Monday Motivation

I'm fairly certain that my visitor count for today will be pretty low considering it's the unofficial kick-off for summer, but for those of you that are starting your week with me today, I'm so glad you stopped by.

Memorial Day is always one of those holidays that I forget is a holiday. Not because I don't think it's important, but because until I started the magazine I never got the day off. I do hope everyone has had a safe and fun long weekend so far and that you haven't glossed over the reason why you've got that extra day off work.

We had a pretty low-key weekend, and today will be more of the same. I've got a couple of things I need to do for the digital magazine this morning, then we're going to clean out Alexis's room because she officially has way too many toys, and probably end up in the backyard with the pool and splash pad.

The week ahead will be mostly planning for the June magazine and making sure everything is in place for the camps we've signed Alexis up for. I have a feeling I'll be setting up my laptop on the back porch so Alexis can play in the water while I work.

I do have several blog posts planned for this week, so stay tuned. And if you haven't already, sign up for my newsletter by clicking on the subscribe button at the top of the page.

Have a fabulous week!

Real Outfit Roundup: 7 Outfits from Late May

I'm pretty sure everybody has heard the famous literary quote, "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." Well, that pretty much sums up the last two weeks for me. It's been one of those seasons where anything that could go wrong, went wrong in the most spectacular way possible.

That's not what this post is about though. I just wanted to throw it out there so you would see the reasoning behind the scaled back posts here and on my social media. In fact, this post was not what I had planned for today, but it was the easiest one for me to throw together this morning.

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and wear size 6 or medium in most clothing and size 7 in shoes.

Dress / Shoes

I love this dress so much. This picture is from almost two weeks ago, on a day when I had some errands to run around town and ... well, let's be honest. I didn't really need an excuse to wear it. I also wore it yesterday for Alexis's kindergarten graduation.

I love the top of this dress. It's so romantic and gives me all the Jane Austen vibes. It's so flattering and if you see me buy the blue version, don't be surprised. This dress is so dang perfect.

My wedges are from last year and I honestly can't find anything like them.

Dress / Vest (similar) / Shoes (similar)

This is one of my favorite style of dresses that Old Navy has: the swing dress. This one is very on trend with its tiered skirt, but honestly it will never go out of style in my closet. The material is not stretchy at all and the straps are adjustable. I wore this a couple Saturdays ago. Chris and I went to a few stores and then to lunch. It was warm enough to wear the dress on its own, but I added the vest to keep my shoulders from burning.

Shirt (similar) / Shorts / Shoes

I most definitely broke my own personal shopping rule when I bought these tie-dye linen shorts. I had absolutely no idea how I would wear them when I added them to my cart, but I just love them so much. This is from a couple weekends ago, as well. We didn't do much that I remember. I think my in-laws came over for pizza that night, although it's very possible I've got the day wrong on that.

Shirt / Pants / Shoes

This was two Mondays ago. According to my planner, it was a normal work day, and I don't remember going anywhere other than school. This is another one of those cropped band tees, although it's not exaggeratedly short. With this pair of high-waisted jeans, it doesn't feel cropped at all, honestly.

Dress

This isn't the best picture of this dress, but I've shared it so many times I didn't feel like it mattered. It's one of my most-worn Amazon dresses ever.

Shirt (similar) / Skirt (similar)

This shirt and skirt are both veteran members of my wardrobe, but how cute did this outfit turn out? I wore this last Friday because I needed a mood booster.

Shirt  / Shorts (similar) / Shoes

And last but not least, I wore this on Monday, and no, I haven't taken any other outfit pictures this week. I truthfully don't remember what I've worn this week other than for Alexis's graduation yesterday, which we've already talked about. Anyway, this shirt is from last year, proving that my love affair with statement sleeves pre-dates this year's puff-sleeve trend. The trick to making this trend last? Keep the puff sleeve as understated as possible. Also, I'm not finding anything remotely similar to link to.

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday, friends. This week's motivation post is going to be short and not so sweet.

