Whew, baby! Who else is still experiencing heatwaves where they live? Here in San Diego, we are definitely still in the midst of summer weather which generally isn't too extreme overall -- buuut when you don't have air conditioning (we don't), it gets a wee bit toasty! That's why I've been living in breezy tops, shorts, and open-toe shoes for pretty much any and all happenings for the past few months. It's getting me through these higher-than-usual Southern California temps! (Kinda sorta)

Olive green and white striped mock turtleneck tank top (also seen here): Anthropologie

[similar - on sale!]

Light wash cutoff jean shorts (also seen here, here & here): Old Navy

[similar]

White strappy espadrille wedges (also seen here, here & here): Old Navy

[similar]

Wooden clutch (also seen here, here & here): c/o UncommonGoods

[similar]

Silver cuff bracelets (also seen here, here & here): Souvenir from Greece and gifted

[similar]

Silver "Alta" FitBit band: Via my mom 😊

[similar]

Silver hoop earrings (also seen here): c/o Happiness Boutique

Long silver pendant necklace (also seen here): c/o Happiness Boutique

Oversized tortoiseshell sunglasses (also seen here): Marshalls

[similar - currently 50% off!]

As I'm sure we all know lightweight, breathable fabrics are a must during the summer. That being said, even with the lightest of materials we can't always stop the perspiration from a-comin'. That's when we can depend on sweat-wicking products, such as this Knix shirt, to keep us feeling fresh ta death no matter how high the thermometer (or more likely, our cell phones) reads.
What are your favorite ways to stay cool during the hot, hot, hot months? Do you stick to dresses day in and day out? And/or do you simply stick to the indoors and wait for fall's blissful arrival? 😉 Either way, stay cool!

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Simply Summer | Off-The-Shoulder Top + Denim Shorts + Espadrille Wedges

Hey there! Last night Matt and I went to see the play version of The Lorax at The Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park with our friend. Let me tell you - that story hits ya right in the feels. I know it's meant for children but the message is so moving. And the famous "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." quote? Oh my gosh, how true is that - seemingly now more than ever? Anytime you need to reignite your passion to keep resisting/persisting/advocating/marching/speaking out, just read that to fuel your activist spirit! (PS: If you're local to San Diego I highly recommend seeing this show before its run ends!)

Dark green off-the-shoulder top with pom-poms (also seen here & here): H&M

[similar]

 Cuffed denim shorts (also seen here, here & here): JCPenney

[similar]

Nude espadrille wedges with ribbon detail (also seen here & here): DSW

[similar]

Silver hoop earrings: c/o Happiness Boutique

Silver hammered bangle (also seen here, here & here): Souvenir from our trip to Greece

[similar]

Floral reversible clutch: Rachel Pally via my mom :)

What's your favorite quote? I love reading new ones, so please share!

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Linear | Blouse + Cutoffs + Espadrilles [& Giveaway!]

Hi there! I'm headed up to LA for the next few days to attend the Animal Rights National Conference. I've never been (I've actually never been to any conference before) so I'm extra excited. I'm looking forward to being surrounded by hundreds of like-minded activists who are all working towards a common goal of eliminating the suffering of animals. After all, as it's said: animals are here on the planet with us - not for us. I can't wait to learn more about how I can spread this message in the most efficient ways possible to help more animals. (I'm also incredibly psyched to eat at all of Los Angeles' vegan restaurants because there are so damn many there! Do you have any favorites I must try while I'm in town?)

Fuchsia striped top: Target

[similar]

Light wash cutoff denim shorts (also seen here, here & here): Old Navy

[similar - on sale!]

Cognac ankle strap espadrille wedges (also seen here, here & here): Gap

[similar]

Long gold tassel necklace (also seen here, here & here): Souvenir from Colorado

[similar - on sale!]

