I love a good weekend upta camp during the peak of the summer with toasty, sunny days and warm breezy nights - but I especially love trips to the lake as the summer starts to wind down and the evenings get a little cooler and the days a little more sweet. It's a reminder to savor time and an excuse to snuggle up in a cozy blanket with a glass of wine and take it all in, because as we all know....winter is coming.

We're lucky enough to have a lake house in our family, and although I do not make it up as often as I would like, I am always instantly reminded of how much I love Northern Maine each and every time we visit. 

It's a place where time almost literally stands still, or at least lags about 10 years behind, and it allows me (actually forces me because there is no cell service) to disconnect and take the time to enjoy the little moments. Like lazy morning coffee with my mom, afternoon walks, kayak trips, lake floating, sunsets and sipping wine while catching up with family. You know...the good stuff :)

Plus it's excuse to be cozy and comfy - which is why I love this gingham shirt dress - it's great during the day and then in the evening wraps up nicely inside a fuzzy blanket.

Cheers to summer hopefully running right into fall.

xo - margaret

Long weekends almost always lead to post holiday weekend blues for me and wishing that I was still on vacation - so this week the husband and I snuck out of work a little early to enjoy some late afternoon sunshine and the sunset on the harbor at the newest addition to our neighborhood, North43 Bistro. 

And this dress is perfect for that very occasion with stunning feminine details with the ruffle neck and tie waist in the front - and low open back. For the workday I paired this dress with a light sweater wrap and for sunset cocktails all I had to do was remove it and add a few accessories and I was ready to go! Love, love, love when pieces make it that easy on me.

I can't help but think of it like a mullet dress...with a little business in the front and party in the back. 

I'm sorry...I had to. 

xo - margaret

Labor Day weekend, at least here on the East Coast, signifies the end of summer and the beginning of crisp fall mornings and evenings. It's also the time in which I say goodbye to my whites (old school I know) - which means that all weekend long I plan on wearing as much of them as possible. 

This year we'll be spending the long holiday weekend down at the Cape with family - and I could not be more excited for BBQs, Rose, late night patio chats & crisp morning runs followed by lazy morning coffee. Not to mention a little friendly family cornhole tournament (ie; playing to the death).

But first...coffee. And why is it that weekend coffee always tastes so much better?!

Cheers to an amazing summer.

xo - margaret

Over the last few years I have really cut down on my shopping thanks to Rent the Runway Unlimited - in fact, I honestly don't think I bought more than a handful of things this summer. It's such a short season so between the staples that I already own and what I rent I really don't need much else.

One exception though was this dress from Express. Now for me, department store maxi dresses are rarely long enough, so I usually don't even try them on. But when I saw this dress I immediately fell in love and was thrilled when it ended up not only touching the floor when I tried it on, but even having enough length for a small heel. Combine that with the fact that I had a coupon and some Express Rewards Cash and this was literally a steal (and no surprise that it's now sold out...sorry ladies).

The halter neckline with the deep plunge, open back and side cut outs make this maxi such a unique piece and the perfect day to night look. I also love that the color and print will easily transition right into the fall with a leather or suede jacket and some booties.  

Also noteworthy here is my starfish cuff, which you may have noticed went  missing for quite some time.

Backstory for those of you who are new to the blog is that I was obsessed with my starfish cuff, and during the past few summers rarely took it off. However, last year one of the starfish legs on my cuff snapped right off and for the longest time I couldn't find a replacement until a few months later when I stumbled across one on Amazon. And while the one I ordered was not of the same quality as the original it was inexpensive and so I bought a few just in case they too broke (which they all did) and so after nearly 4 orders, and 4 breaks I gave up. 

Until...my wonderful Aunt came along and saved the day with this amazing (and sturdy) replacement which has held up like a champ all summer! So...needless to say I am back in love and have all fingers and toes crossed that this one goes the distance (or that a jewelry designer takes note and starts making higher end cuffs). 

What are your summer accessory essentials that you can't live without?

xo - margaret