Petite Fashion Challege #16: Summer Wedding

This month's challenge is being hosted by Lauren of Petite on a Penny.  The challenge:
"Create an outfit for a summer wedding (the dress code is up to you). For bonus points (and this is what I'll be doing!) try to make your whole outfit, head to toe, come in under $100! (Or, exclude shoes and accessories to meet the $100 mark.)"

For a full list of participants, click here.

Since I'm still relatively new to blogging, this is my first Petite Fashion Challenge! Luckily, this wasn't too difficult for me as I've had four weddings this month! I photographed the outfits that I wore to two events this past weekend and the outfit that I'm thinking of wearing to a wedding next weekend.

Being as indebted as I am, none of my outfits even come close to being over $100.  You can definitely find treasures in the sales racks.  Score one for penniless student!

My first outfit is what I wore to the Welcome Reception for my friend Carrie's wedding.  The dress is from a small boutique in Charleston, South Carolina, and it's great for summer weddings as it's light and airy.
*Sorry for the super obvious watermarks...I'm still learning!*

Dress from Willy Jay's Clothing ($35),  Forever 21 earrings ($7), Silver bead bracelet (gift), Opal ring from Paris flea market ($23), Express beaded clutch (Black Friday freebie from years ago), Target black peep-toe pumps (on sale for $15)

Total for this outfit: $80

For the actual wedding, I chose a more formal looking dress.  She had her ceremony outdoors, and the reception was in this beautiful country club.  The theme of her wedding was "English Tea Garden", so I thought pink/mauve would be an appropriate color.

Banana Republic dress (on sale for $38...originally $150), Banana Republic earrings (Memorial Day sale find at $17), Anya Hindmarch for Target clutch (on sale for $15), Target gold peep-toe pumps (on sale for $15)

Total for this outfit: $85

I am thinking of wearing this outfit for my old roommate Lauren's wedding this weekend.  She'll be having a more traditional wedding, with the ceremony in a church and the reception in a grand ballroom.  I decided on a slightly darker color for the dress to go along with the more dimly lit ambiance of the ballroom.

Banana Republic silk dress (winter clearance find at $30...originally $140), Gold heart necklace gifted from a friend, Anya Hindmarch clutch ($15), Target nude pumps (on sale for $20)

Total for this outfit: $65

I am really a minimalist when it comes to jewelry.  I feel like the extra weight gets in the way of my dancing! But I'd be open to suggestions for ways to jazz up my look.  Any ideas to better accessorize my final outfit?

Sunday Style: Relaxed and Casual

*Sorry for the super obvious watermarks...I'm still learning!*

 With funky pink shades

 Or classic black sunglasses

Target Merona chambray shirt, vintage Ralph Lauren shorts in size 4P (feels like size 0!), thrifted gold chain necklace, Banana Republic gold bracelet (old), thrifted ring, sunglasses c/o Michelle, Target Mossimo Wakana Wedge Sandal

I found the Target Wakana wedges above on clearance for $7.48!  They actually look pretty similar to these J.Crew Lila Leather Platform Wedges ($128) and these Ann Taylor Renee Cork Platform Wedges ($228).

I also tried on the Target Mossimo Pam Wedge, which comes in a black version and a gold version (no gold ones in my size...boo).  These look extraordinarily similar to the Stuart Weitzman Alex Espadrille.  Loved the overall look, but my feet felt loose in the shoe...perhaps due to the ankle straps not being attached to the heel. I generally like my feet to feel securely strapped in any shoe that I wear, especially ones where my heels are 4 inches off of the ground.  For someone with lax joints, I felt that these shoes were just accidents waiting to happen.  If you also like a more securely strapped shoe, JCPenney has a version here with a heel backing.

   

Stuart Weitzman Alex Espadrille

  Target Mossimo Pam Wedge

May 2012 Birchbox Review

I was so excited to open my second box, but my initial reaction was a little disappointment. Maybe my expectations were too high. After seeing other May boxes that look better than mine, I'm wondering if I just picked the wrong answers for my beauty profile. Once I took a closer look at what I received, I decided the samples were not too bad. These are all definitely products I have never bought.

