How to Throw the Sweetest Spring Dinner Party

Bethany Kosten
Apr 26, 2014

You’ve made the guest list, cleaned every nook and cranny and picked out the perfect party outfit. But planning the actual event — that’s where things can get stressful. How do you set the mood? What foods should you serve? Whether you’re planning an indoor event or an outdoor picnic party, use these ideas to throw a low-fuss, yet sophisticated kind of event that everyone will want to attend. Cue the dinner music and get ready to be inspired.

1. Invitations: Handwritten cards are always nice, but in today’s digital age, your friends will think it’s totally cool to receive a peppy party invite via text or email. Plus, you’ll save the cost of stamps. What’s not to love? (via Best Friends for Frosting)

2. Fabric Covered Spring Vases: Printed burlap and a bit of string does beautiful things to an old bottle or vase. These tulips nod their heads in pretty approval. Put these little pops of color near the front door to welcome guests as they arrive. (via I Heart Nap Time)

3. Brown Paper Menu: Use a brown paper bag or kraft paper to DIY menus for your guests. Because everyone likes to know exactly what’s for dinner. We love how these menus double as placemats. (via Confetti Style)

4. Fresh Fruit Place Card: Let’s face it: There are other things you’d rather be doing during your lunch break than crafting a few dozen intricate place cards. So instead, keep things simple and fresh by using a piece of fruit to hold a simple name card. Nearly any fruit will work. How sweet! (via Style Me Pretty)

4. Fresh Flowers: Flower centerpieces don’t have to be complicated. Choose fruit and flowers in similar hues to create an impressive explosion of color against a simple white tablecloth. Oh, and here’s a quick tip: Don’t make any centerpiece more than 12 inches tall. That way guests can still see one another across the table. (via Style Me Pretty)

5. Jumbo Tassel Balloon ($30): Balloons aren’t just for birthdays anymore. Tassel balloons are so sweetly sophisticated and make great party favors when the celebration is over. If your event is outdoors, use golf tees to stake these little pretties into the ground. Want to craft your own? Here’s a great step-by-step.

6. Fabric Garland: A fabric garland is a beautiful way to create ambiance around the event area. You can use any type of cloth or ribbon to create this garland. It’s a lovely way to repurpose old clothing. (via Folk)

7. Cucumber Feta Rolls: Plan on it: Guests will arrive hungry. There’s nothing like hors d’oeuvres to keep them mingling and munching while you’re wrapping up dinner prep. (via Good Life Eats)

8. Spring Pea Crostini: Good food always inspires good conversation. These darling spring pea crostinis are sure to attract plenty of attention from your guests. (via What’s Gabi Cooking)

9. Fresh Fruit and Cheese Platter: The best dinner parties feature progressive foods. A fruit ‘n’ cheese platter is a perfect addition to a multiple appetizer lineup, and you can prepare it in advance. The food will disappear right before your eyes. What a great go-to option before diving into dinner! (via Snippet and Ink)

10. Salad Tea Cups: Dish up mini salads in advance and eliminate last-minute plating stress. We love the use of quintessential tea cups as salad dishes, because food is just as much about presentation as it is taste! (via Hotel Gratitude)

11. Rosebud Paper Napkins: Napkin, please! Roll up simple paper napkins and bunch them together in a large dish for a pleasing rosebud effect. Make sure to have plenty of “buds” on hand so guests can grab ‘n’ go throughout the evening. (via Rajee Sood)

12. Mood Lighting: Everything (and everyone) looks better by candlelight. Set out some candles or take things up a notch with some string lights. Bam — instant ambiance! (via The Kitchn)

13. Roasted Chicken With Clementines: People want to eat real, flavorful food, not outrageously fancy fare. We suggest a simple main course. Anyone can roast a chicken perfectly, and this dish is so gorgeous that it could double as a centerpiece. (via The View from Great Island)

14. Pink Deviled Eggs: How fun! Deviled eggs and spring are as synonymous as Peeps and Easter. Everyone will be intrigued with this pinkalicious variety. How’s that for a conversation starter? (via The Year in Food)

