Living on Cloud Nine: 2019

POLKA DOTS AND LAVENDER

No, I am not wearing any lavender but some of these pictures were taken in a lavender field amongst lots of dead lavender, LOL! I had these dreams and visions of one of those bloggers in a cute outfit in a field flowing with tall stems of fragrant lavender, purple hues as far as the eye could see.

However, instead what we got was a few sporadic patches amongst lots of dead lavender due to the harsh Midwest winter! I could’ve almost cried for the owners because so many people flock to the beautiful fields. Maybe better luck next year. However, the day was not a bust, we did get some cute pictures and ended up at the Fernwood Botanical gardens for more pictures, a lovely walk through the grounds and a great lunch at their café with all kinds a homemade sandwiches, soups and desserts! More about that on my Friday favorites.

In the meantime, let’s talk about how adorable this blush pink and polka dot JUMPSUIT is? It’s a halter style with the cutest little ruffle detail, just the right length so I could even wear cute Flats. Best part, it was under $35 from Kohl’s. It was super comfy, and I loved dressing it up with champagne and off-white jewelry like my Kendra Scott necklace. The Floppy Hat was the perfect added touch.

Once again, I think a jumpsuit like this would be adorable with a Jean jacket heading into the cooler months or even a cool evening.

JUMPSUIT HERE // SANDALS HERE // EARRINGS HERE // ROUND PURSE HERE // FLOPPY HAT HERE // NECKLACE HERE // SUNNIES HERE

Hope your day is more beautiful than all the lavender fields!

Linking Up With Oh Hey Girl // Visible Monday // Style Me Wednesday // THT //Fashion Moda// Thoughts for Thursday // Fashion Friday // Lizzie in Lace // Shoe and Tell // Trend Spin // Fab Favorites //A Labour of Life // Confident Twosday //I will wear what I like // Jersey Girl Texan Heart// Fancy Friday // Fashion Frenzy // Straight A Style // Metamorphosis Monday // On the Edge // Style with a Smile // Trendy Thursday

xoxo

SMALL TOWN AMERICA INDEPENDENCE DAY

I am in all American girl through and through! I love red white and blue, I love my country, and I love celebrating the birth of our nation! It’s even extra special when you get to spend it in one of the festive small towns in America and on vacation to boot!

PS...It's AMAZON PRIME DAY Today too!

We were getting a little worried because we were afraid our vacation week would not fall over July 4 next year since it’s on a Saturday but our dear friend Steve, who runs our condo complex, assured us that we would be there on the fourth next year! So, I am so excited I was able to keep all the American flags and Decor in my lake town box! Yes, I have a box especially dedicated to our yearly family vacation! And I pack several red white and blue outfits of course!

This sweet little Lake Michigan town does it up right! You may also remember from several post of mine that they have a fall festival that is fantastic as well with a giant pumpkin! But one of my favorite things about our summer vacation is the entire July 4 experience! We start out at the bakery of course. followed by the 10 AM parade down main street and what an event it is, everyone is dressed so festively and every year I even scam a Tootsie Roll when the people throwing out the candy to the kids.

ALL AMERICAN TANK TOP HERE
40% off ~ it's $12!

FLAG GRAPHIC TEE HERE
Also 40% off and $12!!

Well, HOT DOG!!

Next, it was time to change into our swimsuits for a fun day at the beach. We took a walk on the beach as a family and hung out at the sandbar, played a few more games of badminton and had a ball!

I always said these past few years that I would never wear a bikini out in public, but on vacation, I really don’t care. When you are around people that don’t know you, you feel way less self-conscious and what does it matter? I always preach we need to love ourselves no matter what we look like, right? So many countries go completely nude when they sunbathe. No worries, I would never go THAT far, lol

Dinner Ready

On our way to eat, this was one of the sites we encountered. I had never seen a speedo at the particular beach we stay on but had seen one that day and couldn’t believe my eyes when I was seeing more. Just look at those short shorts, oh my! Just no!

Every year, we always Like to eat somewhere new and special for the fourth and after having a great breakfast last year at Birch and Maple, we decided to try it again for dinner as it is a great little farm to table restaurant with a great mission statement and fabulous owners. Isn’t it just adorable?

They even made me a festive red white and blue cocktail. I had the amazing and unique fish tacos and a short bread dessert with berries and mascarpone cream! Yum!

YUMMY!!

After dinner we took a little stroll as it was such a beautiful evening, we walked out to one of the piers on the bay and just soaked in the smells of summer!! Back at the condo, we chilled and watched a Liam Neeson movie called Cold Pursuit until it was time for fireworks!

Guys believe me when I tell you these are the best fireworks over the lake I have ever seen in my life. They up their game every.single.year! The two below are what I call "Grounders" from the pier, love the reflection in the water.

After the fireworks are over, our neighboring condo always belts all the Americana songs and always starts with Lee Greenwood‘s "I’m Proud to be an American!" It was quite the fun day but boy were we tired, and I think we all slept the best we had slept all week! I’m already excited for next year!

