hello september.

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I can't believe that Monday is Labor Day! Where did the summer go...actually, where has this entire year gone!?! I guess it's true what they say, the older you get, the faster time flies!

With that, I'll leave you with a few of my favorite finds from the week:

• If you're planning a trip to San Francisco (or if you live nearby and want to try out some different spots), check out this 12 Hours Travel Guide and see the best of the city by the bay in just one day!
• I know I'm not the only one that goes into Target for toothpaste and leaves with a cart full of items I didn't know I "needed"...admit it, your Target obsession is out of control too!
• One of my (and just about every female I know) favorite movies, The Notebook is now ten years old...check it out from a guy's perspective!
• If you enjoy great design as much as I do, you'll appreciate these great packaging ideas!
• Usually if I'm going to bake, I'll make cupcakes...but this week I decided to try my hand at a "real" cake...not as easy as I thought it would be! Make it easy on yourself and check out these tips on how to build a cake like a pro!
• I'm always on the look out for new (and more importantly, easy) ways to do my hair for work...I'm loving this chic braided bun!

Whatever your plans are this long weekend, have fun, stay safe, and get out there and enjoy the last weekend of the summer! See you all in September!

xoxo,

black and white [on repeat]

blazer: H&M (old, similar, similar) // tank top: Forever 21 (old, similar, similar) // jeans: Target
necklace: Cost Plus World Market // watch: Michael Kors // wedges: J. Crew Factory

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Happy Friday Eve Thursday!

I know what you're probably thinking..."Wow, this girl wears those white jeans a lot!' I can't help it... they're my favorite pair of jeans and summer is coming to an end! #sorryimnotsorry

I've been wearing these to work quite a bit as well. In fact, today's outfit is almost identical to this one I wore a few weeks back!

If you don't own a pair of white jeans, I highly recommend adding a pair to your closet (preferably ankle length). Check out these, these, and these (all on sale!) You can thank me later! :)

xoxo,

end-of-summer blues.

blouse: Forever 21 // skirt: J. Crew Factory (similar, similar, LOVE this one!) // necklace: Urban Peach Boutique
watch: Michael Kors // heels: Jessica Simpson

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This is kinda/sorta the last week of summer...or the last week you can get away with light flowy fabrics in summer colors anyways. Needless to say, I'm taking full advantage and wearing all my favorites one last time!

On a different note...I am the only one still wearing the bubble necklaces? The past couple of years they were everywhere and now I'm thinking I may have missed the memo that they're old news?  Trends aside, I'm still loving these necklaces, especially this one in aqua. Such a fun way to add a pop of color to an outfit!

What about you ladies, what summer favorites are you wearing before the official start of fall, and are you still rocking the bubble necklace?

xoxo,

casual friday.

tank top: Forever 21 (old, similar) // shorts: Banana Republic via Crossroads Trading Co (similar, almost identical)
necklace: Guess via Crossroads Trading Co (similar, love this one) // watch: Michael Kors // wedges: Toms via eBay

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Working at home on Fridays means that I can wear shorts! I have to enjoy the last few weeks of the summer while I can!

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,

pink lace & white jeans.

blouse: Forever 21 (old, similar, similar, love this one!) // jeans: Target // earrings: Nordstrom
necklace: H&M (old) // watch: Timex (old, similar) // wedges: J. Crew Factory

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The weather has cooled down significantly over the past week, reminding me that fall is on it's way (whether I like it or not!). In turn, I'm trying to get as much use as I can out of my favorite summer pieces, including these white jeans. These are definitely one of my most-worn pieces in the summer months and I'll be bummed to put them away in a few of weeks.

What favorite item(s) will you miss now that fall is on it's way?

xoxo,

a polka dot skirt.

tank top: Forever 21 (similar, similar) // skirt: Crossroads Trading Co (super similar, similar)
necklace: Stella + Dot // shoes: J. Crew Factory // watch: Michael Kors // nails: Sinful Colors, Energetic Red

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Happy Monday!

I got this polka dot skirt a couple of weeks back at Crossroads Trading Co. It's a vintage find and didn't contain a label, but luckily it fit me perfectly! This is an outfit I wore over the weekend, though this can easily be transitioned for the office by adding a simple blazer or cardigan!

A few of have asked, and no Crossroads is not sponsoring my posts...I just really love finding great deals and thrifting! :)

Have any of you scored any thrifted and/or consignment pieces lately?

xoxo,

turquoise + coral.

dress: J. Crew Factory (fall version, similar) // necklace: Urban Peach Boutique (similar)

heels: Franco Sarto (similar) // watch: Michael Kors

I don't know about you ladies but I'm not ready for summer to end! I check my Bloglovin feed and I see post after post filled with fall wish lists and I can hardly believe that summer is nearly over. Well, technically almost over...though if past seasons have taught me anything it's that it'll still be warm in mid October here in the Bay Area. I'll take it!

xoxo,

beach essentials.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10

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Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend! I'm lucky enough to live in the San Francisco Bay Area so several beaches are less than an hour away from me. I spent a lovely long weekend at home in the Bay, including Friday afternoon enjoying the sunshine in Capitola, just south of Santa Cruz.

