Aside from the essential swimsuit and glowing tan, there are a few other items you should add to your summer "Must Haves" list!
As crazy as it may sound (especially in Texas), it's nice to have a summer sweater on standby. You never know, you may decide to go see a movie, meet friends out for happy hour on the patio, or have an evening beach/lake shindig. It can get breezy and who better to turn to than your trusty summer sweater! My pick is Anthropologie's Hammock Cardi for $88. It's a splurge, but as I tell clients when outfitting, the most important rule to follow is versatility. This is a piece you can utilize year round...throw it on over a sun dress or tank with shorts for summer and layer it with a long sleeve in the fall. Also, because of the length, cut and lines it's a cardi for all body types :)
I'm not usually one to get out and tan very often. In fact I try to steer clear from too much sun because a healthy glow is the healthy decision, baking should only be used for cookies and cupcakes! I also don't want to lose what little glow I obtain, so to help prolong the process I've discovered Bath & Body Works True Blue Spa "After Sun Moisturizer - Hold It Right There!" for $15. With a fun, refreshing beach scent and the right antioxidants to help nourish the skin I've had great success with maintaining my color.
Pedicures should be shown off in style and in comfort! I chose Cole Haan's Molly Flat Sandal with memory foam insoles for $128. They come in assorted colors, but my favorite is the soft gold because it looks great with almost anything and sometimes looks silver...again, great versatility!
Summer reading lists are always a hot topic and E L James has the SIZZLING read for all! Most women have heard of the Fifty Shades Trilogy. It gets a lot of promotion for the fact that it's an erotic fiction, but to me and other readers I've talked with find it to be a most intriguing love story...not sharing anymore :) MUST READ FOR ALL $15 (per book) at a Barnes & Noble near you.
Sunglasses or "Sunnies" as I call them, can be a very individualistic, fashion forward accessory. I love that you can instantly get a feel for someone's personality and style just by their sunglasses option...it's true. I've chosen two myself, a rounded square framed Tortoise Shell 70's inspired look, Urban Outfitter's $14 and a black framed cat-eyed Brigitte Bardot look, Fred Flare $14.
Wouldn't it be great to have a tote that's so versatile you could use it on the beach, even stow away your wet bathing suit and use it for a nice dinner that evening? It all sounds messy, but actually it's clean and simple! I've chosen Cole Haan's Bree City Tote for $398 it's 2 bags in one with a fully leather, hand woven exterior and a removable crossbody nylon interior. It's available in Black, Cobalt and Natural (pictured).
Look out for my Men's Summer Lifesavers post this weekend!
Cheers,
Em
