Finding quality denim can be difficult; especially when we live in a world of fast fashion, where everything is cheap quality and expected to not last anymore than a few years, sometimes not even a few months. That's why I love living against the grain of society and searching vintage/ thrift stores to find quality pieces that will last and have lasted through someone else's life-time. Also, it's my favorite thing to say, "sorry, it's vintage," when people ask where I got something. 

This Levi's pair was a vintage find in Long Beach. I love the light wash and the loose fit. I've styled them quite a few different ways, but this approach is a classic, everyday look. I wore this to a shoot I went to with Kristen. She was photographing family photos in Oak Glen and I tagged along and helped her out. Since this was an outdoor shoot, my high-top converse were perfect for all the dirt we walked through and the red ants. The fitted black tee balanced the loose fitted Levi's and the bandana was an extra touch to bring it all together. Like always, I topped it all off with a new hat I got at thrift store in Palm Springs this week. 

Kristen was sent this Fossil backpack recently for their fall ad campaign. It's perfect for photographers because of the separate zipper pocket for safe storage of your camera and it also has a laptop sleeve. Kristen has raved about it since she got it, so I know that this bag won't disappoint for any everyday use. 

Shop at your local thrift store or vintage shop to find vintage Levi's.
Hat: Thrift store find
Sunglasses: Crush
Backpack: Fossil 
My Summer Spotify Playlist
Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog!
​Kristen took all of these rad photos! Here is a link to her blog.
xoxo,
​Jill 

Is it possible to love an outfit any more than I love this one?

Probably not.

I'm not one to gravitate towards T shirts with writing on them. Especially anything with a cheesy quote. But this one spoke to the season of life I'm in. Plus I love the simple lettering & the shade of red they chose.

This denim embroidered blazer was a thrift store find.

Ryan and Emma tried to talk me out of buying it and I'm so glad I didn't listen to them. They obviously didn't see the potential it had! At first glance it's a little funky, but I knew that if it was paired with the right outfit I could make it work. It also helps that embroidered denim is pretty in right now. 

Kristen and I went garage sale shopping this last Saturday and I found this basket/purse for $3. Score.

The clearance section of target blessed me with these cropped wide legged pants. Thanks Target for the bless, you're the real MVP.

And of course I had to wear my new black mules that are perfect and so versatile. I found these at TJ Maxx, but you can find them about anywhere right now.

Since it's summer and I have more time on my hands than I usually do, I decided to set a reading goal. Six books by August 28th.

I know it doesn't sound that hard, but a lot of the books I've picked up aren't books you get sucked into and read in one afternoon, like Harry Potter. Instead, they're slow moving, take your time and absorb 'type' of books. Which I like, but often have a hard time staying dedicated to finish. Aka I have about ten books on my shelf that I've half-way read. But I'm proud to say that I'm three books in and I have three more to go. I should be able to make my goal and maybe add another book to the list. 

God has a name, by John Mark Comer is my latest read. Connecting to it was quite easy. The wisdom is so profound, yet very tangible and straightforward. I definitely recommend you buy it on amazon and start reading it as soon as possible. I mean if you have amazon prime, what are you waiting for? Here is a direct link to the book. 

I underlined a lot of the book, but I didn't want to get carried away and spoil the book for you. Here are few key points that hit home for me. 

• "God is more concerned with your long-term character than your short-term happiness. And he's more than willing to sacrifice the one to get the other."
• "Jesus takes all our failure-millennia of broken promises-and he drags it to the cross, absorbing it in his death and then breaking its hold over humanity through his resurrection."
• "But we all have a gap.

           Between who we are and who God is.

           Between the way we live and the way of Jesus.

           Following Jesus is about closing that gap, one step at a time."

• "In a secular society, the "gods" become nonspiritual-money, sex, power, more followers on Twitter, flatter abs, anything that "takes the place of God in your heart."
• "Prayer can move the hand of God. Prayer can get God to change his mind- think about the gravity of that." 
• "God's promise isn't that you'll marry your dream spouse, get famous, make a ton of money, and retire at forty on a golf course in California. 

        
         God's promise is that he will bless you, so you can turn around and do the same for
         others. He'll put you to rights, so you can put the world to rights. And one day, in time,
         he'll return to finish what he started and set all the crooked straight."

I might keep this book review segment going in future posts. I'll let you all know about the ones I enjoyed and recommend as I slowly move towards finishing my half-read collection on my shelf. That's if I actually finish the books I set out to read. Fingers crossed. 

H&M T shirt 
Wide-leg pants- similar here, here and here
TJ Maxx mules- similar here, here and here
Embroidered denim- here, here and here 

Thanks for stopping to read this post and check out this outfit!
xoxo,
​ Jill 

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