summer tank DIY

My apologies for the delay, but here is the DIY tutorial for the tank I wore in this outfit! It is so easy that even I did it, and am now tempted to turn a few more old tee's into summer tanks. Just make sure that you are putting the shirt back on & marking where you want to cut it at each step, so you don't end up with a super low neckline or really cropped shirt--unless that's what you want, I'm not here to judge. ;)

If you make one of these, I'd love to see how you style it! Link up in the comments & I'll add the links to this post for further inspiration. Have fun! xo.

edit: here's how I wore it!

home is where you are happy

I thought I would take a ton of photos while visiting my sister in San Diego--photos of us together, outfit photos, perhaps even some street style shots--I was really excited to get some good "blog material". However, while there I mostly left my camera in its case. I love photographing good times, but sometimes it's most important to just live those good times instead. I decided not to worry about blogging and instead wore what I wanted, left my camera at home & explored California with only the lenses my eyes provide. And I loved it. That being said, the one thing I did photograph is my sister's home--it is so sweet and so her that I couldn't help capturing some details. Lots of photos after the jump! 

from garden to tummy

My mother's garden is currently over-flowing with plump, vibrantly pink raspberries just begging to be picked. This is how my morning went: wake slowly, lazily pick a full bowl of berries with my pup beside me (and eating several along the way), bake them into this yummy buttermilk cake, make coffee, eat it while still warm on the back deck with my sister. From garden to tummy in under an hour: tasted just like summer. 

rompin' about

Last week I was lucky enough to get to spend a few days at my parents' house after my trip to San Diego. There are so many reasons I love being home, such as playing with this adorable guy or lounging in their backyard with one of these in my hand, among a million other things...but another little perk? Going shopping in my sister's closet. I've had my eye on this romper since she got it months ago & couldn't wait to bring it home with me. We've got a pretty good trade system going on right now--just one more thing that makes sisters the best invention ever. xo!

romper & shoes: Forever 21

insta cali

Mhmm, already ready to go back. 

I spent the last week just outside of San Diego visiting my sister Katie on a last-minute trip. It was perfectly relaxing: we spent the week eating (way too much) amazing fresh food, exploring the surrounding little towns and beaches, trying lots of new cocktails and beers, playing in the waves like we were 5 & 9 years old again,    dancing, watching the sun  set and sleeping in, walking in the morning sun for iced lattes and chocolate-filled croissants, and dreaming about what our futures will bring us. My sister worked the first two days, so I got to wander about alone, which was actually really nice--I read all three books in the Hunger Games trilogy (still reeling, let's be honest), laid on the beach, people-watched, and listened to a cute boy play music in a rooftop bar. I didn't touch a computer all week. All in all, exactly what I needed. 

A year from now, my life could go anywhere I want it to, and I'm seriously thinking I'll end up in California near my sister. This trip just served to convince me further. Time will tell! 

How was your week? catch me up! xo. 

just for kicks

Some days, it just makes sense to put on a dress & your favorite gold jewelry just for a trip to the grocery store, only to change a few hours later to go to work. One of the best parts of being a girl, right? Tutorial for this little DIY tank coming soon! Hope all is well with you lovelies! xo.

dress: Target, tank: thrifted/DIY, sandals: Old Navy, bag: thrifted, jewelry: H&M