TBMD

I used Jean's recent DIY dress as today's outfit inspiration, from the silhouette down to pairing navy with brown. I also mixed and matched lace with taffeta to add more interest to the eyes. This wasn't planned, but I rather liked how it also helped break up the monotony of all-navy.

I've run out of comments for maxi dresses because I've been wearing and blogging about it practically every week! Here are two more outfits, but I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Following in Elle's footsteps, I too gave the combination of lace with jeggings a try. Speaking of which, jeggings and I seem to have a love-hate relationship. I love how comfortable they are when worn, but yikes, all the creasing and wrinkles make my legs look like a sausage stuffed in casing. Note to self: remember to wear jeggings only during the non-bloated days of the month.

Sale alert at LOFT, take 40% off everything (excludes jeans) through 6/23 with code GIRLSNIGHT.

- Cotton shorts with 4" inseam - $23.70 with code (I'm wearing size 00R - TTS / outfit below)
- Vaughn t-strap sandals - $17.70 with code (I'm wearing size 6 - TTS / outfit below)
- Flounce hem lace dress - $56.93 with code (I'm wearing size 0 - sized up for hips / outfits: here, here)
- Pamela scalloped Mary Jane pumps - $53.70 with code (I'm wearing size 6 - review here / outfits: here, here)

No order placed for me this time around, but I'll be on the lookout for the painted parrots scarf ($20.70 with code) in stores this weekend. Love the fun, quirky print.

At J.Crew, take 30% off with code THEBEST through 6/24.
- Saint James for J.Crew three-quarter sleeve tee - $69.99 (excluded from promo) (I'm wearing size XS / outfits here)

At J.Crew Factory, take 40% off everything (prices as marked). Also use code SUMMER for an extra 10% off $75+ or 20% off $125+.
- Lightweight long printed scarf - $20.50 (outfit below)

Lastly at Ann Taylor, take an extra 40% off all sale styles. No code needed.

I've been talking about transitioning away from short shorts for what seems like forever... and now I can finally back up all my talk. White was my color of choice (because owning white skirts and white pants apparently aren't enough). I went with the 4" inseam and think that might be the longest I'll wear for now... until I hit my mid-life crisis. I'm thinking a 3" inseam could also work and will be keeping my eyes out to replace my navy colored short shorts.

DH and I went up to NYC a couple weeks ago to attend his cousin's wedding. Rather than taking our time to enjoy the city for a weekend, we crammed our stay into the shortest amount of time permitted. It was a whirlwind of eating, wedding festivities, and more eating. I stayed awake by guzzling bubble tea whenever I got the chance. Our stay was fun, but exhausting... and I probably wouldn't do it again (no longer as young as I used to be).

I was at my most efficient when it came to packing for this trip. Pats self on back. I managed to fit all the essentials into a regular-sized bag, which allowed me to walk around the city hands-free and with a lighter load on my shoulders. I was only able to do this because I decided to save packing space by wearing my dress for the entire duration of the trip. I figured I'd just switched up the accessories between playing tourist and attending a wedding. All those PFC challenges that called for making do with clothes off your back sure came in handy.

I didn't have good photos from the trip, so I re-shot my daytime outfit [below] when we came home. For the actual wedding, I went for simplicity with just the dress, knot cuff, gold strappy sandals, and a gold/stone clutch.

Unlike previous years, I've been living in skirts and dresses this summer. Pants have been mostly relegated to unseasonably cool/rainy days. It's a long time coming, but I've finally realized that jeans aren't the only casual clothing item out there. I can make dresses and skirts fit my casual lifestyle, too. Especially ones with a longer length because they're great for pulling double duty between work and home. Yes, my uh duh moment couldn't have come at a better time.

While Blair is the epitome of elegance in a black top and lace skirt, I went the opposite route. I kept my outfit casual and wore my summer whites. White is a color that I love wearing year-round, never mind the archaic no-white-after-Labor-Day rule. I just keep the weather in mind and choose fabrics accordingly. Linen is reserved for spring/summer and wool is better suited for fall/winter. I'll wear cotton anytime though, even thinner versions in the colder months because they're great for layering.

A quick post in the middle of this work week. Hope you have a good one!

This denim jacket is one of the oldest items from my closet, circa early-2000s. It remains a favorite, even with the color fading through laundering over time. If the number of wears is any indication, I certainly love it even more now than in the early stages.

The AC at work has been wonky for awhile, so even though I've enjoyed the warmer temperatures indoors, some coworkers can't say the same. Unfortunately it's been fixed now so I'll be bundling up until my body adjusts. Bummer.

Sale alert at Bloomingdale's F&F event: Use code JUNEFRIENDS or STYLE20 for 20% off through 6/9 (designer exclusions apply). Shoot me an email if you'd like an in-store coupon. As always, Nordstrom should be able to price match.

There's a decent selection of sale items already marked 25-40% off, and most likely can be stacked with the F&F code for more savings.

Closet favorites include:
- Burberry Marystow trench - $876 (I'm wearing sz 2 - see outfits)
- Longchamp LM Metal tote - $86.80 - no longer online, check stores (read review / see outfits with bag)

Continuing with the black & white theme, today's outfit also features these neutral colors. Though the colors are easy to wear, outfits can become pretty boring rather quickly. An easy way to add life to safe outfits would be through the addition of accent colors, ie: using accessories. A more subtle approach is by mixing patterns. That's the route I took today by pairing bold stripes against soft eyelet.

I jokingly mentioned to DH that I was channeling Kobe Bryant and his infamous white outfit for today's look. He took one look at me and doubled over in laughter. I couldn't help but join in soon after.

There's an ongoing conversation in my household about the fashion forward outfit choices by many of today's NBA stars. Most recently, Dwyane Wade and his polka dotted capri pants with matching blazer (photo). Or my favorite from last year, Russell Westbrook in a Lacoste fishing polo and lensless red glasses (photo). The general consensus is that the younger players try to top one another in the outrageousness of their outfits, while the veterans stick to the classics (ie: Kobe always looking sharp... except for the all-white outfit). Looking forward to seeing what outfits players will wear next makes the long NBA playoff season almost bearable.