Comfy on Vacation

Any time I can get away with wearing something that feels like pajamas, I am all for! Bonus if it's a one piece- a maxi dress, romper or jumpsuit.

This romper was a last minute purchase before we headed to St. Maarten. I knew it would be great for any day time adventuring we did on the island, mainly because of its comfort.

Although I didn't need to because of the warmer temps, it would be super cute with a denim jacket or even a denim vest on cooler summer evenings!

Outfit Details:

Romper: Target /// Sandals: Target /// Hat: Target /// Sunglasses: Target 

Exciting Things!

Happy Friday! Hope you all had a great week! I'll get right into it....

If any of you follow me on facebook you may have seen some super exciting news the other day!

With all that I have been writing over the years on this blog, and all the experiences I have encountered being a boutique owner and personal stylist on the side, I have decided to make the leap and write a book-a style guide, if you will.

I know. Crazy. A big leap. Terrifying. But exciting, and awesome. I may fail miserably, but I will be more upset with myself if I never tried!

(This is not the book cover- just something I created for now)

As of now, I am calling it Stylish Parenting: A Style Guide for the Everyday Mommy. I sort of 'coined' the term stylish parenting as somewhat of a joke, but it kind of stuck. I like to think of it as those Mommys (and Daddys) that try their hardest to not lose their style, their identity when they become a parent. I like to think of myself, and my husband too, as a stylish parent! It's possible! You don't have to live in yoga pants every day (although I for one wouldn't mind doing that!).

My main goal with this book is to reach the average, everyday woman. I have read so many style guides over the years, and while they are all great in their own way, they aren't realistic to the everyday woman. Most of them are written by celebrities, models, etc. I can't relate to them. I can't relate to their lifestyle. I don't have a personal chef, a personal trainer, a huge budget, or 5 hours a day to do my hair, makeup, and choose an outfit. 

I want my readers to be able to read my style guide, learn, and apply to their life. I want it to be relate-able, almost like chatting with your bf!

So this is where you all come in. I don't have a money tree in my back yard (boooo), and something like this will definitely cost money. Because of that, I created a kickstarter campaign to help raise some money so I can get this style guide going!

I have about a quarter of the book completed, and am working diligently to keep it going!! So, if you feel compelled to support me, you can do so here. 

Whether it's just encouraging words, or a donation, I appreciate the support, 100%! Afterall, without all of you, I wouldn't be able to do what I love to do on a daily basis. For that, I am so thankful!

I will be sure to keep you all posted on the progress!! 

High Waist Bikinis and Weird Tan Lines

Can we just talk about the obvious and hysterical tan lines I have on my legs?

I went to get a spray tan before we headed out on vacation, because who wants to show up to some tropical location looking pale and pasty?

I already have a hard enough time with having to be pretty much naked in front of my tanning lady, so I try to cover up on the bottom as much as I can. Clearly I wasn't thinking when I chose to wear boy-short type underwear. I was just concerned with keeping my lady parts covered!

It wasn't until I was packing later that evening, several hours after my spray tan that I realized the ridiculous tan lines I would have on my legs! There was a moment of CRAP. Then there was just laughter. Typical me, and really at this point what could be done about it?

So embrace the tan lines, I did! Mental note for the future- be careful what underwear you choose, especially if you will be gallivanting around in a bathing suit in the days after your tan! Haha!

I love the high waist bikini trend- I think it gives us gals who don't quite have a bikini body the chance to wear one. When worn correctly, they can look super cute. I didn't think it would look the best on me, simply because I am a little fuller on the bottom, but I got the ok from my husband and from Ella so I figured I would give it a try!

Although the top and bottom are from different places (the bottom is no longer online- check in store, but I linked a very similar one), I love how well they paired together. As much as I love a good one piece bathing suits, I love being able to mix and match bikinis, which I haven't been able to do for a few summers!

Don't be afraid to give them a try, no matter your size or your body shape. It's all in how you wear it!

And can I just say how perfect Blair Ritchey's Travel Tote is for (yep you guessed it) traveling? Not only do I use this day to day to carry my water bottles and lunch to work, but I use it as my carry on bag AND my pool/beach tote. It is so versatile and perfect!

Outfit Details:

Kimono: Old Navy /// Bikini Top: Target /// Bottom: Old Navy (similar) /// Sandals: Target /// Hat: Target /// Bag: Blair Ritchey 

Subtle Red, White and Blue

Happy Monday, everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend! I had probably one of the best I have had in a long time! With working my second job 3-4 nights a week, time with my family is even few and farther between the one day a week we get to spend as a family (Sunday-none of us work on Sundays). Because of that, I cherish our time together, even more than I did before.

I feel terrible for my girls, because when I say good bye to them in the mornings, it's good bye until the next morning. My husband is on his own with the girls, which I know can't be easy, especially with his knee healing from his ACL surgery last month. Before all of this second job nonsense I unknowingly took my family time for granted. Now, every minute is important to me!

This past Saturday I closed my store early because of the holiday. We were able to grab lunch, spend a lazy, rainy afternoon napping and relaxing, then headed out for the fireworks at our local baseball stadium. It was just the perfect evening!

With all that said, I am not one for going overboard with the holiday fashion. I am more into the subtle red white and blue, hence my blue denim shorts, red and white gingham headband, and white tee. It was perfect for me! Plus, it had rained all day long, and we were headed to a place I knew comfort would be key. I had an adorable white maxi dress I had planned on wearing originally, but distressed shorts and a plain tee won!

Outfit Details: 

Jacket: Loft /// Shirt: Target /// Shorts: Target /// Shoes: Converse /// Backpack: Target (similar) /// Headband: Violet & Burke /// Bracelets: c/o Alex and Ani

In the Tropics

There's something about wearing a tropical print when you are on vacation or some place tropical that makes it so much more fun to wear!

While I don't wear busy prints all the time, and love a good neutral this is one print that I love to wear! Since there is a lot going on with the print, I wanted to keep the accessories to a minimum. I seem to live in fedoras and panama hats over the summer, so adding this to complete my look was a given. Plus, with the wind, it was an easy way to keep my hair out of my face!

Total side note- it doesn't even look like I was on vacation! When did my body stop tanning?? And somebody needs to re-teach me how to properly apply sunscreen so I don't end up with weird tan lines! Haha

Outfit Details:

Dress: Elizabeth & West /// Shoes: Target /// Hat: Target /// Bracelets: Charming Charlie /// Earrings: Vivi /// Bag: Blair Ritchey (similar)