Tie Dyed

Tie dye has come back as a huge trend, and I am liking it! I wasn't too keen on getting anything with all colors of the rainbow though or anything bordering on neon. When I saw this peplum style tee, I knew it would be a good choice! It came in a pale pink too, but the pattern is more pronounced on the blue. It's on sale at Meijer for about $15!

What do we wear with tie dye? Birkenstocks of course! These brown suede ones were a consignment shop find from a few years ago. I am also really getting into fabric covered headbands.... and with that, I think I am totally re-wearing everything I wore in high school!

Tie Dye Peplum Tee : Meijer

Mossimo Jeans : Target (old)

Birkenstocks

Sincerely Jules Headband : Target

Top Heavy

 When coming up with the title of this post, I was thinking about how I have purchased several tops lately. Or maybe I was inspired by these poofy sleeves. At any rate, this was another extra 50% off sale top I bought at Anthropologie. I love the mixed media pattern, and that it can be worn with so many colors. I am taking my black Old Navy Power Straight jeans for a spin today, and I am in love with this style! This Anthro necklace continues to match so much which one does not really expect when buying an orange and purple accessory!

 Maeve "Catania" Top : Anthropologie

High-Rise Power Straight Black Jeans : Old Navy

Rampage Sandals : Meijer (old)

Necklace : Anthropologie (old)

 

 

Classic Colors

My favorite kind of top is a swingy / flowy / peplum style! This top says it's an online exclusive, so I was glad to find what looked like all of the sizes in the sale room of my local Anthro. I thought it was cute when I saw it online, but in that way where you think something is cute online but might be disappointed in real life. I am here to say this top does not disappoint! Especially since the sale is currently an extra 50% off (which makes this 50% off of $29.95).

Both the stripe and peplum material are such good quality! I thought the diagonal cut on the sides of the stripe fabric was interesting too. I knew I wanted to pair it with dark denim - can't beat a classic red, white and blue combo! This would be great for a milder weather 4th of July look. I think I might try the top with olive pants next time!

These jeans are my new favorite style from Old Navy - the high rise power straights. I found them in the early Spring when I needed a jean refresh and they checked all the boxes of what I was looking for : real denim (I was getting a bit tired of stretchy jeans), high rise, something a little different from a skinny jean, and reasonable price. I have this dark wash, a light wash, and I just ordered a black pair! I had been eyeing these Franco Sarto sandals all Summer too (you can find them on other sites as well) and so glad I finally got them. They are like a dressy Birkenstock if that makes sense!

Elias Striped Top : Anthropologie

High Rise Power Straight Jeans : Old Navy

Franco Sarto Gannon Sandals: Anthropologie

Match Set

 Matching separates seem to be coming more and more trendy, although usually a retailer will carry the matching pieces at the same time, right? Imagine my surprise while browsing Anthros new arrivals and I came across this sleeveless blouse in a cute stamp print that matches the skirt I bought.......................... last year??? Anthro has been known to reissue vintage prints, but with this one being so recent I can't help to think they had an excess of the fabric! I'm not complaining though, and wouldn't mind if they continued to do this. It immediately peaked my excitement about this skirt again. 

 I first styled this skirt last year with a white tee and dark denim jacket. When pairing it with the matching top, I used a belt to break up the pattern and it truly looks like a dress! I am looking forward to wearing the top with some dark denim jeans and throwing a cardigan over it in white or peach.

Porridge Skirt : Anthropologie (last year)

Porridge Courier Tunic : Anthropologie

Sandals : Target (old)

Belt : Kohl's



Vaca Vibes

 I just pulled out this skirt from 2014, and am still loving it! It's funny how much I forget on a daily basis, but I can remember wearing this skirt 6 years ago right around the time when we started telling people we were expecting Carson. It's elastic waist was/is so comfy, and the buttons down the front were trendy before their time.

Even though I like to stretch my clothes into all 4 seasons, this skirt is strictly a "Summer" piece in my book due to it's nautical/postcard print. We got back from our annual vacation about a week and a half ago and had a great time! When I was growing up, we went to the same cabin/resort in the north woods of Wisconsin, so where we go in Michigan brings up a lot of nostalgia. This marks our third year going to the same place, and I am so glad to be giving my kids the same type of memories!

