Concert Series + Transitional Pieces

When I think about summertime, the images I conjure up are those of water-skiing at the lake, backyard BBQs, bonfires, and of course, concerts (my favorite being country concerts)! Below are three outfits that can take you from dinner to a concert without any effort at all (except possibly ditching the jacket or kimono once you're out of the 50 degree air conditioned restaurant--but bonus, they will be perfect over everything in the fall)! 

Depending on what your style is, the first outfit is a little more bohemian with the floral kimono (Free People, $148) over distressed jeans (AG, 245) and an easy white top (Michael Stars, $42), topped off with some cool, I've-had-these-forever, cowboy booties (Free People, $170). (Also great for the fall).

The second outfit is a little more posh with a white dress (c/meo Collection, $198), cool cowgirl chic belt (B Low the Belt, $150), hat to block the sun (Michael Stars), and a pair of gold sandals (Dolce Vita, $84) that make it casual but also match the gold studs on the belt.

The last outfit is very Lilith Fair. With an amazing hippie skirt (Free People, $128), an easy white top (Michael Stars, $42), the best jean jacket (Hudson, $158), and the P E R F E C T (ventilated) cowboy booties (Jeffrey Campbell, $235) in a shade that you can pair with anything. So take off the jean jacket after dinner and you are ready to sway the night away in style.   

Quick two minute conversation about these sunglasses: I have always been a huge fan of a pair of classic tortoiseshell sunnies. I believe they are a piece every woman of style should own (like an little black dress or a white button-down). These tortoiseshell sunglasses by Norma Kamali are absolutely amazing. They flatter almost every face shape and can hide your naked face when you're running out the door to drop kids off or if you're on the hour and a half plane ride to Dallas (cabin pressure, UGH).

All Items Currently at Alysa Rene Boutique.

Get the Vintage Look

Vintage items are a fantastic way to add individual style to a wardrobe and set yourself apart from the pack. Nobody is going to have the same dress or coat you got from the local thrift shop. Nobody. The other advantage of buying vintage is that you can find a lot of designer items at bargain bin prices.  However, there are definite pitfalls when buying vintage. One must definitely be aware of these pitfalls, for falling into one can make you go from chic to cheap in no time. 

To avoid looking cheap, or having to rifle through old, smelly vintage stores without so much as a cool vintage brooch to be found, I have complied a collection of awesome "vintage-inspired" pieces that are brand new (read: smell/stain free/stinky feet free) from Alysa Rene Boutique. These items will be sure to make your vintage-seeking soul happy.

Think The Great Gatsby. Think flapper dresses. Typical flapper dresses weren’t only covered in fringe like you see on bagged Halloween-shop costumes (for everyday wear, stay away from those). Real flapper dresses were beaded, sparkly, luminous and let a gal freely kick and dance without hiking up her skirt. (Above is a modern take on a flapper fully beaded and pre-shortened). The jewelry of the Art Deco era was large costume jewelry with geometric shapes, large earrings encrusted with stones, and tassels, so many tassels.

(from left to right)

    WYLDR Dress $98, Sergio Zelcer Heels $120, Sweet Romance Earrings $30

The New Look of the 1960s came into the main fashion focus when Jackie Kennedy Onasis became the first lady. She wore colorful conservative dresses in longer lengths, whereas Twiggy was know for dressing in conservative dresses with daring, short SHORT lengths. The New Look of the 1960s was a little fleeting when the age of peace and love brought the hippies. The looks above are conservative shapes and textures in the short and longer lengths a la Jackie and Twiggy.

 (from left to right)

Lovers + Friends Dress $189, Jeffery Campbell Wedges $148, Keepsake Dress $208

 During the year of peace, love and rock and roll, Woodstock and the moon landing, dresses and skirts were worn at all lengths—mini, midi and maxi. Tie-dye, fringe, bell sleeves, hip huggers, bell-bottoms, headbands, beads and ethnic jewelry became hippie fashion staples. Bras and shoes became optional, but if you did wear shoes-they were probably clogs.

(from left to right)

Trina Turk Dress $268, Free People Clogs $168, Moon River Dress $89

All items currently available at Alysa Rene Boutique.

Summer Bells

 

If you don't have an item in your closet that contains bell sleeves, you need to head to Alysa Rene Boutique right away to scoop up one of these gorgeous pieces. Bell Sleeves are so popular this season and will be well into the fall and winter. 

We are completely in love with this rose colored dress from Keepsake ($168) that will be a great transitional piece during the summer/fall change over. Throw this dress on now with a pair of open-toed Kristin Cavallari booties ($140) and your ready for a fun date night. Throw it on in the fall/winter with a pair of tights and knee high boots and you're ready to see a performance of the Nutcracker.

Does it get any better than this MinkPink white top ($80) with a defined waist and sweet bell sleeves? No it does not. This top will look stunning on you without being too overly sexy. Pair this beauty with a pair of slightly distressed AG Skinny Jeans (235) and you're ready to grab cocktails with some girlfriends. This too is a great transitional piece for fall and winter--you'll be the most stylish mom in the carpool line.

Any outfit you own would be well paired with this Twiggy Clutch in Pewter ($225) by B-Low the Belt, but we are really loving it with this bell sleeved Yumi Kim top ($168). The pewter really brings out the gray and blue tones of the top and the abstract pattern and pretty v front make this a great addition to your closet. Be prepared to receive non-stop compliments in this duo.

This yellow silk dress by Yumi Kim ($230) is a showstopper. You will be a total babe in this pairing it with some laid-back Dolce Vita Paris Sandals ($140) for summer. Additionally, by pairing this with a suede bootie or knee-high boot, you are ready to roll into fall with this cheerful print.

All items currently available at Alysa Rene Boutique.

Big Slick Baseball

If you are planning on going to the Big Slick celebrity baseball game at Kauffman Stadium before the Royals take the field on Friday night, head to Alysa Rene Boutique in Park Place to pick up one of these cute pieces or an entire outfit! (Let's be honest, who doesn't want to look cute and stylish for James Marsden?)

1. Tank Top: Michael Stars $42, Shorts: hyfve $39, Shoes: Dolce Vita Kendra Sandals $84, Necklace: Julie Zancanelli $145

 

2. Top: Veronica M $75, Shorts: Big Star 1974 $75, Shoes: Dolce Vita Paris Sandals $140, Necklace: Julie Zancanelli (with moonstones and diamonds) $298, Sunglasses: Kamali Kulture $98, Belt: B Low the Belt Baby Bri Belt $138

3. Dress: c/meo collection $198, Shoes: Chinese Laundry x Kristin Cavallari $140, Sunglasses: Kamali Kulture $98, Necklace: Julie Zancanelli (sapphire stones) $168

4. Dress: Fifteen Twenty $168, Dolce Vita Kendra Sandals $84, Necklace: Julie Zancanelli $30

All four outfit can be found at Alysa Rene Boutique. It depends on how dressy or casual you want to be, but each of these outfits are very stylish and will keep you relatively cool during the warm summer night of baseball you're about to endure.