15. Peach Lemonade: Keep things classy with an elegant twist on an old favorite — pink lemonade. Watch for your guests’ reaction at first sip. Make this homemade peach drink a day in advance and save yourself the stress when it’s crunch time. (via What 2 Cook)

16. Pink Lemonade No-Bake Cheesecakes: Linger with guests over a sweet bite that’s 100 percent no-bake. Simplicity is key to keeping things hassle-free. The best part about these mini cheesecakes is that you can make them in advance and add your choice of toppings, be it fresh fruit, sprinkles, graham cracker crumbs, maybe even melted chocolate. (via Cravings of a Lunatic)

17. Macarons: Admit it: You’ve been waiting for an opportunity to try to make these sophisticated French confections. Stack the little irresistables in tower form and they’ll be as delightful to the eyes as they are to the taste buds. What a sweet and happy ending to a fun evening with friends! (via A Bit of Bees Knees)

Hey, peeps! What are your go-to ideas for a perfect dinner party? We want to hear from the experts — YOU!

13 Delicious Bubble Tea Recipes To Make At Home For National Boba Day

We are all about bubble tea and boba these days. It's sweet, it's creamy, and it also doubles as a nice snack, thanks to the starchy-sweet tapioca pearls. Thankfully, it’s so easy to prepare at home and you get to choose whatever flavors, teas, and milks you like! Stock up on tapioca pearls and take note: these bubble tea recipes might just inspire you to open your own drink stand.

National Boba Day is April 30, so get ready to celebrate with these sips!

Boozy Vanilla Chai Bubble Tea

Add an extra kick to your usual bubble tea order with a little bit of boozy Baileys! Cinnamon sticks and star anise up the cozy factor of this bubble tea recipe, which makes this drink perfect for chilly nights. (via Brit + Co)

Colorful Tapioca Milk Tea

As much as we love bubble tea, we wish some of the details were more colorful. So when it comes to making our own, you better believe we went crazy with *all* the rainbow accessories! (via Brit + Co)

Mango Boba

Mango nectar adds sweetness and a tropical essence to the plain black tea that makes up this infusion. Try soaking your tapioca in a vanilla simple syrup to give the pearls some flavor of their own! (via Sprinkle Bakes)

Matcha Boba Latte with Lavender Cold Foam

This heavenly boba tea recipe (that's low-key giving Starbucks' new lavender drinks) uses one of BOBABAM's convenient pre-made Matcha boba packs to craft the perfectly balanced sip. It's earthy and floral, and oh-so delish. (via BOBABAM)

Coconut Vanilla Boba

We’ve all had our fair share of bad bubble tea recipes at some point. When you make your own at home, you can adjust the sweetness to your liking and ensure that the tapioca balls are fully cooked every single time. (via Savory Tooth)

Bubble Cold Brew

You don’t always have to choose between your favorite frosty cold brew and boba. Combine the two, and you’ll be saving yourself a ton of cash and getting exactly what you want. (via The Movement Menu)

Thai Almond Milk Bubble Tea

Visit any Thai restaurant, and you’ll likely see a vat of bright orange Thai tea waiting to be sipped. Add some chewy tapioca balls to that, and you’ll get this insanely creamy and refreshing Thai bubble tea. Warning: it’s addicting! (via Love and Olive Oil)

Peanut Butter Banana Boba Shake

You just can't go wrong with peanut butter and banana. Plus, when boba's in the mix, every sip gets sweeter and sweeter. (via BOBABAM)

Horchata Boba

This homemade horchata boba is culinary fusion at its finest. The milky rice, cinnamon and almond combo may take some time to perfect, but once you do… your life will never be the same. (via Love and Olive Oil)

Marscapone Bubble Tea

The (not so) secret ingredient to making this bubble tea extra-creamy is Canadian mascarpone cheese. Finish with cranberry juice for a tart balance to the otherwise sugary taste! (via Dairy Goodness)

Pumpkin Spice Bubble Tea with Boba

Say “buh-bye!” to your daily PSL runs. This bubble tea packs the same seasonal flavor punch, but is way better for you. (via Honestly Yum)

Easy Red Bean Bubble Tea

Red bean tea is typically offered at bubble tea shops, but it’s deceptively easy to make at home. All you need is milk and red bean paste to go with your tapioca pearls and you can have one whenever you desire. (via Contemplating Sweets)

