Affordable Dresses for Memorial Day

Hey, loves! Happy Monday!

Memorial Day is only two weeks away, an important day full of remembrance, thankful hearts, and prayers towards those who are serving and currently serving our beautiful country - as well as some BBQ time outdoors with friends and family. No better way to ring in summer if you ask me! In honor of the upcoming holiday and getting closer to summertime, I wanted to share some cute and affordable dresses to wear to a cookout or whatever special tradition you like to do!

If any of the items displayed attracts your interest, just click on the image and it will re-direct you to the site of the shop. I do receive some commission for each purchase made (at no extra cost to you!) when you shop through the links, which helps me keep doing these kinds of posts 💕 So, if possible, please shop using my links! I did include a few items that are a little over $100, just in case if anybody doesn’t mind spending a little more. Otherwise, the majority of these dresses are under $100!

Dreaming of Summer

Okay y’all, I have to confess something on here that I’ve been meaning to share for a while now … I’m OBSESSED with the new iced guava passionfruit drink at Starbucks! It literally tastes so freaking good! I found out about it through one of my favorite bloggers Caitlin Covington when she posted about it on her story, and of course when your favorite bloggers and influencers post something they make it look twice as good! I normally don’t indulge in the fruity drinks at Starbs, but this one actually impressed me! Normally I get coffee from there (grande iced skinny vanilla latte to be more specific lol), but if I’ve already had my coffee that morning and need a Starbucks pick-me up, you can bet the guava passionfruit is the one I’m going for!

Who else is ready for summer to just arrive already?! I’ve been eagerly waiting since Christmas was over! I’m just so ready to have temperature in the high 70s and low 80s, radiant sunshine, days spent at the lake (Midwest summer things all the way!), trips to the farmers’ market, blasting country music with the windows down in the car, eating ice cream on a hot day, and so much more! My sister and her hubby are actually back in Ohio, and I couldn’t be more excited to spend the sunny season hanging out with them 💕I just know this summer is gonna be a darn good one!

This ruched mini dress that I’m wearing in this post is from Francesca’s. It’s SO comfy! It’s a very versatile summer piece and is great to wear for any occasion, whether for a get-together with your favorite people or even while running errands! You can dress it up or down, as it looks super cute with sneakers, sandals, heels, and boots. If you haven’t washed your hair in a few days like I normally do, throw on a baseball cap or floppy! I love the variety of ways it can be styled! I wore this Levi’s light wash denim jacket I got from Anthropologie a few months ago for taking these pictures because it was actually pretty cold outside that day. It did NOT feel like summer whatsoever! 🤣 I will say that a denim jacket does look super chic with this kind of dress, as well as other jackets and cardigans, so keep those in your wardrobe for the chillier days!

Has anyone tried Starbucks’s iced guava passionfruit drink? Comment below what you think about it or what your current favorite beverage from there is at the moment!

This post’s photos were taken by the one and only Katie Mae Sullivan 💕 By the way, if any of y’all live in Northeast Ohio and want things to do in Cleveland, you HAVE to check out the Cleveland Cultural Gardens! It’s located in the same area of the Cleveland Art Museum and it is absolutely stunning. It is a great place to walk around and observe, as well as get some cute photos for your Insta! It was unfortunately pretty chilly outside when we went, so I’ll definitely be coming back this summer when it’s sunny and 75! And when I’m not wearing heeled shoes of course 😂

Have a blessed day, y’all!

Yours Truly,

Caroline, XOXO

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Outfits I Wore In Florida

Hey, y’all! Here’s a post dedicated to some outfits I wore during my recent trip to Fort Myers, FL. I love all of these, they’re perfect for vacay and warmer weather! Some of the pieces I wore are no longer available, but I managed to find some similar ones and link those! I found most of my outfits at my favorite stores to shop at: Francesca’s, Altar’d State, Target, and Amazon. I hope these give you some fashion inspo for summer and any upcoming trips!

Outfit #1: Sunset State of Mind

I literally bought this outfit from Francesca’s exactly one day before we left for our trip! 🤣 No joke, we got this skirt and tank top in shipment a week prior and I just couldn’t stop thinking about how cute the two pieces would look together, especially on vacay! They’re both ribbed, the colors look great together, and it’s definitely comfortable and versatile for warmer weather. To add a little more glam to the summery look, I like to wear my favorite big gold hoop earrings from REVOLVE, chain link necklace from Altar’d State, rings from Altar’d State, and a big gold bangle bracelet from J. Crew. We took some pictures on the beach during the sunset on our third night and I’m so happy with how the outfit looked for it! To be honest, any outfit looks great with a sunset in the background 💕 For shoes while not on the beach, I wore these white croc mule heels I’ve had since last summer and I still love them to this day. They’re only $11.11 right now!

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Outfit #2: Out of Office

Gotta have more than one beach outfit of course! The “Do Not Disturb” floppy hat was a great find and perfect for a beach vacation. I actually found this hat at Village Discount Outlet and got a great deal for only $3.00! For a chic and fun hat like this, it’s most definitely worth splurging! I also found this sheer wrap bottom cover-up on Amazon for swimsuits, which I wore to the beach practically every day. It has great quality for a great price, and it’s so chic. It’s easy to tie and adjust, and it can be worn as a cover-up for both the bottom suit and the top! As for the swimsuit, I brought a few different but wore this mesh striped one-piece from Target quite a few times. I’ve actually had this for almost five years now and it’s still in really good shape, and Target actually has a few that look exactly the same that I linked them in the widget below! And of course, no trip to the beach is complete without a pair of Ray Ban sunnies 😎

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Outfit #3: Under the Palm trees

Once again, another sunset pic on the beach 😂 There’s honestly nothing better, beaches and sunsets always make good photo ops! I love this particular outfit, especially for spring or summer vacations. It’s so boho and has a beachy elegance to it. I’ve had this LOFT maxi dress since last year when I got it during their big summer sale, and it’s one of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe! I love to pair it with this mauve kimono shawl from Francesca’s to add a little color and chicness to it. This is such a fun outfit for the beach, as well as church and other special outings! I kinda low-key feel like a princess wearing it lol!

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Boho Chic Outfit for Spring

Hello, my darlings!

Springtime is finally here, despite the fact that Groundhog Day predicted six more weeks of winter. Surprisingly, it’s been getting A LOT warmer outside here in Ohio already! It’s amazing how above 30 degrees actually feels super nice in February and March 🤣 In fact, the Good Lord has been blessing us all with over 50 and 60 degree weather these past weeks and I could not be happier about it! Maybe the groundhog was actually wrong, we could be getting spring-like temperature a little earlier. Either way, I’m definitely taking advantage of the warmer weather and sunshine that we have right now while I can!

Now that springtime has officially arrived, I wanted to share a little fashion inspo to get ready for the mild weather change!

I’ve been very excited to share this look for a while now. It’s so boho chic, which I’m all about! Back around Valentine’s Day, Francesca’s gave us an increased employee discount, which I no doubt took advantage of! I bought this fringe cable knit sweater, which has been super popular with a lot of the stylists in our boutique district and something I’ve had my eye on for a while. It also comes in black and is now on clearance for $24.98! I also bought this leopard band panama hat, another item which I’ve had my eye on. Together I think these two match perfectly, along with some hip jeans and a pair of booties (like these snake skin ones ALSO from Francesca’s!). And of course, you can never do wrong with some fun chandelier earrings and funky bell bottom jeans. I actually wore this outfit to a recent Sunday church service and my roommate Zoe said that I look like 70s cowgirl, and honestly I’m not complaining about it one bit lol 🤠

The nice thing about springtime is that though it’s getting a lot warmer, there’s not a huge increase in temperature. Though I love when summer comes along, it can be tricky to wear fun outfits when it’s flaming hot outside. I definitely prefer hot over cold, but springtime is a nice little transition because I don’t have to worry about layering up but can still have more options when it comes to styling. This outfit is definitely one of them and a current favorite in my wardrobe!

