Nothing screams put together like an effortless flirty dress. Reassess your closet and pay attention to those dresses that you once only paired with heels for an evening out-- and think again. Grab for a classic ballet flat, small wedge, or sandal and repurpose the dress into a daytime's finest!

Photographs taken in Laguna Beach, California.

August 30th: Happy Birthday to me :)

Turning 31 isn't as chic as turning 30, because there's no epic excuse to throw a monster blow out this time around. So instead, I urge you to revisit my birthday party last year, where I re-created Coachella in August, bringing a live band, food trucks, DIY-stations, shotskis, mini golf, and more, straight to my house party in Beverly Hills.

I bring you... #ELCHELLA! Click here to reminisce on the fun with me from last year...

I completed the Beverly Center's Fall Fashion "Show Us Your Style" challenge!

Rewind. Let me explain...

I've partnered with the Beverly Center {for those who don't live in or around LA, it's an epic mall with wall to wall designers from Jimmy Choo and Dolce & Gabbana to Uniqlo and quite possibly the world's largest H&M} to complete a head-to-toe fall fashion lewk from the mall for under $250. One rule? I could only use two accessory-only items from my current wardrobe to complete the look!

So to the mall I went! I could have hit H&M for a multi-faceted, extraordinary layered look equip with jewels, handbags, and jackets galore for under $250-- but I had to stick to my roots-- I have expensive taste.

Bloomingdales was a natural first stop. I picked up this $187 (on sale!) Maje dress and paired it back to my personal hat and slouchy boots for an effortless and clean intro to fall vibe.

Ok, ok. I wish I could have thrown on some sunnies and a stack of bangles, too. But I wanted to follow every rule! There's something nice about going au natural, right?

Come join me and fellow blogger babes at the Beverly Center fall fashion event on Wednesday, September 2nd! See you there. xo

This weekend I threw all I could fit in my la petite valise (tiny little suitcase) and drove south one hour to The Inn at Laguna Beach. I'm a hotel snob-- so I'll drive 10 minutes or 10 hours if it means checking in to check out.

I love the feeling of checking into a luxe hotel. What's the lobby vibe? People-watching? How close am I to town? What bath products will be offered? What will the view be like? How silky are the sheets? How fabulous is the shower? 

I don't recommend becoming a hotel snob if you haven't already reached that status. The problem is, your "must visit" checklist only-gets-longer! But the best part? Thinking back to this weekend I just had...

So ahead I went, to a beach town that I've rarely explored, and checked myself in for a weekend staycation. 

The Inn at Laguna Beach delivered just that. Perched on top of the bluffs over Laguna Beach, I couldn't help but feel like I had just pulled up to the perfect boutique hotel. Surf boards-turned- benches and showers greeted my dog Homer with fabulous photo opps (dog-friendly hotels get a double check in my book), and "town" was a mere 2 minute walk down the road. 

We spent our days sitting on our oceanfront balcony, walking down to the beach, and having wine on the rooftop. Homer agrees, it was the perfect weekend getaway.

Happy July 4th weekend everyone!

I know I've been a bit MIA... and don't expect to see me back in full force just yet-- I'm taking this whole "vacation thing" very seriously!

I'm currently in Mykonos, Greece, and you can catch my day to day travels and full looks on my instagram @elshanesworld! Today a few of my friends and I rented a yacht and are setting sail in the beautiful blue Aegean Sea. If you ask me, I couldn't imagine a better way to celebrate 'Murica!

I hope everyone is having a fun, relaxing weekend. 

I'm cool for culottes this summer!

The trend has been spotted in all fabrications--from this lace jumpsuit to denim jeans.

It's surprisingly flattering on most body types. Since the trend cinches at the mid waist and falls into a flair out to above the ankle, it elongates and thins the leg at any height.

PS-- I'm in Greece right now on summer vacation. Have you checked my instagram lately? I'm sharing all real-time outfits plus more from my amazing adventure and it's a do not miss feed! Follow along @elshanesworld!

Photographs taken in West Hollywood by Sabrina Hill.

A turban and a kaftan walked into a bar...

And the rest is history. (This is no joking matter!)

Have you tried the combination yet? It's my most favorite way to explore that effortless summer chic mentality. To avoid an overly costume-y look, try a neutral kaftan like this one or the other options I share in my SHOP THE LOOK section below, and pair it with an equally neutral turban.

I added a pop of color in my handbag to complete the 'resort look'.

Photos taken at "the blogger wall" in West Hollywood, by Sabrina Hill.

A dress can put a woman in a thousand moods! This midi dress? Confidence and power. 

These days, I'm finding the longer the length of the dress, the seemingly sexier it is. That's not to say that I don't still grab for my minis, but these midis have recently stolen my heart.

I recommend thinking out of the box with a dress like this. It's a sure bet for cocktail attire, but also for an evening out with friends. Paired with a low-key wedge, it's even a perfect Sunday brunch go-to. It's dressing up without the fuss.

How do you wear your midis?

Photographs taken at Gracias Madre in West Hollywood by Sabrina Hill.