Simply Summer

Summer in Minnesota is short, but very comfortable; we only barely got above 90 degrees for maybe one day this year. I seek every opportunity to wear a dress, either when going out on a date with hubby, or just going for a short walk on a weekend evening. For the latter situation, I opt for cotton dresses that are simple and casual, which make me feel summer, and feel girly:)

(Dress: Abercrombie & Fitch || Bag: Wilson Leather || Sandals: Payless)

Fire Up the Independence Day

As I promised, here comes the post regarding my independence day:)

It has almost become a tradition since a few years ago that my hubby and I spend our independence day somewhere close to waters, like Duluth (lake superior), Chicago (navy prier), or Wisconsin dells (the water park). Since the world cup is going on, we decided to stay closer to home this year (so we don’t miss too much games) and go to our never-failing easy-to-access scenic town lake city.

Since we almost come here every year, just to visit and chill, we no longer take as many photos as we did in the past, but it was no less fun to walk along the lake, watch all the boasts sailing in sunshine, and when tired and hungry, fire up and cook our favorite homemade BBQ meal in beautiful and relaxing Hok-si-la park.

Given we had so much rain recently, I felt really blessed to have a perfect day. I wish you could all feel the breeze:) Thanks for reading!

(Dress: Abercrobie&Fitch || Sandals: ALDO || Hat: Tropical Island || Bag: Wilson Leather )

Lighten Up Your Work Day

Today I noticed something at work, the cafeteria door to the outside patio is actually open. This to me, means spring is here! I know it is April already, but in Minnesota, we had snow storms in April and May last year!

I still remember all the wooden tables and chairs underneath the thick piles of snow during the long winter, but now they will soon be occupied by people who have been eager to eat their lunch in the sunshine.

For a typical work day, I go with the business casual dress code. While dark colored pants are almost a necessity, I almost always try to brighten up the color a bit by throwing something cute in style or light in color, like the light-weight Abercrombie and Fitch cardigan, and the eye catching red silk cami that I got from express. Although high feels are more modern and chic, I often prefer wearing comfortable shoes so I can enjoy my routine walk after lunch.:)

A Day At the Olbrich Botanical Garden

We stopped by the Olbrich Botanical during a recent visit to Madison. Botanical gardens never stop interesting us because they are forever changing places.

While nothing really shouts out "spring" at this moment, the colors in the garden are very rich, with leaves turning yellow and red and flower petals, although dead, staying on the branches. It is like their beautiful lives were frozen by the winter and thus preserved during this long cold season, but full of energy, just waiting for the right moment to burst out their new lives.

It was a cool day so I pulled out my fun two-layered corduroy hooded jacket. I matched my A&F plaided woolen skirt with my beloved Adidas sneakers, a real steal I got from an Adidas tent sale with unbeatable price.