Casual Style for the Florida Keys

 Tee: Victoria's Secret**Shorts: Zara**Necklace: Zara**Hat: Zara**Sunnies: Bottega Veneta**Handbag: Gucci**Watch: Diesel**Bracelets: Pura Vida & F21.

   I love dressing up.  But, living in the Florida Keys has had its affect on my style.  Heels & mini-skirts rarely leave my closet, nor get delivered to my door.  They have been replaced by Soludos & cut-offs. (Hence, my love for the Billabong Laneway short here, here, here & here.)  Living on an island doesn't mean I've lost my style, just adapted it to better fit my environment.  The comfort of loose tees & denim shorts are perfect in the sticky humid climate.  I still manage to "dress" my casual look up by accessorizing with chunky necklaces & funky handbags.  One of my favorite accessories for a sunny day?  A beautiful straw hat.  I find that I'm always on the search for the perfect one to block the rays.  Plus, it makes for a great touch to my ensemble when strolling downtown Key West.  Living on an island also gives me an excuse to have sunnies in every size, shape & color.  Have to protect my peepers!  So, I guess I would say that my wardrobe really doesn't suffer, it just calls for different online purchases than when I lived in the city.  Happy Thursday everyone.  

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The Red Fish Wall

 Tank: Volcom…Skirt: F21…Denim Shirt: Nordstrom BP…Moccasins: Minnetonka…Sunnies: D&G…Clutch: Zara…Necklace: Vintage (Mom's Closet!)…Watch: Diesel…Bracelet: Noir…& Studs: Nordstrom BP.

You know those purchases that you make that are just the best?  Pretty sure that this iPhone case is one of those.  Ha.  I absolutely love it.  Anyways, happy hump day everyone.  Hope you enjoy the fishy red wall.  Love, juju.

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Paradise

 Top: Kirra (lace version here)…Lace Bralette: Honeydew…Skirt: Nastygal…Sandals: Aldo…Necklace/Bangle: Vintage…Satchel: Ted Baker London…& Sunnies: Chloe.

        Colors, prints & sunshine make me a very happy girl.  And when I encounter colorful wall art, I feel the need to stop & capture the moment.  Living in the Florida Keys, this happens to me quite often.  Once you exit Miami & drive south on US-1 through the Keys, colorful wall decor adorns the outsides & insides of restaurants & shops, while barrels of shells line the roads & many of the buildings are covered in paintings of marine life (including our local K-Mart!)  The colorful walls give you the good vibes of Kokomo & make you feel as though you are completely in paradise.  Now excuse me while I enjoy a slice of key lime pie.

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Conch Color

 Camisole: Athena (same here)…Crochet Dolphin Shorts: Mimi Chica (similar here)…Shoes: Roxy…Sunnies: Wildfox Couture…Satchel: Ted Baker…Watch: Diesel…Bracelets: Cara// Bangle: Handmade with recycled plastic….Necklace: ZNL.

    Happy Saturday friends!  We spent the other day playing tourist around downtown Key West.  When we came across a cart full of conch shells, I realized I coordinated quite well & decided to snap a few shots.  Neon is definitely a staple in my wardrobe, and I love pairing it with shades of pastels for a great color contrast.  So, when I laid my hazel eyes on the new line of Ted Baker bags for spring, adding one to my wardrobe was a obvious MUST!  (Check out the line here.)  Maybe their inspiration was from a conch shell?  Its quite possible as they are very bright & beautiful.  For those of you who don't know, they are also a protected species here in Florida (don't go collecting shells) & rhyme with 'HONK!'  (Just in case you were planning your next vacation to the Florida Keys, now you're prepared.)
   Rarely do I have a Saturday off, but today I'm off to enjoy music, art & local seafood (including imported conch) at the annual Florida Keys Seafood Fest! Too-da-loo!

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#fbf

 Jeans: AE…Sweater: Cubus…Coat: Frenchi (similar here)…Scarf: Michael Stars (similar here)…Beanie: Cubus...Sneakers: Ash…Purse: R.Minkoff…Earrings: Target…& Sunnies: Marc Jacobs.

