Transitions. More transitions. I thought about doing a full-boar Summer Favorites post today, but the gray skies and chance of snow flurries caused me to rethink that.

The reality is that just like Fall, Spring is a time of constant wardrobe transitions. Especially in four-season climates. Layers, jackets, long sleeves with shorts, or short sleeves with long pants, and warm-weather touches are what keep me going until the sun really comes out in June.

This mood board reflects those tricky transitions. Mix things up with a striped trench. Why not pair your favorite summer chambray shirt with a suede midi-skirt for a little more warmth.

One week you might wear your favorite distressed shorts with a cashmere sweater, and the next week you might reach for a light linen tee shirt and pleather pants. It’s all about being comfortable in you skin and in your weather!!

Plus, each of these pieces are classic wardrobe staples. Sure to be in your closet for a long time to come.

Today is coming at me light a freight train, so I’m going to jump in get after it! I hope you all have a beautiful beginning to your week. We’re expecting a visit from some of our California cousins and we couldn’t be more excited!

Cheers to Monday!

XX, Megan

Details:

Distressed Denim Shorts, Monogram Necklace, Ruffled Shirt Dress, White Linen Tee, Striped Trench Coat, Classic Oversized Aviators, Short Sleeved Chambray Shirt, Suede Midi Skirt, Blush Studded Sandals, Leatherette Skinny Pants, Polished Carry-All

I remember the first time I laid eyes on a Saguaro Cactus. I was driving with my sister to Tucson to run her very first marathon. I called my mom to tell her that it looked like we were driving through a Coyote and Road Runner cartoon.

This easy, breezy outfit was perfect for 80 degree temps in Scottsdale. The chambray shirt is one of the softest I have owned, and it also comes in stripes! I picked up both. A perfect summer staple.

I can’t help but smile upon seeing these snaps. If you are in the market for an easy stateside getaway I recommend The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch. We had a beautiful time enjoying the sunshine, blue skies, clear desert air, and of course– the cactus!

Have a grand Thursday, friends!

XX, Megan

Shirt: Madewell, Shorts: Madewell, Shoes: J.Crew, Bag: Madewell, Hat: Gap, Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper, Watch: Pope Watch Co., Long Necklace: Madewell, M Necklace: Anthropologie, Lips: Albeit at Anthropologie

Something about this particular rig on this particular day felt so right. Just effortlessly perfect for the moment. A little bit dressed up, a little bit undone. I don’t even mind my Little Spanky hairs on days like this. (Short hair can be harder to tame than it appears.)

That is the wonderful thing about classic wardrobe pieces. You can wear them over and over in hundreds of different combinations that suit your mood, the weather, the requirements of the day.

I did a fun little exercise with the White Shirt last year, for those of you who remember. Here, here, here, here, and here. The important thing is that, while each of these posts featured a different white shirt, I really could have chosen ONE white shirt to use for all of these outfit options.

I’m back at home, and getting back into the saddle this week after the perfect escape to the desert. More pictures of my trip, including the white I wore, to come. What were your weekend adventures?

XX, Megan

Shirt: Madewell (similar), Skirt: Lucky Brand, Bag: Old Navy, Shoes: J.Crew (similar), Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper, Necklace: J.Crew (similar), Lips: Stila Beso

 

Image via Gray Malin, shop his prints here.

Coming to you from the Arizona dessert, I am excited share some of my favorite swim suit and beach towel picks with all you wonderful Refined + Rugged readers!

Not only that, but how fun, whimsical, and fancy free are these shots by photographer Gray Malin? Malin is probably most famous for his aerial shots of beach-goers around the world. Like this scene from Bondi Beach, Australia, below. (Available for order here.)Image via Gray Malin

Swim, swam, swum. Let’s talk irregular verbs, shall we? Many people will insist that there is no such word as swum, but they are not correct.

Swim, swam, swum, similar to shrink, shrank, shrunk; begin, began, begun; drink, drank, drunk; sink, sank, sunk; and a joins handful of other irregular verbs. So grab your swim suit and run to the beach where your Grandmother has swum in since she was seven.

White Halter Top, Graphic Black and White, Polka Dot One-Piece, Maillot, Floral Wetsuit, Black Strapless, Colorful Stripe Two-Piece, Mesh Black Bikini, Red White and Blue Striped Bikini

Image via Gray Malin

Seashell Circle Towel, Turkish Towel, Sun Rays, Paisley Paradise, Pendelton Bright River Jacquard, Aztec Round Turkish Towel, Oceanic Circle Towel, Mara Hoffman x Pendelton

If you need some beach towel reading here is an interesting L.A. Times article about Gray Malin. I’m reading a touching true story by Dianne Rehm, On My Own, about her husbands decision to end his life after battling Parkinson’s.

What are you reading lately? Any recommendations? I am ALWAYS looking for good books, new or old! I hope you all have a fantastic weekend.

XX, MeganImage via Gray Malin

Did any of you ever watch the show Ugly Betty when it aired on ABC? Well, either way, I didn’t. But when I put this outfit on it all I could think about was America Ferrera in her nerdy glasses and button up shirts.

Catching the school girl vibe is fun, even for a mama of two. Especially if it leans more Ugly Betty and away from Brittany. I really do wear glasses, btw. I’ve had friends who see me in a pair of true spectacles for the first time ask if they are real or “for fashion”.

I’m not above trying a trend like glasses even if I don’t need them, but in this case I’m not faking near sightedness for fashion. So many classic elements here in my book. The polka dots, the pearl earrings, the pop of red. You just can’t go wrong with red!

TGIT to you all!! Thank you for stopping by and reading, commenting, following, supporting, and your overall positivity here on Refined + Rugged.

XX, Megan

Shirt: Gap (similar, similar, love this), Skirt: Banana Republic, Shoes: J.Crew (also love these), Bag: J.Crew (similar, splurge, save), Earrings: Vintage, Glasses: Retrosuperfuture, Lips: Stila Beso