Summer weekends just beg to be filled with outings, picnics in the park, brunch with friends, perusing markets and evenings spent outdoors enjoying Pimms or an aromatic G&T. For me, summer is filled with fashion possibilities that winter and fall just don’t allow. We shed our heavy knits and coats for lighter layers and flowing tops, casual t-shirts and bright bold prints and colors.
Out and About
I love this outfit for a day of meeting friends for brunch followed by some light shopping. I like to be comfortable and casual so a pair of Toms is my go to for warm days of walking and perusing. I love the black and white geometric pattern on these Toms. I bought them last summer and, although a little tattered, they’re still going strong despite lots of wear and washing. I nabbed this amazing little leather bag on a trip to Barcelona a few years ago at a shop off Plaza Catalunya called Hakei. This is a great Spanish brand! They have awesome t-shirts, gorgeous bags and an overall really cool, laid back style.
I love Balenciaga’s Florabotanica for summer. It’s an earthy, herby fragrance based around mint and floral notes such as Rose and Carnation. Its light and earthy when it dries it leaves a sheer, clean floral scent which is not overpowering.
Earrings and bracelet from Madewell. Ring from & Other Stories. Leather cross body bag from Hakei. Black mastiff jeans from All Saints, embellished t-shirt and patterned scarf from Comptoir des Cottoniers. Shoes from Toms and Florabotanica fragrance from Balenciaga.
Pencil Me In
I adore a good pencil skirt and over the years have accumulated a decent number of them in my wardrobe. I used to be a fan of the classic, black pencil skirt but recently I’ve found myself attracted to prints and colors that give this classic silhouette a fun twist. This was the first pencil skirt I ever got that had a bright and funky pattern. I found it years ago at Anthropologie and couldn’t help myself… I didn’t even wait for it to go on sale! Amazingly, it still fits and I love it just as much as the day I bought it! I happily wear this to the office paired with a simple black t-shirt, a great pair of flats (these are from Comptoir des Cottoniers) and some fun jewelry.
Sadly this skirt is from many, many seasons ago but it’s easy enough to find similar versions on the high street. New Look have a great blue tribal zig-zag skirt, Forever 21 and Boohoo.com also have really cute versions all for under £20! The necklace is from COS and the bracelet I got at a market in Nairobi.
The earbuds are literally one of my favorite discoveries ever. At the airport last Christmas on my way to the States I realized I’d forgotten my earbuds… crisis! I ducked into a Dixons and was immediately drawn to these fun leopard print ones from Happy Plugs. They’re designed in Sweden (of course!!) come in loads of really fun prints and colors and the sound is pretty good too!
The fragrance is Nectarine blossom and honey from Jo Malone. This is a lovely, sweet and light fragrance for summer reminiscent of ripe nectarines, peaches and honey.
Urban Tropical
This is one of my favorite dresses. The pattern just makes me happy and the fabric is light and soft. It has pockets which is an attribute I actually love in a dress or skirt. It comes from Ganni which is an amazing brand based in Copenhagen who make effortless, easy to wear fashion.
Although I love a good sandal when I’m at the beach, I don’t find them particularly comfortable for running around town. The last time I made the mistake of wearing sandals in London my feet were killing me and covered in city grime. I prefer to pair a dress or skirt with cute flats or loafers (these are a few seasons old from Ted Baker). A great bag or clutch and some bright jewelry complete the look.
The fragrance is from Carthusia, a perfumery from the isle of Capri in Italy. On a visit to Carpi some years ago I wandered into the factory shop and fell in love with this perfumery. I came home with Fiori di Capri, a joyful and musky floral fragrance with carnation, lily of the valley, oak, amber, sandalwood and ylang ylang. Luckily you can find Carthusia fragrances at lots of London locations including Liberty, Harrods, Cologne & Cotton, Fortnum & Mason and Conran.
The jewelry I chose to pair with this outfit is mostly all acquired from markets around the world. Apart from the earrings which are from Madewell. I got the bracelets and larger red bead necklace in Kenya. The smaller beaded necklace is from Ecuador.
I love having some interesting and unique pieces of jewelry, a pretty scarf or gorgeous perfume that were acquired during my travels. They remind me of a journey I once took and the good memories attached to it.
Happy Journeys Everyone!
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