girl avant garde | A life and style blog about a 20-something student living in New York City

Hakuna Matata

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Courtney Starr

Given the warm weather thats suddenly swept through NYC, I decided to break out my floral prints and panama hat. I’ve been wearing this Annie Griffin top paired multiple ways lately: like a white skirt or black skinnies. That’s why I love florals, the combinations are endless. This time, for a shopping trip in the city, I went for a laid back look with loose jeans and cozy wedges.

This week I’m taking a staycation before I graduate and begin to study for the bar. That means I’m lying low, relaxing, and doing the things I love to do. No other outfit I own says “hakuna matata” like this one.

Best Memorial Day Sales

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Courtney Starr

memorial day sales 2013

I love a good excuse to go shopping and the sales on Memorial Day are definitely worthy of a splurge on summer items like sunglasses and bathing suits, as well as gifts for graduations, weddings, etc. So I’m definitely looking forward to spending this weekend stocking up and then making use of my purchases at the beach! Here are some of the best memorial day sales to which I’m most looking forward.

Ann Taylor: I love Ann Taylor’s colorful prints and polished work attire. They’re offering 40% off all sale merchandise. My favorites include this floral jacket and this cotton silk white skirt

Shopbop.com: Bop has the best selection, the best sales, and the best customer service. I’m currently loving this drop waist chambray dress, these Tory Burch wedges, and Rebecca Minkoff’s floral bag, all on super sale!

Bloomingdales: All bathingsuits are 25% off at Bloomingales until Monday! Every year I buy a few new bathing suit, which gets me in the spirit for a fun-filled summer. My favorites include this pom pom ruffle bikini, this bandeau maillot, and this fringe bikini.

Gap: Gap is offering 15% off with the code GAPGIFT. On my list: this striped tee-shirt, this striped maxi dress, and these jeans shorts.

J.Crew: Season after season J.Crew gets better and better. J.Crew is offering up to $75 off with the code SHOPNOW. I recently bought the Panama Hat which I can’t stop wearing. Also on my wishlist: this chiffon top, these drawstring pants, and this strapless jumpsuit.

Walk the Walk NYC

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Courtney Starr

the moonwalk new york city

When the people behind Walk the Walk contacted me to let me know about “The MoonWalk” I was more than eager to share the great cause on Girl Avant Garde. The MoonWalk, presented by Empire BlueCross BlueShield, is an overnight walk through New York City aimed to raise $2 million dollars to Memorial Sloan-Ketting Cancer Center to support the Breast Examination Center and its uninsured patients. I feel as though everyone knows at least one woman, whether close or distant, who has been affected by breast cancer and rather than allow it to pierce through society, it’s important to support each other. If you’re in NYC on July 20th, I encourage you to sign up for the walk or find out more information about it here.

This is a sponsored post from One2One Network and Walk The Walk, all proceeds of which I am donating to Walk The Walk. All opinions stated are my own.

Newport Prep

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Courtney Starr

Tunic dress c/o Sail to Sable | Bag c/o Gigi NY | Sandals – Franco Sarto (old, similar here) | Lip Gloss – Becca, Flamingo Crush

Josh and I had so much fun on Saturday in Newport, Rhode Island. The weather was beautiful and so we were in such good moods. When packing for Newport, I felt like my new Sail to Sable tunic dress screamed ”Newport prep” aka “pack me”. So I did. I’m not sure if you can tell from the pictures but it has the tiniest bit of roped fabric at the hemline creating a unique scalloped effect. And I just love it. And so did Josh! And he never loves my clothes.

blithewold

Wedding Day Inspiration

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Courtney Starr

This past weekend marked our second weekend looking at wedding venues and I officially have wedding fever. To be totally candid, wedding planning is fun and exciting, but a tiny bit stressful. There is so much to focus on, in a short amount of time, and it’s only the beginning. We want the very best and we also want to make everyone happy.

So we’re still trying to find our happy medium and create a dream wedding that meets both our needs and wishes as well as our families’. And while we do so, I thought I’d share some photos that are currently inspiring our dream wedding look. All these photos and way more can be found on my Pinterest board. And the first two photos were taken by the extremely talented Jana Williams, who will be shooting our engagement session next month. I absolutely adore her work!

sunset wedding