Spots & Stripes

Pre-Fall print mixing = a striped button down & leopard ankle booties. For this look, I threw in a pop color (you can never go wrong with a red statement bag!) and just a little peek of lace. This suede skirt is still a favorite of mine solely because of the versatility - it looks just as great with a bodysuit and heels as it does with an off-the-shoulder top & gladiator sandals. 

Greg and I are heading to Vermont tomorrow and I cannot contain my excitement! Looking forward to colorful leaves, crisp air, hiking, and of course seeing my family! I'll be back next week with a recap, but until then follow along on instagram & snapchat @meghanconard

{outfit details}

Striped Shirt - Zara || Suede Skirt - c/o Tobi (last seen here) || Leopard Booties - Sam Edelman (worn here & here too) || Red Bag - Tory Burch || Gold Watch - Michael Kors

Associate Buyer at Ron Jon Surf Shop

{image via}


I'm so excited to announce my recent promotion to Associate Buyer of Accessories at Ron Jon Surf Shop! I've learned so much since starting as a Merchandise Buying Assistant earlier this year and I'm really looking forward to this new challenge! I feel so blessed to have found my dream job in my hometown and I can't wait to continue my career with a company that I love!

Zoodles with Shrimp & Avocado Pesto

We recently bought a spiralizer and it's quickly becoming my favorite cooking tool in the kitchen! I follow a Paleo diet 80% of the time so finding a delicious substitute for my beloved pasta is life-changing! I have made vegetable pasta with both zucchini & summer squash - both are amazing! In fact, I find them even more flavorful than traditional pasta. For this meal, I combined zucchini noodles (zoodles), shrimp & homemade avocado pesto - so delicious and healthy!

ingredients

4 large zucchini, spiralized

olive oil

sea salt

black pepper

1 large avocado

3 cloves garlic

1/4 cup walnuts

handful of fresh basil leaves

2 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 lb shrimp, peeled & deveined

directions

{1}

Spiralize zucchini and set aside on a paper towel to soak up any excess water.

{2}

In a food processor, add avocado, basil leaves, garlic, walnuts, lemon juice & sea salt. Pulse until finely chopped. Slowly add olive oil until creamy.

{3}

Drizzle olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Then add zucchini noodles and any seasonings you like (I used garlic salt & black pepper). Cook for a few minutes until tender. 

{4}

In a separate large skillet on medium heat, add olive oil. Add shrimp and season with salt & pepper. Cook until they become plump and pink. 

{5}

In a large bowl, combine zoodles, pesto & shrimp. Serve warm and top with fresh Parmesan cheese. 

Fall Floral

Although the weather in Florida hasn't gotten the memo about fall, my closet is slowly transitioning. I believe floral is a pattern that shouldn't be exclusively reserved for spring and summer. Case in point: this romper, which perfectly combines the seasons. The easy breezy wrap silhouette is ideal for the end-of-summer heat but the dark floral print & bell-sleeves hint that fall is coming. I styled it with a black hat and backless grey suede booties for a boho look.

{outfit details}

Romper - T.J. Maxx || Hat - c/o Newchic || Bag - Forever 21 || Booties - Target || Lipstick - NARS "sex machine"

Currently Obsessed

{Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara}

I am a serial monogamist when it comes to mascara. I've tried everything from drug store brands like CoverGirl to Sephora's best-seller Benefit "They're Real!" I immediately fall in love with whichever one I try but by the end of the tube I question whether or not to re-purchase. This is a bold statement but I think I finally found my perfect mascara! Dior's DiorShow Iconic Overcurl checks all the boxes I look for in a mascara: lengthens, thickens & curls.  

Application is key when it comes to mascara. I start at the base of my lashes and slowly move the wand side to side as I move up to the tip of the lashes. The wand on DoirShow Iconic Overcurl is long which gives me more control and the curved design exaggerates the effect. I then use the tip of the wand to get those hard-to-reach lashes in the inner and outer corners of my eyes. Lastly, I do a quick downward swipe on my bottom lashes to complete the look. I'm admittedly a little sloppy when I put on mascara because I care more about my lashes being fully coated than accidentally bumping my eyelid - that's what Q-tips are for! The end result looks similar to lash extensions which I love! I'll definitely be buying this mascara again! 

Ode to Leather & Suede

By the time September rolls around, I am giddy with excitement for Fall (my favorite season)! Florida doesn't have a true Fall in terms of weather, but I still love wearing Fall fashion. I can't get enough suede and leather pieces year round but especially in Autumn - from a staple black leather jacket to a suede skirt and colored lambskin leggings. Leather always adds that extra bit of edge to an outfit and suede is perfect for mixing up the textures. While I'm dreaming of cooler temps, I've rounded up some of my favorite leather & suede looks for inspo. Which one is your fave? 

check out some of my other roundups: denim and black & white

{click on the photo to see the full outfit post}

Bodysuit + Cut-Offs

As a former competitive dancer, I practically lived in a leotard for 9 years, so naturally I embraced the bodysuit trend wholeheartedly. I especially love when they have the little onesie snaps so you don't have to get completely naked to go to the bathroom {any girl that has worn a romper knows what I'm takling about!} The versatility of a bodysuit is endless. I style mine with everything from jeans to skirts & cut-offs. In my opinion, Levi's 501 shorts earn the crown for best cut-offs - slightly high-waisted, perfectly dyed & distressed, and they only get better with age and wear. I lived in my lighter-wash 501s this summer and I'm already envisioning a thousand ways to wear this vintage black pair! Hope you have a great Labor Day weekend!

{outfit details}
Bodysuit - Forever 21 || Cut-Off Shorts - Levi's c/o Shopbop || Choker - DIY (tutorial here) || Bar Necklace - c/o Billabong || Trinagle Lariat Necklace - World Market || Watch - Michael Kors || Sunglasses - c/o Seafolly || Fringe Bucket Bag - Zara (worn here & here too) || Booties - Forever 21 || Lipstick - NARS "schiap" || Nail Polish - Essie "coconut cove"