Happy hump day, friends! First up, thanks so much for the love you heaped on the kids in their latest back to school post! I read your comments to them, and they were both grinning from ear-to-ear…so thank you for that kindness! If you’re still shopping back-to-school, don’t worry because I’ve got a few more posts planned!
Eighth grade is well underway for Little Miss, as evidenced by the pile of paperwork she brought home for signatures. They even start athletic try-outs for the school’s volleyball team today! And tomorrow is the day I’ve been dreading for the last year…well, 18 years to be exact…the day our son moves to college.
We’re all a mess of emotions, and honestly, I just want to get ‘that moment’ over with! The moment when we drive away. I’m paralyzed with fear of what that will feel like. My maternal instinct is at war between letting him fly and holding him close. I don’t know that I’ll ever be ready, but it’s time to just rip off the bandaid, and begin the new chapter of parenting a young adult. From afar.
But let’s talk of happier things…darling summer outfits! School may be here, but we’re still months away from cooler weather, with no sign of sandal season ending any time soon!
Flutter Sleeve Tee | Patterned Shorts | Sandals | Similar Woven Bag | Earrings
Shorts often fall in two categories…workout wear or weekend afternoons. But there’s also the statement short, that happens to be perfect for casual parties, weekend brunches, and even dressed up a bit for a fun night out.
Style them as you would a skirt, and wear them to most any occasion, while staying cool and comfortable. These fun shorts are a crisp cotton poplin with a wide waistband and oversized tie. I love the bold mix of colors for pairing with a range of tops, and wear them with both flat sandals and wedges.
Fit Tip: I’m wearing a 2, but they stretch a bit thanks to the stretch, so I’d prefer a 0.
I’m wearing them with a soft cotton tee with a cute poplin flutter tee, from my favorite Nordstrom house brand, 1901. It’s fitted through the shoulder with a slim fit through the body…basically, your favorite tee with a kick! When the weather cools a bit, I’ll pair them with a chambray shirt or a tank and jean jacket.
Fit Tip: I’m wearing an XS tee.
Flutter Sleeve Tee | Patterned Shorts | Pearl Ring | Filigree Cuff
Flutter Sleeve Tee | Patterned Shorts | Pearl Ring | Filigree Cuff | Earrings
Surely I don’t need to tell you about my beloved Miller sandals…I’ve only worn them 1087 times on the blog. Approximately. They are hands-down my most-worn shoe, and worth every penny. They go with everything from cut-offs to dresses…plus they’re comfortable!
Fit Tip: I size up half, and mine are the leather ‘makeup’ color. A great neutral to go with everything, plus leg-lengthening!
Flutter Sleeve Tee | Patterned Shorts | Sandals | Earrings
Flutter Sleeve Tee | Patterned Shorts | Pearl Ring | Filigree Cuff | Earrings | Sandals
Are you counting down the days until Fall, or hanging on to every last moment of Summer? I’m definitely a Summer girl! But ask me again after another week of 100+ degree days! Find all my Summer of Style looks here.
Sidenote: Did you hear Nordstrom has reached 100% pay equity among all races and genders within their company?! Just another reason I’m so proud to partner with such an incredible brand and company!
[Shop my Summer of Style]
*Photos by the darling and talented Mary Hafner. This post is created in collaboration with Nordstrom and ShopStyle, but all product selections, styling, and sidewalk prancing are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors!*
Ohh….I remember very well the day our kids went off to school. One to college, one to university. And..on the same day! I had twins. Boy and girl. My husband and I just stood and cried..lol…Yes, it was an awful feeling. Like your heart had been ripped out. But..luckily that only lasted about a day and then it was just the two of us getting to know each other again after 18 years of being totally kid oriented. So..I’m sure you’ve prepared your son well and he will be fine. Don’t worry..they always come home! My kids are 30 years old now and still come home and help themselves to the cookie jar..lol…
I watched your Insta story late last night about your son leaving for college tomorrow. We all know how you are feeling. What helped me (and I have sent two to college thus far) is reminding myself that “they are happy!” When I see the excitement they have moving into their new space and all the kids surrounding them with the same excitement and goals….I realize there are things in this world to cry about; and that’s not one of them. My children are healthy and happy…and this keeps the tears away for the most part! And when they do come home for breaks….it is SO Much Fun! You will love it and adjust to the differences; trust me.
