DREAMING OF HAWAII

My fiancé and I have finally decided on Hawaii for our honeymoon and I've been daydreaming about mountains, relaxation, and Mai Tais ever since! 

While it feels like it's too soon, summer sales are already upon us. I've been taking advantage of the end of season deals and keeping my eyes on anything that reminds me of Hawaii to add a little fun to my future summer wardrobe. From aloha clutches to pineapple shoes, I will be completely island ready!

Top to bottom, left to right: 1. Venessa Arizaga Aloha Bracelet ($55.00) - Urban Outfitters, 2. Pineapple Studs ($48.00) - Bing Bang NYC, 3. Malia ($75.00) - Kayu, 4. FINDS + Ç Mira Mikati Printed Crepe Shorts ($240 - On Sale!) - NET-A-PORTER, 5. The Laundry Room Hawaii Lovers Muscle Tee ($39.99 - On Sale!) - Urban Outfitters, 6. Splendid Pinstripe Palm Tree Shorts ($98.00) - Bloomingdale's, 7. Aloha Tank ($64.00) - Shoptiques, 8. Aruba in Pineapple ($89.00) - KAANAS, 9. Aloha Ear Climber Set ($48.00) - Gorjana.

Have you ever been to Hawaii? Please let me know any Maui or Kauai recommendations!

Jess

WEARING BLACK IN THE SUMMER

It's quite obvious that I love to wear black. From my frames to my nails to my shoes - it's all black everythang.

Wearing black outfits in the summer everywhere I've lived before (Miami, Chicago) is a recipe for disaster (and now Houston is no exception). But it's not something I can ever give up! Just gotta figure out how to wear black head to toe without any chances of internal combustion. My advice? Get skimpy with it. Now, you don't have to wear itty bitty clothing, but don't be afraid of showing some skin! Just apply SPF 80 if you're pale like me. 

Bare those arms, show off the legs, don a backless dress. All in black, of course.

Top to bottom, left to right: 1. Straw Oversized Floppy Hat ($29.00) - ASOS, 2. Vince 'Sawyer' Ankle Flat Sandals ($15.00) - Shopbop, 3. Ecote Clary Godet Trapeze Dress ($59.00) - Urban Outfitters, 4. Neoprene Beach Tote ($72.00) - Athleta, 5. We The Free Queen Tank ($48.00) - Free People, 6. Cabrillo Black with Flint Polar ($265.00) - Oliver Peoples, 7. Linen Maxi Shirtdress ($148.00) - Madewell, 8. Gathered Halter One-Piece Swimsuit ($88.00) - J.Crew, 9, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Short ($195.00) - Bloomingdale's.

How do you wear black in the summer?

Jess

WEDDING INSPIRATION: THE LOOK

I have tried on numerous wedding gowns and I haven't been able to envision myself in any of them. From the silhouette to whether it matches my glasses of choice (weird request, I know), it just hasn't been "the one". 

I started to think about my "look". Did I want to feel glamorous? Sexy? Bohemian? No, I just want to feel cool. Then it finally hit me - I really did love Solange's wedding dress. (So much, I even did a post about it, but completely forgot until recently, obvi.) With that dress in mind, the details came pouring in. Rose gold, black, metal, onyx. With my fiancé in black by my side, chic and cool will be done in one fell swoop!

Now it's time to research local Houston designers and make my vision a reality! See my inspirations for my wedding look below.

Loeffler Randall Metallic Lock Clutch ($350.00) - Shopbop, Diane Kordas Rose Gold Black Diamond Bar Necklace ($940.00) - Neiman Marcus, Halston Heritage Asymmetric Flutter Sleeve Gown ($595.00) - Bloomingdale's, Hutton ($95.00) - Warby Parker, Horizon Duality Ring ($200.00) - Bing Bang NYC, Solange Knowles in Kenzo (Us Mazagaine), Jeffrey Campbell 'Burke' Platform Heel ($135.00) - Nasty Gal, Luxe Pave Deco Bar Stud Earrings ($29.00 - On Sale!) - Henri Bendel, Octagon Stone Bracelet ($575.00) - Vita Fede, Livid ($16.00) - LVX.

What will your "wedding look" look like?

Jess

NINE OLIVIA POPE-WORTHY COATS

Happy Scandal day!

