Red, White & Blue

Top - J.Crew / Shorts - Old Navy / Sandals - Target / Bag - Madewell / Earrings - J.Crew Factory / Sunglasses - Amazon

I was going to order this top in white. Or maybe the petal pink. But something in me (probably the pregnancy hormones since I was about 38 weeks when I ordered this) made me go for the red instead. And you know what? I'm not mad about it. The red is so fun, and it's different than everything else I have in my closet. I actually had Cinco de Mayo in my head when I ordered it, but how fun would it be for the Fourth of July too? Which, by the by, is already less than a month away. Yes. What is happening. In case you're looking for more red, white, and blue inspo, check out this post. 

Okay, so the details on this top. It's fitting way oversized on me, but that's because pregnant brain apparently thought I would still be huge months later when Chicago finally started to warm up and ordered a 2XL. So you know, order your usual size and it will fit normally. And it is still available in six colors, so if red isn't your thing know there's another way. I'm still considering the pink I initially passed up, or maybe navy! Me and navy are having a major moment right now ;) 

And then these sandals. I know I've mentioned them a few times before, but they were only $20 from Target and they are the best things ever. Target shoes are a funny thing, I usually hate every pair and think they are so uncomfortable, but every now and then you find a real winner. I had a pair of booties from Target that were amazingly comfortable and I wore into the ground. These sandals are going to be the same thing. The faux leather top is really soft and sculpts to fit your foot really well, and the footbed is nice and cushy. I've been going on lots of long walks with Mia lately and these didn't bother me on a three miler we did last week. 

Okay, and this bag. It's the zippered transport tote from Madewell and I tried to ignore the fact that I wanted it for years because I deemed it too expensive. I ended up snagging it this winter with a gift card from Christmas, and it is so good. It somehow goes with everything, the leather is gorgeous, and it's the perfect size for adding in a crazy amount of baby stuff if you're rolling that way, or a laptop and all of your work essentials. I got the one with the zippered top because one time like eight years I got pickpocketed on a city bus and I am still scared of bags that don't close. 

Is that enough rambling for today? Probably - go enjoy your Wednesday! 

Top - J.Crew / Shorts - Old Navy / Sandals - Target / Bag - Madewell / Earrings - J.Crew Factory / Sunglasses - Amazon

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Americana Outfit Ideas

Happy (almost) Memorial Day Weekend!! I'm actually around this year which is unusual - I've spent the past two long weekends volunteering with Destination Imagination. Jeff's mom won a weekend away in a beach house in Michigan a long time ago and was supposed to use it for an off-season weekend. For some reason the owner let us take Memorial Day (what?!) so we're driving up on Friday afternoon. It's not looking like the weather is totally going to cooperate, but we've got some board games packed and plans to visit a winery or two.

I love any excuse to dress patriotically - how about you? I put together a couple of outfit ideas in case you're looking for something to wear for the long weekend, or if you're feeling particularly industrious and are already planning for the Fourth of July:

Tee / Shorts / Earrings / Shoes / Bag

 Bracelet / Sandals / Dress / Earrings / Bag

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Additional Red, White, and Blue Required

Dress (similar Lily, I also love this one and this one) - Lily Pulitzer / Bag - Old Navy / Earrings - BaubleBar / Sandals (similar) - Sole Society

Oh, I'm sorry, is the Fourth of July over? Because I'm not quite ready to put away all of my red, white and blue! I actually kept wearing it all of last week, and I'll probably keep on going the rest of the summer. It definitely helps that those are the colors for the Cubs!

I have a busy week ahead, between a couple of parties in my work life and my outside life, and trying to fit in all of the family time I can before my brother and sister-in-law head back to South Korea next week so I'll leave it here for now - hope you have a good one!

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Dress (similar Lily, I also love this one and this one) - Lily Pulitzer / Bag - Old Navy / Earrings - BaubleBar / Sandals (similar) - Sole Society

Linking up with Style Me Wednesday, Style Sessions, Trend Spin Linkup.

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Summer Showers

Dress (sold out :( but I also love this white eyelet version, and this off the shoulder version) - J. Crew Factory / Earrings (also, have you seen these ombre ones?! so cute!!) - BaubleBar / Bag (similar) - Ann Taylor / Sandals (similar sandals in gold, or a splurge heeled version - major heart eyes!) - Sole Society

So I don't know how well you can tell from these photos, but Jeff and I got caught in the middle of a downpour!! I was waiting for Jeff to walk over as the wind started to pick up, so I could tell it was going to rain. But while we were taking these photos (in the span of less than a minute) it went from a couple of sprinkles to a full on downpour! We literally took the last shot, and then turned around and sprinted to the car. Good thing I wasn't wearing flip flops! Oh, the things I do for blogging ;)

This dress is definitely my new favorite. It sadly sold out SO FAST but (!) there's a super cute white eyelet version that's still available, and an off the shoulder striped version. I also just got this blue and white striped dress that has some fun embroidery detail. Do I have too many one shoulder/off the shoulder dresses in my closet right now? Ummm, can you ever?