        Happy Friday friends.  Recently, I have been getting back to my old hobbies…which consists of mostly DIY's & scrapbooking.  Scrapbooking meant sorting through the thousands of photos on my computer to print hard copies.
       Smart phones & social media nowadays make sharing your photos with friends & family all too simple.  One swipe & my entire vacation may be uploaded to Facebook.  One snapshot, a filter of my choice, some hashtags & voila!  Mostly #selfies, #ootd, #sunsets, the #handbag joining me for #happyhour, or whatever #sunnies I may be sporting in my #fllkeys life & its on Instagram for the world to see.  The digital friends we carry in our pockets make printing photos seem a thing of the past.  (Minus a handful to hang around the house.)  I personally no longer feel that desire to run to Costco to turn my roll of film in to see what photos are awaiting my viewing- simply because I don't have to.  But, I've realized that sometimes its nice to browse through hard copies in a REAL photo album rather than just on my organized albums in iPhoto.
          I found these mixed in amongst those I sorted through.  I love looking at photos because they transport you back to that time & place.  This particular time, I was walking to the post office in Poland to pick up a package & mail some postcards.  I remember stopping to admire the colorful wall art.  I hope it brightens your day like it did mine, & happy #flashbackfriday.

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Lady in Red.

Tank: Kirra (similar here)…Maxi Skirt: Roper…Purse: Kelsi Dagger…Necklace: Kenneth Jay Lane…Bracelets: Alex & Ani…Cocktail Ring: House of Harlowe 1960…Watch: Diesel…& Sunnies: Marc Jacobs.

   
     Happy Valentine's Day lovers!  It may be the hallmark day of love, but I personally prefer a year-round theme of love.  Kisses from my sweetie, dinner dates & flowers on random days just because are a little more special to me than waiting for gifts & chocolates one day a year.  But, somehow, I always fall a bit into the spirit.  And, cheesy or not, its usually with wearing something red.  (Last year's V-Day attire. Guilty.)  Of course, mid-writing this & roses just arrived at my door.  Ok, I guess its not such a bad holiday after all. XOXO.

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A Nostalgic Christmas

 Dress: F21 (different version here)…Shoes: Betsy Johnson (also seen here)…Stacked Arm: H. Bendel & F21…& Headband: San Diego Hat Company.

   
           'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house,
         
            Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
         
            The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
         
            In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; (1-4; Moore, Clement C.).

    This is, perhaps, one of the most well-known pieces of literature.  I can still recite every line simply from childhood memories of my mom reading it to me annually on Christmas Eve.  The 24th is one of my favorite days of the year.  Attending the Nutcracker Ballet & my grams' annual Christmas Eve bash; playing monopoly with my favorite uncle; reading the Velveteen Rabbit; watching Home Alone with my brother; & admiring the festively decorated homes while walking through the lit streets of Winterhaven, are always my favorite memories of this night.
    Another great part about the holidays?!  Why glamming myself up for the parties of course!  This also gives me an excuse to wear heels & excessive amounts of sequins.  Lets face it, living on an island, most of my time is spent in sandals & cut-offs.  On that note, I hope you enjoy the photos of lights & yours truly.  And, mostly I would like to wish you all (especially those of you I won't be seeing this Christmas) a very very Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!  XOXO.

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Sunshine State

 Top: Lush (similar here)…Shorts: Billabong…Moccasins: Minnetonka…Sunnies: Dior (love this new version)…Necklace: Streets of Kraków…Ring: Gift…Bracelets: Alex & Ani…Watch: Timex…& Purse: Vintage from my Grandma.  **Photos by Twist of Fate Imagery**

         Happy December!  Yes, its December & I'm wearing shorts.  No, I'm not crazy.  (Well, maybe just a tad. Ha.)  Need I remind you I live in the Florida Keys?  I grew up in the desert where the sun always seemed to shine…minus monsoon season…but I must say-year round, Florida is truly the sunshine state.  I'm 99% positive all of you stuck in your snowy states are envious.  But, I too am envious of you!  While my weather does permit for a year round tan, unfortunately it does not permit me to prance around in my winter garb.
      On the other hand, if you're having a gloomy snowy day…eheem Haley & Megan…you know you can always type in 'Ms. Blonde Bangs' & find a little sunshine.
     Did I mention this lovely purse was my Grams'?  She was one stylish lady!  Handmade by a leather company in Arizona to her design, I was the lucky granddaughter blessed to keep this beauty out & about.  Although I always miss her, times like the holidays is when I miss her the most.  From her homemade fudge to her fun Christmas Eve parties, where she let me sip on sparkling cider out of a plastic champagne glass while sitting at the kids table (I was very cool), I really am happy to have had her in my life for so long. To you & you're cherished ones, happy holidays!
             **Photos by the talented Courtney Galantino.  Click here for Twist of Fate Imagery **

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