Shady Lady- Mott 50

By Julie

 Can you believe it's July already?! The dog days of summer have officially arrived so I'm taking the time to remind us all to play it 'safe' this holiday season. I know it's my super practical and obsessive Virgo side coming out, but I promise it's worth it! We've all made lathering up on sunscreen an essential part of our daily routine, but did you know that even your cute caftans and sun hats are leaving your skin exposed to those harmful UV rays that cause the early signs of aging (wrinkles, age spots, sagging skin)?? Ugh, enough said. 

 That's why I'm taking this time to share the latest swim-and-surf collection of super chic, UPF sun-protective clothing from Mott 50. 

Who knew adding an extra layer could look so cute?! Now we officially have no excuses left. 

 I'm headed up to Vermont this weekend with my fiancee to attend our friend's wedding while Lauren is heading out East to start the holiday weekend at the beach! We'll be sure to fill you guys in on our travels next week. 

What's on your holiday agenda?? 

XOX

Red White and Blue

By Lauren

July 4th is on a Wednesday this year so whether you have a long weekend, an entire week or just a day to celebrate, we hope it's filled with lots of warm weather fun! The red, white, and blue color scheme can be a bit much for an entire outfit, but in bits and pieces of beachwear it can be quite chic and patriotic.

Here are some of our poolside picks.

1. Sole Society Neela Wedge

2. Sole Society Portia Heel

3. Michael by Michael Kors Guadeloupe Sunglasses

4. Michael by Michael Kors Tie Dye Tunic

5. Zimmerman Splice Split Dress

6. Melissa Odabash Embroided Dress

7. Lisa Maree Crochet Dress

8. Lisa Marie Fernandez Striped Swimsuit

9. Miu Miu Bow Bikini

Will you be wearing any of these 3 colors when you celebrate the holiday?

Color Play

By Julie

It's been such a wild week and it's only Wednesday... between running around the city, catching up with friends and celebrating our engagement, I've been trying to find a few seconds to take in the moment before the chaos of wedding planning officially begins. Seems as though that's easier said than done these days.

Shirt: Zara, Clutch: c/o BCBG, Shoes: c/o Sole Society, Jeans: JBrand, Necklace: Otte 

I've gotten a lot of emails and tweets about the fun pink Belinda pumps I wore on my engagement, which you can get for yourself (as well as these buttercup clogs) on the new fashion footwear site Sole Society! Don't forget to treat yourself to a discount by using BORNBREAD15 at checkout now through July 31st.

XOX

Turquoise and Pink

By Lauren

Summer makes me want to wear bright colors with more bright colors! I love the mix of turquoise accents with hot pink. This outfit really brightened up my Saturday of errands and kept me cool in the crazy weekend heat. 

We spent the day picking up all our wedding gifts from my parents' apartment. Packing and unpacking boxes, taking inventory, and schlepping heavy dishware was so strenuous I missed Julie's call to tell me that she was engaged!!! But I'm so excited for my partner and bestie. Wishing her all the best in this new stage in her life! 

Shoes: Miu Miu; Pants: H&M; Shirt: Forever 21; Ring: YSL

He Put a Ring on It!

By Julie

It was an amazing turn of events for me this past Saturday. My best friend and longtime boyfriend of nearly seven years decided to make it official and proposed to me at the tip of Battery Park! It was truly a magical New York City moment that neither of us will ever forget... 

Dress: Zara, Shoes: Sole Society, Bag: Morgan Parish

The day started off with what seemed like a typical Saturday morning for us in the city- an early spin class at Soul Cycle, coffee and a stroll through the Tribeca Farmer's Market on our walk back to my apartment. We quickly showered and changed in order to head back downtown to enjoy the beautiful, sunny day. Little did I know that our seemingly typical walk down the West Side Highway would quickly turn into a day of endless surprises. After his amazingly sweet proposal and private lunch under a canopy looking out to the Statue of Liberty, we were greeted by our parents who flew in from Chicago to toast us with champagne and incredible well wishes. Nothing could have been sweeter. Shortly after that, I was treated to an afternoon of bliss including a manicure, pedicure and a blow-out (my favorite beauty treatment!) to get ready for an intimate family celebration at one of our most cherished New York City restaurants, Il Buco. 

Our hotel room with the perfect view of the exact spot we got engaged

Beautiful flowers and an even more beautiful note from our siblings and my two baby nieces :)

Honestly, the day was such a thrill and so much fun, but at the same time felt incredibly natural and very much like 'us'- which makes me know it's right. He planned the day so perfectly to include all our most sentimental moments from our past and ended with an outlook to an incredibly bright future... 

we are truly blessed! I love you.

