It's hard to want to buy fall things when it still feels like summer, and summer is on sale. I did get one transitional piece, so hopefully it will get more wear this year. The blue and white toile pieces from H&M I was obsessed with having will probably not be as fortunate.
The end of August feels so devastating. I can't ignore that chill in the morning air or stop my mind from piling up the regrets of everything I didn't do this summer. I know I still have three more weeks, but I'm still going into Labor Day weekend with that pit in my stomach; that as far as everyone else is concerned, it's time to pull out the sweaters and the pumpkin spice.
As you can likely tell by my woefully obvious farmer's tan, I haven't had too many beach days this summer, and most of my time in the sun has been on dog walks with my less than fashionable high neck, short sleeve Wag! tee.
While I've always considered myself lucky to live in a coastal town, the idea of paying $25 to park at a beach in my own state has always irked me. While I'm free to visit my own small town beach for the paltry fee of a $5 sticker every two years, that is not the case at my neighboring beaches. When I lived in Milford I thought about getting a beach sticker, but balked at the $150 price tag for the seasonal pass. Instead I just avoided the beaches I knew were strictly monitored and took my chances parking illegally.
A couple years ago Connecticut started charging an extra $10 vehicle registration fee to allow free parking at any state park, including several beaches. I thought this was wonderful. Other towns have been up in arms, upset at the influx of freeloading visitors. While I understand that beaches and their facilities need care and maintenance and lifeguards, it seems crazy to me that I shouldn't be able to enjoy a neighboring beach for free - especially when I just want to quickly snap a few photos.
On this evening I was in a very residential beach area, meaning homes blocked the water views, they were all private for those wealthy enough to afford a beach home. I walked along for about a half mile until I saw a spot between two homes that stated public access. Then I saw a private property sign. Not willing to give up my photo spot we snapped away while some people watched from their deck overlooking the water. I would have left if they'd said anything, but I was quick, and they were thankfully silent.
It seems crazy to me that the beaches in my state aren't free to all it's residents.
The Rundown Black Eyelet Lace Jumpsuit Banana Republicsimilar Fringe Straw BagMango Wedge Sandals Loft similar Straw Hoop EarringsLoft Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Cat Eye Sunglasses H&M Nail Color"Caviar Bar" Essie
While I am in no way ready for summer to be over, this week has cooled down significantly. Rather than fear for the worst (I'm sure there will still be quite a few hot days before fall officially arrives) I'm embracing the cooler temps with a new knit dress, in the perfect summer into fall shade.
Curve hugging is not my usual silhouette, but I've been embracing it with these knit dresses, as they are so comfortable and easy to wear, and make me feel put together with the least amount of effort.
Today I have a special guest in my photos, Ollie, a mini Australian Shepard I was sitting over the weekend. He is a wonderful dog, definitely a handful though! Being with such a high energy dog for 48 hours made me realize just how easy and laid-back Chloe was.
I'm also collaborating with several other bloggers to show seven ways of styling a denim jacket. You can see everyone's looks on Instagram!
The Rundown Rust Knit DressH&M Denim Jacket Gap similar Wedge Sandals Loft similar Round Rattan Bag Etsy similar Palma Wide FedoraLack of Color Gold Ball EarringsKohl's Gold Rectangle Chain NecklaceEtsy Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Dog Ollie (borrowed)
Naturally I was on my way to a blogger event at Bhog in Rocky Hill and heading towards Meg to take outfit photos beforehand. I crossed my fingers the sun would win out, as the last five miles of my journey became a crawl down a backed up highway, due to an accident, according to Google, no doubt caused by the rain in its determination to thwart my plans.
As I pulled my car up next to Meg I surveyed the situation. The torrential rain had ceased, though drops still fell, the biggest puddles could be avoided, and we still had 20 minutes before we needed to get to our dinner.
Because Meg and I have been shooting together for years, we have a pretty good understanding of what each of us wants, and while I always enjoy having the luxury of time for a shoot, it's good to know I can hustle through it and still get good photos, as long as I've got the right photographer.
The Rundown Black and Grey Maxi Dress Joie similar Huarache Mules"Camila" Rebecca Minkoff similar Black Straw Bag Zara similar Raffia Earrings Ann Taylor similar Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Nail Color"Caviar Bar" Essie
Remember how I said I was embracing black more this summer? Well as you can see, I clearly am, with my black bag and sandals. Though I can't help that another white shirtdress found its way into my closet. I had a promotional credit to spend at eShakit and decided that my old white shirtdress could use a replacement.
I really love that this dress has an extra hidden set of buttons at the bust - you know, the place where they always pull and gap - so that issue has been solved. I also love that eShakti lets you choose your hem length, sleeve length, and collar style, however after wearing it and now seeing these photos, I kind of wish I could send it back and have the hem shortened just a half inch, and eliminate the sleeves - I don't mind how they look, they just feel a bit too constricting.
It's okay, I'll keep wearing it until I find my next perfect white shirtdress.
Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Cat Eye Sunglasses H&M Nail Color"Caviar Bar" Essie
Whenever an item makes its way into my closet that I deem 'special' I often wait a terribly long time for an occasion to arise. When I finally acquired this Kate Spade dress last summer, after years of searching, I envisioned its first outing to be on a boat. There was nothing rational about this desire, and no reason I shouldn't have thrown on this dress the day it arrived at my doorstep. But I waited all the same, and when I had an opportunity to attend an event supporting small businesses in New London this weekend, I decided that boat adjacent would have to be good enough - this dress could not miss another summer.
While the forecast had called for cloudiness with a small chance of rain, it could not have been more wrong. Torrential downpours dashed my hopes of lunch al fresco, which was a shame, as the restaurants in New London along Bank Street all have fantastic water views. The rain didn't mange to stop me from shopping however, and I enjoyed patronizing all the small businesses in New London's historic downtown. When the sun finally broke through I thought it would be the perfect time to get ice cream; naturally the moment my sundae was in my hands the rain started up again! Despite dodging the rain drops, it was still a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon and I hope to plan another visit soon.
The Rundown DressFlorence Broadhurst for Kate Spadevia eBay White SlidesFerragamovia Coco's on the Green Black Straw Bag Zara similar Earrings Vintage similar Pearl Anchor Necklace Handmade similar Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Cat Eye Sunglasses H&M Nail Color"Caviar Bar" Essie
Once again I'm sharing a piece at quite a delay; I snagged this jumpsuit back in May and initially purchased it in the petite, but felt the torso was too short so I exchanged it for a regular with the intention of hemming it. Needless to say I found myself mid-August with a thin layer of dust on my sewing machine and decided the length was just fine.
Also making an appearance is the raffia belt from Mango. The only size in stock when I placed my order was large, which I decided was acceptable as I would have the option to wear it lower than my natural waist with jeans, however the issue of the extra length of belt flopping around arose. The cheapest and easiest solution to the problem was a clear hair elastic. They also work great if you've got a long adjustable strap on a bag which refuses to lay flat.
This summer feels like it's just been flying by, and as usual, I'm digging my heels in and choosing to enjoy the rest of it, rather than prematurely starting fall.
The Rundown Linen JumpsuitBanana Republic Rust Mules Madewell similar Raffia Half Moon BagMango Raffia BeltMango Half Moon Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique Rhombus Charm Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Cat Eye Sunglasses H&M Nail Color"Caviar Bar" Essie
