Feel Good Dress

About a month ago, I reported that I bought a fabulous dress, but wasn't sure whether I would keep it or not. Well, I decided to keep it. I just love the way I feel in it too much not to keep it. I wore this on Wednesday when my husband and I went out to dinner to celebrate our second anniversary. 

Dress: The Limited {exact}
Necklace: The Limited {exact}
Sandals: Mix No. 6 via DSW {exact}

I also want this purchase to serve as a reminder that (for me) clothing purchases should be accompanied by a positive feeling. I've bought (and subsequently returned) too many things this year after realizing that I was indifferent about item, or that blogging motivated the purchase. On that same shopping trip, I came home with these printed crops (in black) from Gap. Would they have been great for the blog? You betcha. Were they great for me? No way. They have no pockets, and they were really baggy in the knees. I counted the times I wore my other ankle pants, and realized that I wasn't wearing those enough; adding one more into the mix would further reduce the amount of times they would all be worn. 

It's been a couple of weeks since I've made the return, and I don't miss the crops. But then again, the 80+ degree heat could be playing a significant role in that decision.

Do you always feel excited/happy/(blank) when you buy a new piece of clothing? Is there a particular way you want to feel when you do?

Happy Hour

I hate to say it, but I think spring has come and gone. Saturday I was playing soccer in beautiful mid 70s, and today it hit 97. Ninety-seven! Can you believe it?! A colleague and I had made plans to meet up for happy hour last night. I wanted to wear something nicer than a typical running errands outfit, but would keep me from breaking out in a sweat.

Top: Loft {similarish, option}
Necklace: The Limited {exact}
Rings: Charlotte Russe {exact on index, exact on thumb}
Shorts: Old Navy {same style}
Sandals: Target {exact}

When I bought this top, I had planned on eventually pairing it with white pants. I don't know about you, but 97 degrees is too hot for pants, so I thought "ah, why not white shorts?" I am really pleased with how this look turned out, even if I can come up with particular complaints about this outfit. (Necklace gets lost on print top, shorts are slightly too tight, sandals don't really work with this outfit.) How do you manage to put together a nice outfit for 90+ degree weather? Do you have to deal with this type of weather?

On a side note, today is my husband's and my two year wedding anniversary!

[Linking up with The Pleated Poppy]

What to Wear When Running Errands

Keeping up with the blog this summer is slightly challenging for me because I don't have many reasons to leave the house (with the exception of taking the dogs out). When I do leave the house, it's generally to run an errand, such as going to the grocery store or getting carry-out. But what does one wear for such occasions? 

Let me tell you something about myself. In the summer, I typically wake up, and put on a pair of Soffe shorts and a t-shirt. I don't put on a cute outfit, and I definitely don't dress to impress. So the question is, what happens when it's time to run an errand? Change into something cute, or go in lounge wear, since it is just running errands? What are the factors that play into the decision?

Top: Charlotte Russe (2008) {option}
Shorts: Merona via Target {similar}
Flip flops: Old Navy {same style}

I wore this for running errands (betcha didn't see that one coming) and getting dollar tacos. It's comfortable and I don't feel like I'm trying too hard, as opposed to if I had worn a skirt and blouse instead. What do you wear when you run errands? Do you allow yourself to leave the house in lounge wear, or do you force yourself to put on a real outfit?

Maxi Dresses and Chambray Blazers

I probably wore this dress just about every week last summer, so I'm sure it will get plenty of wear this summer as well. Almost every time I've worn it as is, or paired it with a white or pink cardigan (ground-breaking, I know). Does this dress need to be styled in some other way, or does it work as is?

I would love to add one more to my closet, but I'm having a really hard time finding (inexpensive) maxi dresses lately. Does anyone else have this problem? It seems the only dresses out there are high-lo, come in a bizarre print, or are practically see-thru. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places?

I generally wear a navy cami under the dress so that I can wear a regular bra, but today I decided to be adventurous and try it without the cami. Since I don't have a fancy bra that works with this dress, I just wore a strapless one without clasping it in the back (tucking the flaps in the front). Weird? Maybe. Do you have any better suggestions?

Occasion: Running Errands

Maxi dress: Forever 21 {option, strapless, slit}
Sandals: Mix No. 6 via DSW {exact}

I went to Target yesterday to look at their phone selection. The problem is, I can't go to Target and not check out the clearance racks. I found this blazer on sale for $10.80! This is a great deal, yes, but the question is will I get a lot of wear out of this? Can I wear it year-round? How would you style it?

Chambray blazers: love them, or leave them?

Graphic Tee Love

For my high school graduation party, I hung up all the t-shirts I had accumulated over the four years. Most came from the sports I played, others came from school events (like talent show, homecoming, etc). I think the count was up to 47. I still have a Rubbermaid tub full of tshirts, and a drawer full of fitted graphic tees. (This makes me sound awfully hoarder-ish, doesn't it?)

I've neglected my fitted graphic tees for a long time in order to wear the more stylish tops. While taking a break from blogging and not caring whether what I was wearing was stylish or not, I've been opting for tees much more. (I admittedly bought this one from Forever 21 last week after eying it for the past month.)

 

Tee: Charlotte Russe {love/want this one}
Shorts: Old Navy {same style}
Cardigan: Target {option}
Flip Flops: Old Navy {same style}

Slap a cartoon animal or animal print on a tee, and I'm sold. Seriously. It's a great weakness of mine.

I wore this "outfit" (with no intention of it being seen on the blog) for lunch with my husband and his brother. I added the cardigan because it was windy. We ended up going to the pet store and nature center, too. It was a great day, even if it wasn't the greatest outfit.