Welcoming Change

Change has always been one of the hardest things for me to accept or adjust to. Typically, and when I say typically I mean all of the time, I am a creature of habit, a scheduling aficionado and change only makes ripples in the well thoughtout plans I have set forth (Who am I kidding? Ripples? More like waves.). 

Over the past couple of weeks change has been constant, which I’m sure you can imagine might be my worst fear. Schedules have been rearranged, career goals redirected, future plans put on hold and while at first this change came with drowning waves, I have decided to embrace it. As one door closes another one opens, “not now” doesn’t mean “never” and sometimes having faith in the process is the best thing you can do. 

At this point I’m sure you’re thinking, especially if you have the same fear of change as I do, how I arrived at this surprising revelation. Good question, one I am still asking myself now as I write this, but what I can tell you is that the feeling of anxiety over something I can’t control was leaving me uncentered and distracted and it was no longer worth it. Focused solely on the plan I had made before left me with no room to see the possibilities of the future. Even with a new path, although not the one I had personally crafted, there was so much potential before me and I could have missed it if I remained stuck in the past. Determined to think only positive thoughts, there were a few helpful steps I followed as change continued to come my way that might help you work through the changes that you are facing in your life too. 

1. Allow yourself time to process what is changing and what it affects. 
2. Look for the positives. 
3. Handle changes on a day-to-day basis. 

Embracing the uncertainty of change is by no means an easy task and there are moments where I stop myself in a thought and simply tell myself to “shelf the negative thoughts or doubt”, but by allowing yourself to take some time to process everything you’ll be able enter into the thought of change with a healthy mindset. Once you have an open mind, it is easier to see the positives and being able to see the beneficial outcomes can help with welcoming change. Of course, handling change on a day-to-day basis is important. Taking on the whole world in a day can get overwhelming quickly so its best to focus and execute on one thing before letting your mind wander to others. 

Remaining positive has helped me immensely and I hope these tips help you too because I have found that how you handle change can have a direct impact on what you get out of it. 

xoxo

Pink Statement Pieces

Dressing up denim has been a trend this week as I tried to keep things comfortably chic. The simplicity around dressing up a pair of jeans is my favorite (and Chris’ too!!) because that means getting ready never takes to0 long (sorry for always being semi-late boo!). Being “fashionably late” isn’t always an excuse for not arriving on time, I suppose, so now he’ll tell me we have to leave 30 minutes earlier than we do just to have that extra buffer time, which I somehow always need! The struggle is just so real, but when comes to what to wear with a pair of distressed jeans you really can’t go wrong, which is why I LOVE mixing and matching statement pieces to dress things up and get ready just a little bit quicker than usual!

These pink statement pieces have been favorites all summer and will continue to be as we make the transition into the fall. The combination of pink and green in these InStyleCo earrings are a show stopper and makes them both a great summer and fall jewelry piece. My pink Sam Edelman heels add another pop of color and texture.

Anyone else dressing up their denim during these heat to start transitioning into fall? I would love to hear about your favorite accessories!

Earrings: InstyleCo (PRO30 for Discount) Heels: Sam Edelman (SALE) Jeans: Express Tee: J Crew

Denim Days

Hot summer days are coming to an end and I have been making sure to take full advantage of every one! The weather cooled down drastically over the past week, but a heat wave has moved in, making it impossible to wear those cute transitional pieces I took out of storage last week, but no complaints here!! I love the changing of seasons, especially summer to fall, but I know it’s only a matter of time before winter arrives leaving us with short bitter cold days. 

Embracing the heat I have been reaching for a cute top and denim shorts all week! Dressing up a simple pair of denim shorts can be done by simply adding a cute top and a pair of sandals. The humidity and heat have me longing to be comfortable for whatever activity we have set up, but I also want to make sure Im not always in a pair of luxletic shorts and a tank, which is what I love so much about this combo, comfortable and cute (win win!). 

Denim shorts are always a hit or miss for me. Shorts in general are usually a struggle to find, but I have to say these denim shorts have been a favorite all summer, so much so that I bought another pair! They are easy to style with a tank or tee tucked in or even a cute peplum top. Knowing that it might get a little sticky out I wanted to have a breathable and light weight top to make sure I wasn’t uncomfortable in the heat. This embroidered top was cute and realistic, keeping me cool all day (can we also talk about the ties on the side!!! love me some bows!!!).

These pieces are great for any upcoming warm vacations you may have planed for the winter. I know these shorts and top will follow me to the Bahamas in February! The embroidered tie top is also great transitional piece for fall with duster and a pair of denim. As always, all the details to shop are below!

Hope you all are enjoying this weather and soaking it up! 

xoxo

Victoria

Striped Ruffle Top

Ruffles + Stripes = Obsessed

There is no better feeling after a long day at work then going home and changing into a cute outfit. This adorable striped ruffle top from J.Crew Factory is now on sale! J.Crew Factory is offer 50% off with an additional 20% with the code FORREAL. Links below to shop!

