Earlier this week I shared our backyard transformation and the outdoor furniture that we’re loving from Walmart, and today I’m heading into another section of the store that’s definitely worth shopping for summer: the clothing and accessories.  Y’all, if you haven’t taken a shopping stroll over to Walmart lately, it’s time to change that.

I grew up shopping at Walmart.  It was literally minutes from my house, and if you wanna know my childhood claim to fame, it’s definitely walking in a Walmart kids’ swimwear fashion show at my local Louisiana store.  That’s right, yours truly (along with the competitive dance team I was on at the time) could be found strutting my stuff down the main aisle in a zig-zag striped black one-piece swimsuit.  Perhaps that’s where I first caught this whole blogging bug?  Maybe not, but it’s a good memory anyway.

Fast forward a few years, and I’m now rediscovering my love for the Walmart clothing department.  There are new brands to love at the same amazing prices I remember.  Time and Tru is definitely a favorite of mine, and the shorts, striped tee, and wedges above as well as the t-shirt dress below are all from the brand.  These linen shorts seriously could not be better – I love the relaxed fit, the pockets, and of course, the under $10 price tag.  I’m definitely thinking I need one of the striped pairs as well.

And when it comes to accessories, you can’t go wrong with ALL of the straw things from Eliza May Rose.  How cute is the striped beach tote above?  You can find similar bags out there, but I’ve never seen them at this price point.  (And the quality is amazing.)  Here are a few other straw bags I’m loving right now.

The best part?  Walmart.com also offers free 2-day shipping on most orders over $35 with no membership fees.  See something you like today?  Get it by the weekend, easy as that.  Happy shopping, friends!

xoxo

 Time and Tru dress;  Levi’s jacket;  Time and Tru wedges;  Time and Tru Bag (similar online here and here)

Brought to you by Walmart.

September, y’all.  Can you even believe it?  Labor Day weekend has come and gone, and I’m over here like, didn’t summer just start?  I’m hopping on a flight back to California today from Louisiana (hoping to beat Tropical Storm Gordon, fingers crossed), and despite the warm temps in both places, I’ve currently got all the fall feels.  I’m excited to pull out all of the fall fashion, whip up a chili, shop for a pumpkin, and kick off week two of football season.  (Any other gals excited for football season?  Because I’m stoked.)  And in addition to the usual, I’ve decided to put together a little list of September goals.  Because what good is a new season if you can’t do a few new things?  So here goes.

Decorating our house for fall – This is the goal I’m probably most excited about, and it’s all my mom’s fault.  I’m fresh off a trip home to Louisiana for a few days, and my mom already had their house totally ready for fall.  Door wreaths, little touches here and there, and even fall dishes on the table – she’s kicked summer to the curb and is ready for the leaves to change.  In our home, there’s nothing I love more than decorating for Christmas, so I figured, why not add in a little seasonal spruce in the meantime?  Once I get some pumpkins, colorful leaves, and turkeys in the mix, you know I’ll be sharing with you guys here and over on the ‘gram.  (You can follow all of my HB home posts here.)

Find a new book…And read it – As much as I hate to admit it, it’s been *cough* years since I’ve read a book cover to cover.  I’ve started a couple that I never finished, but reading from page one and finishing the whole shebang?  Years.  My main problem is a) finding the right book and b) falling asleep after reading a couple of pages.  I’ve decided that maybe bedtime isn’t my prime reading time, so I plan to carve out a little time during the day, maybe a couple days a week.  Also, I’m currently taking book suggestions, so please, please let me know your favorites!  (As far as categories, I’d love a little suspense, something funny or a good love story, just no self-help, por favor.)

Kick up my workout routine – Before Eric and I got married about two and a half years ago, I was in a serious pilates routine.  I went to a reformer class about five times a week for over a year.  (I had an unlimited monthly package, so it helps that my frugal side wanted to get the most out of the package.)  After our wedding, I got a little burned out on pilates and felt like my body just kind of started to plateau.  I tried out Orangetheory classes and really liked them, but juggling the classes with my schedule at the time and Weeze’s tough puppy phase proved to be a lot, so I just didn’t keep going.  These days, I get my workouts in by taking Weeze on a long walk (usually 2 to 5 miles, depending on the day), but I’d like to start adding in occasional classes and workouts to switch things up.  I’ve heard amazing things about SeaFit Pilates in Huntington Beach and think I’ve got to give it a shot this month.

