Product Spotlight – Turkish Towels

By Whitney

A few years ago, I bought a turkish towel for a fun towel to bring up to the beach or to the rooftop of my building for some sunning.  I didn’t really get the allure right away and then I used it a few times and noticed just light yet absorbent and how super soft it was!  I love all of the preppy stripes and bright colors; these are a beach must.  I noticed the other day that they make hand towels and I’m thinking these are a new kitchen staple.  There are a ton of options (home blankets for a guest room, beach tunics, lots of stuff for babies.) that take these fun colors and bring them to life in lots of places!

Beach Weekend Packing List

By Whitney

I’ve spent a lot of weekends away this summer and as August goes by,  my packing has become pretty efficient.  My weekend bag always has alternatives of the below but my basics are pretty much:  daytime dress, shorts + sweater for evenings, comfy clothes for lounging and my MUST is Bumble & Bumble Surf Shampoo/Conditioner.  I am not a huge makeup girl in the summer so I rely on summer waves and spray tan to keep me pretty!  It’s only Monday but that just means five more days until sun again!  Speaking of sun, go check out the Lilly Pulitzer sale today (starts at 8AM and probably will crash their site so check it out ASAP).   As an aside, a shoutout happy birthday to my bestest friend Teri.  Love you lots!!

Clockwise from top left:  JCrew Factory Denim Jacket (this is my favorite purchase of summer 2014) – $45 // BaubleBar Heartbreaker Bib – $46 // Reece Hudson Croc Embossed Clutch – $295 // Eberjey Pajama Short Set (probably my most worn thing over a beach weekend!) – $97 // JCrew Drapey Beach Sweater – $40 (was $70) // Bumble and Bumble Surf Set – $28 // Kaeli Smith Fish Cosmetics Bag – $13 // Juliet & Company Marguerite Earrings – $36 // Mark & Graham Elisabetta Handbag – $398 // JCrew Denim Shorts – $80 // Loeffler Randall Sarie Sandal – $175 //  Just Madras Natalie Dress – $130

Beach Day

by Lauren

While I don’t have plans for a tropical island getaway…the next time I hit the beach, I’m going to be wearing something like this…

This navy + white stripe one-piece by Thayer is ultra chic.  The cut is modern but the stripes complement that with a very classic feel.

This tangerine Eres pareo would look great with the suit.  Orange looks lovely with Navy
and since the suit has plenty of coverage up top, you only need a bottom for walking around.

And of course every great beach outfit requires a hat.  I think Eric Javitz hats are really well made and reasonably priced.

Tuesday’s Stripey Lust List

 

By Whitney

My least favorite part about summer is this soupy weather that makes me sweat off my entire face of makeup five minutes into leaving my apartment.  My favorite part?  The adorable summer clothes!  So many fun and light pieces with preppy and nautical stripes to fill your closets.  I love how stripes can really take you everywhere – office apparel, beachwear, running around, you name it.  Pair a solid with any of the stripes below and you are instantly cute.  It’s seriously that easy.

 

Clockwise from top left:  JCrew Textured Stripe Shorts – $70 (take 40% off with code “HOTOUT”)  // JCrew Factory Racerback Tank – $40 // Mikoh Striped Bikini– $170 // JCrew Striped Medium Pouch – $40 // Pink Stripe Tote – $48 // Nicholas Striped Top and Skirt (I mean this outfit is amazing. I have no idea where I would EVER wear it but it’s just awesome nonethless.  The purpose of lusting!) – $270 / $600 // JCrew Factory Striped Pencil Skirt (have this and love it for work with a crisp white top) – $34  // Soludos Striped Espadrilles – $43 // Kate Spade Journal – $36 // Tibi Sierra Dress – $240 (was $400) // JCrew Downing Tote – $178 (40% off with code “HOTOUT”) // Pim & Larkin Striped Dress– $35

Spray Tan 101

By Whitney

Every year Lauren and I explain our love for the fake tan.  We are pale girls and embrace the fact that laying in sun for hours on end will never be our cup of tea.  At the end of every week, I go spray tanning and I am officially addicted.  It’s been a few years since I started so by now, I consider myself an expert.  I get asked about this a lot so here is my process to get the perfect glow without risking the sun exposure.

