My Summer Uniform

I’ve said it once, I will say it again- although the word uniform has a negative connotation, selecting a seasonal uniform makes my life a whole lot easier. Sure, I stray away from day to day, but there are a few clothing styles that fit my body and lifestyle. Here is what my summer uniform consists of:

• Printed wrap, shift or shirt dress in a jersey fabric
• Comfy metallic flat sandals
• Simple gold or silver layered necklaces
• Stud earrings

Why this works for me:

My job is a stay at home mom. Yes, I am a blogger, yes, I go to events at night, but my full time job is being a stay at home mom to my two littles. I need fabric that is comfortable, doesn’t need to be ironed, allows me to run, jump, or steal a nap on the couch. I need a print that hides messes from sticky hands, spills from ice cream, and drool (the kids…um…or mine if I take that couch nap). My FAVORITE brand of dress is Laundry by Shelli Segal. You can usually find them for under $50 (many times under $30) at Nordstrom Rack. This dress in the photo above is actually from Savers Thrift Store, under $10. Charlotte’s dress is from there as well!! Here are some Laundry options, all under $50:

As for shoes- high heels are lovely. They give great shape to a woman’s leg, but have you tried walking in wood chips in them? Not possible. I have two pair of flats that I keep in rotation- gold and silver. The silver are water-proof, so those are a necessity on the (MANY) rainy days, and the gold are a tad more comfy for walks. Here are some casual options, all at Old Navy, all under $25:

I love a big, bold statement necklace as much as the next gal, but
little Miss Charlotte can rip one off my neck quicker than you can
imagine. That goes for earrings- have you ever had a toddler snag your
fancy earrings? YEOW! I need sturdy, simple necklaces but love to switch
it up and add dimension by layering them. I have a half dozen in both
gold and silver…from a locket to a horseshoes to an antique charm, I
am all about mixing it up (oh, and I match my metals…gold earrings go
with gold necklace and gold shoes, same with silver).

I say buy yourself a meaningful necklace- Tiffany isn’t crazy expensive since there is a selection in the $100-$200 range- and accent with pieces from Etsy or boutiques. Here are some of my favorite affordable (and yes, I realize affordable is a relative term) pieces from Tiffany:

As for hair and makeup, I let my hair air dry in the summer. I am DYING to try Bumble & bumble’s Don’t Blow It (H)air Styler– a cream that gives great texture to air dried hair. Right now, I sometimes try a sea salt spray (so many to choose from…Bumble & bumble’s Surf Spray is in rotation right now). This adds texture and wave to your hair, but it can get a bit stiff or tacky. I prefer to let it air dry and add some dry shampoo at the roots to to give it volume (Batiste!!).

Summer makeup is totally different in my book than winter. I usually have a self-tanner-induced glow (Vita Liberata– no orange, no streaks, no scent), so I need a slightly darker foundation/BB Cream/Powder. I actually combine a drop of darkest foundation that I have (which matches my skin when it is freshly self-tanned) with whatever BB cream I have on hand. This way, I can adjust the color so it matches my skin. I then dust any shine off with BareMinerals powder. I add a bit of Tarte Amazonian Clay blush for a healthy flush (this looks the most natural to me), and jazz up my eyes with the Naked 2 Palette after I apply Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion– this is a staple, a MUST! As for eyeliner, Rimmel sent their Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal liner, and it is my absolute fave. I can dab a bit around my eyes, smudge it, and it stays put all day without bleeding. Mascara is my #1 beauty product, so when I had the opportunity to try Benefit’s Roller Lash Mascara, I jumped at it. This is a great daytime look- feminine, defined, clean. Lipstick? Sure, when I find a tube in my purse, usually whatever came in my latest subscription box, like the one Charlotte snapped up here:

That’s it- this is what I wear pretty much every day. I would love to hear about your daily “uniform” if you have one! What works for you? What doesn’t?

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I might make a few pennies if you purchase using the link. It doesn’t affect the price you pay, but helps me feed the parking meter when I am dashing in to buy all the lovely things I test out and share 🙂