SUMMER PLANS + SEERSUCKER STRIPES

My summer bucket list reads as follows:

I’m not going to check in on work emails when it’s a sunny Sunday afternoon and I’m lying out in the park.

I’m not going to let it throw me off course if we stay out for just one more cold drink on a hot night and I end up skipping a workout the next morning.

I’m not going to care if I don’t always have a new outfit to post here because I have plentyyy of cute dresses already in my closet (this one included).

I’m not going to stress about spending weekends finishing up the last of our apartment projects by any set deadline, and run off to the lake house any chance I get instead.

I’m not going to compare myself to what anyone else is doing – whether that be having a baby this summer or island hopping off the coast of Greece, and instead feel content with everything I’ve got going on.

You get the point. Less worry, more in the moment, at ease, enjoyment.

And if you’re thinking – ugh, sounds nice but no one is that relaxed in reality.. what a charmed life. Know that last summer I was in such a rough spot I spent weeks, maybe months, not truly enjoying a single aspect of summer. There have been summers where I was so stressed about work and life that I spent sunny Saturday mornings in an anxiety-ridden frenzy in our old, dark apartment. So this hasn’t come easy.

Adam and I are in a sort of funny position this summer as so many around us are having babies this year (no less than 6 couples we know either had a baby this spring or are due by the fall!) and as I watch their lives dramatically change – I feel myself almost giddy with the incredible freedom of our own lives. This summer we’re going to drink margaritas and dance in the streets and go on midnight swims in the lake and sleep in late and get too much sun and anything else we damn well please. Call it selfish if you will. But I hear a lot of new parents say they wish they had reveled in this stage more. So that’s exactly what I intend to do. No aspirational list of do’s. Just a vague list of dont’s.

And while I’m having all of the aforementioned fun, I’ll likely be in simple outfits like this one. A seersucker dress, comfortable sandals (sold-out now, sorry! But they’ve got lots of other super cute options) and a cheap pair of sunglasses. Ready for you summer!

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POLKA DOTS AT THE PALAIS-ROYAL

You know how sometimes a place becomes heavily photographed on Instagram and then when you actually go, it’s not quite as nice as everyone’s photos make it out to be? The Palais-Royal isn’t like that. I had actually come to this spot back in 2008 on my first trip to Paris (armed with just a digital camera) and remember loving the grandness of the old French courtyard and gardens set against the graphic pop of these raised columns at varied heights. So I knew I wanted to swing back through on this trip. Although I have to say, I don’t remember what I wore back in 2008 but this may be my favorite outfit I wore on our whole trip.

I actually bought this polka dot midi dress back in March for my girl’s trip to Charleston with my Mom and Sister (it makes me think of a cross between Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman), but I knew it was destined to make an appearance in Paris too. I stepped it up a bit with these cute little polka dot flats too which I picked up as a replacement to a similar gingham pair that I wore to shreds over the past couple of years.

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THE HAMPTONS: RUFFLE OFF THE SHOULDER DRESS AND FLORAL CROWN

The Hamptons: wearing Design History off the shoulder ruffle dress and floral crown

Happy August! After spending last weekend/week sick in bed – I was more than looking forward to this weekend. Aside from a gorgeous wedding Friday night, Adam and I were up bright and early Saturday morning to head to the Hamptons for the first time. Verdict? I finally get what all the fuss is about.

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SUMMER STYLE: STRIPED OFF THE SHOULDER DRESS

Summer Style: Asos Striped Off the Shoulder Dress

If I’m being completely honest, I’ve been in a bit of creative blog slump for the past few weeks. While lots could be to blame (being busy at work, conflicting travel schedule between Adam and I, life in general…) – the result was that I was turning out posts that I felt less than excited about. Which has never been the point of this little space. It’s meant to be a place where you turn for inspiration to get out there and explore your own city (and beyond!) in style. Not a guide for to how to stand in front of a wall and smile… but there it was. Lucky for us all – on Friday I had the day off work (all hail Summer Fridays) and so I picked myself and headed to one of my favorite happy places in the city. The Met’s rooftop. With sweeping views of the city and a glass of rosé in hand, I felt inspired all over again and by the time Adam caught up with me that evening I was brimming with new ideas. A change of view will do that to a girl I guess. So stick around, we’ve got lots coming your way these next few weeks that I’m truly excited to share – starting with today’s post shot on one of my favorite streets in Greenwich Village.

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TOBI LACE SHEER DRESS

Tobi Little White Lace Dress with White Denim Jacket

Ah, the little white lace dress. This one (short, sheer and scalloped) is pretty much perfect. There’s just one little problem…

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