Poolside Necessities

What a better way to kick off the start of summer here in Southern California than a heatwave of triple digits? This year, I'm going to try to not just hunker down inside with the A/C blasting, but actually embrace the heat and take advantage of the pool. The secret to a good pool day, other than a good bathing suit and the sun, is being prepared. I just bought the trifecta of poolside lounging: lounge chair, an umbrella, and my secret weapon, a mister. I'm not sure how I'd gone so long without one. It is a game changer. 

In addition to your basic lounging needs, here is what else you need for a day of fun in the sun: 

A cute tote bag to carry all the essentials, a pair of shades to protect those peepers, a fun towel for drying off after taking a dip or two, sunscreen and a lip balm with sunscreen to spare you weeks of misery dealing with nasty burns, a stainless steel water bottle to keep all your refreshments nice and chilled, a good book to help you stare at something other than your phone, and a portable charger to keep said phone charged for, ya know... emergencies ;)

So that is what will be in my poolside "kit" this summer. Is there anything I should add? What are the things you can't be without this summer? Let me know! 

Happy Lounging!

Romper and Feathers

When you've been in your bathing suit all day waiting for it to not be unbearably hot outside, you finally just have to throw on a hand-me-down romper from your sister at 6:30 and deal with it.

Summertime Blues

Dress: Band of Gypsies via TJ Maxx Jacket: Levi's Sunglasses: TJ Maxx

Mad for Plaid

Shirt: Kohl's Jeans: Target Sandals: Target

Thigh High

Top: Lulu's Skirt: Charlotte Russe Sandals: Target 

There is definitely something about a slit in your skirt that makes you walk differently. One, because you feel super sexy and two, because the wind will fight to the death to give every one around you a free show. Be prepared to hold things down and together. With that being said, it's still worth it.

Pool Days

Everything: Target, naturally. (from last year, naturally)

Come On Eileen

Jumpsuit: Old Navy Jacket: Kohl's Shoes: Marshalls Bag: Old Navy

Film Styles: Dirty Dancing

For some reason or another, I really had the urge to watch Dirty Dancing this week. It could be that I heard a song from the early 60s that reminded me of it, or perhaps I subconsciously think of Penny every time I see the off-the-shoulder trend (and let's be honest, for as much as Baby is the star, Penny is really the style queen in this movie). Even though it's set in 1963, these outfits can easily be translated to today: embroidered peasant tops, bodysuits, cuffed denim shorts and crop tops. Whether you're summering in the Catskills or Literally Any Town, USA, you can find inspiration in Penny and Baby. Dry hump dancing optional. 

See more Film Styles from Woodstock, Almost Famous and Chocolat

Happy Memorial Day

 

Ah, the warm breezes of summer are finally blowing in. That means long days, warm nights, sandy feet and good books. At the end of the next three months I'm sure I will be crying mercy for fall, but right now I'm giddy with excitement for what summer brings. It has a feeling, a persona. It's rolling down your windows and having the warm wind tousle your hair, it's the smell of chlorine and sunscreen, it's the cool first step into the water. It is a feast for the senses. Here are a few things on my summer list this year:

Enjoy your 3-day weekend and have a wonderful summer!




Images via the style files, barefoot blonde, wolfcub chronicles, tessa barton, and she was a hurricane,
beauty bodyy, camillestyles, loui-loui

Albums of the Summer

I know it's only August, and all except for one of these albums didn't even come out this year, but Night Beats' Sonic Bloom, Tame Impala's Lonerism, Portugal. The Man's Evil Friends, and Temples' Sun Structures are on my short list of most-played records this summer. If you haven't heard them, do yourself a favor and go do that right now.

Movie stars home movies

Silent home movies of Paul Newman, Natalie Wood and Jane Fonda hanging out in Malibu in 1965. Also, Labor day at Rock Hudson's house and Julie Andrews. When being a movie star was just as glamorous as you imagined. Doesn't it make you want to go to the beach?

Summer Playlist

Summer is that one season that needs a soundtrack, a group of songs that when heard years later reminds you of "that one summer when..." I remember when I stayed at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs, laying by the pool while Jimi Hendrix played over the speakers and thinking that it was the epitome of summer. Whether you're laying by the pool, or at the beach, or just driving around with all your windows down, you need those go-to songs that make you feel good and wish summer would never end. Here are 15 (or so) songs that will be in constant rotation on my iPod this summer:


1. Victory - Play it
2. Vampire Weekend - Diane Young / Unbelievers
3. JJAMZ - Heartbeat
4. The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter / Doo Doo Doo
5. Bruno Mars - Treasure
6. Paul Simon - Kodachrome / Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard
7. Jefferson Airplane - Volunteers
8. The Mowgli's - San Francisco
9. The Neighbourhood - Sweater Weather
10. Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower
11.The Non-Commissioned Officers - Ahead of the Wave
12. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog
13. Alabama Shakes - Always Alright
14. Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son
15. The Doors - Love Her Madly


What's on your summer playlist?


