Tiny Sails

Equipment Top from dressed & ready, Gap Jeans, Vintage Belt, Mossimo Boots, Long Necklace by Free People, Silver Necklace from San Miguel de Allende, Tom Ford True Coral Lip Color, Mod About You Nail Color by OPI 

Who could resist a sweet sailboat print top? Definitely not me. I'm all about nautical-inspired favorites for summer like this one by Equipment. It first caught my eye because it reminded me of a top my grandmother used to wear (one of my style icons, see more of her here) and because of the nude undertone—making it easy to pair with some of my other wardrobe favorites. Lately I've been wearing it with white jeans, cut-offs and my mother denim jeans seen here.

Playlist

This past weekend we had a barbecue marathon both days. It was the warmest June days yet and everyone seemed to be in the Summer mood, which got me thinking... It's about time I refreshed the playlist on my iphone/shuffle. Whether it's a beach day, picnic, backyard BBQ or lounging poolside, a good playlist is a definite must in my book. Here's a list of some favorites I'll be playing on repeat for the summer months ahead. 

1. Vampire Weekend - "Ottoman"
2. Mark Ronson & the Business Intl - "Bang Bang Bang (album version)"
3. Sleigh Bells - "Rill Rill"
4. Black Keys - "Tighten Up"
5.  Spoon - "I Turn My Camera On"
6. Washed Out - "Feel It All Around"
7.  Mr. Bombe & Mr. Caribbean - "James Drake Mixtape"
8. 3-11 Porter - "Surround Me With Your Love"
9. Sebastien Tellier - "Le Long De La Riviere Tendre"
10. Washed Out - "Eyes Be Closed"
11. Bon Iver - "Calgary"
12. Cults - "Bumper"
13. Twin Shadow - "Castles In The Snow"
14. Monsters of Folk - "Say Please"
15. Adele - "Tired"
16. Ashes Grammer - "Shy"
17. Empire Of The Sun - "We Are The People"
18. Beirut - "Nantes"
19. Fleet Foxes - "Helplessness Blues"
20. Tom Petty - "Time To Move On"
21. Bon Iver - "Wash"

*Sidenote: I recently discovered Grooveshark and I'm slightly obsessed. You can plug in any song of your choice and make up a playlist. 

Summer Snack

There's something about a peach that instantly puts me in summer mode. I recently picked up a juicy batch at the farmers market and I've been trying out new recipes ever since. My most favorite so far? Seared sweet peaches and caramelized greek yogurt. And all it takes are 4 easy ingredients and steps: peaches, brown sugar, vanilla and greek yogurt. 

1. Coat each cut half of the peach in brown sugar and sear for about a minute

2. Mix 1 cup of Greek yogurt with 2 teaspoons vanilla

3. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of brown sugar on top and let it dissolve into the yogurt

4. Slice up the seared peaches and dip away in the caramelized yogurt. 

P.S. I've been eating this as a snack, but it should probably be categorized as a dessert. I say, live life and eat dessert as a snack!

Bright Beginnings

[ BCBG Maxi Skirt, Old Navy Tee, Gap Sandals, Mintee Bead Necklace, Gold Chain Necklace from dressed & ready, Vintage Bangles, Jennifer Fisher Bone Cuff, Ariel Gordon Rings, Nars Schiap Lipstick ]

Yesterday marked the first official day of Summer and I decided to celebrate in my own little way by wearing a bright and happy color, hot pink. I rarely wear such bold colors but I couldn't help myself when it came to this flowy maxi skirt. I also blame it on my sudden pink craving I've been experiencing—cotton candy nails, salmon colored chinos (seen here), peonies, neon and pale pink lips. Now if only I could get a better tan to go with this electric tone. 

15 Things I Love About Summer

I can't help but get a little giddy every year around this time when the days get sunnier, warmer and longer. Things are infinitely more fun (which is probably why it always seems to fly by) and I always feel the best thanks to having tan limbs. There are so many things I absolutely love about Summer that I look forward to it every year. Here's a list of 15 things I love about the brightest season of the bunch.

1. Fresh squeezed lemonade or lemon and mint ice cubes, seen here

2. Nights spent outside with friends and a bottle of vino

3. Putting some miles on the beach cruiser

4. Light pink Peonies

5. Long days at Hammonds, my favorite beach seen here

6. Trips to McConnels for mint chip ice cream

7. Falling asleep in the sun

8. Reading a book—Cutting For Stone and Water for Elephants are on my list

9. Morning walks

10. Swimming in the ocean

11. Testing out new recipes for get-togethers

12. Cheeseburgers hot off the grill

13. Sailing 

14. Weekend getaways—I don't have any yet but planning is half the fun

15. Peaches, my favorite fruit are in season—stay tuned for some new recipes I'll be trying!

Rustic Casual

J.Crew Waverly Chino, Ariel Gordon Spike Pendant Necklace and rings, Mossimo Boots, Old Navy Tee, Vince Sweater, Vintage Bracelets, belt from Fred Segals

As much as I love getting dolled up for a night out, most of the time I'm in something comfortable and casual. I recently found these salmon colored chinos at J.Crew and I was pleasantly surprised by the relaxed fit and how easily the color pairs with everything. And since I've been wearing them I've found myself craving other pink color tones—especially when I spotted the first pale peonies at the grocery store. Summer has officially arrived... now where's that sun!

