July Photo Diary

08/02/17

Y’all, I can’t believe we’re already in August. I feel like July JUST started – better yet, I feel like I was just brainstorming what I wanted to do slash accomplish this SUMMER like, yesterday. But wow, it’s flown by! I don’t think I’ve posted a BTD Weekly post since June, so I wanted to take a minute to recap the past month, reflect on a few things and just touch base on stuff in general.

I’m currently in San Francisco on a trip with really cool, Parisian luxury handbag brand named Moreau Paris. If you follow along on stories, then you got to see a little sneak peek into their first USA-based store. But within the next 10 years, they’ll be opening SEVERAL of them in other cities including (hopefully!) Dallas soon!

Let’s get back to July and what’s been going on.

A Recap of What Happened in July via Photos + More

Madewell Stripe Tank // Madewell High Rise Skinny Jeans

Caslon Knot Tie Front Pullover // Outdoor Voices Warmup Leggings // Nike Free TR Sneakers // Reilly Marzipan Sunglasses

Mid-Summer Meltdown/Revelation

I ended the month of June with a press trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming where I actually had a bit of a coming-undone moment (that I didn’t really talk about on social media or on the blog actually). It was subtle and somewhat slow, but also very substantial and pivotal too. During that trip, I had a good amount of time to think and wind down a little bit. We didn’t really have good service up there – especially while we were adventuring in the mountains – so I got to be alone with my thoughts a bit more than usual and was able to slow down a bit, which was really nice but also a little daunting at the same time (if you can imagine).

And although I knew it deep down, it became more and more obvious that I was running too fast (metaphorically speaking) and needed to figure out a way to do something about it. I just felt like I wasn’t actually living my life – enjoying it. but instead was working so very hard, running so fast towards something. And I got to thinking about it and wondered…why am I running so fast and where am I even going? And do I even think I’ll realize if I get there? Do I even want to go there? Basically, I realized that I was the one putting all this pressure on myself and that I had a choice in the matter. I know that might sound silly, but it’s true. Sometimes, I can get so lost in the details or what’s happening RIGHT NOW, that I don’t even realize my way of life is actually breaking me down, rather than building me up for some unknown, elusive “destination’.

I’m sure there will be more on this topic soon enough – once I gather my thoughts a bit more. But I’ve been taking steps in my personal life (and mentally) to slow down and take more time for myself. I’m hoping to share more eventually, but things are still very much a work-in-progress at the moment so I don’t have much to share other than the fact that I’m trying to figure it out – ha.

Beginning of July in Dallas

Following Jackson Hole, I spent July 4th weekend in Dallas, watching fireworks at the country club over BBQ and beer – it was actually pretty nice to stay home for the 4th of July weekend, especially after just having traveling to St. Thomas and then (literally 12 hours later) hopping on a plane to Jackson Hole. I needed a weekend home and this was perfect! I even got to get back into the swing of things (as far as working out and going to the grocery store goes) while in Dallas before the big Nordstrom Anniversary Sale started!

BP. Tiered Tank // Madewell High Rise Jeans // Madewell Beaded Drop Earrings // BP. Bandana ($6) // Marc Fisher Wedges // Chloe Mini Marcie Crossbody // Ray-Ban Icon Sunglasses

Zella ‘So Hot’ Leggings // Onzie Sports Bra // Onzie Twist Tank // Nike Sneakers

Free People Pink Tank // Vanessa Mooney Drop Earrings // JBrand White Jeans // Saint Laurent Monogrammed Shoulder Bag

Free People Blooms Top // Free People Cutoff Denim Shorts (been living in these on casual summer days!) // Missoma Large Horn Necklace // Chan Luu Hoop Earrings (loving these too! You’ve probably noticed I’ve been wearing the A LOT)

Lush Henley Tunic // Free People Shorts // Lack Of Color Straw Hat // Mystique Pom Pom Tote // Dior So Real Sunglasses

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Oh, the NSALE. Yeah, that was a huge part of July (#duh). This definitely took up a major chunk of July (rightfully so, as it’s such a big event). I usually try not to travel during the month of July so I can focus on it, but that didn’t really happen this year. I know a lot of the outfits I put together have since sold out, but there are still a lot of good finds. Sign up for my newsletter if you’d like to stay in the know with what’s still in stock. Also, I’ve been posting little updates here and there on instagram stories where you can swipe up to shop!

If you’ve been following along on the blog, then I don’t need to remind you that I did SEVERAL blog posts surrounding the sale. I always have such a good time putting thee together for y’all! The worst part, though, is how fast all the good stuff sells out. It’s frustrating for me for sure and I’m sure it’s annoying for y’all too – there’s such a sense of urgency. But regardless, the sale is always amazing and I’m able to score such great items every year.

Speaking of the sale, this suede jacket (in the image below) has been restocked in all sizes (oh em gee!). It’s backordered, but so worth it!

The Great Flood

Oh wait, we can’t forget the fact that my house flooded. I can’t even begin to explain how much of a PAIN that has been. UGH. So much more on that to come I guess (probably via stories).

Quick Trip to NYC for Meetings

A few days into the NSALE, I knew (ahead of time) I would need a little change of pace so I planned a trip to NYC for some meetings and 1/2-year catch up sessions with some of my go-to PR companies and brands. After our trip to St. Thomas in June, Olivia and I decided to meet up in NYC to do our usual meetings and discuss upcoming projects. Speaking of, we’ve been working on planning another trip together too, which I really hope we’re able to make work out. We’re hoping to go somewhere in the PNW in late August. Fingers crossed we can make it work!

gingham skirt // wedges (restocked!) // top (sold out –similar from Club Monaco)

shorts (wearing size XS – $55) // top (sold out) // shoes

Madewell Striped Shirt // Free People Cut Off Shorts // Madewell Strappy Sandals

Trip to Charlotte to Recharge

Following NYC, I had a quick turnaround and headed to Charlotte, NC. My friend Ashley and I were originally going to go to Palm Beach for a work trip (to cover a hotel down there), but a few things got in the way and it just didn’t work out. We still wanted to get together though, so we ended up meeting in Charlotte for a few days of laying by the pool and recharging through prayer, scripture, and rest. Although we didn’t get much rest (too much to talk about!), we did spend a lot of time NOT working, which was such a nice breath of fresh air. I need to do trips like that more often – where I have zero expectations of me and I can just simply BE. I’ve also been traveling a lot lately and haven’t been able to make it to church, so it was nice to actually get up and go Sunday morning with her in Charlotte – even though it wasn’t MY church, it was still so nice!

Beyond Yoga Cozy Cardigan (ON SALE!) // Rag & Bone Jeans (ON SALE!)// Madewell Stripe Shirt // Steve Madden Embellished Slide

BP. Chambray Drop Waist Dress (under $50 – wearing size XS) // Steve Madden Embellished Slide // Serefina Lunar Earrings (been loving these!) // Chloe Medium Nile Bag // Ray-Ban Icon Sunglasses

Stateside OTS Sweatshirt // Zella Live In Leggings // Nike Free Run Sneakers

dress // sneakers

Back to NYC & The Hamptons

Another QUICK turnaround after Charlotte was a trip BACK up to NYC and then out to the Hamptons with family. I didn’t really work much at all during this time and it was so nice! I had just a few meetings while in the city (before headed out there) and spent most of my time doing normal things (ha) with my family, not worrying about taking photos, checking emails, and all the other things I usually think about on a daily basis. My sister has been living up in the city all summer for an internship, so it was good to finally visit her and celebrate her 21st birthday too!