protesting cold weather attire

^^^ 'protesting' may be a bit harsh,

but as stated in this post, i am not ready to

box up my summer attire! ^^^

is anyone else wishing for another day (or week)

of summer-like weather?

disclosure: asa of lace and pearls jewelry graciously gifted me the

necklace i am wearing in today's photos. i am thrilled to support my talented friend

and business owner! as per usual, all opinions are my own.

this summer, i fully embraced all things ruffled, as 

well as the prominent one-shoulder trend.

both are fun, flirty, and incredibly easy to wear!

i picked up this ruffled, one-shoulder dress

towards the end of summer at the boutique evereve and

was fortunate to be able to wear it a few times.

despite cooler temperatures, i plan

to style this dress with my denim jacket and

tan mules or brown ankle booties.

how do you typically style and transition your summer

favorites (after summer, of course)?

a one-shoulder dress requires chic accessories!

my white fringe bag, delicate rings, and a gold,

necklace complete this look. the necklace i am wearing 

is designed and handmade by one of my dear

 friends and fellow blogger asa of lace and pearls.

asa dreamed of designing jewelry for the past several years and 

is getting ready to launch her collection (including

necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and later, rings).

 you can follow along and

see other gorgeous handmade pieces here!

it is no secret that i am a sunshin lovin'

girl at heart. however, in preparation for fall, 

i decided to say goodbye to my color-treated (and very dry)

blonde hair! this weekend, i had my stylist,

sharell katelynn tone and trim my hair. we previously

toned it at the end of august (a light brown) 

and added warmer, darker tones this time. i could

not be happier with the results!

and now, i fear it is time to dig out my rain

boots, cozy sweaters, and other fall attire. the weather

has officially taken a turn in seattle. while

i hope to continue styling some of my favorite summer 

pieces, my flannel and oversized sweaters are 

calling out to me!

photos by chelsea macor photography

dress: evereve, purse: tj maxx, flats: nine west, 

necklace: c/o lace and pearly jewelry, rings: forever 21

i hope you have a wonderful week.

please keep your fingers crossed for warm(er) 

and dry weather!

xoxo.

stripes, ruffles, & printed socks

as temperatures continue to drop in seattle, 

i am eager to find ways to 'stretch out' my 

summer wardrobe. this skirt, for example, is not ready 

for storage! it wants to be worn with tights, ankle 

boots, and of course, sneakers!

one of my favorite trends, however, is to

wear crew socks with skirts and dresses. it is

a great way to add (a bit of) warmth and a fun

flair to your look. a printed sock? even more fun!

disclosure: sock it to me graciously provided me with the socks

featured in this post. as per usual, all opinions are my own!

i have a confession: i. own. so. many. socks.

i love them! when working as a preschool teacher, 

my dear friend, maggie and i fell in love with

printed socks. cats, cupcakes, cacti - you name it.

we collected (and traded) socks of varying colors,

prints, and styles. over the years, my collection

has continued to grow. 

in the classroom, socks were a favorite

talking point amongst students. we spoke, read, and

sang about our socks during group time. 

although i no longer work in the classroom,

i still enjoy finding fun socks to wear

(or give as gifts to friends and coworkers). 

you can never own too many socks! 

#amiright

today, i wanted to show off my adorable 

feline fine socks, courtesy of sock it to me!

this ruffle denim skirt is new to my closet, thanks

to a major end-of-summer sale. 

my simple striped t-shirt and black vans

allow these kitty socks to shine! i simply

could not hide them with jeans or other pants.

photos by chelsea macor photography

t-shirt: topshop, skirt: urban outfitters, 

backpack: stitch fix, socks: c/o sock it to me (exact here),

shoes: vans (exact here), ring: old navy

is anyone else not quite ready for fall?

i have a few additional summer-inspired looks to

share on my blog (thank you for your patience!).

are you a fan of the current sock craze?

when walking to class earlier this week, i walked

 past a new sock store in the university district. 

i think i need to stop in soon!

xoxo.

flower jackets & little life updates

don't mind me; despite the official end to summer,

i still have a few summery outfits to share with you.

real life confessions: i am somewhat behind with my 

posting and do not want to waste photos. ahem, 

summer content, let's continue!

how have you been? are you embracing fall

and everything that comes along with the

changing seasons? i recently added pumpkin spice

creamer to our bi-weekly coffee order; i cannot

seem to keep enough on hand. cooler temperatures

arrive, and people crave everything and anything

pumpkin (myself included)!

