Obsessed: endless summer

< A beautiful early morning sunrise in Fiji >

The last day of August is here- how did this happen?  Also, today is Friday?  Well, its about time!!  This summer has really flown by, but boy has it been a fantastic last few couple of months!  On this final day of the official summer months, I thought I would review some of my favorite memories from posts I have created in recent months- all of the constant, ongoing fun has certainly made this one wonderful endless summer!  Although I expect that the days will remain warm and autumn will not appear for a while, I am looking forward to fall and just holding the great memories from summer in my heart.  I hope you all have an amazing Labor Day weekend, 3P style!

< A smattering of some of my favorite summer accessories (my sock-bun (pictured above) tutorial can be seen here) >

< My enjoyable view on a sunny day spent by the pool with the girls >

< Bright colors I have enjoyed wearing this summer >

< Delightful days on the lake- never enough of these! >

 < Instagramming my way through the warm summer months (find me @3Pprettyblog >

 < Enjoying a quick weekend getaway by the enticing San Diego bay >

Gallery wall inspiration

When I am looking for some inspiration for any kind of project, the web is a never ending source of great ideas.  I have amassed a collection of frames to hang on a long wall in the house, and all I need is pictures to fill these frames, and an idea of how to arrange everything.  Thankfully, I am finding some inspiration for my photo gallery wall in each of these pictures. When I complete this project, know for sure that it will be featured on the blog, and them maybe Better Homes & Gardens or Elle Decor will come calling for a feature??  Heehee, fingers crossed!

*Above images via

Daily Dressing

Happy Wednesday, 3P pretties!  Another Wednesday, another outfit post for you to enjoy!  Although I am still enjoying this warm summer weather, every now and then I am hoping for the breeziness of fall to, well, fall (you can see some of my fall fashion cravings here).  Bright colors are some of my favorite things to wear year round, and some of this week's brights got me a "Well, don't you just look like summer!" kind of compliment!  That also really helped brighten my day up.  I hope that these outfits help to inspire some new ones of your own, and as always, let me know if they do- you can email me at ParticularyPracticallyPretty@gmail.com, tweet me @3Pprettyblog, or find me on Facebook here.

Also, remember to vote for your favorite outfits in this week's Weekly Wardrobe Win! 

< Outfit 1: giddy-up >

Occasion: work

Dress: F21 (also seen here; available here)

Belt: NY&Co (old)

Sunnies: Jessica Simpson

Purse: Coach

Heels: Nine West (also loving these booties for fall)

Jewelry: Kenneth Cole (watch), Tiffany, F21 (bracelets), Target (earrings)

< Outfit 2: chevron maxi >

Occasion: lunch with a friend

Tank and skirt: Old Navy (shorter skirt here)

Heels: old, unknown (also seen here)

Purse: Nine West (also like this patent style)

Sunnies: Steve Madden

Jewelry: J.Crew, BR (necklaces), The Limited, F21 (bangles)

< Outfit 3: spotted pants and a bright lip >

Occasion: work

Tank: The Limited (old; similar here and here)

Pants: LOFT (similar)

Heels: Guess

Purse: The Limited

Jewelry: Stella&Dot (necklace and bracelet), Kohls (rings), Relic (watch), BR (bracelet)

< Outfit 4: looks like summer >

Occasion: work

Top: BR (old)

Skirt: ON (similar here) 

Belt: Betsey Johnson (also love this and this)

Purse: Olivia + Joy

Heels: Candie's (old)

Jewelry: Target, Stella&Dot (necklaces), F21, BR, LOFT (bracelets)

< Outfit 5: a touch of neon >

Occasion: casual work day

Blazer: F21 (similar here)

Shirt: ON

Jeans: BR

Bag: Olivia + Joy

Sunnies: Target

Heels: Carlos Santana (another great blue option)

The Limited (necklaces), F21 (bracelets & earrings)

< Outfit 6: spectral summer brights >

Occasion: night with friends

Dress: Cynthia Rowley (another bright design; similar)

Belt: ON (old)

Heels: Guess

Purse: H&M (old; similar)

Jewelry: Target (necklace), F21, Target (bracelets)

 

< Outfit 7: green with dots >

Occasion: weekend coffee run

Shirt: Target

Shorts and Belt: ON (striped shorts here)

Bag: Ross (also seen here)

Loafers: ON (adore this leopard print pair!)

Sunnies: F21

Jewelry: Tiffany (ring), F21 (bracelets)

< Outfit 8: Sunday spots >

Occasion: church

Dress: The Limited (other polka dot options here, here, and here)

Belt: ON

Heels: Nine West

Purse: Tommy Hilfiger (similar, and love this clutch)

Jewelry: Target (necklace), BR (bracelets)

Weekly Wardrobe Win

DIY: wedding planner & organizer

< Supplies gathered for crafting and binding! >

I just love going to friend's weddings and celebrating their weddings, but I love it even more when I get to be a part of the wedding and/or the wedding planning!  Party planning and staying organized are some of my most favorite things to do in life, so when a friend asks me to help out with such items, I jump at the chance.  As an extension of my love of organization, I broke out a few DIY skills and crafted up a wedding planner & organization binder for a good friend who is beginning to plan her wedding day.  I included a monthly calendar, loads of checklists and worksheets for staying on track with plans and numbers, sheet protectors to store magazine tear-outs and other miscellaneous items, a hole punch to make the binding process easier for her along the way, and separate tabs for ceremony, attire, photography, stationary, reception, music, flowers, bakery, transportation, schedules, and miscellaneous items, all in a two-and-a-half inch three-ring binder. Hopefully this will help her plan her dream event, stay motivated and organized along the way, and serve as a great memoir to all of the effort and excitement that will go into her wedding celebration!

