wearing cross stitch

Blouse (shop!)/Shoes (old): Ruche

I haven't done a real outfit post in a while, but I've been feeling more inspired lately to actually get up and get dressed. During the week, anyway. Mostly because my job requires it, but also because I'm starting to enjoy dressing up my ballooning baby bump. We took these photos after dinner, so I kind of think this baby bump is part baby, part food baby. I love them both very much.

I haven't purchased any actual maternity things yet (although I was recently gifted two maternity dresses which I love), because I'm really looking forward to trying to utilize what's already in my closet. I think it's going to be a fun challenge to wear an assortment of my normal tops, skirts and dresses to accommodate the growing of a human. I must confess, though, that this beautiful blouse wasn't already in my closet...because I just bought it from Ruche...but it's not a maternity top, so I think it still counts. :)

This blouse is easy, breezy and beautiful and has the prettiest lace. The colors are so bright, and the floral pattern is actually detailed to look like cross stitch. I personally adore cross stitch patterns, so this vintage-inspired top was calling to my chic old lady style. 

Loving Lately:

• THESE, because I would like to be the head of the Bringing Jellies Back committee. I'm going to need them in every color, please. Especially the glitter.
• Making big house decisions. It can be overwhelming, but it's so rewarding and so exciting to see each tiny bit of progress. Follow me on Instagram to see the updates on #CasaSchan.
• Rifle Paper Co. Wallpaper. I understand it's impractical but so pretty.
• A Beautiful Mess. Obviously this blog isn't new, but I've been crushing hard on it lately, especially for their DIY/home posts.
• The band RHODES. They have barely any music on Spotify, but I could listen to them all day.

august stampede

Remember that time when summer never came?

Today is August 1st and I'm caught completely off guard. 

It's another cloudy day, and my mind is still in May. I feel as if we've skipped the summer months, arriving straight into Fall. 

I can count the number of times I've said "it's hot!" on one hand. And a few of them were just because I was checking on the biscuits in the oven. 

I don't know what to do with this kind of summer. It's been a great few months, don't get me wrong - but it feels like it all just went by in a blur! We didn't have any days at the beach, we didn't grill hardly at all because it rained so often, we never took a weekend for the lake, and we didn't have any grand summertime vacations with pina colada smoothies and sunburns.

Overall, it just feels like summer never came.

Top: Modcloth, Skirt: LOFT, Necklace: Francesca's (similar)

That being said, August has its own kind of magic spark.
With summer coming to an end, every single day is full of desperate possibility.

The countdown begins - 18 days until the beginning of school!
For us, that's 18 days until the last first day of school. The beginning of the end of our law school days.

I can't begin to express my feelings about this coming year, now that we've officially crossed over into less than a year until we wrap up our time in Lynchburg and prepare to move back to Arizona. Back to our blessed summer heat and our families.
Arizona, where the summers are real and gritty and bright and endless.

So cheers...to the first and very last of our summers that never came.

looking for a challenge

I've been brainstorming about a summer fashion challenge.

As you may know, Frocktober was my big endeavor last Fall, and was the driving force for my plunge into outfit posts and fashion ideas.
Ruche was having a "Frocktober" promotion, where they were releasing a special new dress every day of October. So in the spirit of dresses, I decided to wear a dress every day of October.
It was really fun.

I realized that I have a lot of dresses, and also that I tend to prefer wearing dresses. They're comfortable and easy to remix, they're versatile and also simple - a dress is a built-in outfit. Throw it over your head and slip into some shoes and you're good to go. If you have time for a cute hairdo and some accessories, that's just a bonus.

I enjoy giving myself challenges with my clothes because it inspires and motivates. It's exciting to look past my normal go-tos and say, okay...how can I mix this up?

Top/Shoes/Teacup: Ruche (shop shoes), Skirt: LOFT

These pictures/this outfit were for a little Instagram contest with Ruche. I love giveaways, I love contests and I definitely love Instagram.

All that being said, I need some ideas. I'd love to proceed into the last half of June with a new challenge to get into the spirit of summer. Maybe something along the lines of the 5to5 post, but on a bigger scale. Something that could last a week or two.

Any ideas?

the cusp of summer

I think it's pretty common for me to feel a little bit lost around this season.
It's not quite spring, it's not quite summer. I'm kind of wedged somewhere in between wanting shorts and strappy sandals, and wishing I could go back to boots and sweaters.
The cloudy days are chilly, but the afternoon is hot and humid.

We're visiting Arizona this coming week (we leave tonight!) and I can't wait for true summer. 
The temps are all above 90 degrees, sunshine all the way, and I can already feel the blessed heat on my skin. There's nothing I love more than an Arizona summer.
Although this may be a whole absense-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder delusion. We'll see!

I love the watercolor print of this dress, and how it's always a go-to for remixing.
This dress is definitely in my top 5, as far as how often I've worn the dresses in my closet this past year. Granted, I bought this dress this past year, but that just proves a smart purhcase.

Dress/Belt: Ruche (similar 1, 2, 3, 4), Button-up: J. Crew (similar), Shoes: Gifted (similar)

One of my favorite ways to wear this dress is in the colder months, with a turtle neck layered underneath.
It's a great transitional dress. So far I've been able to wear it all year long, and now I'm just waiting to wear it by itself in the summertime!
It has an adorable cut-out back with a bow, and will be perfect for summer get-togethers.

For now I'm just eagerly awaiting our summer Arizona visit. Counting down the hours!
Maybe I'll bring this dress along. :)

coziness + handmade accessories

I love to shop handmade.
There's something really exciting and extraordinary about owning something (art, clothing, jewelry, anything) that was made by someone else.
That's one of the reasons I really love Etsy - it's like the Ebay of handmade items.
People from all over the world can have their own "shop" in electronic form, showcasing their talents and selling their goods.

I own a little shop called Posies by Cait.
I have met hundreds of amazing people and seen hundreds of beautiful shops throughout my time on Etsy.
Recently, my cousin started her own Etsy shop, and sent me this incredible set!

It made my cozy Friday even cozier, and I can proudly say that her items are well-made, soft, and adorable.

Top: Anthropologie, Cardigan: Banana Republic (similar), Pants: Forever 21 (shop!)
Shoes: Urbanog (shop Ruche!), Headwarmer/Scarf: Roo's Loop De Loops (shop!)
Bracelet: Kate Spade 

I would highly recommend snatching up an adorable headwarmer/scarf set for yourself or a friend this winter and spring!
As a special to my blog readers, use code "Posies" for 10% off in her shop.
Can't get any better than that! Go now!
If you get one, please let me know which one and how you like it! I'd love to see them.

I hope you all have an amazing week. Mondays usually give me the blues, but I'm looking forward to every night this week. It's gonna be a good one!

See ya,
Cait

emerald + peter pan

Green is my absolute favorite color.
It possibly stems from my obsession with all things Irish growing up, when the shamrock became my "favorite flower". My dad is particularly excited about our Irish heritage, and St. Patrick's Day was always filled with a delicious Irish meal (potatoes, corned beef, cabbage, or Guinness stew, etc.) and lots of Irish spirit.
This vibrant color was more solidified as my true favorite when it became my wedding color!
Green, brown, and gold will always elicit images of the happiest day of my life.

Thus, when the Pantone color of the year was announced as Emerald Green, I knew 2013 was going to be my year.

Top: Ruche, Collar/Top: Ruche, Jeans: Forever 21, 
Booties: Urbanog, Watch: Gifted, Bangle: Gifted/Kate Spade

I've recently become obsessed with Kate Spade.
My best friend has fueled this fire - if there ever was a brand that really defined my friend Becky, it would be Kate Spade. And in that brand we have found love. And color and pattern and style.

She gave me this incredible gold bow bangle for Christmas, and I've hardly stopped wearing it since.

Details are the best.
I have gotten to the point where I hardly ever shop for cheap thrills - it's the statement pieces, the more investment pieces, that grab my attention.
This top was no exception.
And because I'm an Arizona girl, and I never get to see snow, I had to add that Christmas-y pop of red to such a beautiful wintery day!

It's still pretty chilly around here, although the snow has almost all melted away.
Rumor has it we'll be getting more on Friday, so fingers crossed for more snowy photoshoots!