What to wear to Summer Weddings: Your Questions Answered

I've been getting questions regarding summer wedding dress attire so I decided to write a post on the topic (featuring some of your questions) rather than email everyone back individually. I'm going to keep things simple for today's blast because the last thing I want to do is overwhelm you guys with rules.  Dressing up should be fun so let's try and keep it that way!

"What should I wear?"  

It all depends on the wedding! What's the dress code (ie. white tie, black tie, etc.)? Where's the wedding going to take place (ie. church, beach, someone's house, etc.)? What time do the festivities start? These are all factors you need to take into consideration!  For example, if your friend's having her wedding outside, you're going to want something airy to keep you somewhat cool in the sweltering heat.  If your buddy's having his in a church, you won't want to bare all for two reasons; a. it's a more conservative setting (obviously) and b. you don't want to upstage the bride.  

IMHO, the "safest" bet is a cocktail dress that hits you below the knees (like the midi dress I'm wearing).  You'll be able to re-wear this for all different kinds of weddings so it's the most practical option if you're looking to save money and only purchase one outfit.

"I don't want to spend a lot of money.  Where can I find something affordable?"

I actually wrote a post on SS a while back on dresses and where I purchase them for less.  That should give you all the information you need, but in a nutshell, I recommend Forever 21, Last Call Neiman Marcus, and TJ maxx amongst others.  Also, here are some cute designs I recommend (all under $50).

"Is it ok if I wear black?"

Absolutely - the only color you should NOT wear is white (or any variation of it, ha)!  With that said, I think pastels and florals are beautiful options for summer weddings.  Don't be afraid to experiment with color...as long as it's not obnoxiously bright. Please, please, PLEASE do not show up in hot pink from head-to-toe - like I mentioned before, you don't want to steal the bride's thunder.  It's her day so you want to make sure she's the star of the show!

"Do I have to wear a dress if it's black tie?"

That's a great question!  Black tie's not as formal as white tie, but most women still sport floor length gowns for the occasion.  There ARE ways to avoid it though if you're not a fan of dresses.  Jumpsuits and pantsuits make great alternatives.  Throw in some killer jewelry, and you're good to go!

"I hate walking around in heels.  Can you recommend dressy shoes that are comfortable?"

I recommend wedges.  They're obviously not as fancy as stilettos, but they're dressy enough.  I actually wore a pair as my cousin's maid of honor years ago because I knew I'd be running around all day long, and it was such a good call.  Embellished flats or sandals also work - just make sure they're dressy and save your flip flops for the beach.

Here's an outfit I recently wore to a friend's wedding in PA.  As much as I love looking cute, being comfortable is my first and foremost concern - I truly believe that if you feel self-conscious, you'll look it.  So, I went with an adorable midi dress from ASOS.  I've put on a little weight these last few weeks so the A-line silhouette is currently my best frand.  

I don't usually like strapless pieces because they pinch my arm fat, but this dress was surprisingly flattering.  Plus, I have a weakness for all things girly so the bow totally sealed the deal for me - I even have a board dedicated to bows on pinterest, #sorrynotsorry. Ha!  To finish things off, I accessorized with a fun clutch for a pop of personality and threw on Valentino-inspired heels to match.  Anywho, I hope you guys found this post helpful!  If you have any additional questions, feel free to email me and ask.  I'm not than happy to play stylist for you all.  

Dress:  ASOS || Heels:  Qupid || Clutch:  Aldo

 Photos shot by the wonderful Sung Shin.

City Perch at Pike & Rose: To Die For Bread Boards

A few weeks ago, my bf and I hit up City Perch in Bethesda for dinner, and I'm beyond excited to tell you guys about our nom highlights.  Located next to AMP and iPic theaters, it's a great place to grab apps and/or drinks before heading to whatever show you're there to see.  So without further ado, here's what you should get:

Drinks (range from $9-20): ... I honestly can't remember what these were called, ha.  I believe we got the Mandarin Mule and Norma Jean, but I'm not 100% sure!  Their cocktail menu was extensive so we had a tough time choosing - and now everything's kind of a blur - BUT it all sounded delish.  I'd definitely go back for happy hour (daily 3-6PM featuring cocktails, wine by the glass, and craft drafts) because these were amazing!

