OUTFIT: Casual cute

OUTFIT DETAILS: 
Activity: Family fun day at Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Tee: Forever 21 (exact) (reviewed here)
Plaid shirt (tied around waist): thrifted (similar)
Shorts: ebay (similar)
Belt: Lands' End, old (similar)
Sandals: Piperlime, old (similar)
Necklace: ebay (similar)
Earrings: ebay (similar)
Watch: Kenneth Cole, old (similar)
Bracelet: old (similar)
Lipstick: Revlon "Certainly Red" (exact)

I find California oddly hard to dress for.  Here in San Francisco in the "summer", the weather varies from the 50's to the low 70's, so you wear layers for that range of temperatures.  But, if you leave San Francisco, you're going to immediately encounter a completely different range of temperatures, more like 70's to 100's.  So you have to plan accordingly - leaving your home in weather in the 50's, but probably arriving somewhere with much warmer temperatures (and sun!).  

There's also the challenge of dressing for the right range of occasions.  You know what I mean - how do you look appropriate and comfortable for a casual beach boardwalk day that might end in a semi-fancy restaurant or shop?  I hate feeling under or over dressed, so it's a real accomplishment when I hit the right range.

So, this is what I chose for a (really fun!) family day trip to Santa Cruz.  It felt right, both according to the climate and the occasions we encountered during the day.  The accessories give it a step up from tee shirt and shorts, especially bright earrings and a belt.  The shirt around the waist was a useful layer, and if it happens to be trendy right now.... hey, I won't complain!