Statement Earrings + Tees 3 Ways

What day is it? Does anyone even know? The holiday falling in the middle of this week is totally throwing me off. After hanging on the North Shore last weekend (and bringing home a zillion mosquito bites), we spent Monday through Wednesday in Big Lake for the Fourth. Thursday was a chance to hit the gym, eat some veggies and relax before we head to a friend's cabin this afternoon. In addition to all the snacks and all the bug spray, here's what I'm packing!

It feels like overkill to wear anything dressier than shorts and tees at the lake, but throwing on a pair of statement earrings is a quick way to give a casual outfit some flair if you go out for dinner or just want to turn it up a bit after spending all day in a swimsuit. Until recently I wore delicate gold jewelry pretty much exclusively, but I've really been getting back into oversized danglers and hoops, especially when paired with easy tees like these—the contrast is really fun and feels effortlessly glam. I'll be pulling out this little trick for weekends at the cabin and hot days in the city all summer long.

Parrot Earrings | Salut Tee | Jean Shorts | Flame Slides

Embellished Hoop Earrings | Les Copines Tee | Tie Waist Shorts | Cork Wedges

Double Hoop Earrings | Jeans Tee | Gingham Shorts | Metallic Slides

Embroidered Blouse

Like eyelet and linen, embroidery makes me feel super light and summery. I wanted to add one great embroidered blouse to my wardrobe this season and I didn't hesitate when I saw this one—it has a modern crop (but not so short that it shows skin), gently ruffled sleeves, and a perfectly happy palette of sky blue, coral, peach, yellow and green. A few swipes of geranium lipstick and lace-up heels give the boho vibes a modern edge for everyday life in Minneapolis (I wore it to work earlier this week). But it would be great with cutoffs (and a colada) on vacation, and I'd even wear it with a fitted black maxi and black wedges for something different and unexpected. Try a clutch (I like this, this and this) for just a touch of the embroidery trend.

Hope you have an uber relaxing, total zone-out kind of weekend full of sunshine, fish tacos and pretty embroidered blouses (I could use one!). It's supposed to be a little gloomy here, so I hope to get caught up on laundry and workouts and maybe get my summer Sea Salt fix or finally try Milkjam for a fancy scoop! See ya next week!

Madewell Blouse | Ann Taylor Jeans 

Denim Heels: Sam Edelman (similar here & here)

Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in Tell Laura

Fourth of July Style

We just booked a few days on the North Shore for the Fourth of July! It's my goal to take more quick trips close to home this summer—it's tempting to hop a plane whenever we want to get away, but there are so many cool places within driving distance that I don't want to miss! I've never been to the Grand Marais area and have always wanted to see that part of Minnesota, so I can't wait! We're staying at a little place overlooking Lake Superior and plan to do some casual hiking and exploring for a couple days. If you have any must-dos for eating, drinking and adventuring, send 'em over!

Besides planning our itinerary, I've of course been planning what to wear. Punching up cutoffs with a fun red, white or blue top is the easiest, chill-est way to do the Fourth. I love this striped off-shoulder blouse because of the smocking (so hot now, btw). It's so annoying when off-shoulder tops don't stay where they're supposed to, and this one does! Wrap a silk scarf around your wrist for a little extra flair. If you want to slip into something nicer after a long day on the water (is there anything better?), I love a wide-leg linen jumpsuit or sweet ruffled dress. Whatever you wear, make tassel-star earrings the finishing touch. Oh. Em. Gee. These are the cutest!!! I love them with a washed red top for a tonal look, but they would be darling with white or blue, too. Talk about starry-eyed...

Jumpsuit | Earrings (on sale) 

Scarf (on sale) | Tie-Waist Shorts 

Tassel Top | Dress | Stripe Off-Shoulder Top

Red Eyelet Crop Top | Blue Ruffled Top

What are you doing for the Fourth?

Click through to shop more perfectly patriotic looks!
(Have you been wearing Cupcakes & Cashmere? I for sure need the white camisole.)

