summer to do list

Summer is officially here — though if you ask anyone around here, we've been sweating it out in 90+ degree temps for weeks now — and with it comes our bucket lists of everything we want to do before the snow comes again. I mentioned last year that even after a year in Des Moines, there's still so much that I haven't done or seen in this city, and the same is true this year.

Of course, I was able to venture out and find some new things to do in the last 12 months (exhibit a and exhibit b), but this year I want to keep adding to the list. Some of my goals are Des Moines-specific, but many of them can be done wherever you live.

1. Rent bikes to ride by the river.

2. Take a tour of the botanical gardens.

3. Go on a hiking trip.

4. Join an outdoor pop-up yoga event.

5. (Try to) learn how to golf. ;)

6. Plant my own succulent garden.

7. Picnic at a winery.

8. Read a classic novel.

9. Make a fun summer cocktail treat.

What's on your bucket list this summer? Would you try any of these things? I'd love to know!

P.S. here's to new adventures and my travel guide to Des Moines

Florida packing list

palm print workout tights /  Guess wedges / sunnies / straw hat / "Laura Lamont" book / beach tote / white slides / draped racerback dress / bikini top and bottoms

As I mentioned last week, I'm heading to Florida on Thursday to help my mom settle in at the new house (and to get some much-needed sun time on the beach — obvs). My mom and sister and I are driving down with the rest of their belongings (and two little dogs!) and my sister and I will be flying back. Since the car will be jam packed with home stuff, luggage, two dogs and three humans, packing light is definitely a necessity. I thought I'd share a few of the things I'll be bringing with me in case any of you are looking for packing inspiration for your next vacay!

Transitional pieces are going to be the name of the game for this trip. This gray dress is so cute and casual, and easily doubles as a day dress or a swimsuit coverup. I'll be packing several similar dresses that can transition easy from day to night, especially lightweight ones to survive the heat.

Obviously, this trip is going to be a bittersweet one — I'm already dreading the drive to the airport — but right now I'm just looking at this as my first vacation in far too long, an amazing beach getaway, and some excellent girl time. Hope you're all having a great week, babes!

P.S. statement earrings, dress fever and an easy spring outfit

cucumber watermelon spritzer

With warm weather comes patio season, and with patio season comes cocktails. Because, honestly, is there anything better than a summer night spent sipping cocktails whilst a light breeze tosses your hair? (Answer: Nope!)

wish list: dress fever

row one: split side LBD / olive T-shirt midi / cutout racerback 

row two: powder blue lace-up mini / cutout mini / racerback shift dress / blue popover dress 

row three: asymmetrical tank dress / color block slip dress / floral maxi / green wrap dress / twisted hem midi

Happy Tuesday, babes! How's your week going so far? I'm incredibly excited because my mom's best friend is flying in from California tomorrow, and we always have so much fun when she's here! We're planning a girls night, dinner and drinks, a day trip, and lots of other fun stuff over the next few days.

In other news, my shopping lately has developed something of a pattern. When warm weather hits, it's almost impossible to find me wearing jeans because I am ALL about the dresses. Adam says I have dress fever, and I can't argue with that! I may or may not have purchased five of them in the last two weeks...oops! ;)

These are some styles I found and love, but the two styles I can't get enough of this year are shift and swing dresses. I typically lean more toward fitted cuts or A-line skirts, but for some reason I'm really loving the flirty feel of loose dresses. I just got this one in purple (and love it) and I'm considering ordering this one now, too. There's no such thing as too many dresses, right?

P.S. my spring wish list, a pretty linen dress and my favorite jacket for summer

warm-weather necessity: wedges

1. G by Guess  2. BP 3. Michael Kors 4. BCBG 5. Dolce Vita 6. Steve Madden 7. Jeffrey Campbell 8. Guess 

There are so many reasons to look forward to summer, but one at the top of my list this year is wearing wedges. If you've been following miscelenious for a while, you might recall my little surgery last year, which prevented me from wearing heels for the majority of the summer (and most other types of shoes, sadly). So, this summer I am so ready and excited to wear cute new wedges! I want to invest in a really nice pair that will last a long time and go with everything... Maybe these adorable Jeffrey Campbell cutout wedges? Or the Michael Kors espadrilles with a nautical vibe? All of these pairs would be so versatile and fun for summertime! 

Which wedges are your favorites? And what are you looking forward to wearing most this summer? 

P.S. last year's summer wish list and my spring wish list

Sundress at sunset

Express printed sundress (similar here) / DSW gold sandals / cross body bag / MAC lipstick in "pink nouveau"

By now you all probably know that I love me a good sundress. There was a time in my life (as in, pretty much my whole life up until last year) that I didn't even like dresses. Seems kinda hard to believe since I wear them pretty much exclusively now, huh? But I've learned that when the temperatures are in the 90s and the humidity levels/heat index make it feel more like a constant 105 degrees, an airy sundress is the only way to go.

