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A few months ago I posted this picture on my instagram of a little diy I did for my room. I've always been in love with nautical flags, and all the fun prints and patterns in the j.crew catalogs were begging to be used for something. This diy is super simple and easy to make! To start off you'll need a magazine, some thread or twine, glue, an x-acto knife or scissors, and a cardboard template. I made my template 9cm on each side, but feel free to make it whatever size you want.

Try to pick pages that have a mix of colors and patterns. J.crew has a ton of pages like the one on the left in each of their catalogs.

Using your template and x-acto knife, begin to cut out triangles from the pages. This way is a bit more time consuming, but you have more control over what print each triangle gets.

Alternatively, you can remove several pages with bright colors and prints, staple them together, trace the triangles and cut them out. This is much faster, but you might end up with some triangles that are all solid colors, have too much text on them etc.

Once you have all your triangles cut out (i think I cut around 24 or so), place a small strip of glue on the top border, and place the thread on the wet glue. I used about 1.5 inch spacing between each triangle, but feel free to experiment with different sizes! The glue doesn't take too long to dry, but I find that I like working on the floor because I can glue them all at once and I don't have to glue them in sections and wait for each section to dry before moving on.

The bunting is super light, so all you need is some tape to hold it up! This is one of my favorite things I've made because it perks up my entire room. If you decide to make this, make sure to post a pic and tag me on instagram! I'd love to see y'alls take on this simple diy.

5 Ways to Style a Crop Top

Summer is the time when crop tops come out in full swing. Trust me, I have pinned and reblogged plenty of cute outfits involving these tiny shirts, but I have never been confident enough to pull them off. I'm not one to want to show off my stomach, but when I saw this shirt at H&M for only $6, I thought I would give it a try! I definitely don't have the abs of a VS Angel, but I found five ways to style a crop top that make me feel cute and comfortable. 

**Also quick note: if you plan to wear a crop top, I advise that you avoid eating an entire Chipotle burrito before hand, there is a lot of sucking in in these pictures. Just being honest.

Flannel: J.Crew Factory >> Shorts: Thrifted >> Shoes: Adidas

I channeled my inner tumblr girl with this one. Anything highwaisted goes well with crop tops to provide more tummy coverage. Not only does the flannel add a bit of 90's grunge, but it acts like security blanket, and makes you feel less exposed; plus you can button up a few buttons if you feel uncomfortable or tie it around you waist if you're feeling spontaneous! Options, ladies, options.

 

Shorts: Uniqlo >> Shoes: Forever 21

I feel like printed bottoms help to take some attention way from the fact that you're wearing a crop top. These are also highwaisted, once again giving more tummy coverage.  These are one of my most comfortable pairs of shorts, which makes me more comfortable with the fact that my stomach is out to face the world. 

 

Skirt: Express >> Necklace: c/o Moorea Seal >> Shoes: Aldo

I'm still not crazy about maxi skirts, but they obviously provide the most coverage. You could easily take this from casual day with friends to going to dinner by changing the shoes and accessories. Perfect if you're a fan of the boho look.

 

Skirt: PacSun >> Necklace: H&M >> Shoes: Amazon

I think this has to be my favorite look. It's clearly something you would wear if you were going out, but I love the monochromatic color palette. Flashy necklaces draw attention away from your middle, and add some zest to a pretty basic outfit.

 

Pants: H&M >> Necklace: Forever 21 >> Shoes: Gap

HIGH WAISTED PANTS. Are you surprised? I have a strange attraction towards high waisted pants, I own at least four pairs of them. I totally could have been casted as an extra in the movie Her. I'm telling you, Joaquin Phoenix has nothing on me. 

And there you have it folks, five ways to embrace the tiny tops of the summer. As far as I'm concerned, crop tops will always be a summer staple, so we all might as well embrace them. 

What's In My School Bag

My bag needed to be cleaned out, and I needed a video to film. Enjoy!

Everlane Tote

Yellow+Floral

I can't get enough of these shorts from Uniqlo. I picked up two pairs of them when I was in New York  last summer, and they are some of my most worn items. Really, the only way they could get better is if they had pockets. They are made out of the softest, stretchiest material I have ever felt in my life, and my only regret is that I didn't buy more! Unfortunately, these are not available online anymore, but the second they are, I AM BUYING THEM ALL. Like seriously, these are the best shorts ever, and they fit into my summer uniform! I usually pair these shorts with converse, and a plain shirt for the ultimate suburban summer look. 

