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Currently #56

Hello All! Happy Wednesday and happy September!

 I hope you had a wonderful and fulfilling Labor Day weekend. Whether you said goodbye to summer, had one last cookout, or it was just a normal weekend, I hope it filled you with what you needed. I typically round out every month with my Currently post, where I recap the past month, but due to TWO posts about my trip to Italy, we are starting the month of by recapping last August.

Here’s what the eighth month of the year looked like for me. 

What I’ve Been Up To:

August began with our family’s trip of a lifetime to Italy. We saw Rome, Florence, Venice, and Capri. You can read about our time away in two parts. If you missed it, part one can be read here and part two can be found here. 

The beautiful Rome
An overview of the city

Once we returned it was a bit of a whirlwind with people starting new jobs, moving, or heading back to school, plus throw in getting back to work and you have a busy few weeks. However, we still managed to squeeze in some end of summer fun!

I enjoyed a final Guardians night game of the season. This was the second one I went to this year and third overall, and they won the night game!

Guards win!

I also enjoyed lots of walks to some of my favorite spots around my home.

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Some of my favorite spots to walk

Our city had their annual festival that I both worked at and got to attend. Their chalk walk is one the highlights of the event and some of the artwork was incredible. 

I enjoyed some summer staples with burger, fries and ice cream by the water.

Plus, we made a stop to our County Fair where we saw the livestock, vendors, and enjoyed some fair food too!

I also found some new spots to run and hit a new record for distance.

Overall, it was a packed full month in the best way possible.

What I’m Wearing:

I wore a lot of shorts and lightweight tops while I was on vacation that I could mix and match. This helped me save space while packing and it was convenient for the hot days we experienced.

Lemon sorbet

I did have a few fun outfits, like this white set which was a skirt and top and this long, flowy dress from Old Navy. This dress felt great in the cool evening.

We had a few days of cooler weather, so I did break out the long sleeve shirt and shorts combo for days off. I know I will be wearing this combo often as we go through the transitional weather coming up.

I even got to wear my go-to white blazer before Labor Day for work. 

What I’m Reading: I read so many books this past month due to my travels, so I have lots of recommendations for you. Let’s get into them:

Hotel Nantucket- I read the Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand to start off the month. It’s all about a woman who is tasked with hiring a staff and running a hotel for the season in Nantucket. If you have read any of Hilderbrand’s other works, you will find some Easter eggs and references to her other works. This book featured an ensemble cast with so many different personalities and a supernatural element too. This was a fast read for me and definitely worth picking up to read on your next vacation.

The Second Chance Hotel– Sierra Godfrey’s The Second Chance Hotel was the perfect book to have on my phone while we were on vacation. I was able to read it while we were traveling from place to place on trains, boats or planes. I always like to have a book on my phone so I have something to read if I’m waiting for something as opposed to scrolling mindlessly through social media. Back to the book, it follows the story about a young woman escaping her life and traveling across Europe, she’s about to end her trip in a small town in Greece, that is until the hotel she is staying at falls into her and another guest’s lap. They decide to run it for the season, but when her old life is calling her back, she must decide if she wants to stay in Greece or return to America. It was such a fun, travel read and so good to enjoy in the summer! 

Flying Solo– I listened to Flying Solo by Linda Holmes while I went on a lot of runs or walks over the past month and it was good, but not a great read. It’s about a woman who goes to clean out her great-aunt’s house once she dies and comes across an item that has a bit of a mystery to it. While she is cleaning out the house, she reconnects with an old boyfriend, spends time with her childhood friend and has a few moments of self discovery along the way. The book went in a few different directions which made it hard to follow as I was listening to it, so that may have changed my feelings about the book if I read it. But there were also some parts that were hard to relate to as the woman was in her forties and still looking for love and I’m not at that point in my life. It was a good book to listen to, but it wasn’t my favorite.

First Lie Wins– First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston is a mystery and thriller that keeps you guessing. It’s all about a woman in a new relationship, but there’s a twist, she didn’t meet her new man unexpectedly. She was meant to meet him. Without giving too much away, this is a spy/undercover thriller with lots of different characters that bounces back and forth between the past and present, so you have to pay attention while reading, however, it’s a great change of pace if you are looking for a palette cleanser between books.