For all of you that follow B&B on Instagram, thanks for all your sweet notes! What a fun weekend.

XOX

Post From Last Summer

By Lauren

Last summer I posted this outfit from a morning coffee run in the Hamptons. I actually just put it on again today because of the crazy heat reverberating of the city pavement. Insane! Anyway it's one of my faves so thought I would share the pics again a year later. 

Sandals: Sam Eddleman; Shorts: Forever 21; Tee: AKA New York; Hat: Street vendor on 14th street

What are you wearing to beat this heat?

LWD and Sole Society

By Lauren

We are thrilled to announce that we are now Fashion Insiders on the new Sole Society site. If you thought we loved shoes before, well now we officially can't get enough since Sole Society makes it so easy for us to add to our closets... literally a new shoe everyday!

After joining this amazing new site you can shop the entire Sole Society catalog and their special collections, simply ♥ your favorite shoes and your other favorite Fashion Insiders to build your own dream shoe closet. If you follow our 'closet', all of our picks automatically get added to yours with just one click. 

The best part is that we can give you $15 off your first purchase through 7/31. Just enter the code BORNBREAD15 at checkout. All the shoes range from $40-$60 so this deal is pretty hard for any shoe-lover to pass up.

We're loving this combo of mint and leopard for summer.

XOX

Rugs, Rugs, Rugs!

By Julie

With the roomie and my bf crammed into our little NYC apartment for the summer, I can't help but dream of the days of a little home renovation. Our shared space is limited to say the least (yes, my closet is in my living room), but it's nothing a little TLC can't fix. I've been eyeing a few new rugs to help give our living room a proper face lift, but there are so many different patterns and looks to choose from that it's hard for me to decide. 

So, I'm turning to you for help.

Oversized Chevron

Shabby Chic Florals

Colorful Geometrics

Persian Kelims

Zebra Print

Which would you choose if you were looking for a fresh start?? Do share.

XOX

Mad for the Madison Avenue Michael Kors Store

By Lauren

Yesterday after work I had the chance to make my Monday a little more tolerable and snuck into the new Michael Kors lifestyle store on 667 Madison Avenue. 

With the opening of their largest Lifestyle store in the country just a couple of weeks ago, Michael has expanded his empire in a 6,655 square-foot gorgeous space on one of the most prestigious avenues. From sunglasses to swimsuits and everything in between this airy, modern space houses all things Michael Kors. Attention all shoppers...you might never want to leave!

Some of my favorite pieces and possibly future purchases:

Weekender #KCAwearness

By Julie

It was an all-American beach weekend for me and a few of my girlfriends when we decided to pack up and head out to Montauk for some much needed R&R. Everything was perfection from our early morning spin classes, days at the beach to the fresh fruit stands and farmer's markets, but it wasn't all so innocent and idyllic. A weekend in Montauk is not complete without a BBC from Cyril's, dinner at Ruschmeyer's and a late night at Surf Lodge. Somehow we fit it all in... no wonder I'm so exhausted!

Also, I wanted to be sure to share some details about my favorite new beach tote from Kenneth Cole. Available until June 30th, 100% of the profits from these Give-Back totes will be donated to AWEARNESS, the Kenneth Cole Foundation to help support the homeless. Cute and for a charity, it's not too late to get yours.

Hope you're Monday is off to a great start! 

XOX

Go-To Gifts for Dad

By Julie

Nothing like waiting until the last minute to get a gift for Dad this Father's Day, but that seems to be my M.O with just about everything lately. I've put together my last minute picks for Pops, but don't let my last ditch efforts fool you... doesn't mean I love him any less! 

How are you guys celebrating this weekend?? Friday couldn't have come soon enough.

1. Super Fit Dad {Dot Fit Exerspy Fitness Monitor}

2. Playful Pop {Laquer Poker Chip Set}

3. Class Act {Custom Fit Polo}

4. A Cook in the Kitchen {Artisan Eataly Gift Set}

5. Retro Wake-Up {Beech Wood Alarm Clock}

6. Ticked and Tied {Silk Print Tie}

XOX

BCBG Dinner

By Lauren

Last week you saw what Julie wore to the BCBG dinner at Freeman's and now it's my turn. Freeman's alley is a blogger's dream street for pictures so we had to use it for the back-drop for multiple outfit posts.

The wonderful team at BCBG sent me a dress to wear for the evening. It was so comfortable and easy to wear, unlike most of my other cocktail dresses. Big thanks to everyone involved in organizing last week's dinner. We had the best time getting to know new faces and catching up with old ones!

Dress: BCBG; Shoes: Fendi; Cuff Bracelet: Michael Kors; Necklace: Charming Charlie; Jacket: Michael Kors; Bag: Phlox