Lilly Pinks

Kaixo everyone,

Summer is upon us, and while I love the nice weather and the relaxation, I find summer the most difficult season to dress up and look elegant! A nice scarf or a structured blazer in any other season can up any outfit, but what can you do when you wanna look bad and boujee and it's a million degrees out? LILLY!

While I have shared my concerns over the brand's direction before, it still remains true that Lilly Pulitzer is a fantastic brand to look pretty and whimsical in the summer months. Recently, Lilly has been rocking it with their pink prints! I could see myself wearing any of these:

Clockwise from top left:

- Amelia Island Tunic: Tunics such as this one are the perfect summer alternative for structured clothes that we usually only resort to in other seasons. Linen is light and breezy, so it's a great summer fabric! However, be wary, it wrinkles easily!
- Mila Stretch Shift Dress: Mila dresses are usually very short, but since Lilly now offers different lengths in some of the prints, prospects are looking up! Ayeeee
- Faye Skort: Seersucker is the perfect summer print, and skorts are great to tan your legs without accidentally mooning anyone. Win-win.
- Elsa Silk Top: I own two Elsa tops, and it's been a hit and miss. The first is still going strong and the colors are still vibrant. The second, however, suffered major color bleeding when I hand washed it. I'm really conflicted because I absolutely ADORE this print. It is one of my favorites in years, and should it be available in the next APS, I would pull the trigger.
- Amber Lynn Sandal: I'm sure that these are not the most comfortable with the lack of platform and the high heel, but PINK GINGHAM SANDALS. Praying they are available during the APS.
- Dusk Strappy Silk Dress: Toile prints are some of my favorite, and I would get this dress hadn't I just gotten another pink shift with a toile print.
- La Fortuna Off-The-Shoulder Top: I just ordered this and it's coming my way! Can't wait to wear it!

All in all, I would definitely consider getting the La Fortuna top (already did!), the Elsa top and the sandals.

Which are your Lilly summer picks? What styles do you tend to gravitate towards? Let me know!

Love,

- Ane

Please...

Gingham PJ set from Women's secret, 11.99€

... and thank you. Sale season is in full swing in Spain, and I am fully taking advantage! When I saw this gingham set at such an amazing price, I knew I had to have it for those hot summer nights. This is what preppy dreams are made of!
Love,

- Ane

All About Gingham

Kaixo everyone,

I don't know if it's me, that I have way too much free time now, that I browse online stores constantly,  or that my eyesight is just going squary, but I see gingham EVERYWHERE. I've always loved gingham. It's a really easy pattern to wear, reminds me of my childhood, and it's just downright adorable and preppy. I love that it's back because you can have both classic and more contemporary pieces. I have seen it on new cuts, accessories I would never think of, and everywhere in Zara (and if it's in Zara, it's a done deal). I rounded up the following gingham lovelies for your (and my) consumption, including a couple of pieces that I own:

Clockwise from top left:
- Zara Top with Contrasted Embroidery: I bought this top right after I got home, and even though I thought it would be ill-fitting, it has become one of my favorite tops. The embroidery is gorgeous, and it can be perfect with a bright colored cardigan for summer or a navy cardigan for the office.
- ASOS Midi Skirt with Tied Waist: I have a secret to confess *cue dramatic music*. I do not wear anything yellow, ever. I've always associated that color with bananas, and I do not think wearing the same color as a banana looks good on me, at all. People with darker skin usually look amazing in yellow, but not me. However, the yellow in gingham is usually softer, easier on my nuclear white pale skin. Also, not showing my butt when I sit while wearing a skirt #tallpeopleprobs is a huge bonus.
- Draper James Cotton Sundress: This dress is the kind of dress you look at with longing when you see it at the storefront while your mom takes you to a cheaper store (and moms are always right, do go to the cheaper store). However, if dreaming is allowed, this is what I'd wear while doing Alice in Wonderland shenanigans. Also, Carly from The College Prepster is #goals with it.

