3 Wedding Guest Dresses

Shockingly, Chris and I only have two fall weddings to attend this year, which is just fine because summer is flying by fast enough without every weekend pre-booked. Still, I thought it would be fun to create a few wedding guest looks since it is the season for ceremonies! Even if you aren't RSVPing "yes," having one or two cocktail dresses for unexpected occasions (a nice dinner, a baby shower) is a good plan. Like having wine on hand for spontaneous guests, it's refreshing not to have to race to the mall every time an event pops up.

We're sticking around Minneapolis this weekend for the first time since June! We're going to a friend's surprise party at a brewery tonight, possibly hitting the driving range tomorrow to put my golf lessons to the test, and doing a meat raffle and bingo at a couple of dive bars for another birthday on Sunday—the theme is "Midwestern Octogenarian" (cringe face). Hope you have a great weekend! 

LOOK 1

Sunglasses | Studs | Nail Polish in Splish Splash

Dress | Sandals

LOOK 2 

Fragrance | Tassel Earrings | Nail Polish in Confession

Dress | Sandals 

LOOK 3 

Clutch | Hoops | Nail Polish in Madame

Dress | Sandals

My Summer Playlist

Happy Friday! I'm feeling the relief in a different way this week. I really like my job—but working at a smaller company has its pains. Processes are mushy, roles are blurry. I came home last night and just cried. The cure for a rough week? Good music and fun clothes. I've been blasting my summer playlist as I work from home today and it's definitely helping. (Lots of Francis and the Lights—we saw them in March and it was so.good.—and new Haim. Scroll down to listen!) And I bought this lavender peplum top before all the drama went down, but it's still cheering me up to know I get to wear it this weekend. The color is to-die. We'll be up north-ish again for Chris's family's annual summer Lake Day and I plan to pull it out for the birthday party happening on Saturday. I'll be posting pics and stories so follow the fun on Instagram!

Earrings | Top | Clutch | Shorts | Sandals

Trend Alert: Yellow

Yellow is a tricky color to pull off, but it's all the rage right now so I'm giving it a shot! I don't really have a favorite color—maybe poppy or chartreuse or cerulean—but I remember it being yellow at one point because the walls of my childhood bedroom were a soft buttery chiffon with flowers sprouting up from the molding. One thing's for sure, it makes you feel seriously sunshine-y, and there's no better way to feel in the summer.

I scoured my favorite sites to find the most flattering ways to wear the trendy color and decided on this citrusy one-shoulder top. I'd pair it with light-wash jeans and a straw hat for a typical summer Saturday in the city—running to the farmers' market in the morning (which I have yet to do WHERE is July going?!), grabbing lunch and shopping in Wayzata, and hanging at a few breweries back in Minneapolis. It'd be great for Rock the Garden and the Walker Wide Open party (happening tonight!), too—are you going? Also, these sandals are a celeb fave (and 30% off!), and a large leather tote is my next splurge purchase—perfect for work and weekends!

Hat | Earrings | Top | Tote | Jeans | Sandals

Statement Earrings + Tees 3 Ways

What day is it? Does anyone even know? The holiday falling in the middle of this week is totally throwing me off. After hanging on the North Shore last weekend (and bringing home a zillion mosquito bites), we spent Monday through Wednesday in Big Lake for the Fourth. Thursday was a chance to hit the gym, eat some veggies and relax before we head to a friend's cabin this afternoon. In addition to all the snacks and all the bug spray, here's what I'm packing!

It feels like overkill to wear anything dressier than shorts and tees at the lake, but throwing on a pair of statement earrings is a quick way to give a casual outfit some flair if you go out for dinner or just want to turn it up a bit after spending all day in a swimsuit. Until recently I wore delicate gold jewelry pretty much exclusively, but I've really been getting back into oversized danglers and hoops, especially when paired with easy tees like these—the contrast is really fun and feels effortlessly glam. I'll be pulling out this little trick for weekends at the cabin and hot days in the city all summer long.

Parrot Earrings | Salut Tee | Jean Shorts | Flame Slides

Embellished Hoop Earrings | Les Copines Tee | Tie Waist Shorts | Cork Wedges

Double Hoop Earrings | Jeans Tee | Gingham Shorts | Metallic Slides

SUMMER JACKET EDIT

We made it! Happy Friday! I hope you have some fun plans ahead for the Fourth! It's actually my favorite holiday—with how busy summer can be (it is shocking that tomorrow is July), it's nice to have a dedicated day to slow down, hang at the lake and watch some fireworks.

Before you totally tune out in favor of stars, stripes and sparklers, I had to post a PSA about jackets. I'm not sure how I missed the memo on these cute outfit completers, but I really hadn't thought much about jackets as a fashion piece (or thought I needed a selection) until this spring. I was at a wedding in Chicago in April (read: chilly and rainy). My Rent the Runway dress didn't fit (awesome) and my sister assured me that my destructed denim jacket was highly inappropriate for the The University of Chicago chapel. I felt so unprepared and uncomfortable throughout the ceremony and reception, and really couldn't believe that I didn't have a lightweight, tailored jacket to toss over an easy shift for that kind of occasion.

Never again. I'm course-correcting with this adorable persimmon swing jacket. It's the chic way to stay warm after the sun sets at summer weddings and elevates your jeans, shorts and skirts for work and nights out. I wore it to dinner at St. G's on Saturday and felt SO put together. Click through below to see more jackets I'm adding to my collection (first up: floral, camo, classic chambray) and have an amazing Fourth of July!! xo

My jacket is 50% OFF with code SPARKLER! 

Swing Jacket | Graphic Tee | Denim Skirt

Snakeskin Sandals (old, J.Crew. similar here and here)

Le Specs Sunglasses | Earrings | Clutch