The dog days of summer
the vibe is "take me into September, but also pry summer from my cold, dead, fingers"
Everywhere I look on the internet are fall wishlists and fall trend inspiration, but over here, we’re not ready for fall. Summer mindset for as many days as we can possibly hold on to it! If you are just here for the clothes, you can shop all the pieces here!
As soon as the calendar turns to August, I find myself starting to feel nostalgic for summer, even though I know we have several weeks (hopefully even a couple months!) left of summer weather! This year, especially, I am feeling it. This has been one of the first summers as a parent where I have seen and felt the magic of summertime for my kids. This year, my kids have been having the absolute times of their lives. I mean, they are really little, so pretty much everyday is amazing for them - but, its especially true in summertime. Every day of the week spent at the pool, at the park, at the lake, playing in sprinklers or at the splash pad. Picnic lunches with watermelon dripping down their faces and bodies. Playdates with friends at every playground in our vicinity. Ice cream for dinner. Neighborhood walks after dinner before bedtime. Hose downs in the backyards instead of baths. As I say goodbye to them every morning and head to my office (upstairs to the third floor of my house, LOL), I feel…jealous.
Jealous of how unstructured their days are. Jealous that they can have fun and downtime with no guilt. Jealous that they get to be outside all day long. Jealous of those mid-day naps! It has made me wish that I didn’t work (very rare for me to feel that way) and could just hang out with them and be the one introducing them to all the fun and magic of summertime.
The nostalgia for summer starts to give me this nagging feeling that I haven’t soaked up summer enough - that it’s slipping through my fingers like a handful of sand at the beach.
This isn’t a new feeling - I have always had this. I think (I hope I’m not alone) most New Englanders experience some version of this every year — we look forward to and talk about summer so long, when it comes there is a lot of pressure to make the most of it! To combat this feeling, I have been trying my best to make time for and say yes to as many special summer activities as possible within the bounds of my schedule — trying my best to be a fun summer mom! My husband and I take the kids to the pool after work a couple afternoons a week. Often times we switch off so that one of us gets a little bit of a break (being alone in our house is extremely rare!). Eating grilled cheese and french fries in towels by the pool, with new freckles developing in real time and then crawling into bed barely able to keep your eyes open is just the absolute epitome of summer! I’ve been playing tennis when I can, and having an outdoor activity has been pretty awesome. And our weeks are full of (mostly) unstructured fun — we eat outside as much as we can, hit up all the incredible farms around our home to look at and enjoy the bounty of vegetables that have been growing all summer long, and break out the sprinklers when it gets really hot!
So, when I start to see all the back to school madness and pre and early fall clothes, I want to stick my fingers in my ears, close my eyes and scream-sing. I’m not ready for it! I’m still trying to soak up summer as much as possible, and squeeze every last moment out of it. Rationally, I know that it doesn’t make a ton of sense to spend a lot more money on summer clothes, because of course I will want fall things soon enough — (my love for sweaters runs VERRRRYYYYY deep). Even right now, I am just barely resisting the new La Ligne pieces. But, I am still drawn to all the summer styles. And, I never promised practical here — I promise to help justify just about any purchase you are contemplating. Since we have one last beach vacation coming up so I know I’ll wear a lot of things then. But I am trying to make sure I pick some new things that I will get to wear more than just one more time this summer — so, I’ve been eyeing pieces that I can wear for these last hot days of summer, and then keep wearing into a (crossing my fingers for it) warm September and temperate October. So we can hold on to the carefree, just say yes, not taking life too seriously mentality of summer for just a little bit longer!
Without further ado, my late-summer wishlist!
1: AYR Metropolitan Pants / 2: Ulla Johnson Sena Dress / 3: Kule T-Shirt / 4: Xirena Ella Dress / 5: Zip-Front Romper / 6: Kule Clemence Dress / 7: Mille Daisy Dress in Jade Paradise / 8: Mille Riviera Top / 9: Sold Out NYC Black Tank / 10: Solid & Striped Bathing Suit / 11: Vince Pants / 12: Emerson Fry Shirt Dress / 13: Staud Ida Dress / 14: Loeffler Randall Dad Sandals / 15: Chartreuse Top & Shorts / 16: Schutz Heels / 17: Sea Crochet Top
1: AYR Metropolitan Pants - I think Khakis are back, my friends. Dying to wear these with the Sea crochet tank.
2: Ulla Johnson Sena Dress - This dress has been on my wish list since early spring. I just really love it.
3: Kule T-Shirt - Never not the right time to get a fresh new tee.
4: Xirena Ella Dress - This is the perfect weight to wear now (the gauze is dreamy!), and the sleeves and length will work well into fall! I am imagining wearing it deep into fall layered with sweaters! Runs a little big, would consider sizing down!
5: Zip-Front Romper - I am having a real obsession with rompers right now. I just got this fun one from Mango that I have been wearing constantly, especially over a bathing suit, and I want another one. I know this will look great in fall with a chunky sweater.
6: Kule Clemence Dress - A knitted tank dress is so versatile. Love the idea of this with sneakers or Birkenstocks right now, and maybe with a long sleeve shirt or turtleneck as a layer underneath
7: Mille Daisy Dress in Jade Paradise - The entire Mille fall collection is just *chefs kiss.* Honestly so hard to pick a favorite piece. But, I love this pattern so much! This shirt dress style is also incredible - I know I want to add this silhouette to my collection.
8: Mille Riviera Top - Gorgeous. Perfect tucked into pants, buttoned over a swimsuit, even over the knitted tank dress!
9: Sold Out NYC Black Tank - This brand is new-to-me, but has some great pieces. A black tank is such a closet workhorse, and I need to replace mine. This would get a ton of wear all year round!
10: Solid & Striped Bathing Suit - This is a great time to shop for bathing suits - all the good ones are on sale, including this one! Wear now to the pool, and later with your high-waisted pants as a bodysuit!
11: Vince Pants - I am obsessed with wearing a looser, high-waisted pants with a bodysuit on top right now, and I know this look will translate to fall. I love the look of these trousers - so sleek. Even if wearing a white pant with little kids is borderline insanity. Also, these are pull-on. Yes.
12: Emerson Fry Shirt Dress - I have been absolutely obsessed with shirt dresses lately. I documented my obsession with the Hill House Home Laura on Instagram. This is just an easy, chic, stylish choice that can be accessorized for any season!
13: Staud Ida Dress - wear here now with strappy sandals, wear her later with a jean jacket, wear her even later with a big warm sweater.
14: Loeffler Randall Dad Sandals - Like, i know these are kind of ugly, but I just don’t care!
15: Chartreuse Top & Shorts - This was the summer of matching sets, and I’m sure this trend will carry into fall. I love the idea of wearing this now, and then styling the separate pieces all fall.
16: Schutz Heels - Love these heels. Wear with everything!
17: Sea Crochet Top - Imagining this now with jean shorts or high-waisted linen pants, and in mid-to-late September with high-waisted flare jeans & clogs (we are here for the 70s revival!) or with a silk slip skirt!