- Boohoo Cold Shoulder Bow Top: Okay everyone, have a look at the description of this top. Cold Shoulder. Bow. The people at Boohoo are incredibly smart. They have combined two of the most prominent trends, the cold shoulder trend and the one at hand in this post, and my weakness in all garments: Bows. Payday where you at?
- ASOS Smock Dress: Another confession *cue super dramatic music*: I do not wear red either (except for one occasion a year, I may blog about it when it comes up). It is a very bold color for me. I do believe it looks good, but not as good as blue, pink or green. In any case, should I choose to wear red with gingham, this fun dress would be my top 1 pick.
- J. Crew Bow Hair Tie: Pardon my French, but hair ties are the absolute s**t, especially if they are cute like this one. They can double as both a hair tie or a bracelet, they are comfortable, easy to put on and remove, and if you have long hair, a must-have all day, everyday.
- Superga 2750 Calico Sneaker: Introducing: the Italian darling sneaker Superga gets a gingham makeover. I have still not bit the bullet with these shoes due to my everlasting loyalty to my white Chucks, but if I were to, these would be great to start with.
- J. Crew Shirt: I have this shirt, and let me tell you, it's amazing! Lightweight, casual and put-together at the same time (you thought that was not possible, right? Well ha! J. Crew does it again!), this shirt combines my love for pink, gingham, casual, and preppy into one perfect cottony bundle.
- GaiaTM for J. Crew Pom Pom Bag: This is the most fun piece of this roundup, hands down! Pom poms, whether you like it or not, are very in style. You'd have to live under a rock not to know this. I've mentioned this before, but poking and crushing pom poms in your hand is the greatest stress relief. Give it a gingham touch and boom! Love at first sight.
- River Island Cross Body Bag: If I had to make a list of in what order I'd buy the pieces of this round-up (and without considering the shirts that I already own), this would be my number one pick. My favorite gingham combos are white and blue and white and pink. I can imagine dressing my future babies in them. This bag color blocks both of them, and the effect is sleek and elegant like a young London aristocrat wreaking havoc in Chelsea, yet charming and traditional like the gingham of your childhood. River Island for the win.

This round-up is probably the one I've done on the blog that I like most, but I swear to God I could've kept adding and adding dresses, shirts, and swimwear to this list. That is why I hope you give me more gingham recommendations. Sound off below!

Love,

- Ane
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Nordstrom's Half Yearly Sale Picks

Kaixo everyone!

If I had to choose my favorite retail store that sells multiple brands, I'd say Nordstrom faster than a suburban mom saying "well, my Jenna got accepted to Princeton AND Yale" when her frenemy starts talking about Jeremy getting 5 acceptance letters (all to Ivies).

Apart from the awesome physical locations (shout out to you, Michigan Avenue), wonderful sales assistants, a customer service that I legit rave about for free and being the mother of my beloved Nordstrom Rack and its discounted Tory Burch, it is a shop that makes me dream about my future as a career girl, my love of fashion since I can remember, and being able to find that one piece (or pieces, the possibilities are endless) that makes me feel like my most confident self.

I am currently not in the US to shop this sale (Tear emoji, or a river one because this is TRAGIC), but that does not mean I did not browse (OCEAN EMOJI, I SHOULD HAVE NOT). I was swooning over these pieces:

Clockwise from left:
- Athena Alexander Ballet Flats: This screams CAREER GIRL. When your own version of hellish Miranda Priestley boss asks you to go for a "Venti Caramel Latte with soy milk and with two shots of expresso with sugar free caramel and three Splendas" run, these shoes can make it happen before she fires you for not being back in 5 minutes. Comes in three different colors too!
- Cluse Watch: I have been eyeing Cluse watches for a while now, and I am delighted to see that Nordstrom is selling them. This combination of camel brown and rose gold is simple, yet put-together. Plus, idk about you, but I feel naked without my watch, and my Fossil watch is like 6-years-old (holy mother of God, I didn't even think about that).
- Soprano Ruffled Blouse: Ruffles are super in-season, whether you like it or not. In my case, I really do! I used to have this ruffled pink tee from Zara that I donated (goddamnit), and this blouse seems like its grown up version. The sleek fabric and color are easy to wear both for work and out.
- Kate Spade New York Market Bag: I will honestly say I struggle to incorporate straw bags into my outfits. I come from a pretty rainy place, and I fear that the sudden thunderstorm can destroy them. However, I cannot get over these pom poms. They are hilarious and they are probably great to poke when stressed.
- Kate Spade New York iPhone 7 Case: Another thing that I don't usually buy are bulky phone cases. I'd rather they have a pretty drawing rather than taking all the space in my handbag. But I can't get over this phone case. I think it's really creative, cute, and would definitely spark some conversation. "OMG, love your case, where did you get that?" "A circus." No ragrets.
- 7 For All Mankind Skinny Jeans: Seven jeans are the kind of jeans I heard about in songs and would  read about in the Gossip Girl series (hell yeah, I read the books even before the show started), and this particular pair would probably make me look like Beyoncé. Or two stuffed sausages, but let's hope for the best.
- Dior Sunglasses: *SWOON* They are definitely out of my budget (regardless of the sale), but I'd love to have these shades.