 

 The special edition Gossip Girl Birchbox

  

 Description card

  

Dr. Jart BB cream.  

This was light and blended well with my skin. I don't normally wear foundation, so I might try this out for a wedding I have in the near future.

The contents of the wrapped package:

Color Club nail polish in "Disco Nap", Sugar Rose tinted lip treatment, Twistband Hair Tie

The Sugar Rose lip treatment looks more pigmented than it does once you actually use it.  It glides on very smoothly and looks very natural, with only a slight pink tint.  I love that it has SPF 15!  This is pretty expensive, so I'm not sure if I'd actually spend the money to buy it.  Sephora is also offering a free 2 lip treatment pack to Beauty Insiders on their birthday this year!

The Color Club polish is fun and shimmery.  No glitter in this polish, but the metallic sheen still makes it pop.  I painted my toenails this color.  Here is a close-up.

XOXO greeting card and envelope.  Not sure when I'll be using this one.

Atelier Cologne in Vanilla Insensee. Came with a postcard.  The cologne smells warm and inviting.

Overall most excited about the lip balm and the nail polish.  I could definitely go without fragrance samples in the future...I have way too many anyway.  I also feel like BB cream and last month's tinted moisturizer are pretty similar.  I guess I wanted to try out Birchbox to see if it would introduce me to really new and exciting beauty and skincare products that I would never pick up on my own.  I think I'm going to give it 1-2 more months, but I'm just not sure it's worth it to me.

H&M Fitting Room Reviews

H&M recently released a high value 35% off one item coupon in celebration of Kara winning Fashion Star (valid until May 27).  Since I'm only really free until mid-June (start of residency, eek!), I wasted no time in heading over to see what shiny new item of clothing I could use the coupon on.  I circled through the store pretty quickly, since I had seen most of the items on my last shopping trip.  I grabbed four items that peaked my interest and headed to the fitting room.

Conscious Collection Floral Blouse

Please excuse my teal bra peeking through, I did not bring a cami into the fitting room!

 
Size 2, item # 454690, $19.47 after coupon (original price $29.95)
This blouse has been on the racks for a while, but I was able to find a couple left in my store.  I had originally been eying this during my last H&M conscious collection shopping spree, but convinced myself I did not need it.  Whelp, since this coupon took off 1/3 of the cost and this was the last size 2 in stores, I decided that it was finally meant to be.  The material is very light and breathable.  It's made from 100% recycled polyester, so it's far from feeling soft (actually feels kind of like tulle).  The print, however, is definitely quite fashionable, and I can mix and match this top with a lot of other elements of my wardrobe.  The only other cons are that it is very sheer and the sleeves are a bit long on my short arms, but nothing a camisole/tank underneath and sleeve-rolling can't fix!
VERDICT: Purchased with coupon

Cobalt Pencil Skirt

Size 4, item# 643160, $11.70 after coupon (original price $17.95)
I've been looking for a vibrant blue pencil skirt since last fall, and I can finally cross it off my list! The size 4 was very form-fitting but still allowed a lot of movement. I also like the exposed gold zipper down the back.  The material is 98% cotton and 2% elastane.  I know that cotton skirts have an affinity for wrinkling easily, but I'm hoping this skirt won't look too bad since I'm on my feet and walking around all day long.  Currently, with my student debt, the J.Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt is slightly out of my price range (but once I become an attending, I'm coming for you!).  It's a little easier for me to justify spending less than $20 on a skirt that could very well get puked on. 
VERDICT: Purchased

Tweed Jacket in Pink with Black Trim

Size 2, item #055671, $32.50 after coupon (original price $49.95)
This jacket has also been on shelves for some time, but I finally decided to give it a try.  The material was pretty comfortable. Fit was okay in the shoulder area, but the sleeves were definitely too long.  I really like tweed tops on other people, but I'm not sure I can rock this look well.  I think I'll take baby steps and start out with a tweed skirt before I venture into tweed blazer territory.
VERDICT: Passed but still on the lookout for an affordable tweed skirt!

