Packing (for the) Heat

In my book, there’s no bigger end-of-the-weekend buzz-kill than hauling a bag stuffed with unworn shoes/handbags/dresses/tops/shorts out to the cab/car/jitney. I’m hot. I’m usually hung-over. I’m tempted to abandon it all at the curb. Adding insult to injury? I have to unpack said items once I get home. (Or, in my case, ten days later.) This summer I’m on a mission to perfect the art of weekend packing. My weapons of choice? Three multi-tasking, travel-friendly pieces that go from day to date, boardwalk to barstool.

Elegant enough for a nice dinner out, yet breezy enough for a walk down the beach, this sweeping, strapless number from Theory is one of my favorite recent finds.

Comfy as a flip-flop but markedly fancier, metallic flat sandals are pretty much my favorite thing to wear in the summer. An added bonus? They take up just a sliver of space in my bag.

This roomy, oversized clutch is exactly the right size for a magazine or two and my absolute essentials, yet it’s chic and polished enough for evening.

Now the question remains: What to do with the time I used to spend fighting with the zipper on my Samsonite Sunday morning…

Summer Music Festival Chic

Find yourself clicking through pictures from Coachella and Bonnaroo in your cube longingly, overcome with that missed-out-on-the-best-party-of-the-year feeling? Me, too. And then this comforting thought occurred to me: just because I wasn’t there doesn’t mean I can’t crib the summer music festival look. My EZ Coachella-inspired look involves a bikini and short-shorts, loads of long necklaces (and perhaps a bracelet or two for good measure), a floppy hat, gladiator sandals, and, of course, statement sunglasses. The final touch? A scruffy-cute drummer on your arm. (We’ll leave finding one of those up to you.) Photo courtesy of elle.com.

Monday à la Moss!

On my better days? I fancy myself the bookish, Midwestern, sedate version of Kate Moss. (On my worse days I think I look like the love child of Axel Rose and Janice from The Muppets, but that’s another matter entirely.) And few things bring me quite as much joy as being able to recreate Kate’s effortless cool with items from right here at shopbop.

This classic Kate look starts with gray J Brand skinnies, a white V-neck tee (I love the little pocket on LNA’s) and a studded gladiator. (Even better? These L.A.M.B. ones are on sale.) Ray-Ban Wayfarers are a hipster essential this season, and a Thea Grant pendant is the perfect combination of sweetly pretty and found-object cool. A slouchy black bag (I love Rebecca Minkoff's) stores all manner of must-haves.
(Photo courtesy of Jezebel.)

Happy Memorial Day!

Whatever your plans for this Memorial Day, I hope the sun is shining and the grill is hot. I just got back from a stay in the great north woods of Wisconsin, three days of wearing nothing but my worn-to-shreds jeans and favorite tees. It was bliss but I’m ready to get back to more refined style, so for tonight’s barbeque, I’m going with a sweet dress and sleek flat sandals. What’s your ideal Memorial Day ensemble? Build it now, rock it at the next summer bbq.

Let's Go! Memorial Day Essentials

Memorial Day marks the beginning of weekend getaway season, and we all know what that means: mastering the gentle art of thrown-together summer chic. Well-cut tees and shorts from Bop Basics are the building blocks of this look, while sporty-meets-posh terry shorts and hoodies from KRITIK are perfect for poolside lounging or a late-afternoon lunch. The finishing touch? A couple pairs of simple flat sandals. Behind every great getaway is a wardrobe of spot-on essentials. Get yours, at shopbop.