Royal Milk Tea with Boba

Sometimes, simplicity is greater than complexity. This black tea, milk and sugar concoction is mildly flavored and perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up. (via Hello Lovely Living)

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

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8 Effective Ways To Reduce Stress Based On Your MBTI

Are you stressed right now? Maybe not so stressed that you curl up in a ball, or run around screaming, but most of us have at least some stress in our lives. And often that’s a good thing; the right amount of stress motivates us and gets us up in the morning. But if stress gets too much, we start to suffer, become demotivated, and eventually collapse as our nervous system falls apart.

Fortunately, there are ways in which we can build our resilience. Some of these are useful for everyone; getting support from your family and friends, nurturing a positive view of yourself, doing things that you enjoy and find relaxing, developing realistic goals and taking action to achieve them. But some will be unique to you, to your particular circumstances to your personality. If you know your personality type, you will have a head start on knowing what your stress triggers are (and so dealing with them), how you react to stress, and how to cope with that reaction. In other words, how to build resilience.

Personality Types And How They Deal With Stress

Image via Photo by Mikhail Nilov/Pexels

The personality type framework, as measured by the Myers-Briggs(MBTI) assessment, looks at four aspects of personality:

  • Extraversion-Introversion — People with an Extraversion personality preference are energized by and focus their attention on what’s happening around them, their external world. They are likely to find spending too much time alone without enough external stimulation quite stressful. People with an Introversion preference are energized by and focus their attention on their inner world of thoughts and feelings. They can become stressed if they are forced to spend too much time with others, or when they have to cope with too many external distractions.
  • Sensing-Intuition — is all about how we take in information. People with a Sensing preference prefer information that is realistic, practical, built on past or present real-life experiences, and often detailed. They can be stressed when things are ambiguous and unclear, without any clear direction. People with an Intuition preference are interested in the big picture, in how things connect, and in ideas rather than facts. They will find having to follow exact instructions stressful, and working with people who demand lots of detail.
  • Thinking-Feeling —People with a Thinking preference want to make decisions using objective logic and will be stressed when decisions seem to be subjective, or when they are forced to concentrate on people rather than the task at hand. People with a Feeling preference want to make decisions that line up with their values and they will be stressed if they feel that those values are not being respected, and when there is conflict.
  • Judging-Perceiving — People with a Judging preference want to live in an organized, planned way and will find dealing with disorganized people stressful, or having to rush things at the last minute. People with a Judging preference want to live in a more spontaneous, emergent way and will become stressed when they have to deal with inflexible people, or when they are forced to make decisions before they feel they really need to.

Image via Photo by Mike Jones/Pexels

Everyone will have a preference for Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I), for Sensing (S) or for Intuition (N), for Thinking (T) or for Feeling (F), and for Judging (J) or for Perceiving (P). These four preferences combine together dynamically to give one of 16 types. For example, if someone has preferences for Extraversion, Sensing, Thinking and Judging, then their overall type would be ESTJ. If you know your type, you can identify your likely stressors (and so avoid or mitigate them), your typical behavior under everyday stress (so that you can recognize when you are stressed) and what to do to cope with that reaction, stop the stress cycle and so build resilience. Here’s the detail for each type.

Image via Photo by Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels

ESTP and ESFP

Stressors

  • Lack of stimulation and excitement
  • Theoretical, abstract tasks without any practical application right now
  • Being physically confined, e.g. though illness or circumstance

Behavior under everyday stress

  • Seeks out more and more external stimulation and excitement
  • May behave in a thrill-seeking or dangerous way or over-indulge
  • Lives solely in the present moment and will not make any decisions

How to stop the stress cycle

  • Pause, stop what you are doing, or think through what you will do next before you do it

Image via Photo by Karolina Grabowska/Pexels

ESTJ and ENTJ

Stressors

  • Inefficient people, systems, or organizations
  • Lack of closure, not being able to make decisions, blockers
  • Having to focus on people's feelings, rather than the task

Behavior under everyday stress

  • Becomes overly directive, forceful, or even aggressive
  • Makes snap decisions and imposes them on others
  • Dismisses evidence/other opinions that don't fir your view

How to stop the stress cycle

  • Stop making any decisions until you have taken some time out to explore all the available information.

