Sweater Weather (Or Not)

I've been really getting into the fall spirit lately thanks to Nordstrom and other retailers putting summer on the clearance rack and debuting their fall styles. As much as I hate cold weather and love sun, I do love boots, sweaters and layers that fall brings. As a compromise, I went with a Kimchi Blue open stitch sweater with just a bandeau underneath, and my beloved Steve Madden combat boots with no socks. (Oh and cutoffs of course!) As it cooled down after a big rain, this outfit was perfect and is getting me even MORE excited for fall finds.

xx Maya

open-stitch sweater (similar) || festival shorts || combat boots || satchel (similar) || glass necklace (similar) || sunglasses || watch (in grey here) 

Blackhat

There's just something so chic about wearing black on black that I can't stop doing it! Although not exactly a summer color, a pretty ruffled top and festival shorties help give this dark look an upbeat summer vibe. My bow fedora and some curls also helped to give it a hint of summer style. (And just a side note, this AE bralette is my absolute favorite new thing; so comfy and perfect for every summer look.) Something brighter may or may not be in my future...

xx Maya

ruffled top (similar) || destroyed shorts || sandals (similar) || fedora (in brown here) || bag (similar) || sunglasses || lace bralette || bracelets (Alex and Ani / Kate Spade) || rings (Novica / local jeweler)

Dressed Up Dolls

YES I'm wearing burgundy again! It's one of my absolute favorite colors for all seasons. And you may recognize this babydoll dress from my 4th of July post. I loved it so much that I had to get it in another color. Paired with this lightweight crepe blazer and heels, it's the perfect way to dress up a really casual piece. This old Jcrew bauble necklace is another one of my favorites that can be used for a nice semi-dressy occasion. I've been having so much fun playing around with dressed up and dressed down essentials lately.

xx Maya

babydoll dress (similar) || blazer || bag (old, similar) || floral pumps (similar) || bauble necklace (similar) || sunglasses (similar) || watch (in grey here)

Wine Tasting

Already loving the first piece of my #NSale steals! I literally woke up thinking about this Lush dress on Friday when the sale opened, so it was a sign that I had to get it. I absolutely love the wine color, and decided to dress it up with stilettos and a clutch, but I'm also looking forward to dressing it down for a more casual look. I love how I can just throw it on and still look so put together and classy. I feel like this dress can be so versatile and I'll definitely be doing some remixes of this look. Nordstrom is the best!

xx Maya

shift dress || lace-up heels || Dooney & Bourke clutch (similar) || earrings || sunglasses || ring (Old Navy jewelry available in store)

Blue and Bluer

I went with a really basic outfit today that I ended up loving. Although I opted for minimal jewelry, my new favorite earrings and studded sandals made up for that. A super comfortable t-shirt and boyfriend denim jacket made for the perfect relaxed summer look. The navy on navy on navy on navy(ish) turned out much more flattering than I thought, so I'll definitely be styling looks like this again.

xx Maya

striped top (similar) || navy twill shorts || dark wash denim jacket || studded sandals || satchel || double-sided earrings (in gold-pearl here) || sunglasses

To the Maxi

This dress is undoubtedly one of my favorite items in my closet--maybe thats why I'm smiling so much?? I'm surprised it hasn't made an appearance on the blog until now! Maxi dresses like this light, printed jersey one by Lush are so perfect for summer, especially when it's not too hot. (Lush at Nordstrom features them in so many colors and patterns on sale.) I dressed it down a bit with my favorite denim, and dressed it up a bit with my brand new Lancaster Paris envelope clutch from my recent trip. I love the outfit freedom that warm summer weather gives you!

xx Maya

Lush maxi dress (so many colors, one here) || denim shirt (similar) || red envelope clutch || caged sandals (similar) || bracelets (Alex and Ani, similar cuff) || necklace (similar) || sunglasses

In With the New

Today my outfit was full of NEW, which always gives you a confidence boost. My new silky-back t-shirt and ankle jeans from Jcrew are easily two favorites, but the real gem is my new Mini Avery Tote from Rebecca Minkoff. I've wanted both a winged satchel and a bag by RM for such a long time now, and I finally got two-in-one (and under $200)! I also finally got these fun double-sided pearl studs that I've been seeing everywhere recently and I love them!

Speaking of new things, check out what I'm Currently Coveting to find a few items that caught my eye from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Although I have new things, a few more couldn't hurt! Nordstrom is my absolute favorite so I can't wait to snag a few deals.

xx Maya

silky t-shirt || distressed ankle jeans || RM winged satchel || thong sandals (similar) || double-sided earrings(in gold-pearl here) || sunglasses || watch (similar)

I See London, I See France...

Paris

Eiffel Tower at night

Arc De Triomphe

Pâtisserie

Escargot

More food

Tara Jarmon Paris

Anthony Bourdain inspired

Outside Abercrombie & Fitch

Inside Abercrombie & Fitch(?!?)

Daytime Eiffel Tower

London

St. James Park

Something next to Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey

Yes, I had to

The beautiful St. Ermin's Hotel

The London Eye

Big Ben ft. My Starbucks

Obligatory family photo!

Peruvian cocktails

Yes, again I had to

WE TRAVELED. We went by plane, train, metro, underground, double-decker bus, taxi, even riverboat. It was unbelievably exhausting but also unbelievably amazing. Finally getting to see things that you've heard people talking about your whole life was such a cool experience. The weather ended up being unseasonably beautiful, and it made our trip that much more wonderful. 

France was crazy beautiful; quite possibly the most beautiful city I've ever seen. Every building had it's woven iron railings and intricate carvings and it made me wonder why WE don't have that. The shopping was even better. We stayed on the Champs-élysées, basically miles and miles of French and American stores and eateries. (Including that insane A&F pictured above.) Then we got to wander down to the Louvre and Rue St. Honoré which included Cartier, Gouyard Paris, Hérmes, and other things I couldn't afford (but still so awesome). Of course we ate--lots of pâtisseries, but snails included (I would not recommend them). And a final of course, we saw everything. La tour Eiffel, The Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, the Paris (Love Lock) Bridge--which they recently removed, and much more.

Although nothing beats Paris in terms of beauty, London was a close contender. There is so much fabulous architecture and history in London that it seemed like 2 days wasn't enough to take it all in. We saw Big Ben, the London Eye, took a tour on the big London Bus, and of course I got a cheesy iconic picture in front of the red phone booth. The shopping of Bond Street was equally amazing and over my budget, but the tourist attraction of Oxford Street was perfect shopping for me. The also iconic yellow Selfridges bags were seen everywhere. We had classic Italian food, Peruvian food, Pub food, the classic fish and chips, and as you can see a lot of Starbucks.

This trip was so much fun and I hope I can get more opportunities like this throughout my time in college and throughout the rest of my life. These places are so worth going back to, and they inspire me to go see more. Thanks for listening to my rambling, and keep following along for (hopefully) more adventures!

Cheers!
xx Maya

Day 1:

babydoll dress (similar) || sneakers || denim jacket (similar) || sunglasses (similar) || necklace (similar)

Day 2:

red trench (similar) || chambray shirt (sold out, similar) || jeans || sneakers || tote || sunglasses (similar)

Day 3:

t-shirt || shorts ($20!) || scarf (Galeries Lafayette Paris) || sneakers || tote || sunglasses

Day 4:

dress || booties || blazer || necklace (Old Nay jewelry available in store) || socks (similar) || sunglasses

Every Day:

FITBIT

Over 30 miles walked!