Sometimes Cool

Crop tops have always caused a little bit of controversy, but especially as of late. As far as my decision to wear them, well, it's pretty simple: they make me feel way more cool than I actually am. 

"WHAT ELSE SCREAMS, 'HEY GUYS, I'M HIP' LIKE A PAIR OF BEAT UP, WORN IN JEANS?"

And while we're on the topic of clothes that make you feel cool, these skinnies win all the awards. I mean, what else screams, "hey guys, I'm hip" like a pair of beat up, worn in jeans? 

This is only temporary, though. We all know that my true self is a pink-floral-striped-girly-sparkle loving fool. It's just fun to bring out my inner cool girl every once in a while.

photos by Kaye McCoy

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A Perfect Match

When I packed for my L.A. trip,  I made a conscious effort to bring clothes that could all work if remixed. This is the love child of this look & this look. And, I don't know, I may be biased, but I think that it's a pretty genius pairing.  

Everybody give it up one more time for this dress, which, with the right top becomes a skirt. Also, this crop top deserves honorable mention for having those transformative qualities. Together, they make one hell of a power house couple. 

The "Shift This Way Dress" was c/o Fiore Boutique.  As always, opinions are my own and not influenced by the brand.

photos by Paula Young Photo

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Use code LULU10 for 10% OFF all purchases at Fiore Boutique

Budget Friendly Bronzer Must Haves

For me, summer is about getting to go a little crazy with the bronzer. Not so crazy that it looks unnatural, but I have been known to go through a compact in one season. 

The finish is luminous, not sparkly, which is amazing because no one wants to walk around with chunks of glitter on their face...

That's why Wet n' Wild's Color Icon bronzers are my holy grail bronzer. It's a drugstore brand, so it doesn't hurt the wallet. With this compact, you get so much product for the price. The finish is luminous, not sparkly, which is amazing because no one wants to walk around with chunks of glitter on their face (unless that's your jam, in which case, don't let me stop you). 

They're easy to come by—I got these two at Dollar General—and the color options are perfect for me. The lighter one, "Reserve Your Cabana," is my go-to highlight and "Bikini Contest" is my all over bronzer. With these two, I can get glowing all summer long for a price that doesn't cause me to cry off my mascara.

Dollar General sponsored this post, but as always, opinions are all my own. 

Some More Summer

Not to scare you guys or anything, but July is just about over. Yep, then it'll be August, and then it'll be fall and then we'll all be crying, "but where has summer gone?!"

"I'M ONLY TRYING TO REMIND YOU TO MAKE THE MOST OF THESE INSANELY HOT DAYS WHILE THEY'RE STILL HERE." 

But, don't get post-summer anxiety just yet. I'm only trying to remind you to make the most of these insanely hot days while they're still here. For the love of all that is good and holy, get your summer on.

That means shoulder-baring tops, colorful printed shorts and lace-up sandals all day, everyday. It also means more pool days, more day drinking and a hell of a lot more fun. 

photos by Paula Young Photo

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Casual Cutoffs & Crops

Nothing shouts summer like worn-in denim cutoffs. They are a necessary part of my uniform this time of year. I have worn them with tees, tanks and crops, and it always works.

"THEY'RE JUST SO EASY TO THROW ON, AND OF COURSE THERE'S THE IMMEDIATE COOL GIRL ATTITUDE BOOST THEY GIVE YOU." 

They're just so easy to throw on, and of course there's the immediate cool girl attitude boost they give you. When I was in L.A. I wore them all the time, and I can confirm that, yes, the cool girl attitude boost is totally a thing.

photos by Paula Young Photo

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The Pink Period

I don't know what it is, but pink is having a major moment in my life. This is not a conscious decision, mind you. All of my favorite things just so happen to pink right now, and I'm not mad about it. 

"ALL OF MY FAVORITE THINGS JUST SO HAPPEN TO BE PINK RIGHT NOW, AND I'M NOT MAD ABOUT IT." 

I grabbed this dress from Fiore not only because the shade of pink is absolute perfection, but also because the cut is such a simple, flattering one that it's a very easy dress to throw on. It also makes it an easy dress to style a million different ways.

This dress also comes in a royal blue, but like I said, pink is my jam right now. Maybe when fall rolls around some other moody hue will catch my eye, but until then, I won't make any promises.  

The "Shift This Way Dress" was c/o Fiore Boutique.  As always, opinions are my own and not influenced by the brand.

photos by Paula Young Photo

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Use code LULU10 for 10% OFF all purchases at Fiore Boutique

Summer On The Road

A girl's very first road trip with her girlfriends is a major moment in life. I mean, have you seen Thelma & Louise or Crossroads? A road trip can be life changing, and this weekend, I had my first. With our destination entered into the car's nav, we started our 6 hour drive to St. Augustine, FL. in a 2015 Limited RAV4. On a trip like this, you pick up a few survival tips.

Get Packed

My three friends and I jam packed the trunk of RAV4 with bags, shoes, beach towels, hats and anything else we could throw in. Though our bags were packed in, we had more than enough room for the four of us to stretch out and have our own space. I love my friends, but being cramped in a car with them for 6 hours would not have been fun.

Stay Charged

Now, everybody knows a road trip just ain't a road trip without a playlist. The RAV4 had every way possible to bump some tunes: aux cord, XM radio and our favorite, Bluetooth from our iPhones. And with two charger ports, there was no way we were letting our phones die. Imagine the horror.

Keep Cool

The further south we got, the more that infamous Florida heat and humidity kicked in. The RAV4 has dual temperature control, so naturally we had it on full blast. The moon roof also kept us cool on the road and let us get a closer look at how beautiful Florida really is. We may or may not have stuck our heads out of it a few times.

Take a Break

Being adventurous (and having weak bladders), we stopped several times along the way. We found a cute antique shop in Amelia Island, had an amazing avocado bacon burger at Whataburger, and of course had impromptu photo shoots. It took us about 1.5 tanks of gas to finally make it to St. Augustine. 

We made it to the beach, walked around historic downtown and had amazing seafood. With bright, spanish influence everywhere, St. Auggie's was a picture perfect vacation spot.

After a great weekend, we all jumped back in the RAV4 and got ready to do it all over again. As they say, sometimes the journey is more fun than the destination.

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (“Toyota”) provided me with compensation and use of a RAV4 for a short period of time. The opinions I have shared about this vehicle are my own.

To The Seaside

I should probably start by saying that I am so not mentally ready for life after a weeklong vacation, so there's that. But really, how could you be when your days are filled with sunshine, good food, and occasionally, a fun trip to a beach.

Manhattan Beach was my first seaside stop in L.A. and it gave me the perfect excuse to run around the beach in my trusty swim bottoms paired with a fun embellished top. And run around the beach I did.  

"GET OUT THERE, BE FREE & MOST IMPORTANTLY, PRANCE MY DARLINGS, PRANCE!"

Now, I don't want to get all preachy, but I will say this: If you don't allow yourself the joy that comes with twirling on the beach in an itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny-yellow-polka-dot-bikini (or its equivalent), you're truly doing yourself a disservice. Get out there, be free and most importantly, prance my darlings, prance!

photos by Paula Young Photo 

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