Image via Photo by Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels

ENTP and ENFP

Stressors

  • People who say "it'll never work"
  • Too much seemingly irrelevant detail
  • Lack of variety; not being able to do anything new

Behavior under everyday stress

  • Shares increasingly impractical ideas with more and more people
  • Unable to take things seriously, becomes destructively 'playful'
  • Will be tied down to decisions

How to stop the stress cycle

  • Slow down. Take some time out to quietly decide on a course of action

Image via Anna Shvets/Pexels

ESFJ and ENFJ

Stressors

  • Conflict with others and between others
  • Lack of warmth, not having friendliness reciprocated
  • Injustice in the world at large

Behavior under everyday stress

  • Become effusive and over-friendly
  • Becomes demanding in getting your own and others' needs met
  • Interprets situations in terms of your values, ignoring any other evidence

How to stop the stress cycle

  • Step back from the situation and the people involved and consider alternatives and the facts

Image via Yan Krukau/Pexels

INTP and ISTP

Stressors

  • Having your carefully reasoned solutions dismissed or ignored
  • Illogical decisions that have not been thought through
  • Excessive displays of approval or emotion from others

Behavior under everyday stress

  • Withdraws to solve problems by yourself
  • Fixates on finding the one correct solution
  • Ignores other people; makes decisions without informing them

How to stop the stress cycle

  • Talk to others to explore information and ideas

Image via Mizuno K/Pexels

ISTJ and ISFJ

Stressors

  • Having to act without detailed, practical information or plans
  • Having the lessons of your experience dismissed by others
  • Changing things that already work

Behavior under everyday stress

  • Obsessively searches for that one important piece of information
  • Withdraws from the outer world
  • Cannot make a decision until all the information has been found

How to stop the stress cycle

  • Talk to others to help you prioritize and make a decision

Image via Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels

ISFP and INFP

Stressors

  • People who ignore, dismiss, or contravene your values
  • Working in a job that is at odds with those values
  • Inflexible and unthinking people or organizations

Behavior under everyday stress

  • Withdraws into an inner dialogue
  • Obsessively works through decisions that fir your values
  • Ignores facts that do not fit with the picture you have painted

How to stop the stress cycle

  • Talk to others to get their reassurance and help in considering the facts and alternatives

Image viaMART PRODUCTION/Pexels

INTJ and INFJ

Stressors

  • Not having time to think through possibilities before answering
  • Having your well-considered ideas dismissed or ignored
  • Disorganized, opinionated people

Behavior under everyday stress

  • Withdraws to build increasingly complex ideas in your head
  • These models may become divorced from reality
  • Unable to act under every possibility has been explored

How to stop the stress cycle

  • Talk to others to help decide which of your many ideas should be pursued

When you feel stressed, it can get in the way of dealing effectively with life’s demands, and it can affect everything you do. Understanding your MBTI personality type will help you to build resilience.

Looking for more advice geared towards your MBTI? Be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter!

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29 Cinco de Mayo Recipes That Aren’t Tacos

While the most obvious choice for celebrating Cinco de Mayo might be your old taco night standbys and a big bowl of guacamole, for the ultimate spread, we recommend branching out and trying some new dishes. Impress your fellow mojito-drinking buddies with your vast knowledge of Mexican cuisine, from spicy soups to chalupas you won't find at Taco Bell. Don't forget the essential every-kind-of-hot-sauce bar either. Try these 29 Mexican-inspired recipes for the most delicious fiesta.

What are 3 typical foods served on Cinco de Mayo?

Molé, chilaquiles, and tamales are all typical foods found at a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

What is a good menu for Cinco de Mayo?

A good Cinco de Mayo menu includes a range of authentic Mexican recipes – from carnitas to tamales, you can also put your own twist on each dish!

What is the most popular food eaten on Cinco de Mayo in Mexico?

Authentic dishes like Molé Poblano, chalupas, enchiladas, tacos, and chilaquiles are all popular Mexican foods eaten on Cinco de Mayo.

