Vacation Mode

When I saw this 80's vibe kimono (bold print and colors reminded me of that time period) I adored it. I love the pretty fish, flowers and birds depicted on the stamps. First of all, this is such a versatile piece as you might already know, being that you can layer it over almost anything from your swimsuit to a dress for dinner. Second, as a former stamp collector and travel lover, I am always drawn to this type of print. Having been to some of the places represented already - Key West when I was a kid, Cancun for our honeymoon, Belize for our babymoon - it lends to sentimental value too as well as aspiring to travel to the other places on it like Cuba, Madagascar, Maldives. I feel that those places are best left to visit during our nasty Winters though, since Michigan in the Summer is truly the best! Our vacations right now are focused on traditional cabins and lakes!

Paradise Postcard Caftan - Anthropologie

Honeycomb Shades - BURU

Time and Tru Sandals - Walmart

 

Tie Dye Projects

A few weeks ago, the boys and I went to pick strawberries. The farm gave them a free t-shirt to tie dye with their logo on it, which prompted me to purchase a tie dye kit. They opted to do the swirl pattern on their shirts and they turned out great! We had a ton of leftover dye, so I decided to do a dress for myself inspired by the many colorful dresses I have been seeing lately. I picked up a tiered white dress from Target (Knox Rose brand) and went about my gradient rainbow pattern idea on each tier. I wanted to get a picture of us all together, but clean laundry and busy schedules have not been lining up. Last Summer, I did a reverse tie dye dress project where I bleached a solid color dress. It was so fun that I've been itching to do something else and now I feel that need fulfilled!

 

Summer Sweater

Every once in a while, you need a sweater in the Summer. There might be a random cool day, or else you are chilled from a day in the sun. I've been a longtime fan of granny square styles, and even have a granny circle piece, and then I saw this flower crochet pattern! I waited and waited for this sweater to go on sale. With it's cropped style, I am already thinking about what skirts and dresses it would go with! Farm Rio has definitely become one of my go-to brands.

 

Plaid for a Steal

I'm not much for preppy plaid or outdoorsy plaid, but give me a colorful plaid anytime! This cute little dress from Walmart is only $17.87, and it's the perfect mix of details with a smocked top, pockets, and ruffle straps! The print up close has a finer cross line pattern. We are pretty much in full blown Summer here and it's HOT, but if it were cooler I'd have my pick between an olive or denim jacket to match.

Time and True Smocked Midi Dress - Walmart

Birkenstock Madrid Big Buckle Sandals

Anthropologie Necklace (old)

Sunglasses - Target

Olive & Denim Jackets - secondhand

 

Color on a Budget

When I first showed this dress a few months ago, it was still chilly out so I topped it with a jean jacket. Since then, I've worn it alone (strappy) to a hot zoo visit. And today, since I want a little more coverage for work - but it's too hot for a jean jacket - a shirt under or over the top is my solution! The colors could not be more perfect for my Teva dupes - you can check out the price comparisons below.

 

Jackson

Since there is a small amount of peach in the print of these pants, I planned to pair them with that color on top. But in doing so, I also ended up matching the Jackson mural!

Maeve Sunshine Wide-Leg Pants - Anthropologie

Sonoma Shell - Kohl's (old)

Gap Denim Jacket - Consignment Shop (old)

Double Strap Sandals - Loft

Foster Grant Sunglasses - Walmart

Anthropologie Necklace - found at TJ Maxx for $6

 

Summer Style

 After a week of chilly and windy weather, I am back in my happy place with what I am coming to find as my "signature summer style". This includes crochet pieces (this one from Anthropologie) or kimonos/robes. The biggest sunglasses I can find (these from Kohl's). Footbed sandals (these from Loft). And flowy dresses that can be categorized as nightgowns, kaftans, housecoats, patio dresses, etc.... (this tiered one is from Meijer last year). I must say, I'm identifying with a spunky 80 year old lady who lives in south Florida.... and I'm not mad about it!

May Reads

Spring Fever, by: Mary Kay Andrews

Mary is my new go-to for easy fun reads since I have read all of Elin Hilderbrand's books. I got this copy at my local used bookstore. Annajane is over her ex-husband Mason, and engaged to a great new guy. She is so confident in her new future that she even attends Mason's wedding. But a major catastrophe halts the nuptials as the bride is walking down the isle. As the family navigates this health scare, it's become more clear to Mason that the interruption was a blessing in disguise as he finds out more and more flaws about his relationship. Annajane and Mason both work on unresolved feelings for each other, which happen to include being passionate about the family business they both work for.

 When Life Gives You Pears, by: Jeannie Gaffigan

Longtime fan of Jim - saw him in person, watch his shows, read his books. So when I saw his wife wrote a book, I picked it up at my local used bookstore. They live a busy life in New York with 5 kids, and suddenly Jeannie is diagnosed with a brain tumor (that is pear shaped). This book details her ordeal in surgery and recovery, and how hard it was for her to go from the lead caregiver in her family to the one needing the care. When I read these books, I am very inspired at how people get through things like this.

The Lost Apothecary, by: Sarah Penner

My husband and boys gifted me this book for Mother's Day. I asked Jon if he read what the book was about (he said he skimmed over the summary) and we had a laugh as the main theme is poisoning men. This story jumps from the late 1700's in London to modern day. The apothecary, once ran to provide cures to help women, is inherited by a daughter. The daughter is wronged by love and decides to change the business to provide poisons to other women in similar situations. Word spreads and women know where to go in secret to get what they need. Modern day jumps to a women who is visiting London on what would be her 10th wedding anniversary. Torn in trying to figure out if she wants to stay in her marriage, she finds an unusual bottle on the banks of the river. The historic investigator in her wants to track down it's history, and she eventually uncovers the untold story about this time period. I really enjoyed this read, and it was especially interesting to me as I am turning toward natural remedies to incorporate into my lifestyle.

Chihuahua of the Baskervilles, by: Esri Allbritten

This was another Mother's Day gift from my boys, since we have owned Chihuahuas. For something my 6 and 10 year old picked based off the cover, it was a surprisingly enjoyable read! This story revolves around Charlotte Baskerville who owns a successful dog clothing company, and has just lost her beloved Petey whom the company was named after. Soon she starts seeing (and hearing) Petey's ghost and a supernatural reporting team is sent in to cover the story. Suspicions arise as to who in Charlotte's family and live in employees would want to harm her to take over the business and inherit her fortune. A quirky cast of characters also made this book fun.