for the past two weeks, my personal (and emotional)

health has been incredibly chaotic. unfortunately,

i am unable to move into my new house, as work

is still being done. therefore, i am jumping from one

temporary living situation to the next (carting several

bags and a backpack along with me). while couch

surfing can be seemingly fun at times,

i do not recommend it long-term. 

keeping my fingers crossed that my new

home will be ready before the end of october.

otherwise, do you have an extra couch i can 

sleep on? #thestruggleisreal

for the past two+ weeks, i have had

a terribly upset stomach. i think the stress

of moving, in conjunction with a new position at work,

finally hit me. i have had frequent headaches,

nausea, and an overall lack of energy.

i tried not to let my symptoms slow me down,

as i cannot afford to miss work (not to mention

babysitting commitments, blog events, and

of course, keeping on top of plans with friends and 

family). however, it finally did me in

towards the end of last week, and i had

to hit the breaks: hello rest, an incredibly bland

diet, and several doctors appointments. 

photos by karya schanilec photography

jacket: zara, t-shirt and sandals: target,

 shorts: american eagle (thrifted via seattle goodwill),

bracelets: urban outfitters

i met with a naturopath last weekend, and 

after a lengthy discussion about my eating

habits, recent symptoms, and overall health,

she placed me on a strict elimination diet. 

we are hopeful that by getting rid

of high allergen foods, i will begin to feel

more life myself. it has been three days, and i 

already feel better than i have in weeks!

as cold and flu season begin, i am eager

to get my stomach and immune system

back in top shape. who has time to be sick?!

not this girl :)

xoxo.

p.s. if you have any general health

or dietary tips for individuals struggling

with potential food allergies, please let me know!

white after labor day :: fashion faux pas?

wearing white after labor day; a fashion faux pas?

i know, i know, people often say wearing

white after labor day breaks one of the

cardinal rules of fashion. the same could be said for

pairing navy and black or black and brown. however, i think 

these colors compliment one another. similarly, i 

refuse to put away all my whites come september! 

while this particular white floral dress is

truly indicative of 'summer fashion,' i have white pants, 

a white sleeveless top, and other white/light

clothing pieces that i am not ready

to part with. wearing white after labor day

is more than okay, and incorporating white with

darker colors can be a great way to transition your

wardrobe from summer to fall. 

do you typically wear white after labor

day? if so, how do you style your favorite 

white pieces? 

i do have a small confession...

part of the reason this post has such a prominent

summer theme is because these photos

were taken almost a month ago.

#confessionsofafashionblogger

sometimes life happens and your schedule

prevents you from posting as often as you'd like.

however, i couldn't not share these photos,

as i love this dress and am eager to wear

it again next spring and summer!

photos by jenn from hello rigby

dress: billabong (similar here; exact print, romper style here),

sandals: kohl's, purse: forever 21, bracelets: alex & ani

these photos were taken shortly after 

changing my hair color! this is very close

to my natural color (with some highlights). i have

had blonde balayage for two years and

was looking for a change. with fall fast approaching,

i thought a warmer color (with less maintenance) 

would be fun! my very dry, brittle

ends appreciate the lack of bleach, too!

^^^ loving the brown! ^^^

i rounded up a few white clothing pieces and

accessories that can easily transition from 

season to season (all are under $100, too!):

jeans / clutch / blouse 

happy fall, everyone!

xoxo.

how to wear shorts in the fall

i know i have said this before, but summer

is my favorite season! there is something special about

the bustling city - people out walking, biking,

and enjoying time on the water; farmers markets;

traveling to our family cabin; of course, summer

fashion can be a great deal of fun, too! 

although fall has begun to make an appearance

in seattle, i am determined to hang on to some of

my favorite summer clothing items. i am not ready

to put my sandals and shorts away. just

hang in there, summer. i need a few more days weeks

of sun (and i have a few outfits i would like to wear)!

disclosure: asa of lace and pearls jewelry graciously lent me the necklace

i am wearing in today's photos. i am thrilled to support my dear

friend and talented business owner! as per usual, all opinions are my own.

despite my pleading, i think fall weather is

around the corner; while i love jewel tones, knits

and layering, and anything plaid, i am determined

to re-style a few of my favorite summer pieces

in the coming weeks. first up?

these adorable floral shorts from zara!

shorts are an essential in every woman's summer

wardrobe. after labor day, i typically pack up

my shorts and exchange them for leggings,

jeans, and other cool-weather styles, but not this year!

here are a few simple ways you can wear shorts in the fall:

1. add tights

black, grey, colorful or patterned tights are a quick 

and easy way to add warmth and excitement to your

outfit (i.e. your shorts).