What can I bring to a Cinco de Mayo party?

Bringing delicious meals, either authentic ones or ones with more modern twists, are welcome at a Cinco de Mayo party. Scroll for an array of recipe ideas to bring to the celebration!

Pineapple Pico de Gallo

Sweet and spicy is just a combo we can't pass up. This chunky salsa will accommodate each guest at your Cinco de Mayo parties with bites full of fresh veggies and fruit. (via Cozy Cravings)

Elote

This tasty street food snack is so fun to eat. Grilling gives the corn a nice char and smokey flavor. However, they're getting slathered in mayonnaise and cotija cheese, so they're bound to please any way you make them. (via Sunday Supper Movement)

Crispy Chicken Taquitos with Avocado Crema

These chicken taquitos are the ideal finger food for a Cinco de Mayo party. The contents are inside a rolled tortilla and make a great portable bite for those times when your favorite song comes on and you *have* to bust a move. (via A Cozy Kitchen)

Healthy Seven Layer Taco Dip

Dips really keep the world turning since they're so tasty and easy to scoop up with the swipe of a chip. Stock up on your dippable chips, because this taco dip recipe won't last long. (via Rachl Mansfield)

Brisket Sopes

If you love tacos, you’ll adore sopes. They’re a traditional Mexican dish made from thick rounds of fried masa, and this version is topped with ultra-tender slow-cooked brisket. Crack open a cold cerveza and enjoy. (viaMuy Bueno Cookbook)

Pollo Asado

Savor in the deep, smoky notes of this popular Mexican recipe – pollo asado. Each bite is crusted in spices for a never-boring bite. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Cheesy Avocado Quesadillas

If you’re short on time but still want to party, these quesadillas are just the dish for you. Upgrade the basic cheese ‘dillas you know and love from childhood with avocado slices and seasoned ground beef, for a hearty bite that’s easy to make but still tastes impressive. (via Damn Delicious)

Avocado, Mango, and Shrimp Ceviche

Ceviche is always super light and fresh, and when served during the summery day of Cinco de Mayo, everyone will have you to thank for bringing such a mouthwatering dish to the party. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

Tomatillo Avocado Salsa with Baked Tortilla Chips

This creamy salsa is like a cross between salsa verde and guacamole. This means it’s highly addictive, so you better have a lot of chips handy. Try it on top of tacos, nachos or even on a torta — this salsa tastes good on *everything*. (via Muy Bueno Cookbook)

Skinny Chile Rellenos

Chile rellenos are stuffed green chiles that then get battered and fried in the best way. Enjoy yours for Cinco de Mayo alongside some rice and beans! (via The Girl On Bloor)

Vegan Mexican Street Corn (Vegan Elote)

If you have some vegan pals pulling up to the party, serve them some plant-based elote for Cinco de Mayo. This recipe retains all the good textures and flavors, too! (via The Edgy Veg)

Easy Restaurant Style White Queso

This ooey, gooey white queso is bound to steal the show at any party thanks to a fiery kick from red pepper flakes and pickled jalapeños. (viaThe Cookie Rookie)

Black Bean and Veggie Tortilla Pizza

Quash two cravings at once with Mexican Pizza. Though it's hard to pinpoint many similarities between this dish and actual pizza (save for its round, open-faced nature), once you take a bite, you'll get it. Cut into slices and share with the fam… or don't share at all. (via Snixy Kitchen)

Mexican Hot Pot with Avocado Crema

For a more hearty addition to your Cinco de Mayo platter, this Mexican hot pot is sure to please anyone. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Ceviche

Use sushi-grade fish for the best taste and peace of mind. Though you’ll be marinating the fish in lime juice, you’ll still want the freshest, best quality product you can get. (via Feasting at Home)

Roasted Vegetable Torta

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the most delicious Mexican sandwich around. Some of the bread is scooped out to make extra room for fillings like refried beans, guacamole and cheese. We're okay with that, and we might even suggest saving those bread fillings for sopping up any sandwich spillage. You're welcome. (via Easy Cheesy Vegetarian)