Snake Print Pleated Dress

Size 4, item# 976000, $12.96 after coupon (originally $34.95 but on sale for $19.95)
I am usually a size 2-4 on top, but this dress felt like it ran a little small in the chest area.  I think the print is fun for casual day wear, but I just didn't need it.
VERDICT: Passed

OOTD: Graduation Edition

Good Morning, all!  Just wanted to share some photos from my medical school graduation :)

 My graduation outfit.

The Limited seamed sheath dress in dark pink (similar shorter versions here and here), Amrita Singh Milot Necklace (see my review here), Mossimo Pearce Patent Pumps in camel

 

 Right after receiving my diploma.

 

Photo with my swag and my grandma (Nai Nai).

Recent Purchases (H&M, Target, BR, Nordstrom Rack)

Just bought these last weekend and wanted to share.

Banana Republic V- neck Colorblock Cardigan

Size S, item # 44205001, on sale for $14.99 (original price $59.50)

Well-made and very soft.  Material is 49% cotton, 32% polyester, 16% nylon, 3% lycra spandex. The sleeves are on the longer side but not a problem when worn scrunched.  Love the vibrant orange-red color!

Also wearing Loft knit dress (old) and nude Mossimo (Target) Pearce pumps (in camel)

VERDICT: Keep

Merona V-neck Cardigan (Target)

Size S, item #015025325, on sale for $12.98 (original price $24.99)

I had been wanting a chartreuse cardigan for some time now, so I was very happy to find this in my size on the clearance rack.  This cardigan is much slimmer and thinner than the BR one, but it's 100% cotton.  It also has a rosette pattern running along the V-neck, but they are not too noticeable when worn unbuttoned.

VERDICT: Keep

 H&M Printed Maxi Dress

 

Size XS, item #029587, price $17.95 (bought with coupon for $14.95)

This item is from their "Basic" collection. I really liked this print when I spotted it in the store. It is the perfect length for me (I'm 5 feet 2.5 inches) and won't need to be hemmed.  Without shoes it skims the floor, but with any type of shoe it's fine.  The knit material is very stretchy, but I'm not sure this silhouette is one that I'm looking for.  I had in mind that I wanted a more flowy maxi (think fuller bodied skirt), so my decision to keep this will be dependent upon what else I see in stores!

VERDICT: Still deciding

H&M Swimwear

Turquoise Paisley Padded Bra Top and Bottom
Top size 34A32B, bottom size 4, item # 035572 and 035530, price $4.95 per piece
Super affordable!  Even if I only get a couple wears out of it, I won't feel too guilty. The bottoms fit very well, but I'm still iffy on the top.  Not sure if it's either the style or just that the cup size is too small, but it seems a little low-cut and I feel like my girls might pop out.  This was the very last padded top in store so I took it home, but I'm on the hunt to see if a 32B might have slightly better coverage. Found this in size 32B and fits MUCH better!
VERDICT: Keep...such an AMAZING price!

Mossimo Ona ballet flats (Target)- cheetah print

 

Size 8, item # 096064478, price $14.99

Should still be in stores, but unavailable online.

I'm typically a 7-7.5 in flats, but the elastic backing on these flats pushed my toes forward.  I would recommend sizing up by 1/2 size or 1 whole size.  I also got a slightly larger size so that I could add insoles.  These flats do not offer much support for your feet.  I do enjoy the soft mohair-like material for the outer portion, and I like the spot size and overall color of the shoe (Note: Top right photo featuring close-up of the spots is the best for depicting the actual color).

VERDICT: Return.  The elastic band keeps pushing my toes forward, and it's just not that comfortable.  Target has another leopard print shoe that has larger spots.  I found the two pairs that were sent to me to be very wide.  If you have wide feet, order your true size or 1/2 size down.  I ended up returning those flats as well.

Collection Eighteen Scarf from Nordstrom Rack

One Size, Price $14.97

Really lightweight and such a vibrant color.  I like that it is two-toned.  Bright orange has become one of my favorite colors to wear, as I think it works really well in spring, summer, and fall!

VERDICT: Probably keep