It's Still Summer in CA

 

Dress//Old Navy

Wedges//Target

Belt//Express

While ALL of you fine ladies are transitioning into fall, us California folk (okay so most of us) are still in summer.  Though my super early morning runs feel a smidge cooler then they used to be, the days are still well in the high 80's low 90's, shoot me.  While a hot PSL, layers, scarves, and boots sound fabulous, it's more of a iced pumpkin chai, maxis, and sandals type of deal we've got going on here.  Hence this dress that I scored at Old Navy this weekend thanks to my birthday gift cards. 

One perk of having a blog. Putting up your wish lists and having your friends and family read it, cough.  I got the watch, the toms, and a gift card to ON which were all floating around my social media world and direct subtle hints.

When we finally do get to fall weather, I dying to rock this, this, and this look, if I can recreate them. Some how all the Polyvore sets and pinned looks end up looking seventy three point two seven percent better when they are not on me, shocker.

Among other things I am looking forward to about fall. Seeing my niece again. FaceTime and pictures can only do so much, the bridal shower I'll be hosting (found some decor inspiration here), and going to a pumpkin patch, some how I missed this last year and I won't stand for going two years without picking out the perfect little pumpkin.

Wishing for fall, but always and forever loving living in CA, please just send me boot weather.

Happy Hump Day ladies.

5 Things that are Better in the Summer

 Summer is exponentially better than most all seasons, 

except maybe winter for the skiing, but for now we'll just agree it's better.

 So here are five things that are better in summer.

1.  Reading-

 sure curling up by the fire and reading sounds fun, but I usually end up falling asleep. Give me a lounge chair by the pool or lake, and a book, and it's like I blink and I've finished the book.  I love it. Super relaxing, and getting a tan while doing it. It's simply called multitasking.

2. Going to the Movies- 

Let's not pretend like the movies are 'enjoyable' in winter.  Who wants a cherry slurpee when it's raining outside? Also why must theaters run the air conditioners year round? Lay off the AC in the winter Signature Six, it's just no necessary. But when it's triple digit heat, going to the movies is AMAZING.  Plus don't all the good movies come out during summer anyways? Insert Superman, Wolverine, Planes, and

3. Walks- 

I love walking Zoey, try to do it every day. Though when it's cold, and I can see my breath (it doesn't even snow where I live, and overall we have mild temperatures, you Mid-Westerners are hating me right now) it's hard to find motivation to get out there and walk.  Summer is always more fun, there are more people out, everyone is happy, and you don't have to wear rain boots or a parka. 

4. Dinner Dates-

 Sitting outside, need I say more. When the waitress asks, 'inside or outside', it's a no brainer, outside. 

In winter it's not an option. I LOVE sitting outside.

5. Road Trips-

 Traveling someplace by car isn't always fun, but when you can have your windows down, and awesome upbeat 'sing along songs', eight hours feels more like two and just like that you are at your destination, no worse for the wear.

Also get out there and enjoy summer, it won't last forever. 

This post was previously published as a guest post at For Lauren and Lauren

Becuase Summer Blog Life is Boring

I spent my weekend doing probably the exact same thing you were were doing.
Hanging out with friends, pool side afternoons, running errands, and eating maybe just too many tacos all happened in a 48 hour time.  Which supports my theory that summer life is just more awesome.

This was actually taken during our fourth of July weekend. 

Random and unrelated picture, but this is what happens when you leave my boyfriend home with four kinds under the age of ten, and I love it.  If you're wondering, he didn't let the dog pull his little cousin (he's smarter than that), but he did invent the easiest way to to take a two and a half year old on walk with the family.  Just pull him on the tricycle. Genius, simply genius.

Now back to the awesome business of summer.  Have you ever found that when you're doing more things, you actually have less to write about?  Okay, this might be a slight exaggeration, never, will I ever (hopefully) run out of things to write about, but I swear when life speeds up, blogging life slows down.  They are seemingly inversely proportional.

I was home this weekend and it felt refreshing, although I did stay quite busy, if you followed me on instagram, you'd know.  Now deep breath and prepare for two back to back Bachelorette parties (Chicago and Napa); I really can't complain.  There should be some epic photos, posts, and memories to follow.

P.S.

Remember when I talked about making these hypothetically a few weeks months back?
I made them. Post to follow.

Anyone who is Anybody Doing Anything Does it in Summer

I found love for $14.98 on the Target sales rack last week, and I think it's clear why.

In the midst of our hot summer days and a heat wave, it's like wearing Pajamas in public,
which is in one word perfection.

How I love a good Maxi dress in the summer, though I often feel like I'm running out of time to wear them, and this is why I love to hate, and love to hate summer.
Everything happens in the summer, honestly everything.

If you're an anybody do anything, you're probably doing it in the summer.
 Read: Weddings, Bachelorette Parties, Bridal Showers, Vacations, Family BBQ's, Babies, and Birthdays.  Not even sure why I capitalized every item in the list, it just seemed necessary to make them stand out more.  I know better, I promise.  So hold on tight, for thirteen busy weekends your life that will feel like they are on fast forward.

