What I Wore: Madewell Event

Jacket: Hydraulic (similar here)
Top: George (yep, Wal-mart, similar here, here, and here)
Necklace: Forever21 (similar here, here or here)
Bracelets: Derng (similar here), Target, Thrifted (similar here), Banana Republic Factory
Skirt: LC by Lauren Conrad (similar here)
*This outfit was inspired by Bailey, the only young person I know who has a solid handle on her own personal style.......I was a hot mess at her age!

Congratulations to Megan and the Madewell staff on a successful event!

From top left: Taylor, Laura, Krystal, Katie, Maygan, Emily and Brigid.

I really do enjoy shopping with the Madewell team - they are so sweet and kind. 

Several of the local bloggers styled their own mannequins - and I loved every second of it (that's my mannequin in the blue pants - @_TripleP!) Shop the outft: Printed Boyshirt, Overdot Tee, Typeset Trousers.

I interned as a visual merchandiser in High School (with the best mentor - Marilyn - whom I will never forget!) and I loved it.  Why did I stop?  I was tempted with a department manager position that sucked the love right out of retail!

All photos courtesy of Nicole at Nicole Clifford Photography.  You can see more photos of the event here (don't forget, if you "like" what you see......)

The Sack Dress, Cuter Than A Bathrobe

This is the type of outfit I wouldn't normally blog about.  It's essentially a t-shirt, only long enough that I don't have to wear pants with it.  It's essentially a sack, a few steps up from a garbage bag (see the saggy diaper butt after a day of wearing it??)  But it's a cute garbage bag.  It's cool and easy - perfect for a poolside cover-up, quick enough for oversleeping or last minute errands first thing in the morning, and cuter than your bathrobe.

Dress: Banana Republic Factory (got it on sale for $21, although it retails for $49.99) (similar here)

Scarf: Forever21 (similar here)

Bracelets: Banana Republic Factory and JCrew (similar here and here)

Sandals: Candies (similar here)

Clutch: Coach (similar here)

Sunglasses: Nordstrom

So why am I letting you see this dress?  Believe it or not, I have received more compliments on this dress than anything else in my closet this summer.  One evening, the Mr and I were lounging on the couch watching   the television (somewhat aimlessly) when he turned to me and said, "Hey, I wanted to tell you something."  Like a bunny, my ears perked up, alert to the sound of an impending, ominous conversation.

"I really like you in that dress."

"WHAT??"

"I don't know, maybe it's the way I can grab your butt......"

My head still hurts from what may very well be the world's most exaggerated eye roll.

And I thought, "Out of all the things I wear, this is what you like??"

p.s. I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy and Transatlantic Blonde for WIWW.

InstaLife + Giveaway Winner

Life as I know it:

We waited all winter for Pool Season, and Kansas gives us a cold front with temperatures in the 60s.  Thanks Kansas.  I mean that from the bottom of my heart....eye roll.

Park play and Baseball Games.  Another Summer pastime.  And my new stripe t-shirt dress from Banana Republic Factory (Memorial Day score!)

A few more Memorial Day Sale scores - Stuart Weitzman pumps for $120 and JCrew Factory's Rainy Day Flats for $14.99!

 The morning I got caught off-guard by the doorbell ringing before any of us had woken up......The guy actually said, "It will take us a few minutes to get set up, so why don't you go get dressed and then move your car."  I'm pretty sure I'm older than he was, but I probably deserved that.

 The week I ate cheese everyday, and subsequently cycled my butt off (literally, I hope.)

Note to self: Never, ever leave a cooling cake unattended.  At least, not with a three year old on the loose, haha!

And lastly (drumroll please):

The winner of the eShakti Dress Giveaway is:

Shelley Zurek!!

p.s.  Don't forget to enter my current Triple P Giveaway here!

p.p.s. This post is linked up with: