Summer is officially in full swing around here, and to be honest, I have NO idea where it came from. I seriously can’t believe we’re already in July, and although our summer may look a little different this year, I fully intend to embrace it all – the weather, the cookouts, the fashion – even if it is from my own backyard.
When it comes to summer style, I’m all about versatile pieces that can be worn a few different ways, and this palm printed caftan from Walmart is so good. It’s perfect over a swimsuit (worn open or tied in front) and also easily elevates a simple shorts look (below). It’s part of the latest collection from Scoop and also comes in a fun paisley print or this chic animal print.
And now I have to chat a little about this swimsuit because if you’ve been following along for a while, then you know the swimsuit struggle is always REAL around here. I am quite busty, and while swimsuit companies are constantly striving to make their sizing more inclusive, I find that they usually miss the mark (completely) when it comes to bigger bust-lines. I ordered this swimsuit from Walmart with zero expectations of it actually fitting, but I just had to try because I thought the bottoms were so cute. In real life once the suit arrived, the bottoms ARE so cute, AND the top fit pretty perfectly. (It’s adjustable in the back, so you can loosen or tighten as needed.) The fabric is so nice, and I was extra thrilled when I found the matching striped straw tote. (How could I resist, right?)
I seriously can’t get over the quality of every piece here and have been finding so many looks to love from Walmart season after season. If you haven’t checked them out lately, what are you waiting for?
If you’re getting a little sick of the quarantine sweats and looking forward to something a little bit more spring, why not switch things up with a super comfy caftan instead? Caftan season may just be my favorite (I’ve worn a bunch over the years). During the summer months (and especially during HOT days in Palm Springs), my usual day to night look includes a pretty caftan thrown over a simple slip, and lucky for me right now, they’re just as good around the pool or on the beach as they are on the couch.
All dressed up with nowhere to be? Someone hand me a cocktail because in my mind I’m already at the beach.
Happy Friday, friends! And what a Friday it is. If you’ve been following along over on the Instagram, you’ll notice some south of the border vibes and the prettiest views thanks to my current location in Cabo. I’ll be sharing so many more photos in the coming days, but for now, I’m throwing it back to this sunny weekend spent at the Hyatt Huntington Beach and the Trina Turk caftan that I seriously can’t quit.
Over the past years living in California I’ve certainly developed a thing for caftans. Does that make me sound like an old lady? I’m not sure, but I’m not mad at it. They’re just so comfortable, and when done right, I think they can be so chic. I love throwing one on over a swimsuit, but when the weather is nice, I can always skip the suit and layer one over a nude slip. (This slip is my current favorite.)
For the hotter months, I love the loose fit and billowy sleeves. Long, short, or somewhere in between, there’s nothing better than a good caftan for that upcoming vacation…or maybe just to pretend. So today I’m rounding up a few current favorites that are just hovering in my cart, waiting to come home with me. Here’s hoping everyone has a fab weekend ahead!
Ever met a maxi dress that just made you wanna twirl? Well maybe now perhaps you have. I can’t even tell you how much I love this lightweight caftan for the summer months ahead, and I may just have to order this palm print version too. It’s perfect for throwing on over a swimsuit or layered over a slip for any day that the weather has you hot and bothered. (Also heads up, it runs pretty big, so I’d definitely recommend sizing down. I’m wearing a medium for reference.)
I scooped this little tasseled maxi up before Eric and I headed to Palm Springs last weekend, but I had to test it out before the weekend when I met up with the most lovely couple behind Pura Soul Photo. A mutual friend of ours made the introduction, and I’m SO glad that she did. They’re a couple of Southern transplants now living in San Diego, and hanging out with them was like getting together with a couple of old friends. Plus, I’m pretty obsessed with the photos that they share. (Also any shoot that starts off with a glass of wine is A-OK in my book, y’all.)
So here’s to new friends, dresses that make you twirl, a little rosé on a gloomy day, and a great rest of the week ahead!
