Backyard


Since I've been so bored at home lately, I've been needing to remind myself why I love being here. My family and friends are, of course, the biggest factor, but it's the small things that I find come to mind. Palm trees wherever I look, Ruby's milkshakes in the middle of the week, Target runs with my mom on Sundays, letting my dog into the house when it's hot outside. And then there's living in the house I grew up in again. If you haven't been able to tell, most of my pictures lately have been taken in my backyard. Sure, it's partly because I'm not brave enough to take pictures on my own in public yet, but it's also because I just genuinely love it. Forget the countless birthday parties that have been thrown here or the family talks on warm summer nights that have taken place, it's really just a wonderful space. I actually had completely forgotten about my name in the cement (pictured below) that I wrote when I was 10 until I took these photos. This entire house has been producing moments like that for me lately.

You might also notice the new dress and shoes pictured. The dress was my other purchase at Buffalo Exchange last week and, even though it's slightly small in the bust, I love short sleeved dresses like this for summer. The shoes actually aren't new at all. I've accumulated a giant pile of clothes and shoes to get rid of over the past few years that hasn't shrunk as much as it should, and every time I come home, I sift through it to see if I've changed my mind about anything. These shoes were at the bottom of the pile, and I've decided that they're of much better use being worn. They're pretty old and I don't even remember where they're from, but that just makes them even better if you ask me.








I wore this dress last weekend to babysit my now 3-year-old nephew, Jackson. I have a niece and nephew back in Illinois as well (with another niece on the way!), so it's nice to have some adorable family members in my life wherever I am. 

Dress: Buffalo Exchange
Shoes: I think a random mall store years ago?
Necklace: Francesca's Collections (gift)
Belt: Thrifted

27 comments

  1. You look adorable! Also, that is your backyard? So jealous! It is GORGEOUS. Look at all the fauna and greenery!

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  2. such a cute cute dress! you look so adorable! I'd like to have nieces and nephews but i think that won't happen until i'm older cos im the first child of the family, and the oldest of my cousins haha, anyway you look really adorable!

    xo, Carla
    misscarlaviolet.blogspot.com

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  3. Girl, I feel you about the moving home thing. This is my first summer not going home (for even a little bit! just a weekend on the fourth of july!) and it feels...weird. I still stay in touch with my family, but I get these random miss-them feelings - like I'll walk out of my internship and almost call my mom to have her pick me up. hah, how weird! enjoy your time home, there's nothing like hanging out in the house you grew up in. :]

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  4. You look cute, I love your dress! I love that your name is still there in the concrete, what a sweet memory xx

    www.jessthetics.wordpress.com

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  5. I want to move out so badly, but the same things you're enjoying being back at home are what holds me here. There are so many memories, and it just feels so much like home here. I have never had that same level of comfort anywhere else.
    I absolutely love this dress, the cute sheer panel on the back is wonderful. Im a sucker for back details!!
    xJennaD

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  6. Elana your dress is so cute! love the sandals you paired it with! you look so adorable

    Delightful Ideas

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  7. First of all, thank you so much for your sweet comment Elana it made my morning! You should totally find a crosswalk near you and do a similar shoot!
    Secondly, I love the print of this new to you dress and the sheer parts make it so cool! I wish I had such an amazing back yard to take pictures in! Another great part of living at home is your probably get to save a bit of money that youd have to be spending on rent. Sometimes I wish I could move home for a month or two just to save a bit! Happy Friday to you!
    xo Hannah

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  8. "home is where your heart is" right? Sounds like a lovely place.
    You look adorable in your new dress.

    xo Kelli
    kellimurray.com

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  9. lovely :) love the necklace and your new dress looks lovely <3 thank you for the comment you left on my blog <3 x

    iampolkadots.blogspot.co.uk

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  10. This is so cute! I love this dress so much :)

    thelostheritage.blogspot.com

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  11. I was just at Buffalo Exchange yesterday for my first time in awhile and I totally saw this dress! It's so cute, but I had to limit myself to only sleeveless for the PHX summer that is upon us ;) I'm glad you're enjoying your time at home- that back yard looks amazing, it's no wonder you love it so much!

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  12. I love a good shirt dress and this one is so lovely on you! I'm slightly obsessed with the all-black back. And I always love going home and sifting through old clothes that I can incorporate into my closet all over again.

    When ever I go home I have the same dilemma with being bored but then loving the fact that you're HOME. There really is no place like it and I can't wait to make another visit soon (especially for those Target trips - those are the best).

    Have an amazing Memorial Day weekend! :)

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  13. Lookin' like a lady, Chief! I'll probably get in trouble for saying the l-word. I just wanted to let you know that this outfit is amazing; the necklace is perfect; I love the color of your toes (in the most awkwardly-phrased way possible). Today is a good day to use semicolons. Let's add Buffalo Exchange to the list of things we need to do when I visit. Also, it was nice to one-sided video chat with you. Miss you!
    &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

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  14. Nothing like being back home, huh? I like your patio Elana, such a nice place and it holds such sweet memories it sounds like :)
    Love your new short sleeved dress!

    Trendy Teal

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  15. So, do you live in San Diego? I ask because you mentioned Buffalo Exchange :)

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  16. Thanks for leaving such a darling comment on my blog!
    You are so gorgeous and your dress so absolutely stunning! Love the pattern!
    I would love to live where you are at some point in my life - palm trees everywhere, what's not to love?

    Have the best weekend ever,
    -Kati

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  17. Those old shoes are beyond cute! I've been packing all my shoes and I didn't even realize I still owned a few pairs :). Anyway, I love the print of this dress and I think it looks so cute on you. I've been getting a little more courage taking pictures in other places but it's more about being lazy than scared these days. We should just take each others pictures when we meet up!

    xo

    Ashley

    Southern (California) Belle

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  18. That dress is such a great look and fit on you. Very wonderful and you are so lovely in it. Cute purple toes too :)

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  19. this is an pretty outfit on you it must be nice to be back at home I hope you're having a great time with the family!
    xo Ilana @ My Modern Vintage

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  20. you're so cute ;) and I did not remember the back of this dress!!!! I LOVE IT!!!! and this necklace is the perfect color. and that's so sweet you have your name written in the cement! I wish I had a house that held all my memories hehe.

    xoxoxo

    p.s. let me know when you're free and let's go shopping. or..no. LACMA!!!!!!!!!

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  21. That's a very, very pretty dress! You look very nice in it! :)

    If you want you can participate in a giveaway on my blog! :)
    OASAP INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY

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  22. Your dress and necklace are so adorable, and so are you! It must be nice to be back at home - I'm currently anticipating my very brief visit back home in June, so it sounds particularly nice right now. Your backyard is definitely a lovely looking space.

    xo
    Sue

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  23. Aw this dress is super cute! I love the detailing in the back. I really like your necklace too. It's such a cool color!

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  24. SUCH a cute print. Lucky find!
    <3 katherine / of corgis & cocktails

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  25. Ah, home. My name is carved onto one of our kitchen cabinets! I remember being so scared after I did that because my siblings tormented me that my parents would be pissed, but I don't think I ever actually got in trouble for it. Guess I've always been charming ;) finding old stuff at home that you can still wear is the BEST! I do that every time I'm home. Treasures!

    perfectly priya

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