Hello Sunshine

I've been pretty uninspired in the wardrobe department lately, with summer coming to an end but fall weather not quite here yet.  I'm ready for all the fall things, darn it!  Get me out of this awkward, in-between seasons time when I'm tempted with sweaters in stores but still can't step outside without dripping sweat.  It's quite the dilemma.  I'm not tired of ice cream though, I'll never be tired of that.  Make that pumpkin ice cream and we're golden.

Fall fashion is just so much easier to throw together with little effort and still look put together, never mind the fact that you can actually enjoy the outdoors and not have to run for the nearest AC.  Shorts, a t-shirt and sandals is eh but skinny jeans, booties and an over-sized sweater somehow has a little more something-something.  Since it's still hot as you know what outside, I like this outfit because it's a blend of the two seasons.  By mixing elements from both summer and fall, this floppy hat and sandals paired with this bright yellow basic tee and skinny jeans, it makes for a great combo for the seasonal transition.  Who knows, it might even encourage the cooler temps to come around a little sooner too. 

Top | Anthropologie (sold out) | Similar

Hat | Target

Jeans | Loft

Sandals | Sole Society (sold out) | Similar

Bag | Francesca's Collections (sold out) | Similar

Photos by Haaken Reed

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Unexpected Floral

I'm not quite up to speed on knowledge of different flower types (who knew) so I have no idea what kind of floral print this is.  I asked everyone I knew and got all different guesses so we will just say that it's different.  I immediately fell in love with it because it's floral, but not your typical floral like everything else hanging in your closet with big pink and purple blooms.  The bow detail is a nice change for me because it adds a little something and I can take a break from my usual statement necklaces (gasp).  I could tell from holding it up on the hanger that this top runs huge, so I sized down to the smallest size and even then it's still very flowy.  And yet it manages to not look like I'm wearing a bag, though I wouldn't have wanted to see how my "usual" size would have fit.  Since it's long enough, I can't wait to transition this into fall (yes, fall is on the brain) with leggings, a cozy cardigan and boots!  Unfortunately I couldn't find this exact top online anymore, but you may be able to find it at your local Nordstrom Rack.  I've linked some similar options for you as well!

Top | Pleione via Nordstrom Rack

Jeans | The Limited

Bag | Michael Kors

Sandals | Sole Society

Photos by Chelcey Tate

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Floral Kimono

I never would have imagined myself as a kimono-type gal, but when I saw this one in Nordstrom Rack I was in love.  It's nothing new that I'm drawn to floral patterns, which you can tell by taking one look into my closet, so I shouldn't be so surprised that I decided to give a kimono a go.  What I really like about this one in particular is that the floral print isn't so bright that it screams summer, but it isn't so subdued that I have to wait for fall to bring it out.  Basically, it's versatile enough for multiple seasons which is always a win in my book. 

I originally bought this intending to wear it with sleeveless and spaghetti strap dresses when I wanted a little bit more coverage (I have so many dresses that I wouldn't wear without some kind of sweater or cover to the office).  While I still fully intend to do that, I couldn't help but pair it with this basic tee from Loft because it matched so perfectly.  It definitely gives off a boho vibe which isn't usually my thing either, but sometimes you just gotta go with it!

Kimono | Love on a Hanger via Nordstrom Rack

Tee | Loft

Jeans | The Limited

Sandals | Sole Society

Bag | Michael Kors

Photos by Chelcey Tate

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Orange Creamsicle

I typically shy away from any kind of white clothing because I am OCD and have to look at my shirt every five seconds as it is to make sure nothing is on it, so can you imagine that mixed with the easiest color there is to show dirt?  Torture is what that would be, torture.  Because ultimately, something will spill or splatter and I won't be able to stop thinking about it until I'm able to get home and can throw it in the wash.  So you can say that me buying this pair of white denim shorts was a huge breakthrough in my path to recovery. 

All exaggeration aside, I really am glad that I picked these up.  I've been wearing shorts a lot this summer, more than I usually do, so a white pair is nice to have for dressier occasions or when I want something besides typical blue jeans.  And with this top, the ruffle around the hem is perfect for hiding any tummy you may want to conceal without having to be super loose and baggy.  When I saw these two together, I instantly thought of an orange creamsicle, which I think are really gross btw.  I'm just letting out all of my crazy today.  But these colors are perfect for summer and so I'll just stick to wearing creamsicle colors instead of eating them.

Top | The Limited

Shorts | The Limited

Wedges | Off Broadway (old)

Bag | Michael Kors 

Photos by Chelcey Tate

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Lipstick Love

You know how they say, if you love something let it go?  That's precisely how my love affair with this top happened.  I spotted it at Anthropologie in Chicago and just about burst from happiness overload right there on the spot.  Lipstick is my love language so I knew it had to be mine.  I'm working on that whole impulse shopping thing, so I decided to wait and see if I really, truly couldn't possibly live without it.  Wouldn't you know that it's all I thought about once I got back home and settled into my regular routine!  Needless to say, I trekked over to the mall that next weekend and scooped this pretty little thing right up.

And then there's these shoes.  I mentioned my quite successful Nordstrom Rack haul where I found my denim jacket seen here.  While I was there, I moseyed on over to the shoes (bad idea) and found these just sitting there waiting for me.  The pink was enough but the bow had me hook, line and sinker.  Going back to that whole impulse thing, I didn't want to let these slip through my fingers but I didn't want to fork out that much money at the same time so I went ahead and bought them, knowing that I could return them if I decided after my trip that I could do without. 

Obviously, I didn't return them.  I knew that they were a match made in heaven for this top and hence my perfect outfit was born.  I couldn't find these online but you may still be able to find them at your local Nordstrom Rack!  I've linked a few similar options for you below as well!

Top | Anthropologie

Jeans | Loft

Shoes | Kate Spade

Bag | Michael Kors

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