Step 1: Exfoliate.  After shaving, I use St. Ives Apricot scrub on a loofa all over.  I love how soft this makes my skin!

Step 2:  No lotion.  After your shower, leave your skin as dry as can be.  That means no daily moisturizer.  This is tough to do when I put makeup on but I usually skip my Aveeno moisturizer as a base and only use my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer because it’s light and has SPF.

Step 3:  Spray!!  I am a huge fan of the Mystic HD spray tanning.  The rest don’t seem to work as well on me or seem as natural.   Before getting into the booth, I throw the barrier cream on my toes and fingers but I also step on either a paper towel or baby wipe the entire time.  The bottom of your feet don’t need to turn brown (nor do they need to be tan).   Wear something light and dark so that afterwards, when you are sticky, it doesn’t get on your clothes (although it does wash out if you don’t plan ahead!).

Step 4:  Do not shower for at least 4 hours (I aim for 8).  After you spray you’ll be a bit sticky for about an hour so try not to do anything to add to that (i.e. don’t go to the gym until much much later, stay in AC when it’s gross out, etc.).

Step 5:  No white sheets.  I am a crisp white bed kind of girl but even after I shower, the spray tan seems to get on my sheets in the hot sticky summers.  My cleaning lady must have thought there was something the matter with me.   I changed to gray sheets this summer and there’s not a spot of tan anywhere.

Step 6:  Maintenance.  To make a spray tan last a full week or a few days longer, stay away from exfoliating!  Usually a few days in, I use the Alpha Beta face pads Lauren recommended a few weeks back and they really are amazing.   As for lotion, I use St. Tropez’s everyday moisturizer to maintain my color.  This stuff really works!  If you really want to add on to the tan, Kate Somerville’s towelettes will keep you at your darkest.

Stars and Stripes – 2014 Version

By Whitney

Summer + flags + America = amazing.  Every year we do a red/white/blue patriotic post of some fun things for the fourth and this year is no different.  I am so excited for a few days off and for some bbq time in stars and stripes!  I personally will be rocking Lilly’s 2014 patriotic print but there are so many fun things below.   Another great option?  These Soludos Classic Striped Espadrilles to wear alllll summer long.

 

MZ Wallace Star Studded Navy Tote – $205 // PJ Salvage Liberty Rings Racerback Dress – $50 // BaubleBar Opal Chanteuse Necklace – $40 // Hanky Panky Sailor Stripe Low Rise Thong – $23 // Flag Spatula – $6 // Hayden Reis Anchor Tote and Lobster Tote – $123 each // Clare V Nubuck Clutch – $198 // Chalk of the Town Dress – $90 // Gorjana Friendship Star Set (give a pair to your bestie like you did when you were 8) – $44 // Pottery Barn Kids Red Striped Totes – $26 // JCrew Factory Anchor Bikini Top and Bottom – $40  // Baublebar Pearl Petal Drops – $36 // Pom Pom Drink Stirrers – $10 // Harding Lane Flag Needlepoint Hat (love this in white or blue) – $30 // Elephant Boxers (too cute) – $14

Tuesday Lust List – Ocean Hues

By Whitney

Summer is officially here!!!  Bring out your whites, your Lilly and all of your ocean hued pieces.   Blues and greens are my favorite to wear anytime of year but there are so many pretty pieces out there to bring to your beach weekends (or to bring the beach to your week!).

