Worn on the Fourth of July

Dress: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Bric-a-brac: Assorted places I can't remember but that probably include Kohl's.

Bag: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Purse charm: N by Nina, Kohl's; Hair clips: Piper K, Marshalls

Dress: Rewind, Kohl's; Bag: A New Day, Target; Shoes: Impo, DSW; Bow: Target

When dessert masquerades as other dessert.

I went to Target for Tide and came out with these.  Let the record show that I also got the Tide.

Dress; ELLE, Kohl's; Shoes: Betsey Johnson, DSW

Richman's, Brigantine.

Bag: A New Day, Target

Everyone should advertise with eyelashes.

Barrettes: Made by my sister.

Fun with flag cake.  Thanks, Mom!

Charlotte's dress: Blueberi Blvd., Macy's or Boscov's (gifted); Shoes: Jumping Beans, Kohl's 

I'm always late to the party, and the patriotic party's no different.  But as always, this isn't about the holiday or timeliness.  It's about the outfits.  I was all dressed up with a few places to go, namely my dining room, my parents' BBQ, and Target.  Charlotte was psyched to wear red, white, and blue too, going so far as to proclaim, "I love shoes!"

I'd never been more proud.

Cloud Coverage: The Sky's the Gimmick

Top: Wild Fable, Target; Dress: Madden Girl, Macy's

Bag: Universal Thread, Target; Charm: Madden Girl, Macy's

Sunglasses: A New Day, Target; Bow: SHEIN

Shoes: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Dress: ELLE, Kohl's; Bag: Kate Spade New York for Target; Shoes: New York & Company

Whimsycore décor. 

Bird clip: Etsy from very, very long ago.  Later I lost it, probably in a parking lot.  And yes, my family asked me if it "flew the coop."

My geode abode.

Dress: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Shoes: Mix No. 6, DSW

Rose and Rosita.

Bag: Strawberry Shortcake & Care Bears Collab for Dolls Kill

Sunglasses: Wild Fable, Target; Hair clips: SHEIN

I'd always wanted to learn how to make stickers from pics on my phone.  But, as with all new things, I was hesitant.  Then I was editing pics and decided to cram myself and the cotton-candy-cloud sky into the frame.  It was time.

It wasn't easy.  There was much gnashing of teeth and repeating the same steps with the same failures.  Then came the Google search and more trial and error until everything clicked into place.  I was as excited as any geriatric millennial who'd conquered a tech task and couldn't shut up about it.  Even when my sister good-naturedly said that her four-year-old makes stickers all the time.

Because that's what it's all about, right?  Learning and growing and touching the sky when it's easier to stay on the ground.  

Vanity's the best motivator. 

Tropic Like it’s Hot: Still on That Staycation

Dress: Necessary Objects, Macy's

Shoes: London Rag, Kohl's

Bag: Kelly & Katie, DSW

Dress: Lily Rose, Kohl's; Top: Madden Girl, Kohl's

Getaway Glam Necklace

Bag: So, Kohl's

Skirt (a dress!): Zulily

Bag: Current Mood, Dolls Kill

Eye of the tiger lilies.

Top: Juicy Couture, Kohl's

Shoes: Bucco, Kohl's

It's finally officially summer!  And I, of course, am here for it.  Full disclosure, I wore these fits when it was still spring (because things at the Trove always run behind schedule).  But I have lots more fruits and florals in store.  So join me for another season of color and chaos.   

Like all the seasons that came before it.             

Cheese, Please: You’ve Got to Have Courage

After months of self-imposed anticipation, I finally sunk my teeth into Rachel Ekstrom Courage’s  Murder by Cheesecake.  And it was delicious.  Because this is no ordinary cozy mystery, but a stranger-than-fan-fictionesque romp staring none other than The Golden Girls!

Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia are throwing a last-minute wedding for Rose’s cousin when Dorothy’s date turns up dead in a fridge full of cheesecake.  (And yes, the Girls still serve the dairy delight; no cheesecake goes to waste on their watch.)  When Dorothy becomes the prime suspect, they juggle sussing out the killer with orchestrating St. Olaf wedding traditions.  Wackiness ensues.

What strikes me the most is the characters.  Courage masters each Miami maven’s voice, from brand of witty one-liner to sartorial preference to colorful backstory.  It’s as if the sitcom has shot off into a quirky, crime-solving dimension without missing a Miami Vice beat.  Which is not only a joy, but a relief.  Because whenever someone takes on a pop culture classic, there’s always this waiting-for-the-other-shoe-to-drop feeling of they'd better get it right.  But Ekstrom shows that she knows her Girls, honoring their memory in just the genre where their heart and humor always belonged.  

And that, dear friends, calls for more cheesecake.

Red, Yellow, and Blue: These Fits are for You

Top and skirt: LC Lauren Conrad

Shoes: Penny Loves Kenny, DSW

Bag: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl’s 

Necklaces and bangles: PlastiqueHommage 

Striped bangle: Amrita Singh, Zulily

Top: Candie’s, Kohl’s; Skirt: Rewind, Kohl’s 

Deep Blue Twee Necklace

Top: Elizabeth and James, Kohl’s; Skirt: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl’s 

Bag: Kate Spade New York for Target

Sparkly Sailboat Necklace

Bow: A New Day, Target

Skirt: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl’s 

Boats, boats, boats.

Sunglasses: A New Day, Target; Clip: Piper K, Marshall’s

Big Minnie and Little Minnie.

Cardigan: LOFT

Bag: Marshalls

Nautical nonsense.

I love primary colors.  Sometimes I reach for them without even thinking, the fiery reds, cheerful yellows, and serene blues bewitching me with their bold balance. That, or I have McDonald’s and blue Icees on the brain.  Either way, I unearthed some of my nautical necklaces to accent these crayon box classics. Because summer is about old traditions and new adventures.

And enjoying DayGlo beverages.