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Forgo the corn on a stick for a less-messy, easy-to-eat elote salad. Add black beans, red onions and bell peppers to make it more salad-like and colorful. Bonus: The dressing uses yogurt instead of mayonnaise and sour cream for a healthy twist. (via Live Eat Learn)

Pozole Rojo

This traditional Mexican soup is full of tender stewed beef, hominy (dried maize) and a super flavorful red chili sauce. It’d be nice if you had leftovers after your Cinco de Mayo festivities, but don’t count on it — this soup doesn’t play around. (via Muy Delish)

Homemade Chalupas

These chalupas are nothing like the kind you'll find at your local Taco Bell. Set out toppings like shredded beef, avocado, salsa and cheese, and let everyone assemble their own. (via The Stay at Home Chef)

Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde

These saucy enchiladas take a little patience to prepare, but they're totally worth it. Invite some friends to make the process fly by. You'll need to fry the tortillas, dunk them in sauce, fill and roll, so you might need to enlist all the kiddos to help. (via Tasting Table)

Delicious Dessert Recipes For Cinco de Mayo Parties

Toasted Rice Horchata with Salted Caramel Drizzle and Coconut Charcoal Whipped Cream

This is technically a drink, but with all of the sugar-infused additions, we must classify it as a totally delectable dessert. Horchata is a rice-based sip that's served with Mexican food, and this upgrade looks phenomenal. (via No Eggs Or Ham)

Churros with Chocolate and Espresso Sauce

What’s better than fried dough and chocolate? If you can come up with something, good for you — we’ll be over here munching on these churros. These amazing, crispy treats are coated in cinnamon sugar and paired with a velvety chocolate and espresso dipping sauce you won’t be able to get enough of. (via Drizzle and Drip)

Churro Ice Cream Cake

Enjoy all the best parts of a churro, but in cake form. Baked churro layers are doused in a sweet, sugary icing for maximum yum factor. (via Amanda Wilens)

Mexican Buñuelos

This Mexican puff pastry cannot be missed at your next Cinco celebration. It's fried, then coated in an addictive cinnamon sugar sprinkling, just like churros. (via Cilantro Parsley)

Drink Recipes To Sip On For Cinco de Mayo

Jade Mezcal Margarita

This bold take on a classic Mexican margarita will keep you going with punchy flavors from lime and jalapeño. (via Gastroplant)

Agua de Jamaica

Feel a sense of refreshment flow over you with this delicious drink recipe that'd perfect for Cinco celebrations. Make sure to prep a big batch to share with everyone! (via Culinary Hill)

Key Lime Margarita

We could never pass up a traditional marg. This one gets prepped with key limes that add amazing falvor notes. (via Barley & Sage)

Pineapple Margarita

Sip your way to the shores of your dream beach destination with the pineapple-y tastes of this drink. It'll also cool you down in all the right ways during hot Cinco de Mayo days! (via Amanda Wilens)

Champagne Margarita (Mexican 75)

Get the best of both worlds with this summertime sipper, a margarita made with champagne. (via The Endless Meal)

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This post has been updated.

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10 White Vacation Dresses That Will Take You Straight From The Beach To Dinner

I'm not sure about you, but it's that time of year that I'm already planning multiple vacations in my head where I'm sitting somewhere by a beach in full-blown relaxation mode. And while I love to look ahead at my itinerary, my favorite part of vacation planning is definitely the outfits! I get so excited that I create a Pinterest board, packing list, vacation wishlist, and schedule the outfits all in advance on my notes app — it's serious business! With all that in mind, I thought I'd share with you some white vacation dresses that are to-die-for right now!

Writer's Note: A lot of these will be either linen, cotton, and silks, or satins because they're the most breathable materials and can really help in hotter temperatures! So I almost always stick to those fabrics because they allow for me to be in hotter temperatures and not feel like 100 degrees.

Shop White Vacation Dresses Here!

ASTR The Label Off-Shoulder Dress

Everyone needs the quintessential linen white dress for vacation, and this is IT! Everything about this is romantic and perfect for vacation with the off-shoulder, side slit, and midi style of the dress. You can dress is up with some heels, or dress it down with sandals for a day at the beach.

