Friends, can you believe June is almost over? Where has time gone? I’ve rounded up 4th of July inspired pieces that will help you feel patriotic on Independence Day no matter what your day holds! I have the look for you, and Asos has the budget friendly prices.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
Thanks for stopping by!
| top | skirt | jacket | bag | shoes | earrings |
I told y’all a while back that Henry and I didn’t anticipate the chilly weather in Scottsdale. I intended on wearing this matching set without the denim jacket to show off the top’s detailing. It’s almost time to lose the jacket in Dallas and fully embrace the summer heat. Until then, this denim jacket is my go-to layering piece. This bag is also a great piece for spring as it carries your lipstick, credit cards and phone – all you need for a night out.
Shop my look by clicking the links above!
photos by: Henry Shepherd
My boyfriend, Henry, and I spent five days last week in Scottsdale, AZ. I’ve been to the area once before, but that was over seven years ago. It was his first time. We hiked, ate, ate some more and enjoyed the beautiful weather.
We hiked three different trails. If you know anything about the area, you’ve heard of Camelback Mountain. There are two different trails that lead to the summit – one more difficult than the other. Our first day we hiked Cholla Trail, slightly longer but less intense than Echo Canyon Trail. Henry and I laughed as we scaled boulders instead of what we thought would be a moderate hike. All in all a total of three miles and 2 hours well-spent, that’s if you make stops for water and pictures. Hiking boots are needed, too.
The next day we decided we needed something a little less intense, so we headed north to the Gateway Loop Trail. This trail is much more scenic as it is slightly removed from the city. Everywhere you turn, you are surrounded by mountains and cacti (shown in picture 1). Pick up your pace to make this four and a half mile loop a work out.
On our last day, Henry and I decided to conquer Echo Canyon Trail, the other side of Camelback. The Uber driver that took us to the trailhead made me think I might not make it out alive, BUT I did. We made it up the side of the mountain in 59 minutes.
We also thoroughly enjoyed every meal we ate. The restaurant, ZuZu, at Hotel Valley Ho has amazing breakfast, lunch and dinner not to mention their delicious brunch on the weekends. You really can’t go wrong. I ate the most amazing chocolate chip pancakes one morning while Henry feasted on eggs, bacon and fruit.
We had four delicious dinners at The Henry, Olive and Ivy, Culinary Dropout and Sushi Roku. The first three are all owned by Fox Restaurant Concepts, and while each are different, they are executed very well. Sushi Roku is an upbeat restaurant, perfect before a night on the town. Each dish we shared was divine. Even the chocolate lava cake.
One day we had brunch at Acardia Farms, and I thought Henry might never leave. He fell in love with their scones. Once again, their pastries and traditional brunch options were cooked to perfection. I recommend the chocolate croissant. Are you noticing a pattern here? I like chocolate.
Lastly, we had lunch one afternoon at Blancos Tacos + Tequila (also a Fox Restaurant) where I had the freshest burrito bowl. Bye Chipotle. Henry enjoyed his tacos, and then we headed to the opening spring training game.
If you aren’t the hiking kind, there are many other activities to enjoy in Scottsdale. Henry and I got to see the first game of spring training where the Arizona Diamonbacks took on the Colorado Rockies. You can see above, Henry enjoyed the chocolate covered fruit they were serving.
You can walk around Old Town Scottsdale which offers restaurants and local boutiques including this amazing vintage store that carries women’s clothes from almost every decade in the 1900s.
If you want to be lazy and enjoy the sunshine, lay by the pool at Hotel Valley Ho. A beautiful hotel honoring its 1950s roots. I definitely recommend staying here!
If you haven’t been to Scottsdale, I suggest you move it to the top of your list. Thanks for stopping by and reading all about our adventure!
| top | jeans | scarf | booties | bomber (2) |
I love a good deal, and I also love a button down shirt. What’s better than a button down at a great price? Nothing, in fact. This is the perfect blouse for the warming temps. The weight makes it perfect for layering while keeping you cool in the summer. Pair it with your favorite cut-off shorts or white jeans.
Get my look by shopping the links above! Hurry, items are on sale.
P.S. These photos are from my latest trip, Scottsdale, AZ. More trip info to come and a big thanks to Henry for being a fab photographer.
| blouse | jacket (2) | jeans | bag | shoes | sunglasses |
This weekend I visited my boyfriend, Henry, in Houston. A half-day at work and a 3.5 hour drive called for something put together yet comfortable. This turned out to be the perfect look, and the jacket was a staple of the weekend.
After I arrived in Houston, Henry and I headed to Alice Blue for dinner in the Heights. Good food and a cozy atmosphere – I definitely recommend. Saturday we rode in the best Soul Cycle class we’d taken and then proceeded to eat a Tiny’s chocolate chip cookie. The cookie negated the workout, but oh well, it was worth it. Saturday night we joined many Houstonians at Lights in the Heights – a stroll through a joyfully decorated neighborhood which included live bands and hot cocoa.
Houston, you’re growing on me.
| blouse, 2 | vest | jeans | mules |
This weekend was probably the most fun weekend I’ve had since I entered the “real world.” Maybe that’s because my friends and I got to pretend like we were back in college. It was homecoming at SMU, and all my peeps were back in town. We visited some of our favorite spots, saw our Mustangs play and laughed a whole lot. Take me back or at least bring them back!
Thanks for reading!
The blanket scarf – a perfect accessory for the fall. They come in bright plaids, neutral stripes and every color in between. Whether your fall consists of 80 degree days like mine or frigid 30 degree nights, the blanket scarf is a necessary addition to your wardrobe. Wear it as a shawl to dinner, a scarf to a college football game or as a cocoon walking the streets of a very breezy New York.
My favorite blanket scarf came from Madewell a couple of years back, and it hasn’t let me down since. It made an appearance on the Christmas card, in blog photos and served as a blanket in a frigid office.
Check out my links below!
gray check | brown plaid | charcoal stripe | black and white
afterglow red solid | camel stripe | neutral plaid | blue and orange plaid
Thanks for reading!
When I was little my dad called me his “little punker” (and still does) after I wore a pumpkin costume for Halloween in the late 90’s. I still love these bright signs of fall, and that’s why I headed to the Dallas Arboretum pumpkin patch. The garden featured pumpkin houses including Oz, the yellow brick road and the Wicked Witch’s Castle. A sea of family photos, screaming babies and strollers were Sunday’s site.
| sunglasses | bag | booties |
Pink and green are a trendy combo this season just as they were when I was in middle school. But, slightly different hues. I’ve linked some of my favorite sweater and trouser combos below!
photos by: Mae Amanda
| dress, similar 2, 3, 4, 5 | vest | booties, similar (other) |
I’m obsessed with this dress, a NYC purchase! My mother and I visited the Nordstrom Rack at Union Square, which I learned last summer is a jackpot. This dress is by Frame which retailed for a couple hundred dollars, yet we got it for a fraction of that cost! I love the lace up detail, the midi length and its breathability. This is a great transition piece into fall. If you happen to stumble into the Nordstrom Rack at Union Square, know you will need a couple of hours and some patience to dig.
For the Labor Day weekend, my mom and I traveled to New York City. We wandered through the different neighborhoods including Soho, Meatpacking and the Upper East Side and ate way too many desserts. Oh well.
The city is definitely visually stimulating.
Washington Square Park, a park I walked through almost daily last summer.
I was obsessed with the rug in our hotel lobby, Sixty Soho. It was a compilation of many oriental rugs of different vibrant colors.
My mom and I found a few interesting pieces in Artful Posters including a James Bond Sean Connery movie advertisement, a Vogue Magazine cover from the 1920s and an Elvis photograph from a concert he played in Memphis.
Of course I love murals.
My mom and I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the Rei Kawakubo – Comme des Garcon exhibit.
Catch was my favorite restaurant last summer, so I had to go back. We started with a sushi roll, had scallops and roasted cauliflower as our entree and finished with the most amazing chocolate cake which included a Klondike bar and salted caramel ice cream.
The other restaurants we enjoyed included The Waverly Inn, ABC Kitchen, The Little Owl, BG Restaurant, Laduree and Hundred Acres. All I highly recommend!
My outfits: | black jeans | booties | sunglasses | backpack | sneakers | cardigan |
Mom’s outfits: | jacket | denim top | shoes | jeans | sunglasses |
What are your favorite places in New York?
