Faux Colorblock

I don't read tabloids and thus, have no idea whether or not Lindsay Lohan is drunk/sober/in jail/not in jail/painting her toenails/dating her cat. Though I loved LiLo in Mean Girls and The Parent Trap, I generally have little to no interest in her and her style. However, I'm obsessed with the pseudo-colorblocking that she pulls off in this particular photo. I always tuck my top into my skirt, and I'm surprised to see that it looks so polished and elegant while untucked.  At first glance, I even mistook it for a dress. Naturally, I had to give it my own twist.

The untucked top works best because of the material — I'm guessing Lindsay's is silk or a silk-blend — one that's a little more formal than your regular tee, longer (for layering), and with a looser cut. I adore this one by Theory. I also think a not-so-skintight skirt adds to the effect, which is why I picked a style in a shocking pink hue from House of Fraser. When the top is layered over it, it creates the seamless effect that resembles a colorblock dress while offering the freedom to play with the colors and proportions. I'd accessorize with spare details: these Rag & Bone wedges, a pretty gold necklace, and pair of Nina Ricci aviators. Now about that top...

[photo cred here]

Pops of Fuchsia

I've never been able to like fuchsia enough to own anything in the shade, aside from a hot pink trenchcoat that I absolutely adore (but I only wear it in the rain and with black so that the color gets diluted a bit). But I love the look of a eye-popping, neon pink, especially when set against an otherwise neutral ensemble. Any combination of black, white, camel, and pink? Oh yes. To me, it's the best way to incorporate the color without looking like you've been doused in Pepto Bismol. Fuchsia gets a little more grown-up when it's paired with classic neutral stripes or soft camel hues. I'm currently hankering after this Kate Spade tote to brighten me up for spring.

What do you think of hot pink?


[photo cred to 1, 2, 3, 4, all via Musings in Femininity]

Caramel Cafe

Finally back in Chicago after a whirlwind spring break! Today is my last first day of classes ever and I'm so excited for spring quarter, new classes, and sunny skies (a lot of the professors like to have class outside and under the trees when it's warm out, which is my favorite thing ever). It also makes me feel incredibly old and unprepared, but I'm trying very hard not to focus on that. I'll be spending the first few days replying to emails and settling in with classes — I love getting back into the groove of things.

What's on your agenda for this fresh, new week?

[photo cred to 1 and 2]

La Fiesta

An adventure in Puerto Rico:

We explored San Juan, which was painted in cheerful hues and bursting with flowers...

...as well as cobblestone and a view of the ocean. And eighty-degree weather.

On windy days, the wide green meadow outside of the fortress is filled with people flying kites.

As shameless tourists, we thought it would be a great place to do yoga (as a former competitive swimmer, I'm clearly more about doing a streamline than a proper sun salutation or... something).

We met some boys from the Air Force Academy and taught them how to do The Creep (you have to get your knees flexin' and your arms t-rexin').

And then we socialized.

Socializing is more fun when you're on the beach and completely willing to go swimming at midnight. And someone makes you laugh really hard before taking a picture of it.

We hiked in the rainforest, where we found a Naked Man. He hid behind a rock, but he seriously was naked. Naked Man became one of our most favorite discoveries in Puerto Rico.

Eventually, we had to move on from Naked Man and continue our hike.

We found a little-known local beach on our way back. It was perfect.

The boys from the Air Force Academy presented us with chips and homemade salsa. How cute is that? We ate them all. (The chips and salsa, not the boys.)

Of course, we had to go to Señor Frog's on our very last night. It caters to college students in the most typical of ways, and I almost felt like I was at a bar in Evanston.

It was probably the greatest spring break ever, although I flew home to snow (SNOW?!) in New York. On the bright side, I'm now eight times darker and have a treasure trove of embarrassing photos that I can use as collateral in the future. Also, a HUGE thank you to Alison, Carly, Ashley, and Roxy for their spectacular posts while I was away.

At the Beach

I adore so many things about Roxy — her thoughtful personality, her optimism, and her beautiful blog, My Cup of Te. Her blog is where I can find everything from satchels to awesome photography, and to top it all off, Roxy just happens to be one of the sweetest people ever. We share a special affinity for champagne and all things lovely, and I'm so excited to have her guest blogging for Mellow Fever. See for yourself why!

