Monday Musings

Happy Monday, Ladies!

How was everybody’s weekend? Ours was fabulous. We were at the ranch with our family, another family, and 4 of Carter’s friends. We had the best time, and I’m definitely sad to be back to the real world.

Today’s post is just a collection of random things….

Kind of like a Friday Favorites, but on a Monday.

 

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SNEAK PEAK

I’ll share lots more pictures of our little trip on Friday’s post, but here’s just one shot from the weekend. Such a great group of boys.

Please make sure to check out Charlie in the pic below. #heunderstoodtheassignment

 

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CHARLES HUDSON

Speaking of Charlie, I continue to get messages asking how Charlie is doing, and the answer is that he’s doing FANTASTIC! Better than we ever could have dreamed or imagine.

His fur is taking a bit to grow back (on all 4 legs and his belly), but I have to say, I think he’s so cute with the shaved areas and we’re still calling him Four Socks.

He has so much energy (we are taking him on 3-4 walks a day!), his appetite is back and better than ever, and don’t worry… he still enjoys a good snuggle and a good nap.

We love him so much and continue to be so incredibly thankful for the successful surgery and amazing recovery.

 

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SOME *NEW* FINDS I’M LOVING

I’ve been raving about these linen shorts for over a month now, but I’m newly obsessed with this pintuck blouse. It’s a beautiful rich smokey blue color (the pictures don’t do it justice). It’s 100% cotton, super lightweight, and I love the feminine details of the pintucks, the v-neck, and the sleeves with the subtle puff. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

pintuck blouse / pearl drop earrings / linen shorts / straw tote / bangle bracelet / raffia sandals

Okay, I’ve gotta be honest. I’m kind of freaking over this dress. It’s really really good.

It has a tiny ruffle neckline with fully functional buttons all the way down to the elastic waist. If you unbutton the top 3-4 buttons, you’ll get a cascading v that’s a little bit sexy. The flutter sleeves are perfection, the body of the dress is lined (not the sleeves), and I love the slip-on styling. It’s super soft, super comfy, and super flattering. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

front button midi dress / pearl drop earrings / multicolor beaded necklace / bangle bracelet / clear wedges

The above dress might look familiar because I styled it in an OUTFIT PLANNING collage last week…

button front midi dress / bag / black sandals / huggie earrings / necklace / beaded bracelets / bangle bracelet 

Okay.

This dress is darling. DARLING.

The blue and white floral pattern is so pretty and fresh, and you can leave the neckline open or you can tie it up. The ruffle sleeves are feminine, and the tiered skirt is both flattering and flirty. It too is very comfortable with the simple elastic waist. I find this style to be more flattering on me than dresses and skirt with a thick band of elastic because I feel the thick band often highlights my tummy (which I try not to do). For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

floral tiered dress / pearl drop earrings / multicolor beaded necklace / bangle bracelet / clear wedges

Another dress with a short hemline and a thin elastic waist? YES, PLEASE.

The lining is like a spaghetti strapped slip, and it looks so pretty under the textured lace.

It’s got a boho vibe. I love the billowy and sheer sleeves, and the ruffle skirt is feminine and flirty. I love it. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

sheer long sleeve dress / pearl drop earrings / multicolor beaded necklace / bangle bracelet / clear wedges

The sweet little pintucks and cute little ruffle sleeves got me on this dress.

And the colors! And the pattern!

It’s all fabulous. This would be a great vacation dress, but I would also wear it to church.

For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

dress / pearl drop earrings / multicolor beaded necklace / bangle bracelet / clear wedges

I love the look of this dress, but to be totally honest, I don’t love the material (because it feels a little cheap). The floral pattern, the colors, and the ruffle skirt are all so pretty though. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

dress / pearl drop earrings / multicolor beaded necklace / bangle bracelet / clear wedges

This mini dress really pretty eyelet pattern and even prettier scalloped edges. It’s bright white, fresh, and it screams summer! Now listen, it is very short, so you need to know that if you are over like 5’4″. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

eyelet mini dress / pearl drop earrings / multicolor beaded necklace / bangle bracelet / clear wedges

I thought I was going to be obsessed with this outfit. I just knew that I was going to love it.

Spoiler Alert: I don’t love the fit of the skirt on me.

I do love the top (we’ll talk about it more in just a second). I love the colors (they are GORGEOUS and will look great with a tan), and the details of the entire outfit are great.

The skirt has an elastic back which I love, but the front of it kind of has pleats and some ruching that kind of Vs down, and it’s just not flattering on my tummy. If you have a flat belly, I think you will love the entire outfit.

For size reference, I’m wearing a medium in the top and a small in the skirt.

floral blouse / skirt / straw tote / pearl drop earrings / multicolor beaded necklace / bangle bracelet / clear wedges

The blouse looks great worn casually with shorts too.

The sleeves have a double ruffle that I love, and I think it’s probably obvious by now that this is my favorite kind of neckline. The blouse is a linen blend and has a relaxed fit. Again, I’m wearing a medium.

floral blouse / pearl drop earrings / multicolor beaded necklace / denim shorts / linen shorts / straw tote / bangle bracelet / raffia sandals

I’ve got another split neck top, because why not.

I like it with a half-tuck, but it has a curved hem, so it looks good worn out as well. The embroidery and the ruffle detailing are both lovely. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

white blouse / pearl drop earrings / denim shorts / straw tote / bangle bracelet / raffia sandals

I mean, I definitely have a type when it comes to a top.

