colorful monday

Today I'm fighting off the Monday blues with tons of color!!  Details below ☀

{Nail Polish colors (left to right): 

Sinful Colors 920

China Glaze 1008 Purple Panic Neon

Mary Kay Coral Stone

Mary Kay Lemon Parfait 

(contact me for availability on Mary Kay polishes)

O.P.I. Purple with a Purpose}

{Statement Necklace // Palm Tree Tank Top // Country Living Magazine}

Hope you have a happy Monday!  

Pants Party

Brick Tamland: "I would like to extend to you an invitation to the pants party."

Today is all about the printed pants and I couldn't help but think of this classic Anchorman quote!  While Brick's pants party might not exactly be the kind of party you'd like to attend (ha ha), I'm hoping my Pants Party is!   

Prints have definitely been on trend lately and I'm loving it!  Yes, we all need solid color basics, but clothing is meant to be FUN!  To me, there is nothing more fun than crazy patterns and bright colors!

Chris and I attended MayFest earlier this year and as we were browsing the vendors, we came across some printed pants.  I wasn't planning on shopping, but I fell in love!  And before I even pulled my favorite print off of the rack, Chris said, "I've never seen a pair of pants that was more YOU!"  He was right.  I had to have them.  So he bought them for me!  What a hubby ;-)  

The crazy pattern, the neon colors, the easy breezy flow... sooo me!  I love how comfortable wide-leg pants are and we are definitely seeing a shift from skinny jeans and leggings to more free flowing and large!  I also love that these pants are such a statement piece... it really makes outfit planning easy because you can just grab a simple tank and some wedges and you're good to go!

Last weekend I attended one of my best friend's bridal shower.  My schedule didn't allow for a long trip so I ended up driving to Houston in the morning, attending the shower, and driving home again, all in a matter of 12 hours.  It was a really long day but of course I still wanted to look cute!  Thank goodness for the "summer casual" dress code because these pants were perfect!  Super comfortable... no wrinkling in the car... lightweight and loose for the Houston heat... I don't think I could have picked an easier outfit to wear!

Me and the beautiful Bride-to-Be!

Triplets!! {ok actually they're twins and I'm just an honorary "sister"... friends since we were 3 years old!}

These pants were only $20 and trust me, I'm regretting not purchasing every pattern she had!  And how I managed to walk away without getting a shop name or contact info is beyond me... I must have been in a pants trance!  But fear not... although I cannot source these exact pants, I'd challenge you to walk into a store and not find some printed pants right now!  So welcome to my pants party!!  I've rounded up a few of my favorite "guests" and you can shop them below!  Just click the thumbnail links! 

printed pants party by texassass 

Which pattern is your favorite?  I seriously want them all!

All white date night

Yesterday was HOT.  Chris and I decided to continue our summer tradition of free movie date nights in Sundance Square!  Last night's movie was The Muppets, and seriously, I couldn't have been more excited!  I grew up on the Muppet Show and it brings back amazing memories for me.  I had not seen the Jason Segel movie before, despite telling myself I'd see it in theaters when it came out (you know, like 2 years ago...)  It was SO good!!  

The best part was getting to spend the time with my hubby.  There's something about strolling through our town at night... it's always beautiful and we're always headed somewhere for some fabulous free event.  Fort Worth truly is an amazing city for a young couple!!

So like I said, yesterday was HOT.  Before we headed out for our walk and movie, I decided white from head to toe was the way to go!  This outfit is super simple... nothing fancy or expensive... just cool, casual cotton.  

I'll say it again... I can't get enough of layering plain solid shirts over tanks and Ts this summer!  I wear this white button-up all the time!!  Last night was a perfect night to take it off and wrap it around my waist until the temperature cooled down... which I did, after sweating to take these pics!  The long sleeve shirt and shorts are both affordable finds from Target.  

I also felt compelled to wear some proper shoes for walking (this doesn't happen often... I'm usually the girl struggling in heels because it's worth it haha)  I love love LOVE these New Balance sneakers with accents of brown and pink!  These shoes were actually a gift to me from my brother a few years ago and they were buried in my closet for awhile.  My bro may not admit it or talk about fashion much, but he does have an amazing sense of style.

Plain and simple... This Michael Kors T-shirt was a fashion find at Stein Mart.  It's always nice to have a little bling, so I love the sparkly MK.  Did you know that Stein Mart has a entire Designer Finds section of their store?  If you didn't, you really need to check it out!!  I love me some Michael Kors and I love it even more at a discount!  They even carry some designer items from Kate Spade, Roberto Cavalli, YSL and Versace... just to name a few. 

Another detail you'll probably notice... my glasses.  Yeah, I don't wear them very often because I don't need them unless I'm trying to see a far distance, BUT I've gotten a ton of compliments recently on them!  I've had them for a few years now but they are DKNY.  Crossbody bag is vintage Fossil.

