Big City, Quiet City

Happy Fourth of July! Let me just start this off and say I hope wherever you are, it's not raining—this whole Hurricane Arthur thing is killing my beach vibes, I had serious plans to be anything BUT serious, camped out on the beach. Oh, well...still dragging my butt out of bed for an early morning #ParkerParty, Party in the USA style!

 I mentioned in my last post that I really look forward to this weekend every summer, as it's one of the few holidays I don't travel (something to think about if you're moving cross-country…most, if not all, your vacation time goes to trips back home!). A lot of my NYC friends didn't originate here, either, and hopped planes back home or to vacations of their own for a few days, so I'm taking advantage of the quiet(er) city and hitting up some of my favorite spots and a few new ones this weekend, like when I wandered through some new streets in Brooklyn last weekend in a somewhat subtle red-white-and-blue.. Want to see where I go, or have suggestions for me? Follow me on Instagram, and leave a comment below! Hopefully this weather will clear up in time for me to catch some 

East River (!!! finally) fireworks from a Brooklyn rooftop tomorrow night ;)

Donna Morgan dress c/o Zappos || Illesteva sunglasses || Capwell & Co necklace c/o 

Michael Kors watch c/o Zappos || Twins for Peace Sneakers c/o || Zara Tote

Summer Wedding Style

Ahh, summer. A time for late nights, early mornings, parks, beaches, patios, anything and everything al fresco…oh, and weddings. I know I'm not alone in the sheer number of them that take place once you hit your mid-twenties (let's not even get started on the babies that follow). This year, I kicked off the unofficial start to summer with a wedding back in Iowa and will be wrapping up the unofficial end (Labor Day) with my younger sister's wedding back home. Scattered through the middle are more ceremonies, showers and celebrations—pass the bubbly, please!

I love a good any reason to shop for something new, but my bank account can't seem to get behind me during wedding season. To compromise, I look for a few new pieces each season that are versatile enough to be worn at least twice. Usually, maxi dresses feel more formal to me and I'm really all about comfort, but this one has a few extra things going for it. The fun, tribal-inspired print leans toward casual and minimizes the need for too many accessories. There's also a slit on one side—perfect for when I'm dancing and don't want to be tripping on extra fabric (I just loosely tie a knot in the side!). And, spoiler alert, I was drawn to the various shades of blue.

My favorite detail, though, has to be the fabric...it's wrinkle-proof! Which is amazing for me since I'm prone to ditching whatever I was wearing on whatever's most convenient when I get home at night (this dress passed the test when I got it in the mail, tried it on, and promptly dropped it in a pile on the bench in my room for three days). Already planning to toss it in my suitcase when I head back for my sister's wedding this August!

Donna Morgan Dress via Zappos || Gap Clutch || Sole Society Heels || Essie Polish in I'm Addicted

Photos by Ashley