Twitter, Google, Pinterest, or any other social media platform.

Summer Weight Sweaters.

As I was packing up the fashion closet for my biannual wardrobe switch (out with the winter and in with the spring!), I intentionally left a few lightweight sweaters on the racks, in hopes I would work them into more summery outfits. My memory (although typically rather shoddy) didn’t fail me this time, as I reached for this super light striped number and matched it up with a pair of faded boyfriend shorts and cut-out booties for a Memorial Day barbeque.

Sweater- Old Navy; Shorts- Gap; Booties- Jeffrey Campbell; Purse: Rebecca Minkoff

Sweater- Old Navy (similar); Shorts- Gap; Booties- Jeffrey Campbell; Purse- Rebecca Minkoff

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Digging my personalized Mini MAC- check out the little gold AW!

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The Just SVARA Mitzie necklace giveaway ends tomorrow. Have you entered? Go, go, go!

Calling all content strategists, SEO gurus, and fellow general geeks: is anyone going to Confab next week in Minneapolis? I am! Would love to meet up with you! Let me know; my Twitter is a good place to start.

That brings me to a programming note. Since I’m out for Confab, posting next week will be light. However, check in on Monday for another giveaway announcement!

Cut it Out.

Girly up top + tough shoes. The girls in London have been perfecting this combo for years, and it’s an aesthetic I picked up after taking a London vacation right after college. So easy to do: rather than a simple ballet flat, pick a shoe with a bit of edge. These Topshop shoes are a bit more ladylike than the Jeffrey Campbell stompers I’ve been wearing lately, but still lend some toughness to a classic look.

Top- JCrew; Trousers- Express; Shoes- Topshop

Top- JCrew (on sale!); Trousers- Express; Shoes- Topshop

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Hope everyone had a safe and happy Memorial weekend! Now back to the grind…

Black, White, and a Just SVARA Giveaway.

Black and white is a classic pairing, but it’s also on trend for Spring and Summer 2013. I grabbed an old miniskirt (we’re talking old; I’ve had this puppy since high school) and threw on a layered sheer + stripes tank. Simple strappy black sandals, out of control waves (hello, Midwest humidity!), and I was ready for Saturday night.

Tank and skirt- Express; sandals- Colin Stuart

Tank + Skirt (old, similar)- Express; Sandals- Colin Stuart (similar)

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And now for the giveaway announcement I promised on Tuesday. You know that gorgeous neon necklace I’ve been wearing all over the place? I’m teaming up with Just SVARA to give one away to an LSR reader. Not a bad gig, eh?

Just SVARA Mitzie Necklace Giveaway:
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How to enter:
1. Like Just SVARA on Facebook and share the giveaway photo to your time line to enter.
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2. Follow Just SVARA on Twitter and retweet the giveaway tweet to DOUBLE the chances of winning.
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3. Also follow Just SVARA on Instagram @justsvara to TRIPLE the chances of winning!
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Make sure you visit Just SVARA during the giveaway period with the code lestylorouge for a 20% discount!
Giveaway ends at 11pm EST on May 31st (Friday).
Good luck! :)

Get Graphic.

Thinking of all the victims of yesterday’s tornadoes in Oklahoma. Please consider donating to the relief effort set up by the Red Cross.

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I instantly fell in love with this graphic print dress by Love Stitch. Light, bright, with a bit of a high-low hem. I wore it with a pair of super spring-like rope wedges, an almond-colored faux leather jacket, my favorite belt, and a few neon touches (I seem to be developing a neon habit).

Dress- Love Stitch; Jacket- Lauren Conrad; Belt: Linea Pelle; Wedges: Aldo

Dress- Love Stitch (similar styles here, here, and here); Jacket- Lauren Conrad (old; similar here); Belt- Linea Pelle; Wedges- Aldo

Bag- Gap

Bag- Gap (leather version here; crossbody version here)

Orange Bangle- Gap; Neon Wrap Bracelet: Gorjana

Orange Bangle- Gap; Neon Wrap Bracelet- Gorjana Griffin

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Hope everyone has a happy Tuesday. Check back on Thursday for a bright and sunny giveaway! :)

Pop on Your Neon.

I’m still doing neon, but it’s fun finding a new way to wear it. How about with a ladylike heather gray tee with a silk peter pan collar? Okay, go. Neon in the form of pointed-toe patent flats, a fire coral-colored belt, and a small stack of bright bangles.

I’m living in these easy boyfriend-y jeans; they make everything feel like the weekend. But not sloppy, I’ve-been-on-the-couch-watching-a-Housewives-marathon weekend, rather Gwyneth-running-errands-in-NY weekend.

Top: JCrew; jeans: Gap; flats: Aldo; belt: H&M

Top- JCrew; Jeans- Gap; Flats- Aldo (similar here and here); Belt- H&M (similar here)

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Bracelets: ASOS; watch: Michael Kors

Bracelets- ASOS (same brand, similar style here and here); Watch- Michael Kors

Hope everyone has a great weekend! I’m on Operation Landscape again. :)