OBX 2013

It's family vacation time at the Outer Banks!  This past week, we started off by celebrating my husband's 29th birthday.  We have enjoyed some great sunsets, played with the dogs in the bay, and relaxed indoors during some storms.  

Good laughs, great food and suntans have made it a seriously wonderful week.

Read about my 2011 OBX vacation here.

Bright Whites

I'm spending the week on the North Carolina shore in the Outer Banks, relaxing with family.  Packing for this trip was surprisingly easy (mostly bathing suits and lounge-wear), however, I did stick a few great basics in my suitcase.  These white jeans from Loft and a white button-down from Gap are great for multiple outfits, but I love wearing a bold necklace with a monochromatic look.. so I stuck them together.

This bag is one of my favorite gifts of all time.  This past spring, my hubby came home on a regular Tuesday evening with a bag from J.Crew.  He wanted to surprise me with something, and picked this bag out on his own.  What a sweet gesture!  And even though I probably wouldn't have picked it out for myself, it's now become my favorite summer accessory... perfect with every outfit!

Necklace: Banana Republic

Sandals: J.Crew Factory

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Earrings: InPink

Bag: J.Crew

Jeans: Loft

Shirt: Gap

Summertime Professional

I recently had to attend an event that required professional attire.  As a teacher with a great summer vacation, looking professional during the summer is rarely ever a requirement for me, and pulling out a stuffy suit is the last thing I want to do.  So starting with my favorite blazer, I decided to add some bold summer color with this beautiful silk skirt.  To tone it down a bit, I kept my top and jewelry very neutral.  

Hope you enjoy my dog's photo-bomb.  You might think that she's smiling at you, but she's really just eating a stick... yes, a stick.  Obviously she isn't the one who had to be a professional today.

Blazer: Gap

Skirt: J.Crew

Silk Top: J.Jill

Shoes: Levity via DSW

Necklace: The Limited

More Casual

I bought this dress a few months ago, and wear it frequently.  My problem with it is that I often want it to look more casual, and it's a little on the fancy side with the beautiful detailed pattern.  So to make it look a bit more relaxed, I added this neon yellow belt, and I love the strange color combo!

Dress: Talbots

Belt: Loft

Wedges: Gap

Watch: Michael Kors

Once a Week, Probably

I've only photographed this this dress once before, but I've worn it many times this summer.  It's a perfect all-season find that I can't wait to carry into the fall and winter.  Basically, I'll probably wear this dress at least once a week for the rest of my life.  Would that be weird?

Dress & Belt: Gap

Necklace: Banana Republic

Sandals: Steve Madden

Finally Dressed Up

Finally catching a breather!  This weekend was jam-packed full of fun.  Saturday--my bachelorette party!  And Sunday, a friends baby shower.  Between the two events, I didn't have a chance to photograph my outfits.  So finally, although I'm only running errands today, I thought I'd take a little longer than usual, put my trusty (over-worn) denim shorts to rest, and pull out a favorite new purchase from Loft--this new pencil skirt!  I'm excited about it because so many colors will work with this skirt.  It looks very blue in the photos, but is more indigo in person.. and I love it!

Blouse & Wedges: Gap

Watch: Michael Kors

Skirt: Loft

Panic Mode

This past week has been nothing but running errands and working on wedding projects.  All of my procrastination caught up with me, and I entered panic mode for a few days.

I'm still working on getting myself organized... and I've realized that my crazy schedule will absolutely not let up until September.   Sorry, folks, but this is the first time over the past few days that I've put on anything more interesting than a Hanes t-shirt and gym shorts.

 Button Down: Gap

Cropped Pants: Loft

Wedges: Gap

Necklace: H&M

At the Drive-In

I can't believe my first week of summer vacation has already come to an end!  I had a busy week, filled with teaching piano lessons, visiting the neighborhood pool, enjoying the fireworks, hanging out with family and friends, and having a fun night at the drive-in.

Apparently there is only one drive-in movie theater that remains in New Jersey, which is so sad.  Where I grew up, in rural Pennsylvania, we have several different local drive-ins, and visiting one was a regular event on summer nights.  So after years of missing out on the nostalgia, Erik and I finally made the drive to watch Brave and Spiderman on the big screen.  Fried food and warm weather put me to sleep before the end of the second movie, but it was such a great time, I'm looking forward to going back again.

So this outfit isn't terribly exciting, but it's all I have from this past week.  It was super comfortable for our movie night, and fit into my week-long red/white/blue outfits.  

Button Down: Urban Outfitters

Shorts: Gap

Espradilles: Target

Birthday Bridal Shower

An amazing bridal shower/birthday weekend, the end of my school year coming up next week, and many other busy moments in my life have been keeping me from this blog.  But I refuse to wave the white flag.  Next weekend marks the beginning of my summer vacation, and I'm promising to get back on track with some well-planned outfits.

In the mean time, settle for a picture of a dress I purchased months ago from Banana Republic.  I loved this dress so much, I knew it had to be saved for something very special.  

Dress: Banana Republic

Heels: Nine West

Pearl Earrings & Pearl Bracelet: Ross Simons

Bow Bouquet: My beautiful family and friends