Dropping your baby off at college is definitely a life moment. I was in your shoes a few years back. But, I promise you, when you see how happy he is and how right the school is for him, you will be overcome with pride and joy as this is what you have been working toward for 18 years. Then you will realize that you have given him the wings, and now it is his time to fly. That is when you will feel a calm come over you and will feel almost obtrusive as his journey can only begin when you head back to your new life so he can start his. It’s not an ending but a beginning. You will be proud. It will be a nice moment for you and Mr. SP. Think of the amazing journey you will begin with your daughter. You will be fine, dear sweet Cassie. You’ve done your job well, mom.
As I mom that when through the college drop off last year, I can totally relate. I’m sure you’ve been reflecting on the past 18 years and wondering how you got here? It goes by so fast.It all seemed so surreal. In my family it seemed more pronounced with just the four of us. The house was so much quieter. I missed the interaction between my two sons. It was just hard for a bit. You are so happy for them… but it definitely feels different. Good news is you adjust. I highly recommend having a date on the calendar as soon as you can to see them. Just knowing you’d be seeing him on a certain date..in a month..or whatever helped. Texting frequently helped too. I wish you all the best in this new season. An article you’ll relate to and enjoy https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/13/well/family/advice-to-my-college-freshman.html
Good Morning from California!!
Our 2 kids are 4 years apart and here’s what my husband and I discovered when our oldest left for college………*Yes we were sad for us, hopeful and excited for her, worried how sad her younger brother would be, and last, the “feel” of your home just isn’t the same!
But then we slowly realized…….*We we’re so incredibly proud of how our college daughter handled the adjustment of going away, her younger brother LLOOVVEEDD being king of the house, and the biggest take away was that it felt almost fair that our daughter got 4 years of undivided attention from us, and now it was her brother’s turn and we all learned the “new normal”. Plus the college travel visits are soooo fun! Hang in there, it gets a little easier everyday!
We hit the road just before 6:00am for the 13 hour drive to take our youngest to college. I am trying to focus on her excitement and trusting that she is in God’s hands. And if she anything like my older daughter who is in her last year of college, I know there will be lots of texts and phone calls. And we already have a fall visit planned and her tickets home for Thanksgiving!
Yes, it will be a tough moment, but you will get through it just fine. Let the tears flow and then look to what’s next. A whole new chapter in your family! I’ve been there with 3 now-adult-kids. I won’t tell you how hard it is to see GRANDKIDS leave to go to another state. Much harder! *sob* The good news is that our momma hearts somehow adjust and then we can comfort someone else who is facing it.
Just watched your Instagram stories and I just wanted to cry with you! The pain is real! I must have blacked out my reaction to leaving my eldest son, for the life of me, I can’t remember how I ever walked away. For my second son, I was standing on a chair making his top bunk and slipped off the chair and landed straddling the back of the chair. Hello broken who hah! I couldn’t even think about anything else but getting home and figuring out the damage! 🙂 So, there is a tip for you. Maybe slam your finger in a door or something! Ha Ha! Logan said he watched us walk away from his window and no one looked back crying. I assured him I cried when I got home and saw his empty room. After about 2 weeks you will start to adjust and feel like you might actually live through this. My tip for your son is to get involved with either Campus Crusade or Intervarsity (Christian organizations). They were a source of invaluable friendships for my boys. Other friends that love the Lord and are developing their own relationship with Him as adults. My boys turned into incredible men that have their own deeply rooted personal relationship with Christ that started at home and grew at college. It is the most important thing that happened in my book. I will pray for you all tomorrow!
Good luck today. Thinking of you.