The "Effortless Summer" Guide
Sunscreens, books, great sandals and a good attitude. A little guide to some things that help me feel easy and effortless during the summer.
Summer has this way of taking forever to get here, and then once it arrives its gone by in a flash. It’s almost mid-June, can you believe it? Even in the (sometimes horrific) heat of the summer here in Georgia, I never try and rush myself too fats in to the fall. Thinking on a fashion calendar can often put you several seasons ahead of yourself- making it a little hard to live in the moment. I often will catch myself thinking “Oh I can’t wait for fall and I can wear that blazer” or wishing for crispy weather to layer a sweater in. When only a few months before I was dying for the warmth and sunshine and ability to bare my shoulders in a tank top or sundress. It’s so easy to get caught up like that, I mean new things are exciting-right?! It’s also very important to have some contentment I’m learning-being more happy with the cards laid out in front of me.
In that spirit I have been trying to think a little less about my summer wardrobe and fussing with “looks” but feeling what comes naturally to me. The summer time lifestyle is one that comes with a bit more ease so why fuss over clothes and “looks” that don’t feel the most “you” and effortless. I also should disclose that I think I feel the most “me” during the summertime and if I had ever properly had my colors matched (yes people still do this) , I believe I would be a true summer. I say this because summer comes easy to me, that may not necessarily be the case for everyone reading this! Whether it is easy or not, I wanted to put together my guide to a more effortless summer. Things of ease and beauty that, along with good attitude, help me enjoy summer a little more.
What’s more summery than the faint smell of sunscreen? This little bundle from Kinfield has become part of my daily summer ritual- body, face, and even lips. Yes they have cute packaging, but importantly their sunscreen is Reef safe, water-resistant, and rubs in beautifully without clogging my pores ( a miracle). The ritual of putting this on every day makes me feel very summery and I honestly enjoy that faint scent of sunscreen mixed with my perfume.
A Cotton Set
“If you love something it, cherish it” applies to my set from Deji Studios. Not to be so melodramatic, but I do absolutely love this set! As separates, the top and pants are so light and easy and slipping into them after a few hours at the pool and a shower feels incredible. Talk about “summer ease” a cotton set like this can take you a long way when packed for a trip (all of those “in-between” causal moments)- it also makes a chic dinner outfit with a pair of sandal kitten heels.
My Deji Studios set is the same as the middle one, but mine has a striped fabric! I love all of these other options form them too <3 One example of me wearing this set (and from a previous newsletter):
Ribbed Tank Tops
When I am with my girl friends, odds are that one of us is wearing a ribbed tank top. Specifically, we all bought this one super soft style from target that we have all been shocked to find is over favorite in our wardrobe at an easy $9. It has a little competition with a J. Crew one I just bought that has a slightly more scooped neck that I like for when I’m layering my necklaces.
J Crew Tank Top I just got & love, Not exactly a ribbed tank, but I love this pointelle one from Cou Cou Intimates Beaded Jewelry
If you have seen or talked to me lately you know that I started “beading” recently- aka I bought some elastic and went to the bead store! It really has been nice to do something creative with my hands that feels useful and I really recommend taking up something like this as a “summer craft” - kind of like you would in summer camp! As for the stylistic point of view on it, I’ve always loved layering up beads and bracelets in the summer for that true coastal summer vibe.
Listening to Maggie Rogers
I’m going to her concert tomorrow (eee!) and have been, almost constantly, listening to to her new album Don’t Forget Me. She also just came as a feature on a new song with L’Imperatrice that I swear I’ve listened to 10 times in the last 2 days. I’d also like to give honorable mention to HAIM’s album Women in Music Pt. III- it came out a few years ago, but I listen to it every summer because it just embodies this chill SoCal girl vibe that I love this time of year.
Lambrusco Wine or Lime Sparkling Water
Last summer we used to go over to my friends patio after work once a week to share a glass fo wine and snacks and conversation. One Friday we walked to the one shop and I mentioned trying this type of chilled red wine my husband Jack and I love and that was the beginning of what we dubbed “Lambrusco Girl Summer”. It was in jest of all fo the tik tok “*blank* girl summer” trends that were coming up. It did become a group favorite and a bottle we had no problem agreeing to split when we go out to restaurants.
As for the N/A drink that makes me feel oh-so summery, it has to be a lime sparkling water. The La Croix one is good but the lime mint Topo Chico takes the cake. We serve them at the shop I work at now and the employee and client consensus is two thumbs up for being incredibly refreshing.
I work at Ann Mashburn and even if I didn't, I would be going on about how chic and amazing these sandals are. They’re like a “naked” sandal, barely there, but just visible enough to note how chic they make your outfit look. I’ve been able to start wearing them again post-ankle surgery and I’ve been so ecstatic because I truly build so many looks around them (as you may have noticed in previous newsletters) ! I got these last year and I promise I will be wearing them every summer forward.
This is not shocking if you know me or read this newsletter. I will spare you from hearing about my love for wearing white night gowns as sundresses one more time, but just know tat they are the epitome of “effortless summer” in my book-especially with the above mentioned sandals!
Exhibit A:
The boat and tote has taken the world by storm and I still stand by it making a perfect summer bag. I just added a new tote to the line-up with a yellow awning stripe canvas bag from Melissa Odabash and am in love with the perfect “pop” it adds- its just happy! Plus any bag that looks cute and can hold a book, wallet, and water bottle is a-okay in my world. A styling tip for this would be to take a tote you already have and add a bandana or colorful scarf and some key chains (maybe beaded?!) to add color!
Books to read
This spring/summer I’ve read The Guest by Emma Cline, Frankenstein & Cleopatra by CoCo Mellors, and Rouge by Mona Awad- all good for different reasons and all are quite attention grabbing and perfect for your next flight or day by the pool.
I was going to try and round this out at a nice even “10” items, but I couldn’t go without mentioning this sea salt soap. It smells like the epitome of clean and fresh- just want you want after a day in the hot sun.
Heres to hoping you all take it easy this summer and enjoy slowing down and soaking up a little sun. Let me know if you try any of these out and love them!
cheers,
xx Taylor