Doesn't this weather suck? Not only do our faces li-ter-a-lly hurt from the wind, but we don't know if our ears are still attached. Being cute in this weather isn't even on our mind right now... We're just trying to survive.

Luckily one of Jill's favorite shows, Scandal, has inspired us to hunt for a coat that will keep us warm and stylish - have you ever seen Olivia Pope be anything less?

Here are nine coats that are Olivia Pope-worthy!

Top to bottom, left to right: Vera Wang Face Wrap ($460.00) - Nordstrom, REISS Margo Belted Zip Pocket ($525.00) - Bloomingdale's, Asymmetric Soft Coat ($250.00) - Banana Republic, Felted Coat ($59.95) - H&M, Crepe Funnel Neck ($174.99) - Ann Taylor, American Vintage Grayson Coat ($340.00) - Net-a-Porter, Belted Trench Coat ($150.00) - Topshop, Wool Blend Wrap Jacket ($299.00) - Calvin Klein, and Kardashian Kollection at Lipsy - ASOS ($246.35).

Jess & Jill

RUNNING A TIGHT(S) SHIP

Ahhh, fall. No more having to worry about shaving our legs when we want to wear a dress. That totally triumphs the beautiful foliage, am I right?

The tights and boots combo is my absolute favorite for the season, but pulling out my plain black pair all the time can make things boring. Plus it makes me look like a major repeat offender. That's why I've compiled a list of six tights that add a little flair to this season's favorite look!

Rose Thigh Band Tights ($20.00) - Topshop

Vince Camuto Studded Tights ($24.00) - Nordstrom

Cable Knit Tights ($9.80) - Forever 21

Block-Striped Tights ($9.95) - H&M

Alice + Olivia by Pretty Polly Writing Back Tights ($48.00) - Bloomingdale's

DKNY Ombre Tights ($18.00) - Bloomingdale's

Where do you shop for tights?

x Jill

FIVE VA VA VASES

Ever since I've moved into my "big girl home" (side note: this does not mean I have to give up getting lost in Ikea, right?) I've been trying to keep fresh flowers weekly. It's a great way to brighten up your home and change your decor by adding in different colors. But flowers are only as pretty as the vase you put them in, and I've been collecting quite a few. You can never have enough!

Here are five vases... no, va va vases... that'll va va voom up your home decor.

Parlour Pitcher ($30.00 - $40.00) - BHLDN

Middle Kingdom Laundry Detergent Porcelain Vase ($48.00) - Nordstrom

Sierra Square Vase ($200.00) - Tiffany & Co.

I-Scream Vase ($68.00) - Jonathan Adler

Kate Spade Daisy Place Dots Vase ($75.00) - Bloomingdale's

Where do you shop for vases?

x Jill

FAVORITO FRIDAY: TOTES MCGOTES

I totes just wanted to use that title.

But really, who doesn't love a good tote? Not only are they insanely practical - they can hold your camera, makeup bag, and groceries - but they give a laid back, chic look. And they're the perfect transition piece from beach days to nights on the town.

And here are some I'm totes-ally into.

Ted Baker Large Bow Jewel Icon Tote ($75.00) - Nordstrom

Kate Spade Treat Yourself Shopping Tote ($16.00) - Nordstrom

Vital Industries City Canvas Tote ($10.00) - Nordstrom

Family Jewels Tote ($65.00) - Nasty Gal

REISS Tote ($18.00) - Bloomingdale's

Large Tallulah Double Sided Tote ($103.99 - On Sale!) - Jonathan Adler

x Jill

MOTHER'S DAY GIFTS

Whether it's a new mom, expecting mom, or a pro at the mom game, Mother's Day is the time of year we all get to celebrate the most important woman in our life. And while no gift can make up for the labor we put her through (talk about a superhero) these gifts we picked out definitely won't hurt. 

Remember being a teenager? It's the least you can do. 

1. Asymmetrical Mini Letter Necklace ($240.00+) - Maya Brenner Designs, 2. Burlap Pillow 'Home Is Where Mom Is' ($30.00) - Two Peaches Design, 3. Posh & Pink ($35.00 - $75.00) - Flowers for Dreams, 4. 'Best Mom Ever' Dish ($26.00) - MB Art Studios, 5. She's Always A Woman ($25.00) - Deborah Lippmann, 6. Alex & Ani 'Special Delivery' Bangle ($38.00) - Bloomingdale's, 7. The Refining Facial ($85.00) - La Mer, 8. Kate Spade New York 'Mom Said So' Idiom Bangle ($58.00) - Bloomingdale's, 9. Le Pavillion Large Natalie ($148.00) - Kate Spade New York, 10. 6" Chalkboard Planter ($9.00 - On Sale!) - West Elm, 11. Voluspa 'Maison Jardin' Votive Candle Set ($36.00) - Nordstrom.