Once the sun went down and the weather cooled a little bit, it was a perfect night!  I really enjoyed this all white outfit!!  Sometimes casual, light and bright is the best way to go!  You can still look cute even when you're sweating in Texas ;-)

How would you wear all white?  What are you favorite white pieces in your wardrobe?

pool day essentials

Are you enjoying your summer as much as I am?!  Despite the heat... I LOVE TEXAS SUMMERS!  Pool time, cooking out, going out on the lake, floating the river, concerts, food trucks... I love it all and can never get enough!  

Today I'm sharing my short-list of necessities for a pool day with your best girlfriend!  Thankfully, my bff has an amazing pool that she shares with me!

1. Cute tote bag- Every girl needs a cute tote!  I especially love straw totes during the summer.  I love that they are a little more sturdy and can stand on their own and it takes more than a quick splash of water to get the tote wet!  This tote is about the same size as a tote purse, which prevents me from packing too many items but leaves me room for more than just a towel.  Here's some super cute totes from Target!

2. A hat- Pick something you don't mind sweating in or if it gets wet or faded.  My favorite hat is a pink Guinness trucker hat that I picked up in college.  I prefer regular caps as opposed to a giant sun hat mostly because they are smaller & easier to pack and you really don't need to worry about smashing them like a straw hat.  Also, I love being able to put my ponytail through the whole in the back of the cap! 

3. Sunscreen- I can not stress this enough!  I think we've all finally come around and gotten over our late 90s / early 2000s obsession with tanning!  ....I know I have!  I've hit the point in my life when yes, I care about aging and possible skin cancer.  So I make sure to have my sunscreen with me at all times. My favorite sunscreen EVER is from Mary Kay.  It's broad spectrum protection that blocks me from getting burned, but still allows me to get some color (I see tan lines!)  I also love that it is non-comedogenic (won't clog your pores) and water-resistant and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes!  Mary Kay Sunscreen comes in SPF 30 or 50 and works better than anything else I've ever used! SHOP IT HERE.  *whatever sunscreen you use, please make sure it is BROAD SPECTRUM protection (blocks both UVA and UVB rays), water-resistant (nothing is completely waterproof; all sunscreens need to be reapplied through the day), suitable for sensitive-skin (so anyone can borrow and use it) and backed by a money-back guarantee (don't worry, Mary Kay is!)  I also recommend sunscreens that you must RUB IN as opposed to spray-on... many spray-on sunscreens contain unnecessary chemicals and alcohol.  Take the time to protect yourself!

4. Lip Protection and After-sun Gel- Again, my favorite products are from Mary Kay.  Don't forget that the pool and sun exposure can also really dry out your lips!  I love the Lip Protector from MK because it provides moisture as well as sun protection!  The Mary Kay After-Sun Replenishing Gel is the best item I've ever found to soothe your skin after a long day of sun!  It feels amazing and will help prevent any pain or peeling from too much sun!  **I recently converted a guy-friend to a believer... he was complaining about a bad burn from a few days prior and as soon as I gave him this gel, he was amazed at the relief he felt!  Again, money-back guarantee!  SHOP the after-sun gel HERE!

5. An old towel and a cheap bandana- hey, we live in Texas, people!! If you think you're not going to sweat A LOT when by the pool or on the lake, you're sadly mistaken.  I like to pack a crappy, old towel that I really don't care what happens to.  That way, I can wipe off my sweat on something besides my cute pool towel (that's for laying out and looking sexy!)  The bandana is another great item to keep handy.  It's big enough to cover your face if you need a little extra shade, you can use it to tie up your hair, or you can get it wet and wrap it around your head or neck to help keep you cool.  I love shopping at Walmart for bandanas because they have a huge variety of cute patterns for about $1 each! 

6. Magazines- this is sort of self-explanatory... ladies like reading material and in the summer, I love catching up on magazines.  I never feel like I have that much time during the rest of the year to sit and read magazines, but in the summer I play catch up.  I love having a Cosmo... truthfully now that I'm married I don't feel weird reading the sex tips! HA! But seriously, I've always loved Cosmopolitan and I make sure to pick it up for a pool day.  I've also been loving Country Living magazine for it's cute DIY ideas, recipes and home decor.  What magazines are you favorites? 

7. A gift for the hostess- my hostess may be my best friend, but I still feel that it is appropriate to bring a little something as a thank you for inviting me over to use her pool!  I'm loving fresh flowers and think that it's the perfect something to give!  You really don't need to spend a lot of money... I've found that wild flowers and things like Gerber Daisies can provide an amazingly pretty pop of color for an affordable price!  Loving these orange beauties that I picked up the other day!  And how cute is it to show up with your summer tote, pull those blooms out and say, "These are for you!"?!  The grocery store will always have a small selection, but checking out more specialty stores like Central Market or Trader Joes will most likely give you the biggest, most affordable selection.  Trader Joes has become my new favorite store since they opened a Fort Worth location! 