The current heat wave in Southern California is no joke, and beating the heat is the name of the game around here. This summer caftan from Coolchange was by far the coolest, most comfortable piece that I brought with me to Miami, and now that I’m back on the left coast, it’s still in heavy rotation. It’s technically a swimsuit coverup, but partnered with a lightweight slip, it’s been making its way around town lately. (After all, living in Huntington Beach, can’t I just pretend that I actually did just come from the beach?) It’s also my go-to for working and hanging around the house these days, and before you accuse me of wearing the same thing every day, just know that I do not care. Especially when the choice is sweating it out or favorite dress again – the summer caftan always wins. Now for my next order of business: operation our backyard needs a hammock. You think the 1 Hotel in South Beach might just send me this one? Because I’m pretty sure we were meant to be together.
Wanna know one summer staple that is guaranteed to become a favorite of mine, year after year? Caftans, girl, and this Lilly Pulitzer caftan just jumped to the top of my list. It meets all of the basic requirements: light and airy, softest fabric, and an easy throw-on-and-go style, but Lilly Pulitzer kicks it up a notch with some seriously beautiful beading. It seriously feels like some kind of hand-made artwork and instantly transports me to some resort somewhere. (Vacation, anyone?) It’s the perfect swimsuit topper for those summer pool parties, but I’m definitely not confining this Lilly Pulitzer caftan to the beach or pool. How pretty would this little number be with some strappy gold sandals? I mean, real cute. You really can’t go wrong with anything Lilly this season, and in fact, you’ll probably want to spend your #SummerInLilly. Here’s hoping everyone is having a great week!
If there’s anything that you might consider an obsession of mine, it’s anything that looks, feels, or remotely resembles a caftan, and this one had me at hello. I specifically bought it for our post-wedding brunch this past Saturday, and it was just what I wanted to throw on after being in a wedding dress the day before. It’s loose and airy without being a full-on moo moo. (Do people outside of the South say moo moo? Not sure.) Luckily I snapped a few pics in it before we left for New Orleans because I pretty much took no pictures during our entire wedding week. I was focused on having fun with family and friends, and luckily our photographer was there to catch the best moments. (Will of course be sharing those here later!) So today I’m back to California and getting used to being back in the real world. Can we just rewind the last week?
One thing that’s an absolute necessity on any vacation (or stay-cation in this case) is something comfortable (and perhaps slightly sexy) to wear once the sun goes down. After a long day at the beach, the last thing I want to do it put on jeans or anything too tight, so this caftan dress is right up my alley. It has an elastic band inside to keep it in place and also keep it from looking like too much of a muumuu. The kimono sleeves and midi length make up for the low neckline, and I foresee this dress being a major favorite all summer long. Strappy sandal heels, gold jewels, and a snake-print clutch finished off the look. Stay tuned for more looks from our stay-cation at the Surf & Sand Resort.
Scoop’s latest collection to drop might just be my favorite so far, so today I’m rounding up a bunch of fall pieces that I snagged. You seriously can’t go wrong with the sweaters, and a few of the dresses remind me so much of Free People styles for less than half the FP price tag. (I mean, how much does the snake print dress below remind you of this Free People dress that I wore last season? I actually prefer the Scoop version though because it’s lined and has a better length.)
Now that I’ve got half of my fall wardrobe figured out, I’ll just be over here waiting for the weather to wear it. Hope everyone has a great rest of their week!
Well if there ever was a time to round up some current Amazon faves, it’s now because let’s just say that our Amazon Prime account has definitely seen some use lately. From dresses to pretzels and sanitizers to kitchen gadgets, here are some of the Amazon finds I’m loving right now.
This easy, lightweight maxi dress– I’ve had good luck with Amazon maxi dresses in the past (still LOVE this one and this one), so I figured I might as well go for round three. (Honestly, I feel like as long as something is on Amazon Prime and offers free returns, you really can’t go wrong. Returns are so easy for things that don’t work out.) The dress above comes in a million different prints and colors – including some that are plus sized – and is just so lightweight and easy for summer.
