I totally smurfed out today! — and since I’m a big fan of “outfit of the day” posts, I thought I’d smurf two birds with one stone 🙂 and take pics of myself from head to toe.
The dress (about $40) is from a brand called Lush, and, um, I found it on the Nordstrom website in the Juniors Department… Yes, I have no shame when it comes to wearing clothing made for teenagers, but shopping for those clothes actually inside a store beside girls born after I graduated from college kindasorta freaks me out.
It comes in the blue pictured here, as well as black.
Unfortunately, when I checked online for the dress again today, I wasn’t able to find it, so if you’re interested and live near a Nordstrom store, it might be worth a quick call or visit, especially if you live somewhere hot.
The dress itself is rayon and weighs next to nothing, almost like a lightweight linen, and the elastic waist adds a little definition to my shape without feeling too clingy. So comfy in the heat!
I like wearing bold colors together, and one of my favorite ways to wear this particular dress is paired with these yellow shoes from Seychelles and this fun Kate Spade ring.
Then, to contrast with the brights, I might throw something quiet into the mix, like the off-white Kate Spade bag I’m holding here.
But what if you’re not into bright accessories? Well, you could always pair a blue dress like this with neutrals. Perhaps a gold or brown bag and shoes, and maybe some gold or silver earrings, too.
A breakdown of the outfit…
- Dress — Lush (you might check availability at your nearby Nordstrom store)
- Shoes — Seychelles (now available online)
- Ring — The Kate Spade Date Night Ring (available now at Kate Spade stores, Nordstrom stores and also online)
- Bag — The Kate Spade Head in the Sand Melinda Bag in Bone (check stores for availability)
Have you found any cute, affordable summer dresses lately?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Happy hump day! 🙂
Vijaya says
Such a cute outfit! You look great!
Barb says
Love it! You’re adorable 🙂
Tiffany says
You look great! I love the back of the dress and the pops of yellow!
luv2smilexo says
you have the cutest style 🙂 I love that kate spade ring!
Trisha says
I love those shoes! They are super super cute, and totally make the outfit. I’m looking forward to more OOTDs!
Fieran says
You look awesome, Karen 🙂 The combination of blue and yellow is such fun, happy look.
AnaBanana says
So I don’t shop at nordstromds because I’m on a very tight budget.this past Christmas my boss gave me a 300 dollar gift card from there. I couldn’t find anything that I liked, until I got to a certain section. I didn’t realize until after I had purchased that I was in the juniors dept! I felt so bad! No wonder they had the cute twilight stuff!! But yeah I thought that was the best dept in the store:) super cute outfit Karen!
Karen says
Hi AnaBanana,
I know what you mean. They have some pricey stuff (hello $2,000 Jimmy Choo shoes!!!), but if you know where to look for bargains you can find some really great deals; plus, the return policy is EXCELLENT.
The best place to find deals is the sales section online. Just a few weeks ago I found a black tank dress for like $13! Yup, it was from the juniors section. 🙂
Paigest says
What about that Nordstroms Rack Anabanana? We have one in Austin. IT”S PRETTY SWEET!!! http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/nordstrom-rack see if there is a store near you!
Karen says
Oh, good call! They also have stuff online, and when it’s discounted even further it’s SO AFFORDABLE.
AnaBanana says
It’s cool that you mention this, my brother just told me they are opening a nordstrom rack at our nearby mall!! So excited! Thanks:)
kana says
The colors are wonderful and you look super cute! I’m definitely going to be looking forward to your ootd! 🙂
Paigest says
Your outfit should be called sunny skies… very cute! I love Kate Spade!
Ruchita says
Cute outfit! I love the shoes. I’ve been on the lookout for a pair of yellow shoes. It’s such a fun color to wear in the summer. I have a purse similar to yours but it’s from Nine West. I love it b/c it’s big and I can fit a million things into it! 🙂
Larie says
Cute! Love the bright shoes 🙂
Jilliterate says
I’m not much of a fashion person (jeans and t-shirts for me), but you look absolutely adorable! So nice and summery — it almost makes me wish the weather was warm enough here to wear dresses!