A return to at-home facials – There was a time not too long ago when this was an every-Sunday type of thing.  I’d remove my makeup, wash my face with two different cleansers (also love this one), and take a long bath with a masque on my face.  Post-rinse and post-bath, I’d follow up with my PMD (Personal Microderm – such a face-changer), these toning pads, a serum, and my favorite undereye cream.  (See a full review of my favorite eye creams here.) Right before bed, I’d usually add on one more moisturizer or facial oil.  I know, it’s a LOT of steps, but it was my relaxing, end-of-weekend thing that happened to really change my skin, and it’s something I’ve been missing for a while.  Blame the hiatus on laziness or the fact that it’s been WAY too hot for baths, but this month, I’m planning to get this skin back in its best shape, one at-home facial at a time.

Getting back to basics with Instagram – Once upon a time, many algorithms ago, Instagram was just plain fun.  Take some grainy photo with your iPhone 3, slap a filter on it, create some emo caption with a hashtag that meant nothing, and call it a day.  Then came 400 different photo editing apps, a non-chronological feed, blogger pods (groups of girls who DM each other when they post a photo so that everyone can go “like” and “comment” on each other’s photos – I’m not kidding), bots and fake followers, paying for comments, and brands and snooty PR reps who like to dump on the 7 years you’ve been actually running a website because your Instagram engagement isn’t up to their made-up standards.  Instagram can be an amazing tool for growing a business so I’ve tried to play the stupid games, and really, I just don’t care anymore.  I want to get back to posting photos and images that make me happy, so I kicked off the month the best way I know how – a photo from a friend’s wedding with some of my high school besties.  Suck it, algorithm.

What are some things you guys are looking forward to this month?

xoxo

Photos thanks to Katie Stuart

It goes without saying that I go through quite a lot of clothes around here.  Lots of it.  My laundry basked might tell you that I change clothes like five times a day which (mostly) isn’t true, but I’m still trying to get to the bottom of that mystery.  (Who the hell IS wearing all this clothes that I’m constantly washing around here?  Someone needs to pull herself together, just saying.)  But every once in a while, a piece comes along that is just so, SO good.  I’m talking about the best leather jacket from Parker, and I’m totally professing my love for it.  Y’all, it’s like straight butter, and I’m more than obsessed with the floral print that makes it stand out from the rest.  When I pulled this beauty from the box, I literally couldn’t stop smelling it.  (Don’t judge, you know that’s not that weird.)  So good.  And trust me – I totally KNOW that it’s an investment and a definite splurge, but if there’s one thing in your closet to splurge on, it’s a yummy leather (or faux leather) jacket.  Whether you go for this one (or RENT it for a fun holiday party here) or one of the other great picks that I’ve linked below, your closet needs a staple jacket that you can easily throw over daytime dresses, jeans, party frocks, skirts, you name it.  I’ve worn this one that’s under $100 and now available in four colors SO many times this fall – check it out here, here, and here.  And other than that, this Riller & Fount dress feels like you’re wearing pajamas in public, and I’m always about that life.

xoxo

P.S. – Make sure you enter the $500 skincare giveaway before it ends!

Photos thanks to Felicia Lasala

If you had told me a few seasons ago that Fall 2016 would be all about the bomber jacket, I probably would have told you to take a hike.  I mean, in the nicest way possible.  But yet here we are so quickly approaching fall, and I’m like, dammit I kind of love them.  I mean, who knew?  What an oh-so-random jacket style to come waltzing in like it owns the place.  But somehow, it just works.  With dresses, jeans, leather shorts, you name it, the bomber jacket really just works.  And if you’re sold on the trend like I am, you’re in luck because they’re seriously everywhere in tons of fabrics and colors and all different price ranges.  While I’m down to splurge a little on the classics, I normally don’t spend much on the trends so today I’m sharing six different versions of the bomber that are all under $100.  My personal faves for the season?  Anything in army green, quilted fabrics, and an unexpected satin version.  The under $40 pink satin jacket above totally makes me feel like a member of the Pink Ladies, and I don’t hate it one bit.  But if joining the cast of Grease isn’t your current goal in life, take a little gander at my picks below.  Something’s bound to be screaming your name.

xoxo

1. Matte Mauve Jacket  2. Pilot Jacket  3. Quilted Jacket With Embroidery  4. Satin and Faux Suede Jacket  5. Quilted Navy Jacket

