Friday Five Under $50

I live my life like I'm one purchase away from everything changing. "These are the shoes that will make my blog go viral."  "This is the dress I'll get engaged in."  "This is the blazer I'll land that job in." I know that isn't how things work, but somehow that flawed logic always pushes its way through and helps me to rationalize all kinds of purchases. Half way through the month and I think it's time to put my credit card on ice, as I've been rationalizing all over the place. While the lines between need and want always become a little blurry, sometimes it can be just as satisfying to be an enabler, so here, this is me enabling you to do some weekend shopping:

Gap Crochet Halter Dress, $40
J.Crew Destination Silk Scarf, $35
Etsy Gold Tassel Earrings, $21 (seller in CT!)
Madewell Shorts, $40
Steve Madden Grace Slide Sandal, $50

Old Loves // New Loves

I've been feeling somewhat discouraged by some of my old favorite summer dresses, which in the past just skimmed my hips, currently are straining. I'm not sure if it's this dreaded "now that I've reached my 30's my metabolism will fail to support ice cream every day", or if my poor eating schedule (eat nothing all day, then basically eat all three meals at once when I get home from work) as of late has something to do with it, but I can't deny the fact that some dresses I've worn for years just feel too tight.

When it comes to my body image issues, well of course I've got them in spades, but I've always maintained an equilibrium where I never weigh myself, and rationalize that as long as my clothes fit, I'm fine. I no longer feel fine. But at least I've still got some generously cut swing dresses hanging in my closet. This one from Joie, has always been a favorite since rescuing it from a clearance rack at TJMaxx some five years ago.

Each year it comes out again, brought to new life with new accessories, forgiving to summer heat and expanding derrières.

      

The Rundown

Cloudburst Dress Joie via TJMaxx similar
Huarache Mules "Camila" Rebecca Minkoff similar
Round Rattan Bag Andakasa
Raffia Hoop Earrings Ann Taylor
 Black and White Bangle Vintage thrifted similar
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar

Stylin' in St. Louis's Spotlight Linkup

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda

We wear white

Photos at the yacht club which were once my summer go-to now have become few and far between. But oh, that late evening light in July still can't be beat.

While I picked up this pom pom dress last fall on clearance from Shopbop, this is the first time I'm wearing it without any extra layers, and while I do still wish them hemline were just a few inches shorter, I'm still feeling quite pleased with this dress. It's white, which I love, made from a soft comfy knit, and adorned with whimsical poms and fringe. Next time I'm wearing it with heels though!

         

The Rundown

Pom Pom Dress Endless Rose c/o Shopbop similar

Espadrilles Soludos x Lemlem similar

Round Rattan Bag Andakasa

Sayulita Fringe Earrings WILDE via Rocksbox (one month free with code lydiaxoxo)

Knot Bracelet Banana Republic similar

Gold Ring Thrifted

Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Nail Color "Fifth Avenue" Essie

Dog Chloe

Pearl Leash Fabuleash

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

and

Sandy a la Mode's On Trend Tuesday