See, the truth is, the last two months have been a serious struggle, and it's started to catch up with me. We've been in and out of doctor and dentist appointments, dealing with a seemingly never-ending situation with school, the stove is still dead meaning meal planning is still a huge stressor, and my windshield has a lovely chip in it from a passing semi throwing a rock on me.

Finding the good has been a lot tougher these days, especially since it feels like everything is going wrong all at once, but there is still good out there. It's in the new book series I've fallen in love with, in the success I'm finding here on the blog, and in the fresh flowers on my dining room table, just to name a few.

This week is going to be a busy one, with Alexis's kindergarten graduation, another dentist appointment, and a hair appointment for Alexis. We've still got a couple of weeks of school left after graduation (so weird, right?), and I can't describe how much I'm looking forward to not having to set my alarm for so dang early for awhile.

My to-do list for today is super long, so I'm going to sign off here, but not before I share this: every day isn't a good day, but there is good in every day. You just have to look for it.

Have a great week!

My Spring & Summer Fashion Picks from Amazon, Old Navy, & Target

Spring is most definitely on its way out in the deep South, but down here there's not a whole lot of difference in temperature from Spring to Fall. So even though I'm a little late on the uptake when it comes to sharing some of my purchases, rest assured you can wear pretty much all of them all throughout the year.

If you haven't been following along with my mostly daily outfit posts on Instagram, here's what you can expect out of this post.

There's really not a lot of difference in how I dress from season to season other than I wear a lot more skirts and dresses in warmer months. I love fun, bright prints and looser silhouettes that don't swallow my curves.

To be honest, I'm not really a trend follower, although you will see two of this year's more popular trends in this post. Statement sleeves have been my thing for years, and I've always loved a good pair of boyfriend jeans because they've always felt more flattering for my body type.

Let's get started, shall we?

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and wear size 6/8 or medium in most clothing and size 7 in shoes.

Amazon

I don't do a ton of clothes shopping on Amazon. I like to stick to brands I know and don't have to worry about sizing or quality, but I have gotten several things this Spring that will feature pretty heavily in my warm weather OOTD's.

Floral Maxi Dress - It's not really a secret that I love a good floral print dress, and this casual maxi dress has been on repeat for the last several months. It is so comfortable. The material is thick enough to not be see-through, it has adjustable straps and pockets, and comes in several other colors/patterns.

Green Ruffle Floral Mini Skirt - If you're thinking this skirt looks familiar, you'd be right. I have it in two other colors and could not resist this bright green.

Brown Leather H-band Slides - These aren't pictured in the graphic above but you can see them in the ones below. They've quickly become my go-to shoe.

High-Waisted Swimsuit - This is a really good swimsuit, just saying. It comes in a few color choices.

Halter Neck Romper - This was recommended by a good friend and it does not disappoint. It's not fitted or too baggy, and I love the crochet detailing at the neck. Comes in a few other colors.

Floral Button-Front Camisole - This camisole is amazing. I've got it in the cream and tan, as well. I wear them all the time. They work on their own or under a jacket/sweater.

Floral Lace Sleeve Tank - The only picture I have of this particular shirt it's under a jacket so you can't really see it. It's a nice dressy-casual tank that can be easily dressed up or down. I ordered the solid white, as well, but they sent the wrong size so I had to return sadly.

Honorable Mention: Criss-Cross T-shirt Dress - This dress technically didn't work for me, but I want to share it because it's really good quality and very pretty. I think if I had ordered a size up, it might have been better, but as it was it was way too short and because it's slightly fitted the pockets didn't lay nicely. I wore it to the beach and felt very self-conscious the entire time, so I'm donating it.

Old Navy

We all know that Old Navy is my go-to for everyday clothes, and this spring/summer is no different. Probably 80% of what I'm wearing lately came from there. I'm really digging their prints this season and I love the casual boho vibe of a lot of it. Plus, their graphic and pop culture tees are saving my work-at-home life these days.