Image via Only You

Watercolors

I am so in love with watercolor right now. It could have been sparked by my trip to The Getty, although I think it's gone farther back than that (this has been my computer for the last two years). Either way, I love everything about it: the colors, the technique. So perfect for summer. Here are a few things that will turn you into a moving masterpiece:


Top: Modcloth Scarf: Forever 21 Leggings: boohoo
Skirt: Nastygal phone case: Ruche flip flops: JCPenny Top: Alice + Olivia

Images from Deviantart and AngelicbyJones

Emma's first birthday

  (It was a chocolate-all-over-your-face good day)
Yesterday my family and I celebrated my niece's first birthday at the park. It was such a gorgeous day with beautiful trees and a lake. It was super windy so it was prime conditions for flying kites. It made me really excited about summer. Even though I won't technically be on summer vacation, little day trips like these are totally doable (and much welcomed to break up the mundanity of work and school.) Too bad these two girls are leaving me in a couple weeks to move across the country (*shakes an angry fist at their parents*).  Maybe we can have a picnic over Facetime...

$100 Shopbop + Marc Jacobs Giveaway!

Summer is only two weeks away and there's nothing better than to start it off with some new accessories! Here's your chance to win a $100 Shopbop Giftcard to use towards all your summer needs like Marc by Marc Jacobs Sunglasses, a Marc by Marc Jacobs phone case or even one of Marc by Marc Jacobs satchels to use on all your summer adventures!

 All you have to do is leave a comment below including your email address by June 20th to be entered! Make sure to follow Shopbop on Twitter to get an extra entry. Good luck!!

Makeup Bag: Summer Vacation Essentials

While getting ready for my stay on Catalina, I decided I wanted to pack really light, like, only a backpack light. I didn't want to deal with a big suitcase on the boat or the walk to the hotel, and a backpack seemed like the perfect travel bag. That meant that I had to downsize everything, including my makeup. I couldn't bring a caboodle worth of stuff (yeah I just referenced a caboodle). But then I figured, it's summer (not technically, but it feels like it) and I'm going to an island, I don't really need a face full of makeup. So here's a peek into what I brought in my makeup bag, and what I consider to be summer vacation essentials.

Note: I did not include my Aveeno sunblock or Josie Maran moisturizer, but they were most definitely packed.

1. UVSunSense wrist bands: I think these are the coolest things ever. They're UV-activated wrist bands that tell you when you need to reapply sunscreen (and when you need to get out of the sun) by changing colors. Usually people make the mistake of putting sunscreen on in the morning and think they're protected the rest of the day, so I wore these all weekend as a reminder to reapply.

2. Urban Decay Skyscraper mascara: No, it's not waterproof, but it's my favorite, so I brought it. Plus, I wasn't planning on going in the water (Did you know Catalina harbor is the second dirtiest water in California? yuck.)

3. Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface: I love this. It's a bubblegum pink blush that looks amazing on all skin tones, and it's made of natural ingredients so you don't feel like it's too heavy or that you're clogging your pores when it gets hot out.

4. Covergirl lipstick in Fairytale: I brought a coral lipstick just in case I wanted something bright on my lips since I brought zero eyeshadow.

5. BareMinerals compact face brush: I think this one's self-explanatory.

6. NARS Illuminator in Copacabana: I mix this into my foundation or moisturizer to give my face an amazing dewy glow.

7. MAC Eyeliner in Smolder: A black eyeliner for night, since I didn't bring eyeshadow, I wanted something to make my eyes stand out.

8. MAC lipstick in Myth: Perfect nude lip.

9. Covergirl tinted moisturizer: lighter than foundation, it moisturizers while still giving you a bit of color and coverage. And a bonus is that it has SPF in it. Perfect for a beach vacation!

10. Laura Mercier secret camouflage concealer: I only wore this under my eyes at night, but it's always good to have a concealer in your makeup bag for emergencies.

So there's my list of summer vacation essentials. What's in your makeup bag this summer?

An Island in the Sun (Catalina part II)

For my sister and brother-in-law's 10 year anniversary, they got these amazing beach house in Catalina and invited all their friends. It had a balcony over looking the ocean and the weather was so perfect. I literally hadn't been to Catalina since right before my sister got married (10 years ago) so a trip was definitely overdue. If you're ever in California, definitely make a trip out there!