RED, WHITE, & STUNNING

How do you like your independence? The sweet birth of a brand new country, one that we love to love and we love to hate -- a country that I am so proud to call home. Wearing red, white, and blue is a sign of patriotism, of love and devotion. While the colors may, after years of classical conditioning, directly bring up memories of flags, it doesn't necessarily have to look like you ripped off the one hanging on your neighbor's front porch and wore it around your waist.

USA by Day

I'm a casual gal at heart and I just love throwing on the first things my eyes set on in the morning. Sometimes this technique turns out beautifully and sometimes it looks more K-mart than couture but that's a risk I'm always willing to take. This outfit takes that concept and throws in a little pinch of red, a little bit of white, and smidgen of blue. A fun little number that'll have everyone seeing stars without having on too much to make them puke up the colors of the flag. I can't help but dig how the Dannijo collar necklace adds just the right amount of color to the sheer white button up.

America by Night

For the gal that likes to do her celebrating after the sun goes down, this outfit is more suited for a night on the town. A look that downplays the color scheme while staying true to it, it's like the flag went into the witness protection program and is incognito, trying to blend in with the crowd by hiding its...well, stripes. Strong pattern mixing and color splashing come into play, making this outfit bold, confident and utterly gorgeous. I love the combination of the red vertical and horizontal stripes, they contrast without being clashing. The periwinkle Liberty London scarf is the perfect shade of blue that reduces its obvious patriotic contribution.

While I won't be sporting either of these outfits -- even though I would saw off an arm and a leg to be able to do so -- I'm beyond excited to rep my stars stripes in my own way. As long as you're with good company, drinking a cold American brewski or two, what you're wear won't matter nearly as much as the memories you'll make busy making on such a spectacular day. So get up, get out, and have a beautiful fourth of July!