What are your picks for the sale? Do you usually stock up in a particular item? Sound off!
Love,

- Ane

White Roundup for Memorial Day

Kaixo kaixo everybody!

Memorial Day is soon coming up! And that means, for those of you protocol following ladies, your chance of wearing white is nearing! Although I like wearing white tees all day everyday (wearing one as I write, so case in point), aside from that closet staple, I have always feared wearing white or even off-white dresses, shoes and accessories. I usually find it very difficult to wear and to combine.

However, two months ago, I decided to buy a white dress for the rituals of my sorority (a post on that coming up soon!), and I ended up buying the loveliest dress! It makes me want to wear it all the time, not just initiation! It's a Lilly Pulitzer dress from a past season (considering my previous post, there is still hope!), the Quinn halter swing dress:

Definitely not me, I'm prettier

So I would like to start incorporating more than white tees into my closet. If you are considering doing the same thing or are just plain excited to do some Memorial Day shopping, let me help you out! My mom asks me for fashion advice all the time, so you are definitely in good hands.

Tops

From left to right, clockwise: Madewell // Tory Burch // Socialite // Max Mara // LNA // Alice + Olivia

Dresses

From left to right: Missguided // Chelsea28 // Boohoo // A.P.C.

Shoes

From left to right, clockwise: Sneakers: Adidas // Bow Espadrilles: FENTY PUMA by Rihanna // Pumps: Sam Edelman // Sandal Espadrilles: Anthropologie //  Sandals: Tory Burch // Sandals: Zara

Accessories

From left to right, clockwise: Crossbody bag: Chelsea28 // Scarf: J. Crew // Tote: Tory Burch // Belt: Talbots // Phone Case: Stella McCartney // Earrings: BaubleBar

I almost always state my need for a bank account with an endless supply of ca$h dollar$, and this will be no different! I seriously wish I could afford this all! But for now, to the wishlist they go! Any other suggestions to rock white after Memorial Day (or right now, because life is too short not to wear white whenever!)?

Love, 

- Ane

Last Lanzarote recap

Kaixo!

Soooo with school and crossing oceans and life and moving and writer's block and yada yada yada I have not been able to finish my Lanzarote trip's recap! I know, it's terrible. I have to start a managing my time and including time for blogging, because this is out of control. In any case, let me tell you about some other cool places I visited while in Lanzarote:

- Timanfaya National Park: This national park is a volcanic area (which is not dormant!!) where they take you on a bus tour around all the volcanic formations, craters, etc. It's seriously out of this world, mainly because it looks like the moon. I rode the bus with my dear mom and it was a blast. After that, they showed us how with the lava and heat under the soil they can actually cook potatoes (they're super into them there, I don't blame them though) and create a geyser. Unfortunately, it was full of tourists with their cameras ready to take a picture, and some people can be 8ft tall and not give a damn about people who actually want to see it behind them. Don't be that tourist.

Any suggestions on how NOT to pose like an idiot?

After visiting that, we did one of my favorite parts of the trip. We rode camels. Yes, real life camels. And let me tell you, it was one of the most hilarious things I've ever done. Not only the way the camel's movement sways you is crazy, but the camel herder (does that concept even exist?) was a hilarious guy. I did this when I was a 1-year-old, and since my memory is not that powerful, it was awesome to repeat it and actually be aware of it.

