and so, a few books i’ve read and (mostly) loved so far this summer:

i wasn’t sure about the chelsea handler book, because my taste in humor books can be odd (see sloane crosley, below) but it ended up being hysterical, if only because i think she and i may have grown up in the same house.  if you ever coveted a cabbage patch doll, there’s a story in there for you that makes the whole book worthwhile.  it’s also a crazy fast read…i think it took me about three outings to peets to finish this one.  perfect for planes, trains and automobiles alike.

anne lamott could write out her grocery list and publish it, and i’d buy it.  her writing style is perpetually full of hope, wisdom, truth and humor, no matter how dire a circumstance.  i always come away from her books feeling a little bit better about life, and maybe even a little bit smarter.  this particular title is about a family dealing with a teenage daughter’s “recreational” bad habits – not a topic i’d expect to be excited by, but i loved it, and was sorry to see it end.  if you’re into smart fiction, this is the writer for you.

sloane crosley…oh, i want so badly to like her.  she reminds me a lot of david sedaris (who i also wish i liked).  her travel tales are great, but they’re not as uproariously funny as i’d expect from a book with a bear on the cover.  but i have a feeling if you like david sedaris, you’ll fall head over heels for sloane crosley.  in which case, you’ll also want to pick up her first book, i was told there’d be cake.

and in case you’re curious about what’s left on my list for the summer, a few titles i can’t wait to start:

barbara kingsolver’s new book, “the lacuna”, which just came out in paperback. i haven’t heard much about this title, but i have yet to read a kingsolver book i didn’t love.  i’m also looking forward to reading “the cookbook collector” by allegra goodman – it’s gotten such amazing press, i can’t wait to see if it’s as good as it sounds.  and, because i’ll need something easy and light after those two reads, i’m planning to sneak in emily giffin’s newest, “the heart of the matter” between the other two titles.

what are you reading this summer?

but now, at 70% off and just over $100, it’s getting harder and harder to stick to what i know to be true.

if you happen to be one of those lucky hip-less girls, please indulge on my behalf.

by the way, can anyone explain the utterly bizarre styling on american apparel’s website?  these were literally the only two photos of it actually being worn as a skirt.  it’s like they can’t stand that this is actually a respectable length, and so are forced to style it as a dress.  baffling.  fortunately, i know you’re all far too fashion-savvy to try wearing this as a dress.

at any rate, i’ve already nabbed this in navy, and plan to scoop up at least three more colors asap.  summer, here i come!

(clockwise from top left) bubbleprint belt dress from satara fashion, 99 eur, via for me, for you; stewart + brown eva skirt from beklina, $105, after a hop and a skip from simple lovely; shireen eyelet dress from calypso-celle, $165 via black eiffel; B&B reservations dress from modcloth, $69, via feather.

j.crew infuriates me with their cardigan monopoly sometimes…no matter how hard i try to branch out, i inevitably end up adding yet another j.crew cardi to the mix.  but it’s hard to argue with perfection.  i love the drawstring tie, the chiffon ruffle detail, and that absolutely perfect nude hue.  it’s even under $100, making it a virtually guilt-free buy.

nice to know i can finally stop looking.

my warm-weather whining aside, i’ve said before that i think maxi-dresses are on the way out, and wouldn’t generally advise them as an investment buy these days.  but even so, i’m seriously wishing i had a great gatsby party (how fun would that be?!) or maybe just an outdoor wedding on the agenda to justify buying this beautiful jersey frock:

i’m in love with the sheer elegance of this A.L.C. nadine dress, and it would just be oh-so-easy to wear to any summer festivities.  it’s not a maxi-dress in anything other than length – it’s utterly flattering, perfectly figure-skimming, and the cut of the bodice is just the right degree of sexy to balance out this floor-length style.

if it were $100, i wouldn’t even care that i had nowhere to wear it…but at $473, it would have to be a “necessary” buy, i fear.  anyone have summer plans that could justify buying this beauty?

i love that the detail on this is appliqued, not screened, which makes it feel a lot more expensive than it is.  ditto for the mod cut on this tee: perfectly slouchy up top, but trim at the waist, so you get the look of the relaxed boyfriend tee in a more figure-flattering silhouette.  it’s the perfect no-brainer to pair with spring skirts and shorts, and it’s a very wallet-friendly $50.  not bad, not bad at all.