A swingy fit, a bit of a sleeve, and some pretty detailing are all things I love… and this one checks those boxes! This soft mauve is quite pretty, and it also comes in a soft green as well. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

peasant blouse / pearl drop earrings / multicolor beaded necklace / denim shorts / bangle bracelet / raffia sandals

 

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ADORABLE AND AFFORDABLE DRESSES

Did you catch my Summer Dress Edit post last Monday?

If you didn’t see it the first time around, you need to click HERE to check it out.

shirred mini dress / white eyelet shift dress / orange eyelet dress / green floral dress

This square neck mini dress is totally fabulous. Great pattern, beautiful color, and such a flattering (and forgiving) fit.

Once again, the quality of this dress is absolutely top notch. The fabric belt can be tied in a knot or cute little bow like I have here, and it’s super flattering in the waist.

I will say, I ordered this dress in both the green and the blue, but I found the sizing to be super inconsistent. I ordered them both in a medium, but the blue one was HUGE (much bigger than the green one). So I’m wearing a medium here, but it’s still quite roomy. I might even be able to do a small in this one. I would say you might be able to size down if your chest isn’t large because the body of the dress has so much room.

square neck green  mini dress / raffia hoop earrings / charm necklace / similar multicolor clutch / similar clear wedges

This fabulous dress is beautifully made. It’s 100% cotton WITH POCKETS, has a great little split neck, subtle puff sleeves, a drawstring waist, an eyelet pattern, and a ruffled skirt. Oh, and it’s fully lined. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium. I could have sized down because it’s roomy throughout the waist and hips, but I needed the room in the chest.

And I’m telling you, it feels like a high-end dress. In fact, I think it has a bit of a Tuckernuck feel. The cut is flattering, I love how the drawstring waist is fully functional, and the dress is actually very comfortable.

You could easily style this dress up or down. I decided to lean into the preppy vibes and throw a striped cardigan over my shoulders, but it would be just as cute with your hair thrown in a ponytail and sneakers.

eyelet dress / blue drop earrings / cardigan sweater / similar straw tote with black handles / bangle bracelet/ buckle slide sandals

And as a reminder, here’s the same cardi as above styled more casually…

This great little white tee has a great v-neck and great little eyelet flutter sleeves. It has excellent ratings, it’s very affordable, and it also comes in black and pink. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium and it’s got lots of room.

I’m loving the casual vibe of the cardi thrown over my shoulders.

white tee / striped cardigan / distressed denim cut-offs / straw tote / turquoise earrings / initial necklace / matte gold bracelet stack / colorful beaded bracelet stack / raffia sandals

Here’s a better look…

THIS STRIPED CARDIGAN, y’all. First of all, the quality is TOP NOTCH.

I absolutely love every single thing about this cardi. Look at the details! The little scallops, the oversized gold buttons, the front patch pockets, I love it all. The details really are quite lovely and make this look like a very nice piece. The material is heavy knit and actually feels very luxe.

You truly aren’t going to believe the price. I’m wearing it here with a pair of distressed denim shorts (because it was what I was trying on with everything else this particular day), and I like the juxtaposition of this high end cardi with these distressed shorts…. BUT this cardi would look extra fantastic with a nicer outfit. Again, I’m wearing a medium.

white tee / striped cardigan / distressed denim cut-offs / straw tote / turquoise earrings / initial necklace / matte gold bracelet stack / colorful beaded bracelet stack / raffia sandals

You could also lose the cardi and style it with a colorful bag.

eyelet dress / blue drop earrings / charm necklace / colorful bag / bangle bracelet / buckle slide sandals

Here’s the same dress as above, but in black.

I’m telling you… YOU NEED THIS DRESS. You will be astounded by both the quality and cuteness.

eyelet dress / raffia drop earrings / charm necklace / similar straw tote with black handles / bangle bracelet / barely there flip flops

Gosh I love a bright white dress in the summer. This one is also 100% cotton and very well made. I would definitely suggest sizing down in it. I sized down to a small here (and definitely needed the room in the chest), otherwise I think I could even have gone down two sizes to an x-small.

It’s a bit longer than I’m used to (I’m 5’4″), but that’s good news for you taller ladies!

I love the long flutter sleeves. I love the crisp cotton fabric. I love the eyelet pattern. And I love the square neck.

eyelet shift dress / beaded hoop earrings / beaded necklace / colorful bag / bangle bracelet / similar clear wedges

For a reminder, here it is in green from a couple of weeks ago…

This dress is adorable and looks much more expensive than it is. It is very well made, 100% cotton, and fully lined. It has a pretty square neckline, sleeves that have a tiny bit of flare and length, and a nice relaxed fit. At 5’4″, it’s a bit longer than I typically like a dress, but that’s great news for you taller ladies. I would definitely suggest sizing down in this one. I’m wearing a small, and it’s still plenty roomy through the thighs and hips. If I didn’t need the room in the chest, I might even be able to size down to the xs. I thought this Kelly green was so fresh and fun, but it also comes in white, black, and a red/orange.

dress / turquoise earrings / colorful initial necklace / heart toggle necklace / matte gold bracelet stack / colorful beaded bracelet stack / raffia sandals

And I’ve got one more 100% cotton dress for y’all today with pockets and a super cute fit!

I like the sleeve length on this dress and the square neck and shirring across the bust is so fun! I couldn’t wear a regular bra with this, but I felt supported enough (it has a wide smocked elastic panel across the back) that I decided to just not wear a bra with it. For size reference, I sized down to a small based on reviews, but I actually think a medium might be better on me. If you have a smaller chest, I think you could size down. If you have a larger chest, I would stick with your regular size.

I feel great in this dress.

shirred mini dress / raffia drop earrings / charm necklace / similar straw tote with black handles / buckle slide sandals

 

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That’s all for today, ladies!

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