Summer LBDs: Dress #1

I realized recently that I'd worn 4 black dresses, almost right in a row. For different occasions, of course (work, a rehearsal dinner, and a wedding), but different little black dresses, all right in a row, all in the span of a few days. So, I decided to post them all here, right in a row, and give you some ideas for different ways to wear LBDs in the summer.

You've heard that LBDs are versatile - and they are. But the truth is, you can never have enough. The day I came home with this dress, I came home with 2 other black dresses. All different. This one obviously is more of a looser fitting shift with a ruffle, the other is a cross between a shift dress and a t-shirt dress, and the other is this black maxi you've seen several times already. So, of course I needed them all. And I've worn them each several times already. So, when your shopping partner asks if you "REALLY NEED" all the black dresses, your response should always be "Of course I do!" ;)

dress: Old Navy

necklace: WalMart

shoes: Target

Mr. Picks Mondays: Chambray Away

The chambray shirtdress makes another appearance. This was the day after we drove* back from a wedding in Missouri (most of the day was spent crossing Kansas - I cheered when my beautiful mountains came into view), so a one-stop-shop to get dressed was pretty great.

Dress and bright shoes – done.

Count it.

And I just got back from another trip yesterday, so a short post it is (I spent the 4th in Florida with my family and good friends - got the sunburn to prove it).

dress: Kohl’s

sandals: Target

*btw, I finished 3 books on the way to and from the wedding – thank you, Dramamine II!

Proportionally Speaking...

This dress makes me think of Neapolitan ice cream.

Or sorbet.

Or sherbet.

Something sweet and cold.

I really like wearing this dress (and all the other ones currently residing in my closet) in the summer - they're really the only way to stay somewhat cool. I dread having to wear pants (and close-toed shoes! the horror!) to work when I have to.

Switching gears, maybe it's just these pictures, but the top of this dress seems to be just a wee bit big on me. I'm experiencing a weird fit with some most of my clothes lately. I've been training for my half marathon and trying to eat really good schtuff and I think it shows, but some of my pants will be SO snug in my legs, then gaping in my hips and rear (and a good 4 inches too long, but that's neither here nor there)! Or, sometimes, the opposite. Or my shirts will be snug in my arms and over my hips, but HUGE from my shoulders down to my ribs. Maybe I've just got weird short-girl proportions that look better in dresses and sandals?

I'm gonna go with that.

Guess I need to move somewhere where I can wear dresses and sandals all year long...

dress: Kohl's

sandals: WalMart

Flapper Girl

I wore this on a really great hair day. I washed my hair, blow dried it, and poof! All the blonde hairs on my head fell into place. This doesn't happen all too often...hardly ever, really...

So, I took this good hair day, combined it with a good outfit day, and took myself to get a beer after work with the Mr. and a few friends. Then headed home to love on the pups and watch the handsome one roll around in the grass.

Oh, and here's another lace/crochet skirt. It almost looks like a flapper's dress up close (almost), which is quite fitting ately - I've been listening to Flapper Girl by The Lumineers on repeat. 

Nice to listen to, ain't it? ;)

shirt: Old Navy

skirt: Nordstrom

sandals: WalMart

necklace: Target

Mr. Picks Mondays - Maxi Dress (on a short girl)

Here’s that black maxi dress again – are you sick of seeing it yet? I’m not - I really like wearing it. And I plan to wear it.

All.

Summer.

Long.

It’s a wee bit long on my 5’4” self, however. The straps are a bit long on my shoulders (common for me), so it makes deciding on a bra a bit more tricky. Not impossible -  just requires a bit more forethought.

I went with a larger size when I purchased this maxi dress – the smaller size fit perfectly in the 

Old Navy dressing room, but I was concerned that:

1) The dress would shrink when I washed it, and I didn’t want to be wearing the maxi dress equivalent of high-waters. However, the opposite has happened – I think the skirt of the dress gets longer every time I wear it…

and

2) The larger size allows me to eat a few more donuts (and burritos. and ice cream. and guacamole. and peanut butter. and popcorn. and wine. and New Belgium Snapshots.) than a dress that fits and drapes just so.

maxi dress: Old Navy

striped cardigan: rue21

sandals: Shoe Carnival

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