2. grab heels or booties

looking to dress up a pair of black shorts

(while also making your legs appear longer)?

heels can do this! booties are a casual alternative 

and pair perfect with any fall look.

3. add a blazer or structured jacket

i recently pulled out my navy, denim, and black

blazers. i have a green bomber jacket from last

season that will pair well with casual shorts (such

as the floral pair i am wearing today). 

a structured jacket of any color, fabric, or 

print will go well with darker-colored shorts.

4. grab a chunky sweater

your favorite knit sweater? structured

shorts with booties (or tights and ballet flats)

are a fun way to style shorts in cooler weather.

photos by chelsea macor photography

top: tj maxx, shorts: zara (exact here),

rings: forever 21, purse: nordstrom, 

flats: madewell, necklace: c/o lace and pearls jewelry

earlier this week, i spoke of my passion for

supporting local business owners and creatives.

today, i am thrilled to be wearing one of my dear

friends' designs, (and fellow blogger, asa of lace and pearls)

'lace and pearls jewelry.' asa and i have been

friends for more than two years, and i have to say, she is 

one of the sweetest and most hard-working women

i know! she juggles a full-time job, blogs,

and maintains her beautiful social media platforms.

recently, asa also began making jewelry.

asa's designs are handmade, and each piece

is crafted with exquisite detail and care. i am wearing

 the lariot pendant necklace, and i cannot wait

to style it with other tops and dresses.

asa's website will be launch soon, but in the

meantime, be sure to follow along here for updates

and new designs!

do you wear shorts in the fall?

if so, how do you style them?

xoxo.

popped & paired :: healthy & delicious snack combinations

can you believe labor day has already come and 

gone? summer, i swear you just began a few days ago!

as fall approaches, i am eager to dig out my

oversized flannel and cozy socks. weekends will

likely be spent indoors, sipping tea (or hot coco!),

watching too many movies, and of course,

consuming tasty treats.

while i am an avid chocolate lover, i have 

been trying to limit sweet treats. it has not been easy, 

and with the change in weather, i know i will be 

tempted to consume anything and

everything pumpkin flavored... i am looking at you

pumpkin bread, pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes,

and PSL... i can almost taste you!

disclosure: thank you skinnypop for kindly providing the

graphic for this post. as per usual, all opinions are my own!

one treat i never feel guilty about eating? 

skinnypop popcorn! it is absolutely delicious,

and is non GMO, gluten and dairy free, has zero 

artificial ingredients and trans fat, and is a good 

source of fiber. skinnypop is available in a variety of

flavors. my favorites include original, pepper jack,

and naturally sweet; you cannot go wrong, however!

a crave-worthy snack that is healthy for 

you, too? yes, please!

whether you prefer to enjoy your skinnypop popcorn

by itself, or paired with a yummy beverage, it is a

snack you are sure to enjoy. 

this weekend, i plan to experiment with a 

few unique popcorn and drink recipes. first up?

a coconut margarita with jalapeno popcorn!

ingredients: 

3 oz of coconut milk

3 oz of tequila blanco

1 and 1/2 oz of triple sec

8 oz of coconut water

lime wedge, to serve

i cannot wait to try it! below are a few other

pairings for you to try, courtesy of skinnypop.

photos by karya schanilec photography

do you have an end-of-summer barbecue planned?

a book club with girlfriends? a movie night?

whatever your plans, skinnypop popcorn is the perfect

accompaniment! what flavors have you tried?

xoxo.

p.s. i may or may not have consumed most

of this bag upon finishing our photo shoot. whoops!

jumpsuits & an ode to instagram

hello, little blog; it's been a while! 

working full time, moving, attending weddings,

and well, just living often interfere 

with consistent blogging. fortunately, i am back

this week with several new outfits to share! i am 

continuing to embrace summer fashion. with 

temperatures in the low-to-mid 90s this week, i am eager

to get a few extra 'wears' out of my favorite

dresses, rompers, and shorts. is it cooling

off where you are? are you ready for fall?

my sweaters and jackets are still neatly

packed away. i hope they can remain in boxes for 

another few weeks; this girl loves the sun!

despite moving last week, i have yet to begin

the daunting task of unpacking (but more on

that topic later...).

