Greetings, Ramblers!
I hope you’re having a great week. Might I remind you, summer is very much NOT over? As the kids say, “Don’t rush me, bro.” That doesn’t mean you can’t be excited and anticipatory about fall—and for me personally, fall fashion! We don’t have to live in extremes: Team Summer vs. Team Fall. We can co-exist!
I this current era of political polarization, I think we could all (myself included) use a little practice remembering that we don’t always have to pick an extreme. Sometimes you can love summer AND be excited for fall. Sometimes you can just…exist somewhere in the middle. Crazy! I know.
But remember, when we’re in the depths of November, sitting in darkness at 4:45 p.m., low on vitamin D, and wishing for a UV 10 (with sunscreen, of course), we may wish we didn’t rush these days. We may wish we didn’t wear rollneck sweaters during a heatwave. But maybe some won’t regret it at all—and honestly, I do love that for you.
I’m trying to embrace the crap out of these last few weeks of my summer before I go back to work. The end-of-summer dread is creeping in. I’m reminding myself to continue living slow for as long as I can. It’s truly the way my body was manufactured to function—a life with zero rushing.
Unfortunately, I don’t get that during the school year, when it’s essentially like a Mack truck hits my peaceful months of pure zen. But I remain optimistic that, yes, the Mack truck is coming and I can't stop it. Maybe it can just hit me slowly this year.
My teacher friends are reading and either shaking their heads thinking good luck with that, hysterically laughing, or wide-eyed saying, “SHOW US THE WAY.”
The thing is, I’m entering year 17 in education and still don’t have it figured out. But I sure hope I can find it!
Let’s dive into some great August fits. I hope these inspire you to get dressed, be creative, and giggle.
Affiliate links are included below.
LOOK 1
This is a newer shirt to the arsenal, and I really love it! I wore this for a family dinner, and it felt quite fun and romantic. I added these green ballet flats to the fit to add a touch of color—and do I dare say, a tiny bit of suede fall?
🏅Unsung Hero: HOMEMADE LONDON FOGS
I’m in my WHAT IS CAUSING MY LARYNGOPHARYNGEAL REFLUX ERA (oh god, not another era!), and I’m trying to take a break from coffee. I’m not okay. This is my attempt at drinking tea.
LOOK 2
After watching Night at the Museum, we decided it was time to take the kiddos into the city for a Day at the American Museum of Natural History.
It was awesome. I particularly loved the river valley civilizations and had zero interest in the dinosaurs. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HIEROGLYPHICS! I tried pre-teaching my son about his ancient civ social studies curriculum for next year, but he shared, “I do not learn in the summer.”
Quick lunch at Sarabeth’s afterward, then off to the smoldering-hot subway and, finally, home.
🏅Unsung Hero: CLOTHING DRYING RACK
Maybe it’s because I’m still finishing Yesteryear (literally slugging through), maybe it’s because I like to save electricity. But hang-drying your clothing during a heat wave feels like I am really adulting.
LOOK 3
Wore this little number for a coffee date with a friend. Considering we stayed and yapped wayyyy too long, it was the perfect balance of comfort and polished.
P.S. Please read Elin Strong’s You Should Date Your Friends - which fully inspired me to get off my butt and be social.
🏅Unsung Hero: STRAW SHOULDER BAG
I had been eyeing the J.Crew version for a while, but couldn’t stomach the bill. I saw this cutie at H&M and she’s equally as great.
LOOK 4
Alright, don’t laugh, but this is my “what I wore to go to Target and buy school supplies” fit. Which, mind you, on August 10th (most NY schools in my region start September 1), Target was completely out of FOLDERS. I know I’m a last-minute human, but I felt this was me actually being PROACTIVE!
In all fairness, us teachers cannot think about school in July. It’s sacrilegious. Therefore, our kids will have the weird folders, I suppose. My son put a hard “no” on the only remaining folder, a cute cuddly kitten, for middle school….lame.
🏅Unsung Hero: VOLUMINIZING EYEBROW GEL
When I do a quick no-makeup/makeup look, it’s usually tinted moisturizer, a brow tint, and a little bronzer if needed. This brow brush (gifted) has officially defeated my old one in the Battle of the Brows.
LOOK 5
Here is my “What I Wore” to see the live-action Moana movie. My daughter completed the summer reading challenge at our library, and the reward was tickets to see this movie. Our library consistently goes above and beyond for local families. We're a small town, but our library is mighty.
I don’t know where in my star chart it explains this, but I loathe children’s movies. But an opportunity to celebrate a reading champion (10/10 of her books were about sharks)? I’m all in!
🏅Unsung Hero: REALLY Great Adult Book Recs
There have been so many awesome recent posts about good books to read and I have to highlight a few: Danielle’s 20 Recently Read Books I Reccomend, Libby McCurrach’s Beach Reads, Natalia Quintero Ochoa’s A very special July Books & Looks, Anna Taylor’s Summer Reading in Review, and Nina P.’s The Books People ACTUALLY Read this Summer 2.0 and gosh, I definitely missed some folks, FORGIVE ME!
LOOK 6
Last-day-of-camp-pickup fit. This tee still reigns supreme in my closet. I snagged these red flip-flops and they’re solid. I just feel like they’re loud (?)—which usually isn’t something that agitates me, but this one does on my hardwood floors only.
🏅Unsung Hero: PRIZEFIGHTER | MUMFORD & SONS
I know I’m pretty late to the party. And I should still be stimming to Gracie Abrams, but this Mumford & Sons release is DOING IT ALL for me rn. Plus, I stan Sierra Ferrell.
Anyway, wear the shorts. Wear the sweater. Wear the ballet flats. Wear whatever the hell makes you happy. Summer is still here, fall is coming, and we are allowed to enjoy ‘em both!
TEAM SUMMER, TEAM FALL, TEAM I JUST HOPE ALL TEAMS HAVE FUN!
Love ya, mean it!
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“I do not learn in the summer.” 😂
Omg you know that even young French girls call each other frère?!!! (Literally bro in French). I have been enjoying so much this new good ramble era of yours Traci! Something about your writing (which is really good tbh) oozes excitement and clarity? Hope that’s the case indeed 🤍🤍