Look who's still here!

     Well look who is still here! It has been a crazy insane madness of two weeks. To sum it all up I was sick (very sick), in a car wreck that totaled my car while still sick, bought a new car, completely moved from one home (duplex) into a new one (apartment). Yep, ladies and gents, this all happened in approximately the past two weeks. Wow. Too much.

     But look. I am still here. While that sounds silly I have to tell myself this. There were times (many times) this past few weeks where I felt lost. I disliked myself. I was disappointed in myself. I felt very unworthy. Strong words but honest words.  And I am still here.

     I am so lucky to have a God that loves me and gives me nothing that I cannot handle. I am so lucky to have friends, family, coworkers, and students who care about me and lift me up when I fall down (and want to stay down).

     I'm sure more of the details of the past few weeks will come out while I work them out and write them out. Mostly today I want to say how thankful I am that I am exactly where I need to be.

     In celebration of the first day of having a moment to blog, here is a picture of a favorite outfit I wore to school today. Sans shoes because that's basically where my life is at right now haha. But I want to remind myself, and others, when you feel so low that you can't get up, you are still here and you are here for a darn important reason.  Please don't forget that.

A sunflower suaree

     Last weekend a girlfriend of mine invited me to be her date to a wedding.  Despite the fact that I only had met this lovely lady for about 30 seconds in a parking lot (yup and that's another story haha), I LOVE weddings.  I have always loved weddings.  I love all the dresses on the bride, the bridal party, the guests.  I love the men in their suits.  I love dancing.  I love cake.  I love LOVE.  I even loved the keg that they had (hey wouldn't you?!).  Naturally, I said yes!

    

   
     I took advantage of the Oklahoma heat to wear a flowered sundress, wedges, and to curl my hair.  I knew that the wedding was being held at a local rose garden, so I knew it was go floral or go home for me.  The scenery was absolutely beautiful.  I was wondering if the wedding would be absolutely sweltering since it was outside, but there was just the perfect amount of shade to make it comfortable.  There was flowers, trees, and ponds everywhere.  There were sweet chalkboard signs leading the way through all the beauty.  I can't say I knew the bride well but I feel like it fit her personality so well.

Here is Liz and Sawyer right after their vows.  They are perfection.

     I absolutely adored the style of her wedding.  I named this post a "sunflower suaree" because that is exactly what it was.  Flowers in their hair; flowers everywhere.  There was a packet of daisy seeds attached to each program which I thought was a very sweet touch.

      Liz walked down the aisle to a Tom Petty tune which I loved because it was so out of the box.  Now, about her dress.  Absolutely stunning, classic, but also unique.  It was covered in beading and I pretty much swooned when I saw it.  I love seeing a bride in a classic dress.

     Now being someone who has gone to a LOT of weddings, I would say this one was honestly one of my favorites. Sweet, simple, unique, and full of love.  Is there any other way to be?

What are you favorite things about weddings? What are some of the best OR worst things you have seen done at weddings?

~Mandy Lamb, XO

Farewell to summer

Hello loves! I have officially survived three weeks of school (I teach art at an elementary school), and enjoyed my first day off! The weather here has been crazy hot all week.  Every day I have driven home from school just burning up in my work clothes!  The first thing I have wanted to do is just jump into some shorts or a sundress, so that is exactly what I did!  

      I have had a love affair with lace shorts for the past two summers. They are seriously the comfiest things (aside from dresses of course) but still look super put together.  I own a black pair and a white pair, and *almost* splurged on a tan pair.  I highly recommend them! You can pair them with tanks for a super casual look or a button down and wedges for a cute summer date look.

      For this outfit I paired it with a flowy black top I bought on consignment.  I was seriously on a "black shirt hunt" for the greater part of this summer.  I have a lanky body and thin from, so the flowy top trend can sadly leave me looking underfed and unattractive.  I was super happy to find this shirt and a local consignment shop.  I paired a lace bralette under it for a summer look, but I could also layer a cami under it with skinny jeans for fall.  I like the sheer look of it because it takes a very basic concept and gives it a little va-va-voom (without being "too much").

    Quick Side Note! I want to give some mad props to my amazing boyfriend Shane who took these pictures! He is being a great help in inspiring me to restart my blog and being an amazing photographer! So thank you Shane you rock my socks!

    Back to the fashion! Some delicious chunky jewelry add a little hardware to this look! Once again I have a love affair with chunky necklaces from Wal-Mart (don't judge!).  First I know these are pieces I wont wear for a super long time.  Also as an elementary school teacher it is not unbeknownst for my jewelry to be pulled on by sweet (and sticky) little fingers!!

     Now on the day that I write this post I am sipping on a chai tea latte (yum!). Luckily fall is starting to poke its head around the corner (ever so slightly) so I am writing a farewell to summer! I have loved you for your sundress and shorts, your spf and iced coffees.  I am typically basic and ready for all things fall (Yes my p.s. creamer is in the fridge).  So bye bye summer until next year!!

~Mandy Lamb, XO

Summer nights

Me and my amazing boyfriend, Shane

     This Friday Shane took me on an amazing, end-of-summer date night!  With school starting back, it can be hard time to find time for stuff like this, so I was super excited.  We decided to beat the heat at a local beer garden called The Patriarch.

I am OBSESSED with the decorations at The Patriarch, esp the wooden Oklahoma!

     It has still been VERY hot here in Oklahoma, but we got lucky with a gorgeous evening to sit outside on the patio, eat, drink, and be merry! I tried the Bitters Sisters Blonde Ale and it was ah-mazing! I am not a huge fan of very hoppy (BITTER) beers.  This one was just perfect. Every drink is served in its proper cup and tastes great! Shane had the Coop Alpha Hive (I'm not sure exactly what that is but I know it was wayyyy too bitter for my tastes!)

Amazing "barn door" style on this rustic, outdoor bar

     Something else neat about The Patriarch is that they have food trucks pull up outside so you can always have something to eat with your drink.  We had Nathan's All Beef Hot Dogs and oh-em-gee, can you think of a more perfect end-of-summer food than that?! It was delicious (and tres healthy... JUST KIDDING!).

Wooden benches give it such a friendly feel

     It was a great night laughing and catching up with this awesome man of mine.  We lucked into some great weather because the rest of this weekend has been HOT HOT HOT!!  I am a summer baby but I have to admit the basic-white-girl in me is coming out and I am ready for all things fall, but mostly fall fashion.  Tights, scarves, boots, dark lips, coffee cups (oh wait those are a daily accessory anyway) are all calling my name!

moi!

     Here is what I wore on Friday.  I am all about the stripes this year and I love the lace detail on this tank from Rue 21.  These shorts are actually a maroon color but it doesn't show in the picture.  I paired it with a nautical anchor necklace to tie it all together.  This tank was a great find for me because I know I can pair it with jeans, leggings, and cardigans or jackets to turn it from such a summery piece here into more of a transition piece.

How are you beating this heat wave? What are you MOST excited about for fall?

~Mandy Lamb, XO