In a Knot

I realized I threatened promised you lots of maxi dresses over the summer, but my lack of posting kind of made me a liar, didn't it? For better or worse, this is one of two more maxi dress posts I have to share, as I attempt to get caught up before the season explodes in my face. Bonus: the next one includes a hat!

Aztec knot maxi dress - Dorothy Perkins / Cardigan - LOFT / Cami - NY&Co.

This fabulously printed maxi, worn in mid-July for an outdoor work event, is actually kind of an oddity in my closet. As a lover of solid colors and classic patterns, I have few, if any, such outrageous patterns, but the symmetry and colors of the pattern really caught my eye. It is super low cut, though - a cami is a must. Fortunately there are about a zillion color options for that with this dress. I grabbed a little green cardigan for a easy (and optional, for once!) topper, too.

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - Banana Republic / Earrings - LOFT

In other news, today is the first day of classes! I welcome back my staff (I've actually really missed them) and lament the exponential increase of (usually idiotic) foot, bike and car traffic on campus. So much for the short lines at Starbucks and my easy commute to work!

Hangbag - Tano /  Sandals - Payless

The Short of It

It's not a good sign that I'm already exhausted and the year hasn't really begun yet, is it? Nope, it sure itsn't! So I'm going to keep this post short and sweet, and then maybe take a nap.

Maxi dress - Old Navy / Lace Instant Sleeves in Ivory - c/o LucieLu / Sandals - Unisa

Pretty printed maxi dress (last worn here). Instant sleeves. Long pendant necklace (a favorite item for all my maxis lately). Updo (cuz I've been too lazy to do anything else with it). Is all.

Necklace - Old Navy / Ring - Banan Republic / Earrings - Dress Barn / Nails - Cartweels on the Catwalk (Sephora by OPI)

Admittedly, this outfit is from earlier this month, but it reminds how fond I'd been of maxis throughout the summer, opting for one whenever I was at a loss for/didn't want to think about what to wear. It sure did happen alot... <----click link for midweek-pick-me-up-funny, even/esp. if you've already seen it

Resuscitation

A new school year - and a new season - will begin in a blink of an eye. I already begin interviews at the end of this week, and new hire paperwork, training sessions galore and all manner of management bliss will swallow me up and spit me out in just a matter of weeks. Full weekends off and evening meals at home will decrease...coffee intake will increase...emails will multiply...sleep will diminish... Summer.Is.Over.

Handbag - DKNY (via TJ Maxx)

But there's good news! Yes, yes, there is! I get to dress up more! I will emerge from my office-cave and glow under the gleam of evening lights! The excitement and anticipation of every event will energize and inspire me, and my staff will never fail to entertain me! AND IT'S ALMOST FALL! LAYERS, SWEATERS AND BOOTS RETURN! Pencil skirts! Pretty tops! Cardigans! Pumps! Statement necklaces! All come out of hiding! HUZZAH! Seriously, friends. My summers are about the most sartorially uninspiring season there is...

Cardigan - LOFT / Betsey Ruched Dress - c/o Kiyonna / Ankle-strap wedges - Bandolino

So I return to form by returning to my form - belted cardigan and curve-hugging silhouettes. And polka-dots! Kiyonna's fan (and my) favorite Betsey Ruched Dress in Pin Up Polka Dot, to be exact. Truth be told, I've been holding on this dress since, oh, June - when I wanted to wear it for Bob's birthday only to be slapped in the face by the fact that I had gained too much weight for it to fit properly. I'm less only a few pounds these days, but such is my summer that I've really had no reason to wear it since!

Belt - eloquii

A few things came to mind in terms of a solution. First, I figured I needed to find a way to make this dress work-appropriate anyway. (Special occasions are too few and far between to be able to break out this baby!) Happily, its classic dotted pattern makes it a great candidate for such a transition. Second, as curve-hugging as this dress is also why it's somewhat difficult to rock out when you're up a few pounds. (Yep, even with Spanx.) I felt an added layer would help camouflage and detract from problem areas. What better solution than a colorful cardigan? I've nearly always had it in my head to wear the dress with teal or turquoise (fact: I purchased the earrings I'm wearing expressly for the dress), so my teal cardi was just the thing. Of course, the wonderful respite of mild 70° weather we've been having made such layers feasible go begin with.

I did want to tone down the sex-kitten vibe just a bit more with simpler wedges and minimal jewelry. But I couldn't resist a teal-green snake print belt to add more spunk.

Earrings - Banana Republic / Ring - Banana Republic

Yes, it's true. My spunk has been resuscitated....

Waves Hello

So I spent some time in Orange County, CA recently and I took some pictures.

Bob's father

Huntington Beach at sunset

Laguna Beach at sunset

And maybe I'll start posting outfit pictures again soon...