The Llama Dress.

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Details:

Llama dress (30% off this weekend!), Target flats, Warby Parker "Louise" glasses, Amazon handbag, Stella & Dot Covet letter necklace, hand-made earrings from a shop in Santa Barbara (similar here and here!), Axiology lipstick in "Bonafide"

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I kind of flipped when I was browsing after my bronzing appointment and saw this dress hanging on the rack at Raw Bronzing Studio. Most people don't know that Raw carries an incredible collection of unique clothing, chic home goods and boho accessories, and I love shopping there because it feels like an island oasis. This dress was a must-grab, because I think it will be a great fall transitional piece. This is coming from the girl that is trying, oh so trying, to wrap my head around putting together a fall capsule wardrobe. I'll keep you posted if I can get it together ;) If you are local to me, don't forget to use the code OYKRISTEN when you visit Raw at the southside location - you can score 25% off your first full-body organic spray tan! But back to this dress - I am in love. Plus, every time I walk, I feel like the little llamas on the skirt are dancing right along there with me. Bonus points in my book if your clothes dance.

Stevie and I went on a little date night to shop for some antiques and try out a new-to-us Italian restaurant, and he snapped these photos really quickly outside of a cool vintage shop. I have to mention that I love my Warby Parker Louise glasses in the Rosewater shade - I've had them for a few years and miiiight just be ready for another color! If you haven't tried it before, their Home Try On program is so easy and wonderful to use. I might be doing it again this fall because I really love these lenses and LOVE the prices. I've been a glasses wearer since I was in 4th grade, so I've had lots of experience over the years wearing glasses and contacts - this has been my favorite pair ever!

Unfortunately we didn't find any antiques that we agreed on because our styles could not be more different, but I think we came to some good conclusions about the direction we are moving in! I am having so much fun doing some home decor makeovers and I can't wait to share the results with you all super soon!

Happy Labor Day weekend to you! Stay safe friends!

Linen & Dahlias on the Beach.

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Details:

Gal Meets Glam Abigail Dress (also available here), Soludos Wedges, Stella & Dot Cuff, Wrap Bracelet & Letter Necklace, Raw Bronzing Studio Tan

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This day is even more vivid in my memory than these photos can capture. The water was euphoric, the joy in my heart was vibrant, and I was wearing the prettiest happiest dress. We were playing frisbee on the beach of the Pacific Ocean, just the two of us, laughing and joking together like we were still 18. After all these years together, no one can really infuriate me or endear me more than him.

Our time in Santa Barbara was meant for celebrating the wedding of our friends, but we also treated it as a really good excuse to toast our own 11-year wedding anniversary. I remember this day because I felt a tangible sense of bliss and elation and it was finally, a sigh of relief.

To be honest, these emotions were a pretty stark contrast compared to how I've been feeling for most of the summer. It's been a season of unforeseen circumstances and Stevie and I have clung to each other as we have been grappling with how to be adults through it all.

Sometimes the blog and Instagram world can look like a whirlwind of fun and endless joy, when the truth is that everyone has things they're going through and dealing with. This summer has been especially rife with emotion and decision making in our little family, and I have carried the weightiness around with me (that instead of a diaper bag, which I keep forgetting to bring with me lately). We live with the very real feeling that everything we do affects not only ourselves, but our two precious little boys, and this summer especially we have been examining how we are living and how it impacts our kids, for the good and the bad.

This trip was a refreshing break from all that emotion. I don't share this with you because I have everything figured out and I can tie a pretty bow around it. There is nothing really to share. No big conclusions or life changes or evidence of anything new (except that I cut my hair - like an inch). I feel like change happens first on the inside, and I can feel a shift coming even though my life might not reflect any tangible difference yet. Does anyone know what I mean? Perhaps I am just rambling, but I feel like I haven't really disclosed all of these feelings here on the blog because I haven't known how to put words to it yet. And also because there isn't anything to share! Except that I might be even more sensitive and emotional and contemplative now that I'm 30 and maybe I should just chill a minute. But that Pacific Ocean did me some real good and I am grateful that we got time to play on this beach, just the two of us, and revel in the beauty of the Earth. Just up the beach from us was a 150 year old fig tree and one of the figs fell square on Stevie's head as we walked beneath it - we both took it as a good sign.

P.S. - What we did in Santa Barbara for the weekend ;)

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