Oversized Floral-Print Split-Neck Tunic - This is the second picture on the top row. Unfortunately this pretty red/pink pattern is out of stock, but they've still got a black/white version in some sizes so I wanted to share. It is really oversized and I probably could have gone down to the small. The sleeves have elastic cuffs so you can pull them up. I've worn this with jeans only so far but have plans to pair it with white jeans, shorts and at least one skirt.

Square-Neck Top - Third picture, middle row. Sadly this pretty reddish orange color is sold out, but there are two other colors. This is such a good blouse. If I worked in an office, it would be part of my work-drobe (you know, work wardrode?). It's a straighter cut so you may want to consider sizing up if you're between sizes.

Floral Button-Down - This is just a standard button-down shirt, but I love the floral print. It's still available in limited sizes. Third picture, top row.

Oversized Printed Button-Front Blouse - Fourth picture, middle row. Not gonna lie, this one is almost too big. I wish I'd gotten the small, it's that oversized. This gray print isn't available anymore but it comes in a cheetah and red vine print that are pretty.

Smocked Waist Floral Midi Skirt - Not pictured because I missed it when I was building the graphic, but you can see how I wore it here. The pink floral pattern I bought is available in limited sizes, but it comes in two others.

Smock-Yoke Top - This is one of my favorite tops right now. First picture, second row. The blue is no longer available, but there's a pretty yellow option.

Loose Vintage Beach Tee - First picture, third row. When I pulled this out of the delivery bag, I was pretty skeptical because it looked so boxy, but then I put it on and fell in love. This exact beach scene isn't available but there are several others.

Cropped Band Tees - I actually have two of these, the ACDC one (second picture, third row) and the Pink Floyd one. As you can see in the picture above, these aren't crazy short. They only show a sliver of my midriff when I raise my arms over my head.

Tie-Dye Tank Dress - Last picture, top row. I like this dress so much, it got its own post last month.

Pop Culture Graphic Tees - I am really loving all the gender neutral pop culture tees Old Navy has these days. You can see my Grateful Dead and Atari shirts in the last two pictures on the third row. These fit like a regular t-shirt, so not fitted. They're also made for men and women so the length is longer.

Tie-Dye Linen Shorts - Last picture, third row. I broke my own rules with these shorts. I saw them and bought them without a thought as to how I would wear them. But I love them anyway.

Floral Midi Dress - How romantic is this dress? Second picture, middle row. I need to actually do some real pictures with it because my mirror pic just does not do it justice.

Sleeveless Tiered Swing Dress - This might be my favorite style of Old Navy dress. First picture, first row. It's spaghetti strap, with adjustable straps and pockets.

Boyfriend Jeans - Every pair of jeans in the above graphic except for the last pic on the middle row are boyfriend jeans. Unfortunately, these exact three pairs are no longer available, but Old Navy has a lot of good options.

Not Pictured

Everywear Slub-Knit Graphic Tees - I actually had too many of these to pick just one.

Tie-Dye Tank - I've worn this a couple times but never snapped a picture. It's just a basic tank, and comes in several colors/patterns.

Pinstripe Linen Jumpsuit - I actually haven't worn this yet, but I can't wait.

Target

Our local Target has been pretty hit and miss on me-approved styles this season, and I rarely order from their website, which is why this section of today's post is so short. I usually stick with Universal Thread and A New Day, and sometimes venture into Wild Fable.

Purple Floral Maxi - I have actually never found this dress on the website, not even within the week that I bought it. But this is pretty similar in style.

Green Picnic Print Midi Skirt - How pretty is this skirt? It's fully lined and has an elastic waist.

Coral Striped Button-Down - This is a pretty basic button-down. I liked the color of the stripes. The sleeves are dolman style so they're not restrictive, which is a plus.

Green Puff Sleeve Top - This blouse is really pretty, but the sleeves are bigger than I anticipated. Yes, I bought this in person, but they did not look quite so voluminous on the hanger.

