A Tropical Theme Beats a Topical Cream

Top: Nine West, Kohl's; Skirt: Dollhouse, Macy's

Emotion Commotion Necklace

Bag: Xhilaration, Target

Pitcher: Celebrate, Kohl's

Flower clips: Capelli, ULTA; Sunglasses: Mudd, Kohl's

Farm stand feels. 

Tray: Macy's Backstage

Top: Nine West, Kohl's; Skirt: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Necklace: Betsey Johnson, Amazon; Big bracelet: Amrita Singh, Zulily

Shoes: Jessica Simpson Collection, DSW

Bag: Francesca's

Dress: Nine West, Kohl's; Top: Madden Girl, Kohl's

Shoes: Unisa, DSW

Bag: Amazon

Unless, of course, you need a topical cream, in which case you should definitely use it.  Preferably while wearing a Hawaiian shirt to lend levity to the proceedings. 

Clearly, the pineapple gelati I had earlier has gone to my head.  

And on that awkward note, aloha.

Labor Day Fabrics and Flavors

Dress: Sugar Thrillz, Dolls Kill; Skirt: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Shoes: Jessica Simpson Collection, Amazon

Bag: Francesca's

Tank: Rebellious One, Macy's; Skirt: Arizona Jeans, JCPenney

Tomato girl summer going out hot.

Bag: Universal Thread, Target

Corn and crustaceans.

Top: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Jeans: Wild Fable, Target

Blue for You Necklace

Bag: Amerileather, Zulily

Filler schmiller. 

Because a felt boat's always a good idea.

Labor Day means red, white, and blue -- and one last BBQ.  So I donned my polka dot frock and enjoyed festive fare with my family.  The best thing on the table?  My mom's tomato pie.  Probably because it was bursting with, not only tomatoes and cheese, but mayonnaise and sour cream.  So, hearty enough for the hardest-working laborer, not to mention decadence in a dish.

As for Charlotte, she focused on the fruit, as per usual.  I've never seen anyone get so excited about oranges and blueberries. Watching her glee is my favorite thing.

Still, she'd better not get any ideas about me baking a pie.

Problematic Summer Wardrobe

Dress: Betsey Johnson, Zulily

Pancakes should always be served with whipped cream.

Bag: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Bow: Art Class, Target

Bag: Francesca's

Sweatshirt: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Skirt: On 34th, Macy's

Dress: ModCloth

Bag: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Shoes: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Oversized Anchor Necklace

Sweet suburban skyline sans storefronts.

Bag: Isaac Mizrahi, Marshalls

Headband: INC, Macy's

You know that I dread the end of summer and refuse to acknowledge it until October.  Well, samesies this year.  So until then, I'm going to keep on trucking sailing with my unseasonal summer ensembles.  And I'm going to keep reading beach books, too.  Like Ali Hazelwood's Problematic Summer Romance.  

This one is about a twenty-three-year-old, award-winning physicist named Maya and her "inappropriate" crush on her brother's thirty-eight-year-old, biotech billionaire bestie, Conor.  Maya may be a genius, but, like Halsey, she's "bad at love."  Yet (also like Halsey), you can't blame her for trying -- especially during her brother's wedding week in lemon-scented Sicily.  Less STEM, ahem, coded than Hazelwood's previous romcoms, Problematic Summer Romance is more easy breezy.  Because even eggheads sometimes leave the lab to play the field -- and the fool -- like the rest of us.  Smart and snappy, it's rife with pop culture references, all of which enhance Maya's journey.  So, just what you want from a summer romance -- and a book about one.   

That said, my own (sartorial, not relationship) problems have only begun.  

By which I mean brights, bare legs, and produce prints in the face of flannel and pumpkin spice. 

Also, white shoes after Labor Day.  

Growing Gains: Keeping it (Mostly) Casual

Jacket and top: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Jeans: Sonoma, Kohl's

Daffodil fill from the husband.

Necklace: Mixit, JCPenney

Wreath: Michaels

Bag: INC, Macy's; Jeans: Sonoma, Kohl's; Shoes: Wanted, Modcloth

Sweater: Alfani (for men!): Macy's

Dress: City Studio, Macy's; Bag: Delia's, Dolls Kill

Wreath: Michaels

Barrettes: SHEIN; Necklaces: Charming Charlie, Francesca's

As baby girl grows, denim continues to dominate.  Except for when all my jeans are dirty and I turn to leggings and a dress, denim's opposite.  Another recurring wardrobe character?  My yellow Wanted flats, as seen in the first two outfits.  Mounting maternity responsibilities mean dressing for more outings.  I wore the first fit to run errands, the second to attend a labor basics class, and the third to LabCorp.  This week I'll be at it again with a baby basics class (where, fingers crossed, I'll finally learn how to change a diaper!) and a detailed growth scan of the baby.  I hope that she's the Goldilocks of little girls, not too big but not too small.  So far she's been on the small side.  Which is good for delivery.  But worrisome when it comes to potentially ending up in the NICU.  

Which I hope doesn't happen for normal health reasons -- but also so she can wear all her outfits. 🎀👶