Kristen says
You are so beautiful!! 🙂
karo says
WOW!!! *love*
You look sooooo wonderful and your dress is so amazing!
Yellow shoes & ring are so awesome! 🙂
Love Love Love!
xoxo
Cosmetic Passion says
How cute! :)…love the detailing on the dress…and nice accessories!
Khadine
Inday says
Love! Pretty-pretty and perfect for summer! You are so beautiful Karen 🙂
Jula says
i love the outfit! You look awesome 🙂
Marian says
Love the blue and yellow!
Karen says
Thanks, Marian!
Kim says
I love the straps on that dress. They’re really cute. And I think someone hit me on the head with a frying pan because this is the 2nd time (yes, 2nd) that I thought you were holding a flower, not wearing a ring. Once, maybe can be excused. But, twice? I’m beginning to worry about my brain! 🙂
Karen says
The straps are my favorite part. 🙂
And LOL re: the ring. You are not the only one confused by it. Tabs always sniff it when I have it on; he’s even tried to eat it once!
Kim says
I feel a little better about that – Tabs is a pretty clever kitty, after all! 🙂 I really like the ring; it’s so bright and happy. Apparently, it’s very realistic looking, too! HAHAHA!
Christine says
Sooo cute, love it !
Karen says
Thanks, Christine.
Has the summer weather kicked in around your way? It’s been hot, hot, hot here.
voodoogirl says
the detail at the back of the dress is beautiful!
Karen says
That’s one of the reasons why I fell in love with it. SO CUTE, plus, it gives me an excuse to put my hair up in a ponytail (love not having to fuss!).
Chris25 says
I bought a strapless intricately patterned blue dress from Strawberry (NYC fashion store). It was only $12.99!
Karen says
Oh, I think I remember you mentioning that you like to shop there. $12.99 is such a great deal!
Katie says
My favorite part of the outfit is the pair of shoes! Those look comfortable and lovely!
Karen says
They’re surprisingly comfy for heels. I think the stable wedge makes all the difference.
Nina says
one of my fave colors is yellow — so i totally love the sandals! they add such a fun touch to the entire outfit! 🙂
the dress looks great on you! 🙂
Karen says
I love yellow shoes too. I just saw these BP Stella Sandals on sale for 50% off at Nordstrom.com — wish they had ’em in my size, le sigh!
Nina says
ohhhh that is a lovely shoe! i wish they had `em in my size too!
Ele says
Karen you look so cute in this dress! Looking forward for your OOTD!
Karen says
Thank ya kindly, Ele! 🙂
Alka says
Love it!!! I’m a big fan of bold colored accessories but an even bigger fan of saturated colors (jewel tones) for us tanned goddesses. Love how you put it all together! You look fabulous. 🙂
Karen says
Me too. I love jewel-toned blues, purples and greens, especially.
Hope you’re having a lovely Wednesday, Alka!
Advah says
Loving this section, this is such a cute outfit! I’m a fan of bright colours put together too! 🙂 And those shoes are to die for..
Makes me think – do you have any good strapless bras you’d recommend? I’m a C cup but with a small waist (I’m short), and it’s near impossible to get some that don’t prevent me from breathing and/or make boobs look like two shells with a life of their own.
Oh and the back of the dress is so pretty, the colours go so well with your hair! Need to check the kids section more often in shops! (Gap, here I come)
Ana says
Ooh, I have a dress and a top from Lush too! I got them from lulus.com – great site. They don’t say what the brand is on the website, but most of the clothes I buy there end up being by Lush 🙂
Anna says
Karen, you are SO stylish. I say this as I reach into a pack ‘n’ play for clean laundry. Btw, my tube of Evolution Revolution arrives in the mail soon. Can’t wait! Congrats to you and the other eight bloggers on your success. 🙂
Kimberly says
Man, you are ADORABLE. Loving that outfit.
Marika says
Oooh, I remember those gorgeous straps from some of your other posts and was wondering what the rest of the dress/shirt looked lilke! Glad you showed us, it’s so cute!
Issa says
i love your outfit! pretty!
R says
Flawless summer style – the lace-ish detail on the dress is awesome. The bold blue and yellow together is flawless!
