My Summertime Bucket List

My youngest son and his friends are making Summer Bucket Lists and it's very sweet. I love the happy start of Summer and all it's possibilities just swirling about in my head... Ah, the potential of it! I thought I'd make my own Summer list.. I'd love to hear some of yours as well!

On my list. . .

Getting my toes pretty and wearing my sandals everywhere I can..Don't you love these retro Salt-water sandals? I don't know about you, but growing up in 1970's California this is all we wore. Colors were either  red, navy, white or brown. No toe protection for flying feet and yes many a toe were skinned.

Biking as many places as I can around town. Getting misted by a nearby sprinkler adds bonus points! Already biked to lunch with the sons to our town's hot dog and malt shop. :)



 
Love to look as cute as Garance Dore above photo by her Habitually Chic boyfriend.

Many bike trips to the library and lots of lazy afternoons reading with a glass of ice tea on the patio.

Repeat this daily! Let this be your Summer mantra.

Don't forget to smell the lavender and all the other lovelies blooming. Fill your home. Right now I've got a whole bouquet of gardenia next to my bed courtesy of my pal Jen's garden and it's heaven. Making dried lavender sachets tied with ribbon is a fun a activity for the kids as well.

Beach days! 

         One word: naps!

At least one road trip is in my future. I make playlists for each of my trips so I can relive my vacation  when I hear the songs again! So fun.

 Pack up my "dream car" this white Defender and head out.. Yes I suppose a Defender is a thing not a moment, so forget I said that. . . 

Hey did I mention I like the ones with the snorkels? 

I will consume as much mint, basil, figs and watermelon as humanly possible.

                               Alfresco baby!

Pup tents under the stars...Or in the garage a few hours later..."Mom, we heard noises."

I hope to get to two of my favorite Northern California spots- Pinecrest Lake and Lake Tahoe. I love being with the mountains, the smell of the pine trees and time with my whole family.

Still looking for my dream hat that covers enough, looks stylish and doesn't look like Darth Vader...(You know what I'm talking about? Some scary sun visors out there!)

Picnics and croquet! Croquet tournaments -even better.

Badminton! Net or not...

Poolside with a hat and book. A little shade would be nice. My husband laughs because my optimal temperature is 79 and I would prefer it to stay that as much as possible. Thank you so much.

A little romance? Just saying..Isn't this the cutest? 

At least one boat ride across a lake. .  Did I mention I do have a tiny fear of boats?

I think I can do very small lakes however.

                             Beach walks!

I'd love to have a retro pool party!

Let's have guys in white shoes and mint jackets, girls with big hair loud prints...That Tequila song playing in the background. This is so my childhood. Anyone still got a cool swim cap? :D

  Okay sorry off track here..,but the umbrellas really were cute weren't they? (Slim Aarons' photos)

I need to watch some of my favorite chick flicks again like, "It's Complicated."

And I'll be thrilled if any of my men here at home will watch the original, "A Room With A View," with me. I am still enchanted by this movie after 25 years with it's fantastic characters, and views of Italy and England. Based on the E.M. Forester novel it's a great Summer read as well.

Best movie kiss ever.

A young Helena Bonham Carter and Maggie Smith before she became the dowager of Downton.





Travels to new places near and far.

Exploring the parks of the world..

or appreciating stuffed Eiffel Towers while wearing chocolate crepes

Trains, planes and automobiles! I love the romance of travel.

Let's do this!

Now tell me all about your Summer bucket lists! 

Kim

Images northerncal style and from my Pinterest boards Summer and Alfresco.

What to wear to a Summer Wedding or Occasion II

Kate Moss attending a wedding.

Summer is coming fast and along with that so many special events. That means weddings, graduations, reunions and vacations.  I'm thinking that is why one of my most popular and older posts is what to wear to a Summer wedding... It can be a bit stressful finding the right thing to wear that is flattering and is appropriate. Sometimes you aren't happy with your body or your closet.

Try not to worry. Remember the most attractive people are those who are confident and fun. It's never the thinnest or ones wearing the most expensive clothes! Heck I personally think it's the women who think out of the box and wear something older or vintage or totally different that impress me! 

Jessica Alba is perfect here for a Summer wedding.

The thing is you need some time to plan what you are going to wear to any special event. You probably shouldn't be looking the night before! Go through your closet a few weeks prior. This may be a good time to do a Spring cleaning out. Try on all your potential outfits. See what fits, what still works and what needs to go. Be ruthless. Take a good look at what you still love and has lasted. Notice what flatters you and forget trends. Know what you feel good in. That way if you need to shop you have some idea of what works for you. You won't buy something just like you already own or buy something that just doesn't flatter.