J.Crew Stretch Linen Dress

J.Crew's been killing the game lately with their innovative and fun styles, and this one is no different! I love the linen (again we want breathable fabric for summer) along with the fun gold detailing on the straps. This one is also on sale for 40% off right now, so definitely grab this one for you summer vacations!

Halogen Halter Neck Linen Dress

The halter neck of this chic dress gives it a more modest and classic feel that I love. It's giving me serious Meghan Markle vibes, so you know it's good! Grab this one to fulfill all of your summer plans!

Abercrombie Slip Maxi Dress

I had to add this one in the mix because of its unique design that's giving me all the Italian summer on the Amalfi coast feels! The sweet fruit pattern is the perfect touch to brighten up a simple white dress. And for under $100, it's at such a great price-point!

Chelsea28 Tiered Maxi Dress

A tired dress is another staple to your vacation wardrobe. I love this boho chic one because it looks straight out of Mamma Mia on an island off the coast of Greece. An idyllic dress for all of your Euro-Summer-2024 plans!

Banana Republic Silk Maxi

You can never have too many silk dresses for vacation, and this cream, silk dress takes thecake! I love how vintage-inspired it is with the pleats at the top. I picture this stunning dress at a dinner paired with metallic heels like above and a matching mini bag. I just adore this piece!

ASTR Floral Lace Dress

Lace has entered the chat! And can you believe it's only $109?! I love this ASTR The Label dress for their super cute pieces at such an affordable price. This one screams vacation by the beach to me!

House of CB Emmelina Dress

House of CB is one of my favorite brands at the moment because their designs are so feminine and flattering for so many different body types and sizes. This dress is one that I personally have had on my wishlist for summer vacation for quite some time because of its elegant shape and cut. You're sure to look phenomenal in this classic piece!

Abercrombie Plunge Satin Dress

For every vacation, a simple silk dress is a must because of its breathability and versatility when it comes to styling. This dress is ideal for walks on the beach or for a nice dinner on the coast. Plus the low back is an amazing addition as well for a more sexy look. Abercrombie does it again, ladies!

J.Crew Bungalow Maxi Dress

Can you think of a better dress that works as both a beach coverup and adorable lunch dress? This linen maxi dress from J.Crew will take you from beach to dinner in the chicest way. I love the cuts at the bottom to not make it too billowy and the low V-neck looks super flattering as well. Adding this to my wishlist ASAP!

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Lead image via Banana Republic.

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These 4 Sneaker Trends Give The “It” Factor Your Outfits Are Missing

We all want to step out in style, and these sneaker trends are your one-way ticket to getting there. From sportier silhouettes to sleek, fashion-forward footwear, we’re seeing a specific handful of unique (and sometimes controversial)sneakers out on the streets that suit anyone and everyone! No matter what look you're going for, we’ve got a range of trending sneaker styles for 2024 that’ll compliment your very best ‘fits and your budget.

Sporty Sneakers

Adidas Samba OG Shoes

The first sneaker trend needs no introduction. You’ve seen ‘em on all the cool fashion girls (and beyond), enough to know that sporty sneakers are in.

Adidas sneakers are the prime example of the sporty sneaker trend. The most popular styles – Gazelles and Sambas – have history with soccer and handball, but they’re not quite being sported for sport anymore. They’re easy to wear with your most casual jeans or even paired with a flowy maxi skirt!

On the other side of the spectrum, gorp-core brands like Salomon have more technical-looking sneakers that still fit into the everyday.

The Samba OG shoes come in a variety of colors, but these white-on-black ones are the most approachable. A limited color palette makes way for endless matching possibilities, plus these are just so comfy!

The Adidas Samba OG Shoes are $100.

New Balance 1906 Utility Unisex Sneakers

Flaunting a sizable tread and a plush platform, these sneakers from New Balance are unquestionably sporty, but get a stylish edge from the muted green and brown details. Since they're designed for running, you can feel the utmost support from these shoes – even if you're not trying to beat your current mile time.

The New Balance 1906 Utility Unisex Sneakers are $160.

Salomon XT-6 Unisex Sportstyle Shoes

These sleek sneakers skip the laces, favoring an easy on-and-off drawstring for the perfect fit. While they're chunkier and more detailed than your average Adidas sneaker, the Salomon XT-6's give a unique, fashion-forward vibe with their iconic logo. Any sneakerhead will be fascinated by these sneaks.