Photos thanks to Jason Huang

Oh, hello!  After yesterday’s little Tuesday hiatus, I’m back on the blog in fall stripes, and this time it’s the world’s most comfy fall t-shirt dress.  I mean, I haven’t actually tried every t-shirt dress in the world, but I’ve tried a bunch and this one is good.  It’s a super soft, slightly thicker fabric so there’s no show-through.  It gives you a little room to breathe without looking like a giant trash sack, and the best part?  It’s currently on sale for $35, girl.  It’s available in six different colors, striped or solid, so take your pick and stock up while they’re on sale.  Once the temperatures drop, throw on a chunky cardigan, big cozy scarf, and over-the-knee boots.  Or don’t, but you can bet I will.  Here’s hoping everyone is having a great week!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Gabi Wells

Happy weekend, friends!  Today I’m channeling my inner Sporty Spice and getting down with the athleisure trend for a little weekend wear.  Is there anything better than a t-shirt dress?  The answer is yes.  A t-shirt dress with pockets trumps pretty much anything.  Throw it on with sneakers and a jacket from three years ago that you’ve worn 467 times.  Also, this bag.  Y’all, it’s under $100, but it feels SO nice.  I’ve been scootin’ around town with this bag all week because it fits all my stuff and is just plain cute.  Anyone else feeling extra ready for the weekend?

xoxo

SheInside T-Shirt Dress ($14!);  Sam Edelman sandals;  Sam Edelman Clover Fringe bag;  Henri Bendel sunglasses;  Forever 21 necklace;  H&M cuff;  Boera ring;  Michael Kors watch

Remember this little t-shirt dress from earlier this year?  Well after wearing it about 4,537 times during the fall and winter and ordering not one but two duplicates of it, I figured I’d just go with the feeling and order it in green as well.  What can I say?  It’s under $15 and oh-so-comfy.  It’s great for layering in cooler weather or perfect on its own during the spring paired with my current accessory dream team: the fringe bag and studded sandals (both by Sam Edelman) that I’ve worn like a crazy person afraid to let go.  Well call me Linus because when something is your favorite, you might as well just go with it sometimes, am I right?  T-shirt dress hoarders unite.

xoxo

Photos thanks to Taylor Cole Photography

SheInside dress (on sale!);  Sam Edelman boots;  Loeffler Randall clutch;  Nordstrom hat;  Ray-Ban sunglasses

Is there anything better than a simple and slouchy t-shirt dress?  I think not.  And with long sleeves in the fall, it’s definitely one of my go-to pieces.  (And pssst! This one is currently on sale for $15.)  Worn with short booties, it’s comfy enough for running errands or sitting at my desk all day, but with over-the-knee boots and piled-on accessories, it makes the switch from day to night easily.  During these first weeks of fall, I’m loving an all black break from summer’s brights and looking forward to t-shirting my way into the weekend.  Happy Friday, everyone!
xoxo

Riller & Fount dress;  Paige Denim plaid shirt (similar);  BCBGeneration sneakers via Fatal Obsessions;  French Connection bag (c/o);  People by People sunglasses (c/o);  La Mer Collections watch

Last week I met up with Kathleen for happy hour at one of my favorite spots in Newport Beach, The Cannery.  After much gabbing and a couple of cocktails, we snapped these photos right outside of the restaurant.  I had plans of wearing a cute little dress and heeled sandals all day, but I lost track of time and threw on these glorified sweats on my way out the door.  I love Riller & Fount’s ultra-soft knitwear, and this little t-shirt dress is no exception.  Since I walked the few blocks there, a plaid around the waist, wedge sneakers, and sassy shades helped finish off the look.  Hope everyone had a great weekend!
xoxo

P.S. – Don’t forget to enter the Emploi New York dress giveaway!

Does casual Friday leave you a little clueless?  (Trust me, this is not an excuse to roll out of bed and show up in your pajamas.  Just saying.)  Choose a chic and classic jersey shift (ahem, t-shirt dress) in a great heathered navy and add menswear-inspired loafers, a bold handbag and smart, interesting jewelry (dying for this mixed metals bracelet).  Stick to fool-proof basics, and you’ll be the queen of the carpool…commander of the cubicle…the most stylish girl on your commute.  (Even if you commute alone.  In your own car.  It’s guaranteed actually.)  At the very least, you’ll be comfortable and ready to take on your weekend.
xoxo