Friday Favorites: Favorite Spots To Find Activewear for the Whole Family

Active Wear, Active Wear! Did you see that YouTUBE video that came out 3 years ago poking fun at the rise in, well, active wear? In case you haven't, I've linked the video at the end of this post. You'll also find references throughout - I can't help myself!  Anyway, with a house full of boys who love active wear, I've found my favorites stores over the years to help the budget.  

Long Cardigan, Kicks & Cupcake Adventures

It's a gorgeous evening. One of the few left to enjoy before fall is fully upon us with early sunsets. I take in my surroundings and feel blessed to be alive. Before I know it I'm lost in my thoughts; one of my favorite places to be - I'm a dreamer after all. A dreamer that anticipates the next thing, while savoring the quiet moment. Is it possible to do both? To be content, while waiting with expectation for the the unexpected? I believe it is.  At least I believe it is when you know your life is already planned out. Or better explained, there is a master plan unfolding each day that I get to join up with. Somedays I listen. My prayer is to add more days that I listen and less days when I'm distracted by the unnecessary.

The September Issue: Ten Fall Wedding Looks

Hello! Once again I'm thrilled to be collaborating with, Ada from Elegance and Mommyhood, and several other bloggers to bring you another edition of the September Issue: What to Wear to A Fall Wedding. If you missed the first issue on styling white dresses after Labor Day, just click here!

I must admit that I ended up going in a completely different direction that I originally intended.  However, I'm a little giddy over the results. You know I dig these adidas shoes. We're like peas and carrots. Mash potatoes and butter. Sweet potato and cinnamon. Collagen powder and coffee. What? I thought I'd make a few up of my own.  ;)

Honestly, I woke up one morning with thoughts of my adidas sneaks styled with this dress rolling around my brain. How's that for getting the day started? Sheesh. Just the same, early morning ideas are usually my best, so without testing the theory out, I packed up this outfit and met my sweet friend Rachel for some pictures later that evening.

Now I know some folks may be cringing at the thought of showing up to a friend's wedding in fashion sneakers. I get it! I would say, know your bride. Rachael is getting married in March and said she would welcome me in this garb. So Rachael my dear, you may see this outfit again. ;)

And if you're still cringing grab those heels and you're ready to go! Just remember to pack the sneaks for the dance floor. You know you're going to chuck those heels off before long. 

Can you tell that I love the pockets on this dress?? That's how I walked around the town for the entire evening. Before we knew it, twilight was upon us (where's Edward?? - bad joke I know.) and we had little time left for picture taking fun. I'm just glad we found this fun spot on the square in Duluth!

As far as the leather jacket goes, in the south we never know if it's going to be a hot one or if our teeth will be chattering and our backs clenched in protest from a sneaky night chill.

Outfit Breakdown: Jacket: Michael Kors (Macy's Option 1, Nancy's Fashion Style)/Striped Dress: White House Black Market (Fun Option, Similar With Pockets!) /Adidas (Rack Room shoes)/Layered : Clutch: Aveda Gift/Necklaces: Premier Designs Jewelry: (Dressed to Thrill Long Chain, Daring Choker and 2nd Layer)
Linking up with Michelle's Paige, Not Dressed As Lamb, Spread the Kindness,Nanc's Fashion Style, A Pocketful of PolkadotsP, Fashion Should be Fun, Classy Yet Trendy, High Latitude Style

Confession: Glam is a struggle for me. Instead of looking like a princess when I'm all dressed up, I feel more self-conscious. Any one else? For me the extra makeup accentuates that which I'd rather mask, so other than eye fun, I stay as natural as possible. Permit me to restate: know your bride and know your venue. That makes all the difference. And be sure to check out the other 9 bloggers and their fabulous wedding outfits!

 Ada from Elegance and Mommyhood blogs from Metropolitan Detroit, Michigan, USA (originally from Albania, Europe).

Shelbee from Shelbee on the Edge blogs from Watertown, New York, USA.

Roxanne from Glass of Glam blogs from Washington, DC, USA.

Stephanie from Glamorous and Geeky blogs from Florida, USA.

Jennie from A Pocketful of Polka Dots blogs from South Carolina, USA.

Kristin from Countdown to Friday blogs from Germany, Europe (originally from The States).

Michelle from Michelle's Pa(i)ge blogs from Long Island, New York, USA.

Chrissy from Granola and Grace blogs from Georgia, USA.

