Tanks & Tees

August, my time for tanks and tees is also known as a month of Sunday's. I'm always a bit sad when August rolls around. The light changes, everything seems a bit drier and I know that the carefree days of summer are speeding away. I must make the most of this time in the sun with my family and friends. My back porch beckons. The pool glistens asking for one more afternoon spent watching the girls play while I catch up on my reading. New projects for work, the house and fun call my name. There is never enough time. It makes me feel a bit of inertia. And clearly that feeling translates to my style. Last week it was all shorts and t-shirts. This week I just want to live in my tank tops and t-shirts. There is no thoughtful curating of outfits. It's what I can put on and run out the door … [Read more...]

Feeling Fall Trends

Are you ready? Are you ready to transition into the fall season? I think I might be on the verge and here's why. Between the "shopping diet" I put myself on, the continuous reading of fashion magazines by the pool the last few weeks and the discovery of a new cash back site, Splender; I'm feeling these fall trends.     Fall Fashion Trends by victoriamason featuring a black cashmere hat   And since that so-called shopping ban was over I was now free to shop and explore my favorite fall fashion trends, and I did that while using the new cash back site, Splender, which was easy to sign up for, had all my favorite stores and a decent percentage of cash back on my purchases. Check out my finds! You should also try to get the feel of polyester to determine if this … [Read more...]

Palm Print Romper

Can we talk about the romper for second?  I was hesitant because shorts are not always my best friend but I do dig a nice jumpsuit, so it seems only natural to wear a romper, am I right? It's National Lipstick Day and I'm not wearing any.  I'm standing in front of my dentist office and I refuse to gunk up their gloves and smear them with lipstick. OH MY GOODNESS! Why did I wait so long?  Was it because I needed just the right shorts length?  Yes!  Was it the print factor?  Yes!  Did Old Navy deliver with the is adorable and so comfortable I feel like I'm wearing pajamas or next to nothing all day long romper?  YES!  A thousand times, yes! Old Navy Palm Print Romper/Rocket Dog Sandals (old- similar)/Gold Medallion (old-similar)/Emerald Stud Earrings … [Read more...]

Super Hero Summer

It's no secret that I like my super hero movies, comic books and I totally freak out over all things relating to Darth Vader.   In fact, I will totally admit that attending Comic Con is on my bucket list.  Seriously.  I just can't help myself and neither can Hollywood when it comes to creating summer flicks that surround them.  Ant Man debuted last week, a new Avengers comes out each summer and DC Comics forever competes with Marvel for box office results.  I love it.  Summer and super heroes go hand in hand. So does my favorite look from our beach vacation last week. I was all about being on a "shopping diet" but then as I was picking up last minute beach supplies at Target (it gets me every time) this Batman t-shirt landed in my cart. It is light and so super-soft I want to wear it … [Read more...]

One Quick Summer Look

I may not be completely on board with the idea of a capsule wardrobe, I do know that the first thing I would choose to start my capsule would be something with stripes. It's my go-to closet grab all year round. With the kids home for the summer and all the various running around we do each day one of my favorite looks starts with basic black and white and stripes.   Go To Errands Look by victoriamason  Choies White Stripe V-Neck/Maurices Skirt/14th & Union Piper Flat Leather Sandal/Inc Clutch/Justine Brooks Quartz & Chalcedony Pendant Grab one Old Navy pencil skirt. Add an oversized stripe top and throw on some sandals. Optional summer hat and cross-body bag in your favorite pop of color is all that is needed. Layer on accessories and you are good to go! I … [Read more...]

All About the Stripes

This week it is all about the Fourth.  Don't hate me.  I'm packing up kids for camp, getting us ready for the holiday and I cannot stop wearing different versions of the stars and stripes.  OK, mostly stripes. #cantstopwontstop. TD, aka my clone, decided to join in with her matching sunglasses and new dress. Can we talk about how she wears those sunnies and suddenly looks grown up.  It kills me. Then The Comedian joined in the with her version. Followed by Diesel photo bombing me.  This dog.  He's my love.  I haven't talked about it but we rescued all 112 bloated pounds of him two months ago and he has had quite a turn around.  I waited years for this guy and he's quickly become my running buddy and stress reliever.  Blessed for real guys, every time I look into his sweet … [Read more...]

In the Navy

Come summertime I seem to default to one simple color, navy blue.  Being 'in the navy' is so versatile.  It is a neutral that works with black, white, khaki and loves pops of colors like yellow, pink and green.  Metallics go well with it and I always feel put together in navy.  That's why I was excited to wear this navy jumpsuit I got from Mint Julep earlier this spring for a date night with H. A date night that was super fun but also not typical.  What started out as us looking at possible houses to flip and dinner and a movie ended up in torrential rains and no pictures.  I wanted to wait until dinner to take the pictures instead of doing them in some strangers yard with overgrown grass and broken siding.  Now, that's a new take on fashion back drops.  Then the rains came.  As H … [Read more...]

Put on the Damn Suit, Already

Yesterday, I took part in a different sort of blog link up.  The #MySwimsuitStyle could easily be pushed aside as yet another attempt at us telling ourselves we are beautiful no matter what so just wear the damn swimsuit already posts.  Each summer we do it, am I right? Then the summer turns to fall and guess what?  Winter is coming.  Before you know we are speeding headlong into another summer and we freak out all over again?  WHY?  Because we didn't reach some idea in our brain of what we *think* we should look like?  Because we read too many SELF magazines at the gym? Probably.  Sigh. What made the #MySwimsuitStyle challenge, created by VeryBusyMama, different was not the sponsor of Miraclesuit.  Nope.  It was that ladies from all over the world stepped out into the sun and showed … [Read more...]

Top 3 Must Haves for Summer

Every summer I have a few items that are on my top 3 must-have for summer list. In the last few years I noticed a pattern. While trends may come and go, there are a few particular items I find I am always gravitating towards. I may buy an upgrade or replenish a worn item but these three staples are my 'Top 3 Summer Must-Haves'.   Top 3 Must Haves for Summer by victoriamason featuring distressed denim shorts SHOP THE LOOK J. Crew Striped Shirt (metallic version)/ Ted Baker Distressed Denim Shorts (similar)/Butter London in Cotton Buds/Ray Ban Classic Aviators/Nars 'Dragon Girl' Lip Pencil/Maurices 'Dory' Metallic Gladiator Sandal (similar) The addition of white nail polish is new.  It's a hot trend this summer that feels really fresh. I tested it out last date night and … [Read more...]

Ripple Effect

Sometimes a girl just needs to feel pretty. That was exactly how I felt on Saturday as H and I got ready to go into the city for my birthday dinner celebration.  A gorgeous night out, strolling around the leafy sidewalks, eating delicious food and having hours of uninterrupted conversations. Something that is all too rare for us these days.  I don't know about the rest of you couples with young kids, but it totally turns my perspective around when I get that time with him.  I've already scheduled a date night for later this month.  It may not exactly be another night at Ripple, but it will be needed.   I bought this skirt from SheInside back in March and hoped I would actually be able to do more than stare at it in my closet.  When I picked the place for dinner … [Read more...]