rompin' with the peonies

I'll keep it short and bulleted today, since my last post was quite the behemoth (sorry, and thanks if you made it all the way to the end!)

1) this romper was a gift for my birthday (in March), and this was my first opportunity to wear it. Thanks, Ed & KB. #corpvsmgmt

2) above is the pink peony bush that lives in my backyard. love it.

and to think, I almost let D pull it up when we moved in...

2.5) I know, I know - peonies are SUCH a blogger cliche. In my defense, they're purdy, they smell nice, these ones lives at my house, and they were in my wedding bouquet before I even knew what Instagram was.

3) Happy 4th of July! Happy Birthday, America! Happy Independence Day! We're off to celebrate with dear friends - hope you get to celebrate the many freedoms that we enjoy in our great nation, because of the brave men and women who fight for it. 

3.5) no, this outfit is not very patriotic, nor "themed", but if you need some ideas for what to wear on this festive day, look no further than here, here, and oh, here, too.

Ta ta!

romper: gift

sandals: Kohl's

big day

Remember a few weeks ago when I told you it's cool to still be patriotic after the 4th of July? Well, it's true. And here's more proof. Call me crazy, but I'm excited to style this scarf into fall and winter. 

In other news, today is a BIG DAY. One of my best friends is moving! And not just moving anywhere - moving to where I live! Not the same house, or neighborhood, but a lot closer than we've lived since...high school? She moved some things into her new apartment the week before last, and we spent all afternoon & evening talking. I didn't make it home til after midnight...So, this time, I'm wondering if I should pack my pajamas and a sleeping bag, just like we used to do in middle school.

I've been waiting all spring and summer for her to get here and now that it's finally (almost) here, I can hardly contain my excitement. We always keep in touch, but there's nothing quite like being in the same place with your best friend. My two other best friends live on the East Coast, and the other in Hawaii, and then of course my sweet sis-in-law is out east, too, so phone calls & texts are our main way of keeping in touch. But nothing beats staying up late and catching up with a friend in her new apartment, am i right??

dress: thrifted

scarf: Aéropostale

shoes: thrifted (ELLE)

AERO NOW and more America

Obviously the 4^th of July has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean being patriotic is no longer cool. I’ve worn this flag-print scarf twice since the 4^th – once here, and once with an outfit that was unintentionally patriotic (happy coincidence, though). I needed a little something to dress up this plain white tee and dark bermudas (both from Aéropostale), and this new scarf from Aéro was calling my name. I work in an office, and sometimes it can get chilly in there with the A/C, so I can get away with a scarf for at least a little bit of the day. However, I did eventually have to head a hot construction site, so off came the scarf, and on went jeans and close-toed shoes and my hard hat.

Womp womp.

Be sure to check out Aéro’s new collection, AERO NOW, which launched just a few days ago, on Monday, the 28th.

shirt: Slub V-Neck Pocket Tee (similar)

shorts: Cuffed Dark Wash Denim Bermuda Shorts

similar: Curvy Dark Wash Denim Bermuda Shorts

scarf: sold out :(

sandals: DSW

Dressing for America's Birthday, Part II

Since this Friday is the 4^th of July / America’s Birthday / Independence Day / one of the best days of the year, here is my second patriotic / festive outfit idea that I’m sharing: a tank top with stars all over it, and a simple chambray skirt that allows for lots of frolicking and cruiser-riding, which are two things I’m very into.

So, as you think about what to wear when you celebrate the 4^th of July, be sure to wear something you can frolick and be ultra-American in. I suggest it be red, white, AND blue, and covered with stars & stripes, but that’s just me - I like to obnoxiously celebrate America (proof: here and here).

tank: WalMart

skirt: thrifted

sandals: Born via DSW

Dressing for America's Birthday, Part I

Since this Friday is the 4^th of July / America’s Birthday / Independence Day / one of the best days of the year, I thought I’d share at least TWO patriotic / festive outfit ideas with y’all (one today, and anothertomorrow). And I thought I’d share them early for two reasons:

1) So you have time to go shopping for your festive gear if you are lacking in that department.

2) I plan to be on a boat or on the beach (or both!) for the 4^th in a festive bikini with one of my best friends and family, so, there won’t really be much of an outfit to share…Of course, I’ll be Instagramming & Tweeting pics of boating, day drinking, floating, beaching, frolicking, celebrating, and general debauchery.

Up first, a layered look. White pants, a festive burnout tank with stars (so. much. glitter. everywhere), and a chambray thrown over the top. I went with metallic sandals to tie in the stars in my shirt, but I was this close to wearing red wedges. Obviously, comfort won out – as it typically does for me...

Check out last year’s festive 4^th of July get-ups: here and here

star tank: WalMart

chambray: thrifted

pants: Old Navy

Cleopatra sandals: Target