Summer is in the air! Even though it doesn’t officially start for a few more weeks, it’s already hot as a dickens outside and I find myself reaching for my shorts, sleeveless tops, and hats. I’ve put away sweaters, scarves, and boots and I’m ready to sit poolside in my swimming suit, sipping mojitos. In the meantime, I’ll have to settle for running errands, grabbing lunch, and going for walks in these cute green shorts.

A few weeks ago, we got a babysitter and went to dinner for Nick’s birthday. We ate at St. James Seafood Restaurant and Raw Bar in Durham, one of Matt Kelly’s (of Vin Rouge and Mateo’s bar de tapas fame) newest food sensations. Seriously, I love all of his restaurants and would let him cook for me for the rest of my life. Anyway, we went there for my birthday in December and Nick liked it so much that we went back for his. We had just started the Whole30 diet at the time and we were going to try really hard to stick to it, but as soon as we saw the fried oysters, we threw the diet out the window and didn’t feel the least bit bad about it! It was totally worth it.

Birthday Boy!

You know what’s delicious? Indian buffets! You know what skirt isn’t a good choice to wear to one? This one! I wore it to lunch with Nick where we went to our favorite Indian restaurant/buffet near his office, and I left with a food baby that this skirt didn’t conceal very well. So, I think this is an adorable outfit but the skirt is on the chopping block, meaning I’m thinking about donating it. It’s slightly too big and doesn’t fit exactly where I want it around my waist and because of that, it makes me feel like I lose what little bit of an hourglass shape that I have. Nick said it looked fine and these pictures look great, so I can’t decide if I want to keep the skirt or not.

This top is the same as my gray polka dot top but in solid green. I’m a big fan of buying multiples when you find something you really like, so I got this top in the two colors and I love wearing both.

Blouse: Target | Skirt: Loft | Belt: Target | Shoes: Gap Outlet | Necklace: Old Navy

So, here’s my question for you, my fellow fashionistas: How do you decide whether to keep or donate an item? I still wear the skirt every now and then but I find that I don’t reach for it as often because I don’t feel great in it. But I do wear it. I just can’t decide!

Linking up with:
Garay Treasures
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Apparently, I have a thing for little green dresses! I have three of them so far. However, I didn’t have a fancy green dress so when I saw this one, I had to have it. I figured it would make a good holiday dress and I was right. I wore this to my graduate program’s winter social. It wasn’t very cool out, even though it is December, so I didn’t need a wrap or jacket. But I did wear sparkly tights because SPARKLY TIGHTS!

I’ve been looking for a black clutch and wouldn’t you know, during our day of cleaning house, I found this old thing! It’s pretty outdated and kind of tiny and the cell phone pocket was made for a small flip phone (that should tell you how old it is!). I don’t think I’ll be keeping it, but it’s working until I find a new one.

These stud earrings were a gift from my mother-in-law. I don’t usually wear studs because of my attached earlobe but I love their simple sophistication.

I probably like green so much because it brings out the green in my eyes!

And here’s the blooper: eyes closed

Dress: Ya Los Angeles via a little boutique in Wilmington, NC called Planet | Booties: Target | Tights: Banana Republic | Earrings: gift from my mother-in-law | Clutch: who the hell knows!

Linking up with InDUFFinitely Me | Walking in Memphis in High Heels | I Do DeClaire | Tucker Up | Because Shanna Said So | The Pleated Poppy | The Tiny Heart | Perfectly Coutured | Living in Color Style

Yesterday I said the next time you saw me I would probably be in my new location and I am!

To recap, I started a Masters program in Public Health (MPH) last fall at ECU, which is a good hour and a half from my house (and not an online program). I spent this past year commuting to school, staying with family and friends while I was there during the week. After a while, all of the driving, not having my own space, missing out on important events in my program, AND being away from Nick and the dogs were really starting to get to me. I was exhausted and stressed all the time, and my health was affected because I wasn’t sleeping well, eating too much fast food,  and not getting enough exercise from being on the road all the time. Luckily, over the summer I was offered a position as a graduate assistant to one of my favorite professors, which provides enough income to pay for a small apartment… so that’s what I did. I moved into a studio apartment last week and the best part is I get to bring my furbabies! Once I’m all settled in, I’ll share some photos.

I wore this outfit yesterday to an event welcoming the new cohort to the program. I had planned to wear my chambray wedges, but I had to do a lot of walking so I changed into these at the last minute. They’re teal and the cargidan is green, so the wedges probably would have looked better but this worked well enough.

At our event, we had food and drinks and along with meeting new students, we reconnected with current students that we hadn’t seen all summer as they were off doing their own internships all over the place. It was a fun time!

I apologize for the quality of these photos; I know they’re not great but I will play around with the lighting. And when Nick is here, we’ll get some good shots of campus, so I’m really excited about that!

Top: miami via Francesca’s
Cardigan and Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Gap
Necklaec: bridesmaid gift from my BFF
Bracelets and Earrings: Old Navy