Top: H&M >> Shorts: Uniqlo >> Shoes: Converse >> Sunglasses: Forever 21

Summer Uniform

Loose top >> Graphic tees >> V-neck

Printed shorts >> High waisted denim shorts >> Black shorts

Booties >> Converse >> Fun Flats

Once the weather gets above ninety degrees, I'm all about simplifying my outfits. I stick with loose tees, high waisted shorts, and comfy shoes to maintain the perfect balance between stylish and comfortable. You'd think that as someone who has had to wear a uniform to school for the past 12 years that I would rejoice in having some freedom in what I wear. Although my summer outfits follow the same templates, I can easily make 27 different outfits using only 9 items! Now imagine what I can do with a closet filled with basic tees, cute shorts, and awesome shoes. I obviously don't have 500 days of summer, but if I did, I bet I could make a different outfit for everyday.

Graphic+Girly

I'm not a fan of maxi skirts, and I don't understand why people speak so highly of them. I have to make sure people (aka me) don't step on it, they're weird to walk in, and they're too girly for my taste. I wouldn't say that I dress like a tomboy, but you won't see me in bows and frills anytime soon. I was contemplating giving my two maxi skirts away, but I decided to try to combat their girliness by pairing it with a graphic tee and some converse. I dig the look of feminine pieces with more casual, edgy pieces, it truly gives me the best of both worlds. I'm not completely sold on maxi skirts just yet, but I think I'll hold on to this one for a bit longer.

Shirt: Adidas >> Skirt: Express >> Shoes: Converse >> Sunglasses: Forever 21

Gingham

I have been looking high and low for a navy gingham button down, and I am pleased to say that I have found the perfect one. Gingham makes me think of summer, and this shirt is thin enough to wear during the brutal Texas summers. It's not a perfect fit, since I have wider shoulders and thin arms and torso, but the looseness helps me keep cool, and gives it a more casual vibe. I can't wait to pair this shirt with some high waisted shorts! It would also look great under a cardigan when fall comes around. 

I've been trying to pick up some items that I have on my 'needs' list, and it's nice to be able to cross an item off! Is there anything that you desperately need in your closet for the summer? Now only if I could find the perfect pair of black shorts...

Shirt: J.Crew Factory >> Skirt: Cotton On >> Shoes: Amazon >> Watch and Necklace: c/o Urban Peach >> Bracelet: Style Lab NYC

Prom

Man, oh man. Prom this year was great. I spent the night getting down to some good tunes with my friends and stuffing my face with chips and creamy jalepeno dip. I'd have to say that my favorite part of prom was what happened before.

We brought sushi to eat at ikea. 

We took pictures with rugs as backdrops. 

We bought $1 frozen yoghurt cones. 

I walked all over ikea in 5inch heels (not the best idea). 

Ellie walked around in a sari, and some old Indian man in the parking lot nearly chased after her and said "well now you can say 'who's sari now?!'"

And I'd have to say, that prom was one of the best days of my Junior year.

Dress: LuLu*s >> Shoes: Payless >> Purse: H&M

fun fact: I won this dress at the Texas Style Council Conference last summer, and this was the first time I wore it!

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10 Things To Know About Me If We're Gonna Be BFFS

Cardigan and top: H&M >> Jeans: Hollister >> Shoes: Amazon

Soooo Lauren tagged me to do this 394 million years ago and I'm just now getting to it. Let's go.

1. I will teach you everything you need to know about a camera so I can use you to take blog pictures for me.

2. If I hear or see something cool/funny, I'll probably tell you about 45 million times, because each time I'll forget that I already told you.

3. I'm all for handholding. In class, walking down the hallway, doesn't matter where we are, I'm probably gonna be holding your hand.

4. I am the slowest eater in the world, unless it's chipotle. In that case, I will finish my food in 27 microseconds and you will wonder how a girl so small could eat so much food.

5. Don't be surprised if you find 217 selfies of me on your phone.

6. I'm a total homebody, and my idea of having fun is going to Target

7. When it comes to food, what's yours is mine and what's mine is mine. #toyosidoesn'tsharefood

8. I will flail my limbs and break out in dance at random times, and I expect you to join in when I do so.

9. 95% percent of our communication will be through facial expressions.

10. If you don't like Vampire Weekend, then don't talk to me.

If you're okay with all of these things then congrats! We're now BFFs.

p.s. I tag Nicole, Jocelyn, Melissa, and Elana to do this too.