Beach Days are the Best Days

Coverup: c/o Cabana Life || Apple Watch || Black Halter Bikini Top: Target (last year, love this option) || Sandals: Jack Rogers Georgica Jelly

No matter what worries you may have on your brain, a day at the beach just takes them all away! I'm sure it's because I grew up by the waves and sand, but that soothing ocean roar just relaxes me to my core. It's like taking a deep breathe and exhaling all those worries right out!

The Florida sun is powerful this time of year too- I mean watch out gentle skin a sunburn is coming! ha. But seriously, us ladies have to protect ourselves from those powerful rays (and potential long-term damage like wrinkles & melanoma) so I love packing this festive Cabana life cover-up in my beach bag! Y'all know how much I love this company- not only are their pieces cute & on-trend, but they all have 50 SPF protection built in. I mean are my little tassel details not adorable?

Where do you go when you're clearing your brain? What's your special spot?

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Stand Up to Cancer with Cabana Life

Rashguard: c/o Cabana Life || Bathing Suit: Target || Sunglasses: Target || Croakies: Simply Southern

Do y'all know what day it is?! (Besides Wednesday of course!) IT'S THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER! There's just no way around it... this Florida girl is thrilled that my favorite season is here! Give me all of the long days, longer nights, summer parties, picnics, warm weather & ocean breezes... I'm pumped!

It's also why I felt like today was the perfect day to share some snaps from my sister weekend with you and our fun day at Madiera Beach! See, here's the thing, this girl can be really bad about not taking advantage of the fact that the beach is right down the street from me, and was in desperate need of a tan, so we packed up and decided that relaxing by the water was the only thing on our agenda! And boy did it feel good to do just that :)

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Toes in the Sand with Southern Frock

Dress: Southern Frock || Sandals: Palm Beach Sandals || Apple Watch || Sunglasses: Target || Monogram Necklace: Moon and Lola

Hey y'all! Happy hump day! Today's post keeps transporting me back to the beach and I'm dreaming of getting my toes back in that sand asap! 

When thinking about what to wear to a sunny (and hot!) beach, the words "light & breezy" come to mind! and friends, this dress takes the cake! Southern Frock is a brand that I have loved for awhile (check out this post and this one from the archives!) so I was super excited to get this new dress for Christmas this past year. Sadly, it ran HUGE (warning!!) and it took my tailor almost 2 months to alter it down to my size. BUT, I'm so thrilled with how the dress turned out that I can't be sad at all- I'm too excited to be twirling in it! ha. 

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Taking Time to Just Soak Up the Sun

Top: Cat & Jack // Shorts: Old Navy // Sandals: c/o Oka-B // Tote Bag: Barrington Gifts // Sunglasses: Target // Apple Watch

Hey Friends! I'm so sorry that I didn't have today's post live on Monday. This past weekend was wonderful (like so, so good!) but sleep definitely wasn't a priority so by Sunday night I was exhausted from going, going, going and I feel asleep so early! Sometimes you just need to check out of "life" and go have fun, you know?! 

Lately I've been feeling seriously overwhelmed & I need to take this time to enjoy the sunshine, good friends and memory-making. Between work (lots of early mornings and late nights), co-chairing the new member class of the Junior League, and keeping up with the blog, (not to mention my social life & travel!) there just haven't been enough hours in the day! I'm definitely not complaining, as I've mentioned I thrive on being busy, but even I can see that I've been busier than usual and it's starting to take a toll on my energy level. Can any of y'all feel me?? 

Any who... I didn't mean to dive so deep today, but sometimes I think it's nice for y'all to know that there's a very "real" person behind all these sunshine-filled pictures! I'm so thankful for this busy, wonderful life I live but it's certainly not perfect! If you have any great tips on balance (or getting more hours in your day) let me know :) ha.

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I Like Big Bows...

Dress: c/o Make Me Chic || Wedges: c/o Oka-B (get 20% off with code "OKABGIRL16") || Apple Watch || Bangle: Bourbon and Bowties

There is absolutely nothing this Florida girl loves more than a sunshine-filled day at the beach! This weekend my Aunt/photographer and I got together to shoot some new content for this little blog & I told her we just HAD to meet near the water- I needed some Vitamin Sea! Luckily, I had the perfect dress for an excursion down to the beach- this precious striped bow dress! I love the loose, oversized fit- it allowed me to stay cool even in the sweltering heat. And I mean, who doesn't love the sweet bow-tie detail on the back... swoon! When I got these new Oka-B Sullivan wedges in the mail I knew they would make the perfect pairing! #BowonBowsonBows In my world, too much is never enough! ;) 

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Beach Hair, Don't Care

Dress: Blue Door Boutique "Charmer Lace Up" Dress (also love this and this) // Hat: Seaside Boutique (love this and this) // Apple Watch (not waterproof- so don't dunk it in the ocean!)

