End of Summer Haze

This outfit is about the closest thing to fall clothing I can get away with wearing right now. My closet is fully stocked with cozy cardigans but it's just too darn hot! Here in the South, we have a couple more months of sandals. But, on the bright side, that means I can wear my new pretty ones from Sam Edelman for a little while before I have to put them away for the winter! 

Over the past few years, I've noticed that my style tends to go a little more boho this time of year. I don't know what it is but something about the coming of autumn always makes me want to wear nothing but loose layers and floaty dresses.

Dress: Old Navy

Sweater: Target, Thrifted

Sandals: Sam Edelman, Urban Outfitters (on sale now!)

Necklace: Anthropologie

Watch: Charming Charlie

Bracelets: Charming Charlie, DIY

Rings: Charming Charlie, Urban Outfitters

Thrifter Drifter

I've been on a bit of a thrifting binge lately. I recently moved to a new apartment so I've been hitting up the local Goodwills to find some cool bits and baubles for the new place. And, of course I picked up some clothes along the way! I'm still trying to put my apartment together, but I'll definitely share some pictures on here when I get things assembled (or at least out of boxes). I'm really excited to have a crafting space now, so hopefully I'll be getting into more projects and maybe posting some of them on here. It's been a while since I got into anything crafty and I'm looking forward to diving back into it! I guess what all of this boils down to is that I'm happy to be blogging again and I've got some fun stuff in the works that I hope to share on here soon!

Tee: Gap, Thrifted

Skirt: Thrifted

Sandals: Sam Edelman, Urban Outfitters

Headband: Anthropologie

Necklace: Etsy, JoMarie Jewelry

Watch: Fossil

Bracelet: Charming Charlie

Rings: Forever 21, Charming Charlie, Urban Outfitters

Shifty

I know I've been posting a bunch of variations on this outfit lately. It has been H-O-T, hot here lately and dresses like these are about all the clothes I can stand. But I would be lying if I said that laziness wasn't also a factor in this. These end of summer days are practically begging for easy effortless dressing before fall rolls in and brings structured clothes with it. As much as I love a good jacket, I'm going to make the most of my unlayered time while I can. So, for now, my morning routine is shift dress, sandals, done. 

Dress: Forever 21, thrifted

Sandals: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: Anthropologie

Bracelets: DIY, gift

Watch: Fossil

Always Looking Up

Dress: Target, hand-me-down from roommate
Sandals: Urban Outfitters
Headband: Anthropologie
Watch: Fossil
Rings: Antique, Charming Charlie, Urban Outfitters
Bracelets: Anthropologie, Charming Charlie, DIY
Earrings: Charming Charlie
Necklace: Etsy, JoMarie Jewelry

I used to think of myself as an optimist, a "glass half full" kind of gal. But, over the past months, I've lost touch with that part of myself. Seeing these pictures kind of brought it all back for me. These were taken quite a while ago, on a perfectly unremarkable day. Luke and I were out running errands and we picked up some hot dogs and had an impromptu picnic in the park. It was just the gorgeous kind of afternoon that summer contrives. Although this little set of photos didn't quite turn out how I planned (my photographer was hindered by a recently sprained ankle and my camera battery died halfway through), I still love them. The lighting was beautiful and my outfit made me happy, I guess that's about all an amateur style blogger could ask for. 

That's What It's All About

I must admit, this post is an incredibly tough one for me to publish. I've gained a lot of weight over the past year and I'm still not quite sure how to dress my current body. I felt really good while wearing this outfit but looking at these pictures is making me self-conscious about it. It's not that I think there's anything wrong with the way I look now, I'm just not quite comfortable with it. I almost didn't post it, but I decided to go for it in the spirit of honesty. I'm not perfect, and I never want to be, so this is the imperfect me of the moment wearing an imperfect outfit that made me happy. And that's what this whole style blogging thing is really all about, for me at least.

Tee: Forever 21, Thrifted

Skirt: Thrifted

Necklace: Charming Charlie

Sandals: Kmart

Watch: Fossil

Summer 2014 Must Haves

Summer 2014 Must Haves

Hey guys! Just popping in today with some of the items I'm craving to add to my closet this season. I don't know if these necessarily qualify as trends (although some of them may be trendy items), for me, this is just a list of things I'm into this season. I hope you enjoy! P.S. for a list of the links to all the items, just follow my link under the set.

1. Crochet Vest: I'm all about a great vest no matter what the thermometer says, but something about these lovely, fringey crochet ones just scream summertime to me. I can picture myself spinning around in this little number by Mango at all the imaginary music festivals I plan to attend.

2. Neutral Maxi Dress: During the summer months, I find myself drawn to simple, easy pieces and there are few items that fit that bill better than a plain ol' maxi. I love how effortlessly put-together a neutral colored maxi dress can make me feel, just add bangles and a messy bun and you're good to go. The dress pictured above is from H&M.

3. Beaded Necklace: You really can't go wrong with a bright beaded necklace any time of year, but the turquoise and coral combo in this Baublebar one is practically begging to be worn all summer long. 

4. LWD: The little white dress is summer fashion's answer to everything. I can't get enough of these sorts of dresses lately. The crisp color is perfect for hot weather and the swingy fit of this Mango dress is ideal for those sweltering days when you can't stand for clothes to touch you (I'm also a sucker for the pretty embroidery).

5. Cuff Bracelet: These bracelets are great statement pieces to accessorize those bare summer arms. I love the way a bold geometric cuff looks when paired with a more minimalistic outfit. I thought the pretty turquoise on this Modcloth one gave it an extra summery appeal.

6. Gladiator Sandals: I know these are kind of an oldie, but for some reason they feel really fresh to me this season. I've been coveting these beautiful Sam Edelman ones for a while now, but, unfortunately, they're a bit out of my price range. I love to offset a shorter hemline with a taller sandal and some strappy gladiators suit that asthetic to a T. (P.S. my birthday is in July so if anyone feels compelled to buy me something extravagant I wear a size 8 in shoes! ha)

7. Relaxed Fit Shorts: I won't lie, I pretty much live in shorts like these. Seriously, I've worn some iteration of basically the same outfit three times this week. Half-tucked v-neck tee, lace up sandals, done. The shorts pictured above are from H&M.

Not Good, But OK

Dress: Puella, Anthropologie
Necklace: Anthropologie
Sandals: Pacsun
Watch: Fossil
Bracelet: DIY

Hey there guys! It's been a while, huh? I've had these pictures sitting in my computer for over a month now. I just haven't had the motivation to post them for some reason. I'm not sure where this desire to disconnect came from or if it's actually over but I felt like blogging today so I'm rolling with it. I haven't been in a great place for a while now, and I think it's time for me to be honest about that. It's been a pretty rough year and I think blogging became a way for me to keep pretending that everything was fine. It's incredibly easy to look at these pictures of me smiling and act like everything is great because it looks like it is.

The only good thing about tough situations is that sometimes they can show you your own strength. I realized the other day that the directionless place I'm in now is something that I once described as "my worst nightmare for what my life could become". Which sounds horrible and I kind of felt like I had the air kicked out of me. But then, I realized that I'm ok. I'm not happy right now, and things aren't good, but I'm alright and I believe that things will get better. So, I guess the point of all this is to say that I don't want to stop blogging but I don't want my blog to be a place where I hide. I want this to be an honest place where I can share pictures and talk about my life and interests. I know this isn't groundbreaking or anything but I just thought I should open up and explain where I've been and where I am now. Hopefully, I'll be back soon and better than ever.