Note: While I did pay full price for a lot of items featured in this post, most were purchased on sale or with Super Cash, points, etc.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Monday Motivation

Whew, it's only 7:35 a.m. and I am already over it for the day. Why, you ask? Well, my day started with cat throw-up and a grumpy 6 year old snail. Seriously, she moved so slow this morning that she had to eat breakfast at school because we simply didn't have time for her normal pondering breakfast at home. So I threw some paper towels on the cat's mess, threw Alexis's lunch in her backup lunchbox (she left her normal bag at school all weekend), and we managed to get to school on time.

I really hope that doesn't set the tone for the rest of this day - or week!

Speaking of this week, it's looking like a normal run-of-the-mill work week, for which I'm grateful. I feel like I spent much of last week running from one thing to the next. Alexis spent the weekend with grandparents, then we grilled pork chops for my mother-in-law's birthday.

I've really been enjoying the back porch with all the mild temperatures we've been having lately. There are some 90s in our forecast for this week, I think. This has been the longest spring we've had in my memory. Usually summer kind of takes over after a week or two.

Alexis has field day this week, graduation next week, and then school lets out on June 8 (weirdly late, I know), so we're really starting to think about summer plans. We're looking at swimming lessons, gymnastics, and an art camp, all of which I need to register for this week to ensure her spot.

That's enough rambling for one morning. Time to get to it! I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Real Outfit Roundup: Warm Spring Outfits

 
Life has been crazy the past two weeks. Between trips to the dentist, getting vaccinated, dealing with lice, and work in general, my schedule has been really scattered. But I've been working really hard on accepting things the way they are in the moment and not sweating those things I simply don't have as much time for in this crazy hectic season. So, that's why you only get six real outfits from past two weeks, but I am throwing in my new swimsuit and some workout gear for good measure. Let's get to it.

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and wear size 6/8 or medium in tops and dresses, size 6 in bottoms, and size 7 in shoes.

It just so happens that our first outfit is also my favorite of the bunch. It was a gloomy, rainy Monday, so I wanted a colorful outfit. I love this rainbow skirt and keep looking for new ways to style it. This Just Peachy t-shirt matches the peach stripe in the skirt perfectly and the greens are really dang close. I'm getting a lot more wear out of these clear strap wedges than I thought I would. If you're on the fence about this particular trend, these are a good minimalist way to give it a try.

Shirt / Skirt (similar, similar) / Shoes

Everything starts to go downhill from there. We're skipping Tuesday because I spent half of it at the dentist office, then only had a couple hours before I had to pick up Alexis, so I threw on jeans and a t-shirt and called it a day. No photographs because I was running around all day.

Wednesday, I had yoga and my second Covid shot, my magazines were delivered, and I did a little bit of office work. I wanted to feel put together but comfy, especially if the shot made me feel icky. You might remember I wore this dress for Thanksgiving. Then, I paired it with boots but this day I chose sneakers. They're actually an exact color match with the dots in the dress.

Dress / Shoes

Thursday I ended up not really knowing what to do with myself. I had scheduled it as an off day in anticipation of not feeling well after the vaccine, but I woke up feeling fine. So I ran a few errands, did some bookkeeping and scheduling, and got caught up on some personal stuff I'd been putting off.

I bought these shorts last summer and only wore them like once thanks to my hysterectomy recovery. They fit better this year, thanks mostly to my yoga sessions, so be prepared to see them a lot this summer. It was really warm this day so I grabbed this navy blue peplum tank. I honestly don't remember where I got it from, I've had it that long. It's a great neutral top that isn't boring.

Shirt / Shorts (similar) / Shoes

Fridays are nearly always light work days for me, and this one was no exception. I was feeling pretty tired, though, so I decided to keep things comfy. It was too warm for joggers so I grabbed these linen pants instead and paired them with what I call my orange crush shirt. I spent most of the day on the back porch with a book.

