Double Bamboo

I had a very busy weekend, so once again, I'm not feeling ready for this week ahead. I know I can't always have all the time I want, but it's such a struggle these days to feel like I can make the time for the things I need to do.

So a late post this morning, after a very light post week last week... we shall see how the rest of this week goes!

I kind of love the idea of my double vintage (I feel like this dress is very 90's, but honestly I have no idea) bamboo pieces together, and while I'm not sure if everyone is tired of this bamboo bag now or not, I did find some great options on etsy this morning which I've linked below. If you are still coveting a vintage one, hurry and check them out before they get snatched up!

      

The Rundown

Bamboo Print Dress NY&Co. thrifted similar
Huarache Mules "Camila" Rebecca Minkoff similar
Vintage Japanese Bamboo Bag via eBay similar vintage, only $65!
Raffia Hoop Earrings Ann Taylor
White and Rose Gold Link Bracelet c/o Jeweshop
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Spring

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

July Budget

Still working on my mindful, offline purchases. These are about half and half. When I spotted the pink linen pants at Loft on sale, I couldn't resist, as I love my green ones so much! I'm wondering if they will be as versatile as the green?

The fringe tote caught my eye in J.Crew, and while it was pricey, I knew I had a gift card. Naturally I decided to wait a week and come back to see if it was still there, which is was, so I got it. Then it went on sale which frustrated me as J.Crew only allows seven days for price adjustments, but oh well, I do love the bag.

The jumpsuit is an adventurous purchase, and is comically long on me and I need to hem it. I hope it looks as good in reality as I am imagining it!

Kayu Pinata Tote, $138 at J.Crew ($38 after gift card)
White Short Sleeve Button Down, $18 at Old Navy (free after rewards)
White off the Shoulder Cami, $12 at Old Navy (free after rewards)
Striped Midi Dress, $45 at Loft
Pink Linen Pants, $28 at Lou & Grey
Heiress Jumpsuit, $70 at Free People

Remixing a Dress

This summer I started out with an unofficial goal to wear all my dresses at least twice. Okay, maybe more like a mental note than any kind of goal perse. Still, sometimes it can feel hard to wear a dress and make it look completely different, particularly in summer when the simple addition of a jacket isn't necessary.

This grey dress is one of my favorite pieces to pull out when I don't know what to wear to work. The length, neckline and short sleeves are office appropriate, while the comfy sweatshirt material is unfussy, and the basic grey leaves a blank slate. Most days I opt for a pendant necklace, however one morning I thought I'd give a neck scarf a try and loved the look!

When I styled it again for a little weekend shopping trip to downtown Westport (basically all my favorite stores on one street) I added the hat because it was so cute, and I'd never show up to work in a straw hat.

Because I love the idea of focusing on the remix, here are all the other ways I've styled this grey dress since I got in 2013: with a peach cardigan, with a field jacket and ball cap, with a navy blazer, with a denim jacket, with a different denim jacket, with a black cardigan, with a black leather jacket, and layered over a button down.

           

The Rundown
Grey Dress Gap similar, similar
Suede Mules Madewell
Round Rattan Bag Andakasa
Straw Boater Hat Hinge similar
Scarf Vintage similar
Joplin Bracelet Gorjana via Rocksbox
(Use code lydiaxoxo for a free month of Rocksbox!)
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Nail Color "Fifth Avenue" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Spring

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

Friday Five Under $50

I'm happy we are having a nice July heatwave, because it's summer, and that just how it should be. Sometimes I wish I had a pool in my life. Not necessarily my own, just one belonging to a friend or neighbor who I felt comfortable enough to freely use. I know I have a beach, so I shouldn't really complain, but when it comes to actually going in the water, I'm prone to a panic attack every time a piece of seaweed brushes against my ankle - I know I should have thicker skin for a New England girl - clear blue waters where you can see your feet even when you are up to your neck are stuff of fantasy, all I've ever known are the somewhat murkier depths of the Long Island Sound.

Anyway, I thought I'd share some cute poolside pieces today, and hopefully that J.Crew coverup is still on sale, it was yesterday. Also, who else is having a slight obsession with one shoulder swimsuits? Admittedly I did place an order for this Old Navy suit, we shall see if it works out!

