dress - anthro (thrifted), bracelets - madewell, shoes - saltwater

So I actually first spotted this dress at Anthro last summer. It had all the elements of what I love in a dress except for... the price. I hoped it would go on sale but it was one of those elusive rare birds that never did make it to the sale rack. And so it remained only a dream. 

Then a few weeks ago while browsing a thrift store I spotted it from across the room. I practically ran to the dress aisle to grab it and place it safely in my cart. I did notice that it looked a little big but really, I didn't care. 

When I got home I washed and tried it on. It was too big. But I wasn't going to be stopped. I pulled out my sewing machine, pins and thread and got to work. All it needed it turned out, was to be taken in on the sides just a bit. No big deal. And that's how a dress that was too big turned out to be perfect just for me! And in case you were wondering I really do live in it now :).

P.S. I'm putting together a little faq page this week and just wanted to see if there are any questions you would like for me to include and answer there? Thank you in advance!! xo

Last night I was using my Origins scrub since my face was kind of going crazy (temperatures all over the place and the constant presence of sweat on my face will do that) and I remembered that I had promised a lovely lady or two a post about my skincare routine! After scrubbing away for a good fifteen minutes with my brush I had the face of a baby (trust me I know what a baby's face feels like) and my skin just felt so fresh and so clean, clean... 

The scrub I use for emergencies as it's too intense to use on a daily basis but what I do use on a daily basis are the following:

Perhaps it's the overabundance of cool days we've been having. Perhaps it's the fact that I've been hearing crows more often than the chirping of the kinglets. Or maybe it's the sight of scarves and felt hats (I must admit I've already purchased one... or two) lining the aisles of stores but I can't shake the feeling that summer is on it's way out. The trees are sagging from the weight of the foliage that exploded back in May and the corn husks are heavy and waiting to be harvested. Berries are hard to find at the market and nearly early table is overflowing with corn. The tippy tops of grass and bushes have been dipped in yellow and an especially cool gust of wind is a reminder that autumn is right around the corner. 

It's been a good summer, no, great summer. I expected to have a wonderful time enjoying summer with this plump little babe of ours. I didn't expect to have the best summer of my life. Looking back over all the photos we accumulated over the last three months or so brought back all those memories - her giggles in the pool in Florida, the way she loved pulling up the grass on picnics and feeling the leaves with her tiny fingers, her joyful frolicking in the sand and the way she oohed as the ocean waves crashed over her chunky legs. I remember when we gave her ice cream for the first time and she cried when I took it away. There were so many firsts this summer too - first sand castle, first ride on a swing, first bite of real food.... first SUMMER. 

I don't think I'll ever forget this summer with Birdie. 

Soon we'll relegate our AC units back to the shed. I'll fill Birdie's drawers with the jackets and sweaters I've been stockpiling for her and put away the swimsuits and sun hats. I'll pull my my wool socks and chunky cable knit sweaters out of storage and boots will replace the sandals that now litter the front door. Grocery stores will fill giant boxes full of pumpkins and the crockpot will again be in heavy rotation at our house. We'll open the windows on cold rainy mornings and let the autumnal air flow through the house and the raindrops serenade us with their song. 

Summer was perfect but now I just can't wait to experience fall with our baby!

*photos are from my instagram