Sandwich– I had heard about Sandwich by Catherine Newman from several different bloggers and decided to give it a try and ultimately it wasn’t the best book for me. It’s all about a woman who goes on her traditional family vacation to Cape Cod with her husband, growing children and ailing parents. The book runs the course of the week and is told from the mother’s perspective about where she is at in life and her feelings about what she has accomplished. The writing was very well done and I loved hearing about the traditions and settings, but it was just hard to relate to as a young woman.

What I’m Watching– I haven’t had too much time to watch tv but I have been enjoying a few movies and tv shows including:

Emily in Paris-. Season Four began with five episodes, each about 30 minutes each. You can binge them all at once or spread them out like I did to make them last longer. The fashion, storylines and drama was upped this season and it didn’t disappoint. Emily had some incredible outfits this season.

This season was so good!

It Ends with Us– My best friend and I both read the book and we decided to make it a girls date and see the movie, It Ends with Us. There were definitely some changes between the book and movie, but I’m glad I read and saw them both. I think the casting was well done and it was cool to see the characters come to life on the big screen. 

What I’m Cooking– I didn’t do too much cooking since I spent a lot of the month traveling, but I have enjoyed some tasty stir frys.

I also have been grilling out toward the end of summer. I do have a few new cookbooks that I have yet to go through and plan on making some recipes from them soon!

I also made the delicious grilled chicken salad. The salad had cucumbers, radishes, oranges and grapes. It was so filling and healthy too!

What Inspires Me– A friend sent me this reminder and I think it’s so important to keep in mind as we head into a new season of life and to remember to slow down. 

Also, for anyone heading back to school or to the classroom, another reminder too!

What I Accomplished– I crossed off  almost everything off my summer bucket list. Here’s a look at it currently.

I also hit my goal of running 9 miles this month which I was very proud of. 

Goals from Last Month– This month was so busy between our family trip and soaking up the last bit of summer and going through some transitions, I was so happy to have made it through the month.

My garden has been coming along well and although, I didn’t get as nearly as many veggies as I hoped, I still got some!

Goals for this Month– After a busy summer, I am looking to getting back to some of my old routines and establish new ones. I am also looking forward to spending more time with friends and maybe coming up with some new hobbies or things to do.

Post work runs brought me down to the water.

Whew, August was a packed full month and this is just a look into it. I hope this next month brings new routines, rhythms, and adventures, but most importantly, growth. What are your goals for the month ahead? I would love to hear them. 

Have a wonderful week, see you back here on Friday!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #55

Happy Friday everyone!

This week has been a whirlwind. I was on a family trip at the beginning of the week and then jumped right back into work for the end of the week.

Snapshots from a packed full and fun family vacation.

Needless to say, it’s been a busy, but good week. I am looking forward to getting back into my routine next week, but it’s been a good change of pace. We are slowly inching towards back-to-school season. One of my brothers made their way back to school today and the others will follow suit in the next few weeks. This summer certainly flew by, but it was quite a memorable summer. 

I hope you are doing something fun this summer Friday as I link up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s edition of Friday Favorites. Here’s been some of my favorite things from the past week.

Barbie movie- I jumped on the bandwagon and finally saw the Barbie movie with my mom before we left for our trip. I had heard a ton of great reviews and after hearing about all the records it broke in the box office, I had to see it for myself. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. From the fashion, to seeing the accessories and clothes come to life on the big screen and all the nods to Barbie history, this movie had it all. There were a lot of lines that really resonated with me about women, success, how far we have come and how far we still have to go. I agree with other commentators that this movie was more than just about the dolls that thousands of others and I played with growing up. I definitely recommend seeing it!

Such a fun movie!

New Lotion– It’s time for a new scent as we make our way through August. I know some people have signature perfumes and scents they always use, but I personally like to switch it up every few months based on the season and what’s out at Bath and Body Works. I just finished Gingham Gorgeous and now I have moved onto Gingham Vibrant. I tend to get the same scent for both my lotion and body spray. The best way to describe this scent would be a warmer and subtler scent. It’s not as strong and floral as Gingham Gorgeos but still fresh and noticeable. I think it will be a nice transition scent from Summer to Fall.

Nothing better than a fresh scent

Simplified Lunch Box– Did I need this next favorite? No, but am I happy that I got it? YES! I have been eyeing up Simplified’s lunch boxes at Target for several weeks and decided to finally upgrade the one I had since junior year of high school. There are three different patterns to choose from, gingham, floral, and lemon. I went with the floral since it was bright and cheery and matched a lot of my purses too. My favorite thing about this lunchbox is how spacious it is. There is a pouch on the outside for a drink (it fits my Yeti thermos), there’s also a zipper on the outside for napkins or silverware and the inside has a lot of room too. It comes with two food storage containers as well. I can easily fit a sandwich, fruit, veggies, a salad, drinks, and many small containers in the lunchbox. This has been a purchase that was well worth it.

