Reason for the Season: Decoration Day

Before Memorial Day became a federal holiday and before it became known as the unofficial start of summer, a three-day weekend associated with all things barbecue, sunshine, swimming and picnics (Uh-merica!), it was known as Decoration Day. The name originates from the early tradition of decorating fallen soldiers' graves with flowers and flags, and after its first observance in 1868 Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. Why May 30th? Because flowers would be in bloom all over the country. Ain't that lovely?

Now Memorial Day falls on the first Monday in May, and while I'm sure the flowers will still be in bloom on May 29th, I think we can all agree the holiday has been laced with a Christmas-type of all-up-in-your-grill-consumerism. A lot of sales and emails and discount codes (that don't get me wrong I'll be jazzed about), but not enough memorializing - not enough decorations. 

So why the history lesson? Because I'm trying to add some culture up in here. And because honoring the men and women who sacrificed their lives while serving in the U.S. military by taking the time to count your many blessings and not just the items you scored for 50% off should be on all our weekend agendas. And lastly, because there's no way a holiday that [formerly] goes by Decoration Day is going to escape my crazy-collaging-claws.

Utility Shirt - Rank & Sugar// Khaki & Leather Skirt - Derek Lam// Shearling Purse - Brother Vellies// Sequin Mules - No. 21// Vintage Laundry Pin - Rank & Sugar// Lace One Shoulder Dress - MSGM// Fabulous Clutch - Charlotte Olympia// Pink Camo Heels - Jimmy Choo// Camo Sunglasses - Illesteva// Sequin Top - Tibi// Khaki Ruffle Skirt with Tulle Underlay - J. Crew// Satin & Lucite Heels - Brother Vellies// Beaded Camo Clutch - Anthropologie// Striped Top - Johanna Ortiz// Pink Shorts - Paper London// de Gournay Mules - Aquazzura// Pink Turban - Etsy// Camo Dress - Zara// Pink Tufted Sandals - Brother Vellies

Q: Thoughts on A Memorial Day Weekend Wardrobe? A: The Brighta, the Betta

There are moments I wish I was that I-only-wear-neutrals-and-only-own-20-items-of-clothing-and-somehow-manage-to-always-look-chic-AF girl (ex. un, deux, trois), but then I remember the powers that be had other plans for me. I'm hardwired to dress for the occasion, I wear my surroundings and gravitate towards large and in-ya-face accessories like a moth to a flame (and I got two ear lobe surgery notches on my belt to prove it, baby). So you can sing me the praises of versatile solids and closet staples until the cows come home and you can tell me Audrey didn't become a style icon by wearing pink glitter jelly slides, but you'll never convince me beach ball earrings aren't a wise investment before a three-day weekend at the beach. Ya just won't. 

So when asked by an amiga for help picking some pieces for a Tulum getaway this weekend, I should've warned her about the high risk of being blinded by the bright. But good golly, Miss Molly I'm not sending you to Mexico looking like a wallflower. I'm just not. 

Striped Bags - Mar & Sol// Beach Ball Earrings - Lou & Taylor// Printed Dress - Monki//Neon Striped Dress - Corey Lynn Calter// Teal & Neon Green Earrings - Shashi// Blue Linen Crop Top - Mango// Red Pants - Paloma Blue// Crochet Jumpsuit - Miguelina// Macrame Earrings - Roberta Roller Rabbit// Lace Up Tank Dress - Chio//Peach Cover Up Dress - 9seed// Rainbow Pom Pom Mules - Corey Lynn Calter// One Piece - Agua de Coco// Pink Glitter Jellies - Urban Outfitters// Bandeau Bikini - Mara Hoffman// Fringe Slides - Mystique// Off the Shoulder Tassel Dress - Pitusa

Found My Beach: Wiggy Kit

So much is said about the long-term affects of staring at your phone screen before going to sleep, yet so little attention is given to the diamonds in the rough one can encounter during a late night deep dive into the insta-newsfeed nether regions. So today I'm challenging the medical community at-large and taking the road less traveled by saying to hell with quality of sleep - for it is by traversing this road at the midnight hour that I stumbled upon my new favorite resort wear brand: Wiggy Kit. 