Peter Som for Kohl's skirt

Massini T-Shirt : Meijer

XOXO Ambridge Sandals : Shoe Mall

Fringe Necklace : Anthropologie found at TJ Maxx

The Who

I came across an Eri & Ali Scarf Printed Skirt from Anthropologie on a secondhand site. I loved the print but was a bit meh about the skirt style. I am so glad I found this same print in a maxi dress at TJ Maxx by the brand Tahari! This has happened to me numerous times - finding an Anthro item but labeled differently at TJ Maxx or Marshalls (see examples here). I usually always prefer a dress over a skirt, for comfort reasons. The straps and neckline on this one were a bit revealing and it was too hot to wear a jacket or sweater so I just did another favorite trick of mine - knot a tee over it!

When looking for accessories, I came across this owl necklace that goes perfectly! I made this necklace in 2010 and it was featured in a beading magazine at the time. It got me to thinking about the evolution of things - not just media but also interests in my life. When I started this blog, it was to promote and connect with people about handmade jewelry. Even though I had been making jewelry years prior, I definitely felt there was a "peak" when everyone had a blog, Etsy started up, and there were lots of magazines to submit your work to. Now though, many of the magazines are no longer in publication as digital media became more and more popular, Etsy became so large and "corporate" that many complained it moved away from it's original purpose, and people have moved away from blogging in favor of Instagram. I often wonder if I should keep blogging.

In thinking back to that time in my life (before kids) I was so ambitious..... I was always thinking about the "next job" I would be in. I did 2-3 art shows a year where I sold my jewelry as well as selling it online. Once I attained my goal of getting published, my next goal was making the cover. I completed a few 5Ks which I had never done before. I served several position on the board at my local art center. I scrapbooked with friends and cranked those pages out. I cared about keeping a garden.

Besides continuing this blog (now with a fashion focus) I don't do any of those things I listed above anymore. But I don't want to think of it as a bad thing. Life changes, and it doesn't mean that I will never make jewelry or scrapbook again (I still have all of my supplies, although a bit thinned out). It doesn't mean that I won't ever run again. It doesn't mean I won't volunteer my time again. It doesn't mean we won't get to our landscaping. Right now I am just enjoying my kids while they are young and admitting to myself that it's okay to just.be.content. during this extremely busy phase of life. I am happy with the time I carve out for myself for reading right now - I usually read every day. I love getting together with my friends - they are my best support system as we are all in this together. Even though you might think the description of my life above was hard - no - this time right now is the hardest! Parenting and sustaining a marriage and mid life changes are absolutely the biggest test you will ever go through!

Show Your True Colors

I am loving this LuLaRoe Liv tee, and it's message! How am I showing my true colors? After YEARS (at least 20) of maintaining blonde highlights I am in a mood to grow out my natural hair, greys and all. I've gotten into this type of mood before, but the difference before is that I'd dye all of my hair darker in an effort to match the roots and then I would always go back to blonde. This time it's hard core, long transition, and I know there are going to be many times that I "hate" it. Wish me luck.

In an effort to help the process, I've started looking at fun hair accessories, which is something I haven't cared about in years. I can think back to the banana clip and scrunchie phases of grade school (and hey, scrunchies are now back) and then again in my early 20's when the jeweled bug barrettes were trendy and I had a ton of them. But besides simple bobby pins or pony tail holders, that's about the extent of my experimenting. Today I am jumping on the oversized clip trend, and I've been obsessed with fabric covered and embellished headbands. I'm thinking I might try to do a hair specific post which would include a new waving iron I've been trying too.

It's actually a very liberating feeling to me right now, when you think about influencers on social media who are trying to keep up with hair extensions, eyelash extensions, manicures, makeup that takes forever with contouring your face to look different, cosmetic or plastic surgery procedures, spray tans, teeth whitening....... who has time for all of this??? When I first got out of high school, I didn't know what I wanted to do so I worked 2 jobs - receptionist at a salon and Victoria's Secret - two very superficial things. With my perks from the salon I was getting my hair done all of the time, tanned in the tanning bed, and had artificial nails. And of course I had all matching undergarment sets from VS. I was also really into department store makeup - Estee Lauder specifically. As a married Mom of two, the only thing I have held onto all of these years is my hair appointments - once every 2 months but it takes about 3 hours and costs at least $150. I justified if that was the only thing I did for myself, it was worth it. But as time has gone on, it just...... isn't that important anymore. The appointments were getting harder to fit in and then I was annoyed they took so long. Plus, maintaining blonde hair with hard water (even with a water softener) is a PITA! How laughable to think of my former self when now I am lucky if I can even get my toenails painted let alone my fingernails. I have maybe 2 dingy bras that fit fairly well. I am due to get some new underwear. If I can't find a beauty product at Meijer then I don't have time for it. 