                                                                                                                                                                     
Hi guys! Roxy from My Cup of Te here! I'm overly thrilled to be here at Mellow Fever filling in for Deanna as she gets her SB 2011 on! I'm extremely flattered she asked me over, but not even the tiniest bit jealous at all that she's probably splashing around in the turquoise blue waves with her besties...and sipping on tropical cocktails complete with colorful baby umbrellas...and wearing fabulous over-sized sunnies and mini bikinis, and...did I say I'm not jealous? Anyways, I thought I'd share some things about the beach that are just my cup of Te(a)!

At the beach...

"Surfing" has nothing to do with the world wide web or http://, besides you can check Mellow Fever when you get back; it's been well taken care of ;)

As far as your worries and woes, no matter shape, size, or color, they will float away faster than pretty balloons...

...which makes jumping for sheer joy uncontrollable and often! You should probably skip versus walking too.

At the beach wearing something ridiculous and ten times the size of your head on your head is totally acceptable and certainly necessary while silly winter coats, much less clothes...

and cars are completely unnecessary.

The beach is where you take kicking back and relaxing to a whole new level, whether it's like this...

...or with something mouth-watering and delicious like this! I'll take two- two for me and one for Deanna. It's only fair since she gets to go on Spring Break, and I don't ;)

At the beach you no longer see the sunrise with sleepy eyes...

...and it's a joy to wake up, that is you ever went to bed in the first place—what uppp Spring Break 2011!!!!

And with that I will close with a My Cup of Te mantra—Live Sparkly lovers! As in don't forget to pop the bubbly and pour one out for the homies (aka me) seething with jealousy at home. Oh, and Nate Dogg too, just in case you heard.

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}

Dreamy Vacation Home

I only recently had the luck to find a little {dash} of ash, and man, am I happy for that! I had an immediate obsession with the design inspiration boards that Ashley puts together, and am so pleased that she's doing a guest post of just that for Mellow Fever. She's incredibly sweet and unbelievably creative; I know I can always find something lovely on her blog. Meet Ashley!

                                                                                                                                                                     

Hello friends of Mellow Fever! This is Ashley from a little {dash} of ash. Deanna asked me to do a guest post while she is away on Spring Break — the theme: my home decor inspiration for a dream vacation home! I was really excited and thought it would be so easy to put together a collage of my inspirations — but when I started to think more about it, I found it to be a harder task! Most likely because I have so many different visions of a "dream vacation home"!

Did I want to create a beach house in whites with subtle hints of navy (nautical) or soothing blues that reminded me of the shore? Did I want to create a house in the mountains with lots of large stones and hints of greys and greens? Or, a small little cottage on a lake with shabby chic details? I started browsing through some images on {pinterest} and quickly found a common theme of an entire vacation "experience"! What do you think of my Scandinavian Inspired Beach Retreat? One day.... For more inspirations — check out my blog {here} - xxoo! Ashley

[photo cred to Pinterest and Ten Scenic Drive]

Spring Break Essentials

I doubt she needs an introduction, as Carly, the College Prepster, is everywhere. In addition to her wonderful blog, she has a popular Tumblr and a weekly e-newsletter, Prep Talk, which covers everything from life lessons to recipes to fashion (the latter being shameless self-promotion, as I happen to write one of the fashion columns for Prep Talk). I'm so thrilled for her to be guest-posting today while I'm rehydrating on a beach in Puerto Rico, because she's an awesome person and blogger. So, without further ado, Carly!

                                                                                                                                                                     

I am loving J. Crew's new spring line. As I've mentioned on my own blog, College Prep, it's not quite the "Old J. Crew," but I really do like some of the more recent looks.

J. Crew right now totally allows for one-stop shopping. Everything you could possibly need for a spring break trip all under one roof. I'm all about making things easy... and this is easy peasy.

Spring Break look from head to toe:

1) Classic Straw Fedora
2) A.R. Trapp Troubadour sunglasses
3) Stila Lip Glaze
4) Polka Dot bathing suit
5) Timex traveler watch
6) Essie nailpolish (Peepshow)
7) Filson totebag without zipper
8) Irena gladiator sandals

The carefree neutral colors of the accessories really lets the melon colored bathing suit pop! While you're packing your bags for whatever spring break destination, pack about 90% neutrals and 10% color and then mix & match throughout the trip!

xoxo