sometimes i find my strolls through blogland taking on a bit of a theme, and today’s revealed some seriously lovely summer frocks.  i couldn’t help but share!

(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.

at the risk of attracting all sorts of x-rated spam comments with that title, i’ve been fixated for the last few weeks on securing the perfect summer cardigan in a barely-there nude (not grey, not cream, not tan…it’s harder than it sounds!) to layer with tanks and shorts this summer. in other words, this:

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.

i’ve spent the last hour browsing shopbop, in the vain hope that i’d be able to find a little something to splurge on to make myself get excited about the impeding warm weather.  but as usual, i’m having a really hard time getting excited about spring & summer fashions.  must everything for warm weather be either crotch-grazingly short or unbearably frumpy?  sigh.

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?

just stumbled across this rad (yep, rad) geometric tee over at need supply, and i’m thinking it’s just the thing for spring, especially if you’re floral-phobic, as so many are.

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.

dear readers…yesterday was what i call “a day.”  one of those days when all you want to do is crawl back into bed (not least because the one bright, shining spot in the pile of crap that was thursday was my cozy new john robshaw quilt), hide under the covers, and hope a bomb doesn’t hit.

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!

readers, i don’t think i’ve done enough shopping this week.  frightening, i realize…but i just don’t have any particularly exotic, “must haves” on this random friday.  so instead, i thought i’d share the ‘must haves’ that have actually made it into my house over the last week or two.  mind you, this is no small feat these days, as my shopping account is in serious lockdown mode.

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 honestly can’t remember how i ended up on calypso’s site…i followed a link there long ago, and started browsing.  however it happened, i’m definitely a new fan, particularly of their light-as-air summer dresses.  wouldn’t you just love to head to the hamptons or laguna beach with an overnight bag filled with these frocks?

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.

sometimes i try to extricate myself from the loveliness that is j.crew…but i just don’t think it can be done.  sometimes i feel things don’t fit just right, and prices are a little high, and they’re a little over-exposed, and maybe i’m not as preppy as i think i am.  but then, i’ll spend a month searching high and low for a couple of specific pieces to add to my summer wardrobe, and – predictably – j.crew was the answer all along.  i guess i really am that preppy.

this month, i’m crushing pretty hard on this gathered waist ikat skirt – such a great twist on a khaki skirt, but much less preppy and no less versatile.  definitely a zero-effort piece.  and the tank dress!  normally, a jersey tank dress can be shapeless and thoroughly blah, but for some reason, the belt and slight bagginess of this one is making it just exactly right.  i will say this:  the color choices for their jersey dresses are less than ideal this season: the grey is bland, and the mango is blinding.  i’m crushing on this one something fierce, but just can’t abide the funky green hue. 

and even though their sandals have wounded me to the core in years past, by falling to pieces after a season of beloved wear, i just can’t get these studded gladiators out of my head.  okay, and the silk bamboo tassel flats.  and maybe the vintage cotton flip flops, which are actually men’s, but way too cute for boys only.  yes, their shoes are a dangerous area for me.

if you have any summer j.crew must-haves, i’d suggest “having” them soon, as you can get 20% off purchases of $175+ with code SECRET, but only through today.  

do you have any j.crew must-haves this season?  i’d love to know what’s making you swoon!

if i splurge on nothing else this summer (a very real possibility), i’m fervently hoping to add this gorgeous wrap cardi from brochu walker to my closet.  at $445, it’s a splurge, to be sure, but it’s possibly the most versatile piece i’ve seen all season.  i know this would hardly have time to catch its breath on the hanger between wears.

i can hardly wait to put together this very ensemble for a casual evening out: great pair of trouser jeans, a nice silk cami, and maybe a nude heel to keep the whole thing neutral and classic.  but this cardi’s also destined to work overtime, helping me dress up those shapeless cotton dresses i can’t seem to resist when the weather turns hot.  it’s just airy enough to work for warmer temperatures, all while fending off that air conditioning chill we suffer through this time of year.  plus, i admit, i love the color name:  sea salt.  so perfect!

the good news is that if you happen to be in splurge-spending position this week, you can score 20% off on this beauty at shopjake, with code summer20, through today only.  hey, every little bit helps!

i started digging through the dusty nether-regions of my bookmarks folder to write this, oh, maybe two hours ago.  now, i’m thoroughly bleary-eyed and exhausted, but i found what i was looking for!

in my opinion, few summer essentials are as overlooked as the overnight bag.  when the beach is the destination (or somewhere equally relaxed and inviting), i get weighed down just thinking about carting my ancient roller bag along for the ride.  there’s just something about summer travel that makes me want to throw “responsible” to the wind, and use a bag i’ll really love for my vacation.

i’ve been testing out the new patent-finish collection from lesportsac, and i’m fairly convinced this might be the most durable bag ever made.  first, it’s h-u-g-e…you’ll definitely get your carry-on max with this baby.  the straps are padded and comfy enough for even heavy loads, and lesportsac’s normally-impermeable nylon is made even more indestructible with a hearty patent coating on the exterior.  so, when that mean flight attendant insists you shove your carry-on into an overhead compartment, you won’t need to fantasize about pushing her off the plane.  if you’re classic, grab it in black, but i kind of like the posey for summer fun (better pic here).  plus it zips flat…so it doubles as a “i bought too many souvenirs” emergency stowaway.

i can’t think of a single thing by angela adams that doesn’t make me swoon with delight.  i am not at all kidding when i say it’s my dream in life to own one of her amazing rugs (later in life…when i don’t have dogs that will puke their guts out all over it).  for now, i’ll happily settle for this sweet weekend tote ($145), which reminds me of a classic ll bean tote, but so much more chic.  it’s  packed full of pockets, and made of super-durable cotton canvas (hand-printed, by the way).  doesn’t it just make you think of a summer weekend in nantucket?

and last but not least, hayden-harnett is always a classic for chic travel options (their ibiza flight tote is a legend).  i’m dying to get my hands on their new avion tote ($318).  with leather handles and a chic paule marrot fabric pattern, this one is made even more perfect by being laptop-friendly – and, while i don’t condone working on a vacation, how else are you going to get your cardio poolside?