Back Alley

{Shirt: Gap (similar) | Skirt with belt: H&M (recent) | Shoes: Payless | Mosquito filled back alley: Washington DC}

In between snapping these poses, I was swatting at blood sucking mosquitoes. They were out in full force, and seemed upset that I imposed on their back alley breeding ground. I left with several welt sized bites, and don't think I managed to kill any mosquitoes with my flailing arm swats. Mosquitoes- 1, Bree- 0. 

To understand this next story, you should know that I almost always wear flats to work  Sometimes I get a little crazy and wear a slight wedge. I walk A LOT, and my office dress code isn't business formal so I can almost always get away with flats or wedges. But yesterday, I had a meeting at the White House. The night before, I pulled out my best suit and put together a simple, classic look. The only problem was, I didn't have any black pumps to finish the outfit. Can you believe it? A self declared style blogger without plain black pumps? Well that problem has now been solved thanks to a frantic last minute Macy's run. Work flats- 0. Bree and her new black pumps- 1. 

Blue Leather Shoes

{Shirt: thrifted | Skirt: H&M (similar) | Shoes: Target | Necklace: Target | Bag: F21}

I haven't worn this skirt in a while, and today at work when I looked down to admire my blue leather shoes, I noticed that the skirt lining was peeking out from the bottom edge. I thought of every logical solution in the book: sewing kit, safety pins, quick trip to the tailor. But unfortunately I was in a bit of a time crunch and didn't want to walk into my next meeting with my lining exposed! So I did what any normal girl would do. I folded the lining under itself and stapled it together. Worked like a charm. 

Anything but Ordinary: Snap Shot Edition

1. Just because flowers

2. The Smithsonian Castle

3. Night at the theater

4. Old Town Alexandria

5. Sightseeing on my walk home

6. Best breakfast bagel sandwich around

For more, follow me on Instagram @dreaminfashion

SUMMER MAXI DRESS: 3 WAYS

I plan on being MIA for the memorial day weekend, but I wanted to share this special post with you all before I go. After yesterdays hot mess post, I've officially switched over to summer mode. And one of my favorite summer staples is the maxi dress, so I'm sharing three ways that I like to style my favorite one. I picked up this dress on sale from Anthropologie at an end of summer last year. But some of my current favorites can be found here, here, here, and here.

LOOK ONE: BEACH BUM

{Hat: Target (similar) | Scarf: Nordstrom (similar) | Shoes: Old Navy}

A maxi dress is perfect for a day at the beach. For this look, I simply added my favorite lightweight sandals, a big beach hat, a scarf that can be used for warmth or to cover my arms from the sun, and a gold watch and earrings to add just a little flair.

LOOK TWO: DATE NIGHT

{Jacket: Zara | Bag: thrifted | Shoes: Sam Edelman | Necklace: thrifted}

To fancy up a maxi dress, I like to add a structured jacket. Here I've added my favorite leather jacket, but a black blazer would also do the trick. A simple bag, necklace, and strappy sandals complete the look for an evening feel.

LOOK THREE: BRUNCH

{Shirt: Brass Plum (thrifted) (similar) | Belt: Banana Republic | Shoes: Seychelles | Bag: Coach (thrifted)}

If you stick around my blog for a while, you will quickly learn that brunch is one of my favorite occasions. It is perfect for a casual date or an outing with girlfriends filled with mimosas and laughter. For this look, I paired my maxi with a belted chambray shirt to to give it a casual and chic feel. You could use any button up shirt, or even a jean jacket, for a similar effect. 

So there you have it. Three simple ways to style a maxi dress. And the best part is that you can take any maxi you already own to create similar looks.  

Hot Mess

{Blazer: H&M | Blouse: Nordstrom | Jeans: Citizens of Humanity | Shoes: Nine West | Clutch: Express | Watch: Michael Kors}

You can't tell this from my outfit, but for the last month it has been getting hot and humid here in DC. This week, we've had several rain storms that brought in *slightly* cooler weather. So when the rain settled, I grabbed my last chances to wear jeans and a blazer. But by the time I had taken these photos, I was a hot mess. That didn't stop me from wearing this outfit though. Maybe I'm not ready to accept the inevitable summer heat, or maybe I've been too lazy to pull out my shorts and mini skirts from winter storage? Either way, something has to give or I might become the sweaty girl around town. 

White Wash

{Shirt: Loft | Pants: Gap | Hat: Urban (on sale!) | Necklace: Target | Shoes: Payless | Watch: Michael Kors} 

Happy Tuesday. This is one of those weeks where I am counting down the days till Thursday. You heard me- Thursday. I've got a 4 day weekend in my future. And a visit from one of my besties to top it all off! 

If you don't have a summer hat yet, I recommend this one. I love this hat (and it's on sale). I've been wearing it every chance I get. Last night I wore it with sweatpants to have dinner in my kitchen. Classy, I know. 

Sunday Funday

{Dress: H&M | Bag: Anthro | Belt: H&M | Shoes: Payless | Watch: Michael Kors | Sunnies: Ray Ban}

It was a Sunday brunch kind of day. Mimosas, good friends, deep belly laughter, and delicious food. Pair all that with a breezy sundress and my favorite pink wedges and it makes for a fabulous Funday.

Anything but Ordinary: New Orleans Edition

Travel just might be my favorite life adventure. I love discovering new places, new food, new scenery, and new people. I've alluded to some recent work travel, and I wanted to share a bit about my adventures. I spent last week in New Orleans for a community development conference, and was a student by day and an adventure seeker by night. In my free time, I roamed the streets enjoying the beautiful architecture, dined on crawfish and beignets, and listed to jazz or brass band music on almost every corner. Here are some photo highlights of the trip.

 St. Louis Cathedral (above)

Paint peeling on doors along Royal St.

The streetcar running along Canal St.

Beautiful salvaged front doors that would have gone into a land fill had it not been for the work of the Preservation Resource Center. These doors can now be purchased and reused.

My favorite building just off of Jackson Square

The decorations of Bourbon Street

  Fabulous balconies overlooking the french quarter neighborhood.