Time for a Picnic

 I've been day dreaming about having an old-school picnic in the park with friends lately. I can't remember the last time I had a picnic - complete with the blanket and basket. Once the summer weather decides to catch up with the fact that its June here in Seattle, I am going to plan a picnic outing - and this will be my inspiration...

First, the outfit. Choosing the perfect attire for your event always comes first in my book. Now, considering this is my day dream, I might have chosen a few items that aren't all that "park appropriate". In real life, I would of course, add a pair of jeans and some tennis shoes to this collection...

Gingam dress - Dolce and Gabbana, Floppy Sun Hat - Tilly's, Gingham sunglasses - Mosley Tribes, Red Wedges - Kate Spade, Swimsuit - Betsey Johnson

Next, we are going to need supplies for this picnic - all of the essentials like blankets, a nifty basket, a few chairs, and my personal favorite, a personal-size portable grill.

Deck chair- Hive Modern, Colorful Picnic Blankets- Basic French, Picnic Plate- Terrain, Bento Box- Plastico, Picnic Blanket Roll- Mulberry Hall, BBQ Bucket- Terrain, Wine Bottle Lantern- Jaimie Oliver, Blanket- Cath Kidston    

Last, but certainly not least, let's not forget the eats. After all, good food is the main ingredient of a picnic - is it not? And these Mason Jar meal ideas from The Decorated Cookie are perfect - adorable and smart. Also smart? The wine in a bag with a spigot...brilliant.

Wine in a Bag- Finnish Design Shop, Wine Picnic Pack- Yellow Tail, Red Picnic Box- Picnic Fun, Polka Dot Picnic Set - Cath Kidston, Pink Made-to-Order Picnic Basket- Loewe

Now, if I could only pick a picnic basket from all the cute options out there, I would be ready to go. Are you feeling inspired to pack a picnic and get away too?

xoxo

Summer Essentials

Summer is here...well, in most places it's arrived already- in Seattle, its still on its way. As bitter as it makes me to wake up and see rain or gray skies in June, at least it gives me more time to prepare for summer and shop for all those summer essentials that one just must have for the warmer months. I've rounded up some of my summer favorites below, check them out!

Essie Summer Nail Colors, Emilio Pucci Beach Towel, K.Jacques St Tropez Sandals, Smith's Rose Lip Balm, Nars 'Cap Ferrat' Eyeshadow Trio, Beach Star Cover Up, Frederic Fekkai Marine Summer Hair

Summer calls for perfectly pedicured toes, and to that end, I am in love with the summer color palette from Essie - I just bought the Jamaican Me Crazy shade at Target! Also needed for summer -  a stylish beach towel for laying by the pool or the ocean - the graphic prints from Pucci are eye-catching and fun. As pink is my favorite color, I will also need some hot pink sandals - and don't forget the lip balm to keep lips from getting chapped in the sun. Summer is also a great time to try brighter and bolder colors on your eyes - this palette from Nars would look great against summer skin and kick a date on a warm summer night, up a notch. Finally, since I tend to air dry my slightly frizzy hair more in the summer, I am going to need something to keep it smooth - can't wait to try the Smooth Sailing option from Federic Fekkai!

Jonathan Adler Totes, Gucci Aviator Sunglasses, Cara Accessories bangles, Rag and Bone Fedora, K Jacques St Tropez Sandals, Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, Rebecca Minkoff Pouch, Melissa Odabash and Bronzette Swimsuits

These cute totes from Jonathan Adler are brand new and are a colorful and playful way to tote your fashion magazines to and from the beach or pool. I am partial to the Acapulco design! I don't normally wear jewelry to the beach, but I would definitely stack up these colored stone bangles come evening time with a little white dress. If you can't get to the ocean, you can at least fake 'day at the ocean' hair with the texturizing Surf Spray from Bumble and Bumble. The Rebecca Minkoff pouch is the perfect size to fill with lip balm, sunscreen, and a few other makeup essentials, and toss in your tote for the day. Finally, these two swimsuits are my favorite of the season - I am big into the bandeau tops at the moment - no tan lines on top. Don't you love that purple color?

