SANTA BARBARA WINE TASTING

Found the most perfect dress to wear to a wine tasting in Santa Barbara... Light-as-air off the shoulder lace, for me, it just doesn't get better than that:) Though it works with pretty much any pair of heels imaginable and can easily be dresses up with some strappy sandals and a clutch, I actually prefer to downplay it with gladiators and a cross-body. Something about this combination has such relaxed and easy vibes and a quintessential Summer appeal! Love that! What do you guys think?

ASOS Darccy vintage boho lace faff the shoulder dress | CHLOE Mini Drew shoulder bag | CHLOE Carlina 60mm oversized sunglasses | J CREW studded lace-up gladiator sandals { similar option here & here } | WANDERLUST & CO Trio Stack ring set 

AMAZING LACE

Considering my weakness for high heels, I never imagined I would switch to flats, especially when it comes to dressier looks. Trust me, no one is more surprised than I am! And yet, lately I've become quite obsessed with pairing flats with midi dresses. Take today's look for example, the beautiful Preen lace dress I'm wearing in today's post could have worked with any number of heels, but worn with metallic flats, it looks a little less girly and a lot more chic. Speaking of dresses, I've had my eye on this one for quite some time now. You know how I feel about lace dresses and the color blue in general, but when you combine those two things together, the end result is simply irresistible! I've searched for this dress everywhere, giving up all hope at times, until I finally found it on Avenue32 and on sale nonetheless! Basically best case scenario all around!:) I also happen to find those metallic flats and dainty rings I'm wearing in today's post, and since they were also on sale and completed the look, I just couldn't resist...What can I say, it was a really good shopping day!:)

PREEN by THORNTON BREGAZZI blue lace Hayden dress, PAUL ANDREW metallic gold Zoya flats, ESTELLE DEVE Dawn ring set & Ilona ring set all via AVENUE32 | PRADA retro sunglasses | SAINT LAURENT small Monogramme tassel chain bag 

BUTTERFLIES

Good morning, Everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! 

If you read my blog on regular basis, you may have noticed that lately, it's been all about floor-length gowns for me and the amazing, lace and sequined butterfly Via Della Perle number I am wearing in today's post is definitely one of my favorites so far. Couldn't decide what I love the most about it if I tried, but I have a feeling, it is the combination of elements rather than a particular detail. I think what attracted me to this dress in the first place was the beautiful gunmetal butterfly embroidery, but the open back combined with the sexy lace asymmetric hem made me fall in love! 

In terms of styling a floor length gown, though it can certainly look great paired with an up-do and demure, ladylike accessories, I prefer to go for a slightly nonchalant look and wear it with casual hair, edgier accessories like studded heels and  multi-finger rings and a bright lip. 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle