Grown Up Night

GET THE LOOK:

Forever 21 Dress (option) // Forever 21 Sweater (option) // Target Sandals (option) // Victoria Secret Bag (option) // Target Necklace (option)

Hi, friends! We are officially back from vacation, but truth be told, am actually typing this from sunny California. So, today's post is going to be rather slim. I want to make the most of our last few hours here.

I wore this to "grown up" dinner Sunday night. We made reservations at Javier's. If you live in California, I am sure you have heard of this place. It's hands down one of the best Mexican restaurants I have ever eaten at and believe me, I have been to plenty. It wasn't just about the food and jalapeno margaritas, the décor and architecture blew my mind. If you ever have the opportunity to dine there, I highly recommend it.

The evenings get pretty chilly in SoCal, so I pulled out my trusted maxi and layered it with a lightweight mesh sweater. It was the perfect combination for staying warm and still being ocean side appropriate.

I will be back in full force tomorrow. Sorry I don't have more entertaining news to report today. I have about 1,000 pictures between my phone and two cameras. I am hoping to sort through them in give a full California report one of these days. This trip's memories will definitely last a lifetime. My heart hurts a little that it's over, but will be beaming for weeks to come. The looks on my girls' faces when we were at Disneyland; you just can't put a price tag on that.

Thanks again to the ladies who posted for me while I was gone and to all of you who stopped by. It meant more than you know.

 **If you are linking up today, the only request is that you follow my blog with GFC or Bloglovin' and link back to it in your post. It's how weekly link ups work. Oh, and go meet some new friends! 
 

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Linking up with the Pleated Poppy.

Here & Now with Jessica

Well, we are heading back to Texas today. I can't wait post about our adventures in California. What a trip, but I am missing my bed and all of you. In case you were wondering, the Random Wednesday link up will be live tomorrow, just not exactly sure what I am going to post. Hmmmmmm. Stay tuned.

Anyway, my girl Jessica is here today and you ladies are going to love what she has to say. I started reading her blog when I first started and actually won my very first giveaway from her. I still wear that necklace to this very day, Jessica! Her style so fun, knows how to work a closet and find the staples we all need to add to our wardrobe. Oh, and make sure to tell her congrats because she is tying the wedded knot soon. So, Jessica, the floor is all yours!

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Hello BSSS readers! I could gush on about Shanna for long enough to be creepy, so let me just say, love that girl & I'm beyond thrilled to be here!

Oh right... I'm Jessica & I blog over at Here&Now where I talk about my personal style evolution, make the most of my grad student budget & over share about my pugs.

Last Summer one of the trends I missed out on & kicked myself over the most, was the Panama hat.

I have always had a large head (this clip better explains how I talk about my expansive melon), so I was afraid this wide brim accessory would accentuate my cranium in all the wrong ways.

I had all Fall & Winter to develop Panama hat FOMO, so when this trend train came back around this Summer, I was ready to hop all aboard. 

And now I am a Panama hat pusher.

How I've worn it: pink sweater // denim jacket // jean shorts // blue skirt

Seriously, I can't think of a reason to STOP wearing my Panama hat & find that despite the fact that I had to purchase the L-XL size, it surprising minimizes the planet like nature of my head. 

Win. Win.

What Summer trend are you happy you hopped on board with?

Feel free to come visit me any time over on Here&Now!!

Fashion and Beauty Finds

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. We are off to brave the crowds at Disneyland today. Not sure if I am ready for this. I am missing you ladies, but California sure is treating us right. I think we could live here part time. I will be back later this week to recap our Californian adventuress.

Today, Amy with Fashion and Beauty Finds is taking over. She is yet another lady that I know I would be friends with in real life if we lived in the same city. We are both moms of two with a love of fashion. Amy is super chic and always so put together. She never ceases to amaze me when it comes to her eye for style. I know you are going to love her too. Take it away, Amy.

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I'm so excited to be guest posting for Shanna today while she's on vacation! I have been following her blog for over a year now and feel like this Texas girl and I could hang out any day of the week.

My blog is Fashion and Beauty Finds and I started it a few years ago after having my first baby. Everyone needs a hobby and a little "me" time. For me, blogging has been exactly this, as well as a great way to meet other women in the blogging community.

(Read full post here)

I love that blogging has forced me to be creative. I get inspiration from so many different sources, but mostly from other bloggers. I have seen so many incredible outfits that bloggers have put together that honestly look like they belong in the pages of a magazine. What can be more inspiring than that? Blogging has helped me to come up with new combinations that I would have never thought to do. I've stretched my wardrobe and mixed and matched pieces in countless ways. 

(Read full post here)

(Read full post here)

And when I'm not dressed up taking blog pictures, this is what I normally look like:

So when I'm not blogging, or at home playing with my two sons, I'm teaching at my local dance studio. And that is my life in a nutshell. 

Thanks for having me, Shanna. I look forward to connecting with new friends and bloggers. I hope you can stop by my blog Fashion and Beauty Finds and say hello.