Shirt / Pants (similar) / Shoes

For Mother's Day weekend, Alexis and I went to the lake with my mom and dad. The sun was warm, the breeze was cool, and the water hadn't reached bathtub temperature yet. I got this swimsuit for our Spring Break trip back in March but didn't take any pictures when we were actually at the beach. The bottoms are high-waisted and have ruching. I picked up my cap on a random Walmart trip.

Swimsuit

We're skipping Monday. I legitimately don't remember what I wore, but my planner for that day was insanely busy. I'm guessing I wore jeans/shorts and a t-shirt.

Tuesday was less chaotic, but I still kept things pretty simple with this favorite tiered t-shirt dress from last year. It's a popular style so they've brought back a similar version this year in the same color, and it's under $15! I paired it with my leopard print sneakers, which are super comfy.

Dress / Shoes

Skipping over Wednesday because I literally spent the day running from one appointment to the next and didn't snap a picture of my extremely basic jeans, t-shirt, sneakers combo.

Thursday started off with yoga, and since I had planned to stay in the leggings all day and just change my top for a sweatshirt, I snapped a pic to share. My leggings and top are both by Athletic Works. I got them on clearance last year but I'm linking to similar styles. My sports bra, which you obviously can't see, is from Fabletics and it's one of my favorites so I'll link it as well. My jacket is really old but it came from Target.

Tank / Sports Bra / Leggings / Jacket (similar) / Sneakers

I ended up taking a really fast shower and putting on real clothes for an unexpected visit to the pediatrician. I was hoping to do a tele-visit but they insisted we come in. So I grabbed my favorite boyfriend jeans and this new Grateful Dead tee.

Shirt / Jeans / Shoes

And that's it for recent outfits. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

*This post contains affiliate links.

My 10 Minute Every Day Makeup Routine

When you're a working mom, whether you go to an office or work out of your home, having a solid morning routine is a must.

For me, personally, I have a lot of wiggle room in my mornings when it comes to getting ready for the day. Here's what my ideal morning timeline looks like:

6:45 a.m. Alarm goes off.

6:55-7:25 a.m. Wake up Alexis. Get her dressed, fed, teeth brushed, lunch and bookbag packed.

7:25-7:35 a.m. Morning drop-off.

7:35-8:00 a.m. Coffee and morning kick-off (i.e. blog, respond to overnight emails)

8:00-9:00 a.m. Shower, makeup, hair, clothes. Then start work.

Twice a week, I do morning yoga classes so my schedule is pushed back about an hour. Other days, I'll start work earlier and push my shower back closer to lunch.

What doesn't change is my daily make-up routine, unless I decide not to wear any at all or have something special to go (rare). It takes me around 10 minutes to do my everyday not-fancy makeup, and today I'm going to share that routine with you plus my current favorite products.

Step 1: Moisturize

I use Aveno Daily Moisturizer every day. It's not greasy or heavy. I like that it has sunscreen and (so far) doesn't bother my ridiculously sensitive skin.

Step 2: Primer

I've been using Neutrogena's redness correcting primer for several years. My skin tends to have a a pink-ish undertone and blemishes always look super red. This helps my makeup go on smoothly while toning down any unwanted redness, all without clogging my pores.

Step 3: Spot Control

I don't have a lot of issues with breakouts, but if I've been eating badly or have been super stressed my jaw, cheeks, and hairline will show it. That's where my Neutrogena Skin Clearing Blemish Concealer comes in. It's liquid and blends nicely with my foundation. I use the lightest shade they have.

Step 4: Foundation

My go-to most days is Neutrogena's Hydro Boost hydrating tint. It's basically a tinted moisturizer, just with a fancy name. You can see in that top left picture how I apply it before using a flat-angled brush to blend it and my concealer. This has a nice silky feel and doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy, nor does it dry me out like a lot of thicker foundations do. I wear the classic ivory.

Step 5: Blush/Bronzer

I am really loving my Mellow bronzer/blush. It is the perfect shade to give my cheeks some definition without tipping over into "she tried too hard" territory.

