The Diamond

I was cleaning out my jewelry box when I noticed one of those velvet hinged boxes sitting on top. It's been there for such a long time I was nearly blind to it and it's thick coating of dust.

Inside was an assortment of friendship necklaces from Claire's (some of those friendships are still viable, others were never worthy of the charm in the first place). But the jewel I found most intriguing is the one I'm wearing. Thin and delicate, the chain is marked 14k gold, and the stone I believe, might just be tiny enough to be a real diamond.

Diamonds are my birthstone, and the necklace has the look and feel of something my Great Aunt might have gifted me, so real or not, it is precious and I am pleased to be wearing it again.

Have you entered to win a Skip 'n Whistle tank yet?

The Rundown
Cloudburst Dress Joie via TJMaxx
Sandals MRKT via DSW similar
Color Block Clutch Gap similar
Panama Hat Gap similar
Earrings c/o Lucky Fabb
Alphabet Necklace c/o Gorjana & Griffin
Diamond Necklace Gift
Fatima Bracelet c/o Gorjana & Griffin
Hexagon Cuff Bracelet Line and Label similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Sunglasses "Eco" c/o Polette
Nail Color "Turquoise and Caicos" Essie

Summer glow

My summer makeup routine is pretty minimal, after sunscreen I like to throw on a little bronzer and then use a nice bright lip color. These past few days I have been trying out a couple new products I received through the Style Hunters network; Physicians Formula Bronze Booster, and L'Oreal Extraordinaire Lipstick in Coral Encore.

The bronzer provides a very light coverage, which I don't mind, and it's not as sparkly as some other bronzers I've tried, so I applied it all over my face and neck as I would my normal powder. I feel like my results were a very subtle glow.

The lipstick is actually more of a gloss, and the Coral Encore shade is more pink than orange. I found the color to last a reasonable amount of time and provide substantial coverage. While it applies like a gloss, it is more opaque and wears more like a lipstick. I found it was best to apply it very gingerly. Too much and it would become streaky, smudgy, and end up on my teeth. I did not find the formula to be drying, and I like it enough that I would buy another color.

While I love the fact that it was a gorgeous sunny day at the beach for these photos, you can actually see the products better in my previous two posts!

The Rundown
Maxi Dress c/o OASAP
Sandals "Keira" Trask via in.d giveaway
Bag "Kaylee" Trask via in.d giveaway
Braided Belt Thrifted similar
Chain Link Bracelet Thrifted similar
Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Gold Framed Monogram Ring c/o Onecklace
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Tangerine Crush" L'Oreal

Even the bohemians

When I think of the Under Armour brand and eyewear, my mind immediately goes to athletic individuals who need protective, durable sunglasses that could never be fashionable. Fortunately I was wrong; their Sierra frames are a beautiful shape. Light, durable, polarized, and my favorite feature: a soft rubber grip at the nose rest that keeps them from sliding down, even as temperatures rise.

While I enjoy the bohemian style, and have even dared to let my hair go 'au naturel' for once, I rarely embrace a carefree attitude, especially when it comes to protecting myself from the potentially damaging rays of the sun. I live for these summer months and want to be outside as much as possible, so it's good to know my eyes are safe.

Have you entered to win a Skip 'n Whistle tank yet?

The Rundown
Peasant Blouse Joie thrifted similar
Boyfriend Shorts Old Navy similar
Sandals "Keira" Trask via in.d giveaway
Bag "Kaylee" Trask via in.d giveaway
Panama Hat Gap similar
Braided Belt Thrifted similar
"Love" Bracelet Arlyn's Fine Accessories similar
Chain Link Bracelet Thrifted similar
Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Gold Framed Monogram Ring c/o Onecklace
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Sunglasses "Sierra" c/o Under Armour
Nail Color "Tangerine Crush" L'Oreal

Linking up with Mix and Match Fashion's Summer Style

and

The Tiny Heart's Look What I Got

Sunglasses were provided to me by Under Armour through Lisa Wells PR, my views and opinions are my own.

Modern Signet

Back in high school one of my best friends had a gold signet ring. I'm pretty sure I did not even know it was called that at the time, but I was most certainly envious of it. All these years later I never got one of my own until recently when oNecklace reached out to me and asked if I'd like to try one of their products. I immediately went to the rings and found the framed monogram ring. It's a bit of a modern twist on the classic signet ring and every bit as lovely.

If you fancy a monogram ring of your own, or any of oNeckalce's other gorgeous pieces, you can use the code CHICCHEAP10 to get 10% off your order!

Have you entered to win a Skip 'n Whistle tank yet?