Something new to make lunches fun!

Peaches– We are in peach season over here and I have been enjoying peaches whenever I can. I enjoy them at lunch eating them whole, I have enjoyed them for dessert with some vanilla ice cream and I have even enjoyed them as an appetizer grilled with some crackers and cheese. I can’t get enough of peaches, especially when they are sweet and fresh. I love fruit through the entire year, but there’s always something sweet about them when they are in season. I am always looking for new recipes, if you have any favorites, let me know in the comments below!

The sweetest peaches

Virgin River Trailer– The new trailer for season 5 of Virgin River dropped last week and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s set to return in two installments starting on September 7. This season looks like it will pick up right where it left off from last season. I’m excited to see how a few storylines develops and what questions get answered this season. If you are a fan of the show, what plotlines are you looking forward to the most? Let me know in the comments below!

Whew, what a recap! It’s been a fun week of favorites! Tell me, what are you doing this weekend? Something fun, I hope! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #53

Hey everyone! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great first week of August. These past few days have been fun with activities and adventures and the fun continues tomorrow as I am running my first 5K.

Getting in all the runs before tomorrow!

I’ll be sure to share all about it in the next few weeks. I’m excited, but a little nervous too. Every week for Friday Favorites, I love sharing some of my favorite things from the week with you and this week is a heavy food week of favorites! Grab your pen and paper as we dig into this week’s Friday Favorites as I link up with Erika and Andrea!

Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Cookies– I haven’t done baking in a long time simply because I have been spending so much time outdoors and because on warm days, the last place you want to be is in a hot kitchen. However last week, I was inspired to bake and wanted to try a new recipe. I found this recipe from Baked Abundance for Cinnamon Chocolate Chip cookies and I thought they were the perfect warm treat. Although they are not a traditional summer treat, I couldn’t resist trying them. Now, they didn’t turn out like the photos, they were still delicious. I love the mix of cinnamon and chocolate chip. These would be a perfect fall treat, but they would be great anytime of year. You can find the recipe here if you are looking to try them for yourself.

Fresh baked cookies are good for the soul and stomach!

Fox’ ‘Special Forces” Season 2 Cast– The season two cast for Fox’s “Special Forces” came out this week. If you remember, I watched this show last season and really liked seeing celebrities, athletes, and actors all compete in various obstacles to see if they have what it takes to be a special forces operator. I know I could not do all the different challenges that the recruits could do each day. The cast for this season looks really good. I’m excited to see if Tom Sandoval, Savannah Chrisley, Brian Austin Green and even Blac Chyna have what it takes to be a special forces operator. The new season comes out on Monday, September 25. I can’t wait!

Love and Gelato– This book was recommended to me by a friend and it was one of the cutest books I read in a long time. Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch follows the story of a young girl who loses her mom and her mom’s dying wish is for her daughter to go to Florence and reconnect with people from her mother’s time when she lived there. This book checks all the boxes for a cute rom com book. Dreamy city, beautiful description, incredible Italian food and desserts, and a little romance too. I blitzed through this book and was so sad when it came to an end. After reading this book, you will want to book a trip to Florence.

The sweetest summer book!

Charcuterie Boards– I have been into Charcuterie Boards all summer long. They are so easy to put together for entertaining for friends and family or they are great for a one person meal. I love seeing what’s in my fridge and using what I have to put together a meal for lunch or dinner. You can add whatever you want to your board, I typically like to include some kind of fruit, some veggies, cheeses, some meats and then nuts or crackers. These boards are also great if you have had a long day and are looking to clean out your fridge too. Here’s an example of a recent board that my boyfriend and I enjoyed. So many delicious and healthy options on one plate.

A healthy and filling meal!

Wordle– I know I am way late to the party on this one, but this summer I started playing Wordle and I’m addicted. I never got hooked on it months ago when it first came out, but this summer, I got on the Wordle train. I try to do it in the morning before the day gets away from me, but sometimes it doesn’t always happen. I like the challenge of trying to figure out each day’s word. It’s been such a fun brain game to enjoy this summer. 