in my case, when i’m having one of those days, i crave travel – seeing new things, shopping new shops, eating at new restaurants…a new perspective (or just getting the hell out of dodge).  since i haven’t had even a glimmer of a summer vacation this year, and this labor day weekend promises more of the same, i thought i’d put together a post for those of you who are wishing you’d had a little exotic summer travel.  and so, a few pictures from some of my very favorite virtual vacation books – the tomes i turn to when travel is nowhere to be found, but i’m desperate to get away.

if you’re dreaming of an ultra-luxe tropical respite – maybe some exotic, exclusive hotel in the middle of the ocean – you’ll want to pick up ultimate tropical (from rizzoli), stat.  i want to visit every.single.five.star.resort in this beautiful book, sit in front of every.single.infinity.pool, and sleep in every.single.canopied.bed.  come on, aren’t you dying to wake up on that bed?  surely not as good as the real thing, but considerably cheaper (and easier to come by).

the book i desperately needed yesterday was still (from chronicle), a collection of photos by debra bloomfield. aptly named, it’s the most calming book i’ve ever owned – just page after page of beautiful ocean and sky.  the layout is such that you get one photo per page, cropped square…the whole thing is just so serene.  i had the hardest time choosing which photo to share…click here for a few more, or just buy the book.

of course, a virtual vacation doesn’t have to be all zen.  it can be food and shopping and all manner of touristy goodness.  for that, my guilty pleasure of choice is the one hundred and one series (from rizzoli).  for me, i’m going straight to italy – no surprise shops and crafts is my favorite - and instantly transport myself to a cafe somewhere in florence, sipping chianti and being utterly free of stress.  or maybe a tiny little shop where i can buy handmade leather gloves, in fuchsia ostrich skin!  ahem…sorry, got a little distracted there.

so, readers, what will you be doing with this last weekend of summer?  i hope you have barbecues, relaxation…and maybe a little travel in your future.

a little admin note: i’ll be taking it easy next week. i have a birthday coming up (hurray!), family coming into town to celebrate (hi, mom!), and just looking forward to some down time.  don’t worry too much…i have a few goodies lined up to keep you entertained.  and of course, there’s always my new twitter addiction, which i’m sure i’ll be indulging.

have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

it’s been a long while since i walked into the gap and actually fell for something on sight.  but these shoes are just so cute in person, and such a great color & pattern for summer, i couldn’t resist.  the $39 pricetag didn’t hurt, nor did the fact that they miraculously run a full size large, so they actually had my size in the store.  i was a little wary of the bow in back, but i’ve decided it gives some nice detail, and keeps them from being too generic.

i’m fairly confident i’ve mentioned how much i detest hot weather.  besides my massive discomfort whenever the mercury hits 80+, there’s also the matter of my cheeks, which insist on becoming a very radioactive shade of crimson at the slightest increase in my internal temp.  literally, i’ve had people stop me during a workout to “make sure i’m okay.”  yes, i’m fine – i’m always that color.  given the severity of the problem, when i decided to test clinique’s new “redness solutions” mineral powder, i was skeptical…i was pretty sure painting my face yellow was not the answer.  but this stuff actually works – and somehow doesn’t settle into wrinkles like most loose powders.  i highly recommend it for those of you with fair skin that rebels in heat, or for the post-workout makeup routine.

and last, i mentioned recently how much i loved a new piece by emily elizabeth jewelry, and the designer was sweet enough to send it over as a thank you (yes, i know, my life is very hard).  honestly, i’ve hardly taken it off since it arrived…i think it might just be the perfect summer necklace.  because the chain is just a bit thick, and the leaves are a bit bold, it dresses up my ultra-casual summer style beautifully, and gives me just a dash of grecian goddess chic (who couldn’t use a bit of that?).

happy weekend, everyone!  i’ll be off visiting family for a few days, but should be back bright and early tuesday for more retail therapy.

i especially love the kimberly dress (center) which is available in short or maxi lengths and a pile of fabric choices.  i love that it’s one of the few maxis i’ve come across this season without an empire waist (not always the most flattering look), and at $150, it’s a great all-purpose summer party dress.  the short version in that fab purple madras plaid is very high on my list for the ultimate day dress.

and how can you resist that sweet, ruffle-y juno dress (right)?  i love the staggered ruffles (which, by the way, also make excellent tummy camouflage), and the fact that the styling is so easy, but still fitted enough to give you a shape.  so perfect!  for something even simpler, the piar style (left, by matta) is the ultimate option when it’s just too hot to care what you’re wearing.  with that airy cotton and wide flounced hem, you’ll look much cooler than you feel, even in triple digits.

if you’re on the hunt for summer dresses, calypso is a great place to start – besides their house line, they carry a few gorgeous styles from designers like chan luu and matta, so you’re sure to find some fabulous options.