Since the pandemic, I haven't been out-out. When I say out-out, I mean in really crowded places -- maskless. The July 4th weekend was my first fully-vaccinated outing. I am the consummate people watcher; I love looking at people and what they're wearing. So, I had missed being out so much and I was feeling the isolation. It felt good to make some pretty clothes for a weekend of good friends, good music, good drinks and good laughs.

I love shorts. This is the Deep South and it's always hot and humid. And in all honesty, I get it in the gym and y'all are going to see the results of 3 days a week jump squats! McCall's 8009, view A is perfect for a night out. My fabric is a poly crepe from Jo-Ann that I bought last summer.

I cut the size 14 in the bodice and the 16 from the waist to hips. I lengthened the bodice by one inch. I also lengthened 1 inch at the waist and an inch at the rise.

I made a 2 inch full seat adjustment to make sure I had enough coverage in the back. And I also added 1/2" to the crotch length. See, I have a 31" waist and a 45" hip. With ready-to-wear shorts, I have to deal with hiking up in the back and not enough length in the crotch. So, when I'm walking, it causes the shorts to ride up and gather right in between my legs. It's not comfortable or cute. So, when I learned to make these adjustments, it was life changing.

To top off my look, I love dainty 14k gold necklaces. In the last year, they've become my gold standard. See what I did there! Previously, I picked silver jewelry to match with my platinum wedding set. But since I don't have to wear that anymore, I've really leaned in on the gold jewelry and I'm loving it so much. Gold is warm and looks so much better against my skintone. 

For this look, I with pieces from Aurate New York. I'm wearing the Infinity Bar Necklace and the Obelisk Pendant. (The earrings are the Long Beam Hoops.)

Are you a fan of gold jewelry too?