My recent stats!

And that’s a wrap on today’s Friday Favorites. Lots of food, a new read and some games. This weekend will be fun between my race and then time with family. Tell me: how are you spending your weekend? Let me know in the comments below! Have a great weekend!

Categories
Fashion

Bright, Red Winter Coat Review

Hey guys! Happy Wednesday and Happy November! I can’t believe we are nearing the end of 2022. This year has flown by. I feel like the start of November is the calm before the storm of the holiday season, a time to rest before it’s the race to the finish line. That being said, I hope you all are enjoying this first week of the new month. 

November signals the start of more consistent cold weather on the way which is why it’s crucial to stay warm. I always like to dress in layers since I tend to get cold often and I love to incorporate pieces in my wardrobe that’s both functional and fashionable. A cute fall coat is the perfect solution. 

I picked up this cherry, red coat from Old Navy when I was getting some fall clothes. You may remember the green and the striped shirts I picked up from the same trip. 

There’s so many things that I love about this coat. First, the color, I love a bright, vibrant color in the winter months. There’s a few other color options still available on their website.

I have black dress coats and heavy-duty winter coats along with a trench coat that’s perfect for the fall and spring, but I love how this dress jumps out.

I really like the cut and style, especially the deep pockets. The cut is a bit boxy, which makes it easier for layering.

The versatility is another favorite thing about this winter jacket. You can dress it up with a dress for work or a weekend event, or dress it down with jeans and boots, for a more casual look.

In the colder months, it can be so hard to accessorize your outfits when you want to stay warm. A fashionable coat keeps you warm and is a great way to elevate your outfit.

There you have it, if you are looking for a reason to step out of your comfort zone when it comes to fashion, I hope this encourages you to do so.

Happy Winter Shopping!

Categories
Fashion

Old Navy Clothing Haul

Hello All!

Happy September! I know we are in a new month and soon a new season, but since we still have a few more weeks to soak up warm weather and sunshine before it turns to fall, I wanted to share a few summer/ transitional outfits.

I ventured into Old Navy to do some browsing and lately it has been a hit or miss for me. Sometimes, I find great pieces and other times I don’t see anything I need or want. The last time I was in, I scored some great, end of summer deals! 

Here’s three outfits for three different occasions.

Date Night

These dresses have been a hit all summer! I’ve seen so many women wearing these flowy dresses all summer long. From dressed up with wedges or sandals to casual with sneakers. I like the puffy sleeves and the cinched top. I chose black since it’s a good transitional color between seasons and you can throw on a light denim jacket (either blue or white) to wear this dress in cooler weather.  I added a pop of color with these statement earrings. Here’s a similar dress.

Out and About

I am always on the lookout for different shorts or fun tops to add to my wardrobe. I love the denim look of the shorts and how they are cotton and have a more relaxed feel. 

This top is perfect for the transitional weeks between fall and winter. I love the color and how it can work with shorts, jeans or even leggings as it get cooler.

Lounge Wear

I wasn’t even looking for lounge wear when I saw this two piece combo. This outfit could work for lounging around the house, cozing up after a day outside or even pajamas. Once again, the neutral black color works well for changing seasons. I like how the pants are cuffed at the bottom too and the top is flowy. The material is so soft too.

These are just a few items that I saw and immediately fell in love with at Old Navy. Let me know in the comments below what pieces are your favorites and where you are finding transitional clothes this time of year! 

Happy Shopping!

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #2

Hey guys!

I have another edition of Friday Favorites! Once again, I’m teaming up with Erika and Andrea for a second edition of Friday Favorites! Here’s some things I’ve been loving this past week!

  1. New Blogs- I have my go-to blogs that I love to follow and read every day, here’s some of my favorites. But, recently, I’ve been finding some new ones that are right up my alley. I started reading Ashley Brooke’s blog and I love how she shares about lifestyle, fashion, home decor and motherhood. Definitely a fun read to add to my daily blogs!

2. New Facial Cleanser – I was out of town for a few days and like I posted a few weeks back in this post, I tried some sample products! I love how this facial cleanser smells and how it leaves my skin feeling refreshed.. I love my current facial routine at home and won’t be switching it but this was a fun change up for a few days!

3. Summer Sandals- I jumped on the trend with these shoes. They kept popping up while I was browsing stores online and while I was doing window shopping and I decided to bite the bullet and get them. I love the platform sandal and how you can pair them with shorts, skirts or sundresses. A summer fashion favorite for sure!

