Daily Outfit: Still Hanging On

i know, i know... we have already posted enough good-bye summer posts but, dang it, i'm not ready to let go yet! lol ...which explains these pics for my post today.  it was one of the hotter days of August and it was perfect for snapping pics in a new location surrounded by nature.  this dress is one of my summer favorites made by my girl and her Aunt.  it is actually a hand-me down from her closet but,  of course, in my closet it is brand new!  it actually has straps but it is so secure at the top that i made it an instant strapless.  it's so easy to throw this on and be ready for any event.  i added my white blazer (not seen here) to glam it up for work but i love that it shows the right amount of skin to still be sexy and demure.  i have been trying to convince my friend to start making clothing or, at the very least, make ME clothing!!!  maybe then she will be inspired to start a line! xo Sesheta

(Disco Hoops - MavenFresh, Dress - Mariatere, Wedges - Lucky Brand, Lips - Makeup Forever)

Daily Outfit: Gone Baby Gone

This is one of my favorite outfits of the entire summer...maybe it's the bold print, my fuss-free waves, the silhouette...or it could be that it was worn for a night spent with good friends at a beautiful wedding. All's I know is, this dress was the very first thing that caught my eye at Banana Republic, and although I continued shopping and tried on a few different styles I just couldn't let this one go. 

How do you rationalize leaving the store with two dresses when you're on a tight budget? Well you can hem 'n haw about it...put it on hold and take a breather (you may realize you don't want it after all)...or look for advice from your friend who graciously spent her time watching you try on said dresses. What about all of the above? When all else fails, consider the cost per wear. Take a peek at the price tag and then get real with yourself about its versatility. How many times will you actually wear this piece- weekly, monthly, or yearly? Is it work-appropriate and can it also transition into evening? Do you already have multiple events on the calendar that will call for a look like this one and can you change it up successfully by adding a blazer or different accessories? 

The summer's gone baby, gone. To me it was time well spent. And I'm taking the dress with me into fall! What was your favorite summer look? xoxo Becca

(Vintage Sequin Applique Hairclip- MavenFresh, Printed Silk Dress- Banana Republic similar, Necklace- Luanne's, Bracelet- Vintage, Kelin Sandals- ShoeMint, Antique Gold Clutch- Sample Sale)

A Day in the Life: Life's a Beach

Labor Day has come and gone and now it seems like the weather has officially cooled down some.  whether we want it to or not, the summer is drawing to a close.  if you can't tell by now, i am deeply saddened to see that warm weather go, lol.  i have even considered moving to a warmer climate.  (i haven't officially given that idea up - it has just been pushed back on the timeline.) considering that that isn't happening anytime in the near future, i am going to remember the pic from above.  as the weather gets colder and our layers of clothing increase, i am going to be dreaming of what it felt to be laying on the beach watching my sons play in the water.  

this trip in particular was part of my last of summer hurrah.  i planned a day for us to go enjoy the beach one more time before the school year began and the season officially ended.    we chose a beautiful day and there were hardly any other people on the beach.  it brought me joy to watch my three boys play in the water.  that was exactly what i had hoped for all of us - time to connect with Mother Earth so that we could be healed by her warmth, cleansed by her water and renewed by her air.  we had a great time and they all told me that they were glad we went.  in the words of my four-year-old, "this was a great day."

...so as the weather reminds me of how un-summer it is, i will use this picture to bring all the summer memories back.  hopefully, it will keep me going until summer rolls around again! xo Sesheta

A Day in the Life: An End of Summer Hurrah

though i have had quite a few good times this summer, i have still felt like the season has flown by and that i haven't made the most of it.  i had hoped for more relaxation, more beach days, less work and more time with friends.  ...but, alas, we are at the end of August and (those of us with kiddies) school starts next week.  as the summer comes to an end, it is hard not to lament over how it could have been spent.  thankfully, there is still the possibility of a few more warm weekends.  i am definitely looking forward to this weekend.  i have taken a few days off from work to actually do what makes me happy (i hardly ever do that!!).  i have one more chance to fit in all of the things that will signify (to me) time well spent.  

i hope that you have an end of summer hurrah planned as well - bbqs, beach days and any thing you find fun and relaxing.  as for next week, it's back to the usual grind.  ...but that is a whole 5 days away! :) xo Sesheta

Daily Outfit: The Vintage Wrap Skirt

Everyone has at least one wardrobe piece that you've never worn, yet for some reason you can't let it go. You struggle with putting together an outfit that makes use of it, and end up pushing it to the back of your closet. Maybe you hold on to hope because it was such a good sale price, or it has sentimental value, or it was an on-trend impulse purchase that cost you a pretty penny. 

This vintage wrap skirt falls under the sentimental value category...it was once my grandmother's. I loved the pattern but wasn't sure about the fit and the style of it. So this simple little number kept getting taken out...and put back. I almost listed it in eBay a few times before talking myself out of it. Finally, I took the time to play around with a few different options that I already owned and poof- it was meant to be. The skirt needed a thick belt to define the waist and complement the colors within the print. Wooden wedges added to the ethnic vintage vibe of the skirt, and the most difficult choice was the most basic option- a fitted tank that offset the fullness of the skirt. My casual afternoon of leisure had me grabbing a denim jacket and hitting the road, looking laid-back and boho-chic!

(Skirt-Vintage, Tank- Shopbop, Belt- Anthropologie, Wedges- BCBG, Denim Jacket- J.Crew, Beaded Bracelet- Metal Monk, New Angle Sunglasses- Anthropologie)

P.S. What's your "questionable" wardrobe piece that has you stumped? The ladies of MavenFresh are up for the challenge...we would love to help you find a use for this piece and create outfit suggestions from your closet chaos! Ask the PFMs today!

PFMs on the Town: Brooklyn Brewery

last Friday, i had the pleasure of hanging at Brooklyn Brewery for the first time.  a bunch of my friends, mostly my ol' Wesleyan cronies, as well as family gathered in honor of my hubby's birthday.  we had sooo much fun.   we had a chance to try lots of new Brooklyn beers while in the company of good friends.  

it was hard not to be swept up by the hipster vibe that was all over the area.  located in Williamsburg, (right around the corner from both Beacon's closet and Brooklyn Bowl), the place was teeming with brooklynites (both native and newly relocated) and tourists all enjoying good company, music and, of course, brew.  we have already decided that we have to make it a regular excursion - especially while the weather is warm.  i for one am really looking forward to going back.  ...but the night didn't end here for us; once we closed down the brewery, we headed to Brooklyn Bowl for food and bowling.  beer and bowling - love it!! lol

i hope that you have been using the summer as an excuse to get out and enjoy life. being the mom of three and also having been married forever, it's so easy to get stuck in the regular routine.  i love every opportunity to remember that i am still young and fabulous and looking to have fun - even if my favorite place to hang is on my couch lol.  tonight, the hubby and i are meeting one of our fave couples to dance the night away while the legendary Q-tip spins on the ones and twos at Irving Plaza.  how are you starting off your weekend?  however you spend it, hope you have a blast! xo sesheta