Baby Blues

{Written while binge watching Outlander...one of my besties got me into it and its sorta addicting}  I am so glad this week is ovah!  Some weeks feel longer than others and this one just felt like it was 30 days long!  Do you ever feel this way? I did some client events this week and attended a field trip with my daughter's school yesterday (Note: Teachers. Whatever we are paying them-- we need to pay them more. It's exhausting. I'd take trying a case anytime over dealing with squirmy, wiggly, ants-in-their pants kindergarteners!)    

I have always loved navy blue. Along with black, grey, camel, maybe a little light pink or white thrown in every once in a while, it is a staple.  Now that I have a baby boy on the brain, I am gravitating more/ feeling sentimental toward my good friend the color blue.   This blue Asos dress is perfect for all of us mamas to be! It is flowy, not too constricting, not too exposed and it is light weight and hot weather friendly.  Give me a pair of cute fringey sandals (literally everywhere but ones similar to mine are here) an arm full of sparkly goodies and a little Tom Ford lip and I am set!  

I don't know why but I have been thinking so much about authenticity lately.  About how sad it makes me to see people-- whether it be in their personal or professional lives-- crave acceptance so much that they change who they are. It's normal to want everyone to like you and to fit in, but if some people don't, then what? I have always tried to surround myself with people who love me--the real me-- and those people sort of become my barometers in life. If my own little tribe loves me and appreciates me but also, let's me know when I am being a little foolish or a spazz - what else do I need? The truth is that this world is full of different people with different opinions and that's ok! We don't all have to be the same to coexist and I respect other people's way of life and hope they respect mine.  Individuality is difficult sometimes but if we can each manage to hang on to the things that we love and which set us apart -- even if those things are loved by no one else-- what a world we would be.  And at the end of the day, so long as your little tribe loves you, does it really matter what everyone else is doing or possibly thinking about you? Of course not! Here is to embracing what feeds our souls and makes us happy (and unique!) and realizing that people will think what they will think and we have no control over this (and no business worrying about it). Right? Stay you and true to you and keep doing what brings you joy. Wishing you the lovliest of weekends~ Sweetly, Michelle 

A Floral Fit for Fall (or a Wall)

Hello beauties!!  How about this floral print for (in CA, pre) fall?  And while we are on the subject of florals, for some reason looking at this dress fuels my wallpaper obsession like nobody's business! I am absolutely dying to wallpaper a few rooms in my house (the hubs? Not so much) but we are currently in that weird phase where we want to make the bump up to a bigger house, but we don't want to leave our amazing neighborhood.   My neighborhood Is.The.Best.  I am so lucky!  My street has a book club, a bible study, children my daughter's age GALORE and at least once a month (and sometimes in the summer, once a week), we have potlucks and BBQs and get togethers. I don't know if this little magic comes along all of the time and I am paranoid that we will move into a new house on some sleepy street, with maybe people we don't have anything in common with, and that wont be great.  So until we decide, no wallpaper for me.

ANYWAY.....I  love the details on this dress. It has a strip of black lace that trims the sleeves and the bottom that is so feminine and pretty. It is still so warm here that I paired this dress with my fringe sandals. I think I wore them once this summer (story of my life). It's a great combination, especially with my fringed handbag.  And then there's this cuff. It is an original design by @vwearcollection by @whatwouldvwear.  Pictures do not do it justice.  It is heavy and shiny and gorgeous. I wear it with everything-- with an armful of bangle bracelets or just alone.  Either way, it's fantastic!  Please go and look at her jewelry line-- you will not regret it!

How about the cute train tracks? I love walking around in San Juan Capistrano. There are so many cute picture nooks and crannies (not to mention the charm of the little shops and restaurants in the Los Rios District). For some reason, I am a little bit of a spazz with train track pictures. Did you know that you are not allowed to take pictures while stopped directly on the tracks? I didn't know that (but I betcha some lawyer was involved in this restriction!!)  Because I am a total rule follower, I made sure all of my photos were in motion!    And that is that, lovely ones.  I hope today has been so lovely for you! Thank you so much for stopping by! Sweetly- Michelle

Dress: Here || Shoes: Here || Purse: Here|| Cuff: Here

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Two Days in the Desert

Generally speaking, I  am not really a desert type of girl.  I'm not really a rock climber (outside of the gym) or a cactus appreciator (but I do like those pretty succulent arrangements for the backyard!) However, there is just something about Palm Springs that I love. Maybe it's the vastness of the sky surrounded by those mountains that look so close. Maybe it's the palm trees that seem to  cover every last bit of space. Or it could be the sunset that lights up the whole sky with a pinky glow. I grew up coming to Palm Springs as a little weekend getaway with my family. I have also played quite a lot of tennis here in tournaments when I was younger.  I love it. This weekend was a quick trip with my parents and extended family to celebrate my Uncle's birthday. There was a lot of golf, a lot of pool time (but not enough time on El Paseo). It was really warm but for some reason heat doesn't bother me. I'm always cold anyway so when the temperatures go up, I'm like a little lizard. I just sit in the sun and soak it up (covered of course in SPF, a hat, sunglasses and usually, a rash guard. Stay away, wrinkles!)  This is a place that I hope we will frequent many times in the  future with our little family.

I seriously threw clothes in a bag when I came home from work Friday afternoon and wasn't as mindful as I should've been about the heat and packing. However, this little blue dress lightweight from Nordstrom really served me well at my uncle's birthday dinner. I am still wearing the cute boots I got around Christmas from The Shop in Laguna- they are comfy and so cute.  And I love wearing boots with sundresses and little skirts. A fringey bag and some jewelry and that was that! Hope your weekend was amazing and as always, thank you thank you for stopping by! Xo Michelle

Sundress Official















I saw this beautiful dress on a fashion blog I follow and I tried like crazy to get it (read: obsessed) and since its a French brand (and the website is written in French and only delivers to people in France-- insert weeping), I was stymied! Enter Shop Bop!! As I was doing my usual browsing and oohing, there the little dress was! You guys, this dress is amazing-- the fit is flowy and perfect. I have on an XS and its roomy.  The only thing I need to do is figure out the old bra sitch... I definitely need to wear one and that big open back means it will be a complicated one. But that's a small price to pay for this beauty! There are tons of colors and 2 lengths. I bought this in the pink color and white, all in this length. I think I might go back for the long one too because they are just that nice. The long one is very caftan-esque and I am a sucker for those guys! Stick me in a caftan at some Palm Springs pool party in strappy gold sandals and I will be SET!  Thanks for stopping by and reading- I sure do appreciate each of you and your comments so much! Xo Michelle

Dress: Sundress Official at Shop Bop

Wedges: Banana Republic

Straw Bag: Target. Yes, Target. And those flowers are just props. Who goes to the pool with a bag full of flowers. Not me! 😉