Step 6: Eyes & Eyebrows

This is actually probably the most important part of my makeup routine. My eyes are easily lost in my face. They're small, my lashes are blond, and my eyebrows have to be filled in every day. #redheadproblems

Anyway, I've really been enjoying my Laura Gellar Cinnamon and Spice eyeshadow palate that came in my last FabFitFun box. The oat milk and cinnamon dolce are my go-to shades most days.

The Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion in brown-black is my all-time favorite mascara. It makes my lashes visible without being clumpy or overdone.

I'm pretty new to the Covergirl Easy Breezy Brow, but my usual brow powder is no more so I had to adapt. This is pretty easy to apply, but I do use the eyelash brush that came in my makeup brush set to help spread it a little better and keep it from being stiff. I use the soft brown.

Step 7: Lipstick

To be fair, I don't wear lipstick that often, but this is my go-to when I do. It really is the perfect nude lipstick for my skin tone.

And voila! My face is done for the day, resulting in a natural barely-there look that's a step above "I woke up like this" without trying too hard.

Invitations, Announcements & More with Basic Invite

In the age of social media, everything seems to be migrating online. From party invitations to virtual hang-outs (#thankscovid), nearly no aspect of life is safe from the internet's clutches.

That makes receiving personal mail so much more special these days. As a born-and-bred Southerner, there are some things that have been ingrained in me since I was old enough to write. Sending physical invitations for an event, no matter what it is, and sending thank you cards when you receive a gift, no matter the occasion.

But as much as I like to give my local shops my business, I can't always find what I'm looking for in a physical store. Sometimes my creative side just demands more. So what's a busy mom to do?

That's where Basic Invite comes in. This site is your one-stop shop for invitations, announcements, save the dates, and more. In this post, I'll share how the site works and what I think of the service.

This post is sponsored by Basic Invite. All opinions are my own.

Since it's graduation season and Alexis is graduating from Kindergarten at the end of this month, I decided to create a Kindergarten graduation announcement.

The site is easy to use. The navigation is simple and clear-cut, no confusing click-throughs. They have a lot of design templates you can choose from. I decided to go with the Sunflower Burst design since Alexis loves them.

From there, I uploaded the photo I wanted to use, chose my color scheme, and put in my text. You also have the option to use the back of the announcement and customize your envelope for a small upcharge.

You've got a lot to work with on Basic Invite. They are one of few websites with almost unlimited color options. There are more than 180 colors to choose from when designing your card, as well as foil options, and you control every element on the card. Plus, there are more than 40 color options with the envelopes. I also love that the envelopes are peel and stick - no licking to seal required!

One of my favorite features is the ability to order a sample so you can see your design in person before you make your final order. This way you can see the paper quality, how the design prints, and make sure everything is perfect.

Another cool feature is their address capturing service, which allows you to share a link on your social media requesting addresses that will be stored in your account. Then you can have the addresses printed on the envelopes at no cost.

There are tons of graduation announcements, grad party invites, and graduation open house invitation designs to choose from, not to mention the birthday party invitations, baby shower invites, wedding stationary options, holiday cards, and even business cards. Check out some of my favorites below, plus a discount code.

*Photos provided by Basic Invite.

Right now you can save 15% when you give Basic Invite a try by using code 15FF51.

Monday Motivation + Mother's Day Recap

Good morning, friends! We're starting the week out on a stormy note, but I'm okay with that after such a beautiful weekend.

Did everyone have a nice Mother's Day? On the actual day, we didn't do anything at all. Alexis and I stayed in comfy clothes and watched movies. But on Saturday, we went to the lake with my parents. The water was still cool instead of bathtub warm like it gets in the summer, and there was plenty of sunshine. We ate at one of our favorite local places and just had a laid-back day. Alexis is most definitely a water baby so she was in heaven, and I just enjoyed sitting in the sun for awhile (with plenty of sunscreen, of course!). Here are a few pictures from the day - ignore the slight haze, pretty sure there was a sheen of sunscreen on the lens.

This week is just going to be a typical work week. Distribution last week went really quickly thanks to a coincidental scheduling bonus that may never happen again, but it definitely saved me a ton of time!

