The Last of the Labor Day Wear

It's almost Labor Day! You know what that means: no more white, no more espadrilles, no more seersucker, and no more madras. Deep breath, we'll get through this together. While summer may be ending, just remember all of the wonderful things you have to look forward to! Like, chunky knit sweaters, tights, pea coats, soups, stews, casseroles, and all of the other things fall and winter bring!

But before we embrace chilly weather and warm dinners, lets give one last nod to the best of Summer!

Old Navy, Knotted Jersey Espadrilles, $10.97

Suzi Chin, Maggy Boutique Pleat Detail Embroidered Cotton Dress, $69.90

Vineyard Vines, Skupper Skirt, $61.99

J Crew, Gingham Brigette Shorts, $29.99

Etsy, 1950s Straw bag purse, $25.00

Just Madras, Alison-Blue Seersucker Clutch, $60.00

Dress for Less

I think one of my main goals of this blog is to make sure women feel beautiful in their clothing. Not just, 'omg i love your top' beautiful, more like 'I can take on the world today' beautiful. And I wanted to accomplish that without showing outfits out of any normal woman's budget. Sometimes that can be difficult, but with a little patience you can have your perfect outfit and still have money left over to buy yourself a cosmo or a grilled cheese or both.

One of the original low-budget shops that we all know and love is Old Navy. Whether its the rubber flip flop or the American flag t-shirt, we all recognize Old Navy style. Their fall lineup is pretty cozy looking; let's take a look shall we?

I'd like to pair this cardi with a black tissue turtleneck from J Crew and live in it all season!

Old Navy, Short Sleeve Capes, $34.50


Just yum.
Old Navy, Tall Heel Boot, $49.50



I'm usually not one for nude colored shoes but with this studded-detailing it can be dressed up, down, and in between! The price is pretty wild too.
Old Navy, Studded Faux-Leather Ballet Flats, $19.50



I'd pair this with just about anything: boots, tights, flats, vest, sweater, you name it.
Old Navy, Tweed Mini Skirt, $26.50



This fun dress is for weekends or a casual office. Also loving that its machine washable
Old Navy, Argyle V-neck sweater dress, $36.50



I find the little pin-tuck pleats near the shoulders really sweet.
Old Navy, Cropped Rosette Cardigan, $22.99

Jess LC

Today I was lucky enough to be featured as a guest blogger on Jess LC's site Makeunder My Life. I greatly admire Jess as a twenty-something on a mission, so as a thank you for taking a chance on me- I wanted to share some of her jewelry pieces that I love the most.

In 2008 Jess LC's jewelry was being sold in over 100 stores nationwide, and now women everywhere (Including Bachelorette Ali!) are scooping up pieces left and right!

This is my favorite of all of her necklaces. I just love the simplicity and grace Jess was able to show through her Armitage collection. Armitage Two Strand Three Link Necklace $42

This necklace is cute and you're doing good by wearing it! A portion of the proceeds go to "Bright Pink" which is a non-profit that provides education and support for women with breast and ovarian cancer. The Pink Lemonade Necklace $40

I love the cool funkiness of these earrings- totally ready for jeans, black pants, or a bridesmaid dress. Division Teardrop Earrings $50

I love the Franklin collection because it features braille on one side and text in English on the other. Franklin DREAM BIGGER Braille Necklace $58

Don't try too hard

I am by no means a cosmo connoisseur nor would I consider myself a person that makes a great mixed drink of any kind; however I appreciate one. Especially on these last days of summer, before football/beer season starts, who doesn't appreciate a well concocted mixed martini?

One of my favorite things of summer are happy hours with a great cocktail menu. Something different and flashy to fill your glass with instead of your usual do-it-yourself vodka tonic. But then there are those restaurants or bars-very few of them but you know them- that have the most ridiculously expensive (even at happy hour) and unappetizing martinis. They're just trying too hard. Take for instance a restaurant the bf and I will be visiting tonight, which shall remain nameless- their cocktail menu features:

-Wasabi and Amaretto sour $9.00 Amaretto di Saronno, lime, Angostura, sugar
and wasabi paste topped with wasabi almonds
-Lychee and roses $11.00Bombay Sapphire, rose petals, lime and lychee juice
-Passion fruit and almond $10.00Martell cognac, Amaretto di Saronno, passion fruit puree’, almond and cardamon seeds

Seriously? Who enjoys seeds in their martini? And Wasabi paste? (pictured above) Blech, nasty.

So after looking at that menu, I decided to write about a more appropriate cocktail menu. Here are some of my favorite summer cocktails:

-Acai of Relief (Commissary): Absolut Berri Acai Vodka, Blueberries, Pom Juice, Sprite
& Lemon...on the rocks
-Ruby Slipper (Commissary): Absolute Ruby Red, Triple Sec,
Passion Fruit Juice & Pom Juice...straight up
-The Clementine (Founding Farmers): A delicious blend of fresh lime juice, pineapple juice, agave nectar and Siembra Azul Reposado Tequila that has been infused with Clementines and Fresno chiles. Garnished with a flamed orange twist.
-Basil Bell (Acadiana): Tanqueray Rangpur Gin, muddled basil, fresh lime, simple syrup and a splash of lemon-lime soda
-Salty Dog(Farmer and Fishers): Cap Rock Organic Vodka and grapefruit juice served on the rocks with a salted rim

See? These are delicious, refreshing and I can pronounce every ingredient. So cheers to this beautiful weekend everyone!