4. Columbus Zoo- I love zoos and animals and I got to go to the Columbus Zoo for the first time last week! It was so well laid out and fun to see so many animals, definitely worth a day trip. The weather was perfect for a day at the zoo!

5. Avocado Toast-I know I’m late to the party, but I’m been enjoying avocado toast this summer. One of my friends made it for me when I was visiting and I loved it. I’ve been enjoying for breakfast and brunch a few times this summer! Not only is it tasty but also filling.

That’s another edition of Friday Favorites! I hope you have a relaxing and fun August weekend! What are you loving this week?

Categories
Fashion

Business Casual Summer Outfits

Hey guys! Happy Wednesday! I’m back with another fashion post for you. Last week, I shared some of my favorite summer dresses. As I was working on my list of summer outfits, I had a lot that weren’t dresses but still cute summer ensembles, hence the two-parter post!

This post will be more geared towards bottoms and blouses. These pieces can work for work, networking events, job interviews or a more polished summer look.

I’ll share the links with as many pieces I can find. Without further ado, here’s some of my favorite summer ensembles.

Pop of pink for spring

This first outfit is perfect for the early spring days. I got these soft pink pants from Gap a few years back. One of my favorite things abut them is the straight cut. It can be so challenging to find pants that are straight cut, not skinny and not a flair and these fit the build. I opted for a soft pink for a pop of color. 

I did a big shopping haul from Ann Taylor at the start of the summer and got a lot of things on sale. This white top was one of them. I love the accent with the sleeves. I think it really elevates this top and adds a bit of flair to the outfit. I also like the detailing with the piping down the front too.

I also wore a pair or soft pink mules for shoes. Sometimes, I wear heels with pants, but other times I prefer a flat or loafer. Even though I chose soft, solid neutrals for the outfit, I like the pop of design for the shoes.

Bright and bold in the middle of the summer

This next outfit features more pink! I got this soft pink short sleeve sweater from Ann Taylor.

I love the bright pink color. It can be paired with a pair of dress pants or a skirt. I really like it gives off some early fall vibes but still summer with the short sleeves.

These tan pants are a favorite staple in my closet. One of the things I learned from my mom is to invest in those staple articles of clothing. These could be things like nice dress pants (I have good quality pairs of pants in blue, black, and tan), a few blazers (I have a gray, black, and blue that are must-haves especially for business and work events) and some nice blouses. I have some crisp white blouses along with some fun colors too that are great to pair with different pants and blazers. I got these pants from Ann Taylor and I wear them in all the seasons, they work great in the winter with a blouse and blazer or summer with a bright colored blouse.

I wore a brown pair of mules with this outfit. Although, it’s a slightly different shade, they still work great together. I got these shoes from DSW, my favorite place for shoes!

This next outfit says hello summer. I was on the hunt for a pair of white dress pants for a long time and I finally found them this summer at none other than Ann Taylor. I took this picture during the golden hour, hence the sun setting glare.

I really love that these pants don’t feel too much like a summer pant that you would wear on the beach. They are made of a thicker material that can work in the summer months. My favorite part about these pants is that you can pair them with almost anything, any color, any pattern or any style. 

I opted to pair these white pants with a bright yellow top from yet again, Ann Taylor. I told you I took advantage of a lot of sales this year. I love the sleeves and the bright canary yellow. I plan to wear this top with black skirts, navy dress pants and black dress pants to change things up. You can even wear this top into the fall and in the spring. I really love the versatility that comes with this top.

I wore a white pair of heels with this outfit. I got these heels from DSW and I love the style and how comfortable they are. I was so pleased that I got them in black and navy too. 

Another outfit I put together with these same pants but a different top was this combo.

This outfit is a bit more casual with the pin stripe top, but still professional. I got this top from J.Crew and I love how crisp it looks with the white pants.

Once again, these pants are from Ann Taylor.and the shoes are from DSW. I love how the pants are tailored and cuffed. This is the perfect summer combo with the blue and white and great for an even by the water.

That’s just a quick roundup of some other alternative outfits you can wear to the office, to events or a business casual meeting.

What are you wearing and loving this summer? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Shopping!

Categories
Fashion

Summer Dress Round-Up

Hi everyone! 

Happy August! 