The Rundown

Blue and White Floral Top c/o OASAP
White Pencil Skirt Loft thrifted similar
Sandals "Karezza" Enzo Angiolini similar
White Mini Satchel Tignanello via TJMaxx similar
Bee Bracelet Target similar
Gold Framed Monogram Ring c/o Onecklace
Chevron Ring 'borrowed' from my Sister similar
Opal Ring T Tahari
Nail Color "Tangerine Crush" L'Oreal

Skip 'n Whistle Giveaway!

The New Orleans based company Skip 'n Whistle has been designing and screen printing tees for the last 14 years. Their business was destroyed in Katrina and rebuilt, being named Skip 'n Whistle as a reminder of a way to get through the tough times.

Skip 'n Whistle offers a wide range of designs, I didn't really count, but I'm guessing they have over one hundred on tops for men, women and children, all of which are quite fun and a little quirky. I received their anchor tee last summer and it's both adorable as well as super comfy.

Skip 'n Whistle recently launched a whole new website, and to celebrate, are giving away a tank top to one Chic on the Cheap reader!

Since the 4th of July is quickly approaching, I decided to go for a star spangled look - what would you choose? Head down to the rafflecopter to enter!

Art Deco Hair Tank, $25 at Skip n' Whistle
Clear Frame Sunglasses, $30 at Express
Star Wrap Sandals, $35 at Delia's
White Eyelet Lace Shorts, $55 at J.Crew Factory
Evil Eye Bangle, $58 at C.Wonder
Recycled Sailboat Star Purse, $65 at Etsy

Contest is open to US residents only. Please leave a comment with your favorite design and complete all the mandatory entires. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shorts Suit

I've decided that the short suit is the cutest thing ever. There is of course, a very brief time each summer before it gets too unbearably hot to be wearing a blazer. Don't be fooled by the chambray - this blazer is lined and while it may not be wool, it's still a substantial layer.

The Rundown

White Button Down J.Crew thrifted similar

Chambray Blazer J.Crew via ebay similar
Floral Shorts Gap similar
Sandals Franco Sarto via TJMaxx similar
White Mini Satchel Tignanello via TJMaxx similar
Panama Hat Gap similar
Braided Belt Gap similar
Bling Earrings c/o JoJo Loves You
Monogram Necklace oNecklace via Good Girl Style Giveaway
Knot Bracelet Banana Republic
Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Pearl Bracelet It's Loading Darling Blog Giveaway
Anchor Bracelet Knotical Knovelites
Thin Gold Rings Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Crystal Bar Ring Upper Metal Class
Nail Color "Back to the Fuchsia" Sally Hansen

Walk on the reasonably tame side

I don't generally push any style boundaries when it comes to these leopard pants. Neutrals, simple shoes, simple accessories. I know most of us subscribe to the logic that "leopard is a neutral" but to me, these pants are anything but.

I have been slowly but surely working to replace all my solid cotton/poly button down shirts with silk versions. Most of them I've managed to get second hand, this past winter I scored a black Joe Fresh for JCP blouse for $10, but white was the one color which had been eluding me. I finally got lucky at J.Crew Factory and was able to take advantage of half off clearance taking this one home for $25. That was a couple months ago, this is surprisingly the first time I'm wearing it.

Admittedly silk can be a bit of a pain to care for (never once did I have to iron those poly blends!) but I'm convinced that quality fabrics look better, feel better, last longer, and give me just a bit more sophistication. I need that in my life.

The Rundown
White Silk Button Down J.Crew similar
Leopard Pants Joseph via Cedar Chest similar
Sandals Franco Sarto via TJMaxx similar
White Mini Satchel Tignanello via TJMaxx similar
Pave Hexagon Earrings Thrifted similar
Necklace LC for Kohls
Chain Bracelet c/o Ily Couture
Tennis Bracelet c/o Anjolee
Crystal Spike Bracelet c/o t+j via LuckyFabb
Green Ring Lucky Brand gifted
Sunglasses "Eco" c/o Polette
Nail Color "Da Bush" Essie

Beached

I love living in close proximity to the beach. It means I can stop by for a few minutes or an hour, pull out my gorgeous new terry towels I found at Goodwill for $4, enjoy the water, and then do whatever else I want with my day.

I'm just not a beach bum; as much as I love it, the thought of committing an entire day to lying out in the sun does not really excite me, where as stopping for and iced coffee, looking at the water while I drink it and then snapping some outfit photos does.

The Rundown
Sweater Ralph Lauren thrifted similar
Striped Shorts Old Navy similar
Sandals Target similar
Straw Tote TJMaxx similar
Striped Straw Sun Hat Thrifted similar
Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Pearl Bracelet It's Loading Darling Blog Giveaway
Anchor Bracelet Knotical Knovelites
Knot Bracelet Banana Republic
Anchor Ring TJMaxx similar
Knot Ring c/o Emitations
Thin Gold Midi Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Nail Color "Da Bush" Essie

Linking up with Mix and Match Fashion's Summer Style

and

The Tiny Heart's Look What I Got