cult gaia


Ruffle top under 20

wearing: rose quartz and gold dangle earrings c/o BaubleBar (love these, current fav!!) / Chanel summer lipstick / blue and white striped ruffle top (under $15!!) / wide leg raw hem jeans / Cult Gaia bag (in stock!) / Essie summer nail polish c/o / brown and silver leather watch / silver mules (fall 2017 under $75 and super comfy!!)

Can we dub this the “Summer of Ruffles?” I am pretty sure I own more ruffle and tiered tops right now then I have owned in all of the years I have lived on this planet combined. That’s a lot of ruffles!

The ruffle trend may have turned out to be my favorite trend of the summer 2017 season. I just love it! Ruffles are so lighthearted, playful, and downright fun! This top is turning out to be a great casual outfit game changer. Instead of a tee, I can thrown on this top and look instantly on trend! Love that! Plus, it is under $15. Love that more! haha

Like the white ruffle top I wore earlier in the season, this blue and white striped top can be worn off of both shoulders, or just off one shoulder. It is always nice to have versatility in a top.

Which summer trend have you found yourself stocking your closet with?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy


Affordable swimsuit cover up for the beach

affordable swimsuit cover up for the beach affordable swimsuit cover up for the beach affordable swimsuit cover up for the beach off the shoulder swimsuit cover up for the beach cult gaia bag in stockaffordable swimsuit cover up for the beach

wearing: blue tassel earrings c/o BaubleBar / YSL lipstick / blue print affordable swimsuit cover up (under $20!) / black and white striped bikini / rose gold cuff / summer blue nail polish / wooden watch (30% off today only!) / handbag / beige wedge espadrilles (old, also love this pair under $100)

Beach season is here! Don’t let the morning fog in these photos fool you; it turned out to be a beautiful day at Capitola Beach! Over the weekend, we took the kids to the beach. We stopped at Zelda’s first for brunch; they have the best hot chocolate! Then, the kids built a little sand town on the beach while I dove into a new book. My friend Laura from Have-Need-Want lives close-by, so she walked over to the beach to say hi! My teen daughter loved meeting her baby. So fun!

This affordable swimsuit cover up, which doubles as a dress, was perfect for the day. It was easy to wear to brunch, for a stroll through town, and on the beach! With high heel sandals, this cover up would make a cute sun dress for date night on a hot day! I love how versatile this affordable swimsuit cover up is for the summer months. Nothing beats pieces which can be used for multiple types of occasions. This cover up hits all the points!

If you are looking for a fabulous bikini, my black and white striped bikini is so comfortable, and I love the side ties! The cut is flattering; I am in love!

I love the look of wooden watches; especially in the summer! My favorite wood watch is on sale today for Amazon Prime Day. It is 30% off which is a great deal! I love how it plays so well with my handbag. Natural materials are so perfect for the summer!

Affordable swimsuit cover up and outfit details:

Don’t forget to check out my tips and tricks for navigating the upcoming Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. This is such a great time to save!!

Thank you for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

cute swimsuit cover up for the beach

 


Top IT bags for summer 2017

must have handbags summer 2017

Summer is upon us, this means it is time to ensure we are carrying the ultimate IT bags for the summer 2017 season. There are three handbags which stand out this summer, and are must-haves for anyone who covets the ultimate IT bag.

You might be wondering, how is an IT bag determined? Well, I have studied social media, sales trends, and also what people are carrying here on the streets of the San Francisco Bay Area. While some bags may appear to have status online, they don’t always have that same IT power on the street. If a bag is spotted regularly online via social media, and on the streets, plus it sells out quickly, then it has achieved coveted IT bag status.

Without further adieu, here are the three IT handbags to have this summer.

Chloe Nile

chloe nile in stock shop oniline

*photo courtesy of Chloe

Chloe has done it again! They have conquered the IT bag market. The new Chloe Nile handbag is offered in two sizes, and has been deemed the “bracelet bag.” It features a fun, golden bracelet which can be used as a top handle or as decoration. The mini version of this IT bag holds little more then keys and a lipstick, while the medium-sized version can easily be worn everyday as it holds a wallet, keys, lipstick, smart phone, and glasses without a hard case.

I have spotted this bag on multiple women throughout Silicon Valley. This bag is hot right now, and can only get hotter!

If you are seeking the ultimate IT bag for summer, this is it! I am definitely eyeing this bag in black, I think it is so chic! They are hard to find in stock online, but I did find a few! So if you want to add the Chloe Nile handbag to your collection now, you can find it online here-but act fast! They are selling faster than a New York minute.

Chloe Nile in stock online:

Cult Gaia Ark Bag

cult gaia ark back in stock

The Cult Gaia Ark bag is hotter then hot. It also happens to be under $150! A-ma-zing! It is extremely rare for an IT bag to be so affordable! While this might not be the most practical of the IT bag family, it definitely wins in the unique style department. You can easily tie a scarf on the handle to make the bag match your outfit, or you can line the bag with a colorful scarf, allowing your own personal style to shine through the cracks of the bag. It is great for the beach, poolside, or as an everyday bag. Love!

This is a bag I have spotted on the arms of women here in the San Francisco Bay Area, plus it was carried by a lot of other fashion and style bloggers at the recent rewardStyle conference. The Cult Gaia Ark is a popular bag on the street, and via social media!

This is another IT bag which sells out quickly, and can be hard to find. Thankfully, it is currently in stock online here. If you love it, snap one up ASAP! You can also read my full review.

Cult Gaia Ark bag in stock online:

JW Anderson Pierce Bag

jw anderson pierce bag

The JW Anderson Pierce Bag is getting hotter as we speak. This street style star first gained IT bag status last fall when it peppered the streets of New York at fashion week. The bag’s popularity has grown, and it has become a must-have bag for the summer 2017 season. Look for it in classic black, red, and seasonal dark blush. Swoon!

There is also a cross-body mini version available, so if carrying a bag in your forearm is not your thing. The cross-body version has a pretty chain strap which allows the bag to be worn as a shoulder bag, or cross body bag. Love!

I have spotted a few of these on the streets of San Francisco, but it really shined when I was in New York. This is the bag I get the most compliments on when I wear it, and I have had multiple women ask me how I got my hands on mine. This is a great IT bag to own if you want one which is a little bit on the rare side.

You can find the JW Anderson Pierce bag online here, but not for long! It has been selling quickly too. I love this bag and find myself wearing it constantly. You can read my complete here.

JW Anderson Pierce Bag in stock online:

There you have it! Three IT bags to own this summer 2017 season. I love the fact that there is finally a bag on the list under $150!! It is so rare to find an IT bag which is affordable, and super cute!

What do you think of the bags which made the list? Are they your style?