Camo Jacket + Culotte Jumpsuit

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? It was 90º in Minneapolis for the first day of fall, so while I was anticipating trying Starbucks' new maple pecan latte, INSTEAD—Chris and I last-minute decided to take off early and head up to his sister's for one last day at the lake (the hot drinks can wait). After a couple of hours on the boat, we drove into town for dinner at the local Mexican restaurant, then sat around the fire until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. Basically, my ideal day. 

It's back to reality today, and I'm sharing two fall essentials you can wear now and will love all season long: a camo jacket and a culotte jumpsuit. Think of a camo jacket as the cooler, edgier version of your denim jacket—you can wear it all the same places and it's truly a neutral. Everyone at my office has one. Mine is almost as lightweight as a shirt, so it's easy to layer onto any outfit and doesn't feel overbearing or bulky when you're trying to GSD. A link to my exact jacket is at the bottom of this post, and here are 5 more must-have styles! 

Also, if you haven't started wearing jumpsuits like jeans, get on board, girl. I could wear one every day (working on that). They're so effortlessly stylish—making them great for casual weekends and special occasions alike, and they're the perfect thing to wear under a cool fashion jacket. I love this breezy J.Crew version, but with colder days around the corner, you may not want to invest in summery linen. Here are 10 culotte jumpsuits you can wear now with heels and into winter with ankle boots (can.not.wait)!

OUTFIT DETAILS
Hair Ribbon: mine is literally from a craft store (this is a great option, too)
Sunglasses: old, Madewell (similar styles here) | Camo Jacket | Jumpsuit | Tote Bag (note: I really wanted a luxurious, real leather bag, but am really liking this faux alternative as I try to save more money! I'm finding that expensive bags aren't where I want to invest.) | Denim Heels

SUMMER JACKET EDIT

We made it! Happy Friday! I hope you have some fun plans ahead for the Fourth! It's actually my favorite holiday—with how busy summer can be (it is shocking that tomorrow is July), it's nice to have a dedicated day to slow down, hang at the lake and watch some fireworks.

Before you totally tune out in favor of stars, stripes and sparklers, I had to post a PSA about jackets. I'm not sure how I missed the memo on these cute outfit completers, but I really hadn't thought much about jackets as a fashion piece (or thought I needed a selection) until this spring. I was at a wedding in Chicago in April (read: chilly and rainy). My Rent the Runway dress didn't fit (awesome) and my sister assured me that my destructed denim jacket was highly inappropriate for the The University of Chicago chapel. I felt so unprepared and uncomfortable throughout the ceremony and reception, and really couldn't believe that I didn't have a lightweight, tailored jacket to toss over an easy shift for that kind of occasion.

Never again. I'm course-correcting with this adorable persimmon swing jacket. It's the chic way to stay warm after the sun sets at summer weddings and elevates your jeans, shorts and skirts for work and nights out. I wore it to dinner at St. G's on Saturday and felt SO put together. Click through below to see more jackets I'm adding to my collection (first up: floral, camo, classic chambray) and have an amazing Fourth of July!! xo

My jacket is 50% OFF with code SPARKLER! 

Swing Jacket | Graphic Tee | Denim Skirt

Snakeskin Sandals (old, J.Crew. similar here and here)

Le Specs Sunglasses | Earrings | Clutch 

Summer Pace

What's your morning routine? Chris wakes up early and drinks a strawberry smoothie while watching SportsCenter. Never snoozes. Mornings are harder for me (snooze city), but with the earlier summer sunrises I've started going for a quick 30-45 minute walk after rolling out of bed. I make coffee before I leave, it's ready when I get back, refreshed, and I let myself enjoy a cup and watch GMA before jumping in the shower. Because it's something I would do on the weekends, it makes week days feel a bit more "mine" before I head to the office—actually, a bit like vacation—and that first alarm is starting to sting a little less. It also leaves evenings free for rosé. All about balance over here. 

This wasn't a rosé night, but hot dogs and Coronas are right up there. The biggest downfall of our apartment is not having a balcony, so after work on Monday Chris and I headed to the lake to get our grill fix (Chris diligently chopped pickles and onions for relish and adorably packed the cooler and for some reason I can't get over it) and we ended up catching this gorge sunset—such a great change of pace for a Monday. It's not Porto, but it's pretty freaking good. Hope you're having a great week! 

Tortoise Link Necklace | Blank NYC Denim Jacket | Graphic Tee
Seamed Maxi Skirt | Metallic Leather Slides | Gold Cuff 

P.S. This maxi skirt is so great (and on sale for $40). It's kind of the equivalent of joggers—dresses up or down and is all about comfort. Also, stretchy and light. Thinking about wearing it with this embroidered peplum top and these slides for dinner on Saturday night.