Take me back! I was not kidding about this past week of hard WORK! We have been going great guns on our fence and yard. I’ve been doing prep work throughout the day, and when my husband gets off of work we’ve hit the ground running. Some late night work sessions have lasted past 11 p.m. because we’ve also been trying to work around on and off thunderstorms!

But these outfit scenes didn’t have much work involved. In fact, sometimes the most effort my friend Mel and I had to bend to our day was deciding where we would brunch before hitting the pool deck for sunshine and pure relaxation! Rough life, I tell you. Rough.

This white shift was the perfect little number to beat the heat and doubled easily as a cover-up. When we planned our little getaway, we didn’t realize that we had scheduled ourselves to be gone over Mother’s Day. When I brought this up to my husband he laughed and said amiably, “Oh, well! I guess you won’t have to struggle to sleep in and have a crappy breakfast in bed. Don’t you think Palm Springs sounds better?” Sweet man.

While I did miss my boys from the biggest to the littlest while we were gone, the trip was SUCH a glorious break. Perfect, perfect destination for a Girls Weekend. We stayed at the La Quinta Resort and Spa, which was actually located in La Quinta, California. I would recommend the resort to ANYONE.

Beautiful, low-key, luxurious, dog friendly, and a place where we eventually determined you truly could take your kids for an escape as well! At least we both agreed our kids could just spend the entire vacation in the POOL! Thank you to my best friend for these photos and for the most AMAZING girls getaway!

While your Tuesday may not include palm trees, I hope it does involve smiles, sunshine, and a delicious brunch!

XX, Megan

Dress: J.Crew Factory (similar, also fun, similar), Sunglasses: Karen Walker ‘Super Duper’, Bag: Kate Spade (similar, save), Sandals: J.Crew (25% off!), Bracelet: Banana Republic, Swimsuit: Top and Bottom

Hello, Friends! My last outfit featuring this skirt– that’s not to say that I won’t remix it again and again, and even post it on the blog, but for now– coming to you today.

This mix is a little of BOTH previous outfits– a little bit casual, a little bit dressy. The get-up is a more eclectic combination of the pleated leather midi. I added the heels simply because the pop of blue against the black really got me going.

I can imagine this skirt in so many other ways. Come fall with a soft cashmere sweater tucked in and a statement necklace. For a little more contrast, juxtaposed with a collared striped shirt. Or just as I first saw it, with a gorgeous polka dot top.

I cannot believe it is Thursday already! This week has flown. How about you? Hanging in there? Had a great one? I hope your Thursday brings you lightness and uplift!

XX, Megan

Skirt: Banana Republic (on sale now! similar, similar, splurge), Shirt: J.Crew, Vest: J.Crew, Sunglasses: Karen Walker ‘Super Duper’, Cuff: Vintage, Rings: Vintage

This chic date-night outfit is one you can try for yourself with any wardrobe. All black, plus a nude heel. It’s as simple as that. Of course I am loving the added edge of the faux leather skirt, the more casual vibe of the black knit top, and the extra details of this particular nude heel.

Sometimes it’s just worth it to get dressed up for your partner with nowhere to go other than a refined dinner at your favorite spot. I wore a variation of this outfit a few weeks ago to hit up our favorite Italian restaurant. We don’t always head for the comfort food but on this particular gray evening it was a treat to settle into the calm with some gourmet fare.

Rain fell quietly outside while I enjoyed a braised mushroom parmesan risotto, and the hubby feasted on pan seared branzino. If you’re ever in the area, check out Grappa, Park City. We’ve never been disappointed.

Wherever you end up on your next date night, I’d love to hear how it turns out!

XX, Megan

Skirt: Banana Republic (on sale now! similar, similar, splurge), Sweater: Gap (similar on sale!), Shoes: Joe’s Jeans (here, too), Bag: Old Navy, Sunglasses: Karen Walker ‘Super Duper’, Watch: Invicta

So begins three days of outfit posts surrounding this SKIRT! It was love at first sight for this skirt and I. Then I looked and waited and looked and waited until it went on sufficient sale and BAM! Had to click for it! It is on sale now, and it looks as though it is still available in most sizes.

Over the next three days you’ll see how versatile it is. Pleather and pleats, who knew you could make these a wardrobe staple?! The style spark for this skirt came from one of my all-time favorite bloggers, Sarah Yates Mora, from A House In Hills.

I love this lady’s everything! Her wardrobe style is impeccable. Her interior decor taste and inspiration are off the charts. Her photos and travel journals are absolutely stunning. (Helps that she is an incredible photographer and is married to a professional photographer as well!)

Through it all she maintains a very accessible, very REAL, very authentic voice, and I cannot tell you how much I admire that on the inter webs. Check out A House in the Hills, here. You can see she and her partner Lou Mora’s new pad in San Diego and some of her delicious recipe posts. Le sigh, I love it! Just look at the outfit she cooked up with a skirt similar to mine.

PERFECTION, right? This was my first encounter with this pleated goodness. More recently, Sarah styled her skirt up like THIS. Ever fashionable, always original, perpetually gorgeous! The casual outfit I’m featuring is perfect for any day of the week if you’re a stay-at-home-parent, or weekend rockstar garb if you work in the corporate realm.

You may laugh, but the one thing I was concerned about with the skirt is that it would be sort of rustle and squeak because it is pleather. False. It doesn’t squeak or squeal. Walk on. I love the midi length, as well. Tomorrow’s outfit is a dressier date-night styling of this same skirt, so thank you for dropping by today.

I hope you’ll come back tomorrow! I’d love to hear your thoughts: Do you have an aversion to pleather? Do you shun midi-length? Do you feel too dressy in a skirt for weekend cas?

Have a fantastic Tuesday!

XX, Megan

Skirt: Banana Republic (on sale now! similar, similar, splurge), Shirt: J.Crew, Shoes: Converse, Clutch: Old Navy, Sunglasses: Ray-Ban, Earrings: Madewell

I am really relishing the gorgeous backdrop for these outfit photos! We went out just a few days ago on a beautiful, bright morning to take these shots and I LOVE the way they turned out.

The green of the grass, the deep azure of the sky, in contrast to the rich white stand of the aspen. WOW! It’s easy for me to start to view neutrals as only whites, grays, and browns. But green and ochre are great options too! Had to add a little extra with the neon belt, and wish I were carrying around this adorable little cross-body bag to accent this outfit as well.

Also a little His and Hers action on the shoes below. I’m really lucky to have such a talented partner who will get up early in the morning to take photos and do such an AWESOME job. THANK YOU, Honey!

What are some of your favorite neutrals? Any color pop you like to accent with to up the game? The week is winding down, and I certainly hope you have lovely plans for your week end. If you haven’t checked out the Grilled Curry Lime Pork Tenderloin recipe I posted yesterday.

Tomorrow we have a little Science Friday fun with geodes. Thanks for stopping by! Check back by tomorrow to see the glorious delights of geology!

Have a great day!

XX, Megan

Shirt: J.Crew, Shorts: Gap, Shoes: J.Crew (similar, similar, similar), Belt: Target (similar), Sunglasses: Ray-Ban (also here, and bright pink option), Earrings: J.Crew Factory on sale!