Here we are at the beginning of another week…
THE STORY
…And here’s my list of the past week’s musings and observations:
- Over the weekend I had some unavoidable extended family business to attend to in the mountains. And by mountains, I mean the hearing banjos playing in the background variety, not the relaxing in a hot tub while overlooking a breathtaking scenic view worthy of Instagram variety. My kids and my husband, believe it or not, have never been fully exposed to this particular part of my personal history. The entire experience was, shall we say, enlightening for them. For me, it was a blatant reminder of exactly how far removed I am from my past life. Sometimes blatant reminders are a good thing my friends.
- I love this Buzzfeed list of things that will warm your heart. A few of them actually teared me up…
- The next time you’ve got a bad case of Insta-inferiority (you know, those weak moments when you feel like you simply don’t measure up to life on the ‘gram) keep this post in mind. There I stand in my cute ripped jeans with a sweet little ruffle sleeve tee and perfect hair/makeup looking all nonchalant and whatnot. The reality? That was an outfit from a few weeks prior; at that moment I was actually knee deep in muck inside a roll off dumpster that hadn’t been hosed out very well before delivery to my house, piling years of accumulated crap from our garage and shed inside it. Remember, the only thing that is reality is, well, reality.
- What’s better than a cuddly smiling golden retriever? 361 cuddly golden retrievers at a golden retriever party that’s what. I’m sure this must be what a little slice of heaven looks like.
THE OUTFIT
This pretty embroidered waterfall jacket is the final piece that I received c/o Caite And Kyla. I’ll be honest, it is my least favorite of the three which included the burgundy lace tunic and the gray embroidered tunic. Just because it isn’t my favorite that doesn’t make it any less beautiful. Just the like the other two pieces, the embroidery is to die for. The intricacy and lush colors are just so pretty.
Today’s outfit is probably the most full-on boho of the three looks. While it would be super cute over leggings or skinny jeans or even denim shorts, I decided to pair the waterfall jacket with one of my favorite Free People slip dresses. You’ve seen it before with my olive open knit sweater and I also own the same dress in blue and in white. As with most of my dresses and skirts I make it work year ’round simply by layering pieces over and/or under. I have the dresses for years so unfortunately I was only able to link to similar dresses below.
THE TIP
As we are inching ever closer to Fall, remember that many of your Summer pieces will work all year with a few simple tweaks. Layering is your friend. You can layer over or under Summer pieces to make them substantial enough to wear in cooler weather. For example:
- Layer a sundress/slip dress over a turtleneck or long sleeved top.
- Layer a pullover sweater, sweatshirt or cardigan over a Summer dress or skirt.
- Add tights or leggings underneath for added warmth (you can do this with the right style of shorts too).
- Add over the knee boots.
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
Jacket: c/o Caite And Kyla; Dress: Free People (Similar); Sandals: Similar; Bag: Charming Charlie (Similar)
Let’s just talk about how your posts always give me reason to think. Because the reality part? Truly true. I just took a photo for IG (not published yet, but keep your eyes peeled) in our reality at the moment—painting kitchen cabinets-no makeup, hair a mess, but hey, why not??
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Author
It is so true Jodie. It’s just so easy to get caught up in the “my life’s not enough” line of thinking. Even those of us who old enough to know better sometimes fall into the trap…
Deborah Stinedurf recently posted…Waterfall Jacket & Slip Dress: Weekly Randomness
Like Jodie, I love your quote about reality = reality. I have a post going up this week too about how photo-editing makes us look more smooth and chic than we may actually be. It sounds like you’ve created the life you want for you and those you love. We don’t ever have to go “back” and can revel in where we are now. xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Patti recently posted…Blue Skies, Smiling At Me: Visible Monday
I’m crushing hard on that mustard slip dress, it’s amazing. And while the waterfall cardi is lovely, I also think it’s not so “you.” Maybe you in…20 years? Still out taking selfies by the dumpster 🙂
Somehow I’ve escaped the Insta-envy I hear people talking about. I’m just SO far from my life/home/wardrobe/body looking like any of those insta-celebs, I can barely even recognize we’re the same species, ha ha. I do enjoy admiring the pretty pictures. But I do get off a bit on showing what a MESS my life is, ha. It may be at the opposite end of the spectrum, but it’s just as much a superlative.
Ooh, I’m talking all fancy today!
Author
Lol…yes! I will be still taking selfies by the dumpster in 20 years! And you are absolutely 100% correct…see how well you know me, even though we’ve never met? While the jacket is so pretty, it really isn’t me and it was definitely the hardest piece to style because of that…
I don’t typically get to caught up in the comparison game. Although if there’s a specific area of my life that isn’t exactly the best at the moment I sometimes have to remind myself that it won’t always be that way and that no matter what you see in photos that isn’t necessarily the every day reality of it…
Deborah Stinedurf recently posted…Waterfall Jacket & Slip Dress: Weekly Randomness
I always love what and how you write your posts. I will never ever measure up enough to Instagram standards and that is totally OK. I must say I love your waterfall embroidered cardigan and how you styled it. Any shade of red, pink, coral or mustard looks fantastic with your hair.
Welcome join my Tuesdays monthly linkup. It is the last Tuesday of every month, also join my Thursday Moda every week and share your beautiful style, Thanks!! =)) Ada.
http://eleganceandmommyhood.blogspot.com/2018/07/skirtmas-in-july-day-12-thats-wrap.html
Ada recently posted…Skirtmas in July, Day 12: That’s a Wrap + Skirtmas Linkup.
Love the mustard yellow dress on you Debbie., great with your hair .. i love the color for fall, so yea to layering! Pretty jacket, I love the embroidery!
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Those buzzfeeds!! OMG! soooo good! Stuff like that restores your soul right? I love the embroidery jacket on you! Can’t wait to see you style it with jeans.
I am all about the reality of life…I like those moments best! I’d be right with ya girl - in the dumpster and throwing stuff away! Love it!