Giving Back is the New Black

I love the holidays as much as the next person (Christmas is my absolute fave holiday), but it can also get pretty overwhelming with an ever growing to-do lists with parties and gifts to buy and people and places to see. Ah, see I am already feeling stressed thinking about it. Especially when time seems to be flying by. Like how is Thanksgiving THIS WEEK!?! So crazy. This year has been one heck of a year for our family, and to continue the self care blog posts I have committed to, I'd like to add this one to the list (it may sound contradictory, but bear with me): giving back.

Smooth Legs for the Winter

Yesssss, I know. It's like it's cold out or something, so no one wants to shave. haha. A goal of mine this fall/winter is to shave my legs more cause lets be real, who honestly shaves on the regular during winter time? I sure as heck don't, but I know that I always feel better when I shave my legs, and to me feeling good equates to looking good as well. I am trying to take more time for me, since it has been extra hard to lately, and I know self care is super important. I can't be the best me, if I'm not well rested and feeling the best I can. This will be one of my goals to myself: shave more. I know it may sound stupid, but at the end of the day I will feel better because of it. :)

Cat Lady Style with Zaful

This outfit has definitely been one of the most fun to wear. I kept getting compliments on the bodysuit and these sunnies are my new fave accessory. I'm pretty sure I just took crazy cat lady to a new level with this one, but cat fashion is super trendy right now, so I will just keep riding that wave forever. haha. I mean you just can't go wrong with a bodysuit, plus it has a kitty print, so it is a total win-win. I love being able to add my personality to my style. I think that is what makes it fun. Trendy is cool, but I think it is more important to feel good and have fun. No matter how many of my friends think I'm crazy (they are probably right). :)

Wrapped Up In Floral

As I admitted on my recent IG post, I am addicted to wrap dresses. I love them so much...and this floral print has me swooning for fall. I keep buying more and more floral...its a problem. haha. I know people like floral prints for spring, but they are my favorite during fall/winter transitions. Who needs to follow these rules anyway? :) I'm excited to transition this dress (and the other color I have too, told you I have a problem) to fall by adding a leather jacket. It's that simple. Add a cute jacket and/or sweater with some of your favorite summer dresses and boom you have your fall outfit. 

Sunflower Field & A Life Catch Up

I am finally sharing the pictures from the sunflower field adventure. It was so amazing to see in person. It was truly breathtaking to see such a large amount of flowers blooming all in one location. This was my first time visiting a sunflower field, and it won't be the last. My inner flower child was beaming with joy. :)

Fall Outfit

Top/Tunic: Make Me Chic || Super Flares: Free People || Booties: Forever 21 || Sunglasses: Urban Outfitter

Soooooo, I know it is just September 1st, but fall fashion has been calling my name. So I braved the heat (where are you fall weather?) and sweated it out a bit to get these pics. haha. This oversized tunic from Make Me Chic has been the best addition to my fall wardrobe, and of course the corduroy flares are going to probably be my favorite pant for the fall.  I paired them together because I wanted to make the ultimate hippie/boho combo, and because they are both so comfy too. I love anything oversized for multiple reasons: it is really flattering and whatever it is usually feels just like PJs (winning!). And again, for those of you who have not gotten any flares yet, what are you waiting for? In my opinion, I think they are the most flattering jeans on the planet. If you want to add something new to your closet for the fall, you should get a pair of flares. You won't be sorry. :)

I just want to thank everyone for all your super sweet messages and comments about my daughter. For those who missed my Instagram post, my daughter relapsed a couple of weeks ago and is restarting very intense chemo treatments to kill the leukemia cells. She is doing well with treatments (as well as you can be I guess), and the chemo is working well, so that is all we can really ask for right now. I will definitely keep you guys updated as I know more. Right now we have about two more weeks left in her first "block" and then they will do another bone morrow sample to evaluate how many cancer cells are left. Depending on the percentage they will do a different type of treatment. There has been so much medical verbiage thrown at us in the past two weeks, so sorry if this does't make much sense. I'm trying to share the abbreviated version. haha. We have a long road ahead of us, so we are just taking it one day at a time. Again, I just want to thank you for all your support, sweet words, and encouragements. You all are just the best and I love you so much! Xoxo!

Bra Shopping

 Bra: The Bottom Drawer  || Kimono/Shorts: Free People || Hat: Target || Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters

I had my first ever expert bra fitting last week, and man have I been doing bra shopping wrong. I went to The Bottom Drawer in Hampden (my little neighborhood in Baltimore), and the shop owner Julie asked me what type of bra I was looking for, which was a bralette because I love them and can never have too many. She measured me, told me my size, and then went to find some bras for me. She came back with many different options, and I left with two (a Josie Bardot bra, which is pictured, and a Natori bra). I honestly have never had a bra fit me so well in my life...seriously this has changed the game. Julie knew exactly which bras I need, and which ones would fit me best. It was the most enjoyable experience, and I really encourage you, if you have never had an expert bra fitting DO IT! I have been buying all the wrong bras all my life (most bras do not fit me that well as I am in-between a size A and B), and I never even knew it. I had basically settled with the usual name brand bras that most of my friends wear because I didn't think it could get any better. I was so wrong. I feel really enthusiastic about sharing this now because we wear bras every darn day, almost all day long, so they should fit, feel and look amazing. So get an expert bra fitting when you get a chance, you and your boobs will thank you. :)

The Bottom Drawer is having a 20% off sale starting this Wednesday on all of their merchandise, so if you are in the Baltimore area you should definitely check them out.

Hope you all had the best weekend! Xoxo!

Denim X Off The Shoulder

Top: SheIn || Denim: thrifted from IG || Flats: Target || Choker: Brightside Boutique 

This top from SheIn adds three of some of my favorite trends together: denim, frays, and off the shoulder. It has seriously become my summer go to because if I could be wearing denim from head to toe everyday and I would be a happy camper. I LOVE denim...in case you didn't already know. :) I think blue might be my all time favorite color now too. I have never claimed to have a favorite color because I like too many for different reasons and each color deserves to be loved in it's own way. Ya know? Well except maybe orange...we have never gotten along. Okay, I am done with my color rant. haha. I have just been enjoy wearing blue soooo much now, that it might become my favorite color, which for me is huge to admit. Anyhow, this top is on super sale right now, so don't miss out!

Has anyone else been basically melting in the heat lately? It has been so brutally hot outside, which has become my excuse for eating ice cream everyday. What are your favorite ways to stay cool during summer heat waves? 

My Skin Care Routine

Can we just talk about adult acne for a second....oh my goodness do I hate this stuff. I have never had to deal with acne until I was in my 20s, and I feel like no one prepared me for it. Everyone always says acne is for teens, and it usually goes away when you are older. Well, I have the opposite experience, and it has made me feel like a crazy person. Most of the acne products are geared toward teenagers, and they were not working very well for me. After being frustrated for awhile I turned to the internet and realized that apparently adult acne is a THING that other people struggle with it too. So I tried many different products (including natural remedies too) and tools with some success, but not what I was promised. Nothing was a cure-all item. 

With all of that being said, I have found a new favorite skin care line that has really made a difference called OSEA, which stands for Ocean, Sun, Earth, and Atmosphere. How cool is that? OSEA is vegan, gluten free, and biodegradable. Some of the best things that have worked for my skin are the natural skin care items, and this brand proves it. My two favorite items are the Blemish Balm and Ocean Cleansing Milk. On top of having acne, my skin is also sensitive and prone to being dry, so this combination has really helped me. I still do breakout sometimes, which might be in part to my diet (eeek! that is the next thing I need to work on), but I have seen such a huge improvement with these products. I do not like having to do a whole lot in the morning and night for my skin care routine, so these two products are basically it for me. Sometimes if my skin is extra dry I will add a little bit of Argan oil.

One more product that I am raving about lately is the Epic Blend lip balm. This is seriously the best lip balm ever! I don't have to use it as much as the other lip balms that use petroleum jelly as their main ingredient because it is much more moisturizing. I always carry one in my bag now. It is seriously a game changer, so I just had to share it with you. My fave is the Hemp Coconut lip balm. It's smells and feels amazing. :)

I'd love to hear some of your skincare secrets or favorite products, so please share!

Wood Watch

Watch: JORD Wood Watches || Tank: Brightside Boutique || Jacket: Forever 21 || Sandals: Birkenstock || Jeans: Loft

I honestly haven't ever been much of a watch person...especially with phones now days who really uses a watch? haha. But then I saw these beautiful women's watches, I knew I would love it and I really really do! I have gotten so many compliments on it recently too. It is super light weight and fits very comfortably. I thought it would take me awhile to get used to wearing a watch, but it really didn't. I love wearing it! It adds that finishing touch to most of my outfits because somehow I feel more put together when I am wearing it...yeah I am a weirdo. (:

I have still been celebrating my birthday...a week later. haha. I had a girls weekend in Chincoteague, and we had a blast at the beach. That little island has the coolest story, and the wild horses on beach was a sight to see! I am finally getting a summer tan too, so yay! Hope your week is going well so far! Xoxo!

 Best Wooden Watch

Summer Whites

Dress: Forever Dolledup || Shoes/Choker: Forever 21

All white is trending for summer, and this white lacy dress from Forever Dolled Up is the perfect summer piece. I love the little see through lacy section. I paired this dress with black gladiator sandals because I often don't like to wear items that are all super dressy together. So when I do where something a little more fancy than my day to day wear I usually dress it down with my shoes or add something that people wouldn't ordinarily add like a more casual belt, cardigan/sweater, shoes, or jewelry. It really all just depends on what the clothing piece is like. Dresses are really fun to do this with because you can really add almost anything to change the feel and your look all together. The outfit ideas are endless!

Caroline over at Forever Dolled Up is the sweetest and hooked you guys up with a 20% off coupon code that will last until 7/31/16, so you definitely need to go check out all their beautiful dresses. I'm in love with all of them.

Hope you all had the best weekend and enjoyed the fourth of July celebrations (if that is your thing :)! It seemed like the fireworks would never stop last night. haha.