Any fellow Ohioans or Midwestern natives reading this? How about this weather that we’ve been having?! ☀️🙌🏻 Comment below and share your favorite thing(s) about springtime!

📸: Katie Mae Photography

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If I Only Had Springtime

Hey, y’all! It’s hard to believe the first day of spring is just two days away! Who’s ready? I certainly am!

I recently re-watched The Wizard of Oz, one of my favorite movies, for the first time in a long while and it was like re-living my childhood again! To this day, that movie still brings me so much joy (despite how much the Wicked Witch of the West and flying monkeys used to scare me as a kid lol). My favorite part is when it starts off in black and white, but then changes to Technicolor as soon as Dorothy and Toto arrive in Oz. In the 1930’s, seeing color in motion pictures was a pretty big deal, especially for a big movie like that! I can just imagine during that time when it first came out and seeing everybody’s reaction to the vibrant tones on the screen. That’s something I would’ve loved to been a part of and experience myself! The scene honestly reminds me of how it feels when springtime finally comes along. After a long, dreary and gloomy winter, there’s nothing more beautiful than seeing green leaves grow from trees, vibrant flowers spruce up from the ground and sunshine beaming down on the Earth. It truly feels like walking into a land somewhere over the rainbow! The movie also gave me the inspiration to call this post “If I Only Had Springtime”, just like the songs that the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion sing about the things they long for, and I’m longing for spring to finally come!

I will say, the weather we’ve been getting here in Ohio lately has been AMAZING. Since the end of February, we’ve been getting a lot of days full of sunshine and above 40 degrees in temperature. I actually just saw some little purple crocuses blooming in my parents’ backyard during a recent visit, and it absolutely filled me with so much joy and gratitude! Although I still feel like we haven’t seen the last of winter just yet (the beauty of living in the Midwest lol), I’m definitely not complaining with what were getting right now!

I got this cobalt blue floral dress from Francesca’s towards the end of February, and I think it’s the absolute perfect dress for springtime. When it first arrived in shipment, it honestly reminded me of Dorothy Gale! If The Wizard of Oz took place in 2021, I think she would totally wear this dress and rock it! Unfortunately, unlike Dorothy, I don’t have the money to afford a pair of ruby slippers nor the help from Glinda to gain them 🤣However, I do have these white croc heeled mules I bought last summer from Nasty Gal, and they match perfectly with the dress! And since it’s only March and still a tad bit cold here in Ohio (and I’m sure it is in Kansas as well!), I have this ivory knitted cardigan from Anthropologie to go with the outfit and keep me warm!

As far as jewelry goes, I like to keep it pretty simple with this particular outfit. I’ve had these double hoop earrings from Altar’d State for almost a whole year now and I love them. They’re very simple yet chic and make it look like I have a double piercing! I’m also wearing this bar pendant necklace from Francesca’s (unfortunately no longer in stock, but here’s a similar one!), a Kendra Scott gold cuff bracelet, and an adjustable crystal bar bracelet from Grit & Grace Studio.

I actually wore this exact look for my younger cousin’s confirmation, which I attended as her sponsor. It’s such a delicate and comfy outfit. I will certainly be wearing it a lot for work, Easter, spring, and summer occasions coming up!

Any fans of The Wizard of Oz out there? Comment below and let me know what your favorite scenes and characters are!

My sweet roomie and bestie Katie Sullivan took these pictures during a beautiful day at John Brown Tannery Brown (one of my favorite places in all of Kent), and it was an absolute blast to bring this springtime vision to life! Her photography skills are amazing, y’all. Be sure to check out her Instagram account for more of her photography and business inquires!

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Boots With A Bite

There’s a snake in my boot!

I hope y’all are having a blessed and joyful weekend so far! Did y’all catch the pun above? (Where are my Disney/Pixar fans at?!) I originally thought of using that as the title for this blog post, but I decided it would’ve been too long and too detailed 😂 Plus, “Boots With A Bite” has a bit of a ring to it which I'm really fond of, especially for this particularly outfit I’m about to share with y’all!

