casual style


Casual late summer outfit

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Pictured: Earrings: Kendra Scott / Sunglasses: Prada / Lipstick: Chanel Amarosa / Blouse: Express / Tank top: Mossimo / Jeans: Gap (on sale!)/ Handbag: Chloe / Bracelet: c/o Gorjana (old, also love this one)/ Nail Polish: Chanel Mediteranee / Shoes: Aquazurra

August is almost here, and the kids go back to school in two weeks! Where did the summer go? My oldest daughter will begin junior high this year, and her orientation is in roughly ten days! With all the 100 degree weather we have been having, I cannot imagine school starting. It does not seem right!

I remember when I was in school, our first day was always the day after Labor Day. We never started in August! The first time I started school in August was when I was in graduate school. I remember thinking it was so strange to be in school the last week of August.

The strangest thing is knowing my kids start school three weeks before Labor Day! I have two children in public school, and one child with special needs. I homeschool my daughter with special needs, and I keep her on the same academic calendar as my other two children in school. This means I go back to school in two weeks too! I am so not ready! It is so hot outside, I just want to sit on a beach somewhere exotic and take a nap!

With the school year two weeks away, fashion week one month away, and fall on store shelves, I have begun to transition my wardrobe into late-summer mode. This means reaching for pieces in fall-like colors and styles, yet keeping fabrics light for the warm weather.

Fall is always a challenge here in the San Francisco Bay Area since we enjoy late summer weather through the beginning of October. If you are not familiar with this weather pattern, it basically means the city gets less fog, and the rest of the Bay Area suffers through summer temperatures until October.

Are you starting to transition to your late-summer wardrobe? When does fall begin where you live?

Don’t forget! The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale ends on August 2, 2015. This is a great time to pick up some new fall items at sale prices! To see my picks, please click here.

My eleven year old daughter took these pictures. I think she did a pretty good job! #ProudMama


Summer into fall casual outfit

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Pictured: Earrings: Kendra Scott / Lipstick: Chanel / Top: Express / Handbag: Mansur Gavriel / Ring: Kendra Scott / Jeans: Citizens of Humanity  / Nail Polish: Christian Louboutin Nude Pink Gold / Shoes: Aquazurra

Last week, when we were in Orange County, we had a small taste of fall. Between the hot and humid weather caused by the remnants of a hurricane, there was a crazy, tropical storm which dumped rain and dark skies on the southland. In the midst of this torrential downpour, there was a small window of cool weather before the storm hit; this is when I reached for a summer into fall outfit.

I always think of August as a transitional month between summer and fall. Perhaps it is because when I was a child, we started school the day after Labor Day; and that meant the fall season had begun. Nowadays, kids start school in the middle of August, so the transition to fall has become blurry for me; making me wonder exactly when to start my wardrobe transition! Although we are still in July, the storm, despite the fact that it was hot and humid, made me think of transitioning from summer into fall; at least for a tiny moment in time 😉

Since the 70’s are an important decade of influence for the fall season, along with some 80’s and 90’s influences, I have become obsessed with my new flair jeans. I love pairing them with this breezy, cropped blouse from Express which offers a fall color palette, and summer weight. This makes it the perfect blouse for transitioning from summer into fall. It can handle the heat of summer, yet evokes a fall feeling through the pattern and color palette. Love that!

I look forward to wearing this blouse with more than just jeans for the remainder of summer, and in early fall. It looks cute with casual, denim shorts; as well as denim pencil skirts! It also looks amazing with black pants, and black denim. It is just a great, all-around, casual top, which is comfortable and perfect for summer into fall.

xoxo

Cathy


Easy breezy flowing summer outfit

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Pictured: Earrings: Kendra Scott / Sunglasses: Chanel / Lipstick: Chanel  / Top: Express / Necklace: Unknown-purchased at art fair (also love this one) / Skirt: Express / Bracelets: Kendra Scott, Kendra Scott / Handbag: Mansur Gavriel / Nail Polish: Christian Louboutin Nude Rose Gold / Shoes: Chloe

For our big summer trip this year, we decided to take the kids down south to Universal Studios, Disneyland, and Legoland. On our drive down, we stopped at the beautiful Mission Santa Barbara  for a little bit of California history. What kid doesn’t need a little summer history lesson?!

When we left the Bay Area, temperatures hovered in the 90’s, so I chose to wear this flowing, breezy skirt with a lightweight, cotton cropped top. It was the perfect ensemble for beating the heat while on the road! The flowing silhouette, and lightweight fabrics, kept me cool all the way from NorCal to SoCal. Love that!

This skirt is really fun to wear too. I have worn it with a high, stacked heel, for a dressier look, as well as with the flats shown above for comfort. The shoes really make a difference; making the skirt fabulous for day into evening this summer! Love that!

My new Chloe flats were perfect for walking around the mission; and they were also comfortable for driving down the coast! I’m addicted to these flats 😉

The Santa Barbara Mission was a great place to stop with the kids on the drive south. Not only did we get to stretch our legs, and get out of the car, the kids learned about a small part of California history! Who says you can’t mix education and fun?! 

Thanks for stopping by,

xoxo

Cathy