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My Summer Essentials

June 24, 2020 By kimwheeler 9 Comments

Does it seem crazy we are almost to July? Summer doesn’t feel like summer without the usual things that mean summer to me like travel, camping and watching Wimbledon! Nevertheless, it’s warming up here and though I’ve shopped the closet and cleaned out, I could use a few lighter things to get through the rest of summer. With all the home time, I’m wanting some easy things that feel cool with a bit of style. I’m sick of seeing myself in the same old shorts and Ts! Here’s a few things I am ordering in case someone might actually see me at grocery or we venture out to grab a lunch or dinner to have in the park…

Right now I am loving the shape and feel of tunic dresses. They are finally having a moment here after seeing so many women wear them the past few summers in Europe. This ombre Anthropologie tunic is something easy for at home and for errands out too. Just add some flat sandals, a bun in your hair and a basket as your purse and you have the epitome of summer ease. I also like this simple Sundry ruffled t shirt dress.

This cute oversized tote from Trina Turk would be adorable in an entry for shoes etc, as well as for the mom whose holding everyone’s things for the beach!

As a Californian, I live in shorts during the summer and I need at least one pair of white denim. These J.Crew shorts are very highly rated and have the perfect amount of stretch and roominess. They run slightly large and have a hem you can fold to adjust for length. I’ve already gotten a few people asking where I got mine, they are a flattering length!

One thing I wear all the time is flat sandals during summer and besides my Tory Burch flip-flops, slides are my go-to. I love the mix of textures here and the cork soul and mod look. I can see wearing these J/Slides from Anthro with so much and I like the slight heel.

This Nordstrom exclusive Chanel Paris- Biarritz eau de toilette, is a light crisp scent for summer with notes of mandarin. I’ve been thinking of adding it to my summer fragrances rotation which are all on the light side.

These Lilah B. Tinted lip oils are a little discovery I made after a free sample and they are perfect for summer for keeping my lips from drying out and for long wear color. It’s vegan and free of toxic ingredients too. Lilah B. also makes Marvelous Matte Creme Foundation that is nice for summer. I want to just be able to buff something on and go. I also like the face spray and the whole lovely line.

…..

I want to say thank you to every one of you who read, commented and supported my last post about the issue of racism in America. Your notes here and on Instagram were so good to hear. I loved your concern and care about the state of this country. Some weren’t pleased with me getting political here, but I look at this as a life matter and not politics. I truly believe if aren’t part of the change, then we are part of the problem. I’ve been amazed at the marches and calls for change in the past few weeks in little towns and big cities and across the wider world about this. It’s 2020 and it is unbelievable we still have to call out racism and hate in the United States and also know what part we may be inadvertently playing by remaining in our bubbles. Read my post and all the thoughtful comments here.

We have keep the momentum going in this country. I’m going to keep adding things to the end of each blog and I welcome your comments as well about how we can bring about change in this country. It’s all about holding up our end as individuals! This is a good post by local PBS station KQED about showing up for racial justice– what we can each do. Another place teaching us about the racism in this nation and trying to change it is the Southern Poverty Law Center ,an excellent place to donate, but also educate ourselves. They teach tolerance, fight hate, seek justice and right now are focused on voting rights -so important before this next election!

And may I suggest one more thing to watch? Black Panthers: Vanguard of The Revolution an Independent Lens documentary was our family viewing last weekend and it was excellent. Growing up in the Bay Area in the 1970’s, all those names and events unfolded on my nightly ABC 7 News that we still watch today. To see the power of these people and what they did together to fight the system of oppression was huge and we are living through something very similar right now.

Have a great week

Kim

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Filed Under: summer style, Uncategorized Tagged With: #summerdresses, #summeressetials, #summerstyle, #summertime, #summervacationpicks

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. LA CONTESSA says

    June 24, 2020 at 3:53 pm

    NO I CANNOT BELIEVE ITS ALMOST JULY AND I WILL BE TURNING 60!!!!!!!!
    WHERE DID THE TIME GO IN THE LAST 60 years and this YEAR 2020 in particular!
    Always GOOD to “TREAT” yourself to some NEWNESS!
    I gave up shorts years ago………..LUCKY YOU!
    BASKETS AND CHANEL SPEAK TO ME!
    HAPPY SUMMER TO YOU…………….XO

    Reply
  2. Sheila in SF says

    June 25, 2020 at 3:28 am

    Always enjoy your posts– relevant to the issues of the day, social, style and decor and your travel. Keep up the interesting blog

    Reply
  3. Juliet says

    June 26, 2020 at 12:33 am

    Summer! I love that it’s summer even if this one will look a little different. I’d like to embrace dresses as everyday wear … I’ve worn the same pair of white shorts each day this week. Must mix it up. We recently watched the Netflix documentary 13th. It came out in 2016 but could have been made yesterday. It was eye opening to say the least to view our country’s massive increase in incarcerations through the lens of familiar political events. Will we look back at 2020 as a year of awakening and marked change in how we approach and irradiate racism in our society? It’s up to us and I appreciate you speaking out. xo

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      June 27, 2020 at 3:09 am

      Thank you Juliet. I know so hard to find cute dresses that are easy everyday suitable. Thank you also for that recommendation I have 13th on my list now. I’ve heard a lot about it and yes I hope this year brings good with all the heartache!! xo

      Reply
  4. Karen H. says

    June 26, 2020 at 4:47 pm

    I am a new subscriber to your blog, and I appreciate your willingness to state your views regarding racism in our country. I will admit that I was very disappointed in a couple of my favorite bloggers who did not even make a mention of these issues on their style blogs because they didn’t want to upset the apple cart. I made a decision to delete their blogs. We have to stand up and speak out if we want things to change. Thanks Kim for speaking out.

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      June 27, 2020 at 2:43 am

      Wow Karen thank you so much for your note! I truly appreciate it. I haven’t got a lot of notes and I’m not sure how to take that, but I know that I’m doing the right thing and I figure if people unfollow so be it. I just want a better world I like you have also unfollowed many bloggers and companies who haven’t mentioned anything which to me seems hard to believe with the state of things in this country.

      Reply
  5. Rosemary says

    June 29, 2020 at 10:32 pm

    Some great choices here Kim! 😊 Loose dresses in linen or cotton work so well, especially in very hot weather. I bought a few when we travelled to Savannah and Charleston as I’d been warned how very hot it would be and I loved wearing them … so easy! I love the idea of using an oversized tote for shoes or accessories in the hallway in the Summer.
    Take care … have a good week! xxxx

    Reply
  6. Jo says

    July 2, 2020 at 9:54 pm

    Hi Kim,

    I loved your blue dress you wore to Elizabeth’s birthday…can you share details?

    Thank you

    Jo

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      July 3, 2020 at 6:20 am

      Hi Jo! Thank you so much. The dress is by Cleobella and I bought it at a local boutique, Romantiques, but it looks like she may be out of it now. I found it online here: https://rstyle.me/+oxk2qsPkheyPNAQz7wYlwA and also here: https://rstyle.me/+qocwEN6w_52oo4sX1DosfQ and also full price other website:https://shop.cleobella.com/collections/dresses/products/bianca-mini-dress?variant=31766726115466

      I love that it is a hand blocked material. Very pretty in person. The bottom has a lining so it does not need a slip. The photos on the sites make it look shirt, but I am 5’4 and bought a small, it’s a few inches above my knee. Hope that helps!

      Reply

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