I just did this and for me I noticed the dresses and things that I still love and have lasted were J Crew. I also noticed shift dresses stay in style and I have several that are over 20 years old. One is a raw silk sleeveless shift with pockets and a scalloped hem from Ann Taylor. Also sadly, some dresses like halters no longer look great on me. I honestly look better more covered up than showing all my moles and spots off. I realized the most flattering length for me is right above the knee. 

I purged my closet of 6 bags of clothes that had been there a while. It felt great to have a clean closet and smaller wardrobe. Everything had to fit perfect and be really loved. Shopping after doing this was surprisingly easy. I came home with nothing the first few trips because I knew exactly what I had and that I didn't want to add anything that wasn't going to be just what I needed. Loving this white bracelet, but...got one already! Another striped top was darling and hey I already own about 5. You get where I am going. It felt liberating to walk out of stores with nothing. 

Time is crunched this part of the year so I have resorted to online shopping and it's been amazing how many store I can hit from the couch. I'm especially enticed by the free shipping and returns at Nordstrom. You really have nothing to lose. I also find I can tell by the models body type if something is going to flatter me or not. I also read the customer reviews on items at the bottom of the page. Some customers state their height, weight, size and body type and will let you know is someting is too big or tugs or they had to order a size up. Very helpful.

Kate Bosworth in a floaty dress, clutch and pretty sandals at a wedding.

Another friend who is short on time calls the personal shopper at her local Nordstrom and they have many choices in her size already waiting for her along with possible shoes and bags. It's all complimentary and many store have this. If you hate shopping or just can't find the time, use these services! It's just like when the stars use a stylist. They do the same for you. It's great to have the opinion of someone who puts together clothes all day long. They know what works and what doesn't! It's free. You tell them your budget and they will work on making you look good within it.

 I've linked to some of my favorite picks of all the pretty things out there this season. I have to say I spent some serious time online and there are more dresses than ever. I particularly like the sites that have culled certain dresses together and grouped them as wedding guest dresses. Makes it way easier. Nordstrom was one in particular and you can find it here.

For a Summer wedding the easiest option is a lovely dress, a pretty clutch and a small wrap or scarf to drape on your shoulders. Notice below. She's got chic hair, small bag (don't even thing of bringing your regular daytime shoulder bag), wrap or sweater, dressier earrings and pretty shoes. Simple.

In my search for a dress for my son's graduation and to pack on my travels, I came across quite a few that are perfect for many occasions. I'm sharing some of my favorites and hopefully there is a link to each one on the description should you want to buy or find out more information!

Michael Kors at Nordstrom

One of the day looks that is flattering on almost everyone is the shift dress and if it has a print you can pair it some terrific wedges or a bright clutch for a graduation. I'd skip a necklace and add some larger drop earrings. Love this Michael Kors.

Trina Turk

A sleeveless shift here from Trina Turk is paired with flesh tone pumps. Some bright thick bracelets would look great with this.

J Crew

I'm loving this J Crew dress which is currently on sale and also comes in a coral. You can glam this up for evening with silver accessories or make it more day wedding appropriate with strappy sandals, a bright clutch and fun earrings.

Laundry at Bloomingdales

Have to admit, I'm loving all the prints and florals this year.

Carmen Marc Valvo at Neiman Marcus

Tory Burch

Modcloth

Nordstrom

This above, would be very cute on a young teen or pre-teen.

J Crew

DVF at Nordstrom

The lace trend is pretty and feminine. This DVF dress is perfection and also comes in navy and white lace over grey.

Vince Camuto

Eliza J- Nordstrom

Warm colors are so attractive on most people...

Sue Wong

Alice + Olivia at Neiman's

I'm trying to include some sleeved items for those gals that want them like above. This would look great on anyone.

Ralph Lauren



One shoulder looks are flattering on many body types!

BCBG

Colorblock Tank Shopbop

Loving the blue this year as well. 

Kate Spade at Nordstrom

Maxis dresses can be cute, but for a formal wedding, you'll need to add heels and a wrap along with dressier hair if you plan on wearing one. The fabric shouldn't be t-shirt material if you are wearing it to a formal event.  Most maxis are beach and cover-up attire so keep that in mind and I don't think I need to say here that flip-flops are not an option-unless it's a beach wedding..Then anything goes!

Nordstrom

Lili Pulitzer at Bloomingdales

Patio Cross- Back dress - Banana Republic

Ralph Lauren at Nordstrom

This could be cute for a younger gal as well as a stylish mature lady...Don't want to forget them.

Lili Pulitzer at Bloomingdales

 Have fun whatever you do! Remember the fun people are always the most attractive no matter what they have on.


Do you have a go to you wear for weddings or do you shop for each occasion? Love to hear what all you ladies out there do!

Kim