Cristina from Memories of the Pacific blogs from Spain, Europe.

Laura from I Do deClaire blogs from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

Quick Story From Our Night in Duluth

Well my friends, I close with thoughts of sweet Rachael and our final moments of this incredibly fun adventure. These moments take us back to the food truck. It was getting late and all the food trucks were getting ready to pack up. After walking through our options once more, we decide on what appears to be legit mediterranean. One whiff of the aroma and it's confirmed...

"Two gyros please."

"We are out of the fries that go with that. You can have Lays potato chips instead." (Oh boy.)

"Well. Ok."

While waiting on our food we occupied ourselves by snapping a few pictures together.  It wasn't long before the Peace of Pita owner offered to take our picture for us. How nice!

My name is called. We walk up and grab our paper trays. Boy, those tantalizing gyros look good and my mouth begins to water.  But those Lays potato chips just don't seem right.

Downcast and disappointed we exchange looks.

"Want me to ask if they will substitute a small side of the hummus instead of these chips??"

I approach the window.

Um. Excuse me, but would it be possible to exchange this bag of Lays for a small side of your homemade hummus?

Awkward pause.

He checks with the manager. The very same manager who snapped our picture.

Bam! It was delicious. Thank you Peace of Pita. We eat our food and catch up on life. I add this picture to my story and it isn't long before Rachel notices that we are on their IG page.

I hope you enjoyed this post and wedding edition of the September Issue. :)

Much love,

Chrissy

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Pumped Up Kicks & Two Dresses

Hello my reader friends! What a joy it is for me to share life and style with you here on the blog, and of course see yours as well. Today I'm featuring a mix of athleisure and edgy, which are a couple of my favorites.

Dress 1: Camo Fun

This t-shirt dress is soft and it has pockets. I mean, really. Camo? Soft Fabric? Pockets? Roomy? What else do I need and can I complain about anything while wearing it? Ok, I will say that without my cutoff leggings underneath (I cut off a pair of black leggings for the perfect bicycle short fit!), I would feel vulnerable to breezes, sitting and entering or exiting a vehicle. That being said, I put those leggings on and went about my day, knowing that my underwear was safely hidden from the public; as it should be. ;)

As far as these Adidas kicks go, they are now my favorite casual sneaker.  I can't stop envisioning all the outfits I can wear them with! This morning I woke up and thought about a black and white stripe dress that it would be fun to sport them with. What is wrong with me??? I picked up these shoes, along with the wedges I recently featured at Rack Room Shoes. Their BOGO half off sale is going on, which I couldn't resist knowing that a gift card was waiting to be used in my wallet.

It goes without saying that these sneakers are comfortable and I love the leather look of them.

My mood was adventurous and I kept grabbing for more accessories to layer with this outfit.

Choker. Ouu, I like that. Let's see, how about some hematite thrown in? Oh yeah. Wait, I think I can add in a longer pop of silver. Finito!

The bracelet and the necklaces are apart of my new collection, so I couldn't wait to sport them. I love the mixed, hammered medals with a touch of femininity in the the sparkly stones. Yes I called them sparkly stones. It's also nice to have a thicker wrap that draws the attention to the smallest part of my body, like an arm party, without the work of an arm party!

Outfit Breakdown:

Camo Dress: Entourage/Pumped Up Kicks: Rack Room Shoes/Jewelry: Premier Designs

Dress 2: Chambray Classic

Here's the other dress I styled these shoes with...

I love this classic chambray dress, which has been featured on the blog with a dressier look (check that out here).  This style came together quickly and easily, for an errands kind of day. There had been no time to wash and style my hair, so the cap was a no brainer!

Outfit Breakdown:

Chambray Dress: Target/White Jacket: Hand-Me-Down/Kicks: Rack Room Shoes/Hat: OLD/Trusty Backpack Purse: Clarks USA/Jewelry: Premier Designs
Linking up with Living On Cloud Nine, Kindess Link up, High Latitude Style, Elegance and Mommyhood, Weekend Wear Link Up, Shelbee On The Edge, Fancy Friday, Fabulous Friday Link Up, Fashion Should be Fun

Ok, if you made it this far, I will close with a little bit of silly cuteness. The cuteness is from my boys of course. ;)

We survived our first week of homeschool so I thought we should celebrate with iced coffee for mom and cupcakes for the boys!

Yes! We still go to splat! My year of free cupcakes isn't over yet!

Have a wonderful day!!

Chrissy