I kind of really love fall. Arizona doesn't have a typical fall. Leaves don't really change. The weather isn't crisp. It just kinda stops being 100+ every day (which is a treat). BUT everything tastes and smells like pumpkin. Halloween decorations are everywhere. Horror movies start playing on television. And, most importantly, I finally get to wear clothing that suits my style much more. I'm just not really that good at shorts and tank tops. I just really love not looking like a sweaty tomato after stepping outside for 6 seconds. That said, I have a few fall go-to's which can always use a little updating. They are certified Nicole classics. Tried and true.

I can't believe there is only a little over a week of summer left. Unofficially of course. Truth be told, Phoenix doesn't even cool down until about...October if we're lucky. I guess summer nights will be sticking around just a little bit longer in these parts so I thought I would play around a little bit. Recently I've been trying to go out more. And I don't mean popping into Shake Shack for a bite to eat or stopping to pick up some wine at Trader Joe's before heading to a friend's house. I mean socializing in a public space with a variety of people.

Anyone who knows me understands black and white IS my color combo. Just take a glance at my closet and you'll wonder if I strictly shop with a magnet that attracts the most monochrome of colors. Okay, maybe I do like a little bit of grey here and there. Okay, to be fair, one of my favorite sweaters is burgundy. But you get the idea, right? Every season there is a selection of colors that you'll see everywhere. These are the peak color trends.

Let me preface this post by saying I've thought about personal style a lot lately. Whether it was because of a podcast or just trying to liven up my closet, it's just been renting space in my mind. As we grow we begin to take on inspiration from a lot of places, and one of the biggest bits of inspiration I had growing up was Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Of course, Jackie died in 1993 when I was still very young, but the Kennedy dynasty has been a huge part of my life. I'm sure that's the case with many people. I grew up doing tons of reports, watching tons of documentaries, and absorbing everything I could about each of them.

I love a good list. They let me brainstorm all the things I need to do, want to do, or just things I need to remember. But there is one list I really love in particular: bucket lists. Bucket Lists always seem to be the one thing I set out to make with only the best intentions only to forget about it down the road. This happens a lot especially when it comes to summer. I quickly set to making a list of things I can't wait to do during the warmer months and then, just as quickly, work consumes my life. This is a different type of bucket list. 

Being from the desert, I love a good sandal. Whether it's a cringe flip-flop (hey, sometimes you just need to run things out to the trash!) or a sleek slide, sandals are almost always my go-to shoe. Since the temperatures are fairly nice year round they become a closet staple almost. Really the only time they aren't worn is during the chilly winter temperatures (which really only happen two times a day). 

4th of July is just a couple of days away. Everyone is packing up and going on vacation. Except for me. I'll likely end up watching a fireworks display, having a burger, and making some boozy popsicles. Not that those things don't sound fun, it's just I wish I was going on a vacation. I can't remember the last time I took a real vacation, but since I can't pack up and go, I thought I would dream about it instead. I picked 4 places I wish I could be right now plus what I would have to bring with me. And so this series of destination wardrobes was born.

Ah, summer is officially here. I will admit summer was always much more fun as a kid. Sure, going to the beach, spending a day at the pool, or taking a long vacation is still fun, but it still feels entirely different. Being from the desert, the temperatures are much higher (duh) so when it comes to getting dressed, you have to be strategic. This is because by midday you can end up looking like a sweaty tomato. Denim jackets and light sweaters really save you when it comes to air conditioning, but don't really serve any other purpose. I find trying to style outfits pretty difficult during summer. That's not to say I don't come up with some great outfits.

To be quite honest, at first, the thought of wearing an all-white outfit gives me peak anxiety. Just the sheer amount of things that could go wrong and make the outfit dirty heightens my anxiety. But the more I kept seeing them on the internet, the more they started to grow on me. There is something so clean, simple, and chic about an all-white outfit that I find appealing. Not to mention, one of the first rules you're taught about dressing in the desert is to wear light colors.