What are you getting for your mom this Mother's Day?

Jess & Jill

GETTIN' FANCY WITH FLATS

About 99.99999999999% of the time that I'm dressing up, I'm also going up in height with a big heel. But if hell decides to freeze over (or you know, I sprain my ankle again being clumsy), I take comfort that there are a ton of options to get fancy with flats. So whether you're the bride to be, a guest at a wedding, or just going out for an elegant night, you can still look dressy while staying at ground level. 

1. J.Crew Viv Patent Flats ($188.00) - J.Crew 2. Sundew Flats ($69.00) - Nine West 3. Kate Spade Flambe Flat ($125.00) - Kate Spade 4. Shiny Point Ballerina ($59.99) - Zara 5. Kate Spade Audrina Flat ($238.00) - Nordstrom 6. Christian Louboutin Corbeau Layers, Leather, and PVC Flats ($625.00) - Net-A-Porter 7. Marc Jacobs Pointed Toe Flats ($495.00) - Bloomingdale's 8. Karl Lagerfeld for Melissa Silver Metallic Flats ($124.59) - ASOS.

Have you rocked flats to a wedding before?

x Jill

BLOOMINGDALE'S RENOVATION TOUR #HAVEYOUHEARD

Last week, I joined nine other bloggers to tour the newly renovated Bloomingdale's at the 900 North Michigan Shops last week. We checked out everything from cosmetics to accessories, shoes to apparel, and let's just call it love at first sight.

The makeup department is beyond phenomenal! You can't resist anything shiny and new, but Bloomingdale's has the brands to back it up. You can find the makeup classics here - Chanel, Bobbi Brown, MAC, Benefit, and more - but you can introduce yourselves to some awesome brands that I saw the first time and can't wait to visit again, like Illamasqua! Bloomingdale's is also home to the only Space.NK.apothecary in the Midwest, where they feature over 40 luxurious brands. And they have private spa rooms, of course.

Only Space.NK.apothecary in the Midwest!

Some of my favorite products from Benefit.

Illamasqua has every color foundation possible!

No fear of colors here!

A blogger always has a camera and and iPhone in hand.

Lip colors at Illamasqua.

It's like candy at MAC!

You can find any and every accessory you may need here! Bloomingdale's continues to offer many brands of fine jewelry, including Ippolita and David Yurman. And one of my favorite sections, sunnies! 

How adorable are these Kate Spade sunnies?

Speaking of accessories, can we talk about this stunning shoe department? Boots, loafers, and wedges, oh my!

Time to check out their apparel! We headed up to see the homes of Kate Spade, DKNY, Ted Baker, Theory, and more, including an introduction to Hoss Intropia.

Hello, Cara.

Love the visual details throughout the store!

One of my favorite stops was the Hoss Intropia shop. This Spanish brand has such beautiful and feminine designs with intricate details. I absolutely love the color story of the current collection (coming from a girl who almost exclusively wears black) and the accessories are drool-worthy. Bloomingdale's is home to the only Hoss Intropia in the Midwest!

For Bloomingdale's "We Love the UK", they're featuring over 40 British brands, 14 pop-up shops, over 250 exclusive creations, and so much more. It can't be a British invansion without the Beatles, so it's total Beatlemania with brands from Ted Baker, Ben Sherman, Paul Smith, London Undercover, and more.

Only a few Bloomingdale's has this Beatle pop-up shop!

Beatlemania!

What would a blogger tour be without bloggers? Thanks to Chicago Blogger Network for hooking us up!

Darlene of Glitterary, Janet of Fashion-a-Holic, Lauren of Lake Shore Lady, Sara of Project Soiree, Laurie of 312 Beauty, Amber of Style Plus Curves, myself, C.J. of Toe That Line, Kait of Hunter Style, and Nikia of Chitown Fashionista!

Have you been to the renovated Bloomingdale's?

Jess