Bread Board: I can't even. This was, hands down, the highlight of the evening.  I'd seriously go back to City Perch just to have their cornbread again.  How's this for foodporn? A cayenne + parmesan popover with smoked sundried tomato butter, honey-dipped corn bread with whipped goat cheese drenched in wildflower honey, a butter bun with whipped Trickling Springs butter + sea salt, and an orange sage biscuit served with maple bourbon pecan butter.

...yeah, I may or may not be drooling right now.  If you aren't, I don't even know what to think, ha!  In all seriousness though, everything was ridiculously tasty, but my faves were the cornbread & popover.  I would've happily eaten cornbread all night long, but I had to save room for the various dishes we ordered.

French Onion Soup ($10):  This isn't pictured here, but it's DEFINITELY worth mentioning!  I'm hella picky when it comes to this soup because it's one of my go-tos, but City Perch did a truly solid job with this dish.  Enriched with braised beef short rib, gruyère + white cheddar gratin, the flavors were spot on even after sitting for a good 20 minutes or so while I took these shots.  This baby gets 5/5 stars!

We also tried the "everything" waffle ($16) and the brioche-crusted Maryland blue crab cakes ($18). The former featured Norwegian smoked salmon, dill crème fraîche and salmon roe, and the latter came with old bay remoulade and a frisée + citrus salad topped with yuzu vinaigrette.  I don't eat fish so I didn't get to try the waffle, but I had the crab cakes and they were fine - not bad but definitely not worth $18 to me.

Mac + Cheese ($8):  fun fact, if I see mac + cheese on a menu, I will order it 99.99999% of the time! If I don't, it's either because I'm not feeling well or I'm already food coma'd out.  CP met my (extremely high) standards and left me completely and utterly satisfied!  Made with farmstead artisanal cheeses + bacon crumble, this gooey goodness is all sorts of yum.

Roasted Long Island Duck ($28):  Very impressed with the flavor and tenderness of the duck!  It came with rolls + pickled goodies, which was fine but kind of misleading because the menu said it'd be served with southern-inspired fixings? I don't know about you guys, but when I think of southern fixings, I think mac n' cheese, collard greens or baked beans, but maybe that's just me?  The rolls were good because CP apparently can do no wrong when it comes to carbs, but the pickled stuff was "eh."  I'm still a fan of this dish though!  

Other entrees we tried: the Pan Seared Scallops ($29) and Braised Beef Short Ribs ($28).  The scallops came with roasted brussels sprouts, cipollini onions, bacon lardons, thyme + veal jus, and the beef came with creamed spinach, crispy shallots, and a potato pancake.  

I felt like there was TOO much seasoning going on in general with these two plates!  I would've appreciated a "purer" flavor if that makes sense, like I want my sauce to complement and enhance the natural flavor, not mask it.  I do give them props for cooking the scallops perfectly though - they were seared beautifully.  The beef was pretty good but definitely order the duck if you're craving meat!

We were completely stuffed by this point so we passed on dessert, but I'd be down to go back again - order their magical bread tray and nibble on their mac n' cheese, which is big enough to be an entree by the way! Soooo much yas.  They also validate parking for up to 3 1/2 hours which is AWESOME!  For my non-dmv friends, they have locations in NJ and NY if you're interested in trying their noms.  Happy eating, frands!

Where to Buy Cute Summer Dresses For Less

As I'm sure you all know, I'm head over heels obsessed with dresses.  I just can't get enough of them.  They can be bodycon, maxi, mini, midi, I don't care - I don't discriminate, and I love them all equally.  In fact, I like to think of myself as a professional dress collector, and I support my shopping habit by finding the best deals possible whether it be in-stores or online.

