The weather is warm, the sun is shining, and the 4th of July is just a few days away! All week on the blog I will be posting outfit of the day (#ootd) ideas, as well as food and drink recipes so that you are ready to celebrate the 4th of July in style!

A maxi dress is an easy outfit choice for the summer. It is a hassle-free, single-item outfit that keeps you cool and keeps the mosquitos off your legs. Choose a two-tone printed dress (such as navy and white) and add a bright necklace (like the red necklace shown in the photo) for a patriotic color palette that doesn't make you look like you are wearing an American flag. If you like this look, here are similar pieces you can buy now: maxi dress / red necklace / birkenstocks

Memorial Day weekend is just about here and like many people, I am heading out of town. To be more specific, I am going to my annual family reunion in Robbers Cave State Park, which in my opinion is just about the prettiest part of Oklahoma. It has rolling hills, glistening lakes, and interesting rock formations. Plus, it once was the hideout of famous outlaws like Belle Starr and Jesse James so you get to explore the place where they once hung out. 

Going on a trip to a state or national park means that your packing list is going be different than if you were spending the weekend at a seaside resort since you will probably need hiking boots (not sparkly high heels) and clothes that can get a little bit dirty. (These 10 tips are a good place to start when you are staring at your suitcase with no idea what to put in it.) But to make my packing list even more complicated, I am taking Amtrak (most of the way) to my destination. I am a huge fan of long distance train travel so my packing list is down to a science and everything I need to comfortably enjoy a train ride can fit into a large tote bag.

First off, what should you wear when you have a 22 hour trip (which is the length it takes on the Texas Eagle train to get from Chicago to Dallas)? Since you will be sitting for long periods, choose pieces that are stretchy, but stylish and make sure to wear layers that can be easily added or removed. It is tempting to just put on yoga pants and a sweatshirt and call it a day, but I have found that I feel much better when I change my clothes partway through the trip instead of trying to make one outfit work for the whole time. I will leave Chicago early in the afternoon on Thursday and not arrive in Dallas until late morning the next day, so I have two daytime outfits and one nighttime outfit for the trip. Although I travel in coach, it is really easy to take a change of clothes to the bathroom and freshen up. 

Valentine's Day is right around the corner! If you are brave enough to brave the crowds and the snow to go out and celebrate, you will need an outfit that is both stylish and warm. However, you don't need to buy a whole new look just for one dinner. The great thing about Valentine's Day is that is only a short time after the December holidays which means that your party wardrobe should be refreshed and ready to wear. (Check out this post for more details.) So take a trip to your closet and start creating your perfect outfit.

1. Choose the practical option for February: pants. Start with a well-fitting pair of ankle pants in a dressy fabric and pair with a lace or embellished top. Slip into your favorite heels and add a jacket. Add just a glint of sparkly jewelry and finish with a bold red lip.

2. If you are excited to have an opportunity to wear your favorite party dress, don't let the cold weather dampen your spirits. Find a pair of tights in a coordinating pattern or color so that your bare skin is not exposed to the elements. Embrace your glamorous side with statement jewelry. I suggest chandelier earrings and a bracelet so that there is nothing to interfere with the neckline of your dress.

3. Make your skirt the center of your outfit by pairing it with a black sweater and black tights. You can continue the neutral backdrop with black heels or add an extra pop of color on your feet. The skirt you choose should feature bright colors in a bold print so that it stands out against the black.

Are your Valentine's Day plans more on the casual side? Read more about my favorite weekend night out look here and here.

Thanksgiving weekend is over and the last of the leftovers are being made into turkey sandwiches so it is time for me to return from my holiday blogging break. Now we are in the holiday countdown where we tick off each party and event until we can collapse on New Year's Day absolutely exhausted from all the festivities. We have outfits to buy, parties to plan and attend, gifts to shop for, and delicious meals to eat. There are so many details that it is not surprising that this is one of the most stressful times of year. So before I throw myself into the next round of celebrations, I'm going to take a moment to reflect on a few of them things I enjoyed about my Thanksgiving this year.