Ice Cream Parlor Glam

This little place has always been so sweet and unlike a lot of shops, this one just keeps getting cuter and sweeter over the years.  I had to stop and do a few pics in my rainbow sherbet dress from Collectif Clothing.  This dress has become my girls' instant favorite and I can't blame them.  It really has everything every girl wants in a dress. 

Shopping Info:

Palm Prints

Just a few quick summer pics today.

Vero Viva Palm Dress $16.99

Paris Impressions

Yes, I know this isn't Paris.

You never forget Paris--the building, the people, and of course, the food.  It's all so clear to me as though I were only there yesterday.   I would go there again in a heartbeat and this time, if I could, I would stay.  This time I would find a cute little apartment and stay for a while to soak everything in.  I would gain at least ten pounds eating chocolate croissants and baguettes stuffed with brie and then walk it all off wandering down every lovely little side street that caught my eye. 

Shopping Info:
Love in Paris Printed Midi Skirt $48 from Chicwish

Citrus Splash

I love a lemon print for summer time.  Put that print on a comfy cotton skirt and I can't resist.  Everything light and airy to beat the heat.  And if I've got my favorite pooch with me, things are pretty close to being the perfect summer day.

Whimsical by Weekend

    I love hats.  I wish we all wore hats again.  They look good on men, they look good on women.  The right hat makes us all look a little more sophisticated--- a little more dapper.  I bought this hat when my first child was still a tiny baby in my arms.  

    Shopping was my bonding time with my mother during those precious years when all the world was new and time was still ahead of me.  We shopped for maternity clothes.  We shopped for cute things that would accommodate my newly voluptuous past baby figure, and daring new things like this bright green felt cloche which at the time came with a matching scarf and mittens.  We shopped for more maternity clothes.  We shopped for things that would flatter my super busy, super sleep deprived form.  

    We talked non-stop about everything and nothing.  We tried things on and spun around for each other to see.  We took turns holding the babies.  We always stopped for Jimmy Johns sandwiches and Berry-Berry Smoothies and it was all precious and sweet.  And then we moved away and my babies grew up and I learned to carry on alone.  

    Now we're back and we bond over simpler things like snapping green beans on the porch before we can them and long talks about how having two teenagers in the house is quickly making my gray streak wider and harder to hide.  On my last visit to mum's house, I pulled this hat down from the closet where I left it.  I knew it wouldn't make it through so many changes of address without being crushed.  So, here it is, just as lovely a I left it.  And once again, I have to say:  It's good to be home.

Shopping Info:
Collectif x MC Whimsical by Weekend dress in sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24

Florals and Corals

There should be more coral prints in the world, am I right?  You know I am. This was an interesting little no name skirt that I found at ThredUp for just a few dollars.  With a nice color palette like this, the possibilities seemed wide open, so I brought it home along with this Anthropologie top and some peachy kicks.  More looks with this skirt are on the way, I'm sure.

Shopping Info:

Shirt, Skirt, and Coolway shoes from ThredUp Use my link to sign up and save $10 off your first order

Charter School Cardigan in Sage from ModCloth

Cherry On Top

I love red.  I never used to wear it, because I thought I didn't have the right skin tone for it.  I'm not exactly sure when it was that I realized it's not about my skin tone, it's about finding the right tone of red to go with my skin.  That's why I love this warm shade of red.  I'm convinced that everyone can wear it and look good.  Add some vintage flare and a cherry print on top and I'm a happy girl.

Shopping Info:

SHEIN Mixed Print Contrast Collar And Cuff Shirt $12

SHEIN Button Accent Color Block Circle Skirt $17

Tiger Lilies

Some things are worth waiting for and this day, these flowers and this dress are just a few of them.  Summer is truly here when all the lanes are full of tiger lilies.  I don't know how long they'll last in this heat without rain, which is why I had to come out today for a few pics. 

Shopping Info:

Samantha Pleet Scout Cutout Dress  

Flats and watch from ModCloth

The Sounds of Sirens

    I didn't set out to create a mermaid look when I put this outfit together; it just turned out that way and I'm glad it did.  I love mermaids, always have.  In fact, growing up,  I wanted more than anything else to be a mermaid.  I collected shells and seaside ephemera from flea markets.  I begged my mother to sew me a mermaid tail to swim in in our pool and not only did she make one for me, she made two extra for my friends so we could all play mermaids.  A few years spent living by the oceans of the world has not dulled my love for all things nautical.  If I could I would always live by the sea, but the people I love are here in this landlocked state and they matter more than the ocean's call.  

    This Glorious Sparkle Skirt is new to my wardrobe, as is the glitter top.  I was a little on the fence about which printed skirt to buy from ChicWish with my monthly fashion budget, so I called in a few friends to take a vote and they picked this one.  I'm so glad they did because the photos on the website really don't do justice to all the lovely colors in this skirt.  I can wear it with so many different shades, I can't wait to post more outfit pics.  Since it's summer and the new Little Mermaid movie is due out just in time for my birthday, I thought I'd present this Siren inspired outfit first.

Shopping Info:

Glorious Sparkles Print Midi Skirt $45.90 from: Chic Wish

HaoDuoYi Womens Sparkly Sequin Crop Backless Pullover Sexy Club T Shirt $14.99