 < I found this little calendar at Target, and it contained the exact collection of months that will lead up to my friend's wedding! >

< A few decorations on the tab for stationery >

 < An attire section to keep information about dresses and tux rentals all in one place >

 < Flowers on the flowers tab! >

 < Sparkly gold spots to help spark some decoration ideas into reality >

< The organization tabs in their entirety! >

Wonders from the weekend

< Wrapped up some birthday presents for lots of September birthdays >

Happy Monday, 3P wonderfuls!  This weekend was a wonderful one- great weather, good time with friends, a few summer barbecues, finishing a few projects around the house, and a little relaxation time. I can hardly believe that this is the start of the last week of August, but one thing is for sure- if this week is as great as the rest of the summer has been, its going to be a great one.  Hope you all had a wonderful weekend too, and have a fabulous week, 3P style!

< A little haul from Lowe's >

 < Fun times at a friend's Tastefully Simple party! >

< A few jewelry supplies for upcoming DIY projects >

< Fresh nectarines- so summery and delicious! >

Obsessed: style crushes

< Jessica Alba is one stylish modern woman- so fashion forward yet functional! >

TGIF, 3P pretties!  Can we get a cheers to this Friday that is finally here?  When I received a few compliments on an outfit I wore earlier this week, I instantly thought of these two women- Jessica Alba and Eva Mendes- whose outfits I would always compliment if I ever happen to see them on a daily basis.  It is official: I have serious style crushes on these fashionistas! From the red carpet looks to daily outfits when they are on the go, both Ms. Alba and Ms. Mendes receive high marks in my style icon book.  Thanks for making everyday, easy-to-wear looks so inspiring, ladies!

Have a great weekend, 3P style, and I will see you back here next week!

< Eva keeps it stylish, feminine, and so fabulously practical! >

*All above photos via and edited by me

Home decorations: master bath

< serene sink console >

It has been a while since I have shared any house decorations on the blog, and after recently spending a decoration-ideas session with a friend I was totally inspired to share some more of the design around my home (you can see other spaces I have shared here).  When the decorations for this space were chosen, we basically decided to mirror the colors of the master bedroom.  Thus resulted this natural-light-filled, spa-like room which helps bring a sense of calm even on the most harried mornings.

< a tray to hold supplies and corral stray items- see more ways I use trays here >

 < plants to bring the outdoor in and candles to add ambience >

 < a few lovely prints hang on the wall, and a basket full of towels and a candle rests on the tub >

 < sweet words of wisdom to provide encouragement any time I steal a glance at them >

< a few table top decorations liven up the top of a small storage cupboard >

Summer Colors

< Brights for bright, sunny days >

When I as growing up, I memorized the book Purple, Green and Yellow by Robert Munsch.  When I think of colors each season, the 'super-indelible-never-come-off-until-you're-dead-and-maybe-even-later' line always pops into my head and makes me smile.  Colors can bring so much joy into each day and can really serve to define occasions, create a great atmosphere, and celebrate each season.  As I am still in the midst of what is (happily) seeming like an endless summer much due to the unending heat, I collected a few of the colors I have worn during these summer months and am sharing these with you today.  All of these outfits can be seen in detail in these posts, and color collections from other seasons are located here, here, and here.  What colors are your favorite to wear during warm weather?  Leave a comment and let me know!

< Softer pastels for staying cool during the heat >

 < Summer hues of blues >

< Light summer neutrals >

My fall must-haves

Gap cherry print dress/ Dorothy Perkins Peplum Jacket/ Urban Outfitter's collar necklace/ Forever 21 crossbody bag/ Victoria's Secret embellished sweater/ Old Navy polka dot sweater/ Forever 21 utility jacket/ Sabine heeled ankle boots/ Steve Madden studded loafers

Even though the weather is still extremely warm and sunny in my neck of the woods, the slightest breeze (or any September issue) has me dreaming of cool autumn days.  Ah, to imagine the air crisp enough for a light jacket or scarf!  Those will be the days... In the meantime, here is my wish list for this fall- I will either dig similar items out of my closet for the harvest months, or look to score a great deal on one of these items.  Tell me, what is on your shopping list for this fall?

Wonders from the weekend

Happy Monday, 3P pretties! I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing weekend just like I did! After a busy week last week, it was so nice to be home, visit with some friends, enjoy home cooked food, spend some time with the girls, and unwind. The pictures above are snapshots from this weekend's activities- enjoying an afternoon on the lake, the delicious lomo saltado my friend cooked up for girls' night, our little Jack kitten, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and unwinding Glitter Guide style with September issues and lovely pink lip gloss. I will miss this weekend, but I am looking forward to a great week and hope that you are too!

Obsessed: Friday Favorites

< Bold and beautiful summer sunsets)

TGIF, 3P pretties!  As the sun sets on this week, I just wanted to share  few things that I have been enjoying (and possibly slightly obsessing over) as of late.  Although the days have been long and quite warm, the time has been filled with productivity, time with wonderful people, and smiles and laughter.  So thankful for a lovely week like this!

Have a great weekend, 3P style, and I will see you back here next week!

< These two lovebirds getting engaged! >

 < Green olives of all sort have served my appetizer plates well >

< The colors and patterns on a dress I recently rediscovered in my closet- seen here >

< A beachy, very summery tablescape to enjoy >