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

Just to be a Rebel

Ahh!  Save me!  We've been engaged for 9 days and we have already visited 4 venues, met with a wedding coordinator, contacted a band and a caterer, and bought a wedding band for E.  I wouldn't say that I always have such a Type A personality, so I need to get back to relaxation mode-- fast.

In other news, summer is over.  What?!  Ughhh.  I'm going to have to wear white shoes tomorrow, just to be a rebel.

Shorts: Loft

Necklace: F21

White Tank: Gap

Sunglasses: RayBan

Sandals: Report via DSW

Lace Top: Kimchi Blue via UO

Ocean City

There is something so unbelievably sweet about spending time at Erik's family's house in Ocean City.  His grandparents' house carries endless sentiment and countless memories.  OC has been important to Erik his entire life.  This year marks my 6th summer visiting this island with him, and it instantly became one of my favorite places to be.

Ocean City is a beach community on an island just south of Atlantic City.  As a dry town, it's family-friendly fun at its best.  This weekend, I didn't have my cell phone or a computer with me, and my camera only came out twice.  Needless to say, I have only a few pictures from our recent trip, but my memories will certainly remain.  Our weekend getaway included a few trips to the boardwalk, beautiful beach weather (except the cloudy morning in these photos) and warm ocean water, a few Frank Sinatra sing-alongs throughout the quiet streets, and some quality family time.  It was absolutely lovely!

Sweater: Loft

Shorts: Gap

Shoes: none :)

Denim Heaven

Do you ever go to your closet, pick one item, and insist that you have to wear that one piece no matter what?  That's basically how I dress myself.  My hard-headed self decides on one item and that's that.

Today I felt that way about these denim shorts.  Make no mistake here, these are not normal denim shorts.  They are extra soft and stretchy pajama-like denim heaven.  --Gap, I don't know how made these so comfy, but I LOVE you for it!  I paired them with an old goodie, this gray top with a little sparkle, and a favorite and super affordable necklace from Forever 21.  (The white shoes were stubborn like me and insisted that my accessories match them today.)

 Shirt: H&M

Shorts: Gap

Sandals: Old Navy

Necklace: Forever 21

Watch: Fossil

Bracelet: Loft

Polka Dot, Polka Dance

Even though this is not an old shirt, and it carries no sentimental value, I think of my grandmother when I stare at these photos.  I think about how she would approve of this shirt-- it's modest, yet cute and feminine.  It also makes me think about the ribbon she would always tie in my hair.  She told me that I should always wear that ribbon because it would make my hair curl under naturally.  It never actually worked, but even as a little girl, I think I really enjoyed that old-fashioned part of her.  

My grandmother was much older than my friends' grandmothers; she was born in 1916.  Her wedding dress was actually a polka dot dress, so maybe that's why these dots have made me so nostalgic.  Or, perhaps it was all the polkas we used to dance.  Family weddings?  Polka time on the dance floor.  It was the only time I ever saw her dance, but boy she sure knew how to polka!

It's so unexpected, silly even, to think that some print on a shirt could bring up so many wonderful memories.  Do you wear anything that reminds you of someone special?

Blouse: H&M

Watch: Fossil

Bracelet: Loft

Shorts & Sandals: Gap