September Nights

Wearing //

Rebecca Minkoff top on sale

Topshop jeans

J.Crew shoes, similar here and so comfy

Gifted Rebecca Minkoff WOC

Stella & Dot earrings and ring

Beauty //

Lips in Glo Beauty "It Girl" c/o

There's something a bit magical about late September nights, isn't there? We've had an unseasonably cool few days and the nights have been crisp. It's a reminder that Summer really is fading away. Suddenly the days are getting shorter, and every year around this time, I recap how my Summer was. For the most part it was good, but it felt unusually short and I didn't get to the beach much. I'm sure you can tell by my lack of a tan!

September is a sweet month for me. With all of the birthdays and celebrations, the excuse to dress up is very real and I love every moment of it. Aside from the holidays, this is when I get the most use out of my formal pieces. I've worn every single little dress, all of my colorful pumps, and this pretty top (more than once). And yes, jeans CAN be formal when paired with the right shoes, bag, and jewelry. I go for a darker rinse with no distressing. Perfect for those in-between September nights.

Linking up with: Gina, Amy Ann, Laura, Brooke, Carylee, and Rachelle.

Continue the post

Weekend Wear in Fall

This post is so fun because today, I'm featuring my friend Gina from On the Daily Express! We met up last week to take some photos for blogging purposes, but it also gave us a much needed break to catch up. We live about an hour apart and yet life doesn't allow for too many get togethers...blogging is a great excuse to change that. I'm not very comfortable in front of or behind the camera, so hopefully after a few more sessions with Gina, I will be. It was good practice, and it was a fun departure from having Nate as my photographer!

This outfit is my go-to in Fall, but especially on casual weekends. A simple tee, jeans, flats, and statement earrings! These are by Stella & Dot. They are so light-weight that I hardly notice wearing them. Kendra Scott has a pair that I'm dying to get, and I plan on meeting Gina again tomorrow to use my birthday discount (you get 50% off an item at KS during your birthday month). I don't wear earrings often, but with all of the beautiful options this season, I'm gravitating towards them more and more.

Wearing //

Olivia Moon tee (so soft)

Topshop jeans, similar here

Dolce Vita mules

Stella & Dot earrings (you NEED these)

Chelsea28 bag, love this for Fall

Here's Gina wearing something that's perfect for going out at night. I especially love the wine colored camisole with the black jeans. It's polished, yet still a little sexy with the accessories she chose. 

Head over to her blog to get the details of what she's wearing! I'm linking up with her and Amy Ann.

Continue the post

Birthday Dinner Outfit

Wearing //

Lush dress, similar here & here

Sam Edelman pumps

BlankNYC jacket

J.Crew clutch, similar

Kendra Scott earrings & ring

Beauty //

MAC lips in Ravishing

This outfit has to be one of my all-time favorites. Not to sound like I'm tooting my own horn, but really, we all deserve to feel beautiful, particularly on our birthdays. Between the bell sleeves of the dress, my classic blush pumps, and buttery suede jacket, each piece looks great on its own and even better paired together. Thankfully it's been cooler the last few days and I can break out some of my "Fall" wardrobe. 

We went out the night after my actual birthday and ate dinner by candlelight at the nicest Italian restaurant. We've been going there for a few years, but because it's on the pricier side, it's always a special treat! Besides the food, I enjoy hearing the waiters speaking in Italian. I mean, who wouldn't love listening to that all night long?! It was the perfect way to kickoff my 33rd year. 

I hope you ladies are doing well and have a positive start to the week! I'll be back on Wednesday but I'm linking up with Rachelle and Carylee 

Continue the post

Birthday Weekend in Big Sur

Today marks my 33rd birthday, but I celebrated over the weekend by camping in the central California coast near Big Sur. Nate and I passed through it on our way to San Francisco, and we noted how badly we would love to explore it one day so finally we did. It was about a six hour drive from Temecula and with the road closures up there, it took longer than we expected. But it was all so worth it!

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves in all their unedited glory. Happy birthday indeed!

There was typically a layer of cloud cover that burned off in the middle of the day. It added a certain mysterious mood that I loved. It felt like Fall.

The McWay Trail, a must-see in Big Sur

Can you spot the waterfall?

A vista overlooking the ocean

Limekiln State Park

Nate's footprints on the sand

Gorgeous right? We did the usual thing of sleeping in our jeep on this campground overlooking the ocean. If someone asked me a few years ago if I'd ever be into camping, much less actually look forward to it, I would have laughed. But there's something about it now that I can't get enough of, a freedom I crave that I don't experience on a daily basis. I always leave feeling renewed. It reminds me of what matters to me in life.

If you ever get the chance, I'd highly recommend a trip to Big Sur. It really is one of the most beautiful places in all of California. Possibly anywhere!

And now I promise to get back to clothes and beauty! I have some fun new pieces to share. 

Continue the post