In My Beach Bag

Well, dollies, it's the time of year when we're kicking ourselves for not sticking to our new year's resolutions and for skipping the gym one too many times. That's right; it's beach/pool season.

Whether you're headed somewhere tropical or just to your neighborhood pool, you need to be ready. Here are some items I just can't live without while I'm at the beach or poolside.

 

1. My face is super sensitive, so I always use baby sunscreen on my face and chest. It's usually unscented and high in SPF.

2. A floppy hat is great way to make a fashion statement while beach bumming it. It also helps keep the sun's harmful rays away from your gorgeous face! You can never be too careful with your skin.

3. Your face isn't the only part of you that needs sunscreen. I love this lightweight mist on my body. I tan easily, but still always go with 50 SPF or above. I get a brown tone, but no burns ever! Sorry girls, 15 and 30 just won't cut it. Be sure to reapply often!

4. A chic cover-up is a must. There's no need to throw away your style just because you're at the pool.

5. A good cocktail while poolside is one of life's little treasures. Try this one for a low cal option.

6. Be sure to keep yourself hydrated. Have water after every cocktail. Smart Water will help replace lost electrolytes.

7. Sorry iPad lovers, my Kindle is what's going to the beach with me. I can read it in the sun without that awful glare. Right now, I'm reading Emily Giffin's Love The One You're With.

8. A magazine at the beach is also a  must for me. I am a faithful Glamour reader.

9. You gotta have a giant bag to throw all your junk in. This one is a fave, plus I'm loving the faded yellow with the stripes on the cover up in #4!

What about you? What you take with you to the beach or pool?

Style Statement Tuesday

Welcome to Style Statement Tuesday! A big thanks to Kelsey for doing such a great job on last week's post!

If you're new here, Style Statement Tuesday is way for me to chronicle my outfits and discuss how/if they fit my style statement, which I've defined as 'Classic Pretty.' It's also a place for you to link-up  your outfit posts and inspirations. To read more about Style Statement Tuesday, click here.

This week's outfit is something I wore while we were in Napa/Sonoma last week.

Dress: Wal-Mart; Shoes: GAP

This dress is super light, and it kept me cool in the 90 degree weather. I love the casual, easy style of the maxi dress. Can you believe it was only $18?!

 

Jacket: Old Navy

In the morning and at night, the temperature was about 30 degrees cooler, so I added a jean jacket to stay warm.

 

 

I wish you could feel how soft the cotton is on this dress! It was super comfy, yet appropriate to wear to dinner. The scoop neckline is flattering on everyone. I wish I would've added a statement necklace, to jazz it up a bit.

 

Watch: Michael Kors; Bracelet: Domaine Carneros Vineyard

 



I feel like this look really fits my style statement because the maxi dress is so flowy and pretty, albeit in a simple way, but still. The denim jacket is a classic piece that never disappoints me. Overall, I'm very pleased with this look. What do you think?

Link up and share your style!

I'm linking up here & here. 

Rainy Days & Mondays

It's a rainy mess here and has been since Friday night. Needless to say, my attitude and my hair are less than manageable.

 

High Five for Friday!

Per the usual, I'm linking up for High Five For Friday. Have a happy happy weekend!

1. Drinking wine in California ain't so bad for a Monday

2. Seriously, the tiniest tube of toothpaste I've ever seen

3. True story.

4. LOVE the Golden Gate Bridge. It's so beautiful.

5. My little bud got his cone off. It was a long month, but we made it!

It's OK

It's OK:

That I have to go out of town again this weekend. But really, it's NOT OK

To be unsure if I am cut out to hold a job. Are there such things as Professional Vacationers?

That I still haven't kicked my Diet Coke habit. I am trying. OK, not really, but I'm trying to try.

That I ate like total crap (and now feel like total crap) on my trips. Yoga tonight will definitely help me get back on track!

That tonight's Yin Yoga class is my first in 2 weeks. I've missed it so much, though!

To sleep until 7:25am even though I need to leave home at 8am. The messy look is totally in and work appropriate, right?

For me to not have not taken my recycling in about 2 months. At least I recycle, and a little pile of garbage never hurt anyone.

To want to hate the non-existent neighbors across the across street (as in no one owns the house across the street yet, but I hate them anyway) because the builders dug up my cable line and I missed Don't Be Tardy this week.

For me to consider re-prioritizing friendships. Why put energy into negative things?

30 Miles In 30 Days Recap

Hey! I'm so happy to be back after what seems like forever. Two trips in a row really wore me out!

So yesterday marked the end of The Pink Growl's 30 Miles In 30 Days challenge. I met the 30 mile goal last week, but I kept on going. Here's a little recap of my month. BTW, can you believe it's May?!

Post 1: 11 Miles

Post 2: 12 Miles

Post 3: 5 Miles

Post 4: 9 Miles

This Week: 7.5 Miles

Total: 44.5

I loved participating in this challenge. It made me even more aware of how much I move (or don't move) throughout the day and how there is always an opportunity to step it up. After eating like junk on my vacations, my body is dying for me get back to its healthy routine. I'm looking forward to May's 30 Miles In 30 Days challenge.

Will you join?

Style Statement Tuesday

Hey, y'all! I'm still traveling, but Kelsey from Beauty Without Limits so graciously offered to guest post for me.

If you haven't met Kelsey, be sure to hop over to her blog and say hello. She somehow manages to juggle nursing school and work while still looking fab. Girl is some kind of cute! So check her out!

OK, Kelsey, take it away!

Being a girly-girl, I love my feminine pieces, patterns, and floral. I think trends are fun to follow, as long as you do it your own way. I like to pull ideas from different trends, different "types" of styles of clothing, and make them my own. I have never been one to label my style, as I feel it is a mixture of all the things I love, all put into one.

 

After really thinking about it though, I decided that my style statement would probably be "feminine casual". You will hardly ever find me in heels and a fancy outfit, but you will find me in stripes, pastels, cardigans, lace and so on. I may stray here and there from my style statement, but that is what makes my style my own.

 

When I shop, I will always be pulled toward girly, easy-to-wear pieces, that aren't too revealing. Since I am a nursing student, I have the casual side down pat! When I am not in class or studying, I have clinicals at the hospital, so you know that when I am done I will want to wear something pretty, casual but still put together!

My faux leather jacket that I am in love with! Much needed for when it gets a little breezy! (Similar).

A little bit of stripes, gold, and color never hurt anybody.

Outfit details: Top: Daytrip Cold Shoulder (Buckle) // Pants: Kohls Celebrity Blues (similar) // Skinny Gold Bangles: Forever 21 (similar) // Gold Sequin Flats: (similar)

I think this follows my style statement because it is very casual and cute with the "cold shoulder" style of the top. The pants are great for spring, and would look amazing with a white button down and statement necklace, which definitely fits my style, but I decided to have a little more fun with it and style the pants this way! I wore this while hanging out with my family, and running a few errands, so nothing special, but still trendy, casual, and spring appropriate!

I am so happy to be hosting the link-up for Jessica while she is out of town, so thank you for letting be take over today!

See what I mean? Adorbs, right?

Link up and share your style!