Madewell gold cuff bracelet (also seen here, here & here): Shopbop

[similar]

If you're lookin' for some good news, I've got some for you! There's another new LunaVida giveaway, and it's super easy to enter. Click here for your chance to win a pair of earrings 😀
PS: Don't forget to enter the other giveaway that's also going on right now. It ends in just a few days!
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What I Love Most About Summer

I think we can all agree that today's blog post title is very fitting for a 4th-grade homework assignment. But ya know what? It's perfectly sunny and warm out today so I'm feelin' extra excited for the upcoming summer season. Thus, in the name of summer lovin', I'm sharing some of my favorite aspects of these fine months to come.

Black ruffled off-the-shoulder one-piece swimsuit: c/o PinkBlush Who else is psyched that one-pieces are "back"? 🙋 My bathing suit collection has been steadily growing since moving to the beach and one-pieces have definitely come front and center. This one is so classic that it would also work as a bodysuit to go out in public in if you're into that sorta thing. Count me in!
Print shorts (also seen here and here): Forever 21 [similar]
Wide-brimmed straw sun hat with black ribbon detail (also seen here, here & here): Target [similar]
- - - - -

1. Longer days for the win 🙌

I may be a night owl but that doesn't mean I can't obsess over the length of days. I am happiest when the sun is setting after 8 PM - it means more time for activities!!

2. Windows wide open every day and every night 💨

And I mean this both in the car and in the house! Something you may not know about Southern California is that a lot of places don't have central air conditioning. Case in point: our house. So come June, we've got all of our windows busted wide open with the ocean air surrounding us and it's my very favorite.

3. Trips to the beach, but of course 🐬

June means it's finally warm enough to go to the beach all the damn time. Although it's pretty much never warm enough to comfortably jump into the waters of the Pacific Ocean, summer is the one time of year that you can actually stick your feet in and be grateful for its coolness.

4. Is there a better time for trips than between June 21 through September 22? No, there is not. 🚗

I've got a long list of people and places I need to see. Thankfully summer is the perfect time to do so - including my sister and niece coming to see us and my best friend's bachelorette party and wedding!

5. The sounds that surround us 💞

Does anyone else ever miss the sounds of the soft wind and birds in the trees during the colder months? I know it's cheesy but I really do take notice when the noises come back when it starts to heat back up!

6. Outdoor events are king 🌴

Picnics, concerts, movies on the lawn, hikes, cookouts, farmers markets... they're all outside. They're all fun. They're all I wanna do.

7. The holidays are some of the very best of the year 💥

I mean, let's be honest, there are multiple long weekends which I think we can all agree automatically takes summer up a notch compared to other seasons. Plus, we get to grill out (veggie burgers and corn on the cob, of course) for Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, etc, etc, etc.

8. Dresses all day, every day 👗

There is nothing easier to wear than a sundress, in my humble opinion. They're comfortable and cute, and I will never get enough. Thanks to summer, we can wear them every dang day!
- - - - - 
What's your favorite part about summa, summa, summatime?

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Hello There Fine Fall-ow | Sweatshirt + Cutoffs + Sneakers

Hey, how's it going in your neck of the woods? Things here in SoCal are still pretty warm. We are just waiting on those fall feelings to hit our fine city. During the days in San Diego it is still hot'ish, but thankfully this weekend the morning chills finally began! Falling asleep and waking up to fresh autumn air coming through the windows is what sweet dreams are made of after all, right? Matt and I even got our new backyard setup all ready to go last night for the first fire of the season and it was gloriously kinda-but-not-really-chilly out. (Side note: whilst getting the firepit prepared we found not one, but two BLACK WIDOWS. Not cool, nature. Very scary, in fact.)



"Hello there" pink and white graphic crewneck sweatshirt (also seen here & here): Old Navy [similar]
Gray tank (also seen here, here & here): Victoria's Secret PINK [similar]
Light wash cutoff denim shorts (also seen here, here & here): Old Navy [similar]
Multicolored striped canvas sneakers (also seen here, here & here): Old Navy [similar]

Gold arrow stud earrings: DSW

[similar]

Tortoiseshell sunglasses (also seen here, here & here): Jeffrey Bay

[similar]

Urban Expressions vegan turquoise weaved crossbody bag (also seen here, here & here): DSW

[similar]

I know at this point you're probably tired of seeing these dang denim shorts. Trust me, I am too. I just want to put them in storage and bust out my fall clothes. But alas, at least the biggest heat waves should be over so we can wear sweaters with our summer clothing and pretend, eh?

