Top: A New Day via Target | Vest: my BAJEE collection via Conversation Pieces | Jeans: Liverpool via Stitch Fix | Slides: LOFT Outlet | Necklace & Bracelets: Old Navy | Watch: Timex 

Fall is officially one month away and I cannot wait. I’m preparing by pulling out all of my fall scented candles/melt cups (we have a Yankee Candle Scenterpiece Wax Warmer that we use most of the time) and brushing off this army/utility vest. It’s still 90+ degrees outside here in central North Carolina, but a girl can dream! Every time a breeze blows and a leaf falls, I can sense that autumn is just around the corner. And I am so ready for it.

It has rained every day this week in Durham and I’m over it. But I figured the rain + casual Friday at the office is a good chance to wear my favorite ankle boots and an army vest that hasn’t gotten much love lately. When I put this outfit on, I realized that it is extremely similar to one I wore four+ years ago, so I decided that this was a recreation/update of that outfit.

*I’m devoting this week to dresses in an attempt to motivate myself to actually wear the dresses I have in my closet.*

I swear I didn’t mean to wear an olive dress twice this week, but that’s just how it happened. I wasn’t sure how I felt about wearing the utility vest with the dress since they’re so similar in color but it actually looks really nice together. In an attempt to break up some of the green, I added a black short-sleeved cardigan. Who says you can’t layer in the summertime? I wore this dress to lunch with Nick and then again to visit my parents and meet my new baby nephew.

Here’s the fun blooper: If I  look hardcore, it’s because I am! haha

Dress: Banana Republic Outlet | Vest: Conversation Pieces | Cardigan & Sandals: Target | Necklace: Claire’s (old) | Bracelets: Old Navy | Sunglasses: Target

By the way, today is my little Chico’s 9th birthday! I can’t believe he’s getting so old but he’s still playful and full of energy. So here’s to my sweet baby dog, the little life I would do anything for. He went from this tiny little baby puppy:

To this grown, grumpy little man:

I mean, come on, LOOK AT THAT FACE!

Happy Birthday, Chico Antonio! I love you with all of my heart! <3

I’m hoping utility vests never go out of style. I got this one online last summer thinking I would wear it all the time but then when I put it on, I would get anxious that it looked too big. It’s much longer than I anticipated, and I’m sure that’s because I’m so short. It probably fits just right on an average person. It’s also more gray than green/olive, but I really liked all of the extra details like the leather patches on the shoulders and the studs around the pockets. So, whether it’s big or not, I’ve decided to embrace it.

Nick was at the U.S. Open all last week so I decided to treat myself with new shoes. Hey, he gets what he likes and I get what I like. It’s a win-win. This was the first outfit I thought of wearing with them because it’s simple enough to let the shoes and the vest pop. I like the way it turned out.

Here’s the fun one:

Linking up with More Pieces of Me

Shirt: Old Navy
Jeans: Kensie via Stitch Fix
Vest: Conversation Pieces
Wedges: Target
Necklace: Hawthorn Collection (online)
Bracelet & Earrings: Old Navy
Sunnies: Target

I interrupt the regularly scheduled 30 for 30 Challenge to bring you an outfit that was pinspired. I enjoy finding new fashion blogs to inspire my own wardrobe, and when I saw this outfit this morning from the lovely Bethany of Perfectly Coutured (a new blog I stumbled upon today), I knew I had to recreate it. It’s so simple yet so stylish. It might be a new favorite.

On an exciting but slightly different note, I got a new fancy camera for Christmas so hopefully the quality of my photos will improve significantly. I also have a tripod so I went a little crazy with the photos this afternoon taking over 40! Since this is technically a lifestyle blog instead of solely a fashion one – my husband will post every now and then on cool DIY projects and recipes – I’m going to try to take more pictures to document our lives! Although, most of our time is consumed with work, school, and the dogs. But hey, we do some fun stuff, too, and you might like reading about that.