It was one of those finds that begins with a "oooh what's this?" and ends with an expletive whispered under your breath because after a few clicks you are confronted with the hard truth of having to admit you actually want the entire collection. Hi, my name is Natalie, and I have a shopping problem. Hiiii, Natalie. And to think, you could've been sleeping! 

You wonder, did designer Wiggy Hindmarch tap into my beachy-boho-chic mental moodboard or did she find a medicine woman in Harbour Island that gifted her with designing superpowers? After doing your research you discover its neither of the above (as far as the internet knows), and the brand's secret ingredient is simply the inspiration to create "perfectly cut dresses and separates that will take you from the local market, to the beach, carry you effortlessly through lunch and with a change of shoes, on through dinner."

You finally go to sleep, dreaming of wearing the peasant red striped skirt and white top while on a beach vacay, which coincidentally is where Pippa is honeymooning. She doesn't normally do this, but can't help but approach you to ask for the details of your outfit and you respond: "Oh, this old thing?" Just kidding (you're not even that cool in your dreams), you squeal "Wiggy Kit!" and start talking a million words a minute as Pippa begins to walk away slowly...

Wear Short Shorts: Spring & Lafayette

I'm calling fake news on whoever decided the first day of summer is June 20th. Peel-your-thighs-from-the-car-seat season in already in full swing in Houston, as I'm sure it is elsewhere in the swampy, humidified parts of the good 'ole US-of-A. Which is why now is as good a time as ever to introduce you to Spring & Lafayette, makers of some of the most comfortable and flattering shorts in the game. 

I know what you're thinking: gurl you crazy! in what world do the words comfortable or flattering go with shorts?! And the answer is in my world, which I'm so graciously sharing with you. Gone be the days of unbuttoning under the table at brunch so you can breathe and gone be the days of asking yourself "was I high when I bought this torture device whose only purpose is to cut off the circulation in my thighs?" when you try on last summer's pair after pulling them out of the netherworld of your dresser (where frankly they belong). 

Spring & Lafayette's shorts are the following: 1) comfy, 2) high wasted (aka flattering), 3) free of buttons, zippers, and other nonsense, 4) chic enough for brunch yet casual enough for the beach, and 5) made in America, baby. Get yo'self some here. 

Q: What To pack for a Ranch Weekend? A: This! (And a personal Cooler)

Hump day is both a time to marvel at your resiliency in making it halfway through the work week and to contemplate the weekend shenanigans at bay. My personal projections lead to a friend's ranch in south Texas, to which I've never been and from which I may never return. Something about being deep in the heart of rural Texas makes returning to the office on Monday seem more of an optional kinda thing. 

Our host sent a detail email earlier this week that reads in part: "It will be warm, so I just wanted to give you a heads up that we killed four snakes around the compound over the weekend." While that may unnerve the average reader, I want you all to know I am UNPHASED (such news serves the master plan well - a snake bite seems like a legit get out of Monday-free card to moi), but will pack accordingly nonetheless. Stay tuned for a recap of how I negotiated a mutually-beneficial relationship with the serpents by incorporating them into my ranch look (I'm-a-Slave-4-U-style) or a blogging hiatus caused by a near death experience from snake venom a-la-Cleopatra (open to either scenario because I'm just chill like that).

Bird Earrings - Wed to White// White Embroidered Top - Chantik// White Jeans - Industry Standard// Blue Slides - DVF// Black San Antonio Top - El Interior// Black Jeans - Industry Standard// Brown Boots - Tecovas// Green Horse Hair Earrings - Elizabeth Lanier// Tortoise Mirrored Sunglasses - Illesteva// Bikini - Camp Cove// Sunscreen Mist - Super Goop// Gingham Dress - Zara// Tri-Colored Slides - Charlotte Stone// Herringbone Hat - Jeanne Simmons// Black Tank - Splendid// Light Wash Jeans - DL1961// Black Boots - City Boots// Turquoise & Red Beaded Earrings - Indian Summer Collection// Pom Pom Earrings - WestPack// White Eyelet Top - Anthropologie// White Shorts - Mother// Teal Cooler - Yeti// Fringe Sandals - Matiko