Check, Pls.

OK, I got a little gingham giddy after yesterday’s post.  Forgive me.  But here’s some more checked + striped looks that I just gotta get me some of.

Sweet summer loving.  That last pic has me daydreaming about a boat day on Lake Michigan.  Speaking of, have you been to Chicago in the summer?  It’s like a dream world of perfection.  From June-August, you just can’t beat Chicago — clear, blue skies; a nice breeze off the lake; a decent amount of heat (it was 92 on Saturday!); and all of us winter hibernators come out and live outside for the summer months.  There’s a sense of old time America, aw-shucks-Midwest goodness to it, too: families on bikes, dogs running alongside the lake, picnics in parks, ice cream stands, hot dogs on grills, fireworks at night.  (In fact, if they continue with last year’s tradition, fireworks every Sunday off Navy Pier.  Which, not to get all grouchy and adult on us, but seems like kind of a ridiculous expense given that Chicago’s basically going bankrupt.  But I digress.  It’s still a pretty tradition.)

Yeah, summer looks good on you, Chicago.  I can’t turn my back on you just yet.  I say this because towards the end of this long winter, I told Mr. Magpie: “I just don’t know how many more years I can live here!”  It’s not the temperature, exactly — I’ve accommodated the wintry climate with my Canada Goose coat and some thick fur mukluks from Tory Burch.  It’s the length of the winter.  It feels like it’s winter for nine months of the year.

But anyway, that fades into a distant memory come June, and now we’re just loving life here in the Windy City.

And here are some looks to match:

+Gingham smock dress ($68).

+Dr Scholls ($88).

+Gingham suit ($160).

+Striped coverup ($78).  #LOVE

+Cheery clutch ($118).

+I’ve had my eye on this Tibi dress ever since an entrepreneur I know wore it, but have been waiting for a price drop.  This similar but far more affordable style from Zara ($49) may just have to replace it on the lust list!

+Ridiculously fun lace-up sandals from H+M ($35)!!!

+Clare V. clutch (on sale for $110).

+Gingham shirt ($149).

+Espadrilles ($75).

+Drawstring bag ($99) — need this sweet summer bucket bag!

+Or, a white boatneck top ($30) with black gingham shorts ($59 — another alternative here) and scalloped sandals ($64).

+And a Mansur Gavriel leather bucket bag ($595).

Lastly, gotta share that I purchased this sexy-but-refined deep-v dress in boardwalk stripe from Reformation and CANNOT WAIT for it to arrive.  (I also snagged some double-sided tape because it looks a little dicey in terms of the deep v.)  I think I might wear it for my birthday or for a fourth of july festivity.