Hangout Music Festival

Only one short day to go until Hangout Music Festival, and we couldn't be more excited!  This festival is a great event that brings awesome music to Gulf Shores, AL and generates a lot of revenue for the city.  Below you'll find inspiration/tips on what to pack for Hangout or whatever other festivals you might be traveling to.

(photo from the Hangout website)

First and foremost, SUNSCREEN.  There is nothing more chic than protecting your skin!  We like Elta's entire line of products, but the facial cleanser and sunscreens are some of the best.  You'll be in the hot sun all day so it is important to take care of your skin, reapplying sunscreen when needed and thoroughly cleansing it at night.

EltaMD UV Daily SPF 40

EltaMD UV Aero SPF 45
EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser

Now let's start from the top!  A hat is a necessity when spending the entire day in the sun.  Choose one that is functional (shields your eyes/face from the sun) yet fashionable.  These two options are relatively inexpensive and adorable!

Urban Outfitters Packable Fedora Hat $29.00
Jcrew Panama Hat $58.00

Sunglasses are one of our favorite accessories and in our opinion, crucial for everyday life.  They are great for adding that extra something to a casual outfit, and with so many different styles available, it's not hard to find a great pair (or 5!).  We've listed a few different options.  House of Harlow 1960 makes fabulous sunnies, but you can find similar styles for less money.

HoH1960 Willow $148.00
HoH1960 Penny $138.00
Urban Outfitters Le Specs Olympia $69.00
Urban Outfitters Gold Tipped Cat-Eye $18.00

Swimsuits are a must!  Whether you're more comfortable in a one piece or a bikini is totally up to you, so we've provided a range of options.  If you are going to the festival all three days, we recommend taking more than one swimsuit, but again, that's up to you!

Mara Hoffman Swim $248.00 (super pricey, but super adorable!)
Target Ikat Print Two-Piece $22.99
TOPSHOP Vintage Floral Bikini $68.00

Next up, a comfortable top.  Since you'll more than likely be wearing a swimsuit all day, your top should be light weight and easy to store in a bag.  It should serve the purpose of covering you up if you feel like you are getting burned but shouldn't be so heavy that it makes you hot.  Here are a few options from a local Birmingham, AL boutique, SOCA Clothing:

SOCA Clothing - Karlie Crochet Kimono $88.00
SOCA Clothing - Vanessa Mooney crop top $48.00

Shorts are great for festivals because they are easier to roll up and put in a small bag than a skirt or dress.  Not to mention, less fabric=cooler body temperature.

Levi's 501 denim short $58.00
pim+larkin printed short $49.00
TOPSHOP Black Batik Print playsuit $68.00

Shoes!  While you won't need them on the beach, you'll want them when walking between vendors, going on the ferris wheel, etc.  Choose an option that can be easily stored in a small bag or can be looped onto a backpack using a carabiner.  One that is light weight and can be quickly slipped on and off is a plus!

Sam Edelman sandal $89.95
TKEES foundations $50.00

Finally, a small bag is a great accessory to bring to a festival.  It prevents you from having to keep money, IDs, etc in your pockets and can hold shoes and clothing when necessary.  While any small bag will do, we highly recommend a CamelBak.  Super fashionable?  Not especially but having a refillable water pack will make a HUGE difference.  There are filtered water stations all over the festival which makes refilling the pack easy and convenient.

CamelBak Classic $59.00
Target Canvas Carryall $34.99

We hope this post has helped take some of the stress out of packing for a festival.  Have a great weekend!

Fashion Week - Spring/Summer 2014 - Nicole Miller

Ready-to-Wear • Spring/Summer 2014 • Fashion Week

Part 4 of 4

NEW YORK

From New York it was all about Texas native Nicole Miller.  The collection is the perfect balance of hard and soft.  We just wish her price point didn’t fall under the designer category.  But this is true for most of our favorite designers.  However, Miller also has a less expensive line, nicole by Nicole Miller, that she designs for JCPenny.  This more affordable line is all about colors and prints and is currently super affordable because everything is on sale at JCPenny.com.  We feature one of our favorite blouses from this line, the lace tunic top, in our third Runway Look for Less. 

Runway Look #1

Matching Separates

Matching separates have been around for a while now, however the recent popularity of the crop top is finally bringing this trend to the forefront.  This look can be worn with a fitted crop top like Beyonce, or with shorts like the look we found from Topshop.com.  We also love the look when it's done with a less fitted crop over a skirt or shorts.  Either way it looks and feels like art.    

