Springtime Casual with SKYE Footwear

On Mallory: c/o SKYE Footwear Powll, c/o Banana Republic lace top (old, similar below),  J.Crew Toothpick jeans, c/o Furla Mini Metropolis,  Karen Walker Harvest Sunglasses, NYX Lip Lingerie in Exotic

Photos by Rene

Okay, back to our regularly scheduled programming (Rene is back from Cuba!).

I have had these sneakers for about a month now, so I can actually report about how they are holding up and how comfy they are. I am not one to be super careful about my sneakers, so I was pretty worried about keeping these pale sneakers clean.  So far, they are still looking new, although you can see a couple dirty marks on the stretch upper.  Comfort-wise, these have gotten more comfortable the more I wear them.  When I first got them, the left sneaker elastic loops felt a little tight (although the right shoe was fine).  I think they have loosened a bit, because both sides are now the perfect fit.  One thing I will say, is that with the design of this style (high sides, like a chukka), they can be hard to get on...you definitely have to use the back heel loop!

Fray-Hem Crop Chinos

On Mallory: Zara Off-The-Shoulder Top (old, similar linked below), GAP Wide-Leg Crop Chinos in Snow Cap, Akira Bow On Me Satin Flats, c/o MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick in Topped with Brandy, Céline Caty Sunglasses

Photos by Ty

Full disclosure, I had to hem these chinos.  I am 5'3" (in the morning), so cropped pants are generally full-length on me.  I liked the fray hem of this pair, so it was actually quite easy to fix...just a strait seam and some hand-fraying. 

On another note, the sizing at GAP has been driving me crazy.  The sizes run way bigger than they used to. There is no other store on the planet where I wear a 00.  There are plenty of people who are more petite than I am, so apparently they cannot shop there anymore.  Plus, it makes it difficult to ever shop online, since the sizing seems to change every season!

Shopping Guide // Off-The-Shoulder Tops

ASOS Denim Off The Shoulder Top With Frill Detail ($48.53) | HM Lace Off-The-Shoulder Blouse (29.99) | Zara Striped Off-The-Shoulder Top (35.90) | Kimchi Blue Smocked Off-The-Shoulder Top ($59)

We love that off-the-shoulder tops are back.  It's nice to have an alternative neckline to play with for Spring.  Whit nabbed that Zara top above, and Mal just had to copy :p  Shop our favorite picks above, and check below for some more options!

Culottes

On Mal: Ann Taylor Stiched Stripe Wide Leg Pants (in Petite), H&M Geometric Print Top (old), Chloé Mini Faye Bag (purchased from LuisaViaRoma with a gift certificate won from LookMazing!), Ralph Lauren Collection Platform Espadrilles (old, similar), Lips: NYX Lip Lingerie in Exotic

Photos by Rene

I hadn't been in Ann Taylor recently, so when I wandered in with my sister when I was visiting her in Seattle I was surprised how 'hip' it has become.  They have some really cute stuff this season...  someone needs to talk me out of buying this floral set.  They also have a ton of culottes (although they are calling them 'wide leg ankle pants'), which I am normally afraid of because of my height, but they carry them in petites!  These were 50% off in-store, so with my sister's encouragement that I 'looked tall' I decided to go for it. 

Even with my sister insisting that I looked tall with my flats, I decided to take no chances and paired them with these platform wedges I got years ago at DSW.  I haven't worn them in forever, so the blogger brunch before the WhoWhatWear #bossnotes event last Saturday was the perfect excuse.

Bold and Bright with Banana Republic

On Mal: Outfit 1: c/o Banana Republic Rugby Stripe Crepe Top, Forever 21 bandana, J. Crew Factory Skinny Jeans, Asos 'Say You Will' pom pom shoes, c/o Birchbox Stila All Day Lipstick in Bella

Outfit 2: c/o Banana Republic Paisley Pintuck Tank, J. Crew white toothpick jeans, Denim Jacket (old, similar), Public Desire Karis Lace Up Flats

Photos by Ty

It is finally getting warm around here (I actually went out with only a sweater every day last week!), which means it is time to transition into lighter and more exciting Spring pieces.  So how convenient that Banana sent over these tops.  

Right off the bat, I want to say that the quality of these shirts is so much higher than I have been seeing from them recently, which makes me happy.  I know they had a bad year last year, so I am glad to see them ramping up the quality and the design again (as the CEO had promised).  I was browsing the site and they have some every cute tops this Spring...get a load of this suede number.  Banana is back!

The first top is stripes, so obviously I'm on board. It is basically a nicer version of all the striped tees I currently own. I do think that this top runs a little bit large in the shoulders (I am wearing a small) so I would suggest sizing down, or getting a petite if you are short like I am! 

The second was a little more out of my norm.  In case no one had noticed, I don't normally opt for bright colors.  However, I was surprised to find that I actually didn't mind the brightness once I put it on.  Plus, it matched my nearly-neon lipstick.