Getting in Shape

I've never been a big gym person or a runner. In fact I'm pretty sure I was coincidentally home "sick" on the days we had to run the mile for P.E. back in grade school. For as long as I can remember the only way I can get myself to exercise is if it's fun. Since bikini season has arrived I've been feeling the need to get the blood flowing and tone up a bit. Here's my top 5 ways I like to get in shape without feeling like it's a chore. 


1. Hiking — I'm spoiled by living in Santa Barbara where there's tons of amazing hiking trails. The beau and I have a few favorites that we like to do on weekend mornings. 
2. Yoga — After having back surgery years ago, yoga is one of my favorite ways to stretch my limbs out and work on my core strength. I found a favorite studio and class that plays good music, which keeps me motivated. 
3. Walking — Sometimes after a long day of work I'll catch up with a friend and go for a quick hour long speed walk through the neighborhood. 
4. Tracy Anderson Work Out Videos — What I would give to take one of her classes live. I love doing her mat and warm up videos that work muscles I didn't even realize I had. And I kinda love that she's Gwyneth Paltrow's trainer too. 
5. Dancing — Impromptu dance parties are a normal thing in my household. And let me tell you, it is the best way to burn some calories. 

To The Max

When one of my most stylish friends came to visit recently (LP, see her here), she lived in floor length dresses and skirts leaving me craving some for my own wardrobe. She paired long gauzy maxi dresses with tribal necklaces and knit sweaters that looked so beachy and cool. A frequent Montauk weekender, she found most of her favorite pieces at Surf Bazaar at the Surf Lodge—paradise as most have described to me (I have yet to make it, fingers crossed for an August trip). Until then, here are some recent maxi dresses that I'm currently loving. 

Clockwise from top left:

James Perse Slub Cotton-Jersey Maxi Dress $165

Rachel Pally Striped Maxi Dress $220

Topshop Black Peacock Print Halter Cover Up Maxi Dress $60

DAY Birger et Mikkelsen Striped Jersey Maxi Dress $120

James Perse Striped Cotton-Blend Maxi Dress $122

Topshop Red Buttercup Bandeau Maxi Dress $110

Elizabeth & James Molly Jersey Open-Back Maxi Dress $295

Rag & Bone Stretch-Cotton Maxi Dress $195

Show Your Stripes

Free People Maxi Skirt, Joie Tank, Fenton Fallon Necklace, Vintage Fringe Necklace, Barney's New York Sandals, Could I Have That Bracelet, Alexander Wang Bag

There's just something about stripes that I'm constantly drawn to. At first, I thought it was a phase, but I'm starting to learn that my stripes obsession is here to stay in all aspects of my life—striped wallpaper, striped plates, striped bikinis, striped towels... yes please! So when I finally found a maxi skirt for my wardrobe that I've been craving and it had stripes, I just about squealed. Another squealing moment this week? This chain bib necklace by Fenton Fallon. It's too cool for words. What's the most exciting newest addition in your closet?

Fig to Table

Every year the fig tree in our backyard fills up with tons of fruit that we can hardly keep up. So this year I'm determined to test out the many ways of incorporating the sweet tasting (and pretty!) fruit into my meals. I picked the first batch of the Summer and made a little appetizer last night—figs stuffed with goat cheese and honey. Ridiculously simple but the mix of sweet and savory is crazy good. Here's how to prepare them. Cut across the tops of the fruit both ways, just a 1/4 of the way down. Squeeze the bottoms so it opens up like a flower. Fill with goat cheese (feta works too) and drizzle honey on top. Eat with your hands and avoid eating the skins. 

LP in Topshop

I count the days between my New York visits. Partly because I have completely fallen in love with the city but also because I get see my good friend LP, who has always been a style inspiration to me—see her here and here. On my last visit to the city she wore this floor length Topshop dress paired with simple gold jewelry and platform booties to abc kitchen for dinner and it was effortlessly perfect. This weekend she's coming to my neck of the woods and I can hardly wait to catch up with her and laugh way too much as we always do. 

Check out LP's favorite NY spots below... 

LP's NYC Black Book

Comida:

Anytime—Extra Virgin Restaurant, West Ville NYC

Girls night dinner—Esquina  

Fancy dinner—abc kitchen 

Brunching— The Spotted Pig 

Lunch date—Atlantic Grill 

Date night—Lartusi 

Date night—Locanda Verde 

Sweet tooth

Build A Green Bakery

Billy's Bakery 

Work break fro yo stop

Shop:

Blue and Cream

Poppy

Saturdays

Topshop

Ambiance—fun 1^st pit stop before a night out

Gramercy Tavern  (def worth stopping and smelling the flowers)

Night:

The Jane

Southside

Bar Chloe

Sweating it out:

Soul Cycle 

All time faves: Hamptons and cental park