Seriously guys, I think 95% of every one of my shopping trips this summer has resulted in at least one new sundress in my closet! (insert teeth-baring emoji here)

I wore this sundress to listen to a live band at Penoach Winery, which is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. It was perfect for a warm evening, and once the sun went down I only needed to add a light jacket. I especially love this printed dress from Express because it can be easily transitioned from work to date night, as it's a bit more dressy than many other sundresses. I couldn't find the same pattern I'm wearing here online, but I did find a couple other cute options in the same style, and you might be able to find more prints in stores. But let me say, this dress is sooo comfy! The material is so soft, and I love the mesh detailing at the neckline. You really can't go wrong with it!

What is your go-to summer wardrobe? Any sundress-obsessed girls out there like me??

P.S. the perfect printed sundress, cool summer style and what to wear to a wedding

Cool summer style

maxi skirt (similar) / Forever 21 v-neck tee / Old Navy slip-ons (on sale for less than $15!) / Steve Madden sunnies (similar) / Fifth and Mae necklace (old) / chain-link bracelet (similar) / NARS velvet matte lip pencil in Cruella 

I know this is an unusual outfit for mid-July, but Iowa is not known for its consistent weather patterns, and the day I wore this was cloudy and chilly. This is my favorite maxi skirt because it is so big and flowy, and I just feel a little fancier every time I wear it :) I love pairing with a plain v-neck to make it a bit more casual and relaxed, but I also like to style it with a crop top for the weekends. (P.S. this is one of my favorite outfits to transition to fall!)

What are you all up to this week? I've got a date night with Adam tonight since we didn't get to see each other all weekend, and my sister and I are taking our mom to see the new Minions movie because my mom loooves the minions — it's adorable! Then Adam and I heading to the zoo for Zoo Brew Wednesday night and this weekend two of our friends are getting married! It's definitely going to be an exciting week! Hope everyone is having a great Monday!

P.S. the perfect printed sundress, short hair love and an off-the-shoulder top

The perfect printed sundress

Express sundress / Target sandals (old, similar) / straw hat (similar) / Baublebar bangle (old, similar) / Shopbop rings here and here / American Eagle denim jacket / Smith sunnies / Rimmel by Kate lipstick in No. 08

Insert happy dance here because this is my first outfit post in two months! Yay! I'm happy to report that I've been back to two regular shoes for about a month now post-surgery, and it's been great. I still can't wear heels, and my right foot is still too swollen to wear some of the cute new shoes I've bought this year — the surgeon said swelling could last for up to 3 months :( — but I'm just happy to have two functional feet again! Anyway, on to the dress...

How fun is this print? I love sundresses, and I've been trying to bring in more colors to my wardrobe this year, so when I saw this dress at Express for 40 percent off, it was a no-brainer. I wanted to keep the accessories simple and let the dress do the work, so I wore tan sandals and dainty gold jewelry and even kept my makeup neutral with a dusty pink lipstick (one of my favorites!). The hat was a fun addition too because, in my opinion, you can't go wrong with a sundress and straw hat combo for summer. I love how simple and easygoing this dress is, yet it was still perfect for the office with a denim jacket over it. And I think it'll be a great transition piece for fall — you can just add ankle boots and the jean jacket for a fun cooler-weather look! 

How do you like to accessorize your sundresses?

P.S. summer's hottest trend, a classy striped skirt and the perfect wedding guest dress

Fourth of July style

red drop earrings / rope necklace / red bikini top and bottom 

straw hat / blue espadrilles 

blue strapless dress / red halter dress (40% off!) / white embroidered dress

There are so many fun ways to dress up for the Fourth of July — whether you're spending the day on the lake or throwing a party or having a picnic, you can create something fun for any scenario. The truly fun part is playing with colors: you can use one color on its own or accessorize with two of them or use all three! The options for Independence Day style really are endless.

For me, I tend to go the more casual route on July 4th, so I really love these striped espadrilles and the rope necklace. They have a fun nautical look that would be perfect for the boat or a picnic, and for fireworks later, of course! As for the dresses, the white embroidered option would be adorable for the holiday, but it's also neutral enough to transition to regular day-to-day wear.

What do you like to wear for the Fourth of July?

P.S. chic sandals, summer tote bags and swimsuits for every budget

Favorite summer nail colors Vol. 1

Since it feels like I've been painting my nails about every other day lately, I thought it was time to do a post about my favorite summer nail polish colors, which range from brights to neutrals to pastels. If you remember, I hit the dark shades pretty hard during the winter months, so come summertime, I'm all about the lighter hues. They look so fun and fresh — especially with a tan! (Not that I have one yet, thanks to this weather and a full-time job!) So, finally, here are the colors I've been wearing lately:

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in fuchsia power. This was a sort-of impulse buy that I picked up last weekend while I was traveling because my nail polish was coming off (badly) and I didn't bring any backups with me (rookie mistake!). I'd been wanting a fun summer pink though, and this has turned out to be just that. It's bold and bright without looking Barbie-ish.