disclosure: macy's and lauren ralph lauren graciously

provided me with the handbag in this post. 

all opinions are my own!

jumpsuits and rompers are two of my

favorite summer trends. i have owned many

of my rompers for several years. after repeated attempts

to clean out and purge my closet, the rompers

remain (in their own treasured pile). i love them!

this particular jumpsuit is a newer find, 

purchased at a local boutique in kirkland.

the vibrant print and off-the-shoulder style

stood out to me. the ruffle detail allows you to

wear the jumpsuit on or off-the-shoulder, depending

on your preference and/or the occasion.

the jumpsuit required few accessories as

it is a statement all by itself. i paired this look

with my go-to nude sandals and a white handbag

for an extra 'pop.' who says white cannot be

worn after labor day? not me!

and now, an ode to my instagram~

what the heck?! seriously, instagram?

where is my profile? gone? disabled? hacked?

is it gone forever? or just temporarily? 

please, oh please may i have access to it?

i promise not to over-post. or complain about

photos that don't perform well. or envy

other more successful bloggers. i simply

want my account back. please, can you help me?

are you familiar with this, or has something

similar happened to you? it seems many 

avid instagram users were recently hacked.

photos have gone missing and accounts mysteriously

disabled. when trying to login to my account yesterday,

i was prompted to enter my login information.

upon completing the request, i received an

error message, 'account not available.'

after a small dose of panic set in, followed by

loud profanity, i began texting fellow

bloggers and friends to see if they could assist.

'diaryofthisgirlmegan' is currently not available

on instagram. i submitted several forms 

online and am hopeful to hear back

within the next 24 hours. if you have additional

ideas and/or tips (and positive vibes), please

send them my way!

photos by karya schanilec photography

jumpsuit: twisted couture, sandals: franco sarto,

purse: c/o macy's and ralph lauren (exact here),

bracelet: j.crew, rings: forever 21

i apologize for my rant above. i generally

try to avoid negativity on my blog, but i have to admit,

i am very stressed. in the past few years,

i have worked hard to maintain and curate content

on my blog and social media platforms. for it to 

randomly disappear (or be disabled) for no apparent

reason is disheartening. however, i am hopeful

to have things back up and running very soon. in the

meantime, thank you for your patience!

xoxo.

**update: my account has been restored.

thank you, instagram support team!

tropical state of mind

is it just me, or has summer seemingly flown

by? i swear the beginning of june was just yesterday!

working, traveling, babysitting, blogging,

and spending time with family and friends keeps

a girl busy. i am ready to rewind and simply enjoy

a few extra weeks (or months) of sunshine.

have you kept busy, too?

disclosure: shop stevie with candace and katie graciously provided me with

the dress pictured in this post. as per usual, all opinions are my own!

my favorite part of summer fashion? the bold,

colorful prints! this 'aloha' leaf print dress, by shop stevie

is no exception. i love the mix of red and green, 

a combination not typical of summer;

however, the vibrant colors compliment one another. 

the black background of this print

made the dress easy to style with open-toed

mules and a chic, black and white clutch.

the bell sleeves on this dress are also a fun addition.

the modest length and style of this dress

make it the perfect summer piece for a variety of

occasions. wear it to work with mules or ballet

flats, or to the beach with flip flops. you can

easily dress this look up with heels and a

necklace or other accessories. wherever your summer

plans take you, this dress will keep you feeling

cool and looking stylish!

next up on the summer to do list?

moving, moving, moving.

i don't know if there is anything worse?

between the purging and the packing, 

my bedroom and closet are a nightmare.

i am grateful for effortless outfits like this

that require little brain power (or accessories 

since the majority of my jewelry, jackets, and purses

are currently in trash bags in my living  room). 

once i am settled in my new place, 

however, i plan to celebrate the end of summer

with another trip to my cabin, walks around the 

lake, and as much ice cream as i can handle!

photos by karya schanilec photography

dress: c/o shop stevie with candace and katie (exact here),

clutch and rings: forever 21, mules: tj maxx,

bangles: urban outfitters

'i hope that every woman wearing my pieces,

young or old, will feel beautiful and confident

about themselves.'

founder and owner, stevie henderson

as a special treat, candace and katie of shop stevie

have graciously offered my readers ten percent

off your order! simply use the discount code,

'MEGAN10' at checkout. i am lusting after 

these adorable booties and this dress for fall. 

happy shopping, everyone!

xoxo.