Caralina Style

$88 J. Crew striped one piece vs. $40 Target striped one piece
$106 J. Crew ruffle bikini ($56 top, $50 bottom) vs. $20 Forever 21 ruffle bikini ($10 top, $10 bottom)
$315 Marysia scallop one piece vs. $45 Target scallop one piece 
$80 Triangl bikini vs. $30 H&M bikini ($18 top and $13 bottom)

It's about that time of year again, and I've been seeing so many gorgeous pieces on blogs and Instagram lately. However, I don't go to the pool often, and I usually just spend a week or two at the beach in the summer. So I really don't think I could ever justify spending anywhere near or over $100 on a swimsuit. Luckily, I've also been noticing quite a few similarities in low and high priced styles, which I've listed in this post.

Even though I chose two J. Crew swimsuits as the more expensive pieces, I actually am really good at finding J. Crew separate swim pieces from the past season on clearance. I got 3 or 4 pieces last year at the end of the summer for I think $7 a piece. And I got this bow top and a pair of seersucker bottoms (that are no longer available) for $8 a piece about a month ago! They're really great quality, it's just typically hard to find a matching set if you like bikinis, but great if you like to mix and match them!

Thanks for reading!

 



Lauren James "Emerson" Seersucker Dress | Marley Lilly Monogrammed Derby Hat c/o | Jack Rogers Hamptons Wedge | Kendra Scott Elle earrings | Karen Walker Super Duper Sunglasses (rented) c/o Ditto (use code "CARALINASTYLE" for your first month free!) | Talbots wicker bag (old, similar)

As I said in my Derby Style post last week, I am so excited to go to the Carolina Cup! I originally planned on taking these photos at the event and posting them after, but I was worried about the weather not behaving. So, here is my outfit a little early. I love this seersucker dress from Lauren James, it's such a classic but has a fun bow on the back, and is really comfortable!  I also have never really owned a sun hat, but I think I'll be wearing this one from Marley Lilly all spring and summer. Is anyone else going to the Carolina Cup this weekend, or any other horse racing event this spring?

Thanks for reading!

Stella and Dot Pom Pom Cover Up (actually meant to be a skirt-like sarong, but it didn't fit that way for me) c/o | Sakroots Artist Circle Clear X-Large Tote c/o | Sakroots Encore Flat Flip Flops c/o | Stella and Dot sunglasses c/o | J. Crew bikini top (on major sale!)

Who's ready for spring break? Since I graduated in December, I didn't expect to get a spring break this year. But since I'm working at the dance studio/company I grew up in, they get a spring break that goes along with the local public school system. So I'm actually on spring break starting today! And, my friends from school are just getting back to campus from theirs last week, sorry guys! I'm not going to the beach this week, but I do plan on spending some time at the pool, enjoying the gorgeous North Carolina weather. Well, it may not be so gorgeous some days this week...

Anyway, what better way to prep for the pool than with a waterproof bag that can fit all of your pool (or beach) essentials? The print on my bag and matching flip flops is part of the Choose Your Karma program from Sakroots, that supports a variety of different charities. This one in particular, was designed by artist Daphane Park, and some of the proceeds benefit Whale and Dolphin Conservation! This Sakroots clear beach/pool bag fits just about everything I like to bring to the pool or beach; like a beach towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and even has a little canvas pouch attached for your phone, keys, or anything else you want to keep from the water or sand.  I also love the flip flops because as much as I love the leather sandals I wear most of the time, I do not want to worry about them getting wet or covered in sand. I actually already mentioned this in my beach bag post from last summer, I always bring a pair of water/sand-proof flip flops to the beach or pool!

What are your plans for/how did you already spend your spring break?

Thank you to Sakroots for sponsoring this post, the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Thanks for reading!

I am so excited to be going to the Carolina Cup next weekend! I'm going with blogging friend Annaliese of Southern Belle in Training, and neither of us have gone before. Events like these are one of many reasons I love being home in the south again! I will be sharing my dress and hat on my Instagram later today (they are both included in this post). If anyone else is going to Carolina Cup, or any other horse racing event this year, here are my picks for what to wear!

Shoes:
1- Jack Rogers Hamptons Navajo Sandal
2- J. Crew Factory Espadrille Wedge
3- Sam Edelman Gigi Cork Sandal
4- Sam and Libby Sawyer Wedge
Dresses:
5- Anthropologie Claribel Dress
6- Charles Henry Printed Shift Dress
7- Cupcakes and Cashmere Connie Dress
8- Camilyn Beth Fifi Dress
9- Julie Brown Designs Noelle Dress
10- Lauren James Seersucker Dress
11- Lilly Pulitzer Raegan Dress
12- JOA Tie Front Dress

Hats:
13- Marley Lilly Monogrammed Derby Hat (on sale!)
14- Nordstrom Colorblock Sun Hat

Thanks for reading!

 






Thanks for reading!

 




If I were to narrow down my favorite colors to wear it would easily be navy, white, and pink. I've teamed up with thredUp, an online thrift store where you can buy and sell designer items, to show what my capsule wardrobe would look like. To start off, I chose this silk Lilly Pulitzer top and this J. Crew Factory eyelet skirt. thredUp has some really great prices on clothes from some of my favorite brands, both pieces were only $50 together! You would never know they weren't brand new items, my skirt even still had the tags attached!
 I like too many colors to really narrow down a capsule wardrobe, but I do really like the concept of it. I'm challenging myself to try to wear only pink, white, and navy for a few weeks and see how far I get. Since this outfit is on the dressier side, come back Wednesday to see how I style the top and skirt separately with different pieces for more casual looks! Aside from that next post, my outfit posts may still be every color of the rainbow. But, I will be sharing some of the capsule concept on snapchat (caralinastyle) and Instagram (@cara_194)!

Lilly Pulitzer top c/o thredUp | J. Crew Factory skirt c/o thredUp | J. Crew Parker monogrammed crossbody bag | Jack Rogers wedges | Baublebar necklace | Karen Walker Sunglasses (rented) c/o Ditto (use code "CARALINASTYLE" for your first month free!)

And here is how I have put my capsule wardrobe together. I do have some other pieces in these colors. But, I know I can wear the pieces I included in these sets in several different ways.
Pink:
Lilly Pulitzer silk top via thredUp
J. Crew Holly sweater
Everly skater dress (old)
Ralph Lauren button down
Kate Spade bag (I have the outlet version)
Longchamp Darshan flats (old)
Jack Rogers pink and platinum sandals

White:
J. Crew Factory eyelet skirt via thredUp
White jeans
Ralph Lauren button down
 Lilly Pulitzer dress (from last year)
J. Crew chino shorts
J. Crew white and navy stripe tee (I have last year's version)

Navy:
J. Crew Factory skirt (old)
Jeans (several pairs)
Madewell chambray shirt (old, similar linked)
J. Crew navy blazer
Lilly Pulitzer t shirt dress (old print)
J. Crew Parker crossbody
Kate Spade sandals (old, similar linked)
Sole Society Chris ankle boots

Neutrals:
Asos New Look trench
J. Crew Gemma flats (sold out color)
Jack Rogers wedges
Ann Taylor bag (old, similar linked)
Vince Camuto pumps (old, similar linked)

What colors would you include in your capsule wardrobe?

Thanks for reading!