Some seriously addictive pretzels – OK, I know what you’re thinking. Pretzels? But trust, these are SO good. I came across recommendations for these a couple of times on the interwebs and figured I needed to check them out. And well, they totally live up to the hype. They’re crunchy, delicious, and coated in some type of addictive savory seasoning that makes them hard to put down. We also like to kick things up a notch around here and dip them in a spicy mustard. I’ve already ordered more and included a couple of bags of the Southwest flavor because, you know, research.
Apple AirPods and a handy little case – Eric gave me AirPods for Christmas, and I seriously had no idea how much I would use them. I knew they’d be great for listening to music while walking the pups, but I also really love them for phone calls. The sound quality is so good. So when Eric started stealing mine while working from home, I ordered him a pair from Amazon. And then a pair each for our moms for Mother’s Day. They’re a pretty versatile gift for anyone in the family, and I love this handy little case to easily take them on the go.
Sunscreen for the pups – Full disclosure – I KNOW I’m a crazy dog mom, but I’m fine with that. Dogs can get melanoma too, and I’ve seen too many social media posts of Vizslas who have it, so here we are. I pretty much just make sure to spray their nose and ear areas before super sunny walks. They don’t love it, but they also don’t flip out, so that’s a win, right?
A super handy candle lighter – We’re still spending most or all of our time at home, and somehow days are just better when the house is clean and a candle is lit. I’ve been stocking up on these candles (that smell exactly like a much more expensive brand) and lighting them with this nifty little flameless lighter. The bendy neck lets you easily get down into candle jars, and the fact that it’s rechargeable means you’ll never run out of fluid. It’s a cheap kitchen thrill that I’ve been using almost every day.
The prettiest caftan coverup – You guys know I live for a good caftan – over a swimsuit or layered over a slip – and even better when I can find one that doesn’t break the bank. I figured I’d try out this under $30 blue one (again – easy returns) and was so pleasantly surprised. The embroidery is so pretty, and the lightweight fabric is so good for the beach or poolside in Palm Springs. You can see a peek at how it looks on here.
Easy-spray hand sanitizer – Thankfully now that there’s no shortage, hand sanitizer is easy to find, but we all know that some brands are better than others. While this lemon coconut scented one is definitely my number one, I also love this version with a continuous spray pump similar to spray-on sunscreen. Some of the reviews complain about the smell, but I don’t notice it at all, and we love that it’s super convenient for hands or things like…Amazon packages.
This huge pack of ChapSticks – Just where do all the lost ChapSticks go? Eric and I were constantly on the hunt for ours, especially when we spent a few weeks in the desert heat, so here’s a pack of 18 in all the best summer flavors for those like us who are hooked on the Stick.
A new favorite pair of summer sandals – I wanted a new pair of comfortable summer sandals that were dressed-up enough to wear out in place of heels. Something I could easily pair with a mini or maxi dress for casual dinners or desert nights out with friends. Basically, I was hoping to find something exactly like this pink pair I own from a few seasons back. Well, I found them and seriously love them. I ordered the gold pair from Amazon and then ended up finding them in red in my size on eBay, sooo I now own those too. I’m not big on “designer dupes”, but I do LOVE these studded sandals that just so happen to look a lot like this designer pair.
A genius little egg bite maker – We can blame this one on the damn Facebook ads that track my every move because, well, they got me again. If you’re a sucker for those Starbucks egg bites like me, then you’ll love this little egg bite maker so that you can make them at home in your PJ’s. It comes in three different color options and includes molds for both the mini egg bites and a size that’s perfect for breakfast sandwiches. I ordered mine on Amazon but just found it cheaper here through Target.
A new rug for my office – You’ve probably seen the new rug a hundred times in flat-lay photos and quarantine mirror selfies on Instagram, but after testing it out for a few weeks, I’m still really loving this rug. The colors are as pictured, quality is nice, and free Prime shipping to your door just makes everything easier these days.
Swimsuit top, high rise bottoms, palm print caftan, striped straw bag, straw hat – all from Walmart
White shorts, white tank, palm print caftan, straw backpack, sandals (similar here) – all from Walmart
Photos thanks to 
