Friday, May 30, 2014

Flower Power..








Romper: Forever 21, similar | Sunnies: Target | Purse: Forever 21, LOVE this!! | Earrings: c/o Kendra Scott | Bracelet: kate spade | Watch: Michael Kors | Rings: gigglosophy, old (similar)

Happy Friday! Who's ready for the weekend? Living in a lake town definitely has it's perks, and there are always fun things to do on Friday nights in the summer. I'm excited to spend my Friday with my girlfriends by the lake and out on the town for some sangria! 

Rompers are such effortless pieces that are flirty and also flattering. I love how my romper from Forever 21 has a fun pattern and has a cinched waist, making it easier to wear an all-over pattern! When I look for rompers, I find that having a little longer of a short helps keep the romper looking tasteful and cute! The longer sleeves on this romper also helped keep me from getting cold while hanging with friends on the boat. 

Have a great weekend! Thanks for reading! 




Thursday, May 29, 2014

Cat-Eyed..







Shirt: Forever 21 | Jeans: J.Crew Factory, similar | Shoes: Forever 21, similar | Belt: J.Crew Factory | Sunnies: House of Harlow | Necklaces: Forever 21 (similar), J.Crew Factory | Watch: Michael Kors | Bracelets: gigglosophy, kate spade | Rings: gigglosophy, old (similar)

I wore this outfit to dinner with my parents and let me tell you -  it was the perfect outfit for pasta eating :) Boxy oxfords can be a great staple in your wardrobe because they're more casual and can be paired with many pieces, like jeans, pencil skirts and leggings. My work setting is business casual, so wearing more structured oxfords are not so practical for me, however structured oxfords are also great staples that every girl should have in their wardrobe. I've linked some of my favorite oxfords below! Also, my J.Crew Factory colored jeans are actually that neon... you'll be sure to brighten up a cloudy day with these beauties! Have a great day! 



Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Beach Days...




Sunnies: Ray-Ban | Swimsuit: Asos | Cover-Up: Forever 21 |  
Tote bag: Asos | Sandals: Nordstrom  

I can't wait to enjoy this beautiful weather by the beach! I've always thought that a little modesty says much more than baring it all. This one-piece from Asos is definitely on my wish-list, and it's reasonably priced at $53. Enjoy your day! Thanks for reading.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Merci..









Shirt: J.Crew (similar, on sale!) | Skirt: J.Crew Factory | Wedges: Aldo, similar and love these | Purse: Target | Sunnies: Ray Ban | Bracelets: Francesca's (similar), gigglosophy | Rings: gigglosophy, old (similar)

Good morning everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. Stripes are a serious obsession of mine and I can't get enough (I'm sure you all have caught on by now!). Throwing on a cute graphic t-shirt with a skirt can be a great way to create a put-together but effortless look. Perfect for date night, or you could ditch the wedges for flats to create a cute outfit for running errands!  

 Things are a little different in my world and I'm so excited to share all the many changes I'm experiencing. First off, I graduated college! It was quite the celebration - full of fun and family. I was lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents come, as well as my sister and parents. It was fun celebrating with all of my family and friends, but the next day I had to move to Spirit Lake, IA to start my new job! CRAZY! Within four days I graduated college, packed all my belongings, moved 5 hours away and started a new job. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. However, I'm LOVING my new job. I am now a Communications and Events Coordinator, and everyone has been so welcoming in the Iowa Lakes area. I couldn't be happier! 

If you're reading from NW Iowa and you have a minute, please feel free to shoot me a quick email to say hi! I'm so excited to meet new people in this area. You can email me here - styliniowan@gmail.com

Have a great day! Thanks for reading!

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Met Gala 2014

My favorite fashion event of the year - The Met Ball - occurred Monday night in New York City. One thing I love about this event is that it's a little more fashion-forward. Celebrities tend to wear less traditional gowns (like you would see at the Oscars or the Emmys) and instead more beautiful couture and avant-garde gowns. I enjoy seeing celebrities taking risks with their outfit choices! Since there aren't many times in our everyday lives to wear such gowns, I thought it would be fun to take a step back from our typical style on SI and enjoy some of the amazing looks from the Met Ball! Below are some of my favorite looks, and I can't wait to gain some inspiration from these pictures to use towards my everyday style! 



Rihanna wearing Stella McCartney 

Anna Wintour wearing Chanel 

Emma Stone wearing Thakoon

Emmy Rossum wearing Carolina Herrera 

Coco Brandolini wearing Dolce and Gabbana 

Lupita Nyong'o wearing Prada 

Leighton Meester wearing Emilio Pucci 

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Summer Collection: Warby Parker

Hey guys! This morning I'm so excited to help introduce the new Warby Parker Summer Collection! I am a huge sunnies collector, and I usually stick with mostly basics (black frames, traditional shapes), however I'm obsessed with the combination of beachy colors and unique frames in this line! Personally, I'm loving the Banks Sun Sea Smoke and the Raglan Sun Pearled sunnies. Warby Parker also has a great selection of optical glasses (which I am in desperate need of a new pair!). Their optical line also incorporates the same colors and shapes this summer, and they will be sure to add a cool factor to your outfit. I can't wait to get my hands on some of these beauties while sun bathing by the lake this summer! 

Check out Warby Parker's website to see their summer line that debuts TODAY! Happy shopping :)










*This post is sponsored by Warby Parker. All opinions are my own. 

Monday, May 5, 2014

I'm Moving!



I have some very exciting news that I've been wanting to scream from the cornfields for the last couple weeks. As most of you know, I am graduating from college next month, and I have been traveling all over the state interviewing for jobs (hence the few and far between blog posts). Although I am from the Des Moines area, my family has always called the Iowa Lakes area home during the summer and fall months. I hold most of my adolescent memories at my family's summer home learning to ride a bike, taking swim lessons, boating and jet skiing on the lake and spending summer nights by the fire with close friends. Lake Okoboji has been one of my favorite places in the world, and I am so excited to be able to finally call it my permanent home. I'm excited to say that I will be working as the new Events and Communications Coordinator for the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation starting in May!  

I have been a Marketing and Event Coordinating Intern for the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center almost two years now and I have really fallen in love with Event Coordinating. It's challenging and every day is so different, which I love! I'm excited to test my creative abilities in so many new ways at the Iowa Lakes Corridor. 

That being said, I will continue to blog about my style and life in Spirit Lake, IA. As hard as it will be to leave all of my close friends in Iowa City, I'm SO EXCITED to meet new people, work hard as an event coordinator and explore all the fun boutiques in the lakes area. As my readership continues to grow all across the Midwest and nationally, I'm excited to bring all of you new places to shop both locally in Northwest Iowa and nationally online! I will also have more time now to blog on a more consistent basis, as I will no longer have homework after work! 

Thank you to my family and close friends who have supported me through everything. I owe you all macarons. 

I'll be sure to document my last few weeks of college, as well as my outfits, here on the blog and on my social media pages! CHEERS!