Blond – Aly Knows Best

Summer Sadness & Florals

What I’m wearing: Matching floral top & skirt (I bought a few months ago) from Buffalo Exchange // Gold vintage watch (one of many stylish accessories inherited from my grandma) // Steve Madden sandals // Forever 21 sunnies

First of all, WOW IT’S AUGUST (where did the summer go)? **cough cough summertime sadness** TOO MUCH SORRY… There is always this great stigma that summer is the ultimate time to play “catch up” or accomplish lofty or challenging goals that you maybe wouldn’t normally be able to do during the other nine months of the year. Since this is (hopefully) my last official summer “off” as a student, I’ve been doing my very best to really soak it in. I remember back in May when Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” was the theme song playing in my head and I did not give a flying F*** since I found out all my grades were decent and I had somehow survived another semester! Woohoo! But, at the same time I was frantically making a check list of everything that I believed needed to be accomplished in the short three months to follow. Seeing the progress I’ve made on that list thus far makes me feel slightly relieved. These goals completed have been planned as well as unexpected include; making a bit of money, reconnecting with old friends, getting writing published on various platforms, having my blog recognized (without trying), getting a tan (I just got back from Lake Havasu), do some reading, get back into exercise (I forgot how much I love it), taking singing lessons (something I haven’t done for a while but singing is one of my great passions).

Obviously I’m a visual/list person, and sometimes writing things out is the best way to see what you’ve done! This summer has been a time of reflection for me and rediscovering things that I truly enjoy doing and make me happy (like singing and exercise). I’m hoping that thought process will somewhat rub off on me once school starts again in three weeks.

Photos by my fabulous sis Sarah!

Thanks for reading!

xx Aly

Crop Top Queen

Earlier this week, my sister and I both had a day off so we decided to to take a trip up to Santa Barbara to shoot some photos and of course, do some shopping. I wore these high-rise Gap jeans I found on MAJOR sale about a week ago (and have worn them nearly everyday since). I decided to break out this floral American Apparel crop top that was part of last summer’s staple wardrobe in Europe. In the past, I’ve only worn this top with shorts and skirts, so it was fun to try something new and maybe a little more Carrie Bradshaw-esque. 😉

What I’m wearing: American Apparel top // Gap High-rise distressed jeans // Old Navy suede demi-wedge sandals // Urban Outfitters Initial Bar Necklace // Aviator sunglasses (borrowed from a friend 😉

New Locks

The other day I got my hair cut after taking a very long time to grow it out. It doesn’t look that long but believe me, it was really short before! I also got it dyed after growing out the ombre (aka bad roots) for a while. I like that it looks more clean and kept now. What do you think of it?

Here I am wearing an Anthropologie top, Urban Outfitters jeans, and my favorite Victoria Leather purse.

GAGA FOR GWEN

I mentioned in my last post I would be delving more into Gwen Stefani’s style and here is what I came up with. A compilation of some of my favorite looks she has sported on the streets, in magazines and of course on the red carpet. Her perfect accessory is always her hot hubby or one of her adorable children.

Here I chose outfits that truly embody what it means to be Gwen Stefani. She tends to wear dark colors, houndstooth, animal print, leather and lots and lots of red lipstick. My favorite thing about her, is that she is fearless when it comes to fashion. She takes fashion risks even while at the grocery store or running errands with the fam. She hasn’t let mother hood tone down or dampen her style. Let’s be honest here, I envy the fact that she’s a lead singer of a great band, has an incredibly hot husband, flawless abs, can pull off a red pout any day of the week and that she is always oozing with amazing self confidence. Every woman (and man) should strive for this kind of confidence. It says “I am myself and you can love me or hate me, I don’t really care either way.” Gwen is an icon not only because of her constant ability to be stylish, she is also a role model because she is so fearless.

Stay Stylish.

X Aly

Gorgeous Gwen

It’s no secret that Gwen Stefani is the ultimate fashionista. She has been one of my most worshipped idols since I was 9 years old. Growing up, I admired Gwen’s ability to “get down with the boys” while still looking flawless. She made it okay to be a (hot) girl in a world where men dominated, and did so without smearing her perfect red lips. I have followed Gwen’s career from the pink hair in the mid 90s, to the launch of her solo career, to being the designer of L.A.M.B., all the way to today where she is a hot rocker mom who just released the new single “Settle Down” with NO DOUBT!

Above, the forever gorgeous gal is wearing her new fav Kelly Wearstler Pink Leather Jacket. She has been spotted wearing the jacket all around town but this pairing with the navy polka dot pants has me envying the platinum babe.

More to come on Gwen! Be on the lookout! 😉