Embroidered Coverup, $89.50 at J.Crew (take 40% off with code shopsummer)
Soludos Red Espadrilles, $50 at 6PM.com
Turkish Round Beach Towel, $36 at Gilt
One Shoulder Swimsuit, $30 at H&M
Toucan Pool Float, $25 at TJMaxx

Picket Fences

I don't make a habit of taking outfit photos in front of people's homes, I've had homeowners come out wondering what I was doing there on more than one occasion, and those kinds of interactions make me very uncomfortable, so I feel it's best to avoid them. Though I made an exception with this house, as it is on a main road and the fence (which is what I love) felt like an appropriate division of taking photos on public property (the sidewalk) and the home.

I dream of having a home with a white picket fence lined with hydrangea, and while Sean and I are considering looking at homes right now, we both have very different ideals. I imagine a colonial or victorian with wood siding, definitely something old with lots of character. Bonus if there is already a cherry blossom or other flowering tree in the yard, and a porch would be nice. A kitchen with a pantry, lots of closet space, and a clawfoot tub also make my list. Sean's list consists of 1) inexpensive but not requiring updates, 2) gas heat, and 3) as little maintenance as possible. Combine those lists and I'm pretty sure we will house hunt for eternity. Regardless, we want a dog, so we need to move.

        

The Rundown
Scalloped Camisole J.Crew Factory
Linen Pants Lou & Grey
Cork Platform Sandals MRKT similar
Straw Tote Memar via TJMaxx similar
Panama Hat J.Crew
Mini Cactus Pendant Kate Spade via Rocksbox
Joplin Bracelet Gorjana via Rocksbox
(Use code lydiaxoxo for a free month of Rocksbox!)
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Crystal Bar Ring Upper Metal Class

Stylin' in St. Louis's Spotlight Linkup

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda

Carnival

For weeks I started wistfully at the ferris wheel each night on my drive home from work. The yearly carnival has set up shop in New Haven, and my desire to visit would have remained unfulfilled had one of my friends not mentioned that she too was feeling the allure of the carnival. On the very last night we made our way out, purchased a small stack of tickets, and felt a bit like our teenage selfs, shrieking on the fast rides. I played the squirt gun game and won - though as I accepted my stuffed prize I realized I had no desire to take it home with me. I promptly gave it away to the first little girl I saw - it's her mother's problem now! We didn't stay too late or even use up all our tickets, but I'm glad I went and experienced a few moments of weightlessness.

          

The Rundown
Poppy Print Cami Dress Kohl's similar
Distressed Denim Jacket Gap similar
White Sneakers "Dainty" Converse
Round Rattan Bag Andakasa
Sayulita Fringe Earrings WILDE via Rocksbox
Mini Cactus Pendant Kate Spade via Rocksbox
Joplin Bracelet Gorjana via Rocksbox
(Use code lydiaxoxo for a free month of Rocksbox!)
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Nail Color "Fifth Avenue" Essie

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

and

Sandy a la Mode's On Trend Tuesday

Floral Cami Dress

We have arrived at mid-July, which means that every other post on my feed is about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I, once again, will be abstaining, because I know my blog isn't big enough for it to be little more than white noise, and shopping for fall right now is one of the furthest thoughts in my mind. I'm still wholly set in it being mid-July, enjoying simple dresses with fun bags, and at some point getting my butt to the beach. Though I suppose I will be there on Wednesday morning, bright and early for a free yoga class before work. If there was one thing I wish I could condition myself to do, it would be to start my mornings early enough for yoga on a daily basis. That would mean going to bed earlier, which remains difficult as I try to inhabit both Sean's late night schedule and my early morning one.

        

The Rundown
Floral Cami Dress J.Crew Factory c/o Clinton Crossing
Straw Wedge Sandals Loft
Pink Bag "Penny" Coach via ebay similar
Sayulita Fringe Earrings WILDE via Rocksbox
Mini Cactus Pendant Kate Spade via Rocksbox
Joplin Bracelet Gorjana via Rocksbox
(Use code lydiaxoxo for a free month of Rocksbox!)
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Spring

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday