It’s Friday, so y’all know what that means! It’s time to link up with Erika and Andrea to let everybody know what some of my favorite things are right now.
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FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Yesterday was the first day of Carter’s sophomore year! How did we get here?
Watching this one grow up has been the biggest blessing of our lives, and we are so very proud of the young man he is becoming. He has a great group of friends, he tries out for soccer next week, he gets his driver’s license next month, and I just know this will be his best year yet! We’ve only got 2 first days left, but you better believe we’re going to soak up all the fun and create as many memories as we can! Let’s Gooooooooo!
Proverbs 3:5-6
The changes over the last two years are crazy.
On the left, that’s his first day of 8th grade. On the right, that’s his first day of 9th grade!
And for THIS YEAR’S before and after…
Start of 9th grade on the left, start of 10th grade on the right. (We think his smile was so big on the left because he had just received rubber bands on his Invisalign, and he was smiling around them. Haha!)
My little boy definitely isn’t a little boy anymore. If you want to see first day pics going all the way back to kn, head to my instagram post from last night.
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SHOPPING WITH SHEAFFER
I ordered several items from lots of different retailers last week, and some of the items came in just in time for me to take pictures for today’s post.
These first 3 items are from Avara. Y’all, I’m now obsessed with checking the Avara site almost daily. They have new arrivals all the time, and their finds are always so unique.
This Dixie dress is absolutely adorable. It’s a little EXTRA, but I happen to love the extra factor in this case. The puffy sleeves, the smocking, the short hemline. Yep, I love it. For size reference, I’m wearing a small.
It was 103 degrees outside (and felt like 112) when I took this picture yesterday, so I couldn’t be bothered to style this DARLING top for fall… but if you click over to the site you can see that it’s just as cute styled with jeans. The colors, the pattern, the bold stripe down the center (that’s like a grosgrain ribbon), the stand-up collar… everything about this top is just so dang good. And although it’s hard to choose a favorite part, I think it has to be the collar. It stands up on his own, and it’s gathered. I love it.
This Brennan dress was what I was looking most forward to getting, but I’m sad to say I’m sending it back. 🙁 I don’t often show things that end up not working, but I previewed this dress last week telling y’all I bought it, and I know that lots of you were interested in my thoughts.
WELL. I love the colors, the pattern, and the idea of it. HOWEVER, it’s very wide and it’s also quite thin. I really really wanted to love it, but it’s gonna be a no for me dog. I would have exchanged it for a smaller size except I knew the material would of course still be too thin.
First of all, this denim jacket! It was only $32 when I first talked about it, BUT NOW IT’S ONLY $17.99! It has near perfect reviews, and it has a perfect amount of stretch in it. It also has a tiny little puff shoulder that makes it modern and extra cute. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.
The eyelet skirt is a perfect wear right now piece. It definitely runs big, so size down for 1 sure. I’m in the small, and I still have some room. It’s 100% cotton, you just pull it on, and it’s fully lined.
white tee / denim jacket / pink eyelet skirt / neutral sandals
I’m guessing most of y’all already have this next dress because I’ve been talking about it for a couple of years now. They bring it back every year in new colors, and I know tons of you buy it in at least 2 colors every year. It’s 100% cotton, very soft, has tiered styling, and pockets.
denim jacket / tiered t-shirt dress / neutral sandals
Here I am in the hot pink version last year…
I think it’s FABULOUS worn with a fun statement necklace.
tiered t-shirt dress / tassel necklace (only $10!) / pink hoop earrings / multi-stripe straw tote / neutral sandals
If you’re an OG, maybe you remember when one of my readers (Shout Out, Rebecca!) sent me this next picture. She got permission from everybody in the picture to share it, and it has always been a favorite. Rebecca said that on the last week of school, all of these teachers coordinated to wear their dresses on the same day. As Rebecca said, the dress “fits every figure and is so comfy.”
HOW CUTE ARE THESE LADIES!
Click HERE for all of the color choices available in this year’s dress.
This slip midi skirt is regularly $24, but right now you can grab it for under $10! You pull it on, it has a slimmer fit than the eyelet skirt, and I love the pattern. It also comes in classic black which is also on sale for under $10. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.
white tee / denim jacket / slip midi skirt / neutral sandals
These sneakers look a whole lot like Adidas Gazelles. But where the Adidas Gazelles are $120, these babies are only $14.98! Now here’s the issue with them… these are actually kid’s sizing. They won’t work for everybody, but they will work for those that are size 7 – 7 1/2 and below. I read to size down a 1/2 when going from women’s sizes to kid’s sizes, and since I’m normally a 6 1/2, I went with the size 6. I’ll be returning them for the 5s though, because I think they were an entire size too big on me.
I love this blush color, but they also come in a navy faux suede and a hot pink, tan, and white combo.
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THE MUST HAVE JEANS YOU NEED
These jeans are my favorite jeans from last year (but they brought them back this year)! This outfit from the tee to the sneaks is the perfect base outfit all fall long to throw all types of cardigans and jackets on top. More on the jeans in a minute.
This is the Madewell whisper thin tee. The length of the v-neck is perfect for me, and I like how the fit isn’t too tight or too boxy. They are quite thin, so the tees usually only last me 1-2 seasons, but for $19.50 I’m okay with that because I get tons of use out of them. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.
white tee / earrings / necklace / beaded bracelet / straight leg ankle jeans / neutral sneakers (white/tan leather)
They are a straight leg jean, they are the perfect ankle length, and they have a raw hem and cute little slits on the sides. They are perfect with sneakers, with flats, with booties, and with heels. If you’re looking for an awesome pair of jeans at an affordable price point, these are your jeans.
They are a great way to not wear a skinny jean without having to go total wide leg or flare. As far as I’m concerned, these continue to be a great basic jeans choice for fall! I’m wearing my regular size 4, but size down if between sizes. If you’re not familiar with Wit and Wisdom jeans, they are super stretchy and very comfy. They have Ab-Solution technology, and they mold and hold you while still allowing you to breathe. They really are soooo flattering and incredibly comfortable.
white tee / beaded bracelet / straight leg ankle jeans / neutral sneakers (white/tan leather)
Another great fall basic is this bag.
I’ve had this bag since last spring and have gotten so much use out of it already. It’s such a great year-round bag, but it lives out its fullest potential in fall. 🙂 This is the “brown”, but it comes in 8 other colors, including a metallic silver and gold. Fun! It’s the closest dupe I’ve found to the Anthro woven leather tote I featured earlier in the post, but it’s still not a close match.
woven bag / white tee / earrings / necklace / beaded bracelet / straight leg ankle jeans / neutral sneakers (white/tan leather)
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SOCIAL THREADS FALL PREVIEW
This huge fall preview event ends tomorrow, but right now you can GET 25% OFF fall preview orders of $150+ with the code FALL24.
Shop the fall preview HERE.
I know I just made a huge case for the Wit and Wisdom jeans, but I LOVE THESE RISEN JEANS TOO!
And this sweater is giving me all the best fall vibes.
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GREEK NECESSITIES
I talked to y’all about Greek Necessities several weeks ago, but I wanted to mention them again now that rush has officially started at several universities. My friend Jenny Everett (we were Kappas together at OU!) and her sister-in-law Kristie Van Hoover started the business 5 years ago, and y’all are going to love everything they have to offer.
They are based in Norman, and they ship to all college campuses as well as anywhere in the US. They have gifts that you will be proud to give, and gifts that your girls will be THRILLED to receive. They offer unique gifts that are not available at all retailers, and their products are DARLING! LOOK HOW CUTE!
Click HERE to check it all out and let them help you shower your girl with adorable and lovely gifts on her bid day!
If you know of a young lady going through rush this year, you need to get excited…
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SOME RECENT FAVORITES
I’m in love with this dress.
It’s a lightweight cotton poplin with a split neck, a flutter sleeve, a DARLING faux wrap skirt with a ruffle, and the cutest little sash you tie at the waist. It’s such a great dress. It’s got pockets too! This is a dress that can be worn from spring till early fall, and it would work for so many different types of occasions. You just pull it over your head, which I much prefer to a dress that has to zip up the back or heaven forbid on the side. It runs a bit big, but I’m still in a medium (which is normal for me for dresses like this). A small would be too tight in the chest for me, so I stuck with the medium.
flutter sleeve poplin dress / beaded earrings / matte gold bracelet stack / studded heels
Okay…..LOOK AT THESE PANTS, Y’ALL!!!
I mean, they are DARLING.
They caught my eye online, and they were in my cart and on their way to me before I even knew what was happening.
They’ve got an elastic waistband, and they are lightweight and soft with a flowy fit. All that’s great, but what I really fell in love with were the colors and the floral pattern. For size reference, I did size up to a 6 based on reader reviews that said they run tight in the waist (because my tummy is definitely my problem area). If your tummy isn’t your problem area, I would suggest sticking to your regular size.
If you love these pants as much as I do, you should probably click HERE to check out everything else that Petal and Pup has to offer.
white tee / denim jacket / floral wide leg pants / chunky hoop earrings / matte gold bracelet stack / raffia crossbody bag / wedges
Not interested in flowy pants? Look at this adorable tiered skirt!
There’s a wide smocked waist, a tiered ruffle fit, and I’m in love with the olive dot print. The site suggested to size down, so I got a small and am very glad I did. I would definitely recommend sizing down.
white tee / denim jacket / tiered smocked waist skirt / chunky hoop earrings / multicolor beaded bracelet stack / matte gold bracelet stack / straw pom pom tote / barely there flip flops
If you love the color and pattern of the first dress, but you don’t need a dress, look how great this top is!!! It’s the same lightweight cotton poplin, but the sleeves have a double ruffle with some tiny little trim. It runs large too, but I again stuck with my regular medium to have enough room in the chest. I would suggest sizing down if you don’t have a large chest.
flutter sleeve top / cuff straight leg jeans / chunky hoop earrings / multicolor beaded bracelet stack / matte gold bracelet stack / barely there flip flops
Let’s talk about the jeans. These are also from our beloved Wit and Wisdom and have the Ab-Solution technology that we all know and love. They’ve got a straight leg and a great little cuff that hits just a little above the ankle. They are the perfect summer jeans. I’m wearing my regular size 4, but size down if between sizes.
cuff straight leg jeans / multicolor beaded bracelet stack / matte gold bracelet stack / barely there flip flops
And I just saw yesterday that this shirtdress I talked about back in the spring that sold out is now BACK IN STOCK!
striped shirtdress / denim jacket / sunglasses / chunky hoop earrings / turquoise layered necklace / long link necklace / turquoise bracelets / leather sandals
I love a shirtdress.
I think they are super classic and totally chic, and this one is no different.
The neutral stripes are so good.
It’s a crinkled cotton poplin, which means it’s got some softness to it which I love.
It’s got a super relaxed fit and is oversized. I’m wearing a small here (and I would typically wear a medium in a dress like this), so I would suggest that most size down.
striped shirtdress / sunglasses / chunky hoop earrings / turquoise layered necklace / long link necklace / turquoise bracelets
Let me tell you what else is BACK IN STOCK! Do y’all remember this blouse? Based upon reviews, some people didn’t like the fabric, but I like it!
I love the color combo of the pink and orange, the details are incredible (split neck, embroidery on placket, and gathered and ruffled sleeves), and the fit is perfection. I live for a split neck (it’s the most flattering on me with my short neck) and my favorite sleeve length is past the biggest part of the arm, but above the elbow. ALL THE BOXES ARE CHECKED!
It’s a cotton blend that’s soft to the touch, and it has a cotton poplin feel. And although it’s soft, it’s kind of crisp too, but not too crisp! #justtheperfectamountofcrisp
There’s not much stretch, but the fit is roomy. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium. If you’re between sizes, I would suggest sizing down in this top for sure.
patterned blouse / mid-rise flare jeans / chunky hoop earrings / similar cross necklace / turquoise bracelets / raffia sandals
You can also grab mustard or white if you prefer a solid color. You can really see the details of the subtle puff sleeve, the gathered ruffle on the cuff, and the embroidery on the split neck and collar here.
split neck top / oval link necklace / mid-rise flare jeans / chunky hoop earrings / similar cross necklace / turquoise bracelets / raffia sandals
And I’m so happy to have a new white blouse in my closet!
split neck top / oval link necklace / mid-rise flare jeans / chunky hoop earrings / similar cross necklace / turquoise bracelets / raffia sandals
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TARTE SALE
tarte is 30% OFF of EVERYTHING right now!
Two weeks ago I got the new tartelette XL tubing mascara for myself, AND I FREAKING LOVE IT.
Sadly, I took it to the ranch with me the weekend I got it, and I left it there. 🙁 I’ll show the mascara on me (after we go to the ranch next weekend), but here’s the spoiler alert: THE MASCARA IS AWESOME. No flaking, incredible length, even application, and it comes off easily too.
While supplies last, you can get 30% off AND you can get a free mini mascara if you purchase 3 items. Y’all know that the Maracuja juicy lips are my other favorite tarte products.
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That’s all for this week. Have a wonderful weekend with your people!
Erika Slaughter says
Is it just me or does Social Threads shine in the fall? That’s when they seem to do their best work!
Shay Shull says
Okay, I clicked on the link about the college spirit wear and her site is SO CUTE!!! I didn’t even rush and I wanted to buy things. Bahaha! (You know that’s true too!)
sandi says
White t’s are harder to find than they should be. I love the fit and feel of the Madwell t’s but they are difficult to wear at work because they are thin. With shorts or jeans in a casual setting it is a great t shirt. The thicker plain t’s seem to be boxier and/or cropped, so less appropriate for a workplace. A coworker and I were just having this converstion. Any good suggestions?
Sheaffer says
I totally agree, Sandi! I’m going to go on the hunt again!!! xoxo
Jenny Curtis says
Sheaffer,
Walmart has the shoes you listed (and tons of colorways) in adult sizes! Just type in No Boundaries sneakers for women and they should pop up first. I got the white with green and the blush. They’re $19.98 🙂
Sheaffer says
Awesome tip, Jenny! Thank you! Ordering a pair! xoxo