Simplify.

Striped Trapeze tank, Forever 21
Marissa Cotton Twill shorts, Loft
flips, Reef
Initial Charm necklace, Anthropologie
Original Wayfarer sunnies, Ray Bans 

My favorite little photo bomber, Max.

I'm wondering where those Lazy Days of Summer went.  It started out lazy.  Waking up in the 8 or even 9 o'clock hour.  Lounging in our PJ's all day.  Running through the sprinkler in the afternoon.  Hotdogs on the patio for supper.

But somehow lazy has turned into crazy.  Between camp in the mornings, CrossFit in the evenings, and who knows what in between, my date book is getting way too much action for Summer Vacation.  

But I'm dedicated to getting back to lazy and simplifying things, starting with my outfit.  A breezy tank and shorts.  Simple as that.  

The Church Lady.

Crochet Tank Top, Eddie Bauer
Veronica Ikat Printed shorts, Lucky Brand Jeans
Candid sandals, Dr. Scholl's via DSW
earrings, Anthropologie
Idiom bangle, Kate Spade
Initial Charms necklace, Stella & Dot
Original Wayfarer sunnies, Ray Bans
Sephora lipstick in "It Girl"

Sunday's fashion question of the day:

How can I get away with wearing as few clothes as possible without being completely inappropriate for church?

Summer camp.

Kanoko Striped tank, Anthropologie
1969 Sexy Boyfriend Jean shorts, The Gap
flips, Reef
Gumdrop earrings, Kate Spade
Say yes "Cheers" necklace, Kate Spade 

I spent the Summer between college graduation and grad school as a camp counselor at an all girls camp in New Hampshire.  It was the typical camp experience with archery, campfire songs, Color Wars, pilfering the campers' candy stash.  You know, campy stuff.  

It was a really memorable Summer and I would love to give my kids that traditional New England camp experience someday.  But for now we'll stick to the little day camp right down the street.  There may not be canoeing or campouts, but even cooler there is Lego Robotics class and Jr. Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course Mania.

Hmmm... Is anyone else hungry for a fluffernutter sandwich and kool-aid?

Book report.

"I blush."

-Anastasia Steele

Tulip Apron skirt, Anthropologie
Cotton tank, Loft
Beaded single strand necklace, Francesca's
T-strap wedges, Clarks 

How sweet of my my mom to invite me to her Book Club.  Today's discussion:  Fifty Shades of Grey.

Yikes.  

You heard right... my good-Catholic-girl, church-every-Sunday mom GAVE ME the books to read!  I kinda wanted to read it to see what all the hype was about.  I like to know what's going on in pop culture.  And who wouldn't say, "no" to this year's salacious Summer read.  However, frankly, I would re-name it Fifty Shades of Overrated. 

 Little Miss Party Planner, my mom, always gives favors.

Gray m&m's and silver gum (eh-hem) balls.

The white outfit vs. spaghetti.

Streaked Horizons tank, Anthropologie
Patch Pocket Cotton Poplin shorts, Loft
Pieced Prism necklace, Anthropologie
Idiom bangle, Kate Spade
Modiste-Summer Madness wedges, Sketchers
Key-per Satchel in "Retro" print, Fossil

Feeling really good about how my arms are looking after only eight CrossFit classes.

It might just be the angle.  It might just be the Instagram filter.  

But considering I've done literally close to 500 push-ups in the past two weeks, 

I'm going to say, "Yay me!"

Went out for date night with my fella this weekend.  After dinner we stopped by the pub for a pint... and played with our iPhones.  Hopeless romantics.  

I decided to pair white on white and highlight my new favorite necklace.  Of course I wanted Italian food and didn't think to throw my Tide to go stick in my purse.  Yikes.  But I am happy to report my outfit escaped unscathed.

Friday Afternoon Margarita Club

Lace Trails tank, Anthropologie
Marissa Cotton Twill shorts, Loft
Pieced Prism necklace, Anthropologie
Modiste-Summer Madness wedges, Sketchers
Idiom bangle, Kate Spade
Key-per Satchel in "Retro" print, Fossil
Original Wayfarer sunnies, Ray Bans

"Is that girl wearing pants?"

 Hmmm.  Decisions decisions...

It doesn't get any better than margaritas with your girlfriend on a Friday afternoon.  Unless you toss in some shopping at Anthro sans kiddos.  Ahhhh, bliss.

All are welcome to the Friday Afternoon Margarita Club.  We meet Friday afternoons.  We drink margaritas.  It's just that complicated.

Cheers!    

Yay me!

Winding Rope tank, Anthropologie

(cute little button courtesy of the Bud to Bloom dress, Anthropologie)

Smocked Button-front Denim skirt, Old Navy

Embossed Gladiator sandals, Steve Madden

Itty bitty bow earrings, Anthropologie

Silver Heart Tag bracelet, Tiffany & Co.

Original Wayfarer sunnies, Ray Bans

Maybelline lipstick in "Eternal Rose" 

I'm not sure if gladiator sandals are still considered en vogue.  

But I'm going to go out on a limb and say, yes.  They are.

Obligatory look-at-your-shoes-blogger pose.