Normally the Monday blues don't hit me very hard (I usually wake up ready to take the bull by the horns) but this weekend was to relaxing and refreshing that I'm just wishing I had more time to savor that loveliness! I was able to have a fun girl's night with some sweet friends I hadn't seen in awhile,  take a high-intensity Zumba class, head to my new church (which I love SO much!) and got a surprise lunch date with my family. So much goodness packed into 2 days, and plenty of time to rest  as well (#muchneeded). But alas, here we are starting a new week- let the fun begin!

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Insta Roundup + Life Lately

It's been awhile since I've done an Instagram roundup, so I thought it would be fun to do it again! These are either looks I've shared on Instagram, or they haven't made it to social media yet :) Plus I'm sharing some "life updates" too. If you have any questions let me know! (And you can always follow along with the fun @girlmeetsbow) Enjoy!

Tank: Tracy Negoshian (super similar) // Skirt: J. Crew // Sandals: Sole Society (option here) // Mug: Kate Spade // Bangles: Bourbon & Bowties // Fitbit Charge HR

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Anchors on the Beach

So how did everyone make out at the Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale yesterday? I lucked out by only being 2,000 in line (which by all accounts is pretty fab!) and only missed two items on my wish list (that were sold out everywhere) so I am one happy gal! What did you pick up? Any crazy stories?! If you haven't shopped the sale yet, you're in luck because it goes runs until midnight tonight! #GetYourShoppingOn :)

Now on to today's look… I love dressing for my surroundings, so it was a no-brainer to pull out my nautical maxi for a day at the beach! This dress is one of my favorites in my closet because it never fails to make me feel beautiful (and that is how your clothes should always make you feel)!

Also, I wanted to let you know that I'm going to try and start replying to comments through email rather than on the blog so that you get notifications/emails and I can answer questions more in depth! So, make sure when you comment you are not set up as a "no-reply" blogger so that you can get my response :) Let me know if you have a preference as to how comments are replied to (on the blog or through email)- I'm all ears :)

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Boating Blues

So who watched "After Paradise" last night?! What do we all think about this random after show?? I'm guessing there is going to be a WHOLE new level of drama this season if we have to have a weekly talk show to digest it… and that's just fine with me ;) 

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Loft Medallion Romper

I think you can tell from the pictures, but I had so much fun shooting this outfit! The beach is totally my happy place (and wearing a romper on the beach is double the fun)! And how can one not smile huge when wearing a big floppy sunhat?! Literally, all these factors make it impossible to frown! :) 

Did any of y'all watch the premiere of Bachelor in Paradise last night? I can already see all the train wrecks coming (hellooooo... Ashley I) but there are some adorable cast members there (Tanner I'm looking at you)! I'm also so excited to see Tenley again- she is one of my favorites on the show and I was so sad when Kiptyn broke her heart. I hope she find love on #BIP! Who do you love so far?

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Catalina

We're going to keep things simple and easy today ok? I was up FAR too late watching the finale of the Bachelorette (#teamShawn forever and always) so today's look needs to take not too much thought ;) Dresses like this cutie from Lou & Grey make getting dressed simple, and after feeling all the feelings last night, that's just what I need! What did y'all think about the most Dramatic. Finale. Ever?!

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Vacation Time!

Although I work in the corporate world & summer vacations are now a thing of the past, many of my friends and colleagues with children are celebrating the beginning of the summer season of travel! I thought today it would be fun to share a bright and sunny vacation look with y'all that would be perfect for any tropical or beachy trip you are taking this summer! (As you can clearly see, "season" is already in full swing in Florida!)

