BASICALLY BLACK & WHITE

As much as I gush about my love of new things, the truth is, I really enjoy being in a committed relationship with more than a few things in my closet. Take this IRO blazer or Stuart Weitzman loafers for example, I've had them for about a year and a year and a half respectively and haven't looked back! Thinking about what it is that makes an item a time-tested favorite for me, I believe it's actually the combination of two things, i.e. looks and substance. Obviously when it comes to clothing or accessories they way they look is important, yet I find that how you feel when you wear that certain item plays an equally important part. If something doesn't feel good on, no matter how beautiful it is, it will inevitably end up in the back of your closet forgotten in favor of something a bit more comfortable. Well, at least that's how it is for me:) And so, when I find something that's beautiful inside and out ( and also possibly happens to work with 80-90% of everything I have in my closet ) I tend to hold on!:) 

STUART WEITZMAN The Leman oxford | IRO Abril blazer | ILLESTEVA Boca mirrored sunglasses { in blue here } | CHANEL Boy flap bag in perforated leather | GABRIEL & CO bracelets & rings 

FESTIVAL BOUND

For me, dressing up has always been a big reason why I love festival season so much. Though most of the time, cute and fun is what I aim for when I style my festival looks, as of lately, practicality and wearability also started to gain momentum. So, say studded fringed leather pants sound good in theory yet in reality, stretchy leather and blazing desert heat don't mix very well ( and yes, I did actually make this mistake ). And so, through a long process of trial and error, I've come up with a few festival favorites sure to keep you looking cute yet comfy no matter how hot the weather gets!

DENIM SHORTS: Always cute, always comfy, denim shorts look good with just about anything from bikini tops to flowy blouses. The high waisted pair from EXPRESS I am wearing in today's  post is a current favorite. First, I've always been obsessed with destroyed denim and this pair has just the right amount of distressing and second, I am really loving the high-waisted shorts cropped top look at the moment, and these just happen to look absolutely phenomenal with all of my crop tops.

FLOWY BLOUSE: A cute flowy top keeps you nice and cool in the desert heat! The cold shoulder top from Express I am wearing today is yet another favorite because well, I am more than a bit partial to shoulder cut-outs and secondly because it's so lighwaight it feels like you're wearing nothing at all.

ACCESSORRIES: Sure, I've always believed accessories complete an outfit. But in this case a hat is not only a cute finishing touch but also a very practical addition to a look, especially if you hope to keep your hair from drying out in the blazing sun:) Seriously, I don't know what it is about Palm Springs but after a few days there my hair starts resembling a heap of straw, yet thanks hats, I was actually able to maintain a somewhat decent looking mane on our last few visit there. 

What about you guys, what are your festival staples/favorites? 

EXPRESS 2 Inch High Waisted Destroyed denim shorts, cold shoulder blouse, bottlecap belt & fedora hat | ISABEL MARANT Aleen Ankle boots { in brown here & here } | DYLANLEX jewelry | BOYY Lazar leather bucket bag 

NOT SO SUBTLE STRIPES

I've always been one of those people who wear things they like to the point of obsession. Case in point, hats! At some point, having realized full benefits of wearing hats, I've developed a massive hat addiction. All of a sudden, bad hair days are but a distant memory, no outfit seems complete without it and my late-night online shopping inevitably leads to browsing accessory sections, looking for more hats in all imaginable and unimaginable colors. 

Of course like all my obsessions, bright colors or preoccupation with black for example, this too will pass. But for now, I remain completely and utterly addicted to wearing hats... Hope you can bear with me while I get it out of my system!:)

Marc by Marc Jacobs PAM stripe jersey long sleeve tee - sold out { similar option here & here } | Nasty Gal Denim The Ex Boyfriend shorts | Rag & Bone leather-trimmed wool-felt fedora | Chanel Boy flap bag in perforated leather | Movado Bold crystal accent watch | Isabel Marant Aleen Ankle boots { in brown here & here } 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE, 

Annabelle