Playing with Basics

Hey All,

I hope you are all having a good week! Today I want to share with you how to dig into your own basics to get out of a wardrobe rut.  Prints and brights are flooding our stores right now.  In complete reaction to the fact that many in the fashion world are going more streamlined in their look. I love this. I think it feels fresh, modern, and classic.  Open your closets and get adventurous in how you mix your basics.  Go for an all black or all white look.  Add a touch of metallic in your shoe, bag, or jewelry to add interest. Don't be afraid to mix dressier with casual and to play with different textures.  I promise you will be surprised by the amount of new outfits you can put together just by thinking slightly outside the box.  I would love to see how you did this! Send me a picture and I might just share it (with your permission of course :)

XOXO - V

Shirt: Cloth and Stone - old.  Similar HERE Skirt: Vince Leather Snakeskin Pencil.  Sandals: Ash "Oasis".  Clutch: Clare Vivier Leopard Fold Over. Lips: Nars "Heatwave". Bracelet: Petals and Stones. All photography by Rod Foster.

Spring Uniform

Let me introduce you to my favorite Spring outfit.  I wear it so often that my husband refers to it as my "uni" (as in uniform). I know you all have these go-to looks. What is it that makes up your favorite uni? I love mine because my jeans are comfortable, my jacket is the right weight to carry me from Spring to Summer, and it has a hood zipped into the collar. Gotta love a hoodie! I live in a sleepy beach town and I am a mom of two precious little ones so my day-to-day look is usually more casual. Simple details like a bright bag and lipstick help me feel more polished and it only requires a few extra seconds to achieve.

The Dolce Vita loafers are a fresh take on flats and are on trend with their open weave leather and smoking shoe silhouette.  The shoes are so comfortable they are perfect for running errands around town.   Have you updated your uni in a while? Simple tweaks can help bring new life to a good old standby.  Try it this week and let me know how it goes!

XOXO - V

P.S. The first Ebel family camping trip was amazing! Falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing, late night campfire talks with new friends, and experiencing the joy and wonderment in our two little ones' eyes as they took it all in was beyond priceless.  

Jacket: Joie "Ferrel Jacket". Jeans: Rag and Bone Kensington.  Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff "lipstick red" MAB. Old. Similar HERE. Sunglasses: A.J. Morgan "Contessa".  Loafers: Dolce Vita "Cealey".  Lipstick: Nars Heat Wave. Bracelet and earrings by iSanctuary.  All photography by Rod Foster.

Black Friday

Happy Friday to you! Today is the final part of my Little Black Dress series.  I have to tell you, I am so in love with this week's dress.  BCBG owns it with the subtle stud detailing, a gorgeous cut, and a perfectly placed slit. I love the understated elegance. Less is definitely more with this black beauty. 

I wanted to make my hair a little more playful to balance out the drama found in the dress.  This helped give the look a younger feel while also not being too goth. Mariah killed it by adding a top knot with a front side swept bang. She also kept my makeup more natural, giving me a light smokey eye and nude lip.

Wanderlust is in the air at the Ebel house today.  We are loading up our car and getting ready for some beach camping adventures! Soooo grateful for some time away and a break from the norm. Excited to unveil some new looks next week...so stayed tuned!

XOXO - V

Dress: BCBG old.  Similar HERE. Shoes: Aldo "Ceriwel". Clutch: Clare Vivier "Leopard".  Photography by Rod Foster. Hair and makeup by Mariah Jones with Beauty and the Beach.

Short & Sweet

Hey Friends!

I hope your week is going well.  My little family has been super busy this week. Blah. A little too busy.  We are going to unplug and attempt to take our first family camping trip to San Elijo State Park this weekend.  I can feel it in my soul how much I need to slow down.  Whether or not my kiddos actually let my husband and I rest is unlikely but nature always has a way of renewing hearts and minds no matter what. S'mores, sandy feet, the smell of campfire, and the taste of salt on the skin.  Heavenly. Is it Friday yet?

In other news....

Kate Moss for Topshop strikes again! This time around she gives us a killer update for your fancy pants...fancy shorts! Of course, Kate nails the details. A scalloped hem, chiffon underlay, and an on trend high waist. Such an unexpected silhouette for a dressy occasion.  I opted for a gorgeous jeweled silk shirt by Joie to help complete the look. Tall black heels, and an emerald green snakeskin clutch from Banana Republic add a touch of glamour. Now all I need is someplace fabulous to go.....maybe after the camping trip!

XOXO - V

Shirt: Joie SOLD OUT similar HERE, Shorts: Kate Moss for Topshop: Black Scalloped. Heels: Steve Madden Marlenee. Clutch: Banana Republic -In store. All photography by Rod Foster. Hair and makeup by Mariah Jones for Beauty and the Beach.

Pretty Pleats

Happy Tuesday Everyone! I hope you had a lovely Memorial Day weekend! My family spent ours relaxing in the sun, eating bbq, and hanging with dear friends. We are all sunkissed and ready for the summer break. Only a few more weeks left!

Feeling grateful for those who have given their lives for our freedom, I took this opportunity to show support by sporting some patriotic red, white and blue.

Pretty pleated skirts were all over the Spring 2014 runways. Forever a classic, I love how Topshop combined two trends in this pleated wrap skirt.  I wanted to keep this look clean so I added a simple navy and white striped camisole, my favorite Current Elliott jacket, red heels, and tortoise sunnys. If you want this skirt, be sure to move quickly.  The white is close to selling out but is also available in petal pink. 

Thanks you so much for stopping by Of Beauty & Grace! I look forward to traveling into the summer months with you.  I will be adding some new features on the site, and I have some super fun looks I cant wait to share with you.  Please help spread the word to your friends, family, and social networks!  Stay posted for a killer giveaway later this week! Have a great one!

XOXO - V

Jacket: Current Elliott "Infantry Jacket", Heels: BCBG Printz Red Berry Vachetta  Tank: J.Crew: Carrie Cami Skirt: Topshop asymetrical pleat wrap skirt. Sunglasses: Tortoise Anthropologie.  Photography by Rod Foster. Hair and makeup by Mariah Jones with Beauty and the Beach.