Buy Now: Summer Moto Jacket

Buy Now: Summer Moto Jacket

Today's post is a total shopping enable.  Ann Taylor Loft isn't a sponsor, but I am really into their soft, versatile jackets, and they're on sale.

My friend Erika and I often joke about the slight shifts we make in our clothing choices from winter to summer due to the blasting AC in our offices (ditch tights, add camisole layer).  Last week, I found a soft, supple moto jacket that fits perfectly into my summer clothing rotation. It's soft, light, and neutral, but it adds nice structure to some of my otherwise quite casual summer tops and dresses.

The good news is that it's on sale for an extra 50% off. The bad news? It's only available online in an 8P. But, if you live near a Loft, I highly recommend that you go search the sale racks for it in your size.

This model's shoulders are quite wide. My jacket hangs a bit more in the front, and I can imagine wearing it over many things already in my closet (which is a must for anything that I buy): a black and white wrap dress, a blue polka dotted skirt and a silky orange top, skinny jeans and a long tunic...I can't really think of anything I don't want to wear this with!

If you're looking for something similar, also on sale, in more sizes online, I love this beauty, too. It would add the perfect amount of edge to an otherwise feminine outfit.

I also love this one. Have I mentioned how much I like Lou & Grey?

Feelin' Groovy

Feelin' Groovy

I was spoiled by a short week last week, weren't you? There's something about the smell of salt water on my skin that I just can't get enough of. I wish we were back on vacation! I loved the clothes I brought with me on vacation, which were all inspired by a bohemian vibe. I've gathered more inspiration here. You'll also find all the links for these images!

Unpacking my suitcase got me wondering: how can I maintain this relaxed, boho look while in the office? Maybe grab a floral instead of a stripe? Maybe layer on a few extra bracelets even with a more formal outfit?

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

Pick me up at eight? And don't be late?

Weekend Plans

Weekend Plans

Via

What are your plans for the weekend? My dear friend Hannah pinned the shirt above recently, and I'm hoping that she wears it this weekend to come play kickball! I'm throwing a kickball-picnic in the park birthday party for my husband. We'll be eating pressed sandwiches, opening little bags of chips, and saving room for salted caramel no bake cheesecakes in jars. (I'll bring my lactaid and make a few that are gluten free for my special diet guests and me!)

Eggplant Prosciutto Presto Pressed Sandwiches

Salted Caramel No Bake Cheesecake

What about you? I loved this article on tips for things to do when you're low on cash (or anytime!)

Building the Ultimate T-shirt Collection

Building the Ultimate T-shirt Collection

Image via Mikaela Hamilton Photography

I know, I know, I've talked about "nicer t-shirts" before and even recommended some of the same places I'll talk about here. But...I'm a bit of a t-shirt hoarder. There! I said it. And (don't I sound like I have a problem?) I can't help it! I love them. Therefore, I've become a bit of an expert at finding the perfect tees. I don't tend to spend a lot on each one because I want more than one favorite one; I have far too many plain white v-necks and can't get enough of them still; and I love a good neon for the summer. Here are some of my favorite sources for the perfect t-shirt.

My Happiness Project: June

My Happiness Project: June

I debated about whether to write about this here or not, but I've decided to put it out there. Have you ever read The Happiness Project:Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun? My husband read it on a vacation shortly after it first came out, and he handed it to me immediately. We loved it. Last week, in the Outer Banks, I picked up her second book on the topic, Happier at Home: Kiss More, Jump More, Abandon Self Control and My Other Experiments in Everyday Life. Both are a fast read, but the second reminded me of how much I liked the first book-and, more so, how much I liked the small changes I made to my life after reading it!

So, I'm doing another happiness project! From now until December, I'll be focusing on a different topic each month, and I'd like to invite you to do the same. You could get a primer in the concept on her website if you don't have time to read the entire book. I'd love to hear what your project includes if you decide to play along with me!

Strawberry Lime Cucumber Mint Water via

Here's my plan:

What I did on my summer vacation

What I did on my summer vacation

Lots of you saw my vacation pictures from our ten days in the Outer Banks and the Chapel Hill area already on Instagram, but I wanted to share a few sneak peeks with you here, too! I took many more than I shared on Instagram and will be posting about the fashion and the food (expect a Gluten Free Guide to Chapel Hill-Raleigh-Durham soon!) here later this week.

What I did on my summer vacation

What I did on my summer vacation

Lots of you saw my vacation pictures from our ten days in the Outer Banks and the Chapel Hill area already on Instagram, but I wanted to share a few sneak peeks with you here, too! I took many more than I shared on Instagram and will be posting about the fashion and the food (expect a Gluten Free Guide to Chapel Hill-Raleigh-Durham soon!) here later this week.

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

Let's play. 

What to Wear to Meet Birth Mothers

What to Wear to Meet Birth Mothers

I'm at the beach distinctly not thinking about fertility appointments or the ups and downs of the adoption process, but I thought I'd continue to talk with you about it here. When we went to our first birth mother meeting, we were incredibly nervous. One thing that really stressed me out what was to wear. It seems like a silly thing in the grand scheme of what is actually going on, but I think I fixated on it for that very reason. Here's what I decided. 

Via

Dress like you're going to spend the day babysitting a child the age of the child you want to adopt. I almost wrote "dress like yourself," but that's just obnoxious. At the time, I would have thought "well, who I am is not who I will be, exactly, when/if we do adopt. So which version of myself, huh?" Instead, imagine what you'd wear to spend the day with a child the age of the birth mother (or expectant mother, if you're hoping to adopt a newborn that's not born yet)'s child.

Why as though you're babysitting? Because that will up your style a little bit. If you imagine staying home with your child, it might look like PJs or yoga pants, or very casual jeans.

Via

While an outfit like the one above might be very comfortable, it's not what I'd recommend for this situation. Instead, focus on an outfit that looks put together while also comfortable enough to show that you could get down on the floor with a child and not fret about your dryclean only, pure white outfit. Unless, of course, you're someone who always wears heels. In that case, be yourself.

Specifically, wear something comfortable that you won't be fidgeting with and that isn't revealing. 

Via

She looks like this outfit is something she's worn many times (maybe minus the shoes?), which is the goal. Pick something you'll wear again. 

Any other ideas? I'd love to hear your suggestions! Ok, back to the beach I go!