Covering Your Bases: Best of Swim Coverups

We all know it's important to find a swimsuit that you feel great in.  (I shared my favorites here)  However, it's sort of silly to cover your awesome suit in some ratty old workout shorts when you could keep looking great while you eat your barbeque and head to the bar.  Or dance to your old school boom box by the pool, as I often do:

La Blanca tunic via Nordstrom

Luckily, there are tons of great swimsuit coverup options, and you don't need to get crazy and spend a lot of money.  I've picked a few of my favorites that won't break the budget, or make you miserably hot like all of the sweaters (wtf??)  that my favorite magazine editors seem to think are a great option for the beach in the heat:

Swim coverups by cardiganjunkie featuring a swim suit cover up

aerie  |  world market  |  piperlime

LOFT  |  asos  |  old navy  |  LOFT  |  asos

What do you like wearing for a coverup?  Know of any hidden gems that we should consider?

Memorial Day Style + My New Favorite Show!

Happy Monday!  Although it feels like summer is already here in Texas, this weekend marks the unofficial beginning.  Like many others, I'll be hosting about 40 of our closest friends in my backyard for a crawfish boil and can't help but think about all the cute patriotic outfits I could wear for the occasion.

Memorial Day Cookout by cardiganjunkie featuring warby parker eyewear

However, I have these things in my actual closet and will be wearing them instead.  And I'll totally look like that lady on the right.

memorial day in real life by cardiganjunkie featuring petite shorts

And when we're not cooking crawfish, I'll be catching up on my new favorite show: Mr. Selfridge on PBS.  If you like Downton Abbey, you'll be instantly enamored with the story of how Selfridge's (the iconic London department store) came to be.  There's love, (PG-13) sex, drama, and gorgeous Victorian cinematography.  

And my newest celebrity crushes: Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Grégory Fitoussi

Have any of you been watching the series?  What do you think?

5 Things Friday

Happy Friday, internet!  I hope you all had a great week.  I'm looking forward to some down time with my doggies and my books, and maybe some cooking experiments!  Until then, here are five things worth sharing on the internet:

1. I think this is so awesome.  A photographer mom dresses her daughter up as inspirational women like Amelia Earhart and Coco Chanel to help her be excited about occupations besides princess.

image by Jaime Moore Photography

2.  I think this table from West Elm is so pretty, but I'm wondering if the mosaic pattern could be mimicked with paint (and taped lines)?  It may be worth a shot on a thrift store or Ikea table!

 

3.  I finally made it back into a LOFT store last weekend, and am kicking myself for not buying these shorts.  The inseam is 4 inches, which totally suits my style and body type, and the print is cheerful and happy without being so bright that it's hard to wear.  Try them out!  (P.S. I did get this dress and it is so flattering - not too short, very slimming!)

4. For the Dallas people:  My sweet friend Maryam (blogger/mama/photographer behind the blog Pamplemousse1983) has opened a blowout salon called Pouf and the grand opening party is tomorrow.  The aesthetic of the salon is so modern and peppy, and I highly recommend that you pay them a visit.  Those ladies were able to turn my elbow length thick, straight hair into perfect beachy waves.  Check them out at poufblowout.com!

 image via Pamplemousse1983

5. I remember being intrigued by this book when it came out in 2009, and I was reminded of it again this week and now I can't wait to suggest it to my book club! Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion, and Jewelry is a work of fiction in the form of an auction catalog.  By looking at each listing, you'll learn the protagonists' love story - there are is not a traditional narrative.  I think it sounds so interesting and will be a fun read!

And with that, I bid you good weekend!

Wedding Guest Dresses - Two Ways!

My husband and I have gone to a lot of weddings in the past few years.  Seriously, I can count ten including ours!  Although I'm fortunate to have two great staple dresses (and no fear of re-wearing them!) I know lots of other women see a wedding as a reason to buy something new.  And since I love a good shopping challenge, I thought I'd share a few options that you can wear to the wedding and then again for less formal occasions.

In my mind, this means you should look for a dress you really like and can wear for a long time, but it doesn't mean you need to spend lots of money either.  Observe:

wedding guest dresses - two ways by cardiganjunkie featuring a wood bracelet

wedding guest dresses - two more ways by cardiganjunkie featuring plastic sunglasses

I think the key to versatility is a good quality fabric that isn't too sheer, but also not too shiny.  You can rely on accessories to bring the glamour, and the dress can rise to the occasion.  However, you should avoid thin cotton, jersey knit, and any smocking or elastic.  I regret to inform you that this rules out most (but not all) of what you'll see at Target and Old Navy, although the latter has some amazing eyelet dresses that are nicely made and look great!

Here are the dresses I featured, in case you're interested:

Food for Thought on a Monday

Happy Monday!  I've been busy watching television, attempting to Ikea hack, and speed reading The Great Gatsby.  Unfortunately, that meant no time for blogging.

However, here are a few little bits of wisdom and lovely words that made me smile this past week:

5 Things Friday

Happy Friday!  I've gotten behind on the blogging this week, so here are five things worth sharing before I spend Mother's Day weekend with my lovely mama. 

1. This little boy room by Emily Henderson and Orlando Soria features a huge DIY painting that Orlando made with canvas and painter's tape.  Isn't it awesome behind the bed?

2. In going through my craft box, I remembered that I have a couple yards of this fabric just laying around.  If you're interested in buying it, shoot me an email and I'll measure it and send you some photos.  I think it looks great on pillows (I have two!) and it will be priced to sell ;-)

3. I am getting my new bed delivered on Tuesday, and I cannot wait!! I have white sheets and a white quilt, and I'm thinking I need a leopard bolster pillow to pair with my DwellStudio euro shams.  I also want to paint our bedroom, but my husband needs a little more convincing.  What do y'all think?

4. Did you know that Emerson Fry has an online outlet store?  There are some deals to be had, if you're a fan of the brand!  For example, this dress was $285 and now it's $78. You can follow them on Facebook to get notified when they restock!

5. I think these monogrammed cosmetic bags look a lot more expensive than they are, and thus make a wonderful gift idea now that wedding season is upon us.  The large canvas/leather bag is only $28!

And with that, I bid you good weekend!

Reader Request: Packing for a Packed Schedule

Good morning!  Today I'm excited to help our Valentina, who is about to embark on a pretty hectic trip where she'll be attending a retirement barbeque, a Mother's Day gathering, two days of work, and a baseball game.  Wow, that makes me tired just thinking about it!

She doesn't want to bring her whole closet to Michigan with her, so I had a good time putting together an illustrative scenario that would allow her to only bring a carry-on bag:

packed schedule packing by cardiganjunkie featuring a liz claiborne necklace

Although she may need to wash/Febreze some clothes, it's possible to dress for varied occasions with the same pieces.  At the barbeque, a great pair of dark slim-cut jeans will look casual but classy with a ruffled blouse.  Then, the same blouse can be paired with black slacks (or a skirt) and blazer for work.  A basic black dress can go casual or church-appropriate for Mother's Day depending on the jewelry and (optional) cardigan, then make a second appearance at work with a blazer on top and serious heels.  Finally, some casual pieces that are perfect for the baseball game can be remixed with jeans and other layers for the plane ride home.  Add some pajamas and 1-2 more shirts just in case, and you'll be set!