Random Vacation Thoughts

Fair warning: this is going to be one of the rambling, non-cohesive type posts.

• Despite leaving "clothes" off my packing list I did actually take some with me and didn't have to spend my vacation in nothing but a swimsuit and PJs. My most versatile and favorite piece of packable vacation clothing is my foldover jersey skirt. I have the dark heather gray color which is so versatile. It goes with everything, doesn't wrinkle, is light weight and cool, and the foldover waist makes the length of the skirt adjustable. I'm hoping to get a few more in different colors.

• I haven't had a swimsuit I actually like in years and years.  Of course that's probably because I usually just buy whatever keeps me covered and is cheap.  This year I decided to buy a "real" swimsuit so I bought the hidden assets one piece at Target.  The only problem is I bought it without trying it on (shame, shame...I know,) and I should have sized up.  It is very slimming and cute, but it's a bug bear to get on, and once it's wet, there's no taking it off and putting it back on.  That sort of creates a problem if one needs to make use of the restroom facilities.  So instead, I wound up wearing my board shorts and halter tankini top which provided no support (should have sized down. Again, I bought without trying on.  Must be a phobia.) but was at least easy to get back on when wet.

• My hair did not look cute in the humidity, so I tried to stay out of all the pictures.  Unfortunately my plan didn't work, and I'll always have reminders of the strange ways my bangs can curl up.
• Ditto on the makeup in the humidity.  My skin tends toward the oily side, so my makeup just slid right off my face.  I finally gave up and wore Dr. Feelgood balm over my sunscreen with the addition of a little lip gloss and a swipe of mascara (I normally wear it under my foundation as a primer and it does help if the humidity is not 110%).  It didn't cover up the flaws in my skin like foundation does (at least somewhat), but that's better than looking like I was melting, right?
• I came home sick (airplane germs?), but I've been cleaning and de-cluttering nonstop since I got back.  There's something about seeing your home with "fresh" eyes to make you notice things that need to be done.
• I checked out In the Company of Others: A Father Tim Novel to take with me on the plane but then chickened out, because what if I lost it or got it wet or got sand in it and the library police came knocking on my door? WHAT IF? So I took my kindle instead because it actually belongs to me and only my husband and I would freak out if it were lost or destroyed (much better than freaked out librarians).  I've been reading it since I got back though, and I'm loving it so far.  I knew I would.
• I LOVE looking at churches in towns and cities that I visit.  I'm always so tempted to ask if I can go in and look around.  I saw so many pretty, traditional, older churches of all sizes.  I'm a sucker for a steeple.  :)

Vintage Fashion

Obviously Vogue has always been more about fantasy than the reality of everyday dress, but oh isn't it fun to look at all this gorgeous vintage fashion?

Let's Talk About Flip Flops

Do you love flip-flops or hate them? It seems there's no middle ground where they are concerned. I recently organized my closet and my shoes and realized that the majority of my shoes are flip-flops of one sort or another. I like how versatile they are, how easy they are to slip on and how they can be dressy or super beachy casual. Some of my best friends absolutely hate them, either because they don't like anything between their toes, or because they think they're tacky.

I have some like these from Old Navy that I paid $2.50 for and I wear to the pool and keep in my car for "emergencies". Emergencies such as when one of the girls didn't put on shoes before leaving the house because she didn't think she would have to get out of the car or my dressy shoes are killing me and I don't want to be crippled. We all have those sorts of emergencies right? )


I also have these Havaiana flip-flops (I have the brown pair) that are great for the pool or the beach, but have a more sturdy and comfortable sole and are fine to walk around in too.


I have a pair similar to this silver pair with a bit of a heel that are dressy and cute for church (although I didn't pay nearly so much for them). I got them on clearance at Steinmart several years ago and I have worn them over and over.


Next on my wish list is a gold pair like these. I think they would be cute with so many different outfits from dresses to capris. Of course I will wait until I can find something on clearance somewhere. Maybe Steinmart again since I have a coupon for 20% off any already marked down item.



And just for fun take the flip-flop test and tell me what you get!

Your Flip Flops Say You're Relaxed

You are super laid back and peaceful. Not much disturbs you. You're content with what you have in life, and you can't stand feeling worked up. A lot of good things tend to come your way in life... You're not too busy or stressed to let an opportunity pass you by. Your ideal warm weather place: Hawaii

The Flip Flop Test

Hope your week is off to a fantastic start!
Much love,

Mexican Dress

In Texas it's practically the law that you have to eat Mexican food after church on Sundays. So as law abiding citizens, that's exactly what we were doing last Sunday when I noticed a woman (probably in her mid to late 30s) in a darling Mexican dress. She looked so cute! I had a purple one back in the 80s and I loved, loved, loved it! It was the coolest, most comfortable thing to wear in the summertime. It was a great casual dress with sandals and also cute to wear on the way to the pool. I literally wore it to shreds. I'm seriously thinking of ordering one as soon as I have a little money in my fashion budget.

Is this solely a Texas thing or are these sorts of dresses seen in other parts of the country?

Fashion Forward

I love clothes and shoes even though half the time I look like a candidate for What Not to Wear. I haven't revamped my wardrobe in years, so I recently bought a couple of cute things for fall and I'm so excited! It's so fun to put on something that I feel even halfway trendy in!

I love these boots, but they are WAY out of my price range so I settled on these cuties from Target.


I also got this really cute peacoat (again from Target). It's a perfect weight for fall and I've never had such a colorful coat. You would be surprised at how many things it goes with.

I'm now inspired to go through my closet and weed out all the 90s rejects and things that haven't fit since 2002. Who knows maybe I'll even splurge and get a shoe organizer!

Have you bought anything cute lately? What do you think are essential fashion staples for fall this year?