The Salomon XT-6 sneakers are available in 15 other colors for $200.

Blue Sneakers

Nike Blazer Low '77 Sneaker

If you don’t quite know what sneaker trends to shop for in terms of shape and silhouette, going for a specific color can help guide you to the perfect pair. Blue sneakers are totally hot right now amongst the cool fashion gals, whether they rock 'em in royal hues or lighter blues, like the styles listed.

These slimmer sneakers are reminiscent of the famed Adidas ones, but the suede material makes them less sporty and more casual for everyday wear.

The Nike Blazer Low '77 Sneakers are $100 at Nordstrom.

Puma Palermo Leather Sneaker

Another low-profile blue shoe, these Pumas are a total 80's throwback. They flaunt classic details like the rubber role and paneled toe, plus the Puma logo you just can't miss. The lighter blue would go great with this season's trending colors, like butter yellow or even lilac.

The Puma Palermo Leather Sneakers are $90 at Nordstrom.

Adidas Handball Spezial Shoes

Think of these Adidas sneaks as your new everyday shoe, but more colorful. From the grocery store to the park, you'll be stepping in style with this contrasting style! The trio of stripes on each side of these shoes is super iconic, so your looks will immediately be on-trend, no matter what you're wearing.

The Adidas Handball Spezial Shoes also come in a number of other color combos, and go for $110.

Metallic Sneakers

New Balance 1906R Unisex Sneakers

In addition to all things blue, metallic sneakers have been hitting the pavement and turning heads everywhere. I’ve mostly spotted silver sneakers in the wild, but metallic sneakers are also shoppable in golds and other eye-catching shades.

If you don't want to rock a full-on shiny shoe quite yet, these New Balance sneakers are the perfect place to start. They're fitted with metallic detailing along the sides for a stunning effect. You'll love 'em even more for their added cushiness and support around the arch and ankles.

The New Balance 1906R Unisex Sneakers are $155.

ALOHAS tb. 490 Leather Sneakers

These ALOHAS shoes are a low-key dupe for the well-loved Adidas sneakers. The rubber sole, low-sitting profile, and layered paneling along the toe give the same effect, except these have an exceptional shine.

These sneakers go for $190 at Urban Outfitters. You can also shop them in four other fun colors.

Adidas Country OG Shoes

These best-selling shoes will (literally) outshine all of the other pairs hanging out in your wardrobe. They have that oh-so 70's feel in shape, but carry a modern twist in the silver shininess.

The Adidas Country OG Shoes are $120.

Ballet Sneakers

Skechers Relaxed Fit: Breathe-Easy Shoes

They're not ballet flats, but they’re not quite sneakers, either. Ballet sneakers are on the rise right now, with unique (and a bit divisive) styles like the New Balance 1906L and the Kiko Kostadinov x Heaven by Marc Jacobs x Gel-Lokros shoes hitting the high-end market.

Ballet sneakers are a great way to toe the line between comfy and cute, especially when your soles need some extra support since they’re often bulkier than your average flat.

I am obsessed with this sporty move that Skechers made on their Mary Jane-esque shoes. These ballet sneakers have a nice tread on the bottom and secure on top with a velcro strap. The black colorway is super easy to wear alone or with socks for a layered look!

These supportive Skechers Relaxed Fit: Breathe-Easy Shoes cost $63.

Heaven by Marc Jacobs x Kiko Kostadinov Vapor Cosmos

These strappy sneakers also approach Mary Jane territory with stretchy straps and buckles up top, though the bottoms are cushier and traditionally sneaker-like. This pair flaunts some coquette-ish details, from the scalloped trim to the star-shaped stitching on the toes.

This pair of Heaven by Marc Jacobs x Kiko Kostadinov Vapor Cosmos go for $222 on StockX.

Buffalo Binary Ballet Sneaker

These adorable pink ballet sneakers are ready to hit the pavement with a chunky sole. The upper half of the shoe is more delicate, with tiny pleats and a seamless buckle detail.

The Buffalo Binary Ballet Sneakers are $180 at Urban Outfitters.

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