Weekend update + TOMS love

(me sporting a vintage tennis dress on a bike ride to the park)

I hope you all had fantastic weekends. This weekend I finally bought some TOMS and so far I'm in L-O-V-E! When I went to the store they told me they probably didn't have any in my size (6.5) because that size is apparently nearly impossible to find in stores...but the nice salesman dug around in the back and finally came up with one pair of TOMS left in a 6.5, the only catch: they were stark white. I was worried about white getting super dirty, super fast, but after I put these babies on my feet I didn't much seem to care. :) They are pretty adorable for comfy shoes (I kind of adore the blue stitching), and I guess I have committed to a little shoe washing maintenance from time to time.

I tested out the comfiness my new TOMS at the Flea Market, where I snagged 5 vintage dresses, a ring, a bracelet, and 2 necklaces for a grand total of $64! I seriously scored - it's been a long time since I've gotten that fabulous of a deal, and it was just my lucky day in vintage wear. Usually it takes a lot of effort and digging to first find vintage clothing you love (some "vintage" clothes at the flea market are more like old junk), and then you cross your fingers just hoping it will actually be in your size. The flea market gods must have been smiling on me that day. I've never come away with so many clothing items in one shot! As you can tell, I'm very excited about this.

I also went for a nice night time bike ride with my hubby (see the new TOMS?) It was a perfect Summer night, which equals the perfect weather for a bike ride to the park. All in all, it was relaxing and wonderful to get back to trolling around my usual stops in So. Cal.

vintage rose bracelet + Disney "wish" necklace (worn as a bracelet here - my mom and I bought these matching necklaces last Summer when she came out to visit me)

a look down at my wonderful TOMS

here's a close up of that blue stitching, of which I'm so fond.

vintage ring

How was your weekend? Hopefully you enjoyed similar sunny weather.

xox,

Bre

My Closet: 70's beach dress

Hello Yellow! My mom used to wear this bright terry cloth dress as a swimsuit cover-up in the 70's. I wasn't alive then, but I certainly wish I could have seen it on my momma. Once I saw the dress I could instantly picture mom's tiny frame elegantly poised in this flowing, and oh-so retro, maxi dress. At my age (26), my mom was 4 inches taller and 4 pounds lighter than me. She was 5'7" weighing in at 98 pounds dripping wet; certainly not tall enough to be a model, but she could have fooled me. She was just so naturally thin - she even said she ate cake everyday for weeks before her wedding to try and gain weight for her big day (Oh mom, if only I could eat cake everyday and not be able to gain a pound! It certainly would all go to my hips!).

I belted the dress here, because I'd like to imagine that my mom might have belted it from time to time to emphasize her adorably tiny waist. And of course I wore it with some bright red toe nails, because for 26 years I don't remember mom ever wearing any other color.

Hope you had a happy & sunny weekend.

xox,

Bre

The flat debate

Classic Canvas TOMS in Ash, $48.

When I look at my shoe closet there are a few key missing pieces, one of which is the “in between” flats. I call “in between” flats – flats that aren’t dressy/cutesy but at the same time aren’t quite as casual or sporty as running shoes. I’d like to have some more comfy shoes for running around on weekends, but I don’t want to spend a fortune on them since I will probably only wear them maybe 10 times a year (just being honest – I can’t wear casual shoes to work so they would be basically daytime weekend only shoes, and in the summertime I usually resort to sandals so I’m sure these wouldn’t get worn tons and tons, but they are essential none the less).

Anyway here are a couple options I am thinking about.

TOMS: I love that this Company donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair of TOMS that are purchased. Who doesn’t love a company with a little heart and soul? The only thing I’m not sure about is that I wonder if these would make my feet look really long. Shoes like these, without laces, seem to make the foot look a little longer don’t you think? Although I’ve seen these on several people and like how they look on others, just not too sure how I will feel once they are actually on my feet (just one of those things I am weird about).

Here's a nice mellow yellow option, although I think I'm really fond of that dark grey above. Classic Canvas TOMS in Yellow Bridgeport Linen, $48.

For something that stands out a bit more, I'm really enjoying this fun red color. Classic Canvas TOMS in Red Bridgeport Linen, $48.

