summer layers

dress (non-maternity), also similar here and here | cover-up (sold out), also love this one, this one and this one | shoes | sunglasses, also similar here

I bought this cover-up for our vacation to Palm Springs that we didn't end up going on, but instead of returning it I wanted to figure out how to wear it back in Iowa... plus I know it will come in handy for many vacations to come! I love the tropical print and the colors, and it's definitely light enough to layer over a dress - and light layers are essential while being pregnant in these hot summer months!

This outfit was perfect for a casual summer date night with my hubby. We live right on the Mississippi River, so we visited Go Fish Marina Bar and Grill a couple towns away and sat outside where the hubs had a beer and a burger and I had fish and chips. And the margaritas looked so good! We usually love to explore and check out new places, but I've been so boring since I've been pregnant, so it was nice to get out and about. This restaurant and the ambiance were perfect for a nice summer night - it almost felt like we were on vacation!

What's your favorite summer layering piece? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading! XO

summer stripes + maternity jeans

top (non-maternity), also similar here | jeans (maternity) | shoes | sunnies, similar here and here

I've been trying my hardest to not buy maternity clothes. My problem isn't having to buy clothes in a bigger size, it's spending money on clothes I'll only wear for a few months (maternity clothes are expensive!) and honestly, I've had a really hard time finding anything that cute. When I found out I was going to be pregnant throughout the summer I thought, great! I have tons of maxi dresses I can wear all summer long, it will be perfect! While that is partially true, I didn't realize exactly how my body was going to change. This isn't just a too-bloated belly, and things are moving and re-shaping a bit differently than I expected. So I bit the bullet and bought a pair of maternity jeans. Thankfully Liz Lange for Target has a few (see: few, the options are very limited in-store!) staple-type items to choose from, and these jeans were a must have. I love this top - it is not maternity, but fits a bump really well. I bought it a size up for some extra length to compensate for my extra lumps and bump, but the off the shoulder makes it a little easier to pull it down and cover things up!

To be completely honest, maternity jeans are SUPER comfy, and I'll probably even wear them post-pregnancy. I bought the jeans with the inset under the belly because I like to do a little front-tuck (while I still can!) but if I had to do it again, I'd buy the over the belly, because it helps smooth things out (think spanx) and also helps keep the pants up - I've found myself constantly pulling these jeans up, but I'm thinking I will grow into them soon! 

I'll be 27 weeks this week, and if you have been or are currently a mama-to-be, I'd love any tips on how to survive the rest of this summer! Also, any great clothing sites with cute maternity clothes at decent prices you can suggest would be much appreciated! Thanks for reading! XO

pink, white and blue | summer style

dress, also similar here , also love this one | jean shirt, also love this one | shoes | hat

This combo has easily become my go-to this summer because it's so comfortable and fits my growing belly. This dress is a summer fave - I've had it for a couple years and it's non-maternity, but it's ruched on the sides so I've been able to wear it during most of my pregnancy and hope to continue to be able to wear it into my third trimester. You can also see how I styled this dress pre-bump in this post here!

Unfortunately the retail pharmacy world doesn't close for the holiday, so I'm back to work for the week, but I do have a short day tomorrow so I'm hoping to get outside and sit in the sun! What are you guys doing for the Fourth? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading! XO

embroidered maxi dress | summer style

dress (runs big - size down) | bag | earrings | sandals

Lauren Conrad just came out with a few festival inspired pieces from her line at Kohl's, and I'm obsessing over this embroidered maxi. I'm absolutely loving the silhouettes that are in for summer - long, lightweight, flowy, and capable of hiding the fact that I have not and will not be working on my summer body! There's always next year, right? 

I seriously wanted to sleep in this dress it was so comfy, and surprisingly it doesn't wrinkle as easy as it looks like it would! This bag was a splurge for me this summer - I just love the structured look of it and I want to pair it with just about everything in my closet. It will be a definite staple when I'm vacationing in Palm Springs in a couple of weeks! And I'm obsessing over these earrings from BaubleBar's Sugarfix collection at Target - they're not typically my style, but they're turning out to be very versatile and I think I'll get a lot of wear out of them! 

I hope you're enjoying your Memorial Day weekend! Be sure to check out this post here for some amazing picks from the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale that's going on until June 4th, and this post here for some other must have summer styles! Thanks for reading! XO -

SHOP THE POST:

monday must haves | summer styles

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

It's clear that my current must haves are inspired by all things summer! We had a bit of a tease of extremely warm weather early last week and it had me dreaming about cute summer sandals, maxis and swimwear. So I thought I'd share a few of my faves with you! 

I got this purse and this purse, both which are perfect for summer and I know they'll get a lot of use - so be prepared to see a lot of them! I also got these adorable earrings from BaubleBar's Sugarfix collection at Target and I have plans to wear them with just about everything in my closet! I'm loving one-piece swimsuits for this summer, especially suits with cute details and cut outs like this one. And I'm dying for a pair of espadrilles with a statement like these from Soludos!

What summer styles are you most excited for? Check out this post here for some straw beach totes that I'm totally loving for summer! Thanks for reading! 

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burgundy maxi dress

dress (only $10!), c/o Shein | hat | purse, similar here and here | shoes | bracelet

It's almost here - maxi dress season! This weather needs to seriously quit playing games - 70s and sunny one day and snow storm the next.... This is the most bizarre March I've ever experienced! I should be used to it being from Iowa, but I am really ready for the snow to be gone and spring weather to be here to stay! I think we are in the clear for snow from now on, and looking forward to April showers bringing May flowers!

This dress is awesome because it is loose and light making it so incredibly comfortable, and I love the color - but it fits rather large, so be sure to size down one size. I cannot wait to pack this in my bag for our trip to Palm Springs in June. I can throw it on to go poolside, or wear it while we are out and about exploring the town! This dress also comes in a light brown color and it's only $10 (!) so be sure to scoop it up for summer!

Hope you're having a good week! Thanks for reading! XO

This post brought to you by Shein

Facebook: Blonde Style Blog | Instagram: @blondestyleblog | Twitter: @blondestyleblog | Pinterest: @theblondestyle | Snapchat: stephmcclure

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military vest | look two

vest | dress (currently 50% off!) | purse | shoes

graphic tees

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (maternity) | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 (not pictured, see in widget below)

off the shoulder top

top, also love this one | necklace, similar here and here | rings | purse | jeans | shoes, similar here

Date night out with my man celebrating 10 years of "dating"... That makes me feel so old! What a gorgeous night to dress up and go out to dinner though - albeit a little hot, but you know... Summertime! 

black cutout romper

romper | necklace | sunnies | purse, similar here and here | shoes, similar here, also love these

It's a good thing I wore this cute cutout romper the first day we were in San Antonio because otherwise it probably wouldn't have fit. WOOF. Texas has no shortage of good food, and I had no shame in trying one of everything. With a side of queso... and a margarita. OR TWO.