If my willpower doesn't last, and I go back to highlights, don't judge. And hey, I will always and forever accept a massage gift certificate for some pampering!

 

Liv Style T-shirt : LuLaRoe

High-Rise Straight Jeans : Old Navy

Massini Pearl Clips : Meijer

Sandals : Target (old)

June Reads

I read 5 books in June, which I am surprised about because my free time has also been taken up with 3 shows I am currently watching (all of which are adaptations of books) The Handmaids Tale on Hulu, NOS4A2 on AMC, and Big Little Lies on HBO. Is there anything better than looking forward to a show or movie based off a book? I think not. Now, on to the book reviews!!!

The Plus One by Sarah Archer

This book comes out tomorrow (July 2). Thanks to J.P. Putnam's Sons I was able to get an advance reader copy. Kelly is a robotics engineer who is also a bit socially awkward and single. Her best friend and Mother are pressuring her to find a man, especially since she needs a date to her sister's upcoming wedding. Tired of blind dates and online dating, she decides to "build" her perfect guy. Ethan emerges and fools everyone, even Kelly's industry peers. Everyone is smitten with him, including Kelly. Will she be able to give him up when the time comes? Or will she realize he has taught her the most important lessons of relationships? This story was a bit cheesy/predictable but very addictive and I loved it! Highly recommend for a fun read!

 

The Farm by Joanne Ramos

I was really excited to read this book (library rental) because it was being compared to The Handmaids Tale. Even though it was not dystopian I still enjoyed it. I guess I just kept expecting something more to happen, when in reality this is something that is currently happening (wealthy people farming out the birth of their children). This story is mostly about differences in class and focuses on the main character and her aunt. Both immigrants, they do whatever domestic work they can find until Jane becomes aware of this wonderful opportunity to provide a child to a family, all the while living the pregnancy in a luxury type resort. She has to leave her own young daughter in the care of her aunt, a sacrifice she is willing to make in order to better their lives. Many women go on to birth additional children and/or become nannies for these affluent families - well paid options they would normally not have offered to them. As Jane is fulfilling her duties, she starts to worry about the care of her daughter and finds out her aunt was not completely honest with her. A very thought provoking book, especially as a woman and mother.

 

Home for Erring and Outcast Girls by Julie Kibler

This book comes out later this month (July 23rd), so I am thankful to Crown Publishing for an early copy. I should probably note here that with this book, The Farm, and Where the Light Enters from last month, I am on a "theme" of reading books about women's issues. Home for Erring and Outcast Girls is based on a true story about a home in Arlington, TX that would take in "ruined" girls to rehabilitate them - AND to not take their children away from them which was common during that time period. What angered me most about the stories of these girls, is that the majority of the time they had no choice in what happened to them. They were at the mercy of their families, employers, etc... to be forced into prostitution, rape, addicted to drugs and then deemed unworthy of society. The story focuses on two main characters who come to the home around the same time and become life long friends. It also fast forwards to a modern day librarian researching the archives about the home and as she connects with Lizzie and Mattie she is forced to reconcile her own painful past. This one is hard to put down!

 

Here's to Us by Elin Hilderbrand

After a few "heavy" reads, I needed some Summertime fun. Elin always hits the spot as I work my way through her collection! I found this book at my local thrift store for $2! When Deacon suddenly passes away, his children, widow and 2 ex-wives are forced to reunite on Nantucket to say goodbye. His three loves couldn't be more different and have always avoided each other at all costs. Lots of drama unfolds as the family works through their own personal issues as well as losing Deacon. If you are an Elin fan, you will love this book!

 

Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand 

I moved right into another Elin...... this is her latest release so when I saw it on my local library shelf I figured I would grab it right away. Similar to The Identicals, this book is set on both Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. It has more depth due to the time period, while also still being a light beach read. The Levin family is dealing with a lot..... Tiger has been drafted to Vietnam, which leaves his mother emotionally paralyzed until his safe return. Blair is pregnant with twins but struggling with giving up her independence as her new husband wishes. Kirby is ready to be independent despite her past trouble getting caught up in protests. Jessie is coming into womanhood but feels lost with the rest of her family dealing with their own problems. The war, Kennedy scandals, racism, and Woodstock all wrapped up in the charming way that only Elin knows how.