Safari Time

 Well, this is my 3rd button front dress this season so I guess it's official....... I love them! What I love even more about this one is the buttons on the top are faux. That's right, they don't open. Why am I okay with this? Because even though I am not *ahem* blessed in the chest area, I still have gap issues with any type of button up item. Doesn't matter if it's a top, dress, sweater..... doesn't matter if I size up. In fact, here's a little trick I did with the two button up Walmart dresses I recently featured here after I photographed them - I sewed up the top portion to prevent gaps! I just chose the same color thread and went right along the seam that was already there. I now have to put them on over my head, but it's worth it. All 3 of these dresses have elastic in the back so by sewing them up I am just making the elastic do its job!

 We go to zoos a lot during the season, and I've owned a lot of animal print clothing for the occasion. When I saw this dress I immediately fell in love with the print. As with any Old Navy print, it also comes with a black background and there is a huge variety of pieces for the entire family - dresses, shirts, pants, jumpsuits, etc.... I really like how classic khaki is, and as I mentioned before I love this style of dress. However, if the jumpsuit would have come in khaki rather than black, I probably would have gotten that since I am now also a jumpsuit lover. I am tempted to get pieces for my hubby and two boys so we can match at the zoo - too much? LOL! The linen blend is wrinkly, but so soft and comfy! I bought this at half off, so for just over $20 it's a steal! Old Navy's sales change daily so just keep watching.

 Square-Neck Button-Front Linen-Blend Midi - Old Navy

Leopard Belt - old

Seychelles Sandals - Anthropologie

Graffiti Alley

When Lisa and I were in Ann Arbor last Friday, I told her I'd always wanted to take photos at Graffiti Alley. Neither of us had been there, but if you look it up it will show as a tourist attraction and hashtag all over social media. Who knew what we would find there at 3:00 on a Friday afternoon, so let's just say enter at your own risk! Lisa is never going to let me live down dragging her there!

When thinking about what kind of outfit I would wear there, I knew I wanted it to be pretty simple so that it would not be too busy against the graffiti but still have some interest. Black jeans and a chambray shirt have long been a "go to" combo for me for a casual yet put together look. Wrinkles when you sit can't be helped though. I have long raved about the versatility of chambray shirts - besides just wearing them as shown here, I love knotting them at the waist over a dress in place of a jacket or sweater. I love wearing them tucked into skirts, layered under a sleeveless or strapless dress, worn open as an outer layer, the list goes on! I have several long sleeve chambrays and a few sleeveless ones. I was lacking a short sleeved one so when I saw this at Macy's I knew it would be perfect. I love the pintuck detail and rolled sleeves. I can only find the petite version online, which I have linked, but the last time I was in store they had a good amount. I loved it so much I bought the darker blue color too and hope to show more styling options soon.

The interest piece I decided to add to this outfit was this printed bomber jacket from H&M. It's another older piece I have that was on my list to blog about. If you've followed me long enough, you know that I love unique jackets. You might also notice that when I feature one of these jackets I keep the rest of my outfit simple and/or matchy to the jacket. Please know this is not real life - constantly matching a jacket or purse to an outfit has never been my thing, hence the brown purse here because it was risky to set it down. Anyway, the print on this jacket is a cross between water color and graffiti and I am happy it worked so well in the pictures. I like the contrast white body with black sleeves too.

Style & Co Chambray Shirt : Macy's
Rock & Republic High Roller Jeans : Kohl's (old)
Seychelles Sandals : Anthropologie (old)
Sunglasses : Target
Bomber Jacket : H&M (old)
Bueno Purse : Meijer


Peony Posing

My friend Lisa messaged me late last week and asked if I had heard of this peony garden in Ann Arbor (Nichols Arboretum to be exact). I hadn't, but she wanted to know if we could arrange a visit there. We took Friday afternoon off at the last minute to lunch and explore! We have had a very, very cool and rainy season so this particular day actually looked like the weather was going to cooperate. Lisa has taken blog and family photos for me in the past, so she also suggested we include that and I racked my brain for an outfit that would be worthy of this garden. 

I think we were both amazed when we walked in, and the smell was so good! Peonies have always been one of my favorite flowers, and I really miss the 2 established bushes I had at my old house. I'd like to think that I'll have them again someday when I have more time to dedicate to our yard.

I've had this dress for a few years, but I have not blogged about it. Now I know why. It was waiting for this exact day! I feel bad that I can't link it to shop, but it is a sleeveless asymmetrical hem trapeze dress from the Vera Wang line at Kohl's. They have very similar styles/prints of this dress at all times though.

I am wearing all of my tried and true accessories: Target sunglasses, black belt, monogram necklace, Gap jean jacket (consignment find), Seychelles sandals.

I am so glad I got to experience this garden, and I will definitely be back now that I know about it! The peony garden is a very small portion of the entire property, and it looks like they are always having fun events there.

May Reads

I only read 3 books in May (usually I am at 4 or 5), but Where the Light Enters was a lengthy one! Let's get into the reviews, shall we?

Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune, by Roselle Lim

I received an Advance Reader Copy from Berkley Publishing (thank you!) - this book comes out June 11th. Quite often, I get into reading the same type of book for a length of time. You might remember last month I read 4 thrillers and then a more fun book - Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe. I would compare Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune very much to Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe. The storyline is about the main character returning to her hometown after a family members death, and is tasked with carrying on the family restaurant. For Natalie, it is her Mother who died and it is set in San Francisco's Chinatown. Natalie's Grandmother, who passed long ago, had operated a restaurant whose dishes seemed to bring magical help to the community. Even though her Mother kept Natalie from some of theses secrets, she felt it was important for Natalie to open the restaurant again. In order for it to succeed (and also bring the struggling neighborhood back to life), she must cook 3 special recipes from her Grandmother's book...... but some pages are missing. This book was so enjoyable and I loved the characters that came into Natalie's life. As with any book where food is involved, the descriptions are so vivid and essential to knowing the culture. 

In the Blink of an Eye, by Jesse Blackadder

This copy was sent to me by St. Martin's Press (thank you)! This story was certainly not uplifting, but I still couldn't put it down. It tells of a family dealing with a terrible loss (2 year old drowning) which forces them to deal with underlying issues that had already been existing in their relationships (resentment over a move, infidelity, and bullying to name a few). Each chapter takes turns going between Finn (Dad), Bridget (Mom), and Jarrah (teenage son). There is a depth to the trauma, grieving and guilt all of these characters go through, and I was at peace with how it ended.



Where the Light Enters, by Sara Donatti

This Advance Readers Copy was sent to me by Berkley Publishing (thank you!) - it is released on September 10th. This was a long read, but well worth it. I didn't realize it is the second in a series, but I don't feel you need to read the first one to understand what is going on. The other thing I found intriguing about reading this is the same issues women were dealing with in the late 1800's are the same issues we are STILL dealing with. The story follows 2 female doctors (a hardship in itself during this time) who are involved in trying to solve a serial killer type case as well as a recent death and disappearance that may be linked. The way that medicine was practiced, the apothecaries, and life during this time kept this a page turner! It deals with so many things: gender discrimination, race discrimination, religious discrimination, adoption/foster care, and women's health. There is a huge presence of family, as the two main characters are cousins and very close with each others large families. I loved this book!

Worldly Surprise

Well, this is my third find of the season at World Market! I am so impressed with their clothing and accessories. You may remember this Peacock Kaftan and this Butterfly Jumpsuit, and now this pretty Peacock Dress. Best of all, there is a sale today and tomorrow for 40% ALL clothing and accessories!!! I feel their price points are already really good, so this sale is amazing!

I cannot resist beautiful embroidery, and this pattern reminded me a little bit of Otomi which I love. The colors really pop against the black and the style is very modest/classic while still being cool in the Summer with a blend of cotton and linen. I belted it to give it a little shape, but it looks great on its own too.

Multicolored Peacock Embroidered Dress : World Market

Summer Holidays

My favorite LuLaRoe dress is the Carly, and I own several of them. This easy t-shirt dress can be styled in so many ways! It stands alone for sure, but you can belt it, throw a jacket, sweater or vest over it, add tights for cooler weather, perfect for necklaces or scarfs, the list goes on and on.

This is the latest Carly dress I've purchased, and it looks like a chunky knit sweater only screen printed onto a lightweight fabric! I love that it has red, white and blue but more muted so that it's not so specific to Memorial Day or 4th of July. Obviously, I plan to wear this for both holidays but it's going to be just as great in the Fall with tights and boots due to the sweater vibes!

I kept it simple here, since when it's hot I don't feel like a constricting belt or heavy necklace. I'll be keeping cool while still looking pulled together! Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!!!

Button Front Midi Dress

 Button front dresses and skirts are huge this year! If you go to any site like Gap, Loft or Anthropologie you will see that dresses like this are $70 and up! Yes, the discount retailers have them too but I was not impressed until I came upon these at....... Walmart! I've noticed that ALL discount retailers are stepping up their game over the years and Walmart is really taking advantage of partnering with some major social media influencers. Seeing some of my favorite bloggers share some cute stuff prompted me to head into Walmart.

 The dress is no longer online (unfortunately) but both Walmart locations near me had a good selection. *Updated: I am now finding links online!* The dress comes in chambray, white, blue/white stripe and multi stripe. I had first bought the chambray one because it is so classic and will go with so much, but then I couldn't stop thinking about the multi stripe so I went back for it. You can find this same multi stripe fabric in a shirt dress style, shift dress style, top and shorts!

 I guess I forgot to mention that these dresses are $22.88! What a steal. I am super impressed by the quality. I love the modest coverage on top - the straps are adjustable and the back has an elastic panel. They all come with their own coordinated sash belts, but I put my own brown one on here to personalize it a bit. And, pockets!!!

 Time & Tru Button Front Midi Dress : Walmart

Belt : Kohl's

Gap Jean Jacket : Consignment Shop

XOXO Ambridge Sandals : Shoe Mall

 The other thing I love about this style of dress is that it works really well with the layering under trend. I don't typically go sleeveless in the office, so popping a tee under these dresses is a great alternative to a jacket or sweater. You can already tell the styling ideas are endless with these!

 Time & Tru Button Front Midi Dress : Walmart

White Tee : Meijer

Summer Shells Necklace : Anthropologie
Latigo Sandals : Anthropologie