Anya Hindmarch Tote, Tocca Sunscreen Wipes, Bobbi Brown Beach Oil, Clarins 'After Sun' Lotion, Marc by Marc Jacobs iPad Case

 Couldn't you just see taking this Anya Hindmarch tote aboard a sailboat for an afternoon of fun in the sun? I can! Let's not forget the most essential summer item of all - sunscreen. I hate the mess of applying sunscreen, but I am going to give these SPF 30 towelettes from Tocca a try this summer. Luckily, I love the scent of suntan lotion - it reminds of being a kid, of summers at the lake with my family and so many happy memories - I would slather this body oil on in the evenings just to smell like suntan lotion still - after a day in the sun! I am also a huge fan of the After Sun lotion from Clarins - extra moisture and conditioning to make your tan last as long as possible. Last but not least, a pretty purple case for my (imaginary) iPad that I dream of taking to the beach with me...someday!

What are your summer must-haves?

xoxo

Warm Weather Style

Ok, so truly, spring hasn't even arrived in Seattle quite yet. However, I've (naturally) already started planning what I would like to wear this summer - what my style and look will be once it finally warms up. With the inspiration of Coachella looks from last weekend all over the web, I've really been feeling a boho, slightly messy, partially distressed, hippie style and cannot wait for it to be hot so I can start putting together my outfits!

The first look I am all about right now is slouchy tanks with distressed, ripped, comfortable jeans. I just love the ease of this and the casual, beachy, Southern-California vibe to it.

Racerback tanks from Splendid and Kane are perfect - lightweight and with just the right amount of loose flowing slouch. 

Tank tops from Kain and Splendid, www.net-a-porter.com

Source: www.no-5.tumblr.com

I also love the idea of putting a brightly colored or patterned bra under one of these tanks, letting just a little pop of color or print peek out for a little fun. These bright mesh ones from Cosabella are just right!

From www.journelle.com

Source: www.people.com

 Rachel Bilson has the right idea here - a little boho, a little rocker. Loves it!

From Left to Right: True Religion, J Brand and Resin

These True Religion jeans on the left are some of my favorites. I bought this same pair years ago and there were insanely comfortable and they make your behind look fabulous! Sadly, mine ripped beyond repair last spring, so they are going to need replacing!

I plan on pair my look with a classic fedora or Panama hat - to add just a little extra cool to the ensemble.

 I adore this classic black and white Eugenia Kim option...

www.shopbop.com

Or this unique lace version from Nordstrom for a little bit more of a bohemian feel...

www.nordstrom.com

And finally, this straw one from DSquared just feels like summer to me...

www.shopbop.com

Another great accessory to add to the panama hat and simple racer back tanks during summer is a bright and colorful lightweight scarf.

Source: www.couldihavethat.blogspot.com

Lauren Conrad always manages to get it right - how much would I love to have access to her closet?! Here are some of my favorite summery scarves...

Left to Right: Theodora and Callum and Antik Batik, from www.shopbop.com

Also at the top of my list for summer, the little white dresses! A white dress just screams summer to me, and this one from Emersonmade is just lovely!

And naturally, Blake Lively does the white dress right - I love it casual with flats and a bright scarf. Easy, breezy!

Besides, white looks so good with bronzed and tan summer skin. Here are a few options I have my eye on...

Left to Right: Vanessa Bruno and Day Birger Mikkelsen, from www.net-a-porter.com

Alice by Temperley, from www.shopbop.com

Summer also means incorporating a beachy, seaside feel to everyday outfits. I would do this with a fabulous French 70's inspired head scarf - from none other than Pucci, of course! With the right hair products and sunglasses, it would go a little something like this...

Source: www.mandikern.tumblr.com

Here are the Pucci prints I am drooling over this season...

From www.forzieri.com

From www.pucci.com

Ok, so perhaps the biggest thing I am into this season is shirts that are off the shoulder. I am not kidding you guys, I am obsessed. I have bought at least 3-4 shirts recently that slouch off the shoulder. It may seem 80's style to you, but I am all about it.

Source: Unknown

Exposing a bare, tanned shoulder is so sexy - but you can be comfortable at the same time in a shirt that's soft and slouchy.

Source: www.stolkholm-streetstyle.com

This option from Wildfox Couture is my current favorite. I may need to add it to my growing collection of off-shoulder shirts!

From www.shopthetrendboutique.com

My final must-try look for summer? Any outfit that combines white bottoms with a denim or chambray button-down top. Whether with white jeans...one of my summer staples, already...

Source: www.reasonstobreathe.tumblr.com

Or with a boho short little white skirt...or a long white maxi skirt for that matter!

Source: www.mohiposts.tumblr.com

Those are some of the looks I am going for this summer - once the warm weather finally decides to grace us with its presence here in Seattle, that is - what are you planning for your summer wardrobe?