One Last Summer Dress Before Fall Begins…

Can you believe this is our last week of Summer? Where did the time go? As much as I hate to see Summer leave us, I’m looking forward to all that Fall brings — colorful leaves, pumpkin spice lattes, candy corn, scary movies. But before that time gets here, I want to sneak in one more summer look that I’ve been dying to share with you.

Ashley Nell Tipton for Boutique + Cold Shoulder Maxi Dress

After seeing this dress, I knew it was one that I needed to have. I immediately fell in love with its rich color, a deep hibiscus pink that I’m convinced, also glows in the dark! This dress is also available in white, which is simply gorgeous, but I absolutely love how this color compliments my skin tone.

Not going to lie…I felt some major Beyonce lemonade vibes when walking around town in this dress….”Hold up, they don’t love you like I love you.” I love the flow of the dress. It fits and hugs my curves, while still being loose and carefree. There’s a gracefulness about this dress that is hard to find nowadays….although I am a strong believer in inner beauty and confidence, this dress had me feeling just as beautiful on the outside <3

I love wearing this dress with a pair of brown faux leather booties that I received for my birthday. The hibiscus color matches perfectly with the rustic brown leather. However, as much as I love a good pair of high heels, I know my feet will hurt by the end of the day. These Vaso Flor Sketchers came to the rescue…and the embroidered floral design matched perfectly 🙂

With the Fall weather breezing through, I decided to cover up with a faux leather jacket. Not only do I love the contrast in color this jacket provides, wearing a leather jacket is a great way to transition into Fall, while still holding on to your Summer style for a little bit longer.

While taking these pictures, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe for where life has lead me these last 365 days. It was around this time last year, that I had my very first photoshoot in this same location. I remember being so scared…what were people going to think of me? What were they going to say about my pictures? Although I was scared out of my mind, I decided that taking pictures and sharing them with all of you, was worth taking the chance. Being vulnerable, sharing with you my weakness and insecurities, was worth taking the chance. The chance that a little girl — teased and picked on for being chubby — will see someone who looks like her, and learn to celebrate who she is. The chance that an insecure teenager — feeling ugly, uncool, unworthy — will learn to forgive herself for the mean words she used against herself, taking chances of her own to embrace her ‘flaws’ and find them beautiful.

In the process, I’ve grown in ways I’ve never imagined. It started with simply tucking my shirt in for the first time, to walking around sleeveless. No longer being ashamed of my arms and the stretch marks that adorn them.

So as I celebrate a year of blogging, I say thank you for joining me on this amazing journey. It hasn’t always been easy, but I am so thankful to have your love and support. I look forward to what this next year will bring, and the lives that will be touched along the way. And if I may ask for just one favor, I ask that you share The Pink Caboodle with someone struggling with their self-esteem: a friend, co-worker, relative, or even a complete stranger. Together, lets do our best to make a difference in someone’s life. Until Next Time, <3

Outfit Details

Dress: Ashley Nell Tipton Boutique Pluss

Vaso Flor: Sketchers

Faux Leather Jacket | Torrid (similar)

PinkCaboodle

Maya is owner of Pink Caboodle, specializing in Fashion and Body Positivity.