Q: White tops for summer. Not frou frou.
A: I love the vibe on the chic pea above — she’s wearing an oversized cotton-linen button-down from Posse. Gap has a great oversized white button-down that people rave about, too, and Everlane has a slightly slimmer fitting linen one for $80. If you’re into this summer’s gauze obsession, Xirena’s is the one to snag (they also have a short-sleeved variation and it’s on sale) — get the look for less with Gap. Doen’s Jane blouse is practically iconic at this point. I’m also convinced that this Frank and Eileen is the type of piece I’d buy and then wonder how I’d ever lived without it. Perfect for throwing on with jeans, over a tank as a layering piece, even with fitness wear.
Q: $100 and under gift ideas for a friend’s bridal shower.
A: Thinking back, some of the best engagement and wedding gifts I received were things like champagne buckets, cake domes, vases, pitchers, steak knives, serving platters, etc. These are things I would never have bought myself at the time but they really set us up for a nice home together, and helped with entertaining friends. Here are a few pieces I love along these lines:
ETCHED VASE
PUNCHY PLATTERS FROM IN THE ROUND
FOOTED MARBLE FRUIT BOWL
JULIA AMORY PLACEMAT AND NAPKIN SET
SCALLOPED PARTY BUCKET
ROUND SERVING TRAY — YOU COULD MONOGRAM WITH THE LAST NAME
CAKE PLATE + PUNCH BOWL IN ONE — CAN’T TELL YOU HOW OFTEN I USE THIS EXACT STYLE
Q: A midi/maxi red dress to celebrate my birthday in Portugal — under $200!
A: Oo la la! Happy birthday! I would go with this J. Crew (currently under $200 — it goes on sale every other day) or this Farm Rio. Enjoy!
Q: Lightweight cotton dresses under $100.
A: I hear you — easy pieces to beat the heat! My top picks —
THIS SZ BLOCKPRINTS (EXTRA 20% OFF WITH CODE YOUROCK)
THIS STRIPE KULE IS $97 IN THE WHITE/POPPY/BLUE PATTERN OR IN THIS RAINBOW
THIS MINI — EXTRA 50% OFF THE BLOCKPRINT STYLE
THIS BELTED MINI SHIRTDRESS, ESPECIALLY IN THE BLUE AND WHITE STRIPE
A STRIPED TEE DRESS TO WEAR WITH CHIC SNEAKS
THIS ZIMMERANN-ESQUE STEAL IS 100% COTTON AND UNDER $100
Finally, a shoutout to R Vivimos dresses — inexpensive, and not 100% cotton, but they’ve gotten me through a lot of epically hot days and I don’t fuss if I sweat through them — ha! I own and particularly love this polka dot and this blue floral. Both really lightweight and soft.
Q: Cute black sundress for a larger bust — not a fan of smocking.
A: A few great recent finds —
THIS GAP STEAL (UPGRADE PICK: LSF)
THIS GORGEOUS FROCK FROM THE GREAT — LOVE THE BACK
THIS LACE INLET MINI — $20?!
Q: Newport, RI wedding — bride said “summer florals” for girls!
A: Fun! I love this No Pise La Grama statement, this Mac Duggal, this Saloni, this Agua Bendita or this one, this Reformation, and this Cara Cara. Cheers!
Q: Easy summer dresses for lounging, walks, porch coffee.
A: Honestly, my favorite everyday dresses this summer are Julia Amory’s. I wear mine constantly. They are ultra-soft, have pockets, and make me feel pulled together when I feel anything but. They aren’t great for walks because of the length, though. For walks, the ones I reach for are SZ Blockprints caftans, inexpensive styles from R Vivimos, Hill House nap dresses, and Maxwell & Geraldine’s Kate dress. I wear these about 90% of the time when I’m just looking for something to throw on while hanging at home or walking the dog!
Q: Engagement party outdoors in Savannah in July.
A: Are you the bride? If so, yay (!) and I would suggest this Matthew Bruch, this Rebecca Taylor, this adorable &OtherStories, or this Staud (also available in a longer length if more suitable).
If you are the guest: this Damaris Bailey, this Agua Bendita, this Reformation, or this Pink City Prints.
Q: White tees — plain and graphic — that are not see through.
A: I would go with Everlane or Uniqlo for white. Not graphic, but the striped tees from Alice Walk are divine.
Q: Queen headboard under $700 to coordinate with Janie Kruse Garnett blue hydrangea duvet.
A: Gorgeous! I would go with something timeless like this Pottery Barn. I think the white would look fabulous with the duvet. If you prefer upholstered, I would check out the options at The Inside — affordable and lots of colors/fabrics available. You could do something dramatic like pair with a blue and white stripe or go with a solid.
P.S. Recent great Amazon finds.
P.P.S. Chic kitchen decor.
P.P.P.S. To the graduates.
Have you used The Inside before? I was browsing the site for ottomans for our new home. Thoughts on the quality?
Hi Marcie! I have not. I have seen a bunch of bloggers featuring their pieces, and they look to be nice and punchy, but I can’t comment specifically on the quality.
xx