I’ve already gone on about the more dramatic street-style versions of maxi dresses and skirts, but what about those everyday maxi dresses that we all live in in the hotter months?  And, in just a few weeks hubby and I are headed on a two-week jaunt around Europe (sooo excited!), and I’m convinced that casual maxi dresses are the perfect outfit for day-to-night.  [By the way, what would you pack for tourist-driven travel (a.k.a., sightseeing) in the hotter months?]

From bold floral patterns on crisp white backgrounds, over-sized Chanel perfume bottle prints, to pops of fuchsia and Hermès orange in every room, Marlie Waks’s feminine bachelorette pad reflects her fabulous aesthetic along with the help of her sister and Style at Home’s design editor Jessica Waks. By the way, per Marlie, the Chanel posters were an awesome budget find scored on eBay from a seller in Paris. And the printed office wall: the graphic wallpaper was a splurge, but Jessica points out that covering only one wall in the gorgeous print helped to minimize costs. “It’s all about mixing in designer touches and not being afraid to customize big box items with your own special accents.” I love every inch of this colorful glam space.

Shop the glam bachelorette pad look:

Via Style at Home // Photography by Virginia MacDonald

This weekend, hubby and I are taking a really quick trip to Orlando to celebrate my very fabulous friend’s big birthday; in Disney World, to be exact (and I’m totally giddy!) But I am the world’s worst packer, particularly when it comes to shorter trips. Try as I might, I normally wind up packing a luggage, an actual full-sized luggage, for most one- or two-day getaways, even when the luggage is barely filled. This weekend, I’m determined to pack only the essentials in a throw-in-the-backseat carryall, more specifically: the weekender bag.  I have an older version of the Deux Lux Sequin Weekender Bag, but it’s beginning to get a bit worse for wear … it’s a sad sad day when the sequins start to fall off … of anything, really.  So I’m eying a few of these luxe new weekender bag styles — torn between a rich-looking leather duffel and something a bit more funky and colorful.  Do you have a go-anywhere weekender or duffel bag that you swear by?

The Weekenders: 1. Deux Lux Sequin Berlin Weekender Bag // 2. Marc by Marc Jacobs Preppy Nylon Pearl Weekender // 3. Deux Lux Striped Raleigh Weekender Bag // 4. Sole Society Cassidy Medium Weekender // 5. Sam Edelman Marais Alix Weekender Duffel Bag // 6. CLARE VIVIER Adam Weekender

This week’s final T.J.Maxx Style Scout post is all about prints. I’ve always loved wearing and mixing prints.  When it comes to pairing bolder prints, it’s best to stick with certain color tones or shades.  I’m also a big fan of mixing a smaller pattern with a larger pattern, or here, in the case of the small floral print on this swing skirt (perfect for every season, I might add), stripes were an easy pairing (cue purse and sweater).  And because the lace on the scarf was black, I knew I could slip that into the mix easily as well. (The scarf selection at T.J. right now is bananas. Check my instagram for pictures!)

The oversized sweater was something I have been on the hunt for for quite a while now, and this one was designer, on a major discount thanks to T.J. Maxx, soft as could be, and with the added bonus of stripes.  I wore a designer-score tank top from T.J. under the sweater, and bought the same tank in two other colors (black, grey, and white – tank top staples in my book.)  The striped purse went into my cart the second I saw it – adorable, functional, and the black and white stripes make it incredibly versatile (New mantra: stripes go with everything!)  By the way, ever consider T.J. for your beauty purchases?  They have an awesome selection of hair care, beauty appliances (hello, new blow dryer!), and beauty items (often times, department store finds at a fraction of the price.)  It’s hard to see in the pictures, but even my shimmer nude name brand nail polish was a find from my local T. J. Maxx.  Win.

Side note: now that it’s warming up again, T.J. Maxx tends to put all of their tights (and winter wear in general) on sale; stock up now while the prices are reduced … you’ll be happy you did when Fall rolls around again.

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