We’ve officially crossed the threshold into summer, and I couldn’t be happier. Even when it’s 95 degrees and uber-humid, and the Chicagoans are positively melting in the heat, I’m happy as a clam. That kind of steamy summer weather makes me deeply nostalgic–it brings me back to summers in DC as a child, when I’d open the door and feel like I was practically swimming through the air, it was so thick and heavy, and the constant song of the cicadas was white noise. We’d catch fireflies in our backyard (don’t see many of those up here in Chicago, come to think of it) and spend our days at the country club pool, eating grilled cheese that tasted vaguely of chlorine thanks to our pruney-from-the-pool fingers. There were sparklers in our driveway (possibly illegal? naughty!), sprinklers to run through, and lots of bruises and scrapes. We lived outside in the summer, entertaining ourselves on my parents’ beautiful property in NW D.C., collecting gypsy moth caterpillars (there was an overinfestation for many years of my childhood; I think they’ve since dwindled in number in the Mid-Atlantic), pretending we were Harriet the Spy (anyone else love that book?) by hiding in the shrubs on the southside of the lawn and diligently documenting all the passersby in loopy handwriting in a marbled Mead notebook (they might have been SPIES or CRIMINALS!), and staining our fingers and shirts with popsicles. Above all, we were a little posse of siblings (eventually to also become dear friends) growing up and figuring ourselves out against the stifling, heavy heat of the summer–five sets of bare feet, tanned shoulders (well, some of us turned out brown as berries — those that inherited more of my father’s Italian coloring — and others among us that left summer burned — those that favored my mother’s Irish side), and occasionally over-opinionated mouths.
I miss those summer days with the fiercest sense of nostalgia, and find myself reaching for the phone to text or call my sibs more often than during other seasons of the year when we hit the peak of summer. So let this schmaltzy little blog post be your reminder to give your sister or your brother or your step-sibling or half-sibling a call.
And on a less touchy-feely note, the turn in weather means it’s time to pull our your breeziest, most comfortable summer gear. Things like this denim dress ($142 — or check out this striped similar style for less) — perfect with a brown leather lace-up sandal (WOW, this $20 Target pair give a lot of higher end variations a run for their money!) and this very Brigitte Bardot / Jane Birkin basket bag ($258).
+And, now, don’t even get me started on the perfection that is Ulla Johnson. I love this sweet little number ($320). Little house on the prairie in all the right ways.
+Especially with these sweet espadrille lace-ups ($148) and this straw clutch (on sale for $258).
+This denim romper ($118) looks oh-so-comfortable and fuss-free.
+A sweet straw clutch ($35).
+Perfect wedges (on sale for $225).
+This denim printed dress ($49) is such a chic steal.
+This very of-the-moment basket bag has been spotted on tons of different fashionistas ($98).
+Meanwhile, for slightly more formal events, you’ve gotta check out the Zimmermann sale — there are breezy pieces like this sweet printed number (on sale for $375) ripe for the picking.
+Perfection with these heeled sandals (on sale for $75).
+And somehow these drop earrings feel just right ($425).
In a similar vein, I am dying over this Zimmermann dress (the sleeves!) and this blooming Carolina K number and this pinafore-style dress from uber-hot designer Ulla Johnson.
And PS — Shopbop is having its extra 25% off sale situation, which is bad for everyone. I had to snag this Self-Portrait lovely (also on super sale at Neiman Marcus), but I was torn between that one and this one.
+This cover up is my kind of beach situation. Love those neon orange tassels.
+Oh, Zimmermann. This piece is Coachella-chic.
+Classic, wear-with-everything sandals from an epic line.
+I featured this perfect-for-the-4th dress awhile ago, and now it’s on sale with an extra 25% off, making it well under $100!
+Adore this Love Sam embroidered dress — it nails the ambient trend raging right now.
+I’ve had my eye on this Tibi “cold-shoulder” dress for a looong time. Now might be the moment to take the plunge.
+The line Wayf has some super cute LWDs at a great price, including this and this.