There's nothing quite like a trusty LBD - a piece you can always count on to dress up or dress down and wear in pretty much any and all situations.  I have several go-to LBDs which have brought me through pretty much any situation out there.  This one, I snagged over five years ago (?!) at Banana Republic and thanks to my girlfriend's trusty eye.  I wore it when I was pregnant and I continue to wear it today - it fits just right and looks great on all of the time.  It's a classic piece like this that I always recommend people beef up their wardrobe with.

[top: ann taylor (similar) // skirt: madewell (similar) // kicks: franco sarto // baubles: michael kors, loren hope (here & here) c/o, jcrew, max & chloe // sunnies: prada // purse: kate spade]

Part of the fun of being in a new(ish) area is checking out new places to grab a good meal.  Our date night this week included a dinner at a place we've been wanting to try, Copper, with a few new friends in the area.  Date nights sans bebe are so rare these days that I try to break out something other than a pair of skinnies and heels.  I consider August a transition month when I start to incorporate more fall-ish item into my everyday.  Ever since I was in Atlanta with Becky and found some great booties at Zara, I've been on the hunt for some peep toe booties.  I scored these at the Nordstrom sale, but they are still available and still at a really great price point.

This skirt  from Madewell has been a heavy hitter in my closet since I acquired it several years ago and continues to be - it's comfortable and can easily transition between and within seasons.