A little strategic planning and packing can really make or break your day in the sun!  Do I really need to remind everyone how HOT it is out there??  Pack the sunscreen, pack the after-sun gel, pack the extra clothing and extra towels... it is worth it!  There is nothing more miserable than being in the heat and not having what you need... not to mention how dangerous it is!  

Consider packing your tote bag with these items and just leaving it packed... that way you're ready at a moment's notice and you won't forget anything!  You know, kind of like a pregnant woman has the suitcase all ready! ;-)  Pool and lake opportunities can pop up at any minute here in Texas!  Enjoy the sun!!

Tribal chic dresses

I took an online shopping chance at this dress... I really wasn't sure how it would fit or how I'd feel about the print, but it was super affordable and worth the risk, I figured.  I love tribal prints and I felt like a sassy dress was the easiest way to add some crazy color to my wardrobe! 

I had a hard time choosing... I'm loving ALL of these prints!  And I'm seriously considering purchasing the same dress in another print before they disappear... it's THAT comfortable!  The fabric is extremely soft and lightweight, and has a little bit of stretch.  I'm also a huge fan of the length!  You don't always find dresses that come past the knee... but this dress hits exactly where I like it to.  Major plus: you can also snag this dress in solid black or blue!

Shop my Tribal Chic dress HERE or click the thumbnails below!  It's on SALE!!

                              
Which print is your favorite?  Or do you prefer the solid color?  How would you style this dress?  Happy Friday fashion loves!!

it started with a necklace

I've been obsessing over this statement necklace for the last few days!! It's SO pretty... even prettier in person than pictures can show!  I decided to build a cute, girly outfit around it! {details below}

The necklace, tank and metallic blazer are all from Kohls.  The skirt is from the Proenza Schouler for Target collection.  The clutch is LOFT and the pumps are Guess.  Unfortunately, most of these pieces are on the older side and are no longer available.  But this is a simple outfit to recreate and you probably have many of these pieces in your closet now!  

Tanks and T-shirts + flowing, girly skirts is a huge trend right now!  I love the mix of casual and sassy! I can't help but think of Carrie Bradshaw's infamous little pink & white dress with this trend! 

Choose a plain tank top, any color and pair it with a sassy skirt and you're good to go!  I decided to class it up a little with a fancier blazer.  The light cream color is daytime appropriate but the gold metallic weave gives it more interest and pulls out the gold in the necklace!

Happy Monday loves!  Hope your week is off to a fabulous start! 

summer trends from Last Call Neiman Marcus & Grapevine Mills

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a fabulous blogger event hosted by Grapevine Mills Mall and Last Call Neiman Marcus!  After cocktails and fabulous hors d'oeuvres from Cozymel's, we were treated to a mini fashion show highlighting the 2014 summer trends.  

Soooo, what's super HOT?  Keep scrolling...

{Boyfriend Jeans/Distressed denim}

There's nothing easier than throwing on a comfy pair of jeans and a white T or tank... throw on some super cute, feminine heels and a statement jacket and you're good to go!

Is anyone else OBSESSED with this jacket??!

{Maxi dresses & flowing skirts + PINK}

Long flowing dresses, bright pink and floral patterns are huge this summer!  I love this easy breezy style because there's nothing more simple than one piece head to toe!  Keep your accessories and shoes simple and metallic and you can easily go from day to night.

{Black & White}

Always easy, and the possibilities are endless.  Black and white allows you to mix and match patterns for maximum impact.  

{Wedge shoes}

Big, small, colorful, black & white, patterned... it doesn't matter.  Wedges are huge for summer and can I just say thank you because they're SO comfy!

{Sportswear}

We're seeing fashionable sportswear everywhere!  Check out this ultra chic dress and killer sneakers!

{More black & white}

{Patterns & Chunky Heels}

Tomorrow marks the first official day of summer!! I have to say, this summer's trends are some of my favorite all-time looks.  I have always and will always be obsessed with Black and White.  I think it's so classy and I love the contrast.  As you can see, there are many ways to play with this trend.  Mixing patterns and textures is the way to go.

And as bold as black and white is, don't forget to go bold with your color and patterns too!  Hot pink is a must and when it comes to patterns, the bigger and crazier the better!  Don't be scared to mix your patterns... this trend doesn't always last long but it's SO fun so take advantage of it!  Enjoy being girly this summer and cover yourself in florals and fun, flirty patterns.  Be colorful and be BOLD.

HUGE thank you to Last Call Neiman Marcus and Grapevine Mills Mall for hosting us at this fabulous event, and for even giving us a gift card to spend!!  I was honored to be your guest and had a blast! 

 So what did I buy?? Well, I surprisingly limited myself to only two purchases... but they're both FABULOUS!  Of course I took full advantage of the black and white trend!  Stay tuned to see how I style these beauties!

Happy Summer y'all!