You Need a Denim Vest

...and here's why:

You will LIVE in the thing all summer. I promise. I've been wearing my constantly over dresses for work. They're an easy way to cover up spaghetti straps or a strapless maxi, which definitely aren't office-appropriate by themselves. But, when paired with a cute denim vest, a whole new outfit option (or several) is/are possible.

I got mine at Target (seen in my pic above), but here are a few more choices you might like. Because....options.

 Brave Soul Washed Denim Vest from ASOS

Mavi Jeans Jodie Denim Vest in Bleach Vintage

Lucky Brand Embroidered Sabrina Vest (kids' size)- this would be adorable for a little gal!

Levi's Moto Trucker Vest from Piperlime

Think you'll try this look this summer? Where did you find your favorite denim vest?

Cause You Gotta Have Friends

Friends. Some have been in our lives forever, while some are brand new. Some stay for a season, some stay longer. But, one thing's for sure: ya need 'em.

Good friends, to me anyway, are essential. 

Having a spouse, a kiddo, close family members - all of that is amazing. Nothing, however, can take the place of a great friend. 

After I had Caroline, I knew I was going to have to try harder than ever to maintain friendships. I didn't want the stresses of being a new mom to remove me from the rest of the world, which, let's face it, can easily happen with the addition of a baby. 

I didn't want to be one of those women who never has a girls' night out or forgets to call her good friend on her birthday. So I made it my mission this spring to try to be a better friend. 

Kind of a strange goal, huh?

I wanted to work harder at making my friends feel valued...because they ARE. I also wanted to make new friends. 

-So, I started attending a neighborhood Bible study earlier this month and love it. (I met so many women who are right in my backyard (literally), that I can't wait to know better.)

-I started to make regular "dates" with my good friends, just lunch or coffee, but some way to reconnect and keep up with them. 

-My husband and I made it our mission to say "yes" to every opportunity to go and have fun with our couple friends. After Caroline, it seemed like take-out on the couch was all we did on Friday nights. We missed our friends dearly. Now that she's old enough that we feel comfortable leaving her for a couple hours at a time, we make it a point to do a couples thing once a week or so. 

See? Told ya! We took the baby : ) 

-And if the sitter falls through, we take the baby! A kiddo is no reason to keep yourself holed up in the house. This past Friday, our sitter fell through and we had no choice but to take the bambina. Guess what? She was an angel and we had a great time anyway. Point is, sometimes you just have to do it.

Friendships are work and they're something I plan to keep working at. But they're so, SO worth the effort. I feel better when I know that I've been a good friend, don't y'all?

How do you stay connected to friends and make them feel valued? 

Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

It's Friday! All day long, friends! Let's confess.

1) I confess that I paid my VERY LAST car payment on thine olden Altima yesterday and it felt friggin' fantastic! Hitting the 'submit' button on the Nissan payment site last night was about the best feeling ever. I'm going to drive this puppy until the wheels fall off, which really could happen any day. Strange noises and such.) And even then, I will Fred Flinstone-style pedal that thing if I have to.

2) I confess that hearing Caroline say "mama" this week was the best sound I've ever heard. (I posted two videos of this on Instagram at my username, ablondeambition.) I told her in the hospital that her first word better be mama because she made me soooo sick while I was pregnant ; ) Guess she decided to heed my advice.

3) I confess that I am dreading this summer heat like a root canal. And I've never had a root canal, but they sound dreadful. It was nearly 90 on Wednesday and it felt like 2,000. Have I mentioned that I prefer fall?

4) I confess that I'm hoping this house sells quickly because ohmygosh...this constant cleaning is killing a sister. I'm very grateful that we have a home to be selling in the first place, but good grief is it ever tiring. I've gotten really good at hiding crap in drawers and cabinets before showings. And, a possible plus, my arms are getting really toned from all the vacuuming I've been doing.

Okie dokie. Let's hear yours!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

What's In My Beach Bag

The Mister and I bought a little ski boat about three years ago, so from May until September, we pretty much live on the lake. I guess you can say that I've gotten pretty good at compiling the perfect bag for a day or night (or both!!) on the water.