As we make our way through the final month of summer,  I wanted to share a roundup of my favorite summer dresses that I have been wearing this summer for work. I found all of these dresses at Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx, and Ross’ and most of the dresses are from great designer brands, hello Calvin Klein!! These stores are my go-to stores for professional work dresses. You can find the latest styles and sizes at an affordable price. 

I also love to change up the colors and brands I wear and Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx, and Ross’ make it easy for me to do that.

 

Here’s a look at my favorite summer dress so far:

I love a bright pink dress and this one does the trick. It’s a Calvin Klein dress. I also have it in a dark green that I have worn in the fall and winter months, but I love the pink for the warmer seasons. The cuffed sleeves and raspberry color are some of my favorite parts about this dress. You can wear it to work, church or even out to dinner or a cocktail hour. I also like that it goes just above your knee, a great length for women of any age. I opted for a pair of nude heels with this dress.

Bright pink to kick off summer!

If you are looking for a more flowy dress to have some fun in, this blue and white polka dotted dress is for you. It is a bit longer, but I have worn white heels, while flats, even sandals with it. I’ve even changed into sneakers to do lots of walking and it’s one of those dresses that can work with sneakers.  The dress is by Anne Klein. The material is a bit thinner and softer which is perfect for the hot and humid days. I often wear this dress when temperatures hit the 90’s or higher.  This dress would be great for work, church, a baby or bridal shower or even a date night. I decided to wear a pair of white pumps from DSW from a brand that I’m loving!

A perfect polka-dotted dress.

From pink to blue and now green. One of my favorite parts of this dress by Calvin Klein is the sleeves and the color! I love a good teal dress and don’t have any other dresses in this color.  It’s a great mix of blue and green, but the hooded sleeves is a favorite of mine. I don’t have any other dresses or tops with these types of sleeves. This dress is one of those that can really be dressed up for a summer date night, church, even a wedding with the right jewelry and shoes. It’s also…so it’s the same material and length (just above the knee) as the raspberry dress. I wore a pair of nude heels that I got from DSW as well.

Going green for summer.

This next summer outfit is one of my FAVORITES. After months of searching, I finally found a professional jumpsuit. I have a casual jumpsuit from Old Navy that I wear on weekends, but I was looking for the right fit and style for work. Jumpsuits can be tricky to make sure it fits properly in the legs, and torso. This baby blue jumpsuit it by, you guessed it, Calvin Klein. I really love how the dresses fit on me and the quality of them too. Once I find a designer I like I try to find other dresses or outfit from the same brand.

My favorite summer outfit!!!

Now, back to this jumpsuit…I really love the pale blue color since I don’t have any other tops or dresses in this color. I really like how the neckline is a bit different too. I’m not a huge fan of V-necks, but I liked how this one fit on me. The legs have a bit of flair to them so finding shoes may be the trickiest part. I opted for a pair of nude stilettos. I have worn this dress to work and a wedding. It’s definitely dressy enough for a wedding, a date night or even a girls night. I would recommend a thin heel to offset the flair of the pants. This has been a favorite summer outfit of the summer. 

Taking a break from my love for Calvin Klein, this soft blue, almost lavender dress is by Tommy Hilfiger. There are two things I really love about this dress. First the unique color. It’s a soft lavender with a tint of blue. I also love the flowy sleeves, since they are a bit dramatic, simple jewelry would go best with this dress. This dress would work great in the spring and summer from church or work. I also wore my white heels with this dress.

I love the soft color of this dress.

I always love dresses that can be worn in different seasons and this one checks the boxes. This soft tan dress from Calvin Klein has short sleeves that allow the dress to be worn in the summer months. I opted for a pair of nude pumps to match the dress, but it can be worn in winter too. You can add a black blazer, wedges, or black heels and wear it from October to February. I really love the neckline with this dress and I love the versatility of it too. This would be a great dress to wear to work or an interview or a networking or social event. I paired this nude dress with a pair of nude heels.

A dress for any season!

That’s a wrap of my favorite summer dresses so far. From different colors, to styles and brands. I really love that I can get all these name brands dresses at affordable prices from stores close by. If you are searching for some new dresses to add to your wardrobe don’t forget to check out, Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx or Ross’, you never know what treasures you will find! Happy Shopping!

Categories
Fabulous living

5 Years of Writing

5 years…every week for the past five years, I’ve sat down and opened my laptop and began to write. 

Some days, it was therapeutic to put into words what’s been on my mind, other days I got to talk about things I’m passionate about, like products, books, or movies.