OPI in what's with the cattitude (similar). Unfortunately, this OPI shade is pretty much impossible to find anymore. I've had it for a long time — it was actually part of the Shrek collection back when I was in high school. But it's a tried and true favorite that I use all throughout the year. It's a beautiful icy blue that does wonders for brightening up your pedicure without looking too funky or young.

NYC in Nolita's lavender. This is another color I picked up on a whim. I wore this dress on a date with Adam and I wanted to do my nails to match, so I went to Target hunting for a darker purple than the two pastel shades I had. It turned out to be beautiful. But the best part was the quality for the cost. It only costs a couple bucks but it lasted about a week before it started chipping — a solid purchase in my book!

OPI in gargantuan green grape. For an unexpected yet subtle pop of color, I like to use this light green shade. It's sort of a lime-mint combo that looks more white than green from a distance, but looks absolutely stunning in the summer sun.

OPI in samoan sand. And finally, the classic nude. So versatile, yet so classic. This one is perfect for light skin tones (like mine!), and it would look beautiful for wedding season. There are so many fun nail art designs you can do with a nude base, so don't be afraid to experiment!

What are your favorite nail polish colors for summertime? 

P.S. Favorite spring nail colors and favorite winter nail colors

Chic sandals from DSW

1. black jewels / 2. gold straps / 3. multi-jewels / 4. woven / 5. close-toe / 6. coral / 7. teal straps

Goodbye socks, hello pretty pedicures! Sandals are one of my favorite things about summer fashion, but I have to confess that I'm not very good at buying them. By that I mean that I tend to find a style that I like and then only buy similar versions in different colors. And seriously, that's such a shame, because there are so many great styles out there! This year I've been trying to up my sandal game and branch out a little more — starting with these slip-ons that I wish I could wear every day.

Which ones are your favorites?

P.S. Pretty summer totes, swimsuits for every budget and my summer wish list

*This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 

My summer bucket list

Even though I've lived in Iowa my whole life and in Des Moines for a year, there are still so many things I haven't done here. People always say there is nothing to do in Iowa — I used to be one of those people — but the truth is, if you look for it, you can always find something happening somewhere. And that is why I've resolved to make this summer my best yet: trying new things, meeting new people and just making memories. Here are a few things that are on my summer bucket list:

1. Zoo Brew at Blank Park Zoo. Booze plus animals — what's not to love?

2. Eat at a food truck. I've never done this! Is food better on wheels? I'm going to find out!

3. Walk on the High Trestle Trail Bridge. Because architecturally pleasing bridges are what Instagram is all about.

4. Rent a paddleboat at Grays Lake. The best chance I have at recreating any scene from 10 Things I Hate About You.

5. Go to the Hot Air Balloon Classic. Where else am I going to see a sky filled with giant balloons?

6. Ride bikes downtown. The best place to re-learn a childhood skill is a high-traffic area with lots of people, amiright?

7. Hike at Ledges State Park. Hiking in Iowa? It really can be done!

I'd love to know...what's on your bucket list this summer?

P.S. small town vs. city living, 10 patios in Des Moines and best happy hour specials in Des Moines

Pretty summer totes under $50

one ($24) / two ($24) / three ($29) / four ($49) / five ($32) / six ($24)

When it comes to beach bags, I've always been more practical than fashionable. For the last few years I've been rotating between a couple canvas bags I picked up at World Market for a few bucks — not ugly, but I definitely wouldn't call them a statement piece. This year is the first time I've actually had a desire to spend a little (and I mean little) extra money for a pretty tote bag to use when we take the boat out — or if I somehow miraculously stumble upon a beach somewhere!

Since I know a beach tote isn't something I have a huge use for right now, I don't want to spend a lot of money on one... and if you've been shopping for the perfect straw tote yourself, you know they can be incredibly expensive (Seriously?!). I've picked out a few of my current favorites that are all under an affordable $50. The best part? You can save your wallet without sacrificing style. Enjoy!

P.S. Swimsuits for every budget, my summer wish list and this summer's hottest trend

Swimsuits for every budget

under $30: one / two / three / four // under $50: one / two / three / four // under $80: one / two / three / four

For me, Memorial Day is the true beginning of summer. The weather is (usually) warming up and the sun is (usually) shining most every day. The holiday weekend was mostly gray and rainy here, but I did get a couple hours in by the pool and pretty soon we'll be heading out to the lake on my dad's pontoon, which is one of my favorite things to do come summertime. And all that time by the water means a few new swimsuits are in order.

