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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Rollerblading in Blue.

This post is sponsored by Pinkblush. All opinions are my own.

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Details:

Pinkblush Blue Leaf Print Maxi Dress, Stella & Dot Cuff (sold out, similar here), Stella & Dot Covet Letter Necklace, K2 Women's Kinetic 80 Inline Skate

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Summertime, Summertime!

So here's the deal. I loved rollerblading as a kid - I used to turn on the radio and blade in circles in my parents garage. Sometimes I threw in a wild figure 8. And those hours logged in the garage listening to the Backstreet Boys is how I learned to blade backwards and do spins and whatnot. Now that summer is in full effect over here, our little family has been spending a considerable amount of time outside in the evenings when the sun isn't quite so blazing hot (seriously Georgia give it a rest.) Everett is adamant that I teach him how to roller blade, but I think I will just let him focus on learning to ride a bike at this point ;) But there is something about rollerblading that is intrinsic to my childhood, and it connect me to my young self in a way that nothing else does. It's physical, it's hard, it's sweaty - it's fun! And that has been our summer so far - all of those things!

In continuation of the summer dress up series, I wanted to share this adorable Blue Leaf Print Maxi Dress from Pinkblush because it's truly such a good summer time option when the heat almost too much to bear. I discovered Pinkblush when I was pregnant because of all their maternity dresses, but I've continued loving their women's clothing since my body has changed so much over the years between being pregnant, postpartum, getting back to a somewhat "normal", and then doing the whole thing over again with baby #2. These clothes just seem to "get" the motherhood bod and the site's variety of prints and cuts helps me feel fresh without breaking the bank, which obviously - I love.

My favorite part about this dress is the cut out and the slit because - hello, air pockets! Plus, the slit really let me be free whilst blading to my heart's merriment. And you don't have to pair this dress with rollerblades - a regular pair of sandals will do just fine, you just might not win as many bonus points from your kids ;)

What dresses are helping you stay cool in this summer heat?

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Introducing a Summer Dress Up Series: PINK HAIR + Black, White & Pom Poms.

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Details:

LOFT Midi Skirt, Target Pom Pom Top, Etbotu Bamboo Clutch, Anthropologie Earrings (old, similar here and here), Soludos Lace-Up Espadrille Sandals, BECASA bracelets (premier collection launches here tomorrow!), Kristen Ess Rose Gold Shampoo

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My pink hair! It only lasted a few days but it was oh so fun. It's mostly sold out everywhere, but you can score some temporary pink hair using this Kristen Ess Rose Gold Shampoo ;) (If you're a brunette, this probably won't work for you unless you have some highlights - you can see that's how it worked for me.)

On to the clothes! Last summer I had so much fun putting together the "Milk Friendly" style series because that was the season of life I was in - trying to find stylish ways to step up my mom look without sacrificing comfort (all while nursing a babe!) This summer I'm in a different stage and I am excited to have more freedom to dress up without a bump or the need to whip out the milk makers at any given moment. Dresses and skirts will always be my favorites to wear because they are so feminine and pretty and versatile... so this summer I will share a dress up series entirely devoted to dresses and skirts. There are so many goodies to share!

For starters, I scored this Loft skirt during one of their (many) 40%-off sales and I am already loving it so so much! The detail of the gold buttons with the gray stripes on the white cotton is just perfect. I found this pom pom top at Target and almost lost my mind because it's so cute and also, because pom poms are so fun. Maybe it brings me back to all those pep rally cheerleading days. And I am so glad I decided to take the plunge and get this little clutch for summer - I've been using it non-stop and it's just so boho and unique. And I think I will be wearing this look with all kinds of different shoes this summer, but it so easily paired with my trusty old Soludos espadrilles that I couldn't resist. They are definitely my most-worn summer shoe - so feminine and SO comfy. Lastly, this batch of bangles on my arm were sourced in Paris by my friend Emily who is launching her own coastal-inspired lifestyle brand called BECASA, launching tomorrow, 6/7! She is one of those people who has always has impeccable taste and I am always intrigued to see what styles she gravitates toward. Plus, these bracelets look great with a tan (mine is entirely fake - I go to RAW Bronzing Studio), and are such a great summer accessory to add to almost anything. Is it just me, or does turquoise always win in the summer?

Between wedding showers and baby showers and hopefully a few summer dates (!), this look is something that will definitely be on rotation for me.

Tell me, what are your favorite summer pieces when you need to dress up? What are you reaching for this season?

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