Pretty Peonies

Floral Print Dress: Topshop. I also love this similar bright blue one (so great for summer!), this off the shoulder one, this moody floral one, this adorable coral wrap dress, and this one! Also how pretty and feminine is this coral floral print midi dress? And I want this one for our honeymoon! And this yellow floral midi dress! SO adorable!) // Bag: Cult Gaia “Gaia’s Ark” bag (I have the size large!) // Shoes: Old, but similar here and here (just marked down to $99!) and how cute is this braided lace-up version? I want to splurge on this lace-up tassel pair soooo badly! // Nail polish: Essie gel polish in “Rock the Runway” // Sunnies: KREWE c/o Tuckernuck 

Happy Monday!

Did you have a good weekend? What did you do?

I had a really productive one! (Which, in my earlier years, I would say was NOT a fun weekend, but now that I’m an old lady I really get a kick out of these productive weekends, you know?)

Friday night Neal and I just hung out at home and had a couple Guinness’ because it was St. Patrick’s day, obviously. Before we knew it, it was too late to go to dinner. (This always happens.) So we ended up going to get late night tacos (which also always happens), so I would consider Friday night a smashing success. We slept in on Saturday and I went to yoga and we got brunch at our favorite little place, Janik’s cafe, and got together with Neal’s family for dinner.

Yesterday–very exciting–I cleaned out our closet! YESSSS!

I got rid of an entire garbage back full of shoes, several purses and about a garbage bag and a half full of clothes. Neal and I share a tiny closet and it’s by far the biggest struggle we have with our house, so finally getting this done was a big weight lifted off my shoulders! I also have a professional organizer coming to help us figure out some better storage solutions for our place overall, so I’ll be sure to share all the tips I’m learn from her!

BUT enough chit-chat. Let’s talk more about what’s happening in these photos I shot in warm, beautiful, sun-shiny, gorgeous LA with Julie of Velvet & Popcorn.

Well, first. It was warm. So there’s that. Actually everyone in LA thought it was freezing (it was like 70 degrees) but I was all, “JULIEEEEE where’s the beach!?”

Pretty much everything you see here is an obsession of mine that I cannot wait to wear once it warms up here in the midwest. (Or maybe I just need to go back to LA and then I can start wearing them now…)

It’s going to come as no surprise to you that I cannot control myself when it comes to the floral patterns. They’re just such a breath of fresh air. The fact that this little dress combined the prettiest peony pattern with bell sleeves and a ruffle collar–at a great price point–made it an irresistible trifecta. (Okay…I guess including the price point that would be a…quadfecta? Is that a thing?)

Then there’s my favorite new bag. (Sorry you guys, I shot SO MANY looks with this bag in LA and London so I hope you like it as much as I do, hahaha. You’re like “WE GET IT. YOU LOVE THE BIRDHOUSE BAG.”) I think it makes any outfit look so, so much cuter!

Last but not least…lace-up heels! (These are on sale for $99!) Lace-ups and ankle-wrap shoes have been one of my go-to’s for the past couple of years now. In addition to these, I have a ballet flats version, and lace up flat sandals, too!

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Photography by Velvet & Popcorn 

Today’s Featured Favorites:

It’s no secret that I have a soft spot for floral dresses, but I love how the pattern on this dress features peonies in the most soft and feminine colors! Plus, it’s under $100! Sizing tip: Runs small, go up one size!

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Lace-up heels in a neutral color like these are some of the most versatile shoes you can wear for spring and summer! They look super cute with both jeans and dresses, plus the chunkier heels make them comfy! Plus, these are only $99! 

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This is by far the coolest handbag I’ve ever purchased. At first I was like mehhh that cannot be functional, but actually, it totally is! It holds all my stuff and it makes any outfit look SO much cuter!

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My favorite sunglasses! They’re a New Orleans brand and really well-made, quality sunnies! I love the oyster colored tortoise!

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