I love visiting the Devonian Botanical Gardens, and the location (conveniently close to home) makes it perfect for a half-day family trip. I’m partial to the Japanese garden, but I love the riots of flowers happening everywhere this time of year. The kids were much taken with the butterfly house. OK, mostly Luka, but he was enthusiastic enough for two. (Teodora was taken … mostly with her shoes. And some dirt she mistook for playground sand, once she escaped the confines of her prison stroller.)
The Japanese garden at Devonian
The gardens were packed with moms and tots, which I guess is to be expected on a random Tuesday in August. (Actually, not so random. First Tuesday of every month is half price admission. Thrifty adventures, it’s how we roll.) All parent minds think alike, I guess.
Tranquility (when pictured without the sound of a hundred kids running around in the background)
All the pretty flowers:
(yes, I have favourites)
The weather was gorgeous, but hot. Hotter than Satan’s sweaty armpit. If I look slightly disheveled and mildly sun-stroked, it’s because I was. Tent-y cotton tops, for the win.
Ahhh, my favourite part of my closet … or any closet, for that matter.
Bags, baby.
Honestly, I could talk about my bags, and how they came into my life, for days … but I’ll spare you. If you’re curious about how my collection has changed in the last 2-3 years, read this first. Then come back, and look at some pretty pictures.
1) Louis Vuitton Alma ($700); Louis Vuitton Dentelle Speedy ($400); 3) Mulberry Bayswater ($525); 4) Mulbery Fitzrovia (chocolate brown, $319)1) MbMJ Totally Turnlock Aidan ($105); 2) MbMJ Totally Turnlock Teri ($167); 3) MbMJ Totally Turnlock Magazine Bag ($90); 4) MbMJ Totally Turnlock Magazine Bag ($125)1) Marc Jacobs Stella (swap); 2) Marc Jacobs Courtney ($83); 3) Longchamps Le Pliage Shopping Tote (gift); 4) Longchamps Le Pliage Shopping Tote (gift)1) Rebecca Minkoff MAC (gift); 2) Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC ($165); 3) Kate Spade Gold Coast Elizabeth ($80); 4) Rebecca Minkoff MAC clutch (gift)1) Vintage Coach ($45); 2) Vintage Coach ($40); 3) Gap clutch ($12); 4) mbMJ Posh Turnlock Convertible Clutch ($35)
Not pictured: Chanel vintage double flap (seen here ); YSL Besace satchel (seen here, I’m debating whether to sell or not); Tory Burch Norah satchel (seen here, selling); Coach vintage Court bag (seen here, selling); Arcadia tote (seen here).
Tunic, Free People (via consignment); leggings, maternity?; shoes, J. Crew Factory; bag, MbMJ (via Adrien)
My usual style leans more towards the preppy side than the boho, but this tunic intrigued me. And, because it was cheap, I decided to allow myself to be intrigued into buying it. I’m happy I did because I kinda seriously love it.
windy!
It’s very floofy and tent-like, but what points it loses in the figure-flattery category, it more than makes up in comfort. I have no idea whether it’s supposed to be a tunic or a dress, but I decided to err on the side of not showing my 34-year old butt. What I’m most pumped about, though, is pairing it with my moto boots this fall. NOT THAT I’M WISHING FOR FALL. Nope, not at all. As excited as I am by the remixing possibilities, I am more than happy to postpone them indefinitely. Hear that, Mother Nature?
Don’t run off just yet, I have a quick review for you. I was in Old Navy last week, and this super cute striped dress caught my eye. I love the subtle fit ‘n flare silhouette (bonus sleeves!), so I had to try it on in a few colorways. Cue the changing room selfies.
Awesome, so-so, pass
As you can tell, they all fit slightly differently. My favourite, the red/black colorway, fit the best and had the nicest hand-feel. The black fit the worst (more on that in a minute), and its fabric felt the cheapest to the touch. It made me look … lumpy. I’m not that lumpy. I have no idea how this is possible, given that we’re talking about the same dress, made out of the (supposedly) same material. Speaking of poor fit, what the hell is going on with the black:
Insta-belly, if that’s a feature you enjoy in your dresses (but seriously, wtf?)
For reference, I’m wearing my usual Old Navy size (small, but obviously fits large). Unlike a lot of similarly cut dresses, the waist of this one didn’t sit super high on me. Also, it’s a nice length (just slightly above the knee on me, and I’m 5’7). Definitely give the red/black version a try if a striped dress is on your shopping list. It’s currently $32, but I’d wait for a sale.