That's what the popular girls do.

Someone told me to own my blog voice, and quit all the self-deprecating talk.  And by someone, I mean my sister.  She might be my baby sister, but she's awesome at kicking my emotional ass sometimes.

I guess my sarcasm doesn't translate well via blog.  I would definitely characterize myself as a pretty confident person.  Some even might go as far as calling me a "know-it-all."  And by some, I mean my best friend.  When we first met at cheerleading clinics way back in 1998, I did not make a good first impression.  Well, the jokes on him.  He ended up marrying this little smarty pants.

My mom tells me I have a chip on my shoulder that I need to keep in check.  True.  I can be obnoxious, and unapologetic at that.  But my confidence has been a source of some amazing accomplishments in my life.  So sometimes it's good to toot your own horn.

But I'm fully aware of the fine line between self assurance and being full of oneself.  Confidence can quickly turn into cockiness.  But on the other hand, humility can also lead to devaluing oneself.  And meekness is never in style.          

So, I guess the moral of the story is this:   

I'm Mollie.  I am proud of my little blog.  And I look freaking cute today.

The mailbox.

Kanoko Striped tank, Anthropologie

Fresh Cut skirt, Anthropologie

Bryleigh wedges, b.o.c. via DSW

Initial Charm necklace, Anthropologie

Cat Eye sunnies, Free People

Our mailbox isn't at our front door, so we have to walk around the corner to get the mail.  Honestly, I leave getting the mail up to Jeff.  Our neighbor's giant dog always jumps up onto the wall barking his head off and scares the bejeezus out of me.  On more than one occasion, I might have screamed like a ninny, dropped the mail, and went running home all Ross Geller unagi-style.

Being 100 degrees, I assumed Cujo was inside his house, so I decided to brave the mailbox.  Well, I am a lucky girl.  I didn't get mauled by my neighbor's dog, AND the Anthropologie gods were smiling on me... this little beauty was waiting for me:       

Anthropologie catalogue, June 2012

Totally dog-eared this page.  I sure do loves me a caftan!  Wish listed for end of Summer sale time.  

Glimmered Ankita Dress, Anthropologie, June 2012

This was the outfit I obsessed over in the April catalogue.  Look familiar?

outfit inspiration:
Anthropologie catalogue, April 2012

*****And, wow!  I didn't expect to get the awesome response from my previous post.  Thanks for the validation, ladies.  I swear I'm not that needy on a regular basis.  (*No comments from the Peanut Gallery, Abby and Jeff!)  But every so often my head swarms and I go a little bonkers.  Nothing that a little retail therapy (and blog love!) can't cure.

*Thanks, Abbs!  Awesome photog skills on the iPhone.

Vulnerability.

After Plaited tank, Anthropologie
Darlene Dobby skirt [petite], Anthropologie
T-strap wedges, Clarks
Dalton Posts earrings, Anthropologie (*Thanks Abby!)
Say yes "Cheers" necklace, Kate Spade
Decker watch, Fossil
Sephora lipstick in "It girl"

-back-

This blog has been liberating for me.  It is giving me a creative outlet and an escape from the everyday humdrum of a stay-at-home mom.

I like to debate serious issues, but also enjoy a healthy dose of all things frivolous.  I watch the Today show to keep up on world news and current events, then cheers with Kathie Lee and Hoda the fourth hour while they gab about Miley Cyrus's engagement.  It's all about balance.  And Miley is way too young.  But Liam is a total dreamboat (read: jailbait), so I get it.

Blogging can be validating, yet on the other hand, it can make me feel completely vulnerable.  I am having fun while I'm writing and editing photos.  Then as soon as I click PUBLISH, the negative thoughts seem to always surface:

I don't look skinny enough in those pictures.  People probably think, "She really let herself go."  Ugh, my thighs!  Do people think I'm full of myself because I'm posting my outfits?  I wish I had something new to wear.

Then I remind myself why I'm blogging:  it's just for FUN, Mollie!

Nope, I'm not tall and skinny... I'm short and I like to eat spaghetti.  Sure, I let myself go... but those two kiddos were totally worth it, and the spaghetti was too.  I will never have stick straight legs.  My thighs touched when I weighed 111 lbs... but my legs are strong and athletic.  I look totally cute today... and this IS a personal style blog, after all.  No, I don't have sponsors giving me new shoes and bags and jewelry to blog about...  (Wait.  Why don't I have sponsors?  Whatevs.)  I wear what I love.  And what would Jeff and I have to fight about if I didn't go shopping?

So I guess a little vulnerability is a good thing.  It forces you to grow, to reflect, to learn about yourself.  And gives you something to blog about.

Long lost post.

blouse, Anthropologie

Raquette Culottes, Anthropologie

T-strap wedges, Clarks
bangles, Aldo

sunnies, Brighton

I wore this outfit a while ago, but for some reason this post got lost in blog purgatory.  I am in full on Spring cleaning mode after finding a Christmas decoration that I have yet to pack away.  So I thought I should clean up the blog as well as the house.  You can pretend I wore this today, but admittedly I am in my cleaning clothes...  a house dress, apron, pearls and kitten heels.