This happens every year, and I never learn: put your shorts somewhere you’ll remember them.  It can’t be that hard, and yet somehow, every year…

I’m hopping on a plane directed toward sunnier climates this morning, so my shorts adventure will have to take place inside a physical store, and not online.  I like to get the “too many salespeople and why isn’t everything laid out the way it is on the internet” experience over with fairly quickly, so before I hit the big box stores closest to me, I’m checking each store’s online offerings first, then call the store to see what they have in stock.  Most big box stores (today’s choices being Gap and Old Navy) will hold items for you if you plan on trying them on the same day.  It makes the whole process much faster and, since you won’t be as tempted by things you don’t need, cheaper.

(From left to right: Old Navy Linen Blend Tie-Belt shorts: $22.50; Gap Ikat canvas shorts: $49.95; Old Navy 4.5-inch Shorts: $19.94;  Gap Cuffed Shorts: $16.99; Smocked gauze shorts: $10)

So, we got into Pinterest like way after everyone knew how cool it was. Now that we’re there, we’re trying to get ultra excited about all of the cool stuff, but everyone’s so passe about it that we only have one outlet to wax on and on about how cool we think Pinterest is and that’s you guys. So, sorry in adv… wait, it’s too late. Damn.

These are the boards we have so far:

• Broke & Beautiful Fashion (Most boring name – maybe a prize need to go to whoever comes up with the best name!)
• The Cheap Life (Inspired by living inexpensively – it’s a beautiful thing!)
• Dress Obsessed
• Cheap Home Decor Ideas
• Shoe-Spiration
• B&Beauty
• Entertaining On Pocket Change
• Jewelry That Won’t Break The Bank
• Inspired by Cheapskates (We love watching other Broke & Beautiful people get creative & life life out loud!)
• Do It Yourself, Already!

Are any of you on the Pinterest train? I’d love to hook up and ~trade pinz~! (No, that’s not “a thing” but we could totally make it “a thing” and then it could be “our thing” – awww…)

Follow us on Pinterest – we’re “BrokeBeautiful” – we’ll follow ya back! 

This is the Strawberry Fields Wedge. I have been eating strawberries for the last week, straight – making parfaits, making oatmeal, making pancakes, making strawberry bread… It’s already summer in the Seattle area and damnit, Global Warming, I’m not going to let you bring me down! I am going to enjoy the nice parts of you and hope that makes you less likely to smite us in the future… Think positive, Global Warming!

We got the tip off on these wedges from our friend Jennifer (#2), and have completely become enamored with how much summertime energy they exude! I mean, even the stitching on the bow looks like the texture of strawberry skin (the stitches being the tiny seeds on the outside), and the raffia wedge just makes me think of the baskets I used to use when I went strawberry picking as a kid. It doesn’t hurt that this wedge is my absolute favorite strap style – not quite an ankle strap & not quite a mary jane! Not only is it the most universally flattering for legs (in my opinion), but it’s also the most comfortable!

> Strawberry Fields Wedge: $84.99 <

Carolina on Lookbook.nu

So I have a penchant for pants that speak louder than words.

Brightly colored, bedazzled, polka dot, plaid… Anything but tie-dye. (It died for a reason, people, let it go!) (…Okay, hold on, these are kind of cool.)

I like most pants that you could wear with a plain, white, v-neck and a basic jacket and totally look & feel awesome in. My preferred cut is Skinny or Straight Leg, but what I love about loud pants is that they come in almost all shapes & sizes! Plus, for thrill-seekers (like me), there are numerous patterns and styles to challenge your style with. Fun everywhere, forever.

(From left to right: Striped Jamie Moto Jean, $90; Striped Super-Soft Leigh Moto Jeans, $80; Moto Baroque Print Skinny Pants, $80; Metallic Pewter Leigh Jeans, $90; Moto Tapered Stripe Jeans, $40; Neon Orange 7/8ths Jeans, $60; Metallic Gold Leigh Jeans, $90

Today is my birthday, so I have an enormous iced caramel latte, a pair of slippers, and I’m doing WHATEVER I WANT on B&B today.

So, in honor of my level-up in Maturity, I thought I should come clean about a certain “immaturity” that stays with me… graphic t-shirts: I still love them. I wear them. I wear them often. I actually have a personal policy – ahem, I do not wear shirts with words on them unless the font is really good, so when I speak of “graphic t-shirts” I mean not-your-nerdy-brother’s-white-text-on-black t-shirts. But, nevertheless – some people dislike them, and/or find them to be ”too young.” I’m not into that. I hold my graphic t-shirts dear to my heart, and even chose a specific one to wear on my birthday. Which is today. Now, really.

R.I.P. Maurice Sendak

I was a big Where The Wild Things Are fan, and was bummed to hear that Maurice Sendak had passed away. I’m proud to wear my Max tee in his honor!

Besides, this is one of the softest tees I’ve ever owned – I’m in Secret Pajamas all day – AGAIN! (Every day is Secret Pajama day in the Broke & Beautiful house.) I have been ogling some new graphic t-shirt designs lately, though… Tell me what your favorites are!

Insight Liberte Tee, $52.19; Just Female Scissor T-Shirt, $41.75; Just Female Nirvana T-Shirt, $41.75; Libertine The Orphan’s Arms T-Shirt, $48.71.