Recent Buys & Current Cravings

I hope everyone is enjoying their week! I'm in full fledged vacation mode, since I'm taking a few days off from work to enjoy some R&R. We all deserve it in the Summertime right?! Today is busy busy but I'm really looking forward to celebrating the 4th tomorrow.

I don't know why, but it's usually this time of year when I really feel like shopping! You'd think that with the heat, clothing would be the last thing on my mind but instead I focus on acquiring a few pieces to pump up my wardrobe. I find that dressing in the Summer can feel a bit monotonous because layering isn't really a possibility. I like to shop for basics that I can dress up or down depending on what shoes, handbag, or jewelry I choose. It's effortless to come up with new combinations.

Here are some recent buys that I've added to my Summer wardrobe:

Old Navy D'Orsay Flats

I have them in sand and now black as well. I couldn't resist! They are cute and comfortable. I'm buying things in doubles lately! 

Asos skater dress

I have it in black and just purchased another one in white. Also available in mint!

Oia Jules personalized initial bracelet

Delicate and perfect for layering

Speaking of jewelry, these two pretties are also on their way to me (link, link). I'm loving dainty pieces. It feels so right for Summer.

Here are some current cravings. 

Tory Burch

Eliza J maxi dress

Olivine love + salt mist

I've heard great things about this!

I could keep going but...

I hope you all have a wonderful, safe 4th of July! 

See you next week!

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Pastel Twirl

Wearing // H&M dress, old

Topshop midi skirt (in black), pretty in white!

Vince Camuto metallic pumps, similar

Kate Spade bag, similar

Beauty // Essie nail polish in "Bazooka"

YSL lips in "Le Orange"

I'm getting more creative these days ladies. "Really" you may ask? Yes, really. I'm wearing a dress as a top. I know, it's groundbreaking. Well in my defense, I've been trying to figure out a way to wear this dress again. I last wore it on our honeymoon in Maui. The time before that, I wore it to my bridal shower. I even have a post to prove it (because I feel like if I don't blog it, the outfit doesn't exist). I love this dress, mostly due to sentimental value, but it's so darn short! I don't feel comfortable wearing it with anything other than sandals. The faux-wrap quality also can be tricky because it likes to play peek-a-boo when the wind hits it. It's very thin and slinky, which can be a pain. But its these same qualities that also make it perfect for layering, so that's where my idea of wearing it underneath my midi skirt came from. I love the pastel palette for Spring and Summer. I actually did do a twirl in this, but it wasn't captured on camera for the blog. So it didn't actually happen ;)

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Best Dress

Wearing // Asos dress

Vince Camuto metallic pumps, love these too

Kate Spade bag, similar

Michael Kors watch

Beauty // Lips - Lancome "Corail in Love"

Essie "Urban Jungle" nail polish

Jergens BB body lotion

These pictures are kind of a fail which really saddens me. Not only is the lighting super shadowy, but there was a giant windstorm Sunday afternoon and that's never good for an outfit. However, I absolutely love this dress so I hope you can overlook the bad lighting and hair swirls. I copied Laura once again and made my very first Asos purchase (see it on her here and here). I'm always hesitant to order online from a brand I've never had experience with before, but I figured with free returns that it would be worth a potential hassle. I ordered a size 6, my normal dress size, and it fits like a glove. The shape is so flattering because it skims the body, meaning it enhances the good parts and conceals the not so good. The weight of the fabric is substantial which it makes it feel much more expensive than it actually was. Hubby and I laughed that I could wear it to a wedding, a funeral, a job interview, and out to dinner. How's that for versatility! It feels grown-up, and not at all like most of the younger looking dresses in my closet. I love it so much that I'm going to order it in another color, probably white. And next time, I'll do it justice by getting better photos :)

Happy Wednesday!

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Emerald in Summer

Wearing // Loft petite maxi dress

J.Crew sandals

Banana Republic clutch

House of Harlow mini sunburst necklace, love it in blue too!

Lisa Taubes chain

Express bracelet

Beauty // 

Essie nails in "Urban Jungle" - must-have!

In my seemingly never-ending quest to find a petite friendly maxi dress, I scoured all of my favorite shops. Most were way too long, or they were a neutral color. I wanted something bright and fun, or maybe one with a print. I should have checked Loft sooner because they have such a great variety for petites, most of which can be found in-store rather than online. Well I found this gem during a sale and couldn't be happier with it! It met all of my criteria: the perfect length (no hemming required), a modest slit on the side to flirt it up a bit, and the most gorgeous shade of emerald that looks great now but can also transition easily into Fall. I think it's proof that shorter girls can still get in on the maxi trend without too much effort. I still prefer showing off my legs in a shorter dress, but a simple style like this one can also elongate the body quite nicely. 

Are you wearing maxi dresses this Summer?

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The Classics Revisited

I  wore this outfit on Father's Day:

Wearing: Express portofino shirt (also in blush and sleeveless versions)

Loft curvy skinny jeans

Old Navy d'orsay flats (also available in other colors. I want the black!)

Olive and Piper Lucy crystal collar necklace

Kate Spade bag, similar

Express stud earrings

But does it look familiar? I first wore it around this same time last year, with a few slight variations:

Michael Kors bag

J.Crew pumps, similar

Last week was a culmination of bad luck and mishaps. Let me explain. Tuesday night, Nate and I had a visitor. I usually don't mind people stopping by or staying over, but this visitor was one I am deathly afraid of. The kind that don't leave. It was a mosquito. He claimed our bedroom to be his as well, and I literally spent that whole night trying in vain to kill him while he buzzed about the room. Nate finally got to him at 6 o'clock Wednesday morning, after being awake all night long. My right arm was (and still is) covered in bites. So there was that. Then on Thursday, my car decided to shut down in the middle of the freeway. It was also in the middle of the desert, a hot 112 degrees. My battery and alternator went out. It cost us 400 dollars for me to get a tow home, not to mention a few glasses of wine and a migraine pill later. I was a wreck.  So when the weekend gleefully rolled around, I was more than ready to relax. I reached for a no-brainer outfit of classic pieces, most of which you have already seen before. Who says you can't repeat outfits? I do it all the time!

What are your go-to pieces?

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Fancy Floral

Wearing // Express portofino shirt

Loft skirt (pictured with the tee too)

J.Crew pumps, similar

Michael Kors bag

Stella & Dot earrings

Saint Laurent ring

Beauty // Essie "Cascade Cool" polish

Lips - Benefit Posie Balm

Hair - Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

I'm getting braver when it comes to picture locations. I've come a long way from the days of standing in front of a mirror. My husband often jokes with me about my fear of onlookers. I'm not a model and I don't pretend to be one, so I wonder what others are thinking while posing coyly in parks and public places around town. Maybe that's why I look so sheepish and am either always smiling like a fool from ear to ear or am touching my hair. Heck, I still worry when we take pictures outside of our condo! I mean, what will the neighbors think? I know it's silly to react like this, so I'm pushing myself more and more to go out in scary places. You know, where people go. I may look happy in these photos but I was telling Nate to hurry up because "people are looking". Now it makes me laugh a little.

I must say, I picked up this pretty floral skirt while popping into Loft for something entirely different and I am loving this impulse buy. I really try to avoid buying things on impulse because that has led to some poor judgement in the past. But this printed skirt was a must-have. I've been needing more prints in my wardrobe, and it seems to be very versatile. I dressed it up for Friday night, but I can easily see myself wearing it with sandals or flats and a simple white tee.

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