(Mind you, this is just the bag for Stephen and me. Caroline has her own because...babies. They require a whole lotta stuff, which merits it's own mammoth bag.)

Old Navy Women's Faux Handled Straw Tote // Jeepers Peepers Jamie Sunglasses from ASOS // Echo 'Happy Days Geo' Cover Up 

I love a straw bag because they dry out quickly, (just make sure to dry them out within hours after they get wet. Otherwise, they can get quite stinky.) I found one like the above at Old Navy last year and it has held up pretty well! Aviators are also a requirement because DUH. And a cute cover-up since we usually eat lunch at the marina's little hole in the wall restaurant after we go out (and no one wants to see this chick put away a big 'ol jalepeno burger wearing a bikini.) 

L.L. Bean Seaside Beach Towel (here) // BurnOut Kids Physical Sunscreen (I got ours on Amazon)

I really like L.L. Bean's beach towels because they hold up after mucho, mucho trips through the washing machine. And this is my new favorite sunscreen (below). It's called Burn Out and, although it is meant for kiddos, I like it because it lasts all goshdarn day. No reapplication needed, folks!

Clarins Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Suncare Oil (here) 

Once I've achieved a little bit of color, I can usually get away with an SPF 30 oil-based sunscreen. I LOVE Clarins Sun Care Oil Spray for my skin and my hair. If you have color-treated hair, spray a little on before you hit the water. It'll keep your color fresh and non-brassy!

It's also important to keep your lips protected on the water all day. I swear by the FRESH brand Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 in Sugar Coral.

Other things that require no photos:

-Extra ponytail holders

-iPod (we just plug it into the auxiliary jack and blare whatever we want)

-Water Noodles (I know they're meant for kiddos, but they're darn perfect for sitting in the water without having to tread water.)

-Gatorade (Gotta stay hydrated.)

-Koozies (To keep the beverages cold whilst sipping.)

-Bandaids, Neosporin and Advil (Accidents happen. Be prepared.)

These are just a few of my bag staples, but I'd love to hear what makes the list every time you hit the beach or lake. And, go!

Summer Frocks: {Outfit Pics}

Finding the perfect summer dress is sort of like finding a $10 bill when you're cleaning out your purse: the best kind of surprise.

Frill of the Chase dress c/o Riffraff (here) // Garden Party necklace c/o Riffraff (here) // Brown bracelet via Riffraff (purchased in store) // Rhinestone link bracelet via Groopdealz (purchased last year, but similar here) // shoes via Target (found here)

I was pleased as pink punch to discover the perfect little frock at Riffraff a couple weeks ago. It was an ideal color for the warmer months, a gorgeous shape and the best length - short, but not obscene for a momma ; )

If you're like me and currently trying to overhaul your summer wardrobe, I'd start with dresses. They're much more likely to fit (if you aren't able to try on in store), plus, you'll get a lot of mileage out of them because, in my opinion, they're way more comfy than shorts!

Here are a few of my current favorites I've found lately from Riffraff.

Gaze n A-maze Dress {in hot pink}

Neon Flirt It Out Dress {in blue}

Bella Dress {Flamingo Deck}

Trapeze Dress {Be Mine}

A few tips to remember when you're looking for a universally flattering dress:

-Look for a portrait collar, a deep V-cut with straps or a one shoulder (Grecian) style neckline

-Find frocks with fun detailing, like a flutter sleeve or intricate designs around the shoulders (like the Gaze n A-maze dress) to draw the eye upward

-The perfect length for most women? 1-3 inches above the knee. Not much more and not much less.


Stay tuned Wednesday for another outfit post (I know, crazy right?), featuring the cutest darn top from one of my other favorite boutiques!


*The dress and necklace in this post were generously gifted by Riffraff. Style photos are property of A Blonde Ambition and Leslie Sisti (in partnership with Riffraff) and may not be re-published on any blog, website or social media channel without express written consent from this blog administrator or Riffraff store.