We still have a few weekends left in August so I thought I'd share some of my beach essentials with you today...

• A great-fitting swim suit - I've been loving the retro swimwear available this year. I got this b+w striped one-piece earlier this summer from ModCloth. It's now sold out but similar versions are available here and here!
• Wide brim straw hat - I got mine at H&M earlier in the summer but this is nearly identical!
• Healthy snacks - I generally try to stay away from the junk food at the boardwalk so I pack my bag with apples, berries, veggies + hummus, and Kind bars instead!
• Fun sunglasses - If they're not fun, then seriously...why wear them? My current faves are these heart shaped glasses!
• A good read - I'm currently reading about Cheryl Strayed's adventures on the PCT...the movie (staring Reese Witherspoon) will be out later this year!
• Sunblock - I prefer the spray on versions so I can prevent my back from getting burned!
• Versatile tote bag - I have a couple of these Land's End bags in various sizes and they can be used for so many different things...they're extremely sturdy and last forever! Bonus...they can be monogrammed!
• Water bottle - Lately I've been using these Lifefactory glass bottles...they're BPA free so you don't have to worry about leaving them out in the sun!
• Beach towel - My friends over at Sand Cloud gifted me with this comfy towel...it has a pillow built in! They're an up-and-coming SoCal company so show them some love!
• Lipgloss w/ SPF - I love these Neutrogena MoistureShine glosses...SPF 20 and the perfect amount of color!
• Flip flops - I recently got these t-strap flip flops from Old Navy and they're perfect for the beach or the pool....and you don't have to worry about getting them wet!

What about all of you...what are some of your beach essentials?

xoxo,

perfect polka dots.

dress: H+M (similar) // shoes: Rampage via eBay (similar) // earrings: Target

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I got this dress early in the spring after spotting it at H+M, and somehow I just hadn't gotten around to wearing it until now. Though it's a little shorter than my normal preference, I love the fit + flare shape and of course...polka dots! My favorite thing about this dress are actually these larger than life polka dots. I thought they stood out enough on their own so I decided to forgo accessories today and just let the dress shine!

Hope you're all having a great day!

xoxo,

nautical for work.

blazer: H+M (similar, similar) // tank: F21 (similar) // jeans: Target

necklace: F21 (similar) // flats: Target // watch: Michael Kors

Like all of you ladies out there, sometimes I'm not sure what to wear to work in the summer months. It's hot outside and you don't want to wear the typical suit or pencil skirt attire, and maybe you want to go for a more casual look...so what do you wear?

Here's an example of how you can wear a nautical-inspired outfit for work! Pair your favorite pair of white jeans with a simple striped tank, add a navy blazer and flats, and finish it off with a chain necklace...and you're good to go! Take of the blazer and switch to sandals and you're ready for the weekend.

I love versatile outfits like this! What's  your favorite way to wear nautical at work?

xoxo,

this vs. that: summer accessories

1 - Stella + Dot necklace ($59) // Michael Kors tote ($298) // Tory Burch sandals ($175)

2 - World Market necklace ($10) // Walmart tote ($19) // Payless sandals ($30)

Happy Monday! August is officially here, which sadly means that summer is drawing to an end in just a few short weeks. However, that doesn't mean that you can't stock up on summer essentials, and it definitely doesn't mean that you can't still find summer bargains!

Today's "this vs. that" post is inspired by a few items I've picked up over the summer after finding bargain versions of designer pieces. I own all three items on the right, and I'm perfectly happy with each of them. Sure, I'd love to have the Tory sandals on the left, but I was ecstatic to find a similar pair at Payless for a fraction of the price! Check it out for yourself...the items on the right are almost a tenth of the cost of the designer version on the left!

Have any of you scored any great bargain pieces this summer?

xoxo,

J. Crew Factory Now Offering Petite Sizes!

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To all the petite ladies out there...I don't know if you've heard, but I just discovered that J. Crew Factory is now offering petite sizes! I don't know about you ladies, but I can usually get away with regular sized clothes in most cases, except when it comes to dresses and fitted blouses. Unless I get them tailored they never seem to fit quite right and just kind of look frumpy. Needless to say, I'm thrilled that J. Crew Factory finally decided to start carrying petite sizes!

While the selection isn't nearly as extensive as the regular J. Crew collection, there are several great pieces available including this coral polka dot skirt (similar to the No. 2 pencil skirt), the navy fit and flare dress (an Allie dress look-a-like), and black wool blazer (factory version of the Schoolboy blazer).

Have any of you tried out the new petite collection from J. Crew Factory? Where are some of your other favorite petite places to shop?

xoxo,

P.S. It's not petite, but check out the factory version of the herringbone Excursion vest. It's on back order right now but a fraction of the price of the original!