so nautical!

There's really nothing better than being barefoot and on the water on those gorgeous 

summer days. I love the nautical trend, it's one that just seems to come back year after

 year. So this summer... keep the nautical trend, trending! Throw on some stripes, 

kick off your shoes and enjoy the water!

 top american apparel  • shorts zara

xxAli

     (photos: Oren A Photography)

who wears short shorts.

One of my favorite things to wear in the summer is long sleeves and shorts. 
It keeps you warm enough on the days it's not a scorture. But, still gives 
you the chance to show of those bronzed legs that you work so hard on all winter 
just so you can slip into your favorite pair of shorts in the warmer months. 

One of my fashion weaknesses is leaving out pretty much any color or 
pattern in almost everything I own. Summer is a great time to take those 
baby steps into a more exciting uniform. These shorts were the perfect 
step to funk things up a little. It's important to keep your wardrobe new 
and exciting but no need to jump right in, all at once! 

A few fun pieces matched with your go to basics makes a great mix of an outfit. 
Don't get me wrong, I hope one day I'll have balls like, Joanna Hillman, 
to pull out a full fledged fix of prints. We'll have to work on that one.... 

 sweater hand me down from bubby  • shorts ecote • shoes jeffrey campbell • bag balenciaga

xxAli

     (photos: Oren A Photography)

transitional dressing.

When you wake up in the middle of June and it's barely 60 degrees, 

it's kind of tough to decide what to wear. An easy transition outfit 

is always the way to go. It keeps you warm enough in the morning and 

let's you cool down enough in the afternoon. Open toed shoes, ripped jeans,

 a good t shirt, light jacket, a hat and a killer backpack sounded perfect to me. 

This is my favorite lightweight jacket. It works with everything 

and is nice and comfy. Pair it with a t shirt and you're good to go for 

those cooler summer days.

 jacket madewell  • t shirt babaton • jeans r13 • shoes vince • backpack elizabeth and james • hat anthropologie

xxAli

(photos: Oren A Photography)

met ball 2014 best dressed.

10. Victoria Beckham in her own Design and David Beckham in Ralph Lauren Black Label

Each year, fashions greatest get together to celebrate the METs annual fashion exhibit and raise money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. Celebs bring their best fashion game because, well... that's what the night is all about. There are always stunners and always bummers, but let's focus on the best of the best. For me, simple with a little edge almost always takes the cake. This year, I loved seeing the matching separates, classic silhouettes and bold colors on the red carpet. 

 Here are my 10 best dressed from last night's Met Ball. 

9. Hailey Steinfeld in Prabal Gurung

8. Emma Stone in Thakoon

7. Suki Waterhouse in Burberry

6. Gisele Bündchen in Balenciaga 

5. Selena Gomez in Diane von Furstenberg

4. Cara Delevingne in Stella McCartney

3. Lily Donaldson in Burberry

2. Anne Hathaway in Calvin Klein Collection

1. Blake Lively in Gucci Premiére and Ryan Reynolds in Gucci

xx

ALI

feeling a little like spring!

After a horrendous winter here in Chicago, it's finally starting to feel a little like Spring! 

One of my favorite Spring looks is white on white, so what better way to celebrate our warmest 

day so far this season than brightening it up a bit! White is a great go for an easy to wear 

look as long as you can avoid spilling on yourself... I'm bad at that part.

 sweater paper denim&cloth • jeans rag&bone • shoes zara • bag proenza schouler

xxAli

(photos: Oren A Photography)

Obi the Frenchie Pup.

I have always been a dog lover. It took me four years to convince my mom to get our first dog! When I moved out of my parents house, one of the things I missed the most was seeing my dogs every day. I started to think about getting my own dog, but knew it probably wasn't a great idea while I was still in school. I would research all the time, deciding what breed would be best for me. Three years ago, I decided that was going to be a French Bulldog. My friends and family told me I was obsessed! I always reading about them and looking at pictures (I follow over 30 frenchies on instagram.. obsessive? maybe). But, I knew I had to wait until I was out of college to get one so I could give my pup the awesome life he deserved and not leave him home every day while I was in class. I patiently waited and researched and waited some more. 

It was proving to be much more difficult to find a good breeder than I expected. I got in touch with our vet months ago to ask him to keep a lookout for a breeder. I would make calls almost weekly to possible breeders, none of them working out for a multitude of reasons. Eight weeks ago, our vet delivered a litter of four gorgeous frenchie pups. He immediately put me in touch with the breeder. An older lady who lived only about 45 minutes away from my hometown. It took me a few days to get in touch with her, but when I did, she was thrilled. She was so kind and interested in my life. She realized pretty quickly that I could not wait to have my own pup and was really ready for the commitment. After a while on the phone, she said she would be happy to sell me one of her frenchies. I was so excited I started crying (yes, I'm a bit of a sap). She sent me a photo of the four pups the day they were born from that photo I picked out my beautiful boy, mostly white with black eyes, ears and spot on his cute little butt. 

Here we are, Obi and I, eight weeks later, loving every minute together. So far, he's been a wonder. I'm one lucky girl to be the mom of this little pudge baby.

xx

ALI & OBI

Sayulita Photo Diary

Mexico's small surf town of Sayulita is absolutely charming. An expansive beach of sparkling gold sand, perfect rolling waves, hot sun and friendly locals make for quite the combination. Walk the streets and you will find countless local artisans, taco stands and churros made right in front of you.

It was a wonderful getaway to leave Chicago for a week with nothing to worry about but surfing, laying in the sun, walking on the beach, eating guacamole and drinking piña coladas. It felt amazing not to put on makeup each morning and only have to take a bikini out of the drawer. It was wonderful to spend the week with family and friends and also to celebrate my beautiful momma's birthday in the warmth! Sayulita was the perfect vacation spot, definitely a place you would want to visit.

xx

ALI

all photos (half iphone) by: Ali Stone Photography