Outfit: Striped Ruffle Top, White Denim, Sandals

Beach Floral Romper

Beach days have been on repeat, which means super cute cover up rompers and straw hats have been my go to all week! 

This cutie is from Loft and to say I’m obsessed would be an understatement. Not only is the floral pattern sophisticated and fun but the tie front and pocket details are amazing. Can we also just talk about comfortable the fabric is?! Loft, please make a pajama set with this same fabric!!! 

The sizing I chose was a size S and while I’m usually a small at Loft I felt like I could have fit into the XS and it would have been a little more fitted because I did have some additional room by the sides of my arms. 

There is no doubt I’ll be living in this! To shop click the link below! Oh, and it’s on sale!!

Outfit Detail: Romper (ON SALE!), Hat (Similar), Shoes

Happy Fourth of July, everyone! Summer has officially arrived and Chris and I couldn’t be more excited. The next two months our agenda is filled with BBQs, beach days and hanging poolside! 

I hope that each and every one of you had the best festive and fun Fourth of July yesterday! Connecticut is currently in the midst of a heat wave so Chris and I spent our day at the pool with family and played some lawn games! Corn Hole is a staple to our families fourth of July celebration and can get pretty intense (Chris always wins so if you ever need a partner, he’s in!). Once the heat had died down a bit (when I say died down, I mean no longer 100 degrees) we went out for the perfect festive dinner at Breakwater in the Stonington Borough (dock dinners are the best dinners!), grabbed some ice cream at Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream and lit off some pretty exciting fireworks back at the house. The day was simply perfect and the best day to kick off summer!

This stunning red dress is a piece from the Rachel Parcell Collection and I could not be happier adding this lovely statement to my wardrobe. The fabric is light weight and perfect for a warm summer night (especially last night, it was 87 out when we went to dinner!). Aside from the flattering fit and flare silhouette, I absolutely adored the statement sleeves with the additional detailing. The extra touch and attention to make this dress a wardrobe summer staple made it perfect for a festive July 4th dinner.  

The Liberty Fit and Flare was paired with a classic eyelet wedge and classic silver jewelry. My wedges are another summertime staple and unfortunately sold out. I will definitely be on the look out for when they are back in stock so I can share them with you all because they are so comfortable (they are the best fashionable and COMFY wedge ever!), but until then I have linked some similar wedges here, here and here (its a super cute flat!).  

As I am sure you are just as bummed as I am that the 4th has passed us by so quickly, I wanted to share with you some ways to keep the party going throughout the weekend (because who doesn’t love a long weekend filled with fireworks and delicious food!). Below are great beach spots, upcoming firework displays and links to a few of my favorite festive dessert recipes. 

Beach Days

Beach days are simply the best and there is no better way to spend that day off than with your toes in the sand and waves by your feet. If you find yourself in Watch Hill, RI this weekend be sure to make your way down to East Beach, the entrance is right next to Taylor Swifts seaside home or if you are out on Block Island find a place at Clayhead Preserve. 

Fireworks, Fireworks, and more Fireworks! 

Check out the list before for all the upcoming firework displays in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts! Chris and I love going to see fireworks but if you are interested in headed home after a long beach day, then you should definitely pick up some backyard fireworks on your way, they will be 50% off now!!!! 

Guildford, CT will hold their fireworks on July 7th at the Guilford Fairgrounds at dusk. 

Greenwich, CT will hold their fireworks on July 7th at Greenwich Park and Binney Park at 9PM. 

Misquamicut State Beach in Rhode Island will hold their annual firework display on July 5th at 9PM. 

Woonsocket, RI will hold their fireworks on July 5th at Barry Memorial Field starting at 9PM. 

Seekonk, MA will hold their fireworks on July 7th at Seeking Speedway beginning at 9PM. 

Delicious Festive Desserts

Bringing a festive dessert or side dish to a picnic can be very welcomed and who doesn’t love the person that shows up with a few extra goodies! Here are a few of my favorite recipes that I have fallen in love with (as well as our guests) this summer! 

Cherry & Blueberry Star Hand Pies by the lovely Lauren of Going for Grace. 

Strawberry Mascarpone Ice Cream with Lime Sugar by Linda of Call Me Cupcake.

xoxo

Victoria

Polka Dot High-Wasted Bikini

Polka dots? Yes, please!!! 

I am loving the high wasted bikini trend right now and this is one of my favorite festive sets for the fourth of July.There is very little in my book that beats polka dots and I constantly find myself gravitating towards the color blue so this was a win win for me!!

I have linked some similar sets below as this one is sadly sold out, but these are all items that I would love to add to my bikini collection! Click the picture for the link to shop!