DINNER DRESS DEETS

DRESS HERE // SHOES HERE //

SUNNIES HERE// EARRINGS HERE

AND The Last 4 items are from Amazon and the ones I am purchasing. It's Amazon PRIME DAY!! YAY!!

We are getting a few Fire Sticks as they are going o be $15! (60% off)

And my friend Shelly said get the Instant Pot if you haven't as it too is majorly marked

down!

Products I use on the Daily cheaper than Sams or Costco....YES GLAD Trash bags HEREand Wraps HERE!!!

SUCH GOOD DEALS!!!

HAVE A SUPER HAPPY DAY!

LINKING-UP with Inspire Me Monday// Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Creative Monday's // Creative Muster Party // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // Metamorphosis Monday// Friday Favorites Link Party // Tuesday Talk with Erika and Ashley

FRIDAY FAVORITES...BACK IN THE SADDLE

Happy Friday babes! So, the hot weather is definitely sticking around Indiana and that’s just fine because you’ll find me in the pool most of the time! Vacation was fun but this week was great being back in the saddle at home. We had a bad storm this week so yesterday meant cleaning up all the limbs including one that fell onto our Pool House. Today, I will be traveling to the lavender fields in the town in Michigan where I was born. (well, the town, not the fields, lol) I’ve never been to lavender fields so I’m so excited! Here’s to a fantastic FRI-YAY!

1. VACATION COINCIDENCE

The northern Michigan area is vast, and I knew that my best friend from high school always vacations the same week we did and I knew where she vacationed at. We saw their crew up there one other time, but it was completely crazy to run into her at the trading post and that we had an appointment to kayak and canoe at the exact same time! When her and I get together we are in our own little world and were reminiscing about our beach days as teenagers at all the good snacks we used to take. I reminded her that I still have good snacks so at the end of the River, I had a churro waiting for her, LOL!

2. FAVE 4 HAIR PRODUCTS

I make it known that I do not promote products unless I love them 100%. Well, let me tell you about how amazing the Fave4 hair products are! I have tried one of their shampoos and conditioners and they’re the best I’ve used in years. But to top it all off, I tried their Take me to Tahiti One Minute Hair Mask and it is absolutely magic. My hair tends to be frizzy but boom, magically restored to much more manageable and shiny locks.

ONE MINUTE HAIR MASK HERE

3. WEEK'S ATTIRE

TOP HERE // Similar Heels HERE
Top is UNDER $13

THE BACK IS SOOO CUTE!!

You all know how much I love off the shoulder but many of you mentioned that you can’t get off the shoulder tops to always stay put on your shoulders. This Dress is the perfect solution, still an off the shoulder but it has little tie halter straps! I just loved the deep orange color and midi length.

BUY DRESS HERE// EARRINGS HERE // BRACELET Similar HERE // CLUTCH Similar HERE

4. SUMMER DRESS & SNEAKERS

There is just something about a cute little summer dress and crisp white sneakers that I will always love! I absolutely fell in love with this MADEWELL Dress! It's on SALE! It has the cutest little polka dots on it! And I love the flutter straps. This one is a classic and I know I will wear it a lot. It would be cute with a Jean jacket over it as well. Make sure you size down one in this as it runs a little big. THE Cute Sneakers are so comfy!

BUY DRESS HERE // SNEAKERS HERE

More Inspo

5. MISC. FUN

Posts of the Week

Monday ~ The Best Day..sharing all about my favorite day of vacation

Wednesday ~ Ombre Pastels at the Beach

Birthday ~~Boys~~ Men

So, today is my daddy’s birthday, he turns 75! I sent him a whole boatload of goodies including a T-shirt that says, “Leave Me Alone, I’m Only Talking To My Dog Today!” He love his doggie Duke!

Some of my favorite DAD Pictures...our family always liked to match, lol

BUY DOG TEE HERE

Yesterday was my Uncle Tex‘s birthday. Yes friends, he is a bona fide cowboy! It’s hard to believe he does not have his cowboy hat on in this picture from this past Thanksgiving. He’s my mom’s older brother and we call him the patriarch of the family!

N-Sale...NOT..BUT THIS BLANKET...YES

If I see one more Nordstrom Sale post in my feed..ugh! I used to love this sale but always ended up buying so many things only to return AND ended up not wearing half of what I kept. It’s the same thing over and over. BUT I splurged on this blankie last year and it’s my favorite! If it says sold out..never fear, they restock daily!

BUY BLANKET HERE

Favorite New Earrings

Holy cow do I ever love these Earrings! So much so that I plan on getting them in many more colors. They are under $13 and are exactly identical to the Bauble Bar ones that are $40!

BUY EARRINGS HERE

AND GET 2 PAIRS for $10.99 HERE

Hibiscus
Oh, how I love the hibiscus plant. Being in northern Indiana they really only bloom well in the hot, summer months. This year I got three and I thought they were all the Cayman Wind variety, which is a deep, coral pink but the one in the middle turned out to be a Tie-Dye Wind variety and I absolutely love it!