Hi friends! With the past few weeks month being so crazy, I wanted to touch base with you on a more personal level about finding balance this summer. But we’ll get to that in a second. First off though, let’s talk about this casual gingham outfit, perfect for summertime exploring on the weekends.
When it comes to weekend wear, I’m all about the comfort. But there’s nothing that says comfort can’t be cute too, right? This gingham boyfriend button up is a weekend game-changer in my opinion. It’s light, breathable fabric and pretty hyacinth color make it a dually comfortable AND pretty piece to wear. And it’s super versatile as well! You can pair it with cute cutoff jean shorts during the day, or crisp white jeans for a dinner date later in the evening.
I’ve paired it here with a pair of jeweled jean shorts, a cognac bucket bag, and some simple jeweled flats. I love how the jewel details on the shorts and sandals elevate the look just a touch, while keeping the overall vibe appropriate for buzzing around town on the weekend.
I’m also obsessed with this new lip stain I picked up from Clinque the other day in the shade ‘roomiest rose’. It’s literally the perfect berry-stained color for the summer and I can’t get enough of it!
Ok, now on to the more personal musing…
As I mentioned above, my summer itinerary has been a little crazy–little being an ironic understatement. Between multiple weekends of hitting the Houston scene hard, another weekend with visiting company, a long trip to Boulder, followed immediately by a long weekend in Austin—it’s been hard to fit much of anything else in. Long story short, Kristin is tired.
And while one of my primary objectives this summer was to focus on my blog, another, perhaps more important goal, was to actually make time for myself and to have a social life. (Gasp!) Because let’s be honest, normally I’m #gradstudentlife-ing. So while trying to find time for my full-time job, fitting in time for exercise, studying for my upcoming prelim exams, having a social life, and blogging…something had to give. That something turned out to be the blog, in case you noticed the relative radio silence over here.
But as Hallie pointed out in a recent post, summer is the perfect time to reconnect with the things that really make you happy. And that’s precisely what I’ve been up to!
I’ve been filling every nook and cranny of my time with lots of travel, food, and friends. Just what the summer ordered! And just what I needed after a stressful 3-year stint of graduate school with no breaks (thesis defense included).
And while I’m explaining my absence from the blog as of late, I also wanted to make another note to those like me who may be feeling a little overwhelemed with everything on their plate this summer. Don’t be afraid to let your life thrive at the expense of your blog.
Number one: your life is THE most important thing you can take care of right now.
Number two: your life inspires your blog—your blog is an extension of yourself, so don’t neglect its source of inspiration!
Number three: your followers understand, and if they are following you because they are genuinely interested in YOU, then they aren’t going anywhere.
And finally, Number four: Summer doesn’t come around every day, folks. It’s ok to slow down, sip the rose, and enjoy the summertime as it was meant to be enjoyed.
Now is the time to take back a part of your life that you may have neglected during the semester (or a busy time at work). Get outside! Go have a drink with friends you haven’t seen in a while! And lastly, don’t apologize for living your life! Living life fully will only inspire your work and enrich the lives of those around you. Wouldn’t you agree?
As for my blog and what’s to come moving forward…
A great side effect of traveling and having a social life? Exciting. New. Content. Trust me when I say I have some really exciting collaborations in the works and some super fun recap posts from all my travels lately. They just take time to share, friends, but I promise the wait will be worth it. And if you’re ever curious what I’m up to, you can always follow along on my Instagram for more day-to-day updates.
What about you, friends? What are your thoughts on finding that sweet, sweet summertime balance we all crave?
Photos by Dang Nguyen
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Get the Look…
Top: J. Crew | Shorts: J. Crew Factory (similar) | Purse: Sole Society | Shoes: J. Crew Factory | Necklace: Kate Spade | Watch: Fossil | Bracelet: J. Crew | Lips: Clinique (roomiest rose)
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