Diary

Dear Winter,

I am over you. You proved to be a huge disappointment when it was 80 degrees on Christmas Day this year and I don’t need you to try to make up for it by continuing to show up in March.

Sincerely,
Melanie

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. gotta have it bright turquoise dress

I think this is such a great dress. The color is so pretty and the shirt dress style is so cute with sandals or sneakers.

It’s $64.

2. blank nyc jeans

I’m in love with the color of these jeans.

They are $88.

3. floral print tiered maxi dress

I recently discovered this brand at Nordstrom and they have some really cute dresses at reasonable prices.

This one is $122.

4. dolce vita Francy platform sandal

These are maybe my favorite sandals I’ve seen so far this year.

They are $120. They also come in sand.

5. farm rio mixed border maxi dress

Listen, this dress is pricey. But it is so gorgeous. I love the colors. Farm Rio just makes great, fun clothes.

It’s $275 but you can get 15% off your first purchase if you sign up for text messages.

6. chambray mini shirt dress

This is another cute shirt dress option from J.Crew. It’s $69.50 It also comes in other colors and some print options.

7. cloth & stone breezy button-down

It’s hard to beat a Cloth & Stone button-down. They are so soft and just a great basic to have in your closet.

This is $90. It also comes in white.

8. Malibu mixed media twist sleeve slub top

Banana Republic has 50% off everything right now and this cute top is on sale for $24.99. It comes in several other colors but I love this yellow.

9. artist top

This is such a pretty top that would look great with shorts or jeans. It’s $49.50. It comes in several colors.

10. a new day eyelet top

This is so cute. I love a fun sleeve. This is $20. It comes in several colors.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

Well, we are officially in March and that means Spring Break starts somewhere. Our schools are out next week, but Caroline’s spring break is the following week and, honestly, none of this really means anything anymore because my life is no longer ruled by spring break. Unless of course Caroline decides to come home for part of it in which case I will cease doing anything productive unless you count staying up too late and taking your child shopping as productive.

But it is starting to feel like spring really is right around the corner. I know winter will raise up a couple more times but even the cold mornings smell more like spring than winter. What does that mean? I can’t explain it. It’s just something you know in your heart.

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. maeve slim button-down

This top is so bright and pretty. You will definitely need a cami of some sort under it but it would look so cute layered over all white.

It’s on sale for $39.95.

2. ascot + hart cap sleeve jumpsuit

I mentioned this jumpsuit in the newsletter I sent out this week. I ordered it on a whim but didn’t have great optimism that it would actually be cute. Jumpsuits are a tricky proposition of proportions. But I have to say that I really love it. I bought the medium because I wanted it to be a little roomy and it is the perfect oversized fit. I’m normally a 4-6 for reference.

It’s $36.

3. gold bead stretchy bracelets

I’m always looking for new bracelets to add to my collection and I Love these stretchy beaded ones.

They are $15.99.

4. daily ritual cozy knit dolman sleeve dress

I buy some version of this dress every spring and it becomes my warm weather uniform. It looks equally great with sneakers or sandals. You can layer a denim jacket over it when it’s cooler outside and it’s the perfect thing to wear to Saturday morning youth sporting events.

It’s $29.60 and comes in other colors.

5. striped balloon sleeve cardigan

I think this is so cute as a spring outer layer. The bright stripes make it feel like summer but it’s great to layer over jeans and a t-shirt when it’s still a little cool outside.

It’s $37.99.

6. saving my love sky blue maxi dress

This is such a pretty dress in a great color. It could be perfect for Easter and is just $58.

7. time and tru crewneck sweatshirt

I’m always looking for a lightweight sweatshirt that I can wear when I go to workout. This one is truly the perfect sweatshirt. I like to get a large so it’s a little oversized when I have on leggings.

It comes in a ton of colors and is on sale for just $9.50.

8. mille Violetta dress in French blue

I recently discovered Mille dresses and I’m in love. They are so pretty and feminine without being overly precious and I love all the different styles and patterns. If you have an event coming up that requires a great dress, I highly recommend looking around their website.

This is $258.

9. raffia platform slide sandals

I love these slide platform sandals. They are like the clogs of spring and summer.

They are $46.

10. Carissa woven slide sandals

Target is killing it with the starter shoes this year. These are almost identical to some Vince Camuto and Dolce Vita sandals that are both over $75. These are super trendy for spring and summer and just $24.99.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

I should know better than this but I always think winter in Texas should end after Valentine’s Day. It makes no sense considering that some of our coldest weather is usually in February, but my mind has now made the shift to spring and so, therefore, it should be spring.

And earlier this week, it was. On Tuesday I had on shorts because I was so hot and by Wednesday I was watching the weather to see if a trip I had planned to Dallas would be canceled due to icy roads.

Reader, the trip did get canceled.

What I’m saying is nature clearly isn’t interested in my thoughts on when it should be spring, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not still focusing on spring clothing because we’re past the point of talking about sweaters even if sweaters are exactly what I’ll be wearing this weekend as I sit by the fire.

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. free people harbor brocade platform sandals

Listen. I texted these shoes to show them to Sophie the other night and she texted back, “These take me right back to the 1990s”. She is not wrong, but that’s why I love them. I love a platform slide and these come in several colors that would be the cutest pop to spring and summer outfits.

They are $98.

2. universal thread platform heels

I mentioned these on our live Q&A on Patreon the other night. I love a wooden platform heel sandal and I’ve been wanting a white version but do not want to make a significant investment until I know if I love them. This Target version is what I like to call a “starter” shoe. You can see if they are something you love without spending a ton of money.

These are $34.99 and also come in cognac and black. They have great reviews.

3. kut from the kloth Katy boyfriend shorts

Many of you have asked for a longer denim short option and these are the best ones I’ve found. They are Kut from the Kloth which is always a great brand that tends to have a little bit of stretch and soft denim.

They are on sale for $29.97.

They also come in white right here which is another great color to have for summer.

4. marc Jacobs the cosmo leather crossbody bag

This is the cutest little crossbody bag with a fun striped strap. It’s a great bag for summer travel and such.

It’s on sale for $99.95. It also comes in red, black or tan.

5. can’t leave you behind blue striped tunic

I showed this in pink last week, but also love it in this blue and white. It would look so cute with white skinny jeans or even as a swimsuit coverup.

It’s $48.

6. keep me posted denim distressed overalls

I don’t mean to keep pushing overalls, but I just love them so much. This pair is a great wash and I love the light distressing.

They are $68.

7. new balance 327 in Milan grey

I have been wanting a pair of these New Balance 327s for a while but couldn’t decide on what color combo I wanted. Then I saw these. I love the neutral palette.

They are $128.

8. able vantage bracelet

ABLE has such great jewelry and great prices. This bracelet is just $50 and you can get it personalized. It would make a great graduation gift or Mother’s Day gift or Easter gift. And they have so many pretty necklaces and rings that can also be personalized.

You can get 15% off everything at ABLE with code MELANIESHANKLE15.

9. blue and white striped cotton poplin kenzo dress

Well, this is just the cutest dress and it’s in my favorite blue and white stripe.

It’s $128. It also comes in other colors and patterns.

10. thml flutter sleeve stripe knit top

This is such a cute knit top for spring and summer. It will look great with light washed or white jeans or denim shorts. It’s $79.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.