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Now that I’m a Southern California girl there’s ample opportunity to be poolside, but even when I was back on the East Coast – Memorial Day weekend always meant a trip to the nearest beach/pool/lake to kick off summer…
And while that definitely calls for something casual, I like to throw on an outfit that’s presentable enough to run a few errands in or grab lunch just in case the day calls for it.  Armed with my Top 20 Summer Essentials (see the full list here) I started with the obvious – a bathing suit (#12 on the list) and sunglasses (#8).  From there I added cut off jean shorts (#4), because, honestly is there anything more quintessentially summer-y?  Then paired them with a bright blouse (#1) – in this case a textured cotton number – for a laid back look.  Here’s where most people would stop – but I urge you to take one extra minute and throw on a thin leather belt (#19) and a statement bracelet (#14).  Neither one is fussy like a statement necklace or earrings would be (and they can easily be slipped off and thrown into your bag when you get to the pool) but they add just enough polish to really turn this into an outfit.  Finally, I slipped on a pair of canvas sneakers (#18) – just as easy as flip flops but way cooler.  And last but not least, a tote bag (#13) to wrangle your towel, sunscreen etc.  The ‘Steele’ tote bag shown here is made by Steele Canvas Basket Co. for J.Crew, but if you don’t happen to have a company making chic totes with your name already printed on them – go the monogram route.  If you need me, I’ll be relaxing by the pool…

Long weekends call for a night out on the town.  Try a new restaurant, grab a drink, wear a pair of heels.  You’ve got 3 long days to sleep it off.  I usually like to keep the outfit relatively simple when I go out and use more playful accessories to add character.  This lace dress (#5 on the list) is the perfect building block.  It’s comfortable but still dressy enough for wearing out and simple but still interesting because of the lace.  And nothing says summer (or highlights a tan) like bright white.  I love this chain strap printed bag  (inherited from my great Aunt – one stylish little lady) for a million reasons, but one is that it’s a constant conversation starter at social functions and it also keeps my hands free when I’m trying to hold a drink and navigate through a busy bar.  A patterned bag is #2 on the list.  I threw on a pair of strappy sandals (#20) which seem wild, but actually manage to act almost as a neutral here because of the color scheme.  The trick with heels for a night out?  Go for a stable block heel like these and you’ll be dancing till dawn.  And finally, I grabbed my denim jacket (#9) to combat those over air conditioned restaurants, simple thin gold hoop earrings (#6) to frame my face and swiped on a bright lipstick (#17) for an extra punch.  

 

 

This weekend (while not a break from my usual 9-5) turned out to be all about the graphics.  I spent a good deal of time learning the code and setting up the beginnings of my archive pages which I’m excited to share with you (click on STYLE on the top header pages to see what I’m talking about).  Expect to see more on the rest of those pages soon!  Saturday we tried out two new local eateries (one of which had caught my eye solely based on it’s signage, and the other happened to have these fun balloons to advertise it’s cool treats).  And Sunday night was rounded out with a girl’s craft night that resulted in these easy DIY string art pieces.  That ‘A’ will find a new home in our gallery wall I’ve got planned.  Want more graphic inspiration?  I pin here with pretty graphics that catch my eye.