beach essentials.

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

.
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

.
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!

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

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!