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I Avoca-Do | Vegan Love Apparel Tank + Denim Shorts + Sneakers

Happiest of Fridays to you! Do you have any fun weekend plans? I think I'm going to persuade Matt that we need to make a trip to Cinnaholic down in Pacific Beach. They have vegan cinnamon rolls. (Aaand, just like that, my mouth is watering only thinking about them.) So yeah, that is going to happen with our without Matt (not that it'll take anything to convince him, let's be honest). And speaking of vegan, in today's post I am featuring one of my new favorite vegan brands, Vegan Love Apparel. Both tank tops featured below are from them, and they are both (vegan) butter-y soft and light. I can't get enough of them - plus, most importantly, they are 100% animal cruelty-free and eco-responsible! Now that is what I'm talkin' about!

"You're the avocado to my toast" graphic tank top (also seen here): c/o Vegan Love Apparel

Cuffed denim shorts (also seen here, here & here): JCPenney

[similar]

Keds black and white polka dot sneakers (also seen here): I honestly don't remember...

[similar]

Tortoiseshell sunglasses (also seen here, here & here): Jeffrey Bay

[similar]

Black skinny belt (also seen here, here & here): J.Crew

[similar]

Strawberry print graphic tank top: c/o Vegan Love Apparel
"Make America Kind Again" trucker hat: Farm Animal Refuge I love supporting and featuring vegan brands, companies, and organizations. Farm Animal Refuge is a local rescue for farmed animals located in Campo, California. They are doing amazing work, so please check them out and consider donating to help their lifesaving cause!
Neon yellow crossbody bag (also seen here, here & here): Target [similar]


On a totally different note - to everyone who is in the path of Hurricane Irma, I am sending out all the good juju that you are all kept safe and dry. Florida was my home for over 6 years and I have many loved ones who still live there... I'm worried about you all but trying to stay positive. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help you guys!

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Empowered Women Empower Women | Graphic Tee + Denim Shorts + Slides

Happy September! I gotta say, I am feeling extra fortunate these days. This is because the past two weekends were spent with some of my very best buds. Two weeks ago my BFF from college came to visit me in San Diego and then last weekend was spent in Newport Beach on a staycation with my best friend since 6th grade. Whenever I spend Q.T. with my longtime gal pals, I am always reminded just how important female friendship is. I have been lucky to be surrounded by intelligent, funny, motivated, and loving ladies from the day I was born and onward. My two sisters and I were raised by our mother, who was a single mom for many years and made sure we grew up knowing that girls can do whatever we put our minds to. This life lesson is made even stronger when women collectively boost each other up, rather than tear each other down. It's so exciting to see this teamwork happening more and more nowadays, because "Empowered women empower women" after all. And when women work together, we all succeed.
Here's to the Lady Loves in all of our lives!

Blush pink "Empowered Women Empower Women" oversized graphic tee: c/o Style Lately

This t-shirt is SO comfy. It's on a different level of softness and I pretty much never want to take it off.

(Plus, the message is something I hope we can all get behind. 💪)

Light wash cutoff jean shorts (also seen here, here & here): Old Navy

[similar]

Black and white printed slide sandals (also seen here & here): Target

Wide-brimmed straw sun hat with black ribbon detail (also seen here, here & here): Target

[similar]

Black crossbody bag (also seen here, here & here): Target

[similar]

Hammered silver cuff bracelet (also seen here, here & here): Souvenir from Santorini, Greece

[similar]

Who are your female role models? If you know them personally, you should consider telling them that they inspire you today :)
Wishing you all a fun long weekend!

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