Back After a Busy Break With an Outfit Backlog

Hi everyone! I know it's been awhile.  I have had some personal and family stuff going on this last month...a big birthday for my son,  holidays, an ill parent, a new niece -- it's been crazy. But I'm still here and I still have a lot to say.

Believe it or not, it's still not fall here in Missouri.  It was close to 80 degrees today.  Growing up, I do remember occasionally wearing shorts on Halloween.  And also winter coats.  Crazy midwestern weather is always a challenge for dressing.

I'll share with you some last outfits of summer.

The point of this outfit is that real people have to repeat their clothes.  I don't always have something new to wear.  I've worn this black and white sleeveless Merona dress for you before.  I have a Tahari flowy cardigan over it. However, what made this outfit were some snappy red accessories.

Red lips. A great accessory.  This is Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Raspberry.

Red crystal bracelet. It's brighter in real life.

Not red, but Nine West gladiator sandals.

Red beaded statement necklace, from JC Penney.  It's a brighter red in real life.

Piece de resistance: Hayden Harnett Lorca in Ruby. Bought during one of their super duper sales.

Next:

I love purple, especially against neutrals.  NY and Co. tank and cargo pants.  Gap cardi. Payless wedges.  Rebecca Minkoff Mantinee satchel (purchased from someone on a blog).  Do you wear rolled cargos? I never thought I would and now they are one of my most favorite trends.

Next:

Random work outfit. Loft cardi, pants and scarf with the RM bag.  My preciousssss.  In winter I tend to wear black pants to work several times a week. I'm trying to break out of that this year.

I wore this outfit to one of my sister's baby showers.  The aforementioned NY and Co. gray cargo pants, a Talbots Jacket, J Crew silk cami and Coach outlet bag.  I have on a chain necklace from Forever 21. I think I wore the purple peep toes with it.  The shower was at a chic dessert restaurant in St. Louis and so much fun.

Another nod to my preppy heritage.  Talbots yacht skirt and kelly green flats, Lauren polo shirt, J Crew Tartine sweater and vintage Gucci courtesy of my mom.

Tucker for Target blouse, black linen pencil skirt, Old Navy belt (it had a bow on it that I cut off) and Coach outlet bag.

Well, I guess we're all caught up! Thanks for stopping by.  How are you transitioning to fall?

Outfit of the day

It was close to 100 degrees today; with the humidity the heat index was way up there.

This is a Merona dress. It is the style with the "knot" in the middle, right under the bust. I find this style to be very flattering to the bust while hiding the pooch.

The sweater is from Talbots. Doesn't it look like a J Crew Jackie? Jackies don't fit me right at the bust due to the way the sleeve is set in. The Talbots version is a tiny bit boxy in back when unbuttoned but it is made of soft pima cotton and a bargain from the recent sale.

The Merona wedges are from last year.

Vintage Native American turquoise and sterling ring, purchased in Colorado in the 70s by my mom.

White Merona watch. Boy, that's a lot of Merona.

My Favorite Summer Purchase

My most favorite purchase of the summer has to be my oversized white watch.

I coveted this one:

The beautiful but expensive Michael Kors, currently $312 on Amazon (but a version was included in the Nordstrom Anniversary sale).

I almost asked for this one for Mother's Day:

Fossil, $85 at Macy's.

But I knew there would be an inexpensive knock off somewhere. I was reluctant to spend very much on what might be a short lived trend. So I settled on this:

Target Merona, $14.99. I actually had a 20% off coupon, so it set me back around $12.00

I have worn the watch almost every day. It fits like a bracelet with a few extra links making it dangle. I find I don't need to wear any other bracelets or much other jewelry with the watch. The links are plastic but they do dent, and the paint scrapes off the trim of the watch fairly easily. I found this out when I dropped the watch putting it on one morning. But overall it has been a great purchase and I totally recommend it. The watch is no longer on Target's website but some remain in store.

I hope they will do a version of the black on black oversized watch for winter!