I recommend the following stores for killer deals:  Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, TJ Maxx, ASOS, Zara, Off Saks 5th, and Last Call Neiman Marcus.  There are definitely more, but these are the first ones that pop into mind.  I group F21 and CR together because they're similar in quality and price point.  So here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping their stores: 

1. Check out their factory outlets.

2.  Have the patience to sift through sale + clearance racks (applies to all the stores listed but especially for these two).

3.  Fabric is key - you may find a design you love, but if the material looks cheap, do NOT buy it.  $18 may seem reasonable, but it's expensive if your new dress falls apart after a few washes.

4.  Shop during blowout sales - I've found amazing pieces for ridiculous prices (like $5-7) at these stores!  

5.  Take advantage of text offers + subscribe to their email lists for coupons.

Next up, TJ Maxx.  Like F21 & Charlotte Russe, when I think of TJ Maxx, I immediately associate it with Marshalls and Ross.  I personally love the first two stores, but I haven't had much luck at Ross!  I do have friends who go there all the time though so don't let me discourage you from browsing.  They all carry designer items for less, but TJ Maxx takes it one step further with their runway line.

Lucky for me, I have one nearby so I can try everything on in person, but no worries if you don't because you can always shop their collection online.  They restock often so make sure you check back frequently, and on another note, I mentioned their designer handbags in a previous post called, "A Peek Into my Closet:  My Bag Collection."  I blogged about the various styles I owned and told you all a bit about where I bought each one!  Several were purchased at TJ so definitely give it a read.

Now onto one of my absolute favorites, ASOS.  I can't even begin to tell you guys how much I love them - their customer service is ah-maaaa-zing, and they carry the cutest designs that have ever existed.  I seriously freak out every time I shop their site, and they have SO much inventory...which is heavenly for some (ahem, me) but annoying for others.  

If you're looking for cute dresses, there will literally be thousands of options so it's important to filter.  Check your correct size, occasion, length, and so on and so forth to trim your searches down.  Also, I rarely pay full price for anything because I'm patient.  Star the designs you want and check back to see if they've been marked down.  

Yes, there is a chance that a style may sell out, but your wallet will be happier, and it's just the sensible thing to do (see what I did there, hardy har har).  Note: they have sales often so be vigilant!  Case in point, their current sale with pieces up to 70% off (!!!!) + free shipping/returns all day, every day.

Another fab store with great dresses (and deals for that matter): Zara.  I don't have one near me in MD or PA so I shop their selection online.  Like ASOS, they offer free shipping and returns so I can purchase without buyer's regret.  Their line tends to be on the more expensive side so I don't even look at their regular-priced merchandise. However, they have a tab called "special prices" - or something similar, I can't remember right off the top of my head and they replaced it with "sale" for the time being so you'll have to check back - with pieces on sale that slay so you can satisfy your Zara habit for a fraction of the price.

Last but not least, Off Saks 5th + Last Call.  If you're a fan of designer garb, these stores will be your everything and more.  They carry most of the same lines as their pricey counterparts but at a fraction of the price because they're older styles.  If you're big on what's current, you're probably not going to be a fan, but personally, I don't really care.  If I think something's cute, that's all that matters.  I could care less about trends - I wear whatever I want, when I want.  If something happens to be "hot," and I like it, count me in, but I'm not going to purchase something just because it's popular.  After all, the best accessory is confidence - right, guys?

What do you guys think about these stores - are you a fan or not so much?  Make sure you let me know in the comment section below!  Also, before I leave you all, I need to talk a bit about today's OOTD.  I purchased this dress online at - drumroll, please - ASOS for $32 a few weeks back, and I absolutely love it to pieces.  It's pretty much sold out so I've linked similar styles, all under $50.

Shoes:  Aldo || Bag:  Violet Ray || Hat:  Dynamic Asia ($13) || Dress:  Asos ($32)

Photos by the incredible Eva Liz.