Late summer comfort

late summer outfit ideasit bags fall 2018 under 500wide leg summer into fall pants

wearing: bold earrings (on sale!) / lipstick / black and silver watch / black tee / three tier convertible necklace (wearing third tier alone) / sparkling lilac nail polish / black handbag / stripe wide leg pants (under $30) / black wedge espadrilles /

This is the time of year when I wish I could wear all the new fall styles, but the weather is hot enough to fry an egg on the ground! I always look for styles in late summer which feature fall colors or trends, yet offer a lightweight, comfortable fabric for the hot weather. These pants fit the bill!

I was thrilled to find these black, tan, and white striped pants priced under $30. The have an elastic waist which easily slips on and off; so if you are bloated from the heat, the pants will forgive you! haha They feature two pockets, and a fashion-forward hemline featuring the stripes horizontal against the vertical pattern. Love that!

These pants pair nicely with a comfy, cotton tee and summer shoes such as flip flops or espadrilles. Since they feature fall colors, it will be easy to wear these pants throughout the end of summer, and well into the fall season when the temperatures are still soaring.

I would also like to give this necklace a shout-out. It is convertible and can be worn nine different ways. I am wearing the long strand alone, but you can see the whole thing here when I wore it in Seattle last month during our family vacation. I find myself wearing it differently every day. It is such a great piece to own!

Are you wishing you could wear all the new fall styles right now, but the weather is preventing it? I really do! I also wish the weather would cool down! Ugh, two more months for that!

Shop my late summer outfit:

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

early fall outfits ideas

5 Ways to see the happy side of life

Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional. The following is my opinion. If you are feeling extremely unhappy and sad, please visit a mental health professional for advice and assistance.

Happy National Happiness Happens Day!

What is National Happiness Happens Day? I wondered the same thing, because it is different than the celebration of general happiness; which happens in March. National Happiness Happens Day is a celebration of just being happy.

Everyone has happiness inside of them; no matter how dark or bleak the world may look. No matter how many problems we each face everyday, there is something inside of us that is happy. Sometimes small things make us happy, and sometimes larger than life things make us happy. The important thing to remember is that we need to remind ourselves about what makes us happy when we are down, that way we can return to being happy!

No matter how many bad things might be going on in our lives, there are many more good things in our lives to be thankful and grateful for. These are things that make us happy. Here are five ways to see the happy side of life, no matter what mood you might be in at the moment.

  1. Mother Nature: We live in a beautiful world. Whether you believe God created it, or you believe it was created another way, the Earth is a beautiful place. We have majestic mountains, life-giving trees, and delicate flowers. The water of the Earth gives us life and the ground provides us with a means to grow food. If you are in the dessert, a forest, coastside, or on a prairie, there is beauty in the nature around you. It is important to stop and take a moment to breath in the beauty of nature and appreciate it’s grand glory.
  2. Exercise: Whether you are a gym rat, or have sworn off exercise as the greatest evil of all, moving your body will make you happy. It releases endorphins, which is a natural chemical in your body that makes you happy. Our beautiful bodies created by God, or if you are atheist-created somehow, have the ability to naturally make us happy. Nothing can lift your spirits more then taking a walk outside, shooting hoops at the park, going for a jog, or hitting the gym. All it takes is a minimum of thirty minutes a day of exercise to make us happy.
  3. Make a Pro List: At some point in your life, you may have made a pro/con list. Instead of making a pro/con list, just make a pro list which details all the things you are happy for in your life. Pin it on the refrigerator door, or somewhere you look everyday. This will be a daily reminder of the things that are amazing in your life, and everytime you look at it you will feel happy and thankful. Love that!
  4. Favorite Food: There is an expression, “the way to someone’s heart is through the stomach.” There is nothing like comfort food. Eat food that makes you happy; and be grateful you have the means to eat it!
  5. Favorite Places: Where is your happy place? This could be an amusement park, a quiet neighborhood park, a hiking trail, the top of Mt. Tam., a cozy café, your Mother’s worn sofa; or anywhere you feel secure, happy, and carefree! If you feel down, go there! If you are happy, go there! Always keep your happy place on your calendar so you can continually look forward to it!

What are some things in your life where happiness just happens? For me it’s the beach, a view of Mt. Tam, swimming laps in the pool, working out in a fitness class, spending time with my family, cooking a favorite meal, relaxing with a good book, sipping warm green tea, having a conversation with you about fashion trends, and gazing at the stars. Let me know where happiness happens for you in the comments below!

Enjoy National Happiness Happens Day and have a very happy day!

XOXO

Cathy

Fall 2018 shoe trends: booties

fall 2018 shoe trends booties

fall 2018 shoe trends booties for fall from top left: white booties / low ankle gold booties (on my fall wish list) / low ankle distressed charcoal booties (on my fall wish list) / brick red booties / white split shaft booties (I own these and love them!) / black patent booties (on my fall wish list) /

Booties are one of the hottest fall 2018 shoe trends on the street, and they are also one of the most classic form of autumn footwear. Booties for fall are fabulous because they can be paired with skirts, dresses, and pants. They may just be the most versatile style of footwear for the fall season. Love that!

The fall 2018 season is full of new bootie styles. Western inspiration is huge this season, and you will see tons of cowboy inspired footwear hitting store shelves. I love how you can find designers who reinvented the cowboy boot for fall, as well as took inspiration from the style and incorporated traits of it into a more classic bootie style. If full-blown cowboy boots aren’t your thing, look for styles with western inspiration, and a more a classic silhouette. This is what I will be doing! I have my eyes on this pair and this pair.

Split shaft booties were a hot trend last year, and they are showing no signs of slowing down this year. Look for several designer takes on the split shaft booties trend for fall 2018. I own this comfortable pair and this pair from last year, currently on a deep discount, which are also comfortable.

One of the big bootie trends from last year, which is also continuing this year, is the sock bootie trend. Look for more skin tight bootie styles to appear on store shelves this year.

Combat boots are also a big trend for fall in the wide world of boots. Look for lug soles booties, hiking boot inspired booties, and chunky, funky boots. You may also notice some 1990s Dr. Marten inspiration on store shelves. Grab your Doc’s and pop in a Nine Inch Nails CD; it’s not the twilight zone, your high school concert style is back!

You may also notice studs lining the perimeter of many bootie styles this upcoming fall season. While full blown studded styles are bit too heavy for autumn, studded lines and outlines are fresh and right for fall. I love this pair.

What are your favorite booties for fall 2018?

Shop fall 2018 shoe trends booties:

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

fall 2018 shoe trends booties