These tall snake skin heeled boots are trending big time right now and for a good reason. They’re absolutely chic! I got this brown pair from Francesca’s back when we were having the big $5 and under clearance sale! I’ll be real honest with y’all for a hot second, I definitely got these boots for no reason other than the fact they are super cool and were only $5 around the time I got them 🤣 I knew if I didn’t buy them during that huge sale, I would regret it. They’re most definitely a statement piece, but I’m so glad I have them and got them for a good deal, and I know I’ll eventually have a few fun occasions to wear them to! Though Francesca’s is no longer doing the $5 clearance sale, these boots are currently $34.98, which is still super nice for statement shoes like these!

With these boots, I think pairing them with a denim skirt and black top or sweater bring a lot of extra glam. I got this off-the-shoulder sweater from Francesca’s a little while back and I absolutely love it. Plus, it’s now only $24.98! And since it’s getting slightly warmer outdoors (slowly but surely lol), I have my favorite denim skirt from Madewell, which has a variety of awesome skirts, pants and jeans! And to complete the look, I have a black Calvin Klein cabbie hat and some gold jewelry to make more of a Vogue-worthy statement 💋

How do you feel about snake skin boots? Yay or nay? Comment below and share your thoughts!

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Date Night Outfit for Valentine’s

Hello, loves! Happy Wednesday!

It’s hard to believe Valentine’s Day is only a few days away! It feels like Christmas was just yesterday lol! I love this holiday, it’s so fun and precious. I love everything from all the cute red and pink things, candies and chocolate, red roses, heart-shaped things (like balloons!), the list goes on! I would say romance, but I actually have never been on a romantic date for Valentine’s Day, nor do I have one for this year. But hey, who needs a date or romantic partner to enjoy the holiday? Don’t settle for less just to say you have someone! Just tell Cupid that you want the box of chocolates and a bottle of wine instead of the guy 🤣

So even though I don’t have a date or any plans this year, I do have a fun outfit idea that I hope you find inspiring for your night out!

This black puff sleeve mini dress is one of Francesca’s bestsellers, and for a good reason. It’s SO darling! I love a cute LBD! I feel like this is something Audrey Hepburn would wear during this time period. PLUS, it was originally priced at $48.00 but is now on sale for only $24.98! It’s such a good deal for this kind of dress! 🙌🏻 Though I’m not a huge fan of pantyhose, I thought these simple black ones would be very classy with the outfit and theme. I also have my favorite high-knee black heeled boots by Steve Madden that add a little spunk to the look, along with some chic gold jewelry and a cheetah print crossbody purse! And of course you can never go wrong with a bold red lipstick to complete the black head-to-toe look 💋

I think this is the perfect outfit for a Valentine’s date night or for any other date night in general, as well as weddings, cocktail parties or just a fun night out with the gals! Hey, Galentine’s Day is also around the corner, so you can certainly use this outfit as inspiration for that! 😉

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If this outfit isn’t your style, no worries! I rounded up some other super cute dresses and shoes for some inspiration for the romantic holiday. All you have to do is click on an item to shop! I hope you find some inspiration there 😘

ALSO if any of y’all are in need of a good last minute gift for your special someone, be sure to check out my Valentine’s Day gift guide for some ideas!

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Do any of y’all have plans for Valentine’s? Or Galentine’s? Comment below and share!

My freaking amazing bestie/roomie/sister in Christ, Katie Sullivan (soon-to-be Katie Rios! 💍), took all these photos for me and I’m in love with them! This was such a fun and creative photoshoot! Despite how freezing cold it was outside at the time 😂 But it was absolutely worth it! Be sure to check out her photography account on Instagram to follow her work, as well as her design account where she creates fun and amazing graphics and logos!

Happy Valentine’s, y’all! 💘

Yours Truly,

Caroline, XOXO

7 Fashion Necessities for Winter

Hello, loves! I hope y’all are having a blessed and restful week so far, as well as staying warm out there in the cold!