Today I'm heading down to the good old University of Tennessee again (I was just there last month) to do a little more volunteering with Destination Imagination, and I'm super excited for the next couple of days. I'm going down as a writer, which is something I did for a couple of years in a row but then couldn't go for several years because of our wedding and a family vacation or two. While I'm going down as a volunteer, it really is like a master class in how to be creative and how to generate ideas. I always walk away feeling so inspired!

I do have my usual Friday Finds post scheduled for tomorrow, but have a great weekend and I'll see you back here next week!

Dress (sold out :( but I also love this white eyelet version, and this off the shoulder version) - J. Crew Factory / Earrings (also, have you seen these ombre ones?! so cute!!) - BaubleBar / Bag (similar) - Ann Taylor / Sandals (similar sandals in gold, or a splurge heeled version - major heart eyes!) - Sole Society

Linking up with Spotlight Fashion Linkup, Trend Spin Linkup.

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Fourth of July Outfit Inspiration

You guys, the Fourth of July is right around the corner!! Which reminds me, we're finally throwing another Fourth of July party after a four-year break (silly getting married, silly going on family vacations), and I really need to hop on things! Like deciding where to hang our giant American flag. And how many red, white and blue items I can serve ;)

If you're from the USA, you know how fun dressing up with a little patriotic flair can be. I personally love rocking a little red, white, and blue. I'm thinking this year my new blue and white striped dress will be on the menu. If you're trying to find some Fourth of July inspiration, look no further!

Original post // similar dress, earrings, similar sandals, similar bag

Original post // similar top, shorts, similar sandals, similar bag

Original post // similar top / jeans / similar flats

Original post // similar tee, shorts, bag, similar sandals

Here are a few more of my picks for some patriotic style!

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Fourth of July Outfit Ideas

Are you looking for something to wear for the long weekend? I say look in your closet! I have a ton of blue and white, and a simple touch like painting your nails red or adding a red lip can make your regular old Saturday look perfectly patriotic. Some fun ideas for Fourth of July are below (click each to view the original posts):

Tee / Similar shorts / Bag

 

Dress / Lace-up Flats / Similar bag

Similar dress / Similar bag

Similar top / Similar shorts

Shirt / Similar Skirt

Shorts

Shirt / Shorts

What are your plans for the Fourth? Since we're flying back late on Sunday and I'm heading out again Monday morning we're planning on keeping things pretty chill, but we are going to sit up on our roof to watch fireworks! I hope you have a good one!

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Off the Shoulder Say What?!

Shirt - Charming Charlie / Shorts and Earrings (similar) - J. Crew Factory / Bag (similar) - Gap / Sandals (similar) - Sole Society 

Off the shoulder is one of the last trends I thought I'd ever try. I like to try a good trend now and then, but this one felt a little costume-y and way wrong for my body type so I stayed far, far away. Also, you know, I haven't worn a strapless bra since my wedding when one literally fused to my body. I had to peel it off, and it left marks that only recently disappeared. If you can't tell, it was a little traumatizing.

After a few months, like most trends do, the whole off the shoulder thing started to grow on me. The right off the shoulder top can be fun and flirty as opposed to looking like something my mom wore in Mexico in the '70s. Oh and this isn't a hypothetical, she did have some off the shoulder items that she wore in Mexico that eventually made their way into my costume box back in the day.

Anyway, after I decided I was okay with off the shoulder tops I actually started trying them on. It turns out I was right, this is not really the trend for me. An extra ruffle plus no defined waist over my chest is not really ideal. Almost every top or dress I tried on made me look about 60 pounds heavier. I had given up, but then Charming Charlie came to the rescue!

I work out in a little suburb where the only shopping options are a bunch of overpriced boutiques and one Charming Charlie. Because of the limited options I find myself wandering through Charming Charlie a lot, but this is surprisingly the first thing I've ever actually purchased. Unlike most off the shoulder items, this has a little strip of elastic around the waist, which makes all of the difference. Instead of tons of fabric that flows out from my widest point (ahem, the boobs), this one follows the curves of my body. That combined with the sheer fabric actually makes this one work on me. Win win win. Styled with white shorts and a red bag, it's perfect for the Fourth of July!

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