- Fuerteventura: This is an island south of Lanzarote that we took a ferry to. We drove to the southernmost point of the island because they had recommended us some beaches there, but honestly, I could've done without them. It was too windy, the water was too cold and I felt like the sand that the wind was carrying was actually hurting me. In any case, we ended up going to a big dune on our way back (by the north of the island) and it was an absolute blast to jump down the dune and run up and repeat. Awesome.

- Isla de la Graciosa: Another island, except this one is teeny-tiny and it's north of Lanzarote. We took another ferry and rode bikes to the north of the island and back in a record time! Go us! The ferry ride was my favorite, the water was pretty rough and it went up and down like a roller coaster. I don't know if I'm too reckless or too unaware of the potential danger but it was too much fun to start adulting right at that moment, sorry.

It was awesome to relax with my loved ones, and I hope to go back soon. Also soon, my NYC recap! It definitely was an eventful trip, so you won't wanna miss that!

Love,

- Ane

OOTD: When your sister goes to(teal)ly crazy

Kaixo!

After recovering from the LP sale, I am back to posting about my Lanzarote trip. I'll skip a couple of days to show you my last OOTD post of the trip and will finally tell you guys a short recap of my last days in another post.

Before I start, I want to assume that you have either watched or are fans of shows like ANTM or RuPaul's Drag Race. When I was younger, I used to love watching Spanish shows like that. The first one was "Supermodelo 2006", and I remember how they had to learn to walk on the catwalk, pose for pics, etc. The funniest part for me was when the photographer, a French dude called Rouzic who looks like Pitbull's doppelgänger, asked them to "give him more." The French accent and the girls' confused looks when he asked for it, and his really vague explanations of what he wanted topped the cake.

My sister and I were obsessed. When I told her about my blog and the pics, she went full Rouzic with me. Like literally took my camera and started snapping non-stop, moving around me and making me walk, jump, pose and all that jazz. The pics were hilarious, and I picked some of them for you:

She did take some artistic pics too though:

Dress: Local boutique (old) // Bag: Blanco (old, similar here) // Sunglasses: Nordstrom // Earrings: Kate Spade New York // Sandals: Les Tropezzienes par M Belarbi (French brand) // Watch: Fossil (old, similar here)

You can see that everything is repeated except for the dress. This teal dress has been a favorite of mine for a long time. I bought it in 2013 and it has been great for everything. It's cute enough for going out with friends, modest enough to teach in, and comfortable enough to do pretty much anything else. Besides, teal is one of the most fitting colors for any type of skin!

I have picked a handful of similar dresses for you to check out too. Find them here, here, here, here, and here! Any other teal dresses you like? How do you like to style teal?

Finally, let me share a picture of my craziest photographer and me. I miss my sissy so much!

Love,

- Ane

OOTD: Pink and green and every (touristy) thing in between

Kaixo!

I wanted to show you one of my favorite outfits from my Lanzarote trip, which I wore to 3 of the most relevant touristic spots of the island: El jardín del cactus (it's a cacti garden!), Jameos del Agua (a huge underwater lake) and La Cueva de los Verdes (a cave created with the movement of lava where islanders used to hide from pirates).

Carelessly endangering my sensitive hands

Tunic: Alcampo (Spanish brand) // Shorts: J. Crew // Bracelet: Bimba y Lola // Bag: Blanco (old, similar here) // Sunglasses: Nordstrom // Earrings: Kate Spade New York // Sandals: Les Tropezzienes par M Belarbi (French brand)

This tunic has been my go-to this summer for pretty much everything: Beach, grocery shopping, drinks out with friends... It's so comfortable and pretty! It's from Alcampo, which is like... Spain's Walmart. No kidding. But I found it by chance and fell in love! A similar option would be this one. The bracelet was a perfect addition from one of my favorite accessory stores, Bimba y Lola. Sometimes it's pricey but I like to check it out when sale season comes up! And before you think I'm a libertine butt-shower, let me tell you that I wore J. Crew chinos underneath, which are the best shorts ever (although sometimes I end up being the libertine butt-shower because it's too damn hot out, sorry not sorry).

This has nothing to do with the outfit but I do wanna show you some of the incredible cacti and formations I saw:

These look like brains... ew

Black flowers!

The visits were absolutely fantastic! I highly recommend them! And I highly recommend investing in a tunic, it's the best garment for summer!

Love,

- Ane