It’s been practically a whole month of winter already, and there’s only four more months to go till it starts warming up outside again 😅 Y’all who’ve been following me for quite some time are very aware of the fact that winter is not my favorite season, as I’ve mentioned in several other blog posts lol. I think because I’ve lived in the Midwest pretty much all of my life, I’m not a fan of the long, crappy winters we tend to get out here. Though I love how enchanting and beautiful the snowfall looks, especially around Christmastime, I’d be more than happy to fast forward to springtime if it was an option!

For how long I’ve been living in Ohio for, you’d think I would be prepared for every winter that comes … well, that’s hardly ever the case! After soaking up the sunshine and warm weather we get here in in the spring, summer and fall, I instantly regret not soaking up enough of it and feeling miserable in the bitterly cold outdoors. Thankfully though, with my love for fashion, I have a list of wardrobe necessities that help me to brave the chillier weather before nicer weather does come along (and also add some style to all the extra layers!). Here’s 7 of my must-have fashion items for winter:

1.) A beanie

I’ve been obsessed with beanies for the longest time. Not only do they keep your ears warm and safe from frostbite, but they are also great for bad hair days or if you haven’t washed your hair in four days 🤣 I have countless of these hats, but my current favorite one is the black knit one (the one I’m wearing in the pictures above) from Anthropologie with an attachable pom pom on top. The best part is that the inside of it is EXTREMELY soft and cozy! I highly recommend checking Anthropologie’s beanies out, y’all!

2.) Gloves

I know this is listed as the second one on her, I do think gloves are probably the #1 essential fashion item for winter. If I don’t put any gloves on in 20 degree or lower temperature, my hands get so dry and red. I found these faux leather gloves from Amazon that I’ve had for over a year now and they’re one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. They’re so chic and the inside is very fuzzy and soft thanks to the cashmere wool material, so it keeps my hands twice as warm!

3.) A wubby pullover or jacket

Hear me out, ladies … you can’t go wrong with a good wubby! Take it from me, I actually have two! One jacket and one pullover. I love them both and wear them all the time in the fall and winter! Not together obviously, unless it’s extremely cold out and you can somehow manage to wear them both at the same time 🤣

4.) Earmuffs

For the longest time, I’ve loved how cute and cozy earmuffs are. I think the little girl Karen from Frosty the Snowman made me fall in love with them in the first place, growing up and watching that movie every Christmas! I got the white and black flannel earmuffs that I’m wearing in some of the pictures above from Francesca’s, which keep my ears warm and are also super fashionable and go with every outfit! They unfortunately are sold out now, but there are still so many cute earmuffs out there that you can easily find, like these ones from Anthropologie which are on sale!

5.) A long, thick coat

Honestly, I don’t think I need to have an explanation for this. I think a long, thick coat should be on everybody’s list of must-have fashion items for winter. It’s just common sense! I will say my favorite coat in my wardrobe right now is a double breasted long one in black by Sam Edelman, which my mom got for this past Christmas. I absolutely love it, it keeps me very warm and it’s SO chic! (PS it looks super cute with the faux leather gloves 😉)

6.) A thick blanket scarf

I will admit I don’t wear scarves very often, but I do love them and consider them an essential in my winter wardrobe. When I am in the mood for a scarf, I always go for the thick blanket ones. They keep me warm and cozy, and I love how cute they look and the different ways they can be styled! If you want to find some really good blanket scarves, check out these ones from Anthropologie that’s also on sale for a really good deal!

7.) Waterproof boots

With the snow on the ground getting slushy and later on melting, waterproof boots are definitely a wintertime necessity! I think I got my red rubber Hunter red boots back in high school and they’re still in really good shape. Hunter is one of the best brands when it comes to this time of year!

BONUS: A face mask 😷

However long this pandemic may continue for, a face mask will be essential. On the bright side, it keeps the face a little warmer!

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What are y’all’s must-have fashion items for winter? Comment below and share!

And of course since I was visiting my parents last weekend, I had to get at least one pic with little Flynn, our new pup! He was pretty dirty from running around though, so the photo session didn’t last very long 😂

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Current Loungewear Favorites

Hey, loves! Happy New Year! I hope y’all had an amazing holiday season and are having a great start to 2021 so far! Just for a clarification with the picture, my parents got a new puppy! Meet Flynn Walker Tullis, a little spunky ray of sunshine! He’s SO cute! I would definitely say the new year is off to a great start thanks to him! Max was very uncertain and not very accepting of him at first, as older dogs typically are when their humans bring home new puppies without permission 😅 Thankfully, little Flynn has been growing on him slowly but surely, and they’re becoming best buddies already!

Okay, that’s one thing I wanted to quickly highlight. The main thing I wanna highlight: loungewear!

I don’t know about y’all, but 2020 has certainly allowed me to embrace my love for loungewear more than ever before. Even though it was a pretty crappy year, I’m very grateful that I had an excuse to wear sweatpants practically every day! 🤣 Though I absolutely love chic and stylish outfits, I’m definitely a sucker when it comes to loungewear. Back in middle school and early high school, I despised wearing jeans. I was so desperate to find ways to make sweatpants and yoga pants more stylish. Now thanks to quarantine, they are definitely more popular and stylish than ever before!

Though there is a lot of hope and excitement with the new year, we’re still living during the pandemic and uncertain of when it will officially end, and a lot of people will still be working or taking classes from home for a while. Even after it’s over, I believe that loungewear will continue to be trendy and a necessity for everyone, whether working from home or just having a chill day indoors! So with the beginning of 2021 and everybody going back to work or school after the holiday break, I thought it would be a good idea to share some of my current favorite loungewear pieces and trends that are both comfy and stylish, that way to make staying at home a little more bearable and cozy!

• Jogger sweatpants

  • Do I really need to explain why sweatpants are a loungewear favorite other than the fact that they’re awesome? Trust me, you’re not the only one wearing cotton joggers during the Zoom call! 😂

• Pajama sets

  • It sure is nice to have an excuse to wear cozy pajamas all day long, I’ll say that! The one that I’m wearing in the picture above is from Amazon, which my mom got for me as a Christmas gift after googling “comfiest pajama set”. She certainly found the right pair, they’re so nice and soft! I love the army green color as well, it’s such a pretty shade! She also got a set for my sister in grey, so we can thrive in our pajamas together!

• Fuzzy slippers

  • Honestly, I never have really been that much into slippers until as of recently. Not that I didn’t enjoy wearing them, but rather I felt like I wouldn’t wear them as often as I thought I would. However, now I love them! They’re so comfy and I wear them much more than I originally thought I would! I especially love this pair I found at Francesca’s right before Christmas. They’re so cozy and soft. I love the feeling of waking up in the morning and slipping into fuzzy slippers right before making some fresh coffee. One of the best feelings ever, coming from someone who is not a big morning person!

• Hair clips

  • Y’all, I’m OBSESSED with hair clips! They have been such a lifesaver within this last year, especially when I haven’t washed my hair in a few days or when I don’t have time to style it. I was so happy when I started getting into them right around the time they started trending! Plus they’re a lot better to use in hair compared to hair ties, as they’re more gentle. I think wearing hair clips has actually helped give me more volume!

• Big sweaters and crewnecks

  • You definitely can’t go wrong with a cozy sweater or crewneck. Ever since quarantine, I’ve been lounging around in my favorite Kent State crewneck sweatshirt at least once a week, even in the summer! Don’t worry, I wash it often lol 😉

• Knitted cardigans

  • I’m not really a big Taylor Swift fan, but this makes me think of the commercial she’s in showcasing her wardrobe full of the same cardigan 🤣 But I do love a good, cozy cardigan as well, Taylor! I’m currently loving this cheetah print one from Amazon I got for Christmas, it’s so cozy and chic! Plus, I’ve gotten so many compliments on them, so it’s definitely a good one!

Below I have featured some of my specific favorite loungewear items! If any of the items displayed attracts your interest, just click on the image and it will re-direct you to the site of the shop 💕

What are your go-to loungewear pieces when working from home? Comment below and share!