Clockwise from Top Left:  JCrew Toothpick Jeans – $125 // JCrew Factory Printed Bow Back Top – $65 // JCrew Short Sleeve Pajama Set  (also love these in teal stripe) – $78 // Topshop Scalloped Boucle Jacket – $110 // RayBan Classic Wayfarers in Blue – $155 // Lilly Pulitzer Callahan Shorts in Montauk – $64 // BaubleBar Pave Pebble Studs – $24 // Essie Borrowed and Blue Polish – $8 // Topshop Tropical Leaf Dress (obsessed with this) – $130 // Nautical Striped Canvas Rope Tote – $125 //Tory Burch Savannah Wedges – $175 /  Linea Pelle Chevron Perforated Belt (I love this with just a simple white dress) – $84 // Donale for Scoop Cover Up – $248

Jelly Shoes – 2014 Version

By Whitney

I was tempted to save this post for tomorrow to make it officially a Throwback Thursday, but it’s so warm and gross out, I felt like it was more appropriate for today.  A new trend this year is the jelly flat.  We all loved our jelly shoes when we were munchkins but now there is the modern version for us to wear as grown ups.  I saw this Ferragamo pair over the weekend and fell in love.  Yesterday I posted the white version of these adorable Jack Rogers jellies and I think they are a new beach must have!  When the rain comes pouring down, you’ll be so happy you are in these waterproof shoes that actually go with your outfit!!

Top Row:  Michael by Michael Kors Kayden Sandal – $69 // Ferragamo Barbados Sandal (my favs in black or tan) – $161 (were $230) //  Kate Spade Fab Sandals (or the patriotic version here) – $59 (were $78)

Bottom Row:  Melissa Campana Jelly Flat – $85// Rebecca Minkoff Petra Sandal (love the rose gold!) – $98 // Ferragamo Pandy Sandals – $136 (were $195)

 

 

Flamingo Fun

By Whitney

I love a fun print and when it revolves around a pink flamingo, I am so in.  I saw this Alice & Olivia skirt this weekend and was ogling over how cute it was with the giant flamingos.  Pair that with a plain white tank and you have quite the outfit.  The skirt inspired me to do some browsing and I found some really cute things to continue with this flamingo trend. Flamingos aren’t just for you, Florida gals!

Clockwise from top left:   C.Wonder Flamingo Suede Smoking Slipper (the cutest) – $138 // Gorjana Flamingo Studs – $35 // Hayden Reis Monogramed Flamingo Bag – $145 // Asos Flamingo Strappy Bikini – $45// Alice & Olivia Hale Flamingo Skirt (adore) – $297 // Love Lilly Flamingo Catalina Top – $70 // Lolo Bags Flamingo Cosmetic Case – $37 // C.Wonder Flamingo iPhone case – $35 // JCrew Factory Sequin Flamingo Tee – $32.50 // Sugarhill Boutique Flamingo Shift Dress – $53 // Flamingo Floating Drink Holders (umm I need a pool ASAP) – $12 for 3 // Alice & Olivia Willa Silk Blouse – $242

 

 

(Thursday) Beachy Lust List

By Whitney

It’s so rainy and a bit cold today so I definitely have my mind on beach time.  I am loving all of the bright stuff below and there is one item here that I think I need asap – a white denim jacket.  Is it too 80’s?  I am thinking no. What do you guys think?  I love the idea of it with navy dresses for spring.  I’m also loving my fav color in Tkees and that adorable crab beach bag.  So much fun.  Go grab that Shoshanna for every rehearsal dinner you have.  It’s expensive but you’ll rock that all summer (and fall) long!!

Clockwise from top left:  Turkish Towel – $29 // Zara Rhinestone Necklace – $50 // Kendra Scott Morgan Earring (comes in a ton of fun colors!) – $55 // Kaeli Smith Blue Crab Beach Bag – $70 // JCrew Factory Pleated Stripe Shorts – $45 // Shoshanna Alexandria Dress – $440 // TKees Flip Flops (in the perfect pink) – $50 // JCrew Pleated Front Dress – $98 (with code “SUMMERTIME”) //  Equipment Slim Signature Striped Cotton Top (my fav blue) – $158 // Sperry Angelfish Mesh Boat Shoe – $85 // Mara Hoffman Printed Underwire Bikini (love that this isn’t completely scandalous) – $235 // Gap White Denim Jacket – $35