All Black in Spring

I've been trying to wear more color now that it's almost summer, but I still gravitate toward all black—for work and for the weekend when I want something chic, sleek and simple. Wearing one color head to toe can fall a little flat without the right mix of pattern and texture so I've been adding some edge with basics that go a step further: a structured, cropped tee that's elevated but not too special to wear on repeat, coated denim (with just a hit of sheen, it has the look of leather leggings and the wearability of blue jeans) and a fun pair of shoes. I love how the stripes and woven wedges are complementary in a low-key way.

It was just the thing to wear from work to The Wind and the Wave at 7th Street Entry last night. Chris got the tickets for my birthday; he first saw the Austin, TX group in 2014—what was then just Dwight and Patty has grown to a four-person band and they are so good! We were so pumped that we snagged two of the few stools in the small venue to watch the show (conveniently bumped up against a ledge to rest our beers). I had a (dorky) little moment walking back to the car afterward really appreciating the experience and fun date night that I wouldn't have had without my music-loving boyfriend. This and this are a couple of my favorite tracks if you're interested in listening. Oh—and I have to give a shoutout to Justin Young, one of the openers, who closed with a bomb Boyz II Men medley. I'll definitely be listening to some "End of the Road" today at work (ha).

Tonight we have our kickball league, then we're kicking off the long weekend with a bonfire at our friends' new house on Friday. Enjoy the rest of your week! xx

Sunglasses: Kate Spade (old) | Necklace: Anthropologie

Tee: Madewell | Jeans: Madewell | Shoes: J.Crew (only a few left)

Flamingo Tee

It's been raining pretty consistently in Minneapolis, so when I woke to sun on Monday morning, I was all about a fun, summery graphic (cue the tropical cocktail emoji). I picked up this watercolor flamingo tee over the weekend that I wasn't sure was really "me," but today proved its place in my wardrobe. A tailored jacket (love this one's fringe and shrunken fit!) and heels totally dress it up for my casual office—and wearing something fun and colorful to work makes every urgent email and off-topic meeting feel a little less stressful. I can't wait to wear it with this colorblock sweater skirt or this floral pencil skirt next time! Because I can also toss it over my swimsuit for lunch at the lake when I'm not doing the 9-5, it's a no-brainer.

P.S. I started a new job (again!) two months ago, and big life changes always have a way of putting my blog on the back burner. But I can't stay away forever—looking forward to posting a bit more regularly now that I've found my footing in my new role and it's warm and green again in Minneapolis! Thanks for following along!

Sunglasses: Kate Spade (old) | Jacket: Ann Taylor (on sale!)

Tee: J.Crew Factory | Jeans: Madewell

Heels: J.Crew | Jewelry: Anthropologie

madewell jeans

I was talking to a friend the other day about jeans shopping when she lamented with disgust how she'd recently had to wear her LOW-RISE jeans, with all other pairs in the wash. It was funny, because I totally agree with her feelings on the once-ubiquitous rise, but I hadn't realized how right she was. Low-rise jeans used to be the only style I bought—and I still have some pairs lingering in my drawer—but I've been acutely aware in the last few months about how uncomfortable they are. Worrying about whether I'm inadvertently showing skin is a full-time job, and one I'd rather skip. I bought some J.Crew high-risers last fall and the waistline is not only slimming, but nicely nips everything in—eliminating risk of indecent exposure. Consider me a convert. I wear jeans almost every day, quickly wearing them out, and desperately need three or four new pairs. On my list: a cropped mid-rise, cool distressed, and high-rise flare or boot (or both?!), and I'm even tempted by some of these vintage crops. It feels like there are more options than ever, and I love it! I'm honestly too lazy to go to a department store and sift through brands when I don't know what I'm looking for (and, uh, no Nordstrom in Wisconsin..), but I've heard good things about Madewell jeans and almost every review on the site is a rave. Since they offer free shipping and returns, I think it's pretty safe to order a bunch of sizes and styles and see what sticks! Not a bad way to spend Monday night, right?! What fits are you wearing this season?

SHOP THE JEANS

Skinny Crop | Distressed

Flare | Straight