If you ask me, the calendar year goes a little something like this January, February is a short month anyway, so why really count it.  St. Patrick's Day, then it's April, nothing happens, and boom it's Memorial Day and you blink and summer's gone, and Christmas decor is up in all Target stores.

Though we all claim to love 'layering' our clothes, and 'having a more versatile wardrobe' but who are we really trying to fool.  There is not much better than throwing on a pair of cut offs, a tank, and converse or flip flops and heading out the door.  There nothing, and I mean nothing more comfortable than a Maxi, and you certainly can't tell me that a rain jacket is a 'cute' accessory.

Now don't be getting all critical on me, because yes I am ski gooroo, so I do, by default and obligation, love winter.  But skiing in the sanity that gets me through the winter.  You certainly can't sit on your back patio with Strawbertia in hand during the winter, and there is something oddly satisfying and simple about that...something about the sunshine brings out more smiles.

So the fourth of July, to me marks the half way point of summer, which we all know freaks me out because it means I am that much closer to my birthday (I'm about to be a full quarter century) and I'm busy living over here.  So damn you summer for being half way gone, and here's to enjoying the second half.  I'll be enjoying it in my maxi.

What I Love About Summer

After confessing that I've had my DSLR for 10 months, and still don't know how to use it, I got tons of awesome feedback.  I've taken all of it to heart, and I've ordered a book, read great tutorials, and I took my camera off Automatic.

So on Friday afternoon I had a mini photo shoot with my dog.

It might not be the best picture, but it with settings I set!!! I impressed myself.

That's my girl, we're hangin' out.

And then I realized this is what I love most about summer.

I love having no plans on a Friday, and being totally okay with it.

I love lazy evenings outside, impromptu dinner BBQs, random dates, going to the movies, enjoying coffee outside, and easy going nature of the season.

What else do I love about summer?

Maxi dresses, target sandals, and cut offs.

I love weekends at the lake, time at the mountains, and other adventures.

I love sunglasses, the state fair, and tan lines.

And for no other reason, I love summer because it brings out the happy and smiles in everyone.

P.S. I also love this simple dress.

Imagine it with a jean jacket, wedges, chuck taylors, scarf, or statement necklace.

It'd be fabulous with any of 'em.

 

via

Seeking A Summer Tan

We're quickly approaching summer, and I still don't have a tan.

I had grand dreams of getting a nice tan in Brazil, but those flew out the window

 when I got a terrible sunburn on first day of the cruise, despite applying SPF 35 three times.

I guess that's just the just the Polish in me.

P.S. Vicotria Secert had a sale this weekend 7 pair for $26, I may have scored some more leopard undies, as If I needed more...okay back to my post.

But it's when I wore this shirt that I realized, it's really bad, we match.

(We as in the shirt and I)

Because as much as I don't like to admit it, I feel better with a tan.

I feel like it makes me look thinner, my teeth look whiter, my hair look blonder, which while 'cliche' helps makes me feel more attractive. Remember how I suck at sexy?
....yeah a tan helps me with that.

So now I am on the hunt for the perfect self tanner.

I've had success in the past with Tan Towels.

I wiped on the tan seen below for my brothers wedding.
Side Note: My Sister In Law is due ANY day now!!

I sprayed this tanner on in my bathroom for my NYE in Vegas

It just took too many sprays (five nights in a row) for it to look 'good' 

 

And a trip to Mexico helped my tan (this one was natural) as well.

 So I just bought these two from amazon.

here

here

I'll let you know how they go.
But anything will be an improvement.

Which self tanners have you been happy with??

Tell me, girlfriend needs to know!!!

Friday Letters

Dear County Fair,

You made for a fun Thursday evening.  Everything I ate was fried last night, and I feel pretty. darn. good. about. it.  Then I followed all that up with a milk shake. Also saw some local FFA goats, cows, and horses.  We might just go again this weekend.

Dear Possum, 
I thought you were a nocturnal creature.  When I saw you strolling down the street during my morning run, you scared me.  Also you were WAY bigger then I thought you would be, I hope you don't frequent my back yard.

Dear Operation Install Refrigerator,
WOW fridges are HEAVY.  Way heavier than I thought.  Good news is we'll never have to move you again, you're in your home.  Bad news, you're currently empty :( More good news our shopping trip this weekend is going to be epic!  Get ready Safeway, here we come!

Blurry, but yes I helped move this MONSTER this morning

Dear Cara,
I'm glad you are okay. Yesterday was a bit scary, I must say.  Just a reminder that we ALL have A LOT to be thankful for.  Doesn't mean we will stop the good thoughts and prayers for others.  Life is a gift.

Dear Three Day Weekend,
Enough. Said. It's THREE whole DAYS!!!! But more importantly thank you to all those who have served for us, and those who still are.  Truley admirable and respectable. Thank you Grandpa and Uncle Jim.

Arlington National Cemetery During Memorial Day Weekend

Dear Summer, 
You and I have LOTS of plans. I think you'll be fUn and VERY busy!!! But better busy then bored.