When it's so darn hot out I reach for the most light-weight and light-colored dresses in my closet to try and "beat the heat"! I'm a fan of keeping my jewelry simple because aint no one wanting to be sweating underneath their bangles! ha! So today's #ootd should perfectly fit the bill! :)

{PS- If you have fun summer travel plans tell me about them! I'm going to live vicariously through you!}

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Weekending

I've never really done a "weekend recap" before, but I always have fun reading them on some of my other favorite blogs, so I thought it would be fun to share mine today! I had a wonderful weekend with my girlfriend Stephanie who came to visit from freezing Chicago! Florida totally turned on the charm for her and she got a gorgeous weekend of 70 degree weather and lots of sunshine (#thanksFlorida)! 

First up on the agenda? Manicures! I never take the time to get my nails done, so when Steph suggested it I was totally game! We stopped next door at Starbucks (the new Tiramisu Latte is TDF!) and settled in for a super relaxing afternoon pampering :) 

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Spring Style with rue21

When I was in college, my girlfriends and I absolutely loved going to Destin, FL for spring breaks and summer getaways. It was an easy 5 hour drive (which flies by when when your with your besties) and every time we went those tripes became some of my favorite memories. We'd lay out on the beach all morning, shop all afternoon, and enjoy fun nights out- the perfect vacations in my book!

You know how stores and sights can conjure up those beloved memories? That's what happens every time I pass a rue21! Theres a great shopping area right across from the beach in Destin, and before we'd hit the beach we'd stop in rue21 to pick up cover-ups, flip flops, and new swimsuits before we hit the sand. It kind of became a ritual for us! So now, every time I see the black and white logo I'm taken back to those carefree days of college with the girls who are my best friends for life!

Today I thought it would be fun to round up some of my favorite rue21 looks for hitting the sand, and shopping after (Since it's what we loved to do the most)!

Suit 1: Flounce Fantasia Top & Fantasia Side Strap Bottom // Suite 2: Fringe Halter Top & Tie Dye Strap Side Bottom // Suit 3: Mint Green Flounce Bandeau Top & Mint Green Hipster Bottom // Suit 4: Neon Cotton Ball Flounce Top & Neon Cotton Ball Hipster Bottom

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Lilly Pulitzer After-Party Sale + A Lilly Look

Did you set your alarms friends?? Today's the day: the Lilly Pulitzer After-Party Sale!! It's starts at 8am sharp- and this is one party you do not want to be late to!! (I shared my tips for smoother shopping here) Please share what you picked up with me in the comments below… and I hope to be back later today with my favorite and deals scored! This is going to be the best way to start a Monday! ;)

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Get Your Shine On

Happy Thursday Friends! I'm so happy tomorrow's Friday and we have a loooong weekend- I sure need one! My family is coming to visit for the weekend and I am so excited to take them around my neck of the woods; we're definitely going to "play tourist"! 

What fun plans do y'all have for Labor Day Weekend? Going to hit up the sure-to-be-amazing sales? I wish I could join you but I am going strong on my spending freeze and I refuse to break! ha!

Grab an adult beverage and your jacks and enjoy your weekend friends! :)

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Seahorsing Around

Being a girl is just so much fun sometimes! I mean, who else gets to wear chevron-printed seahorse dresses?! Nothing says, "I'm at the beach" more than this adorable little number!
Dressing this fun makes the hours of hair-straightening and blow-drying totally worth it! :)

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Anchored at the Beach

I can't believe it is Monday again… they just seem to sneak up so fast these days! I had such a fun weekend with my girlfriends seeing "Legally Blonde: The Musical" and getting my sister ready for her first day of school (can't believe she'll be a Junior!) Now it's back to my weekly routine… :)

And speaking of routines, it's pretty standard to have another nautical outfit to share isn't it?! I just love these anchor pants (a steal from J.Crew factory) and adding a breezy tank was the perfect after-dinner attire while at the beach. You can't beat a classic navy + white combo! 

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She Sells Sea Shells

When you have the perfect dress for the perfect occasion, doesn't it make for the BEST DAY EVER?! I'd been saving this dress for the "perfect" time and it finally came along when I went to the beach a few weekends ago. Come on now… sand dollars and seashells? It was a match made in heaven! 

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A Tracy a Day {Strollin'}

Welcome to Day 2 of my "A Tracy a Day" series. What I love most about statement maxi dresses is that everything else can stay super simple so that the focus stays on your dress- which makes getting ready a breeze! This simple and easy look is then perfect strolling around town and wandering down to the beach. I am OBSESSED with the bright jewel tones in this dress- they are just gorgeous! Lucky for you Tracy brought back this popular style dress this season! Do you love statement maxis as much as I do?

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