I'm not a swimmer, so I really don't need a lot of swimsuits...but they're just so pretty! I wanted to stick with the theme of swimsuits on a budget, because I'm not one to spend a lot of money on swimwear. But for those who spend a lot of time at the beach or anywhere else that requires a suit, it might make more sense to invest in more expensive pieces. Plus, how great is that tropical one-piece?

P.S. summer wish list, mix and match pjs and brands I love

Summer wish list

destroyed white jeans / colorful wedges / tassel earrings / statement necklace 

tassel bracelet set / YSL lipstick / floral romper 

I'm currently taking a break from shopping and between new season essentials coming out, major sales and having lots of extra time for online shopping — it's not been easy to keep my wallet closed. That's why I thought a summer wish list would be a kind of compromise.

First off, I am crushing majorly on two things I've never cared for before this year: white jeans and rompers. I never liked white pants much because they can get dirty so easily, but I've seen so many cute styles with them that I'm falling in love. Same with rompers; I really like the ones that look like dresses. The added comfort of shorts make them the perfect answer to a windy day.

Second is the tassel trend. While I'm still not quite as head over heels as many of the bloggers I follow, it is definitely starting to grow on me. These earrings and this bracelet set from Baublebar would add such a fun look to a white dress.

This necklace: Oh my gosh, I die. [Insert heart-eyed emoji a zillion times.] I saw it when I was shopping online for a Mother's Day gift and I couldn't stop staring. I can see it with a fabulous LBD for date night or a white off-shoulder top for daytime. Love.

Finally, bright pink lips and these gorgeous wedges. I love a good pink lip in the summer and, of course, wedges. This pair is especially fantastic with the tropical print. I might just have to buy them as a celebration for getting out of this boot at the end of 6 weeks :)

Hope you all enjoyed my summer favorites! What are you shopping for right now? 

P.S. Springtime favorites, mix and match pjs and Lilly for Target

7 books to add to your beach bag this summer

When it comes to summer reading, I've always preferred more light reads, typically of the love story and chick lit varieties. But I've had a couple of darker mysteries on my reading list for a while now, so I had to include them in my summer reading list. Plus, I think it's good to mix it up a little, that way you have something to open regardless of your mood.

This summer's book list is made up of recently published books that range from Gone Girl-esque dramas to teen romance in the magical New York summer. So whether you're going to the beach (can I go with?) or just taking a few days for a relaxing staycation, these are the books that should be by your side.

A guide to summer concerts in Des Moines

One of my favorite things about summer in Des Moines is the live music that seems to be happening around every corner, at every bar, winery and concert hall you can think of, which is why I decided to make a little guide to some of my favorite spots to see live bands in the area this summer.

My favorite place is Simon Estes Amphitheater in downtown Des Moines. In my opinion, it's one of the coolest music venues in the city, and the rates are super affordable. They don't typically have huge-name artists, but Grace Potter, Eric Hutchinson, and The Ting Tings will all be performing this year along with a bunch of others. The photo above is from Fitz and the Tantrums last summer (amazing!). This venue is a great place to check out artists who are on their way to getting huge, and it's all open seating on a grassy area overlooking the river, so it's beautiful (plus you can even sit across the river or on the bridge and listen for free).

For a more relaxed setting, there are several wineries and breweries that have live music events throughout the summer. Some of my best memories from last year were taking a picnic basket and chairs to the wineries and listening to local bands while sipping new wines. It's so relaxing, beautiful and just a lot of fun. My preferred winery is Penoach, which has an amazing variety of wine and offers pizzas and tastings with some of their concerts. Another great one is Jasper Winery. It has different food options in case you forget to pack your own, but the lawn fills up fast so it's best to get there early.

And then there's Wells Fargo Arena. This year we've got Kenny Chesney, Ed Sheeran, Dave Matthews Band, Nickleback, Shania Twain with Gavin DeGraw, and Taylor Swift on this year's lineup. Now those are some big names. Adam and I already have tickets to see Ed Sheeran, and my sister and I surprised my mom with tickets to see Shania Twain. These shows can get a little pricey, but they always seem to be worth the money.

Finally, the amazing Iowa State Fair. Ten days of entertainment, beer tents, livestock and anything you can eat on a stick. It's definitely an experience everyone should have at least once in their lives, although my favorite part has always been the concerts. Year after year the fair manages to bring in some amazing headliners, and this year is no different. Casting Crowns, Justin Moore, Def Leppard, Reba (as in McEntire), Carrie Underwood, Alabama, The Fray with Andy Grammer, and Meghan Trainor are all on the 2015 schedule. I've already got tickets to see The Fray and Andy Grammer, and I am SO excited.

It's going to be a beautiful, musical summer here in Des Moines :) Where are your favorite concert venues? Will you be getting tickets to any of these shows? Let me know in the comments!