As a woman who wears a headscarf, I’d wear the dress over a really fitted tee, throw on some trousers, maybe a silvery scarf and some rad shoes. Dresses like this can be really fab on Muslim women too.
I ordered Evolution Revolution today – can’t wait!
Nicky Bromow says
you know what, Im size 22 and I just cant find a nice summer dress 🙁 there arent many 14+ stores in Canada and the only one in Montreal that carries dresses are for women in their 40’s. Im in my 20s… no cute summer dress for me 🙁
*jen says
Karen! An outfit of the day post? I love it! I’m glad to see you doing it. You’re so adorable and have a pretty, accessible style. Excellent. I hope to see more of these!
We have to know… did Tabs take the picture?
xoxo
yuri says
the dress its so pretty but a little expensive for a poor student like me lol
Laura says
Love love love! You look so cute! I recently found a super comfy (less fancy) dress that is light weight, comfy and comes in 5 or 6 different colours and patterns at H&M. $15!! Perfect for a poor student like myself 🙂
Sunayana says
Isn’t this the dress?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lush-laser-cut-racerback-dress-juniors/3162642?origin=category
Karen says
How did you find it? I didn’t see it listed under the Lush brand.
Sunayana says
I was just browsing the Nordstorm Rack website and came across it 🙂
Appu says
You look lovely! Love, love, love your shoes! Btw, I love shopping at the Juniors section too 😀
Kim says
Ok, it is official: You are THE cutest! Love your style. And, hopefully this is not too corny,but your blog inspires me to try to live up to my (rather limited at my age!) cute potential.
Have a great rest of the week/weekend!!
Valeria says
the dress is super cute and i love the heels!
Elle says
I have those shoes in brown! I luuuurve them. And you look gorgeous. Love blue on you!
tricia c says
im an not trying to be rude but do you mind sharing what bra you are wearing? cause i am looking for something to wear under my dress like that. i love the outfit so much. looking really cute
Instant Karma says
Fabulous outfit! I love the yellow shoes with the bright blue dress. Sadly, my yellow wedges aren’t particularly comfortable, so I don’t wear them often, even though I really adore yellow sandals. I clearly need to find a replacement pair!
Kate & Zena says
Karen, you probably said my mom’s most used phrase and word with me. My pet name is Smurf (I was born blue; hence the name) so she’s always using it with me! I’ve been “officially” Smurfed twice–once when I was born and my high school graduation (my cap and gown were bright royal blue.) When I get my associates at the college I’m going to, I’ll be Smurfed cubed. 🙂
I like to wear blue and red or blue and white (or black) together. Blue and grey too. I can’t wear yellow at all as I look reaaaaaaaaaally jaundiced (just say no to yellow when you’re cool-toned!) I’m definitely more classic when it comes to pairing colors!
Rita says
I have several dresses, also new ones, but the problem is that there’s really no summer here. So cold, rainy. Today we are even expecting a fall like storm!
Vonvon says
Very pretty dress! Love the design on the back! And pairing it with yellow! I like it! 🙂
sesame says
Woah…love the back of the dress and love those shoes!
Wendy M. says
Looking good, Karen! You look very cute and summery. 🙂
Arummmanis says
Hi Karen,
Guess blue is the new black, huh? Went shopping today and found a lot of clothing items like rayon dresses, tanktops, shirts in blue. I ended up buying an electric blue rayon dress. It cost me only $6.5, but of course I shopped in Jakarta. Heheh.
Love the heels. It’s so bright and summery (is that even a word?). I still can’t make myself to buy shoes in bright colors though. I always buy the neutral ones like black, white, creme. But red is definitely next on my list.
Come to Indonesia to shop for clothes and shoes. You won’t regret it. Cheap!
See ya.
Paigest says
Hey I don’t know if any one belongs to The Swirl website but they have some really cute summer dresses on sell today. It’s like Ruelala or Haute Look… I’m not trying to get you guys to sign up or anything just saw this today. Designer stuff for cheaper….
http://www.swirl.com/sale/heartloom/cheartloom0611-p1.html?sorter=productName-asc
Stef says
love the yellow wedge! supah nice!
Kellie says
I HAD to buy these sandals. So cute! What a great deal too! Thanks Karen 🙂