Guest Post: On the Daily Express

I remember back in September of last year getting an email from another blogger asking if they could link back to a post of mine featuring an Express piece. Naturally, I did my research first; checked them out. Made sure they weren't some random spammer trying to offer medical care from another country. She was legit and clearly, we both shared our love for Express. Little did I know, when I started shopping at Express in junior high, that my love for the store would lead to not just a blogger friendship, a *real life* friendship. We chat via email or text every day, and it's great to have a fellow blogger to vent to, get advice from, or just shoot the crap with. Imagine the possibilities when we finally meet in real life! Look out, world! I could think of no one better to spearhead my week of guest posts; she knows the fashion side of me probably better than I know it myself! And here she is, my partner in crime, Gina, from On the Daily Express!

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When Carylee asked me to guest post for her I immediately knew I would do what any good friend would do: talk about her behind her back while she was gone. Of course, she'll find out everything I said about her because that's what happens when you gossip. But since I'm only going to say things I'd be willing to say to her face, that makes it okay. (I've learned that from watching the Real Housewives.)

So today I'm guest posting about Pieces of Her: all the things in my own closet that make me think of Carylee every time I see and wear them.

1. Chambray Shirt

I knew Carylee loved her chambray shirt, but I was never tempted to get it because historically I haven't had the best luck with J. Crew Factory. But in this post she strongly insisted that this chambray shirt was the shiznit and everyone needed it. I was very skeptical, but I trusted her. And you know what? She was right. I even used it to recreate my own version of one of her outfits:

J. Crew Factory Chambray Shirt

2. Scarves

You may have noticed in the outfit above we're also wearing the same scarf. She made me to get that too. Unfortunately it's sold out now, but I have a lot of other scarf overlap with her so I can steal more of her styling ideas. (I fully admit I lack originality- you can read my entire confession about it here.) Sometimes I'm not sure who got which scarf first, I just know it's handy to have her for style reference.

Express Brown (Original) and Grey Leopard Scarf

Express Coral Scarf, Express Blue Leopard Scarf

3. Shoes

I rarely make a shoe purchase without a little input from Carylee these days, and she's yet to complain about my frequent "What about these?' "Or maybe these?" emails and text messages with link after link of shoe after shoe. She always has good input on what will be uncomfortable or look cheap with attention to details I've never even considered. Here are a few of my recent beloved purchases that have the Carylee Seal of Shoe-proval.™

Marc Fisher Camron / Vince Camuto Luciah / Caslon Ramona 

Obviously I have a thing for wedge sandals, so when she gave me a slight push to get the Sam Edelman Leopard Sandals...I didn't even resist. And again, it's nice to lean on her for styling options!

Sam Edelman Sutton Sandal

Speaking of pushes, Carylee's husband affectionately nicknamed her Pusher Love Girl, after a Justin Timberlake song. And after getting to know her better I've adopted this nickname as well because it suits her perfectly. If it seems like she's pushing you to buy something, it's only because she cares. I saved this text message from her to help me in times of shopping indecision:

Buyer's remorse fades! But buyer's regret never goes away, and obviously she only wants to keep her friends and readers from needless regret! My closet sincerely thanks Carylee for this valuable lesson and all of her shopping and styling guidance...even if my wallet doesn't!

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