Style

Breezy in Black and White

- Sarah Leave a comment

Palm Print Dress, Kendra Scott Earrings

Palm Print Dress, Kendra Scott Earrings

Palm Print Dress, Kendra Scott Earrings

Palm Print Dress, Kendra Scott Earrings

Summer is all about dresses. They keep you cool and you don’t have to overthink things — key ingredients for a laid-back summer.

This black-and-white mixed print dress is one of my long-time favorites (last blogged here!). The palm print is on the trendy side, but the color scheme is classic. For a shopping trip to the suburbs, I dressed it up with heeled sandals (I love them, but I almost never have reason to wear them!) and my go-to tote.

Jewelry brand Kendra Scott was kind enough to contribute color bar gift cards for all Blog Connect attendees, so Melissa, Priyanka and I ventured to Ardmore to customize some accessories! I’ve never worn Kendra Scott pieces before, and I was pleasantly surprised with all their options! I choose these drop earrings in rose gold with peach-colored stones. Lately I’ve been gravitating more towards neutral jewelry, and I love that these are delicate but still have a twist to them.

~ Sarah

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Dress: Kohl’s (fun palm print option!) | Sandals: Ross (similar) | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban | Bag: Nordstrom | Earrings: Kendra Scott Color Bar | Bracelets: Neon Coral

Shop more Kendra Scott earrings:

Summer Sweetness

- Sarah Leave a comment

Smak Parlour Fruit Print Dress
Smak Parlour Fruit Print Dress

Have I sung my praises for Smak Parlour before? Okay, that’s a trick question because a quick search of my own archives tells me, no, I haven’t. It’s time though, so pull up a seat.

For the uninitiated, Smak Parlour is a a boutique in Old City Philadelphia, plus a fashion truck (think food truck, but with clothes not tacos). The store is painted pink, and they sell clothes and accessories that are a mix of retro, kitschy and modern. The founders, Katie and Abby, have their own USA-made label, Smak Parlour Cut & Sew Collection. Oh, and the Smak Parlour Instagram is everything.

Anyway, most of my past purchases from Smak Parlour have been accessories. I’ve wanted one of their dresses for years, but the price tags meant I could only justify it as a special occasion purchase. So I promised myself when I found a new job, I would purchase my first Smak Parlour dress.

As luck would have it, my new job has me working from home most of the time, so I don’t really need new clothes for the office. It felt silly to spend money on a dress just to keep a silly promise to myself.

The weekend before I started my new job, my friend and I were browsing Smak Parlour. It was Memorial Day weekend, so the store was having a sale. This fruit print dress was in my size, marked down to $15(!!) and you know, it fit like a glove. Even better, it was just fun.

Do you know what we call that? Fate.

Smak Parlour Fruit Print Dress
Smak Parlour Fruit Print Dress

The first time my fruit print dress and I went out was for brunch with the PHLbloggers team — Chrystina, Melissa and Priyanka. This dress seemed a little too casual, too American for Parc, so I dressed it up — as much as you can dress up a dress covered in cherries, strawberries and watermelons. Hopefully, sand-colored wedges, pearl studs and subtle makeup did the trick. It doesn’t really matter though, because I was too busy enjoying my mimosas and my new dress.

~ Sarah

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Dress: Smak Parlour | Wedges: Crocs | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban | Bag: Century 21

Shop the fruit trend:

Spotted

- Sarah Leave a comment




Well, hello summer! The last few weeks have been crazy, but in a good way!

In June I started a new job! I work from home now and write for luxury marketing publication, Luxury Daily. The subject matter is super interesting, and it’s fulfilling to finally be using my journalism degree. I have a lot to learn, which is exciting, but everyday I feel like I’ve accomplished something.

June also marked eight years since I started Shades of Sarah. This space has gone through a few evolutions and more than a few hiatuses over the last few years, but we’re still here. It’s crazy how many things have changed since I first signed up for a WordPress account. I had just finished my freshman year at Fordham, and now I’ve lived in Philly for half a decade. I’ve moved, changed jobs, made new friends, adopted dogs and this blog has been a constant. My blog is one of the first things people ask me about when I haven’t seen them in awhile, and it’s nice to have something I do just for me. Of course, I do appreciate anyone who has ever read my blog over the years! You guys are the ones who encourage me and make it more fun.

Anyway, onto the outfit! Summer in Philly is my favorite — there is so much to do and the whole city comes alive. It also gets hot, so I need to get creative with my wardrobe. This outfit felt very me, so I thought it was perfect to mark my 8 year anniversary! The crochet crop top and the earrings are a little bohemian, but the polka dot skirt is feminine and classic. The glitter sandals? They’re just fun, and comfortable enough that I can walk in them for blocks.

Oh! And I almost forgot about the sunglasses. I love them, and I love the trendy vibe they add to my outfits. Also, it’s always important to protect your eyes from the sun!! (Anyone else notice the guys on Queer Eye never wear sunglasses? It drives me crazy!)

Anyone else have a summer outfit that feels very them? I want to hear about it!

~ Sarah
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Crop Top: Forever 21 (similar)
Skirt: Dress altered to be a skirt (similar)
Bag: Thrifted (similar)
Sandals: Target (similar)
Sunglasses: Foster Grant (similar)