TULLE FOR SUMMER // CAPE ANN

SKIRT | TEE | FLATFORMS and similar | SUNGLASSES | TOTE | HAT

Welcome summer! Finallyyy.

I felt like that welcome deserved it's own paragraph since I love summer so much. Now on to the tulle. I'm obsessed with tulle. I blame it on Sarah Jessica Parker and her Sex in the City outfits from way back when. I honestly didn't like the show but the wardrobe made an impression. Anyway, here I am, finally indulging my tulle fascination. I say finally because it feels like I've been looking forever, for the perfect one that doesn't puff out way too much. Well, the search is finally over. If you, like me, have been feverishly looking for a wearable tulle skirt that doesn't puff out too much, this is it ladies!

SPRING LAYERS: GINGHAM, PLAID AND POLKA DOTS

COAT |  SHIRT | JOGGERS | SANDALS | BAG | SUNGLASSES

It got cold a couple of days ago, meaning it dipped below 70. I know, I'm a wimp! Anyway, I took the opportunity to do some layering. I bought this orangey-red gingham shirt a while ago and have been wanting to put it together with polka dots. The shirt is still available in both petite and regular sizes (i'm wearing Petite XS for reference) and is 30% off with code PARTYON. Throw some houndstooth into the mix and voila, you have a fun yet sophisticated look. All of these prints - polka dots, gingham, houndstooth and plaid can go with almost anything. So funny how some prints can do that - like leopard. It's all about the 'tude when you wear it!

POLKA DOT MAXI: NEW HAMPSHIRE GETAWAY PART 2

DRESS | STRAW TOTE | BOATER HAT | SANDALS

This is part 2 of our New Hampshire getaway post (read part 1 is here if you're interested). We headed there a few days ago to take our daughter to Story Land. As it turns out, she wasn't too impressed and only spent a short time there. Selfishly, I wasn't too sad that she didn't like it because entertainment parks are not usually my idea of a good time. It opened up more time for us to enjoy the beautiful views of the White Mountains and explore Bretton Woods. I'm also sharing our experience at two of the local hotels we visited if you're thinking of heading to the area.

POOL STYLE: NEW HAMPSHIRE GETAWAY PART 1

DRESS / COVER-UP | HAT | SANDALS | EARRINGS

This past weekend we headed to the New Hampshire White Mountains and Bretton Woods for a quick weekend getaway. We had an unexpected heat wave - the temps were a boiling 90 degrees so being near the water was kind of key. I like sitting by the pool way more than actually going in so a cute pool cover-up is an essential. I love this one because it looks like a dress and it's cute enough and long enough that you could easily wear it to the pool bar without feeling out of place. It's also currently on sale.

SHOULDER-TIE MAXI DRESS AND A SLOUCHY UTILITY JACKET

I'm late getting my post up this week - sorry! I had to take some time to do some spring cleaning - both actual spring cleaning of my closet as well as metaphorically speaking. First, my bedroom was becoming a mess with clothes everywhere so I spent some time organizing and now I feel much better. The metaphorical spring cleaning was my return to the gym, which I feel should be accompanied by some fanfare because it's so hard to do! I finally made it back to the gym after 4 years of not working out - life as a mom can lead to certain things falling by the wayside and for me it's been fitness. I've only done 3 days in the gym so far but now I feel I deserve new workout clothes, wink wink.

Anyway, this outfit is an easy but chic combo for spring. If you want to see a zillion ways to style a maxi dress you've come to the right blog - just look through some older posts! This is an easy no-fail style formula - a maxi dress plus utility jacket. In my case, my new slouchy, over-sized summer weight utility jacket. I just got this a few days ago and was pretty excited to find it since it's under $40 and provides a great counterpoint to all the flowy feminine pieces I like to wear. Read detailed reviews of the jacket and dress below!

TIERED WRAP DRESS AND FRINGE EARRINGS

This colorful wrap midi dress is one of my favorites this season. It's like a saturated watercolor of flowers - if it were a painting I'd put it up in my house! I love the two tiers on the skirt of the dress and the asymmetric hem (the front is shorter than the back so you get a really nice sweep when you walk!) It's a wrap, which I really love because you can make it mold to your waist. The other selling point for me is that the neckline isn't too deep. That's usually a problem for me (or anyone on the bustier side) with any v-neck, so thumbs up for that. Last but not least, it's priced in my sweet spot - under $100, yes! 

MY TARGET RUN: OFF-THE-SHOULDER MAXI AND OTHER FINDS

DRESS: TARGET | HAT: BANANA REPUBLIC | BAG: J.CREW | SANDALS: FOREVER 21 | EARRINGS: NORDSTROM sold out, similar HERE under $50

I had another one of those days when you head to Target for paper plates and leave with a cart full of clothing. This off the shoulder maxi dress with pretty pink blossoms was one of the first things that made it into my cart. It's so soft I could sleep in it! The blue is universally flattering and the tiny pink flowers make it perfect for summer. It's also under $30 which makes it even harder to resist. The sleeves don't slip off and the smocked top of the dress is really supportive if you want to skip the bra. Also it has pockets! 

GARDEN PARTY OR MEMORIAL DAY: WHAT TO WEAR

DRESS: c/o SHEIN | BAG: old, another favorite | SANDALS: VINCE CAMUTO | EARRINGS: ANN TAYLOR | NECKLACE: J.CREW FACTORY

It's garden party season and for those of us in the US, Memorial Day weekend is almost here! What are your plans and of course the big question, what're you wearing?:) I'm planning to wear lots of dresses this weekend, what a surprise haha. I've linked a few of my favorite dresses here, including a couple of super cute and affordable picks from the Nordstrom anniversary sale - see what you think!

WORK STYLE: COLOR BLOCK SKIRT

SKIRT: ANN TAYLOR (use code MYSTERY50 for sale price)| MULES: similar HERE | CARDIGAN: similar HERE | SHIRT: LOFT similar HERE

This work outfit is part of a mini capsule. I use wardrobe capsules in a modified way and it works really well for me - particularly for my work wardrobe, where I just don't like to invest too much money. A wardrobe capsule is essentially a collection of pieces that mix and match really well together. This type of thoughtful wardrobe building creates more efficiency in your closet and makes putting together outfits much easier and faster. If you like a pared down closet and not having to think too much about creating ensembles, then a capsule wardrobe could be just right for you. To show you how it can work, I've included a second look using this skirt near the bottom of the post. These pieces also work with other pieces in the blue family, including jeans, so you can easily get a third look from these.

MARIGOLD PLEATED SKIRT AND CAMO VEST: A LITTLE SWEET, A LITTLE TOUGH

SKIRT:  ZARA sold out online, almost identical HERE | VEST: ABERCROMBIE and for less HERE | SANDALS: ANN TAYLOR | BAG: CULT GAIA | CAMI: old similar HERE

I wear a lot of midi skirts as you guys will know if you've been to my blog before. Sometimes I like to style them in a classic feminine way but sometimes I'm in the mood to mix it up. Mixing styles creates less predictable looks and is an opportunity to put together outfits that are uniquely you.