Runway Look for Less

Top • Monochrome Zig Zag Crop Top - Topshop - $48∞

Shorts • Monochrome Zig Zag Shorts - Topshop - $44∞

Runway Look #2

This runway look is right up our alley.  We love to feel sexy but like to maintain our fun side too.  This look let's you feel pretty and tough at the same time.  Try this look with a leather jacket as well.

Runway Look for Less

Adrianna Papell Embellished Mesh Tank Dress - Nordstrom - $258∞

Black Lapel Sleeveless PU Leather Slim Zipper Motorcycle Vest - Shechic

Was - $98.65

Now - $65.59

Runway Look #3

The jacket and jeans in this look is a perfect balance of hard and soft.  The leather jacket is tough but the delicate beading adds an element of beauty.  The white denim is angelic, but the slashing, devilish.  We also love the mix of gold, metal, and silver.  Not to mention we've been loving model Chloe Norgarrd and her always  changing hair for a while now.  Here's our Runway Look for Less.

Also, if you need any advice on where to find good denim ask the ladies at Soca.  They're known as the 'denim experts' for a reason.

Runway Look for Less

Jacket • Studded Faux Leather Jacket - Target - Was- $45∞ & Now - $18∞

Blouse • Lace Tunic Top - JCPenny - Was - $44∞ & Now - $30∞

Jeans • DL1961 Riley "Savage" - Soca - $168∞

Necklace • Spear Me Brass Pendant - Vanessa Mooney - $70∞

Necklace • River High Gold - Vanessa Mooney - $195∞

Watch the full 2014 Spring/Summer RTW Nicole Miller fashion show here.

Batiste Dry Shampoo

Due to unforeseen circumstances Part 4 of our Fashion Week series will not be posted until Monday. 

So our fashion tip of the day goes to Batiste Dry Shampoo. We've tried multiple products on the market and there's nothing out there that works as good.  Product can be found at Urban Outfitters and select Walgreens locations.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!  See you on Monday!!

Fashion Week - Spring/Summer 2014 - Temperley London

Ready-to-Wear • Spring/Summer 2014 • Fashion Week

Part 3 of 4

LONDON

From London Fashion Week, no collection blew our minds quite like British fashion designer Alice Temperleys’.  You may have never heard of her, but you have probably seen one of her designs worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.  Other celebrities who have donned her clothes include Kate Hudson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Heidi Klum, Jessica Alba, Nicole Richie, Beyonce, Emma Watson and Scarlett Johansson just to name a few.  

Runway Look #1

In her Spring/Summer 2014 Ready-to-Wear collection she made an impeccable pairing of animal and floral prints that has us wanting to try out this combo as well.  To beat the heat and still look chic at this years Sidewalk Film Festival, pair a leopard maxi with a brightly colored floral kimono.  We love this floral kimono we found from Soca.  

We also love this look we put together from Forever 21.  It is under $50 and we love the contrasting black and white prints.  To dress this look up, pair it with the leather Sam Edelman Petty Boot.  To give this look a more casual vibe, rock it with a pair of black '1460' Dr. Martens.  Both boots fall in the over $100 price range, but both can be paired with a variety of looks and will last you for years to come.  To finish off the outfit, pair it with layered silver bangles and a long silver necklace.  

Runway Look for Less

Kimono (left) • Floral Bohemian Kimono - Soca

Dress (left) • Reverse Leopard Print Chifon Maxi - Urban Outfitters

&

Kimono (right) • Mixed Floral Kimono - Forever 21

Dress (right) • Posh Leopard Bodycon Dress - Forever 21 

Runway Look #2

This runway look reminds us of one of our favorite trending dresses, the two piece separates.  The looks from the Temperley London collection were in fact two pieces, but we are loving dresses that give the appearance of separate pieces.  We've found a variety of this style dress in every price range.  This look is perfect for any of the Sidewalk Film Festival after parties.    

Runway Look for Less

Dress • Fiorenza Dress- Anthropologie - $495∞

Dress Left • B&W Knee Lenth Dress - $34.95
Drss Right • B&W Striped Knee Length Dress - $34.95

Runway Look #3

Ahhh we love the cape dress!!  If you saw our post back in March then you know we've been obsessing over this look since we saw Kate Hudson and Karen O. donning it this year at the Oscars.  Like the look from Temperley London, the look we found has a detachable cape.  Without the cape this is the perfect 'little black dress', but with it you've got enough character and mystique to last a life time, (or at least an evening!).  

Runway Look for Less

X Monica Rose Rhodes Dress & Cape - Revolveclothing.com - $314∞

If the cape dress isn't your style try the CAPE BLAZER.

       

        

Champagne Taste Cape Blazer - Polyvore.com - $68∞

Watch the full 2014 Spring/Summer RTW Temperley London fashion show here.