Leather Jacket on the Trail

I'm so excited to share these photos that my friend Hanna and I took over the weekend! I've known Hanna since high school, but despite the fact that we always had a ton of mutual friends and got along well, we never really hung out for some reason. Fortunately, she and Jon are good friends, so when she moved back to Orange County last year, we were able to "reconnect." As luck would have it, Hanna happens to be an amazing photographer, and we finally got around to taking photos together on Saturday. She took me out of my homebody comfort zone and into some trails in my old hometown, where we had a blast. It's always so wonderful to have someone helping me with photos who actually enjoys it as much as I do, and I can't wait to do this regularly. If you're in Southern California, I highly recommend checking out Hanna's website and working with her!

Also exciting? This skirt from Lands' End, which I can't get enough of. I honestly didn't think I'd like the items Lands' End sent me as much as I did since their audience tends to skew a little bit older, but I'm in love. I've been stocking up on midi skirts for summer, and I've already worn this one twice. I wore this outfit with a gray cardigan for a client meeting with a high-end clothing brand, and it felt perfectly professional and stylish. I also decided to go to my favorite thrift store on a whim before taking these photos, and this jacket was the first thing I spotted. It happened to be half-off (for $5!) and in my size. Thrifting never lets me down.

Tan Dress + Old Navy Lavender Sandals

I definitely forgot to take photos this weekend, so this outfit is the result of me forcing Jon to get out of bed and walk outside in his pajamas to help me take this set before I left for work this morning. I know, I know. I'm terrible. I would have been okay without any posts this week, but I like my routine. Even as blog readership dies out, it's still my favorite hobby and I feel lost without it. Fortunately, I not only have a very supportive boyfriend, I also have a live-in photographer now. He knew what he was getting himself into when he agreed to live with me. 

I picked up this dress at a thrift store recently, and even though the color possibly washes me out, it's so comfy and lovely that I don't mind. The faux lace collar was hard to resist, but then again, all fit and flare dresses are hard to resist. The Old Navy sandals have become my go-to pair of shoes lately. While I'm bummed that I won't get much of a chance to dress for fall, I'm okay with making these shoes last all year round. I'm also happy to get any chance to throw some pins on a jacket, and this time I pulled out the one I got from the Wilco concert I attended a couple of weeks ago and this donut pin from Honey and the Hive. 

Let's Chat With: Luella + A Giveaway

I'm so excited to introduce you to another one of my favorite makers! Meet Caroline Kolbe, owner and creator of Luella. I first found Luella on Instagram when I started getting excited about all of the adorable pins I was seeing. One look at Luella's account, and I knew I needed to follow. Caroline uses her skill in graphic design and printmaking to create the cutest selection of joyful pins and T-shirts. Not only is Caroline a complete boss, her pieces are a celebration of all types of women and are guarantee to make you happy. Read our Q+A to learn more about Caroline and Luella and check the bottom of the post for your chance to win some pieces of your own!

How and when did Luella start?

Luella started over a year and a half ago as a vintage shop (which is how I came up with the name - originally Luella Vintage). I really love vintage clothes and decided to make that my part time thing for a while. I was taking a printmaking class at the time, so I started selling shirts and patches that I handprinted as well. My degree in graphic design lead me to designing enamel pins. At the end of last year I started to design enamel pins and released my first one in January! From there I designed more pins and started designing shirts too.

How do you come up with the ideas for your pins and T-shirts?

Everything I design for my shop are things that I would want to buy, but haven’t seen yet. I am an introvert who loves Dolly Parton, vintage, unicorns, summertime, and other cute things. My shop is very me and luckily other people relate/like it as well! I like that my shop has a positive/happy vibe and hopefully my products make people smile!

Like many others I'm sure, I first came across your store on Instagram. How would you say the Instagram community and social media have influenced your business?

I love how social media has connected me with so many other amazing makers and designers, as well as my customers! Nothing makes me happier than seeing a customer photo. Instagram has also really helped a lot in growing my business. It’s such a great platform for creative types!

What are you favorite pieces in your store currently?

Can I say everything?! Honestly, I love everything in my shop. I'm obsessed with everything from my summer release - “Dolly Parton Vibes” and “Health Goth” tees and my pina colada pineapple, flamingo, and watermelon pins! I will always love my introvert girl gang shirt and introvert pin the most though. I feel like introverts get a bad rap sometimes, so I like to spread introvert self-love as much as possible!

How would you describe the Luella customer?

Whimsical dreamer with a little vintage flair. Pops champagne on special occasions. Is an introvert who isn’t afraid to stand out a little. Probably a fan of pink and maybe even glitter. Overall awesome girlboss, who isn’t afraid to take charge!

Do you have any exciting plans or items coming up that people can look forward to?

I just released my summer collection, so nothing new for a little while. I am traveling a lot this summer, so it’ll be nice to take a break from working on new products. I will release a new collection in the fall though. I have also been working on building my brand a lot over the past few months and I’m finally doing wholesale orders, so expect to see my stuff all over the world very soon!

Luella Website | Instagram | Facebook

Caroline is being kind enough to offer you the chance to win Luella items of your own! Enter below for your chance to win one pin and one T-shirt of your choice! This giveaway is open until midnight on 06/27 and is open to US residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mint Cardigan + Polka Dot Dress

Okay, so maybe this isn't your standard outfit to wear on a boat ride around the lake. However, when your parents live on a lake, it's not really a special occurrence. My brother, his girlfriend, and I headed out there for a visit on Sunday afternoon, which concluded a relaxed weekend. I've still been feeling uninspired with my closet lately, but this polka dot dress is an easy favorite that never fails. Some cute pins were an easy way accessorize it a little differently than I normally do, and I was happy to finally break in these BAIT flats that I got a little while ago. I had been looking for a new pair of black t-straps to replace my pair that were falling apart, and this pair was just perfect. I'm a sucker for a good t-strap.

While everything with work has been going great, I did just have to shell out $400 for my car. I walked outside last Wednesday only to find that someone had broken my rear window. It looks like it could have been done with a BB gun, but however it happened, no note was left. Isn't that fun? I love people.