I got my second COVID shot so I'm fully vaccinated. Thankfully I didn't have any bad side effects, just a sore arm and a little extra tiredness for a couple days.

Unfortunately, the saga with my tooth continue this week. The dentist assures me this is not how these things normally go, but I've got at least two more trips before hopefully we'll finally have one that fits properly without disrupting my bite.

Otherwise, the only other things I have on my schedule are two yoga sessions and a sponsored post for Wednesday.

Okay, I've been puttering around at this long enough. Time to get to work!

I hope you all have a great week, and remember, don't let what other people think define your actions!

4 Ways to Wear a Maxi Dress in Spring & Summer

One of the best things about a maxi dress, or any dress really, is the ability to throw it on, call it an outfit, and walk out the door. And 90% of the time, that's exactly what I do, because I'm lazy or only going to the school car line.

But just because you don't have to add any extras to your outfit doesn't mean you can't. Adding a few key pieces can take a maxi dress from being a simple I-just-threw-this-on look to an outfit that feels more intentional and put together.

This post will share four simple ways to polish up your favorite maxi dress this spring and summer. Let's get started!

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and wear size medium or 6/8 in dresses/tops, size 6 in bottoms, and size 7 in shoes.

Dress (similar) / Jacket / Shoes (similar)

Maxi Dress + Jacket

This is by far the simplest way to put a finishing touch on your maxi. Some tips: look for a jacket that's slightly fitted and sits at or above your waist. You want it to add structure without weighing you down. I used white denim here but you can use any fabric really. My grey suede moto jacket is a favorite for cooler days.

Dress / Vest (similar) / Shoes (similar) / Belt (similar)

Maxi Dress + Belt + Vest

This is one of my favorite combinations, especially with maxi dresses that don't have a defined waist. The belt helps establish line of sight, while the vest helps create that 1/3, 2/3 rule that makes an outfit more visually appealing. Also, I like my shoulders to be protected from the sun.

Dress (similar) / Shirt / Shoes

Maxi Dress + Graphic Tee

This combo is a little bit tougher to pull off because of the faux print mixing element. (I say faux because I don't think a graphic tee is technically a print.) This works best with sleeveless dresses to prevent bulk at the shoulders, and I like to use dresses with a defined waist. The goal is to create a skirt and shirt look. You can knot your t-shirt if you prefer, but in this outfit I gathered it into a "ponytail," secured it with a hair tie, and tucked it under.

Dress (similar) / Shirt (similar) / Shoes

Maxi Dress + Tied Button-Up

Do you have a chambray shirt in your closet? If not, consider this your motivation! This is very similar to adding a jacket but without the extra weight, making it more appropriate for summer days. You can button the shirt above the knot if you like or leave it open so a peek of your dress shows. You can also achieve this same look with a long-sleeved button-up, just roll the sleeves to your elbows! Also, you can reverse everything with a printed button-up over a solid print dress.

*This post contains affiliate links.

What I Read April 2021

It felt like I read a ton in April, which is surprising considering all the other stuff that was going on last month. In summation, I got derailed by a totally unexpected series, finally crossed a book off my TBR list that's been there at least two years, finished a series I've been reading forever, discovered a new fairy-tale-based detective series, found a Beauty & the Beast retelling I actually liked, continued the Merlin saga, and rekindled my love for historical fiction.

Before we dive into the reviews, I wanted to give you an update on the 5 Books I'm Reading Right Now post from late March. You'll have seen the review for Darkest Drae in my March reading roundup, and two others - The Last Monument and Finch Merlin and the Djinn's Curse - show up in this post. As for Mother of Shadows, I read about half of it and decided that the characters were just way too serious for me without any real clear reason why. As for Carpet Diem, it just hasn't fit my mood at the moment, so I'll probably end up coming back to it down the road.

