I'll be the first to admit that summer is far from my favorite season, but I am a pretty huge fan of big chunky sandals. The wedges I've had and loved for years finally bit the dust this past season, and the other pair I have are just a little too high for everyday use, so I'm on the hunt for a good pair that I can wear with everything, from shorts to sundresses (and well into fall with leggings and jeans).

So far these are my top contenders:

• I love the mix of black and canvas on these espadrilles.
• These frayed beauties would look so cute with some skinny jeans.
• Still obsessed with pretty much every pair of Swedish Hasbeens I come across, and these ones are no exception. 
• These are a little on the dressier side but the price is definitely a bit more reasonable compared to some others.
• Such a dainty little pair of wedges!
• I've never tried on any Toms other than the classic flat ones but I bet these are super comfortable.
• I didn't think I'd like the whole flat platform trend, but actually now I think I'm kind of into it.
• These might be my least favorite that I'm linking to. They're cute but they seem like they're almost a bootie, and I'd rather just have a bootie. Maybe they're a bit more sandal-y in person.
• I love the lace-up detail on this pair.
• These are really cute but maybe a bit too strappy for my taste.
• Can't go wrong with black details and a chunky heel.
• These might be my all-time favorites in this list. I love the height, the ankle strap, the combination of brown and white. It's kind of between these and the other Chloe ones (right here).

Check out all the shoes I linked to above right down here as well, you can click around in this widget:

Which are your favorite? And do you have anything special on your summer shopping list this year? 

This post contains affiliate links.

GIRL!

Rob and I were so surprised at our appointment last week to learn that this little baby is actually a she. Rob is one of four boys and his oldest brother has two sons--ever since we've been together I always pictured myself as a mom to sons.

For the past few months I've tried to picture this tiny person in my head and couldn't do it--I thought it must be a boy, but maybe it could be a girl? I never had that gut feeling one way or another, so I figured I'd wait until the ultrasound and just be as surprised as anyone. And still, part of me felt like it must be a boy, not because I knew it in my bones or anything, but because I just always assumed I would have a son first, maybe only sons. I guess I always pictured our family looking somewhat similar to my in-laws'. I wrote down two boy names for every girl name and refrained from adding anything pink to our registry.

And then there we were, unknowingly watching our daughter on the screen, waiting for the sonographer to let us know what we were looking at. 

"How do you feel about a girl?" she asked.

We looked at each other and burst into laughter. But our hearts immediately felt so full. Maybe on some level I had already known it, but at that moment it felt like the best surprise in the world. A girl! Born in California, just like her mom.

I'm so looking forward to meeting our daughter in November, and I get teary-eyed thinking about Rob as a dad to a little girl. He is going to be the absolute best. I went home that afternoon and added some adorable pink moccasins to the baby registry, because why not?

I think I could get used to this.

I don't know about you guys, but this extra-long holiday weekend really wore me out! It took me a little bit longer than usual to get back into the swing of things, but I couldn't resist sharing my friend Kenzie of Cave Girl in the City's newest book with you! Weeknight Cooking for Two is full of delicious, perfectly-portioned meals that come together in 30 minutes or less--perfect for weeknights, especially ones like these right after a holiday.

I can't wait to dig into this chocolate-chia seed pudding (I love that you can make it ahead of time and that it doesn't require any cooking! Win-win.) Check out the recipe below, and make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of this post for a chance to win your own copy of the book! It's available now for pre-order and releases on July 18th. Congrats, Kenzie!

Chocolate-Chia Seed Pudding from Weeknight Cooking for Two

Ingredients: 

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup chia seeds
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 cups almond milk
• sea salt
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the cocoa powder, chia seeds, maple syrup, and almond milk. Add a pinch of sea salt and whisk until well combined and the cocoa powder has dissolved.
2. Divide the pudding into two jars, cover, and place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes or until the pudding reaches desired consistency.
3. Top with blueberries and serve.

a Rafflecopter giveaway