These may appear to be a bit over the top, but I have seen these pictured on people and paired with simple clothing, they are actually quite cute. Tyler Ramsey Hand Painted TOMS, $68.

KEDS: Since I’m kind of an old school type, and I dig shoes with laces, I could just go back to the classic Keds. I’m loving this dip-dye version in grey or purple even.

Keds Champion Dip Dye Shoes, $40. The grey is classic, but that purple is kind of fun too!

A close-up of the grey.Keds Champion Dip Dye Shoes, $40.

CONVERSE: These are a little bit sportier so I'm a little hesitant, but I think I like these too. They come in grey or yellow (and yellow would be a fabulous and fun little color I think).

Women's Converse One Star Oxfords, Charcoal. $29.99 @ Target.

What casual “in between” shoes have you been rocking? I’d love any suggestions. :)

xox,

Bre

I'm Back

hello via we heart it.

I’m finally home. I apologize readers; I know I have been seriously MIA for the past several weeks. I’m home for more than one day for the first time since April. I’ve been gone so long I even woke up in the middle of the night and panicked because when I looked at my surroundings I didn’t know where I was (so much so that it woke up my husband and he had to actually tell me to calm down that I’m just at home).

As you can imagine when you’re out of town for so long many things fall to the wayside. I’m hoping within a couple days or so I can return to my normal 5 days a week blogging. And I’m certainly hoping to return to some sort of fitness regimen again. For the last 5 or 6 weeks my exercise and healthy eating have been definitely horrible. The last 3 weeks I have been in Texas and let me tell you it is H-O-T and seriously humid there (at least compared to my normal So. Cal weather). I was amazed that it had already hit 90 degrees by 8am and made it up into triple digits during the day. Even at night time the heat persists, I marvel at those of you who live in these types of climates. I seriously don’t know how you manage to workout. Since I was away from home with no bike and no gym membership, I thought I might try to go running in the morning, but with it getting so hot so early that plan didn’t really work out for me (I’m not really a runner to begin with so adding that heat and humidity was a big turnoff).

And in addition to the irregular exercise, being in the South means yummy comfort food and plenty of dessert (I ate pie or some other dessert pretty much every other day I was there). Needless to say, I don’t think my body is very happy with me right now (I don’t weigh myself on a regular basis because I don’t think that is a good measure of true health, but I can feel my body telling me to shape up). So here’s an image of where I’m hoping to be within the next few days again: getting back on my bike and maybe heading out to the beach.

image via we heart it.

Thanks for your patience. More blogging to come soon.

xox,

Bre

Romper Obsession

Kate Moss via UK Press, sporting a romper from her own collection.

I have an obsession with rompers that I can no longer deny. For the past couple years I have told myself that I am just too pear-shaped to sport a romper, and that this was a trend that I should only admire from a distance and certainly not on me. But you know what? They are just too dang cute! So I'm going to romper it up this Summer regardless of my hesitation that these babies don't look as great on me as they do on ladies with a svelte frame. After a little surfing around (seriously I could really just do a one-stop shop at Urban Outfitters, I seem to always end up there) I found some fun little numbers that would be great for Summer weekends in the sunny So. Cal weather. Hope you enjoy! Any Summer style obsessions of your own?

Grey Antics by Grey Ant, Perfect Romper $58 @ Urban Outfitters. This is such a fun print and cut! Definitely screams summertime.

Lucca Couture Ruffle Front Short Romper $58 @ Urban Outfitters. If you're new to the romper idea and aren't brave enough yet to rock a fun print, black is always a good option. You can call it your LBR (Little Black Romper).

Samantha Pleet Run Amok Romper, $178 @ Urban Outfitters. I think the name says it all. :)

Lucca Couture Zip Front Romper $58 @ Urban Outfitters. I'm in love with the fit of this romper; perfect balance of relaxed and comfy, yet still very put together. This romper comes in several different colors too.

Wink Isle Romper, $218 @ Urban Outfitters. I love the detailing on the pockets and the relaxed fit on top.

Printed Knit Romper $19.90 @ Forever 21.

xox,

Bre