Her Reverse Genus

Author: Adell Ryan

Not gonna lie. This series distracted me from the five other books I had been reading. I'm not usually into science fiction, but this one felt more realistic than most, especially given the current climate. The premise of the book is that the government has authorized DNA testing on every citizen in an attempt to control overpopulation and disease. Thessaly has managed to avoid being tested, but when she's kidnapped by a group of guys who believe there's more to the blood collection than meets the eye, she soon learns more about herself than she would have ever thought possible and finds herself at the center of a rebellion.

The Last Monument

Author: Michael C. Grumley

This book was in now way what I expected. The blurb gives a nice little overview of the first couple of chapters, but this story is so much deeper than a lost secret that could change the world as we know it. It all starts with a plane crash. Even though the cause is apparent, NTSB investigator, Joe Rickards, finds himself chasing down what caused a man who refused to fly to get on a plane in bad weather in the middle-of-the night. He teams up with Angela, the granddaughter of the flight's passenger, and the duo finds themselves on the trail of a mystery dating back to World War II and the Monuments Men.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely, A Heart So Fierce and Broken, and A Vow So Bold and Deadly (The Cursebreaker Series)

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

The first book is essentially a Beauty and the Beast retelling. It's similar to A Court of Thorn and Roses, but I like this series better.

Prince Rhen and Grey, his captain of the guard, have been trapped in a curse for what feels like eternity - bringing girl after girl to Emberfall in the hopes one will fall in love with the prince and break the curse. After hundreds of seasons, it all feels hopeless, but then Grey finds Harper. A girl with cerebral palsy who just won't give up. But the enchantress who cast the curse can't be trusted to sit back and watch from the sidelines. Plus, there are rumors brewing that Rhen is not the crown prince like he's grown up believing.

The Book of Lost Names

Author: Kristin Harmel

Wow. It's been awhile since I read a novel in one sitting, but this book hooked me from the first chapter.

Eva, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is not who everyone thinks she is. When a German librarian begins reuniting books stolen from Jews during WWII with those families' descendants, Eva gets the opportunity to finish the mission she started all those years ago when she worked as a forger for the French Resistance, sending children safely over the border to Switzerland with new identities while their given names were recorded in code in a religious book.

The Red Cardinal

Author: Mia Smantz

This is the last book in The Cardinal series, a six-book series I've been reading for quite awhile. Callie is a hacker. Kidnapped as a preteen and forced to work for criminals, she's rescued by the elite Delta organization of the CIA. But her ruthless former overlord, Ivanov, will stop at nothing to wipe her from existence. In this last installment, Callie has left all but one of her Delta team, in an effort to protect them from the Russian crime lord, and is working with the CIA to find and take out Ivanov.

I thought the series ended nicely, although I was a little disappointed there was no special scene with Payton (he was my favorite of the guys). There were a few unexpected twists, but overall this was a good cap for the series.

Finch Merlin and the Djinn's Curse

Author: Bella Forrest 

Finch's quest to find Atlantis for Erebus continues as he tracks down the "key" to unlock the gateway to the lost city. Finch enlists the help of his friend, Raffe, who has a djinn tethered to him to retrieve the necessary ingredient. Meanwhile, the djinn are dying because of Erebus's mission, so Raffe seeks out the Storyteller to find a solution, in the hopes it will free Finch from his servitude.

It's a Charmed Life

Author: Selene Charles

This is the first book of The Grimm Files, featuring cold case detective Elle, aka the infamous mermaid princess Arielle, and Constable Maddox Hatter, aka the Mad Hatter. Elle is assigned to a year-old murder that occurred on the Charming estate, but all signs point to Wonderland where the usually solo detective is forced to work with Hatter. Her case quickly becomes entwined with one of Hatter's own, and it becomes clear that there's corruption afoot.

I was prepared not to like this series. Elle is grouchy and not very likeable, but when they start revealing why it lessens her harshness. Also, there's a whole mess of fairytale characters to enjoy including Ichabod Crane, Alice (in Wonderland), Bo Peep, and Crowley, to name a few. I'm excited to see where the series is headed.