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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