 I’ve written about outfits I’ve put together and mixing and matching different pieces to keep things affordable.

I’ve written about how to keep your spaces clean whether it’s your dorm room, car, or daily planner.

I’ve written about trips I’ve taken, or bucket lists I’ve made and things I’ve accomplished. It’s amazing that just when I think so don’t have any more ideas, something new comes to mind. Over 350 posts and counting.

When I started my blog at the end of my freshmen year of college, I was looking for a creative outlet. I was homesick and I was searching for a hobby and decided why not write. My blog was a way to keep family members and friends in the loop about what I was doing and as a way to express myself.

A look at some of my first posts.

I looked forward to sharing different outfits and life hacks each week. As I grew up and matured, so did my blog. I changed the style and content as I made my way through college and graduated. If you have been following since the very beginning, you know there’s been changes with color schemes and the days I posted and even some of the topics. It’s been fun to look back and see how far I have come since May 2017.

Another throwback to one of my first outfits.

I learned balance with my blog as I started my first job. Every weekend I always looked forward to working on something creative and fun, especially as our world changed with the pandemic. Even with all the unknowns and at sometimes darkness, my blog was a bright spot for me and hopefully for others. 

From college to my first day of work

I’ve learned a lot about myself these past five years. I’ve learned that it’s okay to be vulnerable and share what’s on your mind, whether it’s about eating alone or transitioning from college to working. I’ve learned the importance of making time for yourself and finding joy every day, whether it’s through journaling or walks or cooking.

Enjoying the simple things in life like apple picking has been something I’ve leaned into more these past few years.

While I’ve learned a lot so far, I know I still have a ways to go. I’m excited to see what this next year brings. My hope is that it brings more life lessons, more memories, and most importantly, little moments that bring joy every day.

 To those who read my blog posts when I started writing them sitting in my college dorm room, thank you for sticking with me! And, to those who started following along as I now write them on weekend with my dog curled up on my lap back home, thank you for stopping by.

I hope my blog brings you a little bit of joy, like it does for me every day.

Here’s to a new year, a new chapter, and taking life one day at a time.

xoox

Elspeth

Categories
Fabulous living

Five Favorite Things

Hello hello! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are week’s are going well. I don’t know about you, but I’m SO ready for spring. We had a 70 degree Sunday last week and it was absolutely beautiful. I got out for a walk with no snow on the ground and got to soak up some sunshine. Even that taste of sunshine has me craving spring even more.

I always love my routines and rhythms, but I always like to try new things. Today I’m sharing five things I’ve been loving. They are a mix of products, snacks, make up, and fun things. 

  • Simplified Wellness Journal (one of my New Year’s resolutions this year was to focus more on my well-being and health and wellness. In addition to working out, I’m putting more emphasis on eating right, getting enough sleep and making sure I’m more well-rounded for my physical and mental health). The Simplified journal helps keep everything organized and help you track your workouts, how much water you drink, what you are eating and how you are taking care of yourself. If you are looking to put wellness first, this is a great resource, but you can easily keep track of your fitness and health goals in a regular notebook or journal.
I use my Wellness Journal every day
And a look at the inside
  • For makeup lovers: Since I wear a lot of makeup for my job, I stick with what I know and what works for me. However, I do like to change it up and try new things. I got this lipstick from Covergirl at Target and I love the dark pink color, It’s long lasting and I love how it goes on.
My new favorite color

  • For snacks: I always like to try different snacks and trail mixes. I saw this smores bark from Target and thought it looked fun and tasty and boy was I correct. I love anything with chocolate and the crunch of the graham crackers, the only problem is you want to be careful not to eat them all in one sitting. Haha!
A tasty favorite!!!
  • For technology lovers: Last week I did a post about my Apple Watch and what I loved about it. Since I wear it all the time even at work I purchased a few bands to switch out for dressier occasions. I bought a gold and a silver band that really dresses up the watch.
A look at the gold watch band.

A look at the silver band.
  • For shoe lovers: I love a good heel and since I wear them all the day, I love a sturdy heel too. I have been searching for years for a blue heel. I wear a lot of blue, from dresses, to pants and skirts. I have been searching for a blue heel for years and I finally found a pair at DSW. Here they are! They are very comfortable, sturdy and affordable. They also have them in